Trump administration: an anti-China “hawk” as secretary of state, a “dog killer” at Homeland Security

An anti-China “hawk” in diplomacy, a “dog killer” governor in Homeland Security: Donald Trump continues, Tuesday, to reveal the distribution of his future administration on the eve of a highly symbolic meeting with Joe Biden in the White House.

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The Republican, who made an extraordinary comeback by winning the American presidential election just a week ago, is moving forward to appoint his followers to key positions.

After designating three of his lieutenants at the UN, Environment and Immigration, the president-elect is expected to announce that he is choosing the influential senator Marco Rubio as secretary of state.

Known for being a supporter of a very hard line against China and Iran, this 53-year-old elected official previously co-chaired the Intelligence Committee in the Senate.

Little hands

Between Donald Trump and Marco Rubio, however, it was not always mad love.

The Florida senator faced the real estate mogul in the 2016 Republican primaries, a vote in which he openly mocked the size of Donald Trump’s hands and complexion.

But the two men seem to have since buried the hatchet.

His upcoming appointment, reported by American media, risks giving Kyiv a cold sweat: Marco Rubio estimated at the beginning of November that it was necessary to “end” the war in Ukraine, in an “impasse”, according to him.

Another “hawk” – and another elected official from Florida –, Mike Waltz, was appointed to the very strategic position of National Security Advisor to the White House.

Between them, they would be the main architects of the foreign policy of Donald Trump, who has promised to end the wars in Ukraine and the Middle East – without ever explaining how.

Former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee, a former Baptist pastor, has also been appointed to the post of ambassador to Israel. And former elected official John Ratcliffe, head of the CIA.

Dog shot to death

Beyond the diplomatic aspect, the president-elect should also appoint Governor Kristi Noem, a faithful among the faithful, to lead the Ministry of Internal Security, responsible for customs and border guards.

His name had been mentioned among the credible candidates likely to become Donald Trump’s running mate in his third campaign for the White House.

But this ambition to become vice-president was dashed when the sultry governor of South Dakota revealed that she had shot and killed her young dog because she was, according to her, “indomitable”.

This news caused a deluge of negative reactions in April in the political class and on social networks, with dogs occupying a special place in the lives of many American families.

Trump in Washington

Donald Trump, who will continue these appointments throughout the week, was to be determined on Tuesday on the legality of his criminal conviction in New York, but the judge postponed his decision until November 19.

The president-elect will be in Washington on Wednesday for a highly scrutinized meeting with Joe Biden.

The latter promised a “peaceful and orderly” transfer of powers with his Republican successor after the defeat of his vice-president, Kamala Harris, in the election.

Donald Trump, who will be sworn in on January 20, must also go to Congress on Wednesday to speak with Republican officials.

The 47^e President of the United States will, in all likelihood, enjoy full powers in Washington: his party won the majority in the Senate and should retain control of the House of Representatives, according to a count still underway.

“It’s a magnificent morning in Washington, it’s a new day for America,” greeted Republican Mike Johnson, who should, barring any major surprises, continue to preside over the House.

The leadership of the Senate will be the subject of a closed-door election between Republicans. The richest man on the planet, Elon Musk, who played an unprecedented role in Donald Trump’s campaign, threw all his strength behind the candidacy of the other senator from Florida, Rick Scott.