Trump Nominees Are Not Just A Joke — They Are Dangerous
They lack qualifications, have histories of sexual abuse, have zero regard for human rights, and point to a broader MAGA hypocrisy
A kakistocracy is defined a “government by the least suitable or competent citizens of a state.” Donald Trump’s nominees to key cabinet positions represent the unholy fusion of incompetence, white supremacy, and cruelty—a living breathing example of kakistocracy. And while MAGAs love to lecture the world about “meritocracy,” Trump’s shortlist for several critical roles doesn’t just defy meritocracy—it mocks it. It is a parade of unqualified individuals with deeply troubling accusations against them, yet they’re being considered for immense power. Indeed, beyond mockery, their attempted appointments undermine the safety of our entire Republic.
Let’s Address This.
Matt Gaetz: Nominee for US Attorney General
Matt Gaetz is a now former congressman from Florida, and is reportedly Trump’s pick for Attorney General. The Attorney General’s role is to serve as the nation’s top law enforcement officer, overseeing the Department of Justice and safeguarding the rule of law. So what are Gaetz’s qualifications for this role?
None. He has never tried a single case in court. Not one. Gaetz’s legal experience is virtually non-existent, yet Trump sees him fit to lead the entire Justice Department.
But it doesn’t end there. Gaetz is also a credibly accused child sexual predator—a fact attested to even by right wing media. Gaetz is a former Congressman because he resigned two days before a damning ethics report was set to go public detailing allegations of sexual abuse he committed against a minor girl. Gaetz has been under investigation for several years for alleged sex trafficking of a minor and reportedly paying for sex with underage girls. His accomplices are already serving prison time for the same accusations. And though Gaetz denies the allegations, the fact that Trump would even consider him for Attorney General speaks volumes about MAGA’s disregard for ethics or accountability.
Pete Hegseth: Nominee for Secretary of Defense
The Secretary of Defense is responsible for overseeing the military, shaping national security policy, and making decisions that can affect billions of lives globally. This is a role typically filled by former Four Star Generals or leaders with a career in military strategy and policy. Donald Trump’s reported pick for this critical role is Pete Hegseth, a Fox News personality. So what are Hegseth’s qualifications for this role?
Virtually none. Hegseth has never worked on defense policy. His experience with the military includes being removed from President Biden’s security detail due to lack of reliability and trust. Moreover, nothing in Hegseth’s career includes the high-level strategic expertise necessary to lead the Department of Defense. Simply put, Hegseth is unqualified for the job.
And it doesn’t stop there. Like Gaetz, Hegseth carries deeply troubling baggage. He is a credibly accused sexual predator, with allegations of misconduct that would disqualify any reasonable candidate from consideration for such an important role. And while he flaunts his Christian faith, he’s apparently cheated on all three of his wives, had children out of wedlock, and that’s even before the sexual abuse reports. Yet here he is, being touted as Trump’s choice for Secretary of Defense.
R.F.K., Jr.: Nominee for Health and Human Services
The Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) is one of the most critical positions in the federal government, responsible for overseeing the nation’s public health, social services, and healthcare systems. This role involves managing agencies like the CDC, FDA, and NIH, all of which are central to safeguarding the health and well-being of millions of Americans—as we learned first hand during COVID. Trump’s pick for Secretary of Health and Human Services is Robert F. Kennedy Jr. So what are Kennedy’s qualifications for this role?
None. RFK is a man with zero experience in health policy. Worse, Kennedy is an anti-vaxxer whose dangerous propaganda reportedly fueled a devastating measles outbreak in Samoa, resulting in unnecessary suffering of thousands and death of nearly 100 children. And just like Gaetz and Hegseth, Kennedy too, is a credibly accused sexual predator. Elevating someone like Kennedy to oversee America’s healthcare system, especially as up to 1000 Americans a day are still dying of COVID, is a surefire way to increase death and suffering.
Mike Huckabee: Nominee for Ambassador to Israel
The Ambassador to Israel is a critical diplomatic position, especially given the fraught and sensitive nature of U.S.-Israel relations. Trump’s reported pick for this role is former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee. So what are Huckabee’s qualifications for this role?
Virtually none. Huckabee’s track record reveals a man deeply unfit for diplomacy. He has made public comments claiming Palestinians do not exist, a stance so dehumanizing and extreme that it directly undermines the United States’ ability to mediate in the region. How can someone with such an appalling lack of respect for an entire people group represent America on the global stage—especially as Palestinians already suffer genocide and war crimes?
But there’s more. Huckabee also has a troubling history of enabling corruption and abuse. He helped pardon a man accused of Medicare fraud and enabling the sexual abuse of children. The gravity of accusations necessitate detailing the criminal report against Ted Suhl, the man for whom Huckabee secured a pardon:
The 55-page complaint in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Arkansas in Little Rock focuses on allegations of sexual abuse, including “innumerable incidents of fondling of genitals and oral rape,” by the camp’s director of social services, Emmett Presley. Camp leadership, including Suhl, were aware the licensed counselor “habitually raped and sexually molested minor male residents.”
These actions are not just ethical and criminal failings—they are disqualifications for any public office, let alone an ambassadorship on the global stage.
The Hypocrisy of MAGA’s “Meritocracy”
Gaetz, Hegseth, Kennedy, and Huckabee have four things in common:
They are wholly unqualified for the roles Trump has reportedly chosen them for.
They are all wealthy, white men with connections to Trump’s inner circle.
They all face credible accusations of grotesque sexual abuse or enabling harm to others.
All those failings are excused as they are nominated to prestigious roles of immense power.
An Attorney General who ignores the rule of law, a Defense Secretary unfit to manage global threats, a Health Secretary that doesn’t believe in medical science, and an Ambassador who inflames tensions in one of the world’s most volatile regions. These are not just bad choices—they are catastrophic ones that will destroy our Republic.
And I can go on. Elon Musk, another man credibly accused of sexual assault by at least eight women, now co-leads allegedly new Department of Governmental Efficiency. Stephen Miller, a man whose own uncle acknowledges he is an extremist, in a lead policy role. And let’s not forget the original unqualified hire, JD Vance, a man who previously referred to Trump as “America’s Hitler.”
And while MAGA politicians and pundits lecture Black and brown communities about “meritocracy” and about “diversity, equity, and inclusion,” these appointments reveal the real values of the MAGA movement. This is not about merit—it is about loyalty to Trump and the preservation of white supremacy at all costs. These attempted appointments are a reminder once more that every MAGA accusation is a confession.
Conclusion
With Trump set to return to the White House, these appointments represent not just incompetence, but a deliberate assault on the principles of justice, security, and democracy. The MAGA vision of “meritocracy” is clear: reward the powerful, protect white male supremacy, turn a blind eye to the harm their choices inflict on everyone else, and lecture Black and brown people about the need to work harder.
The hypocrisy and incompetence is a danger to our nation’s future. We deserve leaders who are qualified, ethical, and committed to serving all Americans, not just the wealthy and well-connected. And we must demand better before it’s too late.
I cannot be overstated how a rapist surrounding himself with perpetrators and/or enablers of rapes, pedophilia, sexual assaults, and sexual abuse is extremely triggering for many people. And is further proof that cruelty is the point. It's increasingly difficult not to feel paralyzing fear that over half of our country is okay with this and many are emboldened by it.
Excellent summary based on the description of kakistocracy. Next, we should take a look at the kleptocracy. They rhyme. Kakistocracy uplifts the least qualified. Kleptocracy fleeces the least powerful. During this interregnum we all have to be on guard. Once the reign of terror begins, all hands will be required in all venues. I envision the picture of Jonathan Swift's Gulliver tied down by Lilliputians. I'll be on that team in some capacity. We all should begin preparing.