Sebastian Gorka
Sebastian Gorka’s appointment within the Trump administration, as the Deputy Assistant to the President and Senior Director for Counterterrorism, is deeply troubling due to his well-documented history of Islamophobic rhetoric, extremist views, and connections to far-right ideologies. Gorka has consistently espoused the belief that radical Islam and terrorism are rooted in a broader, totalitarian ideology akin to communism and fascism. His statements linking groups like al-Qaeda and ISIS to communism and calling them “totalitarian” movements that demand submission or death are not only grossly oversimplified but reflect a dangerous worldview that fails to distinguish between radical ideologies and the broader Muslim community. Gorka’s framing of terrorism as a battle between freedom and totalitarianism places Muslims as the enemy by association, fueling Islamophobia and reinforcing harmful stereotypes that have already contributed to rising anti-Muslim sentiment in the U.S.
His background as a former editor at Breitbart News alongside Steve Bannon, a key figure in the alt-right movement, further amplifies his association with extremist, nationalist views. Gorka's ties to far-right ideologues and his history of spreading Islamophobic content through Breitbart raise significant concerns about his ability to approach national security, civil rights, and foreign policy in a fair, inclusive, and informed manner. His rhetoric has fueled the idea that all Muslims—regardless of their beliefs or nationality—are potential threats, which aligns with the broader anti-Muslim narrative promoted by many far-right groups in the U.S. This ideological stance contradicts the core American values of religious tolerance, equality, and freedom.
Furthermore, Gorka's influence extends beyond media, as evidenced by his work with the Heritage Foundation and his role at Marine Corps University, where he was funded by a conservative donor with close ties to the Republican establishment. His appointment and public views have already provoked strong opposition from key figures within the national security community, including H.R. McMaster, John Bolton, and Cindy Storer, who have all raised red flags about his qualifications and dangerous ideological leanings. These concerns are not merely academic; they have real-world implications, as Gorka's inflammatory rhetoric and misinformed approach to national security could harm Muslim Americans and U.S. foreign policy.
Perhaps most alarming are Gorka’s openly hostile comments about Muslims and his suggestion that military actions should be extreme and indiscriminate. For example, after reviewing unedited footage of a Hamas attack in Israel, Gorka reportedly advised Israeli officials to "Kill every single one of them," a statement that echoes the dehumanization of entire groups based on their faith. Such rhetoric not only endangers Muslim communities worldwide but also emboldens groups like ISIS who thrive on the divisive, hate-filled narrative Gorka propagates.
Just before being dismissed from the White House, Sebastian Gorka delivered a controversial speech to elite students at the U.S. Army's Special Operations School. Speaking via video link from the White House, Gorka addressed students at Fort Bragg on topics like radical Islamic terrorism, the war in Afghanistan, and Sharia law, while emphasizing the Trump administration’s aggressive counterterrorism policies. His speech was described by some as a "tirade" and was widely seen as a classic example of his inflammatory rhetoric. Gorka was scheduled to give the same talk the following day at the U.S. Army John F. Kennedy Special Warfare Center, but White House Chief of Staff John Kelly intervened. According to special operations officers, Kelly prohibited Gorka from speaking publicly while still employed as deputy assistant to the president. Shortly after, Kelly revoked his security clearance and dismissed Gorka from his role as an advisor to the President.
In sum, Gorka’s history of Islamophobic statements, his alignment with far-right extremist ideologies, and his problematic positions on national security and civil rights make him an entirely inappropriate candidate for any government role, particularly in areas related to defense, counterterrorism, or civil rights. His appointment is a direct threat to American Muslims, and it signals a troubling disregard for the values of inclusivity and respect that America strives to uphold.
What MPAC Is Doing: MPAC emphatically opposes this appointment and is calling on President-elect Donald Trump and the Trump transition team to reverse this decision.
