By Landen Braunstein
News Editor
President-elect Donald Trump has selected the majority of his future cabinet, and in doing so, has made several controversial decisions. His cabinet selections are made up of alleged sex offenders and his own relatives, which concerns a large portion of American citizens.
One significant trait shared amongst each of Trump’s candidate selections is that they are all loyalists. Trump is surrounding himself with people who will support his decisions and echo his beliefs. Members of his cabinet during his first term have openly made critical statements about him, giving him a motive to ensure cabinet loyalty.
Trump has appointed U.S. Senator Marco Rubio as the Secretary of State, who will be the first Hispanic individual to hold the role if confirmed. He has also nominated Scott Bessent as Treasury secretary, who will be the first openly gay cabinet member of the Republican party. Additionally, Susie Wiles is set to be the White House Chief of Staff, and will be the first woman to ever hold the position.
Trump’s supporters view these nominations as critical to increasing diversity and representation within the cabinet. However, not all of Trump’s cabinet members were well-chosen, and many are not qualified to help lead the country. Selecting relatives and family members solely to secure support is not only irresponsible but harmful to the American people.
In addition to these choices, Trump has selected two individuals who have been accused of sexual misconduct, including Defense Secretary nominee Pete Hegseth. In 2017, Hegseth was accused of sexually assaulting a woman at a conference in California, but no charges were filed against him. However, his own mother, seventy-year-old Penelope Hegseth, disclosed his actions in an email reported by the New York Times. She wrote, “On behalf of all the women (and I know it’s many) you have abused in some way, I say… get some help and take an honest look at yourself.”
These men will now have power over women all across America in deciding what they can do with their own bodies. Men who sexually abuse women being allowed to determine their bodily rights is extremely dangerous.
Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is set to serve as the United States Secretary of Health and Human Services. Kennedy’s lack of confidence and belief in science according to his conspiracy theories and opposition to vaccinations concerns the American public. It is ironic that a man who does not believe in science and medicine will be an integral leader of the country’s health department. Kennedy is also adamant about removing fluoride from the nation’s water supply. Fluoride, a mineral which is vital to dental health, has decreased cavity rates by 25% since it was added to water in 1950. Kennedy claims that the fluoride present in drinking water is linked to cancer and kidney diseases, but has failed to support his hypothesis with convincing scientific evidence.
Trump has appointed his daughter Tiffany’s father-in-law, Massad Boulos, as the senior advisor on Arab and Middle Eastern affairs. Appointing another family member, he also selected his son-in-law’s father, Charles Kushner, as the US ambassador to France, further surrounding himself with inexperienced family members in key government positions. These selections are leaving even supporters of Trump wondering if they made a mistake in their vote.
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