Trump Nominates 'Disruptors' for High-Ranking Posts Amid Bipartisan Concerns

Washington D.C. - President-elect Donald Trump has continued to announce high-ranking officials, drawing criticism over his unconventional approach to selecting nominees, with some having sparked bipartisan anxieties.

According to House Speaker Mike Johnson, leading Republicans have chosen individuals who will "shake up the status quo," as part of a deliberate effort by the Trump campaign. These 'disruptors' may not necessarily possess extensive policy experience but are intended to bring fresh perspectives and shake up Washington's traditional power structures.

Among the most contentious picks is Pete Hegseth, Trump's defence secretary nominee, who has denied allegations of sexual assault. Additionally, Matt Gaetz, a potential attorney general, is embroiled in an ethics scandal, while Robert F Kennedy Jr., the health secretary nominee, faces criticism for his anti-vaccine stance.

The president-elect's son, Donald Trump Jr, defended his father's nominees on Fox News, acknowledging some of their controversial nature but justifying it as a way to surround the president with competent and loyal individuals who will deliver on their promises. "We know who the good guys and bad guys are," Trump Jr said.

One such nominee is oil executive Chris Wright, designated as energy secretary. A climate change sceptic, Wright has no government experience but was selected for his role in driving the US's fracking boom, which makes the country the world's largest oil producer. His appointment has been welcomed by the fossil fuel industry, aligning with Trump's campaign pledge to increase production of US fossil fuels.

The controversy surrounding these nominations is set to intensify as thousands of presidential nominees will be vetted by the Senate in coming months.