Although President Elect Donald Trump is weeks away from taking office, he has been busy the last few weeks appointing members of his cabinet. The President’s responsibility for appointing key offices in government will greatly influence things like foreign relations, environmental regulations, and immigration. So, who exactly will be in charge of these roles?
The Nominees Are
Attorney General: Pam Bondi
Embed from Getty ImagesDue to the withdrawal of Matt Gaetz from nomination for Attorney General, Trump’s pick for AG now moves to Pam Bondi, former Attorney General of the State of Florida. Bondi is a current partner at the Ballard Partners, a lobbying firm formerly run by Susie Wiles, Trump’s new Chief of Staff. She is the co-chair of the law and justice division at American First Policy Institute, a conservative DC thinktank with close ties to Trump. Bondi was Florida’s first female Attorney General, and she served in the office from 2011 to 2019, which has given her valuable experience towards this new appointment. She has close ties with Lara Trump, who she has suggested replace Sen. Marco Rubio as Trump’s pick for Secretary of State. She also accepted $25,000 in campaign donations from Donald Trump while her office was investigating claims of tax fraud against Trump University, though she claims this had no effect on her decision making in the case.
As for what we could expect from Bondi as AG, her ideas align closely with the Trump when it comes to cleaning house and clearing the field of opposition. She stated on Fox News in 2023 shortly after Trump’s indictments, “The prosecutors will be prosecuted, the bad ones. The Investigators will be investigated. ” It is probable that we can expect Bondi to be instrumental in Trump’s pursuit of retribution against his political enemies.
Attorney General: Matt Gaetz (Withdrawn)
Embed from Getty ImagesEdit: As of Thursday, November 21, Matt Gaetz has withdrawn from the nomination for Attorney General due to opposition from other members of the Republican party (likely due to the controversies outlined below). It has now been filled by Pam Bondi.
Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., is a staunch Trump loyalist who, in his eight years on Capitol Hill, has earned enemies from both sides of the aisle. Gaetz is known as the House Republican who motioned to vacate former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, much to the ire of many of his Republican colleagues. Gaetz privately practiced law for less than a decade before being elected to the Florida State House at age 27. He served there from 2010 to 2016 then advanced to the U.S. House in 2017 and served there until Nov. 13th when he resigned.
Gaetz has been the target of multiple House Ethics Committee investigations including five ongoing investigations which will now be terminated as he has vacated his positions. The reports for those investigations could have been released just days after his resignations as he had just been re-elected to his seat. Among those four investigations is one involving sex trafficking allegations involving a 17-year-old girl. Gaetz has also been criticized as the only House member to vote against the Combat Human Trafficking in Commercial Vehicles Act. Gaetz proposed legislation to abolish the Environmental Protections Agency, though it was supported by few members of congress. While many have knocked Gaetz as the president-elect’s pick for Attorney General, Speaker Mike Johnson R-La. praised Gaetz’s appointment, “Everyone who’s served with him will tell you he’s one of the most intelligent members of Congress.”
As Attorney General, Matt Gaetz would be head of the United States Department of Justice (DOJ) and chief law enforcement officer for the federal government. As a loyalist to Trump, we might be able to expect Gaetz to make good on Trump’s promised of retribution against his political enemies. Just hours before his nomination, Gaetz posted on X, “We ought to have a full court press against this WEAPONIZED government that has been turned against our people. And if that means ABOLISHING every one of the three letter agencies, from the FBI to the ATF, I’m ready to get going!” As Attorney General, Gaetz would have authority over both of these agencies, though whether or not he will be confirmed by the senate is still up in the air.
Deputy Attorney General: Todd Blanche
Embed from Getty ImagesAlong with other members of Trump’s criminal defense team for other cabinet positions, Todd Blanche is Trump’s nomination for Deputy Attorney General. Blanche spent several years as a federal prosecutor before entering private practice around a decade ago. He was a partner at New York law firm, Cadwalader, Wickersham & Taft, before he stepped down to lead Trump’s hush money case. Blanche led a multi-day cross examination of Trump’s former lawyer, Michael Cohen, and locked horns on several occasions with Judge Juan Merchan who oversaw the trial and criticized Blanche for his defense of Trump’s violations of his gag order.
The Deputy Attorney General manages the day-to-day functions of the Department of Justice and acts as an advisor to the Attorney General. Trump stated, “Todd is an excellent attorney who will be a crucial leader in the Justice Department, fixing what has been a broken System of Justice for far too long.”
Director of National Intelligence: Tulsi Gabbard
Embed from Getty ImagesFormer Democrat, Tulsi Gabbard, who served as the representative from Hawai’i, is perhaps one of the most complicated of Trump’s nominees. Gabbard served in the National Guard in a medical unit in Iraq and then served in the House of Representatives from 2013 to 2022, when she denounced the Democratic Party as, “an elitist cabal of warmongers”. She supported Bernie Saunders in his run for President in 2016 and made a brief bid for the presidential democratic nomination in 2020. Since leaving the Democratic party in 2022, she was registered as an Independent and served as a Fox News contributor where she spoke in support of Trump. She joined the Republican party only a month ago.
As Director of National Intelligence, Gabbard would oversee intelligence agencies such as the CIA, FBI, and NSA. She has been criticized as a choice for lacking the intelligence experience of previous holders of the office and will likely be instrumental in fulfilling Trump’s promises to overhaul US intelligence agencies, which he views as being part of the “deep state.” Gabbard has also been criticized by former colleagues for statements about Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad and Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Republican Mitt Romney stated that Gabbard had embraced, “actual Russian propaganda” in response to her claims that Ukraine contained US funded biolabs that could potentially spread deadly viruses and that Ukraine joining NATO was a legitimate security concern for Russia. In an interview with MSNBC, Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-Ny. said in regard to her nomination, “A Tulsi Gabbard nomination is a pro-war nomination globally. Point blank, period.” At such a turbulent time, Gabbard makes a controversial choice for such a pivotal position.
Secretary of State: Marco Rubio
Embed from Getty ImagesSenator Marco Rubio, R-Fla., Trump’s former competition in the 2016 race for President, will now likely serve as his Secretary of State. Rubio served in the Florida House of Representatives from 2000 to 2008 and has served in the United States Senate since 2010. One can’t help but recall the exchange of jabs between Trump and Rubio in 2016, when Trump frequently called Rubio, “Little Marco”, and Rubio commented on the size of Trump’s hands, however, their relationship improved during Trump’s term as president. Marco Rubio currently serves on the Senate’s Foreign Relations Committee and Intelligence Committee, has made combating China a strong focus of his politics, and has taken a hawkish stance on foreign policy. However, Rubio is known less as a legislator and more for his ability to adapt to the politics of a changing Republican party. He initially helped create legislation to provide immigrants a path to citizenship but has since shifted to stronger stances against immigration. He originally backed the Biden administration’s support of Ukraine but now wants to negotiate a peace with Russia to end the war. In an interview with NBC, he stated, “I’m not on Russia’s side — but unfortunately the reality of it is that the way the war in Ukraine is going to end is with a negotiated settlement.”
A position as Secretary of State would require all of Rubio’s abilities to handle foreign policy issues, but whether or not he will stand in line with all of Trump’s plans remains to be seen. While Trump and Rubio seem to agree in strong economic stances against Chinese companies selling products to the United States, Rubio cosponsored legislation to prevent any president from pulling out of NATO, something Trump has threatened to do on multiple occasions. Rubio is known for his ability to change his colors like a chameleon to survive in his party, whether or not he will do the same as Secretary of State is yet to be seen.
Chief of Staff: Susie Wiles
Embed from Getty ImagesSusie Wiles has been in the political sphere behind the scenes since the 1970s, and she worked for New York Rep. Jack Kemp and in the Reagan White House as a scheduler. She has been behind the victories of Florida governor Rick Scott and Ron DeSantis and was instrumental in Trump’s 2016 victory in the Florida primaries. One thing is for sure, Wiles knows how to run a campaign, and she has been integral to the 2024 Trump campaign as his campaign co-chair.
Chief of Staff is the most senior office to the President of the United States, and this office, unlike some others on this list, does not require senate confirmation. The role will certainly be a change for Wiles who isn’t as well known in Washington as she is in Florida, where she has done most of her campaign work. As well, it will be a shift from running campaigns to working within the federal government and will be a more forward-facing role than Wiles is accustomed to. Still, Trump describes Wiles as, “tough, smart, innovative, and is universally admired and respected,” and has referred to her as an “ice maiden.” Trump went through four Chiefs of Staff in his last term as president, so it will be interesting to see if Wiles can stick it out.
Deputy Chief of Staff: Dan Scavino
Embed from Getty ImagesDan Scavino has been an integral part of Trump’s inner circle since 2015 when he became a part of the Trump campaign. He served has Trump’s director of social media on his campaign and went on to serve as the White House Director of Social Media and then as the Deputy Chief of Staff of Communications. Before working for the Trump campaign, Scavino worked for Coca-Cola and the pharmaceutical company, Galderma, before he became the general manager of Trump National Golf Club Westchester. Strangely enough, before all of this, he was Trump’s caddie back in the 1990s.
The Deputy Chief of Staff works directly for the Chief of Staff, who is the President’s senior aide, and helps to ensure that the bureaucracy of the White House runs smoothly. No doubt, Scavino’s experience in similar senior positions in Trump’s cabinet have primed him for this position.
Deputy Chief of Staff for Legislative, Political, and Public Affairs: James Blair
Blair, like Wiles and Scavino, worked on Trump’s political campaign, acting as his political director. James Blair acted as the mastermind of Trump’s political strategy to win voters, catering his strategy to each state. Clearly, his strategy worked, winning Trump the election. He previously worked on Trump’s 2020 campaign and as an aide for Florida Governor Ron Desantis. Blair will oversee staff, ensuring smooth day to day functions in regard to legislative, political, and public affairs, reporting to the Chief of Staff.
Deputy Chief of Staff for Communications and Personnel: Taylor Budowich
Budowich has previously held a top position in Trump’s Save America PAC and was CEO of the MAGA Inc. super PAC. The top Trump advisor was investigated by the January 6th congressional committee for involvement in the failed insurrection attempt at the capitol but was never charged. He also testified in the Trump Mar-a-Lago case where he stated in a Twitter post that he would, “not be intimidated by this weaponization of government.” As Deputy Chief of Staff for Communications and Personnel, he will be taking over Dan Scavino’s old position for Trump and will report to Scavino and Wiles in Trump’s cabinet.
Presidential Personnel Office Director: Sergio Gor
Sergio Gor, former aide to Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky. and close business partner of Donald Trump Jr. is Trump’s pick for director of presidential personnel office. Gor is the co-founder of a book publishing company that has published conservative names like Charlie Kirk and the president-elect himself. He has also served as the chief executive of the Save America Super PAC. In this role. Gor will be responsible for filling thousands of roles in the federal government – a difficult position when you’re working for a man who’s catch phrase is, “You’re fired.”
Homeland Security Advisor and Deputy Chief of Staff for Policy: Stephen Miller
Embed from Getty ImagesStephen Miller has worked as an aide for Donald Trump since his first campaign for the White House and was an influential senior advisor during Trump’s first term in forming policy, particularly immigration policy. Since then, Stephen Miller served as president of America First Legal, an organization that challenged the Biden administration as well as various media agencies and universities. This position as Deputy Chief of Staff for policy does not require senate confirmation and will make Miller a senior advisor on the formation of policy, likely particularly as it pertains to immigration and the border.
Department of Government Efficiency: Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy
Embed from Getty ImagesTelsa founder and billionaire Elon Musk and former 2024 Republican presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy have been tapped by Trump to lead a proposed new government department called the Department of Government Efficiency, or DOGE, which will monitor government spending. It is yet unclear if this will be an official government entity as government departments can only be created through an act of congress. Trump announced, “Together, these two wonderful Americans will pave the way for my Administration to dismantle Government Bureaucracy, slash excess regulations, cut wasteful expenditures, and restructure Federal Agencies – Essential to the ‘Save America’ Movement…I look forward to Elon and Vivek making changes to the Federal Bureaucracy with an eye on efficiency and, at the same time, making life better for all Americans.”
Along with the uncertainty that such a department can or will even be created, considering congressional approval would be needed, there are also concerns over Musk having conflicts of interest as a leader of such a department. Musk’s companies, Telsa, Starlink, and Space-X all receive government funding, and there would be an obvious complication if Musk were given authority over the federal agencies that oversee that funding. It is also worth noting that Musk’s companies have also been under federal investigations due to the self-driving feature of Telsa vehicles, one of which killed a pedestrian while using this feature. Musk’s support for Trump may have been a driving factor in the election, as he runs a super PAC which he used to seek out potential swing voters. He says the super PAC will remain active for Republicans as they prepare for midterm elections.
Embed from Getty ImagesRamaswamy and Musk are both known for calls to cut government spending. In the business world, Musk, upon acquiring X, formerly known as Twitter, conducted massive layoffs, bringing the company from 8,000 employees to only 1,500. Ramaswamy ran in a brief bid for president on reducing the size of the federal government, calling to slash the Federal Reserve workforce by 90%.
Secretary of Defense: Pete Hegseth
Embed from Getty ImagesFox News host and military veteran, Pete Hegseth is Trump’s controversial nominee for Secretary of Defense. Hegseth has worked as a host for Fox & Friends – Weekend for a decade, made an unsuccessful bid for the senate in 2012, and served in the military. Hegseth, unlike most Secretary of Defense office holders before him, lacks senior military and intelligence experience, but is certainly opinionated about the way previous holders of this office have run the military in the past. Hegseth has called for the pardons of service members accused of war crimes, and is critical in his book, “The War on Warriors: Behind the Betrayal of the Men Who Keep Us Free,” of the restrictions within the Geneva Conventions. Like Trump, he is critical of NATO and its allies, calling them, “self-righteous and impotent nations asking us to honor outdated and one-sided defense arrangements they no longer live up to.” He has openly called for the removal of women in combat and has shunned what he calls “woke” diversity initiatives of previous office holders. However, his sentiments clearly resonate with Americans who hold a similar idea of masculinity and military strength. In a statement to the Associated Press, a Fox News spokesperson stated that his, “insights and analysis especially about the military resonated deeply with our viewers.”
The Secretary of Defense acts as the principal defense policy maker and advisor – certainly a difficult job in such a tumultuous time. Trump went through five in his first term, and if Hegseth takes this office, he will have his work cut out for him between the wars in Ukraine and Palestine. Hegseth has written extensively about controversial ideologies that he feels will improve our military and show strength to foreign enemies, but whether he has the experience and insight necessary to govern such an office is yet to be seen.
CIA Director: John Ratcliff
Embed from Getty ImagesJohn Ratcliff, Trump’s former national intelligence director in his first term, will act as the President-elect’s nominee for CIA director in his second term. Ratcliff held the position as national intelligence director during the Covid-19 pandemic and during the 2020 election, both notoriously fraught times that have no doubt given him the experience needed for a position as CIA director. While Ratcliff is a more traditional choice for a role which requires senate confirmation, he is not without controversy. Ratcliff declassified Russian intelligence with alleged democratic interference in the 2016 presidential election, though he acknowledged that this information was unverified. Democrats have claimed that this was a partisan use of his position.
Ratcliff was elected to congress in 2014 and was appointed as Director of National Intelligence in 2020. Ratcliff is a known China hawk and will likely use his position to closely monitor activity in the Chinese government. He wrote in an op-ed to the Wall Street Journal, “The intelligence is clear: Beijing intends to dominate the U.S. and the rest of the planet economically, militarily and technologically. Many of China’s major public initiatives and prominent companies offer only a layer of camouflage to the activities of the Chinese Communist Party.” This ideology aligns him closely with Donald Trump and many other cabinet picks on this list, giving us a glimpse into likely heightened tensions between the US and China.
White House Counsel: William Joseph McGinley
Trump’s White House General Counsel pick, William J. McGinley, has been an election attorney for many years, and served as cabinet secretary in Trump’s first term. During the 2024 election, he served as the Republican National Convention’s outside counsel for election security and integrity. White House General Counsel serves as legal advisor to the president on issues of ethics, oversight, and judicial nominations, and the role was previously held by Dan McGahn, who was a key witness in the Russian interference investigation. In regard to the nomination, Trump stated, “Bill is a smart and tenacious lawyer who will help me advance our America First agenda while fighting for election integrity and against the weaponization of law enforcement.”
Special Envoy to the Middle East: Steven Witkoff
Embed from Getty ImagesFellow real-estate mogul and golf partner, Steve Witkoff, is the Trump pick for Special Envoy to the Middle East – likely a difficult position as the Israel-Hamas war continues. Witkoff raised money for Donald Trump from Jewish donors when the Biden administration stalled on a shipment of bombs to Israel in May. While Witkoff lacks foreign policy experience, his nomination and the nomination of Mike Huckabee for US Ambassador to Israel show a clear alignment of the future Trump administration to Israeli support. Trump stated in his announcement of Witkoff’s nomination, “Steve will be an unrelenting Voice for PEACE, and make us all proud.”
United States Ambassador to Israel: Mike Huckabee
Embed from Getty ImagesFormer Arkansas Governor and Fox News host, Mike Huckabee, has been nominated as Trump’s United States Ambassador to Israel. Huckabee ran unsuccessfully for president in 2008 and 2016, and his daughter, Sarah Saunders, served as Trump’s White House Press Secretary from 2017 to 2019. Huckabee has little foreign policy experience, but a passion for Israel’s occupation of the West Bank – which he refers to as Judea and Samaria – likely due to his evangelical roots. In 2017 in a visit to Israel representing the Trump administration, Huckabee said, “There are certain words I refuse to use. There is no such thing as a West Bank. It’s Judea and Samaria. There’s no such thing as a settlement. They’re communities, they’re neighborhoods, they’re cities.” While the Biden administration was criticized by progressives for its continued support of the war through weapons sent to Israel, it is likely that at very least, the Trump administration will continue similar support and, more likely, that we will see more aggressive support for Israel under the Trump administration.
National Security Advisor: Mike Waltz
Embed from Getty ImagesRep. Mike Waltz, R-Fla., Trump’s pick for National Security Advisor, is the first Green Beret ever elected to congress and served 27 years in the United States Army and National Guard. Waltz worked as a defense advisor at the Pentagon and advised former Vice President Dick Cheney on counterterrorism. Similarly to Trump and other picks on this list, Cheney has been critical of NATO allies and takes a hawkish approach to relations with China and Iran. Waltz voiced his disagreement with the Biden administration’s removal of troops from Afghanistan, and he also led legislation to allow use of military force against Mexican drug cartels to prevent drug trafficking at the southern border. The National Security Advisor role does not require senate confirmation and acts as the senior advisor to the president on all issues of national security. They also hold a seat on the Homeland Security Council. Mike Waltz, while he aligns with the views of many other cabinet picks, is one of the most qualified individuals on this list for their chosen role.
Homeland Security Secretary: Kristi Noem
Embed from Getty ImagesTwo-term South Dakota Governor and former congresswoman, Kristi Noem, is Trump’s nominee for Homeland Security Secretary. Noem is known as a hardliner on immigration policy, and, as governor, opposed accepting Afghan refugees in 2021 and sent South Dakota National Guard members to the Texas-Mexico border. She faced media controversy for an excerpt from her memoir where she tells a story about how she shot a bird dog named Cricket that she described as, “untrainable” and “dangerous.” Recently, she was also banned from entering the lands of her states nine tribes when she said at a town hall that Tribal leaders were, “benefiting from cartels being there and that’s why they attack me every day.” If confirmed by the senate, Noem would lead the agency and would likely work closely with policy advisor, Stephen Miller, and Border Czar, Tom Homan, to crackdown on immigration and drug trafficking at the U.S. southern border.
Environmental Protection Agency Administrator: Lee Zeldin
Embed from Getty ImagesFormer New York Representative Lee Zeldin makes a non-traditional pick as head of the EPA. Zeldin earned a rating of 14% from the League of Conservation Voters, the lowest of any New York Representative, in 2020. Conservation and energy legislation have not been main focuses of Zeldin’s career, and he did not serve on any committees with environmental oversight while in congress. While he did vote against Biden’s 2022 climate law, he did, however, also vote against a Republican amendment that would have slashed funding to the EPA in 2020. He was also one of the only house Republicans who voted not to certify the 2020 elections results and has remained close to Trump over the years.
As head of the EPA, Zeldin would have the power to form and repeal rules and regulations limiting business practices that harm the environment or incentivize businesses towards clean energy. Zeldin posted on X, “It is an honor to join President Trump’s Cabinet as EPA Administrator. We will restore US energy dominance, revitalize our auto industry to bring back American jobs, and make the US the global leader of AI. We will do so while protecting access to clean air and water.” In an interview with Fox News, Zeldin said he plans on pulling back regulations and, “unleashing economic prosperity.”
Border Czar: Tom Homan
Embed from Getty ImagesTom Homan, who served 30 years as an Immigration and Customs official, will assume the role as Trump’s border czar. Homan became head of the Immigrations and Customs Enforcment’s deportation branch in 2013 under the Obama administration and he recommended the zero-tolerance policy under Trump that separated families at the border in Trump’s first term. He was awarded the Distinguished Presidential Rank award, the highest honor a civilian can earn, by Barack Obama in 2015, earning criticism toward the 44th president for increased deportations. Homan will be an instrumental part of Trump’s plan to conduct mass deportations in his second term and will likely be working closely with Homeland Security and Kristi Noem as well as Stephen Miller, Trump’s senior policy advisor.
UN Ambassador: Elise Stephanik
Embed from Getty ImagesRep. Elise Stephanik, R-Ny. makes one of the more traditional picks on this list for such a key role in a turbulent time in world politics. Stephanik is the youngest woman ever elected to congress, and she has served five terms there with stints on the Armed Forces, Education and Workforce, and Intelligence Committees while there. Stephanik is a strong house ally for Trump and has been a vocal defender of him in congress. As UN Ambassador, Stephanik will represent the Trump administration in diplomacy with other nations.
The congresswoman gained attention for her pointed questioning of Ivy League school presidents in congressional hearings regarding antisemitism and pro-Palestinian protests on college campuses. She initially backed sending aid to Ukraine but more recently voted against a 60.8 billion dollar aid package to Ukraine. According to her website, “Congresswoman Stefanik has been one of the most vocal members of Congress against Russia, North Korea, Iran, and especially, China. She has introduced numerous pieces of legislation to combat China’s active engagement in American institutions and has been a strong critic of their genocide and human rights abuses.” While perhaps more polished than some of the other, more controversial, picks on this list, Stephanik holds ideals that correspond strongly with other potential members of the Trump cabinet.
Press Secretary: Karoline Leavitt
Embed from Getty ImagesKaroline Leavitt, 27, will soon become the youngest White House Press Secretary to ever hold the role. Upon graduating from St. Anselm College in New Hampshire where she wrote for her college’s paper, Leavitt landed an internship working at the White House in 2019 where she worked her way up to a role as Assistant Press Secretary. Levitt worked for Rep. Elise Stepahnik in 2020 before she left the role to run for congress in New Hampshire’s 1st congressional district; there Leavitt won the Republican primary by 10 points but eventually lost to her Democratic opponent in the general election. Leavitt worked as Trump’s national press secretary during his campagin, so it’s no surprise he’s chosen her for the role. She seems to share Trump’s feelings about the media, saying, “I have the great pleasure of fighting the fake news media all day, every day.” in a comment to the press at one of his rallies.
Communications Director: Steven Cheung
Embed from Getty ImagesSteven Cheung, who previously worked as Trump’s director of strategic response in his first term as President, will return as White House Communications Director in Trump’s second term. In the same vein as Press Secretary appointee, Karoline Leavitt, Cheung seems to hold a distaste for the press and is not afraid to say so. Cheung is known for his vicious remarks towards Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis during the Republican primaries and other political adversaries of Trump. Cheung worked on Trump’s 2016 and 2020 presidential campaigns, making him a long-standing member of the Trump team.
Health and Human Services Director: Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
Embed from Getty ImagesFormer political opponent turned ally, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is Trump’s pick for Director of Health and Human Services. Heir to the Kennedy political dynasty, RFK Jr. has worked for many years as an environmental attorney, winning cases against big corporations like DuPont and Monsanto. While Kennedy may be a big name, he has certainly garnered controversy, especially as it pertains to medicine. In an interview with Jesse Watters on Fox News, Kennedy stated, “I do believe that autism comes from vaccines, ” and he stated on a podcast earlier this year, “There’s no vaccine that is safe and effective.” The old claim that vaccines cause autism has now thoroughly debunked by science, and despite these statements, Kennedy has since gone back on these statements saying that he has never claimed he was anti-vaccine.
As Director of Health and Human Services, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. would get to decide the head of the CDC and FDA. Both agencies make crucial choices in approving medicines, providing regulations and recommendations, and controlling funding towards programs like Vaccines for Children. Kennedy shares Trump’s sentiments about cleaning house on “corrupt” federal officials and overhauling regulations, particularly as they relate to environmental policy, his specialty. He certainly makes a for a choice that is characteristic of Trump’s ideals, and, yet, non-traditional for such a crucial role for medicine.
Administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services: Dr. Mehmet Oz
Embed from Getty ImagesLong time host of the Dr. Oz Show and failed 2022 Senate candidate, Dr. Mehmet Oz, will serve as Trump’s pick for head of the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services. Dr. Oz is a heart surgeon and has won nine Daytime Emmy Awards as the host of his television show, where he has promoted various lifestyle changes to promote weight loss and has expressed controversial opinions about childhood vaccinations. In 2014, Dr. Oz came under fire in a hearing before the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee on consumer protection. At the time, Sen. Claire McCaskill of Missouri confronted Oz for his promotion of miracle, weight loss drugs which scam vulnerable consumers. In 2020, Oz promoted the controversial hydroxychloroquine as a treatment for Covid-19. The FDA did emergency approve this drug but has since revoked its approval due to finding evidence that it does not effectively treat the virus.
Oz does have a legitimate medical background, having graduated from the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine and completed a Master’s degree at UPenn’s Wharton School of Business simultaneously. He completed surgical training at New York Presbyterian Hospital, and he has since served as director of the Cardiovascular Institute at New York Presbyterian Hospital and vice-chairman and professor of surgery at Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons. While Oz certainly has a medical background, unlike RFK Jr. who he will likely be working closely with, some have expressed concerns at his lack of legislative experience. According to a New York Times article, “‘C.M.S. touches virtually every family in America through Medicaid and Medicare, and it’s probably the most challenging technical, policy and political job in government,’ said Drew Altman, the president of KFF, a health research group. ‘Even small, almost daily decisions at C.M.S. are billion-dollar decisions that affect industries and patients with serious illnesses who really care.’” Sen. Patty Murray, D-WA, former head of the Senate Heath Committee, stated, “Even putting aside the raft of alarming pseudoscience Dr. Oz has previously endorsed, it is deeply disappointing to see someone with zero qualifications being announced to head up such a critical agency.”
In regard to his endorsement, Trump stated, “America is facing a Healthcare Crisis, and there may be no Physician more qualified and capable than Dr. Oz to Make America Healthy Again.” In 2020, Oz promoted a 20% payroll tax to provide all Americans who do not qualify for Medicare or Medicaid with health insurance that would replace commercial health insurance provided by employers, however, this idea of universal health insurance is a far cry from standard GOP opinion on health insurance. Oz has since endorsed Medicare Advantage, a version of Medicare run by commercial insurers. This may indicate an alignment with the idea outlined in the Heritage Foundation’s Project 2025 to privatize Medicare and Medicaid and revoke the Affordable Care Act. Certainly, if Oz still supports universal healthcare, it will likely put him at odds with other members of the Trump administration.
Interior Secretary: Doug Burgum (and Head of New National Energy Council)
Embed from Getty ImagesNorth Dakota Governor, Doug Burgum, is Trump’s choice for Interior Secretary and Head of New National Energy Council, which will give him a seat on the National Security Council. Burgum comes from a business background, leading Great Plains Software to acquire Microsoft in 2001. As Governor, Burgum cut income taxes and prioritized state government relations with tribal nations in his state, which was the location of the ongoing access pipeline protests. He and his wife have prioritized access to addiction treatment and during the Covid-19 pandemic encouraged citizens to mask up and get vaccinated to prevent the spread of infection.
Trump has stated that Burgum will help lead the country to “energy dominance” and first nations leaders such as Mandan, Hidatsa and Arikara Nation chairman Mark N. Fox have voiced their support of Burgum for the role. Fox has said that Burgum has been instrumental in supporting oil and gas extraction on the Fort Berthold Preservation that has provided food, education, and housing for MHA tribal citizens.
Veterans Affairs Secretary: Doug Collins
Embed from Getty ImagesCongressman and former U.S. Navy and U.S. Airforce Reserve Chaplain, Doug Collins, will serve as Trump’s Secretary of Verteran’s Affairs if approved by the senate. Collins served three terms in the Georgia state House and was elected to congress in 2012 for Georgia’s 9th congressional district. Collins defended Trump during the Mueller probe and helped Trump challenge the Georgia 2020 election results. He has served on the Defense and Veteran’s Affairs Committee as a member of congress, and according to a statement by the President-elect, “Doug will be a great advocate for our Active Duty Servicemembers, Veterans, and Military Families to ensure they have the support they need.”
Solicitor General: John Sauer
John Sauer, the attorney who successfully led the Supreme Court presidential immunity case, is one of three of Trump’s criminal defense attorneys on this list and Trump’s pick for Solicitor General. According to Donald Trump, “John is a deeply accomplished, masterful appellate attorney, who clerked for Justice Antonin Scalia in the United States Supreme Court, served as Solicitor General of Missouri for six years, and has extensive experience practicing before the U.S. Supreme Court and other Appellate Courts.” As Solicitor General, Sauer would oversee and argue the government’s Supreme Court cases before the court. Sauer has a history of bringing legal challenges against the 2020 election results and Covid-19 regulations under the Biden administration. Sauer, while making some controversial cases in his career, is certainly not lacking in experience.
U.S. Attorney for the Southern District Of New York: Jay Clayton
Embed from Getty ImagesSEC Chairman, Jay Clayton, is Trump’s pick as head federal prosecutor in the southern district of New York. Clayton has had a pro-business approach as SEC Chairman, but did impose a $20 million dollar fine on Elon Musk, another pick for the Trump cabinet, for spreading misinformation about his Twitter deal. Clayton is an attorney at Sullivan and Cromwell, and, according to their website, his practice focuses on, “corporate governance, financial regulation, economic policy, government relations, and investigations.” As the lead prosecutor in the New York’s southern district, the location of many of Trump’s criminal trials, he will likely be instrumental in Trump taking his promised retribution against people like Alvin Bragg, the prosecutor in the hush money trial, and Justice Arthur Engoron, who made Trump pay $454 million in a civil suit that found Trump liable for fraud. Clayton does not have previous experience as a federal prosecutor, but has been considered for this role in the past and has considerable relevant experience.
Principal Associate Deputy Attorney General: Emil Bove
Embed from Getty ImagesAnother member of Trump’s criminal defense team, Emil Bove, has been nominated as Trump’s Principal Associate Deputy Attorney General. Working closely with Todd Blanche, Bove helped lead the Trump hush money trial and classified documents case. He is a veteran federal prosecutor in the Southern District of New York and has been involved in multiple high profile legal cases as a prosecutor in Manhattan. Bove has a long list of qualifications including arguing 13 federal court cases and 18 appellate cases.
Education Secretary: Linda McMahon
Embed from Getty ImagesLinda McMahon, former WWE executive and head of the Small Business Administration under the first Trump administration, is Trump’s pick for Education Secretary. McMahon is primarily known for her leadership positions in the WWE and SBA, but she has also served as chair of the American First Policy Institute, a conservative DC thinktank. She served for one year on the Connecticut Board of Education before she made her first of two failed runs for the Senate. Trump stated, “Linda will use her decades of Leadership experience, and deep understanding of both Education and Business, to empower the next Generation of American Students and Workers, and make America Number One in Education in the World. We will send Education BACK TO THE STATES, and Linda will spearhead that effort.”
Trump’s vow to send education back to the states and defund schools that teach critical race theory (CRT) and provide protections for transgender students, will likely be spearheaded by McMahon. It is likely that under the Trump administration, there will be increased cuts to funding and workforce in an effort to dismantle the Department of Education without an official act of congress.
Just my two cents: As a public-school educator, it’s difficult to believe that someone with no prior experience in education and very little experience in education legislation will make any of the much-needed changes to improve literacy, prepare students for life outside of school, and resolve the nation-wide teacher shortage. McMahon is sorely lacking in the relevant experience necessary to run a department that is foundational to educating the next generation of Americans.
Transportation Secretary: Sean Duffy
Embed from Getty ImagesFormer congressman from Wisconsin and Fox Business host, Sean Duffy, makes Donald Trump’s pick for Transportation Secretary to oversee aviation, rail, and transit. Duffy served in congress from 2011 to 2019 where he served on the House Financial Services Committee. Duffy has since co-hosted, “The Bottom Line” on Fox Business Network after a brief stint on CNN in 2019. He has been praised by Democrats, Republicans, and transportation organizations alike since his nomination. Rep. Rick Larson, D-WA, head of the House Transportation Committee, stated, “Transportation policy has a long bipartisan history, and I look forward to continuing to maintain the tradition under former Representative Sean Duffy’s leadership and working together to pass the next surface transportation authorization, creating more jobs, if he is confirmed.” Nicholas E. Calio, the president and chief executive of Airlines for America, said, “Congressman Duffy has a proven track record for getting things done, and we are eager to collaborate with him on key issues impacting the U.S. airline industry.” Trump also praised Duffy for clearing, “extensive Legislative hurdles to build the largest road and bridge project in Minnesota History,” referencing Duffy’s co-sponsorship of a bill spearheaded by Sen. Amy Klobuchar, D-MI, to support the St. Croix River bridge project, which connects Wisconsin and Minnesota.
If confirmed, which is very likely considering his widespread approval, Duffy will be responsible for the Federal Aviation Administration which is facing air traffic control issues and the Federal Railroad Administration’s demands for safety reforms after the derailment in East Palestine, Ohio in 2023. He will also need to manage remaining funds from the 2021 $1 trillion infrastructure law passed under the Biden Administration in efforts to address the nation’s crumbling infrastructure. While Duffy faces many challenges ahead, it is clear his previous colleagues have faith in his experience and skills to accomplish improvements to transportation across the United States.
The Verdict
Trump’s cabinet picks show an array of individuals that are fiercely loyal and hold ideas in line with the promises of the Trump campaign. While many of these roles are yet to be confirmed by the senate, several of them need no senate confirmation. The appointments a president makes are perhaps their greatest power when it comes to shaping the government, and Trump has shown that he has a laser focus on how he plans on reshaping government agencies and policies that have been run by the Biden administration for the last four years.
The Citrus Peel 
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