Top Republican says Trump nominees are 'disruptors'

In a candid interview with CNN's State of the Union, House Speaker Mike Johnson revealed that President-elect Donald Trump is deliberately choosing "disruptors" to lead his incoming administration. Describing these individuals as those who will "shake up the status quo", Johnson suggested that this selection process was by design.

The president-elect continues to name officials for high-ranking positions in his administration, seemingly favoring close allies over those with relevant policy experience. This has sent shockwaves through Washington and raised bipartisan concerns. Critics have pointed to nominees such as Defense Secretary pick Pete Hegseth, who faces allegations of sexual assault, and Attorney General nominee Matt Gaetz, entangled in an ethics scandal.

Health Secretary nominee Robert F Kennedy Jr is under scrutiny for his vaccine skepticism, while Trump's son Donald Trump Jr defended the president-elect's choices on Fox News, emphasizing the importance of surrounding him with "people who are competent and loyal". Trump Jr acknowledged that some nominees may face challenges in the Senate but insisted that they were choosing candidates who would deliver results.

One of Trump's latest picks is oil executive Chris Wright, nominated as Energy Secretary. Wright's appointment, which advocates see as a win for the fossil fuel industry, marks a move to fulfill the campaign slogan "drill, baby, drill". A climate change skeptic, Wright has no government experience but was hailed by the Trump campaign for his work in driving the US fracking boom.

As President-elect Joe Biden becomes the first sitting US president to visit the Amazon rainforest on Sunday, highlighting his climate legacy, the debate over Trump's administration picks rages on.