 "Who is Sebastian Gorka? Donald Trump’s controversial choice for counterterrorism sparks outrage")
Sebastian Gorka, a British-Hungarian-American commentator with a history of polarising rhetoric and contentious affiliations, has been appointed by United States President-elect Donald Trump to serve as deputy assistant to the president and senior director for counterterrorism in the former president’s prospective administration.
The move has once again reignited discussions about Gorka’s qualifications and his ties to far-right groups. This marks Gorka’s second stint in the White House, following a brief tenure in Trump’s first administration.
Who is Sebastian Gorka?
Born in London in 1970 to Hungarian parents who fled Hungary after its communist takeover, Gorka’s upbringing reflected a deep-seated opposition to communism. He later moved to Hungary in the early 1990s, where he became involved in local politics and national security circles.
In 2006, Gorka unsuccessfully ran for mayor in Piliscsaba, Hungary, losing by fewer than 40 votes. He subsequently attempted to establish a political party tied to Hungary’s far-right ultranationalist movement.
Gorka returned to academia and earned a doctorate in political science from Corvinus University in Budapest. Critics, however, have questioned the academic rigour of his dissertation on terrorism. Daniel Nexon, a professor of international relations at Georgetown University, described it as “inept” to CNN and accused Gorka of failing to deploy evidence in his analyses.
After becoming a US citizen in 2012, Gorka began working for federal institutions and later aligned himself with Donald Trump during his 2016 presidential campaign. His contributions as a policy consultant earned him $8,000, according to Federal Election Commission filings, marking the beginning of a close relationship with Trump’s political movement.
What happened during Gorka’s first White House stint?
In January 2017, Gorka was appointed as deputy assistant to the president and a counterterrorism strategist in the Trump administration. During his tenure, he advocated for Trump’s travel ban targeting predominantly Muslim countries, framing Islamist terrorism as a defining threat to Western civilisation.
Gorka’s approach often eschewed nuance, as he himself admitted to “jettisoning” traditional strategies in favour of a confrontational style. “Anybody who downplays the role of religious ideology … they are deleting reality to fit their own world,” Gorka told The Washington Post during his first tenure.
Despite Gorka’s alignment with Trump’s rhetoric, his time in the White House was short-lived . Reports suggested that John Kelly, then White House chief of staff, pushed for Gorka’s departure due to his combative public appearances and lack of a security clearance.
Gorka’s resignation letter, however, claimed his departure was due to forces within the administration undermining Trump’s agenda. “It is clear to me that forces that do not support the [Make America Great Again] promise are — for now — ascendant within the White House,” Gorka wrote.
Does Gorka have ties to Nazi-affiliated groups?
One of the most enduring controversies surrounding Gorka involves his alleged ties to Vitézi Rend, a Hungarian nationalist group identified by the US State Department as having collaborated with Nazi Germany.
Gorka was photographed at Trump’s inaugural ball in 2017 wearing a medal associated with the group. While Gorka claimed the medal was a tribute to his father, who was honoured for resisting communism, civil rights organisations like the Anne Frank Center for Mutual Respect called for his resignation.
Gorka has repeatedly denied formal membership in Vitézi Rend, stating, “I inherited the title of Vitéz through the merits of my father,” but added that he never swore allegiance to the group. Nonetheless, Democratic senators requested investigations into whether Gorka disclosed these affiliations during his naturalisation process.
Vitézi Rend spokesperson Andras Horvaz described Gorka’s choice to wear the medal as an honour to the group, while other members claimed he was a known associate. Gorka has maintained his position, insisting that his actions were motivated by familial pride rather than ideological alignment.
Why is Gorka seen as a polarising figure?
Gorka’s rhetoric has frequently drawn criticism for its incendiary nature. He has described Islamist terrorism as “a fundamental part of the Islamic faith” and has argued that counterterrorism strategies must explicitly address what he calls a “global jihad.”
His 2016 book, Defeating Jihad: The Winnable War, promotes these views, though experts have widely criticised its lack of evidence-based conclusions.
After watching footage of Hamas’s attack on Israel, Gorka offered stark advice: “Kill every single one of them. God bless Israel. God bless Judeo-Christian civilisation.” Such remarks have amplified concerns about his suitability for a senior counterterrorism role.
Even within Trump’s circle, Gorka’s views have been met with scepticism. Former US National Security Advisor John Bolton has been a consistent critic, calling Gorka a “con man” and stating, “I wouldn’t have him in any US government.” Bolton further warned that Gorka’s reappointment would not “bode well for counterterrorism efforts.”
Michael Anton, a former Trump official and once a contender for deputy national security advisor, reportedly withdrew his candidacy in protest of Gorka’s return to the National Security Council.
Which controversies surround Gorka?
Gorka’s public persona extends beyond his political work. He has been mocked for his dramatic declarations, such as announcing, “The alpha males are back,” during his first White House tenure.
His promotion of a dietary supplement, Relief Factor, in an ad campaign highlighting his non-medical doctorate in political science, further drew ridicule.
Gorka’s legal troubles have also made headlines. In 2016, he faced a misdemeanor charge for attempting to carry a pistol through security at a Washington DC airport.
Additionally, reports revealed that a gun-related warrant for his arrest in Hungary was still active during his first White House tenure. Both cases were later dropped.
Will Gorka ‘succeed’ in his new role?
Trump’s decision to reappoint Gorka to a senior counterterrorism role has sparked alarm among experts and political commentators. Critics have questioned his credentials and expressed concerns about the implications of his hardline views for US policy.
“Almost universally, the entire [national security] team considers Gorka a clown. They are dreading working with him,” an unnamed Trump adviser told The Washington Post.
Meanwhile, Democratic National Committee spokesperson Alex Floyd called Gorka “a far-right extremist who is as dangerous as he is unqualified to lead America’s counterterrorism strategy.”
Despite the backlash, Trump has stood by his decision, praising Gorka’s unwavering support for the “America First agenda.”
Whether Gorka’s second White House tenure will mirror the controversies of his first remains to be seen.
With inputs from agencies
 "Russian drones over Poland: Trump’s tepid reaction a wake-up call for Nato?")
 "As Russia pushes east, Ukraine faces mounting pressure to defend its heartland")
 "Why Mossad was not on board with Israel’s strike on Hamas in Qatar")
 "Turkey: Erdogan's police arrest opposition mayor Hasan Mutlu, dozens officials in corruption probe")
 "Russian drones over Poland: Trump’s tepid reaction a wake-up call for Nato?")
 "As Russia pushes east, Ukraine faces mounting pressure to defend its heartland")
 "Why Mossad was not on board with Israel’s strike on Hamas in Qatar")
 "Turkey: Erdogan's police arrest opposition mayor Hasan Mutlu, dozens officials in corruption probe")
