President-elect Donald Trump on Wednesday nominated Senator Marco Rubio as Secretary of State, brushing aside critics in his party and putting the outspoken hawk in charge of US foreign policy.
Trump also named right-wing Florida lawmaker Matt Gaetz as his attorney general, rewarding the loyalty of a staunch ally who has defended the Republican in his legal battles and impeachment fights.
"Few issues in America are more important than ending the partisan Weaponizations of our Justice System," Trump posted on social media. "Matt will end Weaponized Government... and restore Americans' badly-shattered Faith and Confidence in the Justice Department."
The President-elect also named former Democratic congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard, who has opposed US support for Ukraine and met Syria's president Bashar al-Assad, as his incoming Director of National Intelligence.
The Republican president-elect said Gabbard, a veteran and one-time Democratic White House contender, would "bring the fearless spirit that has defined her illustrious career to our intelligence community."
Rubio, the son of Cuban immigrants to Miami and vociferous opponent of Latin American communists, China and Iran, would be the first Hispanic as the top US diplomat.
Trump, who clashed bitterly with Rubio for the presidential nomination in 2016, said in a statement nominating him: "Marco is a Highly Respected Leader, and a very powerful Voice for Freedom."
"He will be a strong Advocate for our Nation, a true friend to our Allies, and a fearless warrior who will never back down to our adversaries," Trump said.
Rubio said in a statement that he will work with Trump "every day to carry out his foreign policy agenda."
"Under the leadership of President Trump, we will deliver peace through strength and always put the interests of Americans and America above all else," he said in a statement.
After reports of Rubio's announcement first circulated on Monday, Trump faced calls from leading non-interventionist Republicans to reconsider.
The president-elect simultaneously named Tulsi Gabbard, who has branded Rubio a warmonger, as intelligence chief.
With AFP
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