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Karl Rove unleashed sharp criticism of President-elect Donald Trump’s Cabinet selection process, highlighting what he perceives as significant missteps in three key nominations.

Writing for The Wall Street Journal, the veteran Republican strategist expressed concerns about Trump’s choices of Pete Hegseth, Tulsi Gabbard, and Matt Gaetz – the latter of whom withdrew from consideration just one day after Rove’s column was published.

The selection of Hegseth for Defense Secretary and Gabbard for Director of National Intelligence drew particularly pointed criticism from Rove, who characterized these nominations as a “circus act,” warning that their confirmation proceedings would likely be “messy and full of bad press.”

Rove specifically highlighted potential complications surrounding one nominee’s background, writing: “His in particular could entail unpleasant surprises, given that the Trump transition team was reportedly blindsided after his nomination by the news that he had reached a settlement with a woman who accused him of sexual assault in 2017.”

Concluding his assessment, Rove stated: “Inadequate vetting, impatience, disregard for qualifications and a thirst for revenge have created chaos and controversy for Mr. Trump before he’s even in office. The price for all this will be missed opportunities to shore up popular support for the incoming president. But at least it’ll make great TV.”