By Daily Mail (U.S.) | Created at 2024-11-15 19:53:29 | Updated at 2024-11-22 14:00:15
6 days ago
Democratic lawmakers are enraged at Donald Trump's recent picks for Cabinet and West Wing, saying his selections are downright 'dangerous.'
The president-elect has stirred controversy after nominating a rash of hardline conservatives and MAGA loyalists, some with questionable qualifications, to top positions in the executive branch.
Two of the most polarizing nominations have been Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as Health and Human Services Secretary and ex-Florida Republican Rep. Matt Gaetz for attorney general.
Exiting the Capitol Friday, Democrats made clear their disdain for Trump's selections, claiming many of those nominated are conspiracy theorists, with some going so far as to call them 'horrible people.'
'I mean, the absolute worst is RFK Jr. as health secretary,' Rep. Robert Garcia, D-Calif., told DailyMail.com. 'There isn't anybody that's more dangerous or destructive for our nation's health.
'This is a vaccine denier, he's someone that has no interest in actually helping people, he's caused measles outbreaks in other parts of the world,' Garcia sounded off. 'He's denied that HIV causes AIDS. He said the fluoride in water has turned people gay or turn trans, just completely crazy.
'And so I think that that is by far the most irresponsible pick.'
When pressed on which of Trump's Cabinet appointments concerns her most, Progressive Caucus Chair Pramila Jayapal laughingly replied that there's 'too many options.'
Matt Gaetz talks with Robert F. Kennedy Jr., before President-elect Donald Trump speaks during an America First Policy Institute gala at his Mar-a-Lago estate, Thursday, Nov. 14, 2024, in Palm Beach, Fla. Both have been selected to join Trump's cabinet
Matt Gaetz's wife, Ginger Gaetz, seen holding hands with Kennedy
Democratic lawmakers told DailyMail.com Friday that Kennedy's appointment is 'dangerous' and that Gaetz lacks the qualification necessary to become AG
'My favorite appointee is the one that hasn't happened yet,' Rep. Jared Moskowitz, D-Fla., told DailyMail.com. 'My least favorite is RFK.'
Their sentiments cut against those of Democratic Colorado Gov. Jared Polis who admitted he is 'excited' about Kennedy's nomination this week.
'I’m excited by the news that the President-Elect will appoint Robert Kennedy Jr to HHS. He helped us defeat vaccine mandates in Colorado in 2019 and will help make America healthy again by shaking up HHS and FDA,' he wrote on X.
Kennedy's appointment is 'f‑‑‑ing insane,' Garcia said this week.
'I have absolutely no favorite pick, because they're all terrible,' he told DailyMail.com Friday.
'I mean, Matt Gaetz, RFK Jr., Tulsi Gabbard, it's a collection of some of the most irresponsible, horrible people in the country,' he continued. 'There is no, there is no good pick so far.'
Democratic California Senator-elect Adam Schiff similarly skewered Gaetz nomination to AG Friday.
'To even contemplate ... someone who is so unqualified' for attorney general is a 'tragic dereliction of our responsibility,' Schiff said.
Rep. Robert Garcia, D-Calif., called Kennedy's appointment 'f***ing insane'
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., speaks during a news conference at the Capitol in Washington, Friday, Nov. 15, 2024
Moskowitz said that the worst Trump nominee is Kennedy
'It's one thing to pick people who are loyal to the President's and other people who are so patently unqualified.'
Democratic Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries on Friday said he won't entertain questions about Trump and his Cabinet's antics.
'What I'm not going to do for the next two years and the next four years, I'm not going to deal with it. Tulsi Gabbard one day, then an hour later, it's Matt Gaetz, then the next day is Robert F Kennedy, Jr.,' Jeffries said.
'That's all a distraction,' he said.
