President-elect Donald Trump’s selection for the top post in the U.S. national security agency has garnered approval from many defense and foreign policy experts.

Despite being elected less than two weeks ago, Trump’s team is rapidly filling cabinet and senior government roles, particularly those related to defense and foreign affairs. Although the final composition of the Trump administration has not yet been determined, with some national security experts praising the choices made so far, most of the appointees will need Senate confirmation before being finalized. It is necessary, but it can be more difficult for some people. others. (Related article: ‘Let’s get to the real issue here’: CNN’s Scott Jennings silences panelist’s attack on RFK Jr.)

One of President Trump’s recent Cabinet picks is Florida Sen. Marco Rubio. position The president-elect made the announcement Wednesday. Mr. Rubio previously had a rocky relationship with Mr. Trump, particularly during the 2016 Republican primary, but the two have since reconciled.

Mr. Rubio has years of experience in Florida politics. elected He is well versed in foreign policy and currently serves as vice chairman of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence and a member of the Foreign Relations Committee.

He has been outspoken about foreign threats from Russia, Iran, China and North Korea and how these parties are strengthening ties.

“President Trump could not have chosen a better secretary of state than Marco Rubio,” says author and senior fellow Michael Sobolik. The U.S. Foreign Policy Council told Newsmax. interview this week. “I would challenge anyone to find clearer eyes and more strategic thinking about how to compete with the Chinese Communist Party than Marco Rubio.”

Morgan Viña, a former Pentagon official, told DCNF that Rubio’s good relationships with people on both sides of the aisle in the chamber will make it easier for him to win confirmation to a new role in the Senate. He said it is likely.

“He is very well-respected among his colleagues on the left and the right in the Senate,” Viña told DCNF, noting that Rubio does not have “isolationist” views on geopolitics. did. “He has a very solid and strong approach when it comes to American leadership overseas.”

Florida Rep. Mike Walz will also join Trump’s team and assume the role of Trump’s national security adviser. In that position, Walz will have Trump’s ear on defense and foreign affairs-related issues, and as it is not a Cabinet role, he does not need Senate confirmation.

The waltz is elected He joined the House of Representatives in 2018 and serves on various committees, including the Armed Services Committee, the Foreign Affairs Committee, and the Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence. The Standing Select Committee on Intelligence is one of the highest level committees in Congress.

“Mr. Walz and Mr. Rubio have held Biden-Harris accountable for their recklessness while advocating restoring the deterrence that President Trump established during his first term to keep the United States out of war and keep our people safe.” said former white Victoria Coates. House National Security Advisor told DCNF. (Related: ‘They ignored it’: Eric Adams criticizes his own party for failing to address ‘everyday people’ issues)

Platform Committee Co-Chairman Mike Walz speaks on the first day of the Republican National Convention at the Fiserv Forum on July 15, 2024 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. (Photo by Leon Neal/Getty Images)

He served more than 26 years in the Army and is a former Green Beret, earning four Bronze Stars after deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan. This is in stark contrast to Biden’s current national security adviser, Jake Sullivan, who has a background in law and academia.

“Waltz is a great choice,” Vigna told DCNF. “He has a wealth of experience… He will be poised to succeed given his own background, but at the same time he will need to corral a number of challenging personalities.”

“The role of the national security adviser is in many ways to protect the herd, but also to make sure the president has the information he needs to make informed decisions,” Viña said. There is,” he said.

Another candidate is former Hawaii. Member of Parliament Tulsi Gabbard was appointed Director of National Intelligence (DNI) by President Trump. Gabbard was elected to the House of Representatives in 2013 and served as a Democrat until 2021. She switched her political ideology from Democrat to independent after running in the 2020 Democratic presidential primary, before becoming a Republican and announcing her support in recent months. He is second only to Trump in this year’s presidential election.

Gabbard joined the Hawaii National Guard in 2003 and served in Iraq. She is currently a lieutenant colonel in the Army Reserve.

“It is critical now to restore democratic accountability and respect for freedom of speech and our rights on parts of the intelligence community. [Gabbard] This is a great choice to ensure that that actually happens,” said Elbridge Colby, a former senior Pentagon official. I wrote In Wednesday’s X post.

Former Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard (I-HI) arrives at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier to honor the lives of U.S. soldiers who died in the Monastery Gate bombing in Arlington, Virginia, on August 26, 2024. (Photo by Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)

Viña explained that while she may be qualified for the role, she may face challenges in getting confirmed by the Senate. Gabbard met with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad during a “fact-finding mission” in 2017, which some saw as legitimizing the dictatorship.

The former representative could face questions on the issue during his Senate confirmation hearing.

“Once we get Senate approval, there will be challenges,” Viña said. “I think we need to wait for the Senate to do their due diligence and vet her.” (Related: Iran reportedly told US it would not seek to kill President Trump)

There’s also Pete Hegseth, President Trump’s pick for Secretary of Defense and Secretary of Defense. Mr. Hegseth’s appointment surprised many in the Washington establishment — given that he was most recently a Fox News host — but his experience extends far beyond his cable news days.

Hegseth joined the military in the early 2000s and served in high-level positions in Cuba, Iraq and Afghanistan. He has also been a vocal advocate for veterans’ issues, serving as president of the organizations Veterans for Freedom and Concerned Veterans for America in the 2010s.

During his time with Trump, Hegseth spoke frequently about national security and foreign affairs-related issues and expressed support for Trump’s “America First” approach to geopolitics. He also expressed concern that military recruitment and retention has not met expectations and raised the issue of the Biden administration’s left-wing policies at the Pentagon.

“I think it’s a really good pick by the president,” Morgan Murphy, a former Pentagon press secretary and national security adviser to Sen. Tommy Tuberville, told the Daily Caller News Foundation this week. “I think hiring a secretary with work experience would be a huge benefit for recruiting.”

FOX anchor Pete Hegseth interviews entrepreneur and venture capitalist Peter Thiel on “FOX & Friends” on August 9, 2019 at the Fox News Channel Studios in New York City. (Photo by John Lamparski/Getty Images)

John Ratcliffe, 2020 DNI selected as President Trump’s new Director of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) announced on wednesday. former texan Member of Parliament Mr. Ratcliffe, who serves on the Judiciary, Homeland Security and Intelligence Committees and is an alumnus of the George Bush administration, was an ardent supporter of President Trump during his first term and campaigned in the 2016 election. He frequently criticized the now-debunked claim that Russia intervened on Trump’s behalf.

Mr Ratcliffe had repeatedly expressed concerns about China and felt that the intelligence community’s approach towards the country was not calm. Biden officials saw Russia and Iran as bigger threats, despite current FBI Director Chris Wray express He said earlier this year that China remained his biggest rival, but acknowledged that some of Ratcliffe’s suggestions were correct. According to In the New York Times.

“John Ratcliffe’s extensive experience in law enforcement, Congress, and the intelligence community makes him the perfect fit to lead the CIA. Coates has served President Trump with distinction and is committed to ensuring the agency supports the president’s intelligence priorities.” “We will try to support them,” Coates said. statement on wednesday.

President Trump still has many cabinet positions left, but appointees are being selected rapidly. In addition to the aforementioned announcements, President Trump this week also named Robert F. Kennedy as Secretary of Health and Human Services, North Dakota Governor Doug Burgum as Secretary of the Interior, and South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem as Secretary of Homeland Security. announced that he had been selected. , Florida Congressman Matt Gaetz was sworn in as attorney general.

All content produced by the Daily Caller News Foundation, an independent, nonpartisan news distribution service, is available free of charge to legitimate news publishers with large audiences. All republished articles must include our logo, reporter byline, and DCNF affiliation. If you have any questions about our guidelines or partnering with us, please contact us at licensing@dailycallernewsfoundation.org.