Trump’s Cabinet: Who did he tap?
By Madison Lucchesi
President-elect Donald Trump appointed numerous people to his cabinet in the week following the election.
Florida Senator Marco Rubio is expected to be named Secretary of State. In this role, Rubio will serve as Trump’s senior foreign policy advisor. Currently, Rubio is the vice-chair of the Senate Select Committee on Foreign Intelligence and a member of the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations.
Rubio said he will follow Trump’s “America First” policy. He said, “It is going to require us to be very pragmatic and wise in how we invest overseas and what we do.”
Trump chose South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem as the secretary of the Department of Homeland Security. With Trump’s so-called “border czar,” Tom Homan and White House deputy chief of staff on policy Stephen Miller, Noem will lead Trump’s planned “mass deportation” initiatives, with Senate approval of Trump’s choice for this role.
Former Acting Immigration and Customs Enforcement Director Tom Homan will be Trump’s “border czar.” Homan oversaw ICE during the “zero tolerance” policy of the first Trump Administration, which separated children from their parents. This new position is an official Cabinet appointment and will not require Senate approval.
Fox News host Pete Hegseth was selected as Trump’s Secretary of Defense. Serving in the Army National Guard, Hegseth served in Iraq and Afghanistan. He has not yet shared a plan for the United States’ involvement with Israel, Ukraine and Russia, specifically with North Korea’s recent aid to Russia. Hegseth does not support military equity and inclusion initiatives, questioned women’s role in combat, and supported pardons for soldiers charged with war crimes.
Some politicians are skeptical that the Senate will approve this choice since Hegseth has not served in high military leadership, according to NPR.
Trump announced the new Department of Government Efficiency that he chose former presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy and Tesla Founder Elon Musk to co-lead the department. The department would provide “outside counsel” on department reform and waste cutting, although the president-elect did not say how it would be funded.
Another controversial pick is Matt Gaetz for Attorney General, who resigned from Congress following Trump’s appointment. Prior to his resignation, the House Ethics Committee reportedly prepared to release a report of drug allegations and sexual misconduct, including having sex with a minor that he denied, about Gaetz.
Susie Wiles, the daughter of NFL Player Pat Summerall, is set to be America’s first female Chief of Staff. Wiles co-managed Trump’s 2024 presidential campaigned and Trump credits her efforts in his past presidential runs. Her appointment does not require Senate approval.
The Deputy Chief of Staff of Policy was announced to be Stephen Miller, a senior adviser for Trump. During Trump’s first term, Miller assisted the creation of the administration’s immigration policy and will play a role in the second administration’s policy as well.
New York Representative Elisa Stefanik was chosen as the Ambassador to the United Nations. She defended Trump during his impeachment trials and after his loss in 2020.
Former Texas Congressman John Ratcliffe was selected as the Head of the CIA. Ratcliffe served as Trump’s director of national intelligence at the end of his first term.
Trump chose Lee Zelda, a former New York congressman, as EPA administrator. Zeldin said he plans to protect access to clean air and water and end EPA regulations that hurt businesses.
The president-elect tapped Mike Waltz as his national security advisor. A former member of Army Special Operations, known as a Green beret, Waltz served on House Intelligence, Armed Services and Foreign Affairs committees. Senate approval is not required to approve Waltz’s appointment.
Mike Huckabee, a supporter of Israel’s control of the Palestinian state, will be the Ambassador to Israel.
The next director of national intelligence will be Tulsi Gabbard, a veteran and an honorary co-chair of Trump’s transition team.
Trump picked Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as his Secretary of Health and Human Services. Kennedy is known to be against vaccines and to spread false claims about vaccines.
Former congressman Doug Collins will lead the Department of Veteran Affairs. Collins is an Air Force Reserve Chaplain, lawyer and army veteran. As the secretary of Veterans Affairs, Collins will oversee benefits for 16 million veterans.
Most of Trump’s appointments must be approved by the Senate, which holds a Republican majority. Despite criticism of some of Trump’s choices, the Senate has approved the majority of cabinet appointments in the past.
With just over two months until the inauguration, there are over 10 cabinet positions Trump needs to fill.