President-elect Donald Trump has begun announcing his Cabinet nominees, but so far, no Black individual has been named to his team. This lack of diversity has drawn sharp criticism from civil rights leaders and sparked concerns about representation and inclusivity in his administration.
Among Trump’s notable picks are Linda McMahon as Secretary of Education, Marco Rubio as Secretary of State, Tulsi Gabbard as Director of National Intelligence, and Robert Kennedy Jr. as Secretary of Health and Human Services. Oil executive Chris Wright has been tapped to lead the Department of Energy, while former congressman Sean Duffy is slated to oversee the Department of Transportation. South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem has been nominated for a key national security role, and Pete Hegseth, a Fox News host and military veteran with no prior political experience, has been proposed as the next Secretary of Defense.
In a controversial twist, Matt Gaetz, Trump’s initial choice for Attorney General, withdrew his nomination following allegations of misconduct. Trump has since nominated former Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi to fill the role.
Critics argue that Trump has prioritized loyalty over qualifications in his selections, a charge underscored by Reverend Al Sharpton, a prominent civil rights activist. Sharpton accused Trump of sidelining Black voices despite courting Black voters during his campaign.
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“In the two weeks since Donald Trump was re-elected, he has put forth a dozen nominees, yet not a single one is Black,” Sharpton said. “Trump spent his campaign claiming to champion Black Americans, but his proposed Cabinet tells a different story.”
Sharpton also expressed alarm over nominees with contentious records, including the Health Secretary pick, Robert Kennedy Jr., whose views on vaccines could, he said, harm Black communities.
“Right now, it seems the self-proclaimed ‘best president for Black America since Lincoln’ has abandoned his commitments to us,” Sharpton remarked. “If Trump wants to deliver for Black America, he must ensure his Cabinet reflects its diversity.”
All nominees will require Senate approval before assuming office, with the potential for any nomination to fail if four Republicans join all Democrats in opposition. For now, Trump’s choices remain under intense scrutiny as calls for greater inclusivity grow louder.
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