After winning the US presidential election last week, Donald Trump has begun assembling his cabinet and White House team as he prepares to move into the White House in two months. Trump has started to outline his policy directions, nominate cabinet members, and appoint other key government officials.
So far, Trump has announced his picks for positions including Secretary of State, Secretary of Defense, Attorney General, Secretary of Homeland Security, CIA Director, National Intelligence Director, EPA Administrator, US Ambassador to the UN, as well as appointing individuals for White House Chief of Staff, National Security Advisor, Border Czar, and White House Chief Legal Counsel.
Additionally, he appointed billionaire Elon Musk and entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy to lead the Department of Government Efficiency.
On November 13 (Wednesday), Trump nominated Florida Senator Marco Rubio as Secretary of State. Rubio is a conservative lawmaker known for his hawkish stance towards China, Iran, and Cuba.
Rubio, who served as vice chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee and a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, has been a vocal advocate for taking a tougher stance against China. He has introduced several anti-China bills, making countering Chinese influence a top priority.
At 53, Rubio boasts extensive foreign policy experience and transitioned from being Trump’s opponent to a close ally, and was one of the final VP candidates for Trump.
As a Cuban-American, Rubio would be the first Latino to serve as Secretary of State.
On November 12 (Tuesday), Trump announced the selection of Fox News Channel host Pete Hegseth as the next Secretary of Defense. Hegseth, a Princeton University graduate with a postgraduate degree from Harvard University, previously served as an army officer in Guantanamo Bay, Iraq, and Afghanistan, earning two Bronze Star Medals and an Infantry Combat Badge.
In another move, on November 11 (Monday), Trump announced Lee Zedlin, a former Republican congressman from New York, as the head of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Zedlin, known for his strong support of America First policies, aims to relax regulations to unleash US business potential while maintaining high environmental standards.
Zedlin expressed his commitment to restoring America’s energy independence, reviving the automotive industry, bringing jobs back to America, and making the US a global leader in artificial intelligence while protecting clean air and water resources.
On November 12 (Tuesday), Trump nominated former National Intelligence Director John Ratcliffe to become the CIA director in the upcoming government.
Ratcliffe had served as the National Intelligence Director in Trump’s first term, where he highlighted Russian interference in the 2016 US elections, pointing out their actions favored Trump’s opponents. Known for his hawkish stance on China, Ratcliffe once stated many Chinese public initiatives and prominent companies are merely fronts for the Communist Party’s activities.
Continuing the appointments, on November 13 (Wednesday), Trump announced former congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard as the new National Intelligence Director. Gabbard, known for her fearless spirit and service in the Middle East as a national guard veteran, left the Democratic Party in 2022 and joined the Republican Party in October this year.
Moving forward, on November 11 (Monday), Trump announced the selection of GOP congresswoman Elise Stefanik as the US Ambassador to the United Nations. Stefanik, a strong ally of Trump, vowed to promote Trump’s America First agenda through strength and leadership on the global stage.
The newly appointed White House Chief of Staff, Susie Wiles, who has been praised by Trump as a disciplined and powerful campaign manager, has become the first female Chief of Staff in US history. Wiles has been instrumental in Trump’s successful and disciplined campaign efforts.
As the White House Chief of Staff is a crucial role overseeing all policies and daily operations, Wiles is considered a trusted confidante of the President, balancing political and policy priorities and acting as a gatekeeper to the President.
In a bid to address illegal immigration issues, Trump recently announced Thomas Homan, a strong supporter of border security and former ICE acting director, as the Border Czar to oversee the country’s border affairs.
Additionally, Trump appointed Republican congressman Mike Waltz from Florida as his National Security Advisor, known for his strong stance against the Chinese Communist Party.
Furthermore, William McGinley, a renowned political lawyer, former White House Cabinet Secretary in Trump’s first term, became the White House Chief Legal Counsel. McGinley, known for his role in ensuring election integrity, will continue to advocate for America First policies and fight against law enforcement weaponization.
To streamline government bureaucracy, Trump invited billionaire Elon Musk and entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy to lead the Department of Government Efficiency. This initiative aims to reduce red tape, cut unnecessary regulations and expenditures, and restructure federal agencies.
These appointments mark Trump’s efforts to assemble a team that aligns with his America First agenda and reflects his priorities for his upcoming administration.