PDB Situation Report | November 16th, 2024: Grading Trump’s Cabinet Appointments & Bombshell UFO Hearing Breakdown
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What are the key cabinet appointments made by Trump?
Welcome to the PDB Situation Report. I'm Mike Baker. Your eyes and ears on the world stage. Let's get briefed. Less than two weeks after Donald Trump's victory over Kamala Harris, you may have heard about that, his cabinet is already taking shape. Now, some major surprises have come with the announcements for top spots like secretaries of state and defense. We'll break down his picks with retired senior military intelligence officer, Lieutenant Colonel Tony Schaefer. He's a great one to come in here and bring his insight. He actually served on the transition team back in 2016 for President Trump's first term. Later in the show, we're diving into a topic once reserved for conspiracy theories, UFOs. You didn't see that coming, did you?
This week, Congress held a hearing on unidentified anomalous phenomena, that rolls off the tongue, or as they say in Washington, D.C., UAPs, where a former military intelligence officer boldly declared during the hearing, we are not alone in the cosmos. National Security Analyst Brandon Weichert from the National Interest joins us to unpack what was revealed at the hearing and what was not revealed at the hearing. But first, today's spotlight. President Trump is shaping his new cabinet, rolling out key appointments since last week's re-election win. Now, some of his choices, like Senator Marco Rubio for Secretary of State, have received broad approval, but other picks have sparked surprise and, in some cases, disappointment and, in some cases, outright shock. The biggest surprise so far? Trump's selection of Florida Congressman Matt Gaetz as Attorney General. Gaetz's appointment has stirred up a storm
and heads have been exploding all across the country, especially after he resigned from Congress just after the announcement. Speculation is swirling that he stepped down to sidestep an upcoming ethics probe set to drop this week. Another unconventional pick is Fox News host and Army veteran Pete Hegseth for Secretary of Defense.
Who is Tony Schaefer and what insights does he offer?
Now, while Hegseth is a decorated 20-year veteran, many are questioning whether he has the experience to lead a vast bureaucracy like the Pentagon. And it is a vast bureaucracy. To dive deeper into Trump's choices, we're bringing in retired U.S. Army Lieutenant Colonel Tony Schaefer. Hey, good to be on with you, Mike. Thanks for having me. Of course, of course. And thanks for coming back. Not everybody does. Okay, so we had an election, I am told. Anyway, I haven't been paying attention. And as Barack Obama used to always famously say, elections have consequences. And one of those consequences is that the incoming president starts naming senior positions and cabinet posts and traditionally is given a great deal of deference to build a team around them.
So I was hoping to get your overview. You've spent a lot of time and you got a lot of experience. I don't mean to age you, but God, you're what? You're in your early 80s now at this point, right? Am I wrong?
feel that way. No, I'm actually 62 and proudly now able to get discounts at all known eating establishments.
What were the reactions to Matt Gaetz's appointment as Attorney General?
That's great. I mean, to be fair, you don't look a day over 61, Tony. What I'm hoping to do is give me some thoughts based on all your experience and then maybe throw out a letter grade, A to F, just like we're back in school, and let us know what you're thinking. So we're starting with Secretary of State, Marco Rubio.
Look, I was on the transition team in 2016, so I've had some experience making judgments on folks. And having been through and seen this, I think the president, as you said, has a right to do this. So let's go to Marco Rubio. I've met Marco Rubio. I've met the senator. I've met him there in the green room at Fox where you've been before. I think he's someone who understands national security. He's got a very even temperament. I think as long as he's willing to do what the president wants done, and he said this publicly, I think he has a potential to be an A minus Secretary of State. And I'm saying that because he's not a new guy. And from what I'm hearing, Mike, they're having crying sessions at the State Department about Marco Rubio coming over. So that's a good sign.
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Chapters
8 chapters
1
What are the key cabinet appointments made by Trump?
0:12–2:06
2
Who is Tony Schaefer and what insights does he offer?
2:06–3:16
3
What were the reactions to Matt Gaetz's appointment as Attorney General?
3:16–4:39
4
What insights were shared about the UFO hearing?
4:39–6:45
5
How did the speakers grade Marco Rubio as Secretary of State?
6:45–16:39
6
What are the expectations for the nominee for Homeland Security?
16:39–22:49
7
What is the significance of Tom Holman's appointment?
22:49–40:46
8
What are the concerns about Tulsi Gabbard's nomination as DNI?
40:46–57:45
Speakers
2 identifiedMore from The President's Daily Brief
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