EDWIN Poots has faced criticism from sacked DUP ministers as he announced a new-look Stormont team.
Peter Weir and Diane Dodds claimed Mr Poots' choices were evidence of failure to reach out to those who opposed him in the leadership contest.
Few roles were handed to Sir Jeffrey Donaldson backers.
Mr Poots' early days as leader have been marred by unrest among party members furious at the manner in which Mrs Foster was deposed. Several have quit.
Mr Weir, who is being replaced at the Department of Education by Michelle McIlveen, tweeted it was "sad there is little sign of healing or reaching out".
Mrs Dodds, who is being replaced as economy minister by Paul Frew, tweeted it was "regrettable" the new team "does not match the rhetoric about healing and bringing the party together".
She was retweeted by Mrs Foster and Sir Jeffrey, the latter also retweeting Mr Weir.
Mr Poots said: "Diane probably isn't in the best place today."
"I have been in that circumstance twice before, where I've been a minister and I've been asked to step aside for others. And therefore that is a natural reaction."
The agriculture minister rejected allegations by some resigning DUP members of bullying and intimidation during the leadership contest.
"This party is a party that will reach out to people and I, as a leader, am not someone who is either scary or bullying - I want to nail that absolutely and factually," he said.
"If anybody wants to bring forward facts, they will be investigated fairly."
He said the team will focus on "issues that the public are talking about, in particular the health service, recovery from Covid-19, waiting times in our hospitals".
Sinn Féin's Chris Hazzard insisted "good government is about trust...whoever is in ministerial office".
"We need to see all commitments made in the New Decade, New Approach document delivered.
"That includes commitments made on the Irish language, functioning north/south ministerial bodies and processes, legacy and other outstanding issues."
SDLP leader Colum Eastwood warned "changing the personnel and personalities around the executive table will not make one blind bit of difference if there is no change in attitude and no step change in delivering on the issues that matter to people".
Alliance Party leader Naomi Long said she and Mr Givan had at times a "tense" relationship.
"We're not hostile to each other. We will have to work together and we have had to work together," she told BBC radio.
"If Paul approaches the job with a bit of humility, works with colleagues and the staff within the Executive Office, takes good advice from his officials, he will be as capable as anyone else to do it."
