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Trump’s Cabinet Picks, Appointments So Far: Elon Musk, Mike Huckabee, Susie Wiles and more
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Trump’s Cabinet Picks, Appointments So Far: Elon Musk, Mike Huckabee, Susie Wiles and more

President-elect Trump is moving quickly on plans for his next administration. And now that Republicans are in control of the Senate, the approval process will likely be faster and easier than in the past.

Here are some of Trump’s picks for Cabinet posts and other appointments, as well as some likely contenders:

White House Chief of Staff – Susie Wiles

The veteran political strategist from Florida served as co-chairman of Trump’s campaign. She will be the first woman to become White House chief of staff. She is the daughter of NFL player and sportscaster Pat Summerall and has worked with Ronald Reagan, Rick Scott, John Huntsman and Ron DeSantis.

Secretary of State – Marco Rubio

Trump is expected to nominate Senator Marco Rubio of Florida as secretary of state. Rubio is a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and vice chairman of the Select Committee on Intelligence.

UN Ambassador – Elise Stefanik

Trump has appointed U.S. Representative Elise Stefanik of New York as U.S. ambassador to the United Nations. She was first elected to Congress in 2014 and was rumored to be a potential vice presidential candidate.

“Border Czar” – Tom Homan

Tom Homan, the former acting director of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, will serve as “border czar” in the next administration. The president-elect said Homan will also “be responsible for all deportations of illegal aliens back to their countries of origin.” The role does not require Senate confirmation.

Secretary of Defense – Pete Hegseth

In a somewhat surprising choice, Trump announced that he plans to nominate Fox News host and decorated war veteran Pete Hegseth as Secretary of Defense. Hegseth, a Fox News host for eight years, graduated from Princeton University and Harvard University, and is an Army veteran who served in Guantanamo Bay, Iraq and Afghanistan.

National Security Advisor – Michael Waltz

Florida Republican Rep. Michael Waltz is expected to become Trump’s national security adviser. Waltz is a former Green Beret with multiple tours of duty. He replaced Ron DeSantis in the House after DeSantis was elected governor of Florida.

White House Attorney – William McGinley

Trump has announced that William “Bill” McGinley will serve as White House counsel. A lawyer, he previously served as White House Cabinet Secretary during Trump’s first term.

Department of Homeland Security – Kristi Noem

South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem is Trump’s pick for Secretary of Homeland Security. She became the state’s first female governor in 2018 before being re-elected in 2022.

CIA Director – John Ratcliffe

Trump has appointed John Ratcliffe, his former director of national intelligence, to lead the CIA. He is a former congressman from Texas.

EPA Administrator – Lee Zeldin

Former New York Rep. Lee Zeldin is the nominee to lead the Environmental Protection Agency. Zeldin unsuccessfully challenged Democratic Gov. Kathy Hochul for her seat in 2022.

US Ambassador to Israel – Mike Huckabee

Former Arkansas governor and presidential candidate Mike Huckabee is Trump’s pick to serve as ambassador to Israel.

Ministry of Government Efficiency – Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy

Trump has announced that billionaire Elon Musk and former Republican presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy will lead the Department of Government Efficiency. The two will “dismantle government bureaucracy, eliminate excess regulations, reduce wasteful spending, and restructure federal agencies.” Trump has indicated that the roles will be outside of government, as opposed to official positions within the Cabinet.

What about Robert F. Kennedy?

Former presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy is reportedly on the shortlist to serve as head of the Department of Health and Human Services. Kennedy is an outspoken critic of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and has questioned childhood vaccines.