WSJ: US conservative commentator Tucker Carlson influenced key decisions in Trump’s cabinet selection

As Donald Trump prepared for a second term, US conservative political commentator and writer Tucker Carlson and his allies played a pivotal role in reshaping the future administration. 

Just before the election, Carlson urged Trump to reconsider the potential nomination of Mike Pompeo as defence secretary, labelling the former Secretary of State a "warmonger," Caliber.Az reports via The Wall Street Journal.

Pompeo, who served in Trump’s first term and had been expected to take the role, was blocked after a concerted effort from Carlson and Trump’s eldest son, Donald Trump Jr.

Carlson, whose influence in conservative circles remains substantial, voiced concerns over Pompeo's foreign policy stance, particularly his alleged involvement in a plot to assassinate WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange. Although Carlson publicly aired these accusations during a 2023 interview with Joe Rogan, Pompeo has yet to address the claims directly.

Carlson also criticized Pompeo for his perceived disloyalty, citing Pompeo's distancing from false election claims and his condemnation of the January 6 Capitol riot. "Pompeo proved himself to be a part of the old guard, not loyal to the Trump vision," said a source close to the discussions.

In a move that underscored the shift in the Republican Party, Trump and his team sought to exclude establishment figures like Pompeo, former UN Ambassador Nikki Haley, and former National Security Adviser Robert O’Brien from the cabinet. Trump Jr. emphasized the importance of loyalty in shaping the next administration, telling The Wall Street Journal that his role was focused on keeping "bad actors" out. "There’s a lot of people who put the ‘R’ next to their name but do whatever the swamp wants," he explained.

The exclusion of Pompeo is emblematic of Trump’s efforts to purge traditional Republicans and infuse his administration with figures aligned with the MAGA movement. For instance, former Fox News host Pete Hegseth, who has openly criticized US involvement in the Ukraine conflict, is among those being considered for leadership roles, despite facing personal controversies. Hegseth’s nomination, if successful, will test the loyalty of Senate Republicans.

Trump’s broader cabinet strategy is evident in his selection of Senator Marco Rubio for Secretary of State, despite skepticism from some MAGA Republicans. Rubio, once a Trump rival, has become increasingly aligned with Trump’s views, particularly on limiting the influence of "wokeness" in government. However, some Trump loyalists remain critical, hoping the president-elect will ultimately replace Rubio with someone more in line with his vision.

This reshaping of the Republican Party reflects Trump’s focus on loyalty and the elimination of figures who do not fully embrace his policies. With key positions still in play, the battle over Trump’s second-term cabinet is far from settled.

By Aghakazim Guliyev