WEST PALM BEACH, Fla.
— President-elect Donald Trump moved to build out his foreign policy team Tuesday, announcing he is nominating Fox News host and Army veteran Pete Hegseth to serve as his defense secretary and former Director of National Intelligence John Ratcliffe to lead the Central Intelligence Agency.
If confirmed by the Senate, he would inherit the top job during a series of global crises — ranging from Russia’s war in Ukraine and the ongoing attacks in the Middle East by Iranian proxies to the push for a cease-fire between Israel, Hamas and Hezbollah and escalating worries about the growing alliance between Russia and North Korea.
Trump’s relationship with his civilian and military leaders during those years was fraught with tension, confusion and frustration, as they struggled to temper or even simply interpret presidential tweets and pronouncements that blindsided them with abrupt policy decisions they weren’t prepared to explain or defend.
Noem is a well-known conservative and former member of Congress who used her two terms leading a state to vault to a prominent position in Republican politics. She was considered a potential presidential contender herself, but declined to challenge Trump. She instead launched an overt pitch to be selected vice president but lost that nod when Trump chose JD Vance as his running mate.
Huckabee is a staunch defender of Israel, and his intended nomination comes as Trump has promised to align U.S. foreign policy more closely with Israel’s interests as it wages wars against Hamas in Gaza and Hezbollah in Lebanon. Witkoff is a Florida real estate investor who is serving as a chair of Trump’s inaugural committee. He also spent time in the world of New York real estate, where Trump first made his mark as a public figure.
“I look forward to John being the first person ever to serve in both of our Nation’s highest Intelligence positions,” Trump said in a statement. “He will be a fearless fighter for the Constitutional Rights of all Americans, while ensuring the Highest Levels of National Security, and PEACE THROUGH STRENGTH.”
Canada Latest News, Canada Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Trump builds out national security team with picks of Hegseth for Pentagon, Noem for DHSWEST PALM BEACH, Fla.
Read more »
Trump builds out national security team with picks of Hegseth for Pentagon, Noem for DHSWEST PALM BEACH, Fla.
Read more »
Trump builds out foreign policy team with picks of Hegseth for Pentagon, Ratcliffe for CIAWEST PALM BEACH, Fla.
Read more »
Trump builds out foreign policy team with picks of Hegseth for Pentagon, Ratcliffe for CIAWEST PALM BEACH, Fla.
Read more »
Trump nominates Fox News host Pete Hegseth for defense secretaryWEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (AP) — President-elect Donald Trump said Tuesday that he is nominating Fox News host and Army veteran Pete Hegseth to serve as his defense secretary.
Read more »
Trump Nominates Army Vet Peter Hegseth for Defense SecretaryHegseth has been a Fox & Friends Weekend co-host for eight years.
Read more »