President-elect Donald Trump has tapped several Californians — including former San Joaquin Valley congressman Devin Nunes — for positions in his next administration.
Nunes, a Republican and former dairy farmer from Tulare, is stepping down from his House seat after nearly two decades in 2022 to become CEO of Trump Media & Technology Group, the parent company of the president-elect’s Truth Social platform. On Saturday, Trump announced on stage that he had nominated Nunes to serve as chairman of the President’s Intelligence Advisory Board.
The board “exists solely to provide the President with an independent source of advice” on intelligence matters, and “has access to all information necessary to carry out its duties,” according to the Office of the Director of National Intelligence. Its members do not need Senate confirmation.
Trump wrote that Nunes will use his experience as the former chairman of the House Intelligence Committee “and his important role in exposing the Russia, Russia, Russia Hoax” to provide Trump with an “independent assessment of the effectiveness and propriety” of the actions taken by the US. intelligence agencies.
Nunes was a staunch Trump ally throughout the House investigation into ties between the 2016 Trump campaign and Russia, which Nunes helped lead when he was given his position on the intelligence committee. He has dismissed various connections between Trump campaign officials and Russian assets since he is now Sen. Adam B. Schiff – Democrat from California on the intelligence committee – alleged that the Trump team colluded with the Russians and the Department of Justice conducted its own investigation.
Trump said Nunes will retain his position as CEO of Trump Media. Trump has also appointed other Trump Media executives to key positions in his administration – including pro wrestling mogul Linda McMahon, his choice for education secretary, and Kash Patel, his pick for FBI director.
Patel previously served on the House Intelligence Committee under Nunes, and is a trusted ally of Trump.
Nunes wrote on Truth Social that he “looks forward to serving our great nation again” under Trump. On Fox News, Nunes sang Patel’s praises and said they would work together — with Trump’s other judicial and intelligence appointees — to “bring integrity back” to the system.
“It is important to do what the president wants to do, what he promised the American people, [which] to make these agencies focus on going after the bad guys and keeping the American people safe,” said Nunes.
Trump also on Saturday named Richard “Ric” Grenell, another loyalist from California, as his “special envoy” — a role he does not currently have.
Grenell, who served as acting director of national intelligence during Trump’s first term as ambassador to Germany, previously served on the United Nations Security Council.
Trump said Grenell “will work in some of the hottest places around the world, including Venezuela and North Korea,” and will “continue to fight for Peace with Strength, and always put AMERICA FIRST.”
Grenell called working under Trump “the honor of a lifetime” for X.
“President Trump is the problem solver who keeps the American people safe and prosperous,” he wrote. “We have a lot to do. Let’s get to work.”
Grenell is a firebrand known for his attacks on social media. He was heavily criticized by German officials during his tenure – some calling him a “biased propaganda machine” – and his appointment as acting director of national intelligence in the Trump era was first met by Democrats, who said he lacked the intelligence experience needed for the post. .
Grenell, who lives in Palm Springs and has taught at the USC Annenberg School of Communication, has also received support and derision from California lawmakers.
Grenell, who is gay, has been branded anti-LGBTQ+ by queer rights groups for insulting transgender youth rights and the Equality Act. While California Republicans honored Grenell on the floor of the California Senate in the name of Pride Month in 2023, several Democrats walked off the floor in protest — including Sen. really a self-hating gay man, taking tons of anti-LGBTQ positions.”
Trump on Saturday also nominated former Los Alamitos Mayor Troy Edgar to serve as deputy secretary of Homeland Security.
Edgar, an IBM executive, served in Trump’s first term as chief financial officer and as deputy under secretary for Homeland Security.
In a Truth Social letter announcing his choice, Trump praised Edgar for helping to lead the “rebellion” of sanctuary cities as mayor of Los Alamitos, a small town in Orange County.
“I’m so excited to have Troy on our team, as he will help us Make America Great Again!” Trump wrote.
The California Values Act, which went into effect on Jan. 1, 2018, limits law enforcement cooperation with immigration officials in many cases. Edgar and other Los Alamitos officials approved legislation that sought to exempt the city from state law — strong support from other conservative officials in the state and drawing the attention of Trump, who invited Edgar to the White House.
The Trump administration sued to block the California law, but the Supreme Court rejected the challenge in 2020, leaving the law in place.
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