DETROIT — President elect Donald Trump’s offensive campaign rhetoric seems to be finding a very prominent and visible place on his cabinet.

In the days since the jaw dropping election, Trump has appointed several right wing, anti-Islamic White-nationalists to his advisory team–paving a path for what can perhaps be a gloomy four years for minority groups. 

The announcement of Stephen Bannon, the anti-Muslim conspiracy theorist and White nationalist who is the chairman of Breitbart News as Trump’s chief strategist, has left many Muslims unsettled.

Bannon has had a long history of Xenophobic and racist ideologies. 

In recent months, Bannon conducted dozens of interviews with anti-Muslim extremists on his Sirius XM radio show. These guests offered paranoid accusations and false conspiracy theories about Muslims, all of which Bannon left unchallenged.

Trump has also appointed Walid Phares as an expert on terrorism, counter-terrorism and Middle Eastern Affairs.

Phares is an American citizen and a Maronite Christian of Lebanese origin who has been outspoken about radical Islam in books he’s authored, including, “Future Jihad: Terrorist Strategies against America” and “The Coming Revolution: Struggle for Freedom in the Middle East.”

On Tuesday, the American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee released a statement demanding the immediate removal of both Phares and Barron as chief advisers.

“These two right-wing ideologues pose serious risks to America and its values,” the ADC said. “Phares and Barron have a long history of bigotry and divisive racist ideologies. Their roles as top advisers endanger all communities of color, including Arabs and Muslims. ADC believes both Phares and Bannon should be removed from their roles as advisers immediately.”

On Thursday, reports circulated that Trump was also appointing Retired Lt. Gen. Michael Flynn as his national security adviser. 

Flynn has had a long history of anti-Muslim comments and associations. Earlier this year at a Texas event hosted by the anti-Islam hate group ACT for America, Flynn compared Islam to “a cancer” and said that faith of 1.6 billion people worldwide “definitely hides behind being a religion.”

Flynn is on the board of advisers for ACT for America, a virulently anti-Muslim hate group headed by Hanah Kahwagi Tudor, who goes by the pseudonym “Brigitte Gabriel.” The organization was classified as a hate group by the Souther Poverty Law Center.

The Council on American Islamic Relations (CAIR) quickly called for Trump to reconsider his appointment of Flynn.

“A person who believes the faith of one fourth of the world’s population is a ‘cancer’ should not be advising the president on anything, let alone on our nation’s security,” said CAIR National Executive Director Nihad Awad. “We urge President-elect Trump not to appoint General Flynn to any administration post, and if he already has made that decision, to find another candidate who does not hold such bigoted views.”

Then there is Frank Gaffney, founder of the Center for Security Policy, a think tank on foreign policy issues, has been described in some media as an advisor to Trump’s transition team, but Gaffney has denied that.

In 2015, the Southern Poverty Law Center dubbed Gaffney, “One of America’s notorious Islamophobes.”

His ridiculous actions in the past included accusing President Obama of being a Muslim and being one of the spear-headers of the “birther” movement, which Trump would later capitalize on.

Once Obama was in office, Gaffney constantly pounded on the conspiracy theory that the president was part of a deep-rooted movement of Muslim infiltration in the government, with a goal to establish a jihadist agenda.

Gaffney, like many other Islamophobes, had a strange fixation with “Sharia Law”– enticing fear into mainstream Americans that Muslims living in the U.S. had an agenda to make it the law of the land.

And now, he may be assisting the president-elect in appointing people in key government positions.

“Give him a chance”

Reports have begun pouring in that Trump’s advisers are already hard at work with plans to begin the process of a U.S.-Mexico border wall, as well as a “registry” of Muslims who immigrate to this country. 

Yet, Republicans are telling millions of concerned Muslim, Latino and African Americans to give him a chance. 

Lena Epstein, co-chair of the Trump campaign in Michigan, said it is easy for individuals to get “caught up” in media rhetoric that stress certain words or sound bites the candidate said on the campaign trail.

Epstein said she has come to know Trump on a personal level and regards his character as honorable.

She said Trump ran for president because he wishes for a strong America, which must be acknowledged for its diversity and appreciation of all of its population, including the Arab American community.

She urged all Americans who might be discouraged by Trump’s election to watch for the first 100 days after his inauguration.

After the president-elect is given that chance and affirms enhancements in people’s lives, like in economic improvements, she said the public can then hold Trump accountable for the promises he made during the campaign.

“Fear spreads fear – hate spreads hate,” she said. “We can’t judge him before his presidency.”

Epstein added that although the campaign recognizes some Arab and Muslim Americans’ concerns about Bannon, she cannot speak to his past, but can attest to the expectations Trump will hold regarding his service as chief strategist in demonstrating honesty, integrity, respect and leadership.

“Arabs should embrace Trump”

Bill Runco, the Michigan Republican Party’s chair in Dearborn’s 12th Congressional district, said Trump’s election is considered a major step in the right direction for the country among the area’s Republican voters.

Runco associated Trump’s fanfare with his honest politics and strong economic policies, rather than the controversial tone he has used during the campaign.

Runco acknowledges the reasons why many might take offense to what they feel is divisive rhetoric, but he added the majority are not willing to wait and see how Trump will perform as president.

“Republicans would not be protesting if Clinton had won the seat,” he said.

Runco said that although popular liberal media outlets and minority communities might believe Trump is a racist, it’s furthest from the truth.

Runco pointed to Trump having been the 1986 recipient of the Ellis Island Medal of Honor, which pays tribute to the contributions made to America by immigrants and their children while, “embodying the spirit of America in their celebration of patriotism, tolerance, brotherhood and diversity.”

Trump was photographed with civil rights icon Rosa Parks and boxer Muhammad Ali, among others.

Clinton was similarly honored with the award in 1999.

Regarding Trump’s antagonistic tone, Runco said some might take offense to his words, but asked that they give him an opportunity to demonstrate his virtue after he takes office and not base it on his outspoken nature and “New Yorker” attitude.

“Trump is an enigma,” he said. “He can be very charming and he can be very rash.”

He likened Trump to President Reagan, who was at first seen as offbeat, but later went on to become a well-liked president.

“As observed during the primaries, Trump is a tough man who will follow immigration laws, does not favor an agenda and will fight for all Americans’ civil rights, including the Arab and Muslim communities,” he said.

Runco urged Arab Americans to actively seek partnerships with the Trump administration and routinely voice their concerns.

He said the response will be the final arbiter of Trump’s rapport.

“We should not be disappointed,” he said.