NEW YORK, NY – The New York Post Editorial Board has sharply criticized President-elect Donald Trump’s reported cabinet nominations of Tulsi Gabbard as Director of National Intelligence and Matt Gaetz as Attorney General, urging him to reconsider these controversial choices. In a piece published on November 19, the board labeled the two as “distracting chaos agents” who risk derailing Trump’s agenda.
The editorial highlights Gabbard’s foreign policy positions as a key concern. While her anti-interventionist stance may align with Trump’s skepticism of prolonged U.S. entanglements abroad, the Post argues that she lacks the pragmatic balance required for the role. Gabbard’s support for the Iran nuclear deal and criticism of the assassination of Iranian general Qassem Soleimani are presented as evidence that she prioritizes isolationism over a robust defense strategy. The board fears she would downplay global threats, undermining Trump’s ability to maintain a strategic balance of avoiding war while addressing international dangers.
The criticism of Gaetz is even harsher. The Post describes his nomination as a “hand grenade” aimed at the Department of Justice (DOJ), which Trump has accused of bias. While acknowledging the need for reform, the editorial warns that Gaetz lacks the ethics and discipline to rebuild trust in the DOJ. His controversial history, including allegations of sexual misconduct and a pending ethics report, makes him, in their view, an untenable choice. The Post argues that Gaetz’s baggage diminishes the credibility of Trump’s grievances against the DOJ and opens unnecessary vulnerabilities.
The editorial also emphasizes the broader political risks of these appointments. It warns that pushing these nominations could squander Trump’s post-election momentum, alienate Senate allies, and provide ammunition to Democrats for future political battles. Instead, the Post calls on Trump to leverage his significant political capital on more capable and uncontroversial figures who can advance his agenda without sparking divisive confirmation fights.
And finally, the New York Post urges Trump to cut ties with both Gabbard and Gaetz, arguing that doing so would preserve his ability to govern effectively and avoid distractions that could jeopardize his second-term priorities.