President-elect Donald Trump's former Republican primary rival Nikki Haley on Wednesday slammed Cabinet nominees Tulsi Gabbard and Robert F. Kennedy Jr., calling out their experience and their selection to the top spot. expressed serious concerns about the government's insight into government agencies.
Despite expressing respect for America's adversaries in the past, the former U.S. ambassador to the United Nations in President Trump's administration spoke out against Gabbard over her nomination to be the next Director of National Intelligence on SiriusXM's “Nikki Haley Live.” was harshly criticized.
“She opposed ending the Iran nuclear deal. She opposed sanctions on Iran. She opposed designating the Iranian military as terrorists who say 'Death to America' every day,” said Haley, 52. said. “She said Donald Trump turned America into a Saudi prostitute.”
“Iran is our biggest sponsor of terrorism, and Tulsi Gabbard was defending Iran,” she added, adding that the intelligence community, which oversees 17 key agencies, “has been working with Russian, Iranian, Syrian and Chinese sympathizers. It's not my place,” he declared.
The former South Carolina governor also said it was “disgusting” that Gabbard, 43, went “for a photo shoot with Bashar al-Assad” in 2017, adding that the Syrian dictator was involved in a chemical attack on his own people. He said he was skeptical that he was responsible for the incident.
Haley called Kennedy, who was chosen to lead the Department of Health and Human Services, “not a medical professional,” “not educated,” “not trained in health matters,” and, to top it all off, a “liberal Democrat.” labeled.
“RFK Jr., a potential future appointee to the Department of Health and Human Services, has endorsed Al Gore, John Kerry, Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama. Just last year, Haley endorsed her and Trump. His position “couldn't be further removed,” he said, adding that the Kennedy heir also “strongly supports” abortion.
She also followed up on President Kennedy, 70, wanting “more oversight over pharmaceuticals” and suggested he should be an advisor rather than a cabinet member, given his lack of direct experience. .
“So, while some people may think RFK is cool, and some may like that he questions what's in our food and vaccines, he We don't know what decisions he will make when he is given the reins of the agency.'' Behind the Scenes. ”
Donald Trump Jr., who has been involved in the Cabinet selection process at Mar-a-Lago, dismissed the onslaught of accusations as more neoconservative criticism of solid appointees.
Trump's eldest son: “If Nikki Haley really wants a cabinet full of neocon warmongers to satisfy the billionaire donors who control her, she should run for president and win it herself.'' You should.” Ridiculed on X post. “Oh, wait, I forgot she already tried that and lost in a landslide.”
Haley, who previously served as President Trump's ambassador to the United Nations and had to go through a confirmation process, may also have difficulty passing the selection of Attorney General nominee Matt Gaetz and Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth. He said no. woman.
Ms. Haley and Mr. Trump have calmed some of the tension after a heated primary campaign, with Ms. Haley even speaking for the former president at the Republican National Convention.
But relations have not returned to normal, and Trump, 78, has said he will not invite Haley to join his administration, despite previously indicating he was open to the possibility. .
Representatives of Trump's transition team did not respond to requests for comment.
