Trump Names UFC President Dana White As Press Secretary, Calls For Criminal Investigations Into Democrats

Trump Offers UFC Chief Dana White White House Press Secretary Job, Orders Probe Into Democrats

US President Donald Trump has adopted an increasingly confrontational approach following the Republicans’ defeat in the midterm elections, offering Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) chief Dana White the role of White House press secretary and directing the Justice Department to investigate Democratic leaders.

The developments came as Democrats prepared to take control of both chambers of Congress in January after delivering a major electoral setback to Trump’s Republican Party. The incoming Democratic majority has indicated that it intends to launch investigations into the president, his administration and several controversial government decisions.

However, Trump showed little indication of backing away from confrontation. In a social media post on Saturday, he urged White, a longtime friend and political supporter, to accept the press secretary position, describing him as a “violent Fighter and Warrior”.

Trump also accused Democrats of engaging in what he called extortion and instructed the Justice Department to examine their alleged actions. He further called for prison sentences for those he described as responsible.

The announcements followed Trump’s decision to appoint senior adviser Stephen Miller as his next chief of staff. Praising Miller, the president had described him as a strong fighter.

TRUMP URGES DANA WHITE TO TAKE WHITE HOUSE ROLE

Dana White, 57, serves as the president and CEO of the UFC, one of the world’s largest mixed martial arts organisations. His close association with Trump has frequently been visible at sporting events and political gatherings.

” Dana, please take the job!” Trump wrote in his social media message, encouraging White to become the administration’s next press secretary.

Although White had not formally confirmed his acceptance, he shared a photograph on social media showing himself standing behind the lectern in the White House press briefing room. The image, which appeared possibly AI-generated, carried the caption, “On to the next chapter.”

Trump also suggested that White bring six UFC fighters to the White House as advisers. The list included international fighters, among them two Russians and one Brazilian.

The White House press secretary position has remained vacant since October 16, when Katie Zacharia left the role less than a week after taking charge.

Trump and White have maintained a longstanding friendship. The UFC president has also been a prominent supporter of Trump’s political movement and appeared alongside him during his 2024 election victory celebrations.

Trump has repeatedly attended UFC events, including fights in Miami, New York and New Jersey. In June, the organisation also hosted a cage-fighting event on the White House South Lawn to mark the president’s 80th birthday.

TRUMP DIRECTS JUSTICE DEPARTMENT TO INVESTIGATE DEMOCRATS

Alongside his offer to White, Trump called on the Justice Department to investigate Democrats, accusing them of engaging in “extortion at the highest level”.

“The Democrats are going around threatening a lot of people,” Trump wrote, claiming that the alleged conduct amounted to a criminal act.

He also argued that imprisonment should be considered for those he called “EXTORTIONISTS”.

The president’s remarks came as Democrats prepared to use their newly secured congressional majorities to investigate various aspects of his administration.

With control of key committees in both the House of Representatives and the Senate, Democrats will have the authority to summon government officials, seek documents and organise public hearings.

Potential areas of scrutiny include the Trump family’s business and cryptocurrency interests, government contracts involving billionaire Elon Musk, federal agency cuts, immigration enforcement, the administration’s handling of the Iran war and the release of files connected to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

Incoming House Oversight Committee chairman Robert Garcia also issued a warning to the administration as election results became clear.

“Lawyer up,” Garcia wrote on X.

DEMOCRATS SIGNAL TOUGH OVERSIGHT, IMPEACHMENT POSSIBILITY

The change in congressional control could significantly increase political and legal scrutiny of the Trump administration. Democratic lawmakers are expected to use their committee powers to examine presidential decisions and the activities of senior officials.

There is also the possibility of Democrats pursuing a third impeachment of Trump, although party leaders have not made a formal commitment to such a move.

The US Constitution requires only a simple majority in the House of Representatives to impeach a president. However, removal from office requires a two-thirds majority in the Senate, making conviction a substantially higher hurdle.

Trump’s combative response to the election setback has also drawn comparisons with his reaction to the 2018 midterm elections, when Democrats gained control of the House. At that time, he warned that his administration would adopt a “war-like posture” in response to congressional investigations.

Trump was subsequently impeached twice, in 2019 and 2021.

With Democrats preparing to exercise their congressional oversight powers and Trump signalling an aggressive response, Washington is heading towards another period of intense political confrontation.