The most controversial nomination, far-right former congressman Matt Gaetz for attorney general, was being investigated by the US Congress over allegations of sexual misconduct and illicit drug use until Wednesday.
Robert Kennedy Jr, a vaccine sceptic, will be the new health secretary if Trump gets his way, while Tulsi Gabbard, a conspiracy theorist who has been accused of spreading Kremlin propaganda, will be director of national intelligence.
“Kennedy is a science-denying, morally bankrupt conspiracy theorist who will endanger people’s lives if placed in a position of authority over health,” said Lisa Gilbert, co-president of progressive advocacy group Public Citizen.
“The US Senate should unanimously reject this nomination.”
Trump has also nominated some of his personal attorneys to be top-ranking Justice Department officials.
DEFENCE PICK ACCUSED OF 2017 SEXUAL ASSAULT
Rounding out the most divisive nominations, ex-Fox News anchor Pete Hegseth has been tapped for defence secretary.
Hegseth was accused of sexual assault in 2017, according to police.
No charges were filed in the case, but shocked Trump transition team officials are nonetheless reportedly weighing next steps for Hegseth, whose nomination took many in Washington by surprise.
Trump nominated the 44-year-old National Guard veteran on Tuesday to run the world’s most powerful military, despite Hegseth having never managed a large organisation.
Police in Monterey, California confirmed on Thursday that they had investigated “an alleged sexual assault” at a hotel involving Hegseth that included bruising to the victim’s right thigh, in early October 2017.
News of the woman’s accusations caught the Trump team off guard, according to Vanity Fair, which first reported the story.
Hegseth’s lawyer Timothy Parlatore told the publication that the allegation “was already investigated by the Monterey police department and they found no evidence for it”.
Trump’s communications director Steven Cheung said that Hegseth “has vigorously denied any and all accusations, and no charges were filed”.
“We look forward to his confirmation as United States secretary of defense so he can get started on day one to make America safe and great again,” Cheung said.
Hegseth’s hearing in the Senate is likely to be among the more fraught, not only due to his lack of experience, but also other controversies, such as his lobbying of Trump during his first term to pardon service members accused of war crimes.
Hegseth joined Fox News as a contributor in 2014 and now co-hosts “Fox and Friends Weekend” and serves as a host for “Fox Nation”.
He additionally served as an infantry officer in the National Guard, deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan.
Hegseth has been married three times, divorcing his first wife in 2009 following an “irretrievable breakdown” and “infidelity”, according to the Washington Post.
His second wife filed for divorce in September 2017, one month after he had a baby with a Fox News producer whom he subsequently married, according to US media.
Source: CNA
