Ahead of his inauguration into the White House on January 20, 2025, President-elect Donald Trump has begun to announce his cabinet picks for various top-level positions within his administration.
This new cabinet will reflect Trump’s priorities and political ideology by emphasizing a strong America First agenda. A deeper dive into the individuals he has chosen for critical cabinet roles, including their backgrounds and how they will contribute to the administration’s agenda, is provided below.
Key cabinet appointments
Chief of Staff: Susie Wiles
Among the first nominations Trump made after his 2024 US election victory over Kamala Harris was installing the first female Chief of Staff in US history, documented here too, Who is Susie Wiles, Trump’s new White House chief of staff? What does the chief of staff do? Susie Wiles was originally a campaign strategist for Trump.
She has been working with Trump since his 2016 campaign. Commonly referred to as the “Ice maiden”, She is rigid, disciplined and smart.
Attorney General: Matt Gaetz
Matt Gaetz is a Republican congressman from Florida, who was appointed as Attorney General also detailed here, Who is Matt Gaetz, the Florida Republican whom Trump will nominate as Attorney General. Because he has been a loud voice for Trump’s defense on several occasions, his appointment as Attorney General is quite symbolic; Gaetz’s nomination is notable, as the Department of Justice will be headed by him with an apparent new focus on battling so-called “weaponized government.”
Gaetz has served in Congress since 2017 and is recognized for his vocal support of Trump’s policies. However, his nomination faces challenges due to ongoing investigations into allegations of sexual misconduct and ethics violations.
If confirmed, Gaetz aims to restore public confidence in the Justice Department and tackle issues related to border security and criminal organizations. Readers might be interested in the article,
Secretary of Defense: Pete Hegseth
Trump has selected Pete Hegseth-a veteran and a Fox News personality, for Secretary of Defense said here, Who is Pete Hegseth, the war veteran and Fox News host whom Trump has named secretary of defense. Hegseth gained recognition for serving in the military and opposing progressive policies within the armed forces.
Hegseth served in Iraq and Afghanistan and has also been an outspoken advocate on issues related to veterans. He has also enjoyed being a mainstay in the media, hosting various shows on Fox News.
Hegseth will likely place emphasis on military readiness and continue to buck what he sees as “woke” policies in the military. He would do this to further the former president’s vision on matters concerning defense policies.
Secretary of State: Marco Rubio
Though the official confirmation is just in, Florida Senator Marco Rubio was nominated as Secretary of State exemplified with this article, Understanding Marco Rubio’s background and approach as he emerges as a potential Secretary of State nominee. Experience in foreign policies will make him an excellent choice for this significant post.
Rubio joined the Senate in 2011, with many contributions in various issues of foreign relations, especially toward Latin America and China.
If appointed, Rubio is more likely to put great emphasis on making sure U.S. allies are working closely while trying to hold adversaries such as China and Iran accountable.
Secretary of Homeland Security: Kristi Noem
South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem was appointed Secretary of Homeland Security. She is rigid on immigration and border security also stated here, Who is Kristi Noem, the governor of South Dakota, Trump has picked as head of Homeland Security? Noem has received national attention regarding her leadership during the COVID-19 pandemic and her commitment to conservative values.
Noem, as Secretary of Homeland Security, will be expected to take on firm immigration policies while increasing national security.
Secretary of Commerce: Howard Lutnick
He is the CEO of Cantor Fitzgerald. He has been selected to head the Department of Commerce. As a longtime supporter of Trump, and one of his big campaign donors, he brings extensive managerial experience in business and entrepreneurship to the table. Readers can read up on his background with this article, Who is Howard Lutnick, the transition adviser and billionaire whom Trump will nominate as Commerce Secretary of State.
Lutnick’s job will entail encouraging economic growth through trade policies and fostering small businesses throughout the country.
Secretary of Energy: Chris Wright
Chris Wright is an oil and gas industry executive who will serve as Secretary of Energy explained in length here, Who is Chris Wright, the CEO of Liberty Energy, Trump’s pick for Secretary of State for Energy. His appointment fits with the energy independence agenda of Trump.
Energy production and management has been Wright’s main area of expertise due to his many years running several large firms in the sector.
Wright is expected to promote more fossil fuel production while rolling back any regulations imposed by his predecessor in the Obama administration.
Secretary of Education: Linda McMahon
Linda Mcmahon, former CEO of WWE has been nominated by president-elect, Donald Trump as the Secretary of Education with details here, Who is Linda McMahon, the former WWE CEO chosen by Trump to head the Secretary of State for Education, she may oversee education initiatives in another capacity. Her two appointments reveal just how versatile she can be in keeping key economic sectors running.
Secretary of State for Health: Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
Trump nominated former Presidential aspirant, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. following his success after the election on November 14, 2024 well documented here, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is elected U.S. Secretary of State for Health: how will he affect Medicare and Medicaid and the health care system? . He has been famous for his anti-vaccine rhetoric that has not sat well with a lot of Americans.
He plans lots of changes to Medicare and Medicaid programmes and as Secretary of Health, Kennedy will lead an agency governing key healthcare programs that consist of Medicare and Medicaid.
Other appointments
Aside from the officials mentioned here, Trump’s administration will be rounded out by the following:
- Secretary of Transportation: Sean Duffy
- Secretary of the Treasury: Robert Lighthizer
- Administrator, Environmental Protection Agency: Lee Zeldin
- CIA director: John Ratcliffe
- Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services: Dr. Mehmet Oz.
- US Ambassador to Israel: John Huckabee
- White House Press Secretary: Karoline Leavitt
- Secretary of Veteran Affairs: Doug Collins
- UN Ambassador: Elise Stefanik
- “Border Czar”: Tom Homan
- Secretary of Donald: Pete Hegseth
- National Security Advisor : Mike Waltz
- Secretary of Interior: Doug Burgum
- Director of National Intelligence: Tulsi Gabbard
- Department of Government Efficiency: Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy
- FCC Chairman: Brendan Carr
- White House Communication director: Steven Cheung
- US Ambassador to NATO: Matthew Whitaker
Read more: Which country has the most nuclear weapons and what is the atomic potential of the United States and Russia?
Read more: Who is Joel Leppard, the attorney for the two women who have testified against attorney general nominee Matt Gaetz