Topline
South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem is slated to become President-elect Donald Trump’s secretary of homeland security, the latest in a flurry of appointments in the days since Trump won the election, tapping some of his staunchest defenders and loyalists for roles in the administration as others are jockeying for the remaining Cabinet positions.
President-elect Donald Trump gestures at supporters after speaking as he holds hands with former US … [+] First Lady Melania Trump during an election night event at the West Palm Beach Convention Center in West Palm Beach, Florida.
Key Facts
Trump has reportedly chosen secretaries of state and homeland security, a United Nations ambassador and an Environmental Protection Agency administrator, marking the first Senate-confirmed Cabinet-level jobs.
The president-elect has also announced his White House chief of staff and border czar, and has reportedly picked a national security adviser and a deputy chief of staff for policy—several key roles that don’t require Senate confirmation.
Trump has decamped to Mar-a-Lago since his win Tuesday, holding meetings with his inner circle, administration hopefuls and transition team to craft his second term agenda and build out his staff.
Attorney general, CIA director, White House counsel and secretaries of defense, state and homeland security are top priorities for Trump, according to The New York Times, citing people familiar with his thinking who said he is keen on candidates who will remove career bureaucrats Trump considers to be part of what he refers to as the “deep state.”
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Homeland Security Secretary: Kristi Noem
Trump has picked South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem for the role of secretary of the Department of Homeland Security, CNN reported early on Tuesday, citing two unnamed sources. Although no official announcement has been made, Noem is a long-time Trump loyalist who was believed be a contender for Vice President. The appointee will be essential in carrying out Trump’s aggressive immigration plans, in addition to the agency’s duties surrounding cybersecurity, antiterrorism and emergency response.
Secretary Of State: Likely Marco Rubio
Trump is likely to pick Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., as his secretary of state, according to multiple reports. The New York Times says Trump might change his mind, and CNN reports 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, favoring tough approaches on China and Iran. Rubio said prior to the election he believed a Trump administration would broker “a negotiated settlement” to end the war in Ukraine. Rubio and Trump were bitter rivals in the 2016 GOP presidential primaries, often clashing vehemently, but their relationship has improved since then.
National Security Adviser: Mike Waltz
Trump has asked 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 end to the war in Ukraine.
Environmental Protection Agency Administrator: Lee Zeldin
Trump announced Monday he’s tapped former Rep. Lee Zeldin, R-N.Y., to lead the EPA, citing his “very strong legal background” and calling him “a true fighter for 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 enacted in a way to unleash the power of American business while at the same time 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, multiple outlets reported 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 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.
Un Ambassador: Elise Stefanik
Trump announced Sunday he’d nominate GOP Conference Chair Rep. Elise Stefanik, R-N.Y., for the United Nations ambassador role, and she told the New York Post she had accepted the offer.
Chief Of Staff: Susie Wiles
Trump named his campaign co-manager Susie Wiles chief of staff two days after his election win, marking his first major administrative pick. Wiles will be the first woman to hold the position.
Attorney General
Trump is expected to overhaul the Department of Justice and staff it with political loyalists who could blur the lines of independence between the agency and the executive branch, potentially by carrying out Trump’s wishes to prosecute his political enemies. Sen. Mike Lee, R-Utah, R-Mo., former administration lawyer Mark Paoletta and former Trump Director of National Intelligence Director John Ratcliffe are some of the names commonly floated for AG in media reports. Federal Judge Aileen Cannon, who dismissed the DOJ’s classified documents case against Trump, is also on a proposed personnel roster Trump’s team has circulated, ABC News reported last month, citing unnamed sources. Speculation has swirled that Trump adviser, Kash Patel, could be appointed AG. Trump said previously that Patel would help craft a “blueprint” for his next administration and lauded his book “Government Gangsters” as a “roadmap to end the Deep State’s reign.”
Treasury Secretary
Sen. Bill Hagerty, R-Tenn., former ambassador to Japan under Trump, is on the speculative short list for this role. Other contenders include Trump’s transition team co-chair, Cantor Fitzgerald CEO Howard Lutnick, former Trump U.S. trade representative Robert Lighthizer, Scott Bessent—who spoke recently with Forbes—and billionaire John Paulson. The latter two are at the top of Trump’s list, Reuters reported Friday, citing unnamed sources. Bessent met with Trump Friday at Mar-A-Lago, according to Reuters and Bloomberg, though Bloomberg cited people familiar with the process who said 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.
Defense Secretary
Trump’s team has contacted House Armed Services Chair Rep. Mike Rogers, R-Ala. about the role, Fox News reported Friday, citing a source familiar with the discussions.
Energy Secretary
North Dakota Gov. 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 has 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 policies that span multiple agencies, The New York Times reported.
C.i.a. Director
Ratcliffe, Waltz and Patel are among the possible picks, according to The Times. Trump attempted to install Patel as deputy C.I.A. 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.
Education Secretary
Trump has mentioned former GOP presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy for the role, and the agency’s former leader, Betsy DeVos, also 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 Trump Administration?
Trump has indicated vaccine skeptic Robert F. Kennedy Jr. would play a prominent role in shaping health policy in his administration, telling an audience in Arizona earlier this month 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 proposed Tesla CEO Elon Musk to lead a new “government efficiency commission.”
Tangent
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 pick for defense secretary.
Key Background
Trump is shaping his second-term agenda with the help of several right-wing groups, his closest allies and billionaire backers. Musk, who has been spotted on numerous occasions at Mar-A-Lago since his election, is among those who appear to be influencing Trump’s policy and personnel decisions. Lutnick is also overseeing a team making recommendations for personnel picks 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 primary driver of Trump’s transition plans and has been crafting possible executive actions for Trump once he takes office. The organization is chaired by former Trump Small Business Administration leader Linda McMahon and led by former Trump Domestic Policy Counsel Director Brook Rollins.
Further Reading
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 Key Groups And Players (Forbes)
Stephen Miller Will Reportedly Lead Trump’s Policy Agenda—Here’s Who Else Could Help Him (Forbes)
