Donald Trump’s Cabinet Nominations A ‘Big Middle Finger’ To Anti-Israel Progressives, Experts Says

President-elect Donald Trump officially announced Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) as his choice for secretary of state on Wednesday, signalling a sharp shift in U.S. foreign policy, particularly regarding the Middle East and Israel.

Rubio, a staunch ally of Israel, joins a growing list of pro-Israel figures in Trump’s cabinet picks, including former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee, who has been tapped as the U.S. ambassador to Israel, and Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-N.Y.), nominated as the U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, with a seat in the cabinet.

Brian Katulis, a senior fellow for U.S. foreign policy at the Middle East Institute, told JNS that Trump’s appointments significantly depart from the Biden administration’s approach to Middle East diplomacy and the U.S.-Israel relationship. “It’s a big middle finger to those on the so-called progressive left and others in the Biden camp, who essentially had a different theory of the case that failed in the election,” Katulis said.

Trump nominations ‘a big middle finger’ to anti-Israel progressives – JNS.org

Blaise Misztal, vice president for policy at the Jewish Institute for National Security of America (JINSA), emphasised that Trump’s early focus on Israel-related foreign policy appointments highlights the region’s centrality in his second administration’s agenda. “That, in and of itself, signals that President Trump and his administration are going to take the region, the Middle East, the threats confronting Israel, seriously and take the U.S. friendship with Israel seriously,” Misztal said. “The people that we’ve seen are known to be tremendously strong friends of Israel, first and foremost, but also very clear-eyed about the threats that the United States and Israel face together in the region.”

Republican U.S. Representative Matt Gaetz attends a campaign rally for Trump in Henderson, Nevada, U.S. October 31, 2024. REUTERS

As part of his transition, Trump has reportedly selected Brian Hook, the former U.S. special representative for Iran, to lead the U.S. State Department. Hook was a key architect of the “maximum pressure” sanctions policy against Iran and is seen as a key figure in handling U.S.-Iran relations.

Misztal praised Hook’s inclusion, noting his personal experience with the Iranian regime’s threats. “The involvement of anyone that is on Iran’s hit list in our foreign policy is a signal of taking the threat seriously,” Misztal stated, adding that it brings a much-needed focus to confronting Tehran.

Rubio’s nomination has been met with strong approval from both Republicans and Democrats. Sen. John Fetterman (D-Pa.) referred to the appointment as a “strong choice,” reflecting bipartisan support for Rubio’s qualifications.

However, other Trump picks have stirred controversy within the Republican Party, particularly Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.), who was nominated for attorney general. Gaetz’s resignation from Congress to take the position caught many by surprise, including Speaker of the House Mike Johnson (R-La.), who confirmed that the Florida congressman’s departure would allow for a special election to fill his seat.

Trump’s nomination of Gaetz and former Democratic Rep. Tulsi Gabbard to head the national intelligence community has raised eyebrows within the GOP. Some Republicans, such as Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska), have questioned Gaetz’s viability for the attorney general position.

Gaetz’s resignation, coupled with Stefanik and Rep. Mike Waltz (R-Fla.) ‘s controversial nominations for national security advisor, has also complicated the Republican majority in the House.

The administration’s handling of Gaetz’s ethics investigation has been criticised, mainly after Gaetz resigned amid scrutiny over allegations of sexual misconduct and ties to antisemitic views.

The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) condemned Matt Gaetz’s nomination, pointing to his previous associations with Holocaust deniers and his votes against legislation aimed at combating antisemitism. Although Gaetz has denied any wrongdoing, he has faced criticism for his past comments and votes on Israel-related issues. While he has supported some aid packages for Israel, he has also been a vocal critic of the U.S. approach to Israel, particularly in recent years.

Former Rep. Tulsi Gabbard will oversee America’s 17 intelligence agencies. REUTERS

Another controversial figure, Tulsi Gabbard, has also faced scrutiny for her mixed record on Israel and her past political stances. In 2019, she defended Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.) against accusations of antisemitism, and in 2018, she criticised Israel’s use of force at the Gaza border. However, Gabbard has since become a vocal supporter of Israel, particularly following the October 2023 Hamas attacks.

As Trump’s nominee for director of national intelligence, Gabbard’s past interactions with controversial figures such as Syrian President Bashar al-Assad are likely to face intense scrutiny in the Senate.

Trump’s nomination of Pete Hegseth, a Fox News anchor and retired U.S. Army major, as defence secretary has also raised questions due to Hegseth’s lack of experience in government or managing large bureaucracies. While Hegseth has military experience, experts have expressed concern over his qualifications to lead the Pentagon.

Experts have predicted that a second Trump administration would likely overturn Biden-era policies, but navigating the complexities of the Middle East, including shifting dynamics in the region, will prove challenging.

President-elect Donald Trump picked Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., as his attorney general on Nov. 13, 2024. Amanda Andrade-Rhoades / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Katulis of the Middle East Institute noted that the area is far more complicated than it was during Trump’s first term, particularly with increasing calls for a two-state solution and the growing influence of Iran and China in the region.

President-elect Trump speaks during a meeting with House Republicans at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Washington, DC, on November 13, 2024. Allison Robbert / Pool via CNP / SplashNews.com

Trump has reportedly told Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that he wants the ongoing war with Hamas to be concluded before he takes office. While Middle East issues played a minor role in Trump’s campaign, experts agree that Trump’s focus on Israel and the region’s broader challenges will likely be a central part of his foreign policy if he returns to the White House.

“As much as Trump might want to prioritise domestic issues, he will be pulled back into Middle East diplomacy by the region’s realities,” Katulis concluded. “Something will force his hand.”