Here’s who is in Trump’s cabinet – and on the shortlist

On November 12, 2024By Littum

Upper line

President-elect Donald Trump has made a flurry 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 while others jockey for remaining Cabinet posts .

President-elect Donald Trump gestures to supporters after speaking while holding hands with former U.S … (+) First lady Melania Trump during an election night event at the West Palm Beach Convention Center in West Palm Beach, Florida, early November 6, 2024. (Photo by JIM WATSON/AFP via Getty Images)

AFP via Getty Images

Key facts

Trump has picked a U.N. ambassador and administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, marking the first Cabinet-level positions confirmed in the Senate; he has also announced his White House chief of staff and border czar, two key roles that do not require Senate confirmation.

Trump has also reportedly selected a national security adviser — another key post not confirmed in the Senate — and is expected to announce his choice for deputy policy director in the coming days.

Decamping to Mar-a-Lago since his victory on Tuesday, Trump has been holding meetings with his inner circle, administration hopefuls and transition team to craft his second-term agenda and build his staff.

The attorney general, CIA director, White House counsel and secretaries of defense, state and homeland security are top priorities for Trump, according to New York Timesciting people familiar with his thinking who said he is keen on candidates who will remove career bureaucrats whom Trump considers part of what he refers to as “the deep state.”

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National Security Advisor: Mike Waltz

Trump has asked Rep. Mike Waltz, R-Fla., to serve as his national security adviser, according to CNN and The The Wall Street Journal. In recent months, Waltz-a previous Army Green Beret wearer often criticized China, urged NATO members to pay more for defense, saying he expects Trump to pressure Ukraine and Russia towards a negotiated end to the war in Ukraine.

Environmental Protection Agency Administrator: Lee Zeldin

Trump announced Monday that he has tapped former Rep. Lee Zeldin, RN.Y., to lead the EPA, citing his “very strong legal background” and calling him “a true champion of America First policies” in a statement. Zeldin — a Trump ally who ran for New York governor two years ago — “will ensure fair and swift deregulatory decisions that will be passed in a way that unleashes the power of corporate America while maintaining the highest environmental standards,” the statement said .

Deputy Chief of Staff for Policy: Stephen Miller

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

Border Czar: 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.

An ambassador: Elise Stefanik

Trump announced Sunday that he would nominate GOP conference chairman Rep. Elise Stefanik, RN.Y., to the role of UN Ambassador, and she shared New York Post she had accepted the offer.

Chief of Staff: Susie Wiles

Trump named his campaign 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 the position.

The Attorney General

Trump is expected to overhaul the Justice Department and staff it with political loyalists who can blur the lines of independence between the agency and the executive branch, potentially carrying out Trump’s wishes to prosecute his political enemies. Late. Mike LeeR-Utah, R-Mo., Rep administrative lawyer Mark Paoletta and former Trump Director of National Intelligence John Ratcliffe are some of the names commonly floated for AG i media reports. Federal judge Aileen Cannonwho dismissed the DOJ’s case against Trump over classified documents is also on a proposed staff list Trump’s team has circulated, ABC News reported last month, citing unnamed sources. Speculation has swirled that Trump adviser, Kash Patelcould be appointed AG. Trump said earlier that Patel would help create a “plan” for his next administration and praised his book “Government Gangsters” as a “road map to end the reign of the Deep State.”

Minister of Finance

Late. Bill Hagerty, R-Tenn., former ambassador to Japan under Trump, is on the speculative short list for the role. Other candidates include Trump’s transition team co-chair, Cantor Fitzgerald CEO Howard Lutnickformer Trump US Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer, Scott Bessent-who recently spoke with Forbes – and billionaire John Paulson. The latter two are at the top of Trump’s list, Reuters reported on Friday, citing unnamed sources. Bessent met with Trump on Friday at Mar-A-Lago, according to Reuters and Bloombergthough Bloomberg cited 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 Foreign Affairs

Late. Marco RubioR-Fla., who campaigned for Trump this year after sparring with him in 2016, is interested in the job, Miami Herald reported on Sunday, citing unnamed sources. Rick Grenell– former US ambassador to Germany, who became the first openly gay cabinet secretary in US history when he was named acting director of national intelligence – and Hagertyare other potential candidates, more businesses have speculated.

Minister of Defence

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

Energy Secretary

North Dakota governor and former presidential candidate Doug Burgum considered a top choice. Burgum served as a liaison between Trump and oil executives during his campaign and has reportedly helped shape Trump’s energy policy. Burgum may also be asked to serve as Trump’s “energy czar,” a new position he plans to create to coordinate policies that span multiple agencies, The New York Times reported.

Secretary of Homeland Security

Chairman of the House Homeland Security Committee Rep. Mark GreenR-Tenn., who led the effort to impeach DHS Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas; Chad Wolfwho served a stint as acting secretary of homeland security under Trump; and Mark Morganwho briefly served as acting head of Customs and Border Protection under the Trump administration, have all been mentioned in media reports as possible picks. The appointee will be instrumental in carrying out Trump’s aggressive immigration plans, in addition to the agency’s duties around cybersecurity, counterterrorism and emergency preparedness.

CIA director

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

Education Secretary

Trump has mentioned former GOP presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy for the role, and the former head of the agency, Betsy DeVosalso said she would be willing to return to the role in a recent interview with Education week. Trump has proposed dismantling the department and giving states control over their public schools.

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

Trump has indicated vaccine skeptics 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 health and women’s health.” Trump also recently expressed openness to 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 suggested Tesla CEO Elon Musk to head a new “Government Efficiency Commission”.

Key

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

Key background

Trump is shaping his second term with the help of several right-wing groups, his closest allies and billionaire backers. Musk, who has been seen on several occasions at Mar-A-Lago since the election, is among those who appear to be influencing Trump’s policy and personnel decisions. Lutnick also oversees a team that makes staff selection recommendations and vets potential candidates, the Times reported, and Miller is expected to play a key role in making the final decisions. It is the right-wing think tank America First Policy Institute reportedly the primary driving force behind Trump’s transition plans and has drafted possible executive actions for Trump once he takes office. The organization is chaired by former Trump Small Business Administration head Linda McMahon and chaired by former Trump Domestic Policy Counsel director Brook Rollins.