Sebastian Gorka has been appointed by President-elect Trump to join the national security team as the deputy assistant to the president and senior director for counterterrorism. With over three decades of experience in national security, Gorka, who was born in the United Kingdom and is a “legal immigrant,” was highlighted by Trump for his dedication to America First principles.
In a statement, Trump praised Gorka, calling him a “tireless advocate” for the America First agenda and the MAGA Movement. Gorka, a British-Hungarian American, is also a media personality, frequently appearing on Salem Radio Network and Newsmax.
Trump praises Gorka as a champion of the America First agenda
Previously, Gorka served in the Trump administration. In July 2020, he was appointed to a national security advisory board, continuing his work on counterterrorism matters, which he will resume in his new role. He was one of six appointees to the board at that time.
Although he was closely aligned with Steve Bannon, Gorka was forced to leave the first Trump administration after John Kelly assumed the role of chief of staff. In 2017, Gorka joined Fox News as a national security strategist after his brief tenure in the Trump administration, but left the network in 2019.
Following his departure, Gorka became a national contributor for Sinclair and launched a podcast, “America First,” in 2018. Trump’s choice of Gorka, however, has been criticized. Former national security advisor John Bolton described Gorka as a “con man” during a CNN interview, suggesting his appointment could undermine counterterrorism efforts.
Alongside Gorka’s appointment, Trump also named Alex Wong as assistant to the president and principal deputy national security advisor. Wong, who had worked on North Korean relations and the State Department, played an important role in the 2018 meeting between Trump and Kim Jong Un.
Gorka’s past comments on Islam, particularly regarding violence within the faith, have sparked controversy, and his academic credentials have faced scrutiny, as reported by Politico. Known for his combative media style, Gorka once infamously told reporters to “take a long jump off a short pier.”
