Here’s Who’s In Trump’s Cabinet—And On The Shortlist

Topline

President-elect Donald Trump on Wednesday nominated Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., for lawyer basic, and named former Democratic Rep. Tulsi Gabbard as director of nationwide intelligence, the newest in a flurry of appointments to his Cupboard and White Home employees within the days since Trump received the election.

Key Info

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Lawyer Normal: Matt Gaetz

Trump mentioned Wednesday he tapped Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., to function lawyer basic, a shock appointment as Gaetz was not among the many names generally floated in media reviews for the function. It’s one of the vital high-profile and extremely anticipated appointments, as Trump has fiercely criticized the company for prosecuting him and is predicted to drastically change its make-up. Gaetz is a controversial determine in Congress and a staunch Trump supporter. He was investigated by the Division of Justice over allegations of sexual misconduct with teenage women, however the company declined to prosecute him (Gaetz denied the accusation). The Home Ethics Committee can also be probing whether or not Gaetz engaged in sexual misconduct or illicit drug use, accepted improper presents or gave particular privileges to associates, allegations he has repeatedly denied. Gaetz led the trouble to oust former Home Speaker Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., final yr. Gaetz will likely be topic to the Senate affirmation course of. His father Don Gaetz, a former Florida state lawmaker who cofounded a hospice firm, is value about $33 million, largely attributable to actual property holdings.

Director Of Nationwide Intelligence: Tulsi Gabbard

Trump introduced Wednesday Tulsi Gabbard will function his Director of Nationwide Intelligence, a job that places her on the head of the U.S. intelligence group. Gabbard is a former Democratic consultant from Hawaii and a 2020 Democratic presidential candidate, maybe best-known for clashing with Kamala Harris on the controversy stage in 2019. She left the celebration in 2022 and have become an unbiased, earlier than endorsing Trump in August and asserting she had joined the Republican Celebration. A critic of U.S. navy interventions, Gabbard has drawn intense scrutiny for her international coverage views, together with for assembly with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad in 2017.

Secretary Of State: Marco Rubio

Trump introduced Wednesday he nominated Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., as secretary of state, confirming a number of reviews earlier within the week that Trump was anticipated to faucet the Florida senator for the highest international coverage job. Rubio and Trump feuded once they each ran for president in 2016—Rubio criticized Trump’s look and referred to as him a “con man,” and Trump gave him the nickname “Little Marco.” The 2 have since smoothed over their relationship and Rubio steadily campaigned for Trump and was mentioned to be within the operating to be his vice presidential decide. A few of Rubio’s international coverage stances break with Trump, together with his co-sponsorship of laws final yr that will prohibit a president from exiting NATO with out congressional approval. Rubio could be the primary Latino to carry the place, which is topic to Senate affirmation. Forbes estimated Rubio’s internet value at over $1 million on Wednesday—considerably lower than another members of Trump’s internal circle, however a bounce since 2015, when he was value simply $100,000.

Deputy Chief Of Employees: Dan Scavino

Trump introduced Wednesday former White Home Deputy Chief of Employees Dan Scavino will return to his function, and likewise function an assistant to the president. Scavino, who labored as a senior adviser for Trump’s most up-to-date marketing campaign and is a longtime Trump communications staffer, was held in contempt of Congress for refusing to testify within the Home Jan. 6 committee investigation, however the Justice Division declined to prosecute him.

Deputy Chief Of Employees For Legislative, Political And Public Affairs: James Blair

Trump appointed his marketing campaign political director James Blair to the place Wednesday. Blair spearheaded Trump’s grassroots voter outreach efforts and made frequent media appearances throughout his most up-to-date marketing campaign.

Deputy Chief Of Employees For Communications And Personnel: Taylor Budowich

Trump introduced Taylor Budowich, who ran the Trump-aligned MAGA Inc. tremendous PAC earlier than rejoining Trump’s marketing campaign in August, for the function on Wednesday. Budowich, a spokesperson for Trump’s 2020 marketing campaign, was referred to as to testify in Trump’s federal categorized paperwork case and was additionally subpoenaed by the Home Jan. 6 committee.

Homeland Safety Adviser And Deputy Chief Of Employees For Coverage: Stephen Miller

Trump confirmed on Wednesday earlier reviews that he was anticipated to announce Stephen Miller as White Home Deputy Chief of Employees for Coverage, plus the extra function of homeland safety adviser. Miller was a senior adviser to Trump throughout his first administration and one of many architects of a few of his most controversial immigration insurance policies, together with his household separation program.

Division Of Authorities Effectivity: Elon Musk And Vivek Ramaswamy

Trump introduced Elon Musk, the world’s wealthiest particular person, will run a brand new Division of Authorities Effectivity (or “DOGE”) alongside investor and former Republican major candidate Vivek Ramaswamy. Trump mentioned in a press release the division—which has not but been created—will provide “recommendation and steering from outdoors of Authorities” and concentrate on “making modifications to the Federal Paperwork with a watch on effectivity,” together with by way of spending and regulatory cuts. Musk, a vocal Trump backer who donated over $100 million to a pro-Trump tremendous PAC, has pitched the division up to now, seemingly naming it after the meme cryptocurrency dogecoin.

Secretary Of Protection: Pete Hegseth

Trump chosen Pete Hegseth as his secretary of protection Tuesday, praising his standing as a fight veteran and function as a co-host on Fox & Associates Weekend. Hegseth was deployed in Cuba, Afghanistan and Iraq whereas serving with the Military Nationwide Guard. The veteran is the previous CEO of Involved Veterans for America, a conservative group that has communicated with Trump on the matter of veterans affairs and obtained backing from billionaire Charles G. Koch—one of many wealthiest individuals on the earth. Hegseth has additionally made appearances on numerous Fox Nation sequence.

Cia Director: John Ratcliffe

Former Director of Nationwide Intelligence John Ratcliffe will function the CIA’s director. A former Texas congressman, Ratcliffe served because the director of nationwide intelligence from 2020 to 2021 and acted as Trump’s major intelligence adviser throughout his final presidency. Throughout his time as director of nationwide intelligence, Ratcliffe declassified unverified Russian intelligence info that claimed Hillary Clinton authorized a plan to hyperlink Trump to Russia and the Democratic Nationwide Committee cyberattacks in 2016. Democrats criticized Ratcliffe’s determination to publicly launch the data, alleging he was politicizing unverified info to assist Trump.

White Home Counsel: William Joseph Mcginley

Trump picked former White Home cupboard secretary and prime GOP lawyer William McGinley as his White Home Counsel. McGinley was introduced into Trump’s 2016 presidential marketing campaign and tasked with serving to it safe delegates for the Republican Nationwide Conference. He labored as Trump’s White Home cupboard secretary from 2017 to 2019 and was in command of advising different cupboard members on coverage coordination, optics and ethics, in accordance with Politico.

Particular Envoy To The Center East: Steven C. Witkoff

Steven Witkoff, a GOP donor and actual property investor, will likely be Trump’s particular envoy to the Center East. Witkoff is chairman of the College of Miami Enterprise Faculty Actual Property Advisory Board and the CEO of Witkoff, an actual property agency he based in 1997. He’s additionally a longtime pal of Trump’s and one of many president-elect’s golf companions. Witkoff was with Trump in the course of the obvious second assassination try on his life, telling NBC that Secret Service brokers dived on Trump and acquired him off his Florida golf course in underneath 20 seconds.

United States Ambassador To Israel: Mike Huckabee

Trump introduced Tuesday he appointed former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee to function his envoy to Israel on Tuesday, touting his navy service as he served within the Military Particular Forces for 27 years. Huckabee is a staunch supporter of Israel and has criticized the Biden administration’s requires a cease-fire with Hamas. Huckabee has advocated for Israel to annex components of the West Financial institution, which Israel occupied in 1967, and has backed Israeli settlers within the territory. A former Southern Baptist pastor, Huckabee often leads evangelicals on visits to Israel.

Nationwide Safety Adviser: Mike Waltz

Trump confirmed Tuesday he appointed Rep. Mike Waltz, R-Fla., to function his nationwide safety adviser. In current months, Waltz—a former Military Inexperienced Beret—has steadily criticized China, urged NATO members to pay extra for protection and mentioned he expects Trump to push Ukraine and Russia towards a negotiated finish to the conflict in Ukraine.

Homeland Safety Secretary: Kristi Noem

Trump has picked South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem for the function of secretary of the Division of Homeland Safety, CNN reported early on Tuesday, citing two unnamed sources. Though 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 likely be important in finishing up Trump’s aggressive immigration plans, along with the company’s duties surrounding cybersecurity, antiterrorism and emergency response.

Secretary Of State: Doubtless Marco Rubio

Trump is more likely to decide Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., as his secretary of state, in accordance with a number of reviews. The New York Instances says Trump may change his thoughts, and CNN reviews Trump set his sights on Rubio after initially favoring former appearing Director of Nationwide Intelligence Ric Grenell for the job. Rubio, a high-profile Republican who was reportedly among the many finalists for Trump’s operating mate selection, has a status as a international coverage hawk, favoring powerful approaches on China and Iran. Rubio mentioned previous to the election he believed a Trump administration would dealer “a negotiated settlement” to finish the conflict in Ukraine. Rubio and Trump had been bitter rivals within the 2016 GOP presidential primaries, typically clashing vehemently, however their relationship has improved since then.

Environmental Safety Company Administrator: Lee Zeldin

Trump introduced Monday he’s tapped former Rep. Lee Zeldin, R-N.Y., to guide the EPA, citing his “very sturdy authorized background” and calling him “a real fighter for America First insurance policies” in a press release. Zeldin—a Trump ally who ran for New York governor two years in the past—“will guarantee honest and swift deregulatory selections that will likely be enacted in a strategy to unleash the facility of American enterprise whereas on the similar time sustaining the best environmental requirements,” the assertion mentioned.

Border Czar: Tom Homan

Trump appointed his former Immigration and Customs Enforcement Director Tom Homan to the function, he introduced Monday, as Trump plans a mass deportation of undocumented migrants throughout his second time period.

Un Ambassador: Elise Stefanik

Trump introduced Sunday he’d nominate GOP Convention Chair Rep. Elise Stefanik, R-N.Y., for the United Nations ambassador function, and he or she informed the New York Publish she had accepted the provide.

Chief Of Employees: Susie Wiles

Trump named his marketing campaign co-manager Susie Wiles chief of employees two days after his election win, marking his first main administrative decide. Wiles would be the first girl to carry the place.

Treasury Secretary

Sen. Invoice Hagerty, R-Tenn., former ambassador to Japan underneath Trump, is on the speculative brief checklist for this function. Different contenders embody Trump’s transition workforce co-chair, Cantor Fitzgerald CEO Howard Lutnick, former Trump U.S. commerce consultant Robert Lighthizer, and hedge fund govt Scott Bessent—who spoke not too long ago with Forbes. Bessent met with Trump Friday at Mar-A-Lago, in accordance with Reuters and Bloomberg, although Bloomberg cited individuals aware of the method who mentioned the assembly was not a job interview. Trump is predicted to slender his checklist of candidates by the top of the week, and he’s leaning towards somebody with Wall Road expertise, Bloomberg reported Monday, citing nameless sources.

Power Secretary

North Dakota Gov. and former presidential candidate Doug Burgum is taken into account a best choice. Burgum served as a liaison between Trump and oil executives throughout his marketing campaign and has reportedly helped form Trump’s power coverage. Burgum is also requested to function Trump’s “power czar,” a brand new place he plans to create to coordinate insurance policies that span a number of companies, The New York Instances reported.

Schooling Secretary

The company’s former chief, Betsy DeVos, mentioned she could be keen to return to the function in a current interview with Schooling Week. Trump has proposed dismantling the division and giving states management over their public faculties.

Will Rfk Jr. Serve In Trump Administration?

Trump has indicated vaccine skeptic Robert F. Kennedy Jr. would play a distinguished function in shaping well being coverage in his administration, telling an viewers in Arizona earlier this month Kennedy might do “something he desires” and that he would “work on well being and ladies’s well being.” Trump additionally not too long ago expressed openness to Kennedy’s controversial proposal to take away fluoride from public water.

Tangent

Trump dominated out former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley and his former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo as attainable picks for his second administration in a Fact Social publish over the weekend. Pompeo was thought of a possible decide for protection secretary.

Key Background

Trump has decamped to Mar-a-Lago since his win Tuesday, holding conferences together with his internal circle, administration hopefuls and transition workforce to craft his second time period agenda and construct out his employees. Trump is shaping his second-term agenda with the assistance of a number of right-wing teams, his closest allies and billionaire backers. Musk, who has been noticed on quite a few events at Mar-A-Lago since his election, is amongst those that look like influencing Trump’s coverage and personnel selections. Lutnick can also be overseeing a workforce making suggestions for personnel picks and vetting potential candidates, the Instances reported, and Miller is predicted to play a key function in making the ultimate selections. The appropriate-wing suppose tank America First Coverage Institute is reportedly the first driver of Trump’s transition plans and has been crafting attainable govt actions for Trump as soon as he takes workplace. The group is chaired by former Trump Small Enterprise Administration chief Linda McMahon and led by former Trump Home Coverage Counsel Director Brook Rollins.

Additional Studying

What We Know About Trump’s Potential Cupboard—With RFK Jr. And Elon Musk Amongst The Candidates (Forbes)

Who Will Assist Form Trump’s Coverage Agenda? Right here Are The Key Teams And Gamers (Forbes)

Stephen Miller Will Reportedly Lead Trump’s Coverage Agenda—Right here’s Who Else May Assist Him (Forbes)