Afghan Voice Agency (AVA) - International Service: US President Donald Trump announced that he has selected Fox News host and US Army veteran Pete Hegsett as his Secretary of Defense.

 

Reuters wrote that Trump praised Hegsett, a veteran of the US Army National Guard who served in Afghanistan, Iraq and Guantanamo Bay, in announcing his decision.

 

He said in a statement: "Pete is tough, smart and believes in America. With Pete's selection, our military will be great again and America will never back down."

 

While Hegsett has expressed limited political views in the past, he has criticized NATO allies for being weak and said China is on the verge of dominating its neighbors.

 

Hegsett said he left the military in 2021 after being dismissed for his political and religious views.

 

Trump picks White House counsel

 

Donald Trump also named William Bill McGinley as his White House counsel.

 

Bill is a smart and tough lawyer who will help me advance the America First agenda while fighting for election integrity and against the use of weaponized law enforcement.

 

He served as chief of staff to the White House during Trump's first administration.

 

Donald Trump Picks John Ratcliffe as CIA Director

 

The US President-elect announced that he has selected one of the most conservative members of Congress to be the director of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA).

 

John Ratcliffe served as the US Director of National Intelligence from May 20, 2020, to January 20 of the same year in the previous Trump administration.