RFK Jr, Todd Blanche, Doug Burgum: Donald Trump's top picks spark debate

US President-elect Donald Trump announced on Thursday (Nov 14) North Dakota Governor Doug Burgum as his nominee to be the secretary of the Department of the Interior.

Speaking at Mar-a-Lago for an America First Policy Institute event in Florida, Trump said, "We have a big announcement, and I won’t tell you. I won’t tell you the name of his, the exact name. I think he’s an incredible person. He has an unbelievably wonderful wife named Kathryn. So, I won’t tell you, his name might be something like 'Burgum.' Burgum."

"He’s from North Dakota. He’s going to be announced tomorrow for a huge position," he added by pointing at Burgum.

Speaking at the same event, Trump also announced Doug Collins to lead the Department of Veterans Affairs.

“We must take care of our brave men and women in uniform, and Doug will be a great advocate for our Active Duty Servicemembers, Veterans, and Military Families to ensure they have the support they need," the president-elect said.

Todd Blanche, the attorney who led the team of lawyers who defended Trump at his hush money trial, has been selected to serve as the second-highest-ranking Justice Department official.

While announcing the name, Trump said, "Todd is an excellent attorney who will be a crucial leader in the Justice Department, fixing what has been a broken System of Justice for far too long."

In yet another controversial appointment, Trump announced Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to be his next secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services.

Calling it the "most important role of any Administration", Trump said that Kennedy would help "Make America Great and Healthy Again!”

Notably, Kennedy is one of the most prominent anti-vaccine conspiracy theorists in the country. He has often made unverified statements and spread false conspiracy theories about the safety and efficacy of vaccines.

Trump's Other Picks That Sparked Discussion

'Government Efficiency': Elon Musk

Musk, the world's richest man, was tapped to lead a new Department of Government Efficiency, along with another wealthy Trump ally, Vivek Ramaswamy.

Musk says he is targeting $2 trillion in cuts from the federal government's $7 trillion budget, without explaining how.

There has been no explanation of how the Tesla, SpaceX and Starlink boss would navigate conflicts of interest as a major US government contractor.

Secretary of State: Marco Rubio

Trump tapped the Florida senator to be a top diplomat, to intensify the US power struggle with China.

Rubio, a relatively traditional conservative hawk, has said China seeks "to reorient the world."

The son of Cuban immigrants is a fervent supporter of Israel and a longtime critic of Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Defense Secretary: Pete Hegseth

Fox News host and National Guard veteran Hegseth was nominated to lead the world's most powerful military, despite a slim CV.

Hegseth joined Fox News (Trump's favourite network in 2014) and hosts a weekend program.

Ambassador to Israel: Mike Huckabee

Trump says the former Arkansas governor, a Christian pastor-turned-politician, "loves Israel, and the people of Israel, and likewise, the people of Israel love him."

Trump's 'Biased' Picks

In 2016, Donald Trump's picks for the White House were termed as "conventional". The cabinet was accused of being in line with that of a traditional Republican.

In 2024, Trump's 'No Time Wasted' approach to selecting the top picks for his second term in the White House has somewhat sparked the discussion that Trump is, again, choosing people who are hardline Republicans and somewhat "biased."

(With inputs from agencies)