Topline

President-elect Donald Trump has made a slew of appointments to fill top posts in his administration in the days since he won the election, tapping some of his staunchest defenders and loyalists for roles as others vie for remaining Cabinet positions .

Key facts

Get Forbes Breaking News Text Alerts: We’re launching text alerts so you’re always up to date with the top stories shaping the day’s headlines. Text “Alerts” to (201) 335-0739 or Log In here.

Secretary of State: Probably Marco Rubio

Trump will likely send Sen. Marco RubioR-Fla., as his secretary of state, according to multiple reports. The New York Times says Trump may change his mind, and CNN reports that Trump set his sights on Rubio after initially favoring former acting Director of National Intelligence Ric Grenell for the job. Rubio, a high-profile Republican who was reportedly among the finalists for Trump’s running mate choice, has a reputation as a foreign policy hawk who favors a tough line on China and Iran. Rubio said before the election that he believed a Trump administration would broker “a negotiated solution” to end the war in Ukraine. Rubio and Trump were bitter rivals during the Republican Party’s 2016 presidential primaries, often clashing fiercely, but their relationship has since improved.

National Security Advisor: Mike Waltz

Trump has tapped Rep. Mike Waltz, R-Fla., to serve as his national security adviser, according to CNN and The Wall Street Journal. In recent months, Waltz — a former Army Green Beret — has frequently criticized China, urged NATO members to pay more for defense and said he expects Trump to push Ukraine and Russia toward a negotiated settlement of the war in Ukraine.

Environmental Protection Agency Administrator: Lee Zeldin

Trump announced Monday that he has appointed former Rep. Lee Zeldin, R-N.Y., to lead the EPA. He cited his “very strong legal background” and in a statement called him “a true fighter for America First policies.” Zeldin — a Trump ally who ran for governor of New York two years ago — “will ensure fair and swift deregulatory decisions that will be made in a way that will unleash the power of corporate America while maintaining the highest environmental standards enforcement,” the minister said. statement said.

Deputy Chief of Staff for Policy: Stephen Miller

Trump is expected to announce Stephen Miller for the position in the White House in the coming days, several media reported on Monday. Miller was a senior adviser to Trump during his first administration and one of the architects of some of his most controversial immigration policies, including his family separation program.

Border Tsar: Tom Homan

Trump appointed his former Immigration and Customs Enforcement director Tom Homan to the role, he announced Monday, as Trump plans a mass deportation of undocumented migrants during his second term.

UN Ambassador: Elise Stefanik

Trump announced Sunday that he would nominate Republican conference chairwoman Elise Stefanik, R-N.Y., for the role of United Nations ambassador, and she told the New York Post that she had accepted the offer.

Chief of Staff: Susie Wiles

Trump appointed his campaign co-manager Susie Wiles as chief of staff two days after his election victory, marking his first major administrative pick. Wiles will be the first woman to hold this position.

Secretary of Homeland Security

Trump has picked the governor of South Dakota. Kristi Noem for the role of secretary of the Department of Homeland Security, CNN reported early Tuesday, citing two unnamed sources. Although no official announcement has been made, Noem is a long-time Trump loyalist who was believed to be on his short list for vice president. The appointee will be essential in implementing Trump’s aggressive immigration plans, in addition to the agency’s duties in cybersecurity, counterterrorism and emergency response.

Attorney General

Trump is expected to overhaul the Justice Department and staff it with political loyalists who could blur the lines of independence between the agency and the executive branch, possibly by carrying out Trump’s desire to prosecute his political enemies. Sen. Mike LeeR-Utah, R-Mo., former administrative lawyer Mark Paoletta and former Trump director of National Intelligence Director John Ratcliffe are some of the names often used for AG in the media. Federal judge Aileen Kanonwho dismissed the DOJ’s classified documents case against Trump is also on a proposed personnel list that Trump’s team distributed, ABC News reported last month, citing unnamed sources. Speculation is rife that Trump’s advisor, Kas Patelcould be appointed AG. Trump previously said Patel would help create a “blueprint” for his next administration and praised his book “Government Gangsters” as a “road map to ending the rule of the Deep State.”

Minister of Finance

Sen. Bill Hagerty R-Tenn., a former ambassador to Japan under Trump, is on the speculative shortlist for the role. Other contenders include the co-chair of Trump’s transition team, CEO Cantor Fitzgerald Howard Lutnickformer Trump US trade representative Robert Lichthizer, Scott Bessent– who recently spoke to Forbes – and a billionaire Johannes Paulson. The latter two are at the top of Trump’s list, Reuters reported on Friday, citing unnamed sources. Bessent met with Trump at Mar-A-Lago on Friday, according to Reuters and Bloomberg, although Bloomberg quoted people familiar with the process as saying the meeting was not a job interview. Trump is expected to narrow his list of candidates by the end of the week, and he is leaning toward someone with Wall Street experience, Bloomberg reported Monday, citing anonymous sources.

Minister of Defense

Trump’s team has contacted House Armed Services Chairman Rep. Mike RogersR-Ala. about the role, Fox News reported Friday, citing a source familiar with the discussions.

Minister of Energy

Governor of North Dakota and former presidential candidate Doug Burgum is considered a top choice. Burgum served as a liaison between Trump and oil executives during his campaign and reportedly helped shape Trump’s energy policy. Burgum could also be asked to serve as Trump’s “energy czar,” a new position he plans to create to coordinate multi-agency policies, The New York Times reported.

CIA director

Ratcliffe, Waltz And Patel are among the possible choices, according to The Times. Trump tried to install Patel as deputy CIA director at the end of his first term, but his plans were thwarted when then-director Gina Haspel threatened to resign in protest, Axios reported.

Secretary of Education

Trump has named the former Republican Party presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy for the role, and the agency’s former leader, Betsy De Vosalso said in a recent interview with Education Week that she would be willing to return to the role. Trump has proposed dismantling the department and giving states control over their public schools.

Will Elon Musk, Rfk Jr. and Vivek Ramaswamy serving in the Trump administration?

Trump has indicated that he is vaccine skeptical Robert F. Kennedy Jr. would play a prominent role in shaping health policy in his administration, telling an audience in Arizona earlier this month that Kennedy could “do anything he wants” and that he would “work on women’s health and wellness.” ” Trump also recently opened up about Kennedy’s controversial proposal to remove fluoride from public water. Trump has said Ramaswamy will play a role in his second administration, and he has proposed Tesla as CEO Elon Musk to head a new “government efficiency commission.”

Tangent

Trump ruled out former South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley and his former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo as possible choices for his second administration in a Truth Social post over the weekend. Pompeo was considered a potential choice for defense secretary.

Important background

Trump is shaping his second-term agenda with the help of several right-wing groups, his closest allies and billionaire financiers. Musk, who has been spotted repeatedly at Mar-A-Lago since his election, is among those who appear to influence Trump’s policies and personnel decisions. Lutnick also oversees a team that makes personnel selection recommendations and vetting potential candidates, the Times reported, and Miller is expected to play a key role in making the final decisions. The right-wing think tank America First Policy Institute is reportedly the main driver of Trump’s transition plans and has devised possible executive actions for Trump once he takes power. The organization is chaired by former Trump Small Business Administration leader Linda McMahon and led by former Trump Domestic Policy Counsel Director Brook Rollins.

Read more

What We Know About Trump’s Potential Cabinet – With RFK Jr. and Elon Musk among the candidates (Forbes)

Who will help shape Trump’s policy agenda? Here are the main groups and players (Forbes)

Stephen Miller Reportedly Will Lead Trump’s Policy Agenda – Here’s Who Else Could Help Him (Forbes)