Sebastian Gorka, a British-Hungarian-American commentator with a controversial history of inflammatory rhetoric, has once again found himself in the spotlight after being appointed Deputy Assistant to the President and Senior Director for Counterterrorism by President-elect Donald Trump. His appointment has reignited intense debate over his qualifications and his ties to far-right extremist groups, marking his return to the White House after a brief and tumultuous stint in the first Trump administration.
Born in London in 1970 to Hungarian parents who fled the communist regime, Gorka’s anti-communist worldview was shaped early in life. In the 1990s, he moved to Hungary, where he immersed himself in national security and political circles. Though he ran unsuccessfully for mayor of Piliscsaba in 2006, his attempt to establish a far-right ultranationalist political party following his electoral loss reflected his growing alignment with Hungary’s far-right movement.
After earning a doctorate in political science from Corvinus University in Budapest, Gorka’s academic work, particularly his dissertation on terrorism, has faced significant criticism. Georgetown University professor Daniel Nexon labeled it “inept,” criticizing Gorka’s lack of evidence to support his conclusions.
Gorka became a US citizen in 2012 and soon aligned with Donald Trump’s 2016 campaign. Federal filings reveal he earned $8,000 as a policy consultant, which marked the beginning of his close association with the Trump movement. His first White House appointment in January 2017 focused on advocating for Trump’s controversial travel ban, aimed at predominantly Muslim countries. He framed Islamist terrorism as an existential threat to the West.
Despite his unwavering loyalty to Trump, Gorka’s tenure in the White House was brief. Reports suggested that John Kelly, then White House Chief of Staff, had pushed for his removal due to Gorka’s combative public appearances and lack of a security clearance. Gorka, in his resignation letter, claimed his departure was due to internal opposition to Trump’s agenda within the White House.
One of the most enduring controversies surrounding Gorka is his alleged ties to Vitézi Rend, a Hungarian nationalist group identified by the US State Department as a collaborator with Nazi Germany. Gorka sparked outrage when he wore a medal associated with the group to Trump’s 2017 inaugural ball. Though he denied formal membership, claiming he inherited the title from his father, civil rights organizations like the Anne Frank Center demanded his resignation. Democratic senators called for investigations into whether he disclosed these affiliations during his naturalization process.
Gorka’s rhetoric has been a constant source of controversy. He has characterized Islamist terrorism as “fundamental to the Islamic faith” and argued for more direct counterterrorism strategies against a “global jihad.” His 2016 book, Defeating Jihad: The Winnable War, was widely criticized for its lack of evidence-based arguments. His remarks following the Hamas attack on Israel—”Kill every single one of them. God bless Israel. God bless Judeo-Christian civilization”—further fueled concerns about his suitability for a high-profile counterterrorism position.
Even within Trump’s inner circle, Gorka’s views have been met with skepticism. Former National Security Advisor John Bolton labeled him a “con man,” while Michael Anton, another former Trump official, reportedly withdrew his candidacy for Deputy National Security Advisor in protest of Gorka’s reappointment.
In addition to his political work, Gorka has gained attention for his dramatic statements, such as declaring, “The alpha males are back” during his first White House stint. His non-medical doctorate in political science has also been featured in a dietary supplement ad campaign. Gorka’s legal issues include a 2016 misdemeanor charge for attempting to carry a pistol through airport security in Washington, D.C., and an active gun-related warrant in Hungary during his initial White House term, though both cases were later dismissed.
Trump’s decision to reappoint Gorka has sparked widespread alarm. Critics, including a Democratic National Committee spokesperson, have called Gorka a “far-right extremist” unqualified to lead America’s counterterrorism strategy. An unnamed Trump advisor told The Washington Post that the national security team “almost universally considers Gorka a clown,” expressing unease about his return. Despite this opposition, Trump has remained steadfast in his support of Gorka’s loyalty to the “America First” agenda, raising concerns about the future of Gorka’s second White House tenure and whether it will mirror the controversies of his first.
