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Political pundit Scott Jennings asserted on Wednesday that President-elect Donald Trump is exuding a sense of authority after nominating Republican Congressman Matt Gaetz as Attorney General. Trump heralded Gaetz’s appointment on Truth Social, claiming he would “end Weaponized Government, protect our Borders, dismantle Criminal Organizations, and restore Americans’ badly-shattered Faith and Confidence in the Justice Department.” Jennings, appearing on “CNN News Central,” expressed surprise at Trump’s selection but interpreted it as a sign of the president-elect’s confidence that Republicans will rally behind his agenda without resistance.
Commented tonight on Trump national security picks, potential executive orders, and choice of Gov Huckabee to be Amb to Israel. @cnn pic.twitter.com/Vx9fUiaKW5
— Scott Jennings (@ScottJenningsKY) November 13, 2024
“Are you not entertained? I mean, this is the most entertaining transition I’ve ever seen … I’m as surprised as anyone. But what I take away from this is that this is a president-elect who is feeling his power,” Jennings remarked. “I mean, this is someone who is appointing people to things, whether it’s Gaetz or anything else we’ve seen today, who is feeling his power, feeling his influence, doesn’t feel like he’s in a mood to negotiate with the people in Washington, D.C. He’s here to do what he wants to do and he’s going to expect the Republicans to fall in line.”
“It is apparent to me that Trump is in a decisive mood and is not someone who’s interested in picking things that he would consider to be watered down,” he added. “So that’s my initial reaction … I mean, we truly learned about it two seconds before we came on here, so pretty wild day.”
Trump also revealed he would appoint former Hawaii Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard as Director of National Intelligence, writing she would bring a “fearless spirit” to secure “Peace through Strength.” Furthermore, the president-elect named Republican Senator Marco Rubio as his Secretary of State pick, calling him an “Advocate for our Nation, a true friend to our Allies and a fearless Warrior.” In a prior statement, Trump announced Fox News host Pete Hegseth as his choice for Secretary of Defense.
“You can’t underestimate Donald Trump’s influence over the Republicans in the Senate on this. And he’s going to be insistent that he get his government and his administration. And look, here’s the thing: He won. And he won the popular vote and he believes he has a mandate,” Jennings said. “And honestly I think he does too. And some of these picks are conventional. Marco Rubio, for instance, you know? Well-known name. But some of them are designed to shake up Washington. And I am assuming that’s what Donald Trump believes he’s doing here with a few of these folks.”
It would be political malpractice of the highest order not to make @ScottJenningsKY the Trump WH press secretary.
Watch this alpha male manhandle the betas on CNN.
— Cryptid Politics (pro-DeSantis) 🇺🇸🐊 (@CryptidPolitics) November 8, 2024
CNN anchor Dana Bash said she couldn’t identify any “example” of why governing “could be harder” for Trump due to strong Republican support among elected officials. “That really does change the game for Donald Trump in how he can get things through, who he can get through and the kind of support he has for what he wants to do,” she stated.
