CNN Hosts React to Trump’s Cabinet Picks

CNN conservative contributor Scott Jennings expressed a mix of surprise and amusement regarding President-elect Donald Trump’s recent Cabinet-level nominations during a panel discussion on Thursday.

Jennings was particularly struck by Trump’s choice of now-former Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.) as attorney general.

“Are you not entertained?” Jennings quipped when CNN News Central co-host Boris Sanchez inquired about the unconventional pick.

“This is the most entertaining transition I’ve ever seen,” Jennings remarked, adding that Gaetz’s selection caught him off guard. “I was as surprised as Paula, because it’s not a name that we had seen. We’d seen some reporting, a lot of different names... well-heeled Washington legal types on the list. So I’m as surprised as anyone.”

The commentator framed the decision as evidence of Trump “feeling his power.” Jennings, a veteran of President George W. Bush’s administration and a longtime journalist, emphasized how Trump’s appointments reflect a break from Washington norms.

“This is someone appointing people to things who is feeling his power, feeling his influence,” Jennings stated. “He doesn’t feel like he’s in a mood to negotiate with the people in Washington, D.C.”

Citing Fox News host and U.S. Army veteran Pete Hegseth’s nomination as another example, Jennings explained, “He’s here to do what he wants to do. And he’s going to expect the Republicans to fall in line. Now, all these people—whether it’s Gaetz or Hegseth—have to go to confirmation and prove themselves like anyone else.”

Jennings continued, “It is apparent that Trump is in a decisive mood and not interested in picking options he’d consider watered down. We truly learned about this two seconds before we came on here. So, pretty wild day.”

Gabbard and Other Surprising Picks

Trump’s nomination of former Hawaii Rep. Tulsi Gabbard as the next Director of National Intelligence, announced Wednesday, further exemplifies the president-elect’s willingness to surprise Washington insiders.

During the discussion, co-host Brianna Keilar asked Jennings which nominee might face the toughest Senate confirmation battle.

Jennings acknowledged that even the controversial Matt Gaetz has relevant experience, noting his role as a practicing attorney and member of the House Judiciary Committee, which oversees the Department of Justice.

“He, like everyone else, has to go up there and prove themselves. But you can’t underestimate Donald Trump’s influence over Republicans in the Senate,” Jennings said.

Highlighting Trump’s mix of conventional and disruptive picks, Jennings pointed to Sen. Marco Rubio’s nomination for secretary of state as a “well-known name” and contrasted it with more unconventional figures like Gaetz. “Some of these picks are designed to shake up Washington,” he concluded, “and I assume that’s exactly what Donald Trump believes he is doing.”

Balancing Tradition and Change

Trump’s other Cabinet nominations include a mix of familiar names and surprising choices:

• Susie Wiles as chief of staff
• Rep. Elise Stefanik as U.N. ambassador
• Former Rep. John Ratcliffe as CIA director
• Former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee as ambassador to Israel
• Former Rep. Lee Zeldin as Environmental Protection Agency administrator
• Florida Rep. Mike Waltz as national security advisor

These decisions continue to spark debate as Washington anticipates what lies ahead for Trump’s administration.