close
close

first Drop

Com TW NOw News 2024

Trump’s picks so far: Here’s who will advise the new president
news

Trump’s picks so far: Here’s who will advise the new president

Since winning the election last week, President-elect Trump has begun evaluating and rolling out his Cabinet picks, with dozens of people vying for about two dozen of the highest positions in government.

So far, Trump has confirmed only three names, although others have been leaked to the media.

Here’s a look at who will join Trump’s Cabinet:

Publicly announced

Chief of Staff – Susie Wiles

Wiles has been widely praised for leading Trump’s successful campaign this year, after running Trump’s campaign operations in Florida in 2016 and 2020. She maintained close ties to the president-elect throughout the Biden administration and became CEO of Trump’s Save America PAC in 2021. .

“Susie is tough, smart, innovative and widely admired and respected. Susie will continue to work tirelessly to Make America Great Again. It is a well-deserved honor to have Susie become the very first female Chief of Staff in the history of the United States. I have no doubt she will make our country proud,” Trump said in a statement.

Susie Wiles

Trump chose campaign manager Susie Wiles as chief of staff. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

THESE ARE THE TOP NAMES IN THE FIGHT FOR DEFENSE SECRETARY UNDER TRUMP

United Nations Ambassador – Elise Stefanik

The Republican representative of New York and current chairman of the House Republican Party has been an attack dog for Trump in Congress. A staunch supporter of Israel, she has made headlines for her combative questioning of Ivy League university presidents over their handling of anti-Israel protests, some of which prompted the presidents to resign.

Stefanik speaks at the MSG Trump rally

President-elect Trump has selected Elise Stefanik as the next ambassador to the United Nations. (ANGELA WEISS/AFP via Getty Images)

National Security Advisor – Michael Waltz

On Tuesday, Trump announced that the Republican Florida representative and former Army Green Beret would become his national security adviser. He is definitely a hawk on China and Iran.

“Mike retired as a colonel and is a nationally recognized national security leader, a best-selling author and an expert on the threats from China, Russia, Iran and global terrorism,” Trump said in a statement .

“Mike has been a strong advocate for my America First foreign policy agenda, and will be a tremendous advocate for our pursuit of peace through strength!”

On Tuesday, Trump announced that Rep. Michael Waltz, a Florida Republican and former Army Green Beret, would become his national security adviser. He is definitely a hawk on China and Iran.

On Tuesday, Trump announced that Rep. Michael Waltz, a Florida Republican and former Army Green Beret, would become his national security adviser. He is definitely a hawk on China and Iran. (John Nacion/Getty Images)

“Border Czar” – Tom Homan

Homan, the former acting director of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, was an architect of Trump’s zero-tolerance policy during his first administration, a policy that led to a backlash of family separations at the border.

Homan has served under six administrations and presidents in both parties, dating back to the Reagan era, as a regular Border Patrol agent. He was appointed executive deputy director of enforcement and removal operations for ICE under President Obama.

While serving at the “czar” level rather than in an official Cabinet position, Homan will be in charge of “the southern border, the northern border, all maritime and aviation security,” Trump announced on Truth Social.

“I have known Tom for a long time, and there is no one better at guarding and controlling our borders,” Trump wrote. “Similarly, Tom Homan will be in charge of all deportations of illegal aliens back to their countries of origin. Congratulations to Tom. I have no doubt he will do a fantastic, long-awaited job.”

Tom Homan at a microphone

Tom Homan was appointed by newly elected President Donald Trump as his ‘border czar’. (Bill Clark/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images)

Israeli Ambassador – Mike Huckabee

Huckabee, the former governor of Arkansas, is a staunch supporter of Israel, motivated by his evangelical faith.

“Mike has been a great public servant, governor and faith leader for many years. He loves Israel and the people of Israel, and the people of Israel love him in the same way,” read a statement on Trump’s Truth Social post. “Mike will work tirelessly to bring peace to the Middle East!”

Mike Huckabee

Former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee will become Trump’s ambassador to Israel. (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

EPA Administrator – Lee Zeldin

Zeldin, a former House Republican from New York, had a remarkably strong but unsuccessful showing in the 2022 race for governor against Kathy Hochul. During that race, he called on New York to lift its ban on fracking . He also lost his race for re-election to the House of Representatives in 2022, but has maintained ties with the Trump team.

Lee Zeldin speaks at CPAC

Lee Zeldin will lead the EPA and lead the EPA. (Lev Radin/Pacific Press/LightRocket via Getty Images)

Middle East Envoy – Steven Witkoff

Witkoff, a real estate investor, landlord and founder of the Witkoff Group, was tapped as Trump’s Middle East favorite. He campaigned with Trump during the campaign.

In his announcement, Trump said Witkoff would be a “relentless voice for peace” in the highly controversial region.

Steve Witkoff

Steve Witkoff, founder and CEO of Witkoff Group LLC, speaks during a campaign event with former US President Donald Trump, not pictured, at Madison Square Garden in New York, US, on Sunday, October 27, 2024. (Adam Gray/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

White House Counsel – William McGinley

McGinley, who served as White House Cabinet Secretary during Trump’s first presidential term, returns to the White House for Trump’s second term. The White House counsel is conducting important behind-the-scenes research on potential Supreme Court nominees.

William J. McGinley wears glasses

William J. McGinley speaks at an event organized by BNA about new lobbying laws. (Tom Williams/Roll Call/Getty Images)

CIA Director – John Ratcliffe

Ratcliffe previously served under Trump during his first term as Director of National Intelligence (DNI). He will head the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA).

In 2020, he received the National Security Medal, the nation’s highest award for outstanding achievements in intelligence and national security.

John Ratcliffe speaks before Congress

John Ratcliffe is President-elect Trump’s choice to lead the CIA. (Getty Images)

Ministry of Government Efficiency – Elon Musk, Vivek Ramaswamy

Billionaire Elon Musk and former Republican presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy were tapped to lead the Department of Government Efficiency.

Trump said the pair will work together to “dismantle government bureaucracy, eliminate redundant regulations, reduce wasteful spending and restructure federal agencies.”

“It may become the Manhattan Project of our time,” the announcement said Tuesday evening. “Republican politicians have long dreamed about the goals of ‘DOGE’.”

Vivek Ramaswamy and Elon Musk

Vivek Ramaswamy and Elon Musk have been asked by newly elected President Donald Trump to lead the Department of Government Efficiency. (Getty Images / AP Images)

Secretary of Defense – Pete Hegseth

Trump nominated Hegseth to head the Defense Department. He would have to be confirmed by the Senate to take the position. Hegseth has long been an advocate of a strong military and veterans’ causes.

He served in Iraq and Afghanistan as an Army infantry officer and received two Bronze Stars and the Combat Infantryman’s Badge.

“No one fights harder for the troops, and Pete will be a courageous and patriotic champion of our ‘Peace Through Strength’ policy,” Trump said.

Pete Hegseth holds a microphone

Pete Hegseth has been appointed by Trump as his Secretary of Defense. (Roy Rochlin/Getty Images)

Secretary of Homeland Security – Kristi Noem

Trump announced Tuesday that South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem is his choice for secretary of the Department of Homeland Security. Noem would need to be approved by the Senate to take the position.

DHS oversees U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, the U.S. Secret Service, and the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

“She was the first governor to send National Guard soldiers to help Texas respond to the Biden border crisis, a total of eight times,” Trump’s transition team said in a statement on Tuesday. “She will work closely with ‘Border Czar’ Tom Homan to secure the border, ensuring our American homeland is safe from our adversaries.”

Gov. Kristi Noem speaks during the first day of the Republican National Convention

Governor Kristi Noem, RN.D., speaks during the first day of the Republican National Convention, Monday, July 15, 2024, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)

GOP REP. MIKE WALTZ WAS TRUMP’S NATIONAL SECURITY ADVISOR

Probably choices

Secretary of State – Marco Rubio

Sources tell Fox News that Trump has chosen Rubio, another Iran and China hawk, to lead the State Department. Rubio, a Florida Republican and top GOP member of the Senate Intelligence Committee, ran for president in 2016 when he and Trump traded barbs, with Trump calling him “little Marco.”

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP

It all seems like water under the bridge now. Rubio was reportedly on a shortlist for VP picks earlier this year.