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President-elect Donald Trump has started building his incoming administration with key national security picks that signal a return to contentious policies from his first term. The appointment of John Ratcliffe as CIA Director, announced on Tuesday, underscores Trump’s intention to elevate loyalists into critical intelligence roles. Ratcliffe, who served as Director of National Intelligence from 2020 to 2021, remains a polarizing figure due to his controversial handling of intelligence disclosures on Russia’s influence in the 2016 election, which critics argued served Trump’s political agenda.
Ratcliffe’s appointment may revive debates about the politicization of intelligence agencies, a contentious point during Trump’s previous term. Despite these criticisms, Ratcliffe publicly opposed Trump’s unfounded claims of widespread election fraud during the 2020 election transition, a stance that placed him before a federal grand jury investigating related claims. His current position at the Center for American Security, a Trump-aligned think tank, suggests continuity in Trump’s national security philosophy.
Trump’s potential choice of Florida Senator Marco Rubio as Secretary of State adds further intrigue. Known for his hawkish stance on China and extensive foreign policy experience, Rubio’s selection would telegraph a combative approach toward Beijing. Rubio’s legislative focus on countering Chinese influence, including measures targeting Chinese technology used in electric vehicle batteries, has drawn both domestic and international attention. The prospect of Rubio leading U.S. foreign policy could escalate tensions with China, especially as he was previously sanctioned by Beijing.
Meanwhile, Trump’s prospective pick for national security adviser, Florida Representative Mike Waltz, would mark the first time a former Green Beret has occupied the role. Waltz’s experience in Afghanistan and the Middle East reflects a potential focus on reshaping U.S. involvement in ongoing geopolitical conflicts, including Ukraine and the Israel-Hamas war. His appointment would align with Trump’s vision for an “America First” agenda, though it may pit the administration against more isolationist elements within the Republican Party.
One of the most polarizing figures expected to return to Trump’s circle is Stephen Miller, slated to be White House deputy chief of staff for policy. Known for his hardline immigration stance, Miller was a key architect of the administration’s restrictive immigration policies during Trump’s first term. He has expressed eagerness to resume mass deportations, potentially expanding immigration enforcement through executive orders and military-backed detention centers near the southern border.
Trump’s new appointments and expected nominations indicate a return to policies that prioritize strict national security measures, confrontational foreign policy, and hardline immigration stances. While these moves consolidate support among Trump’s base, they also raise the specter of renewed clashes with both political opponents and international adversaries.
