Learn who President-elect Donald Trump has chosen to join his administration. Here are his picks for Secretary of State and National Security Adviser and more. What we’ve learned so far about this administration:
Trump’s New Administration: Key Picks and Expected Roles
President-elect Donald Trump quickly assembles his new administration, clearly indicating just how he will tackle the big issues confronting him-ranging from national security and immigration to environmental policy. Since so many important positions remain unnamed, below is a critical rundown of all the most significant appointments and those still pending to fill his administration.
He will be relying on a fair amount of establishment names from his previous administration, as well as newcomers to his policy, who share the same conservative ideology. As he builds out his team, here are some notable names that’ll make his short list for a variety of cabinet positions and other key roles in the next White House.
1. Marco Rubio for Secretary of State
According to reports, sources indicate that Trump has decided on choosing Marco Rubio of Florida as his pick for the Secretary of State. Rubio has vast experience in foreign policy and is likely to be given the tough job of taking care of the challenging diplomacy setting especially in Europe, Middle East, and China. His foreign policy position in the former presidential campaign makes it a smart choice by Trump since he would ensure not to give up the powerful global standing that the U.S. enjoys.
This role is crucial, considering that the Trump administration is most likely to continue pursuing their America First policy on international relations. Being named by Trump would also be a significant declaration of his intent to thrust international politics center stage into his second term of office, especially when tensions are running high in each and every corner of the globe.
2. Elise Stefanik as US Ambassador to the United Nations
Another would be Rep. Elise Stefanik of New York, a hardline Republican and ardent Trump supporter. More known for her work in the House of Representatives than for anything else, Stefanik’s appointment is representative of how Trump in his “America First” doctrine looks to redefine the United States’ engagement with international institutions, including the UN.
She would bring a new taste on how America relates to the UN, where sovereignty becomes more paramount than multilateralism. This is especially so in areas like climate change, global security, and international trade.
3. Mike Waltz as National Security Adviser
Florida Rep. Mike Waltz comes up as the choice for the position of Trump’s National Security Adviser. A former Green Beret and defense and security policy expert, Waltz is most likely to have just the right background needed to deal with the complexity involved in the formulation of US military strategies, intelligence operations, and national security issues.
The role will prove crucial because Trump was perceived to be heavy on border control strengthening, ridding terrorism, and meeting strategic opponents in the forms of China and Russia. Waltz’s military background and passion for national defense were bound to complement what Trump was carrying out in the grander contours of defense policies.
4. Lee Zeldin for EPA
A hard-core conservative, former Rep. Lee Zeldin, is the early frontrunner to be Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency. The choice of Zeldin or another like him would suggest that the administration of President Trump intends to continue its deregulatory approach in environmental policy issues while the government reduces the level of its intervention in the energy market.
Zeldin’s view on climate change and energy regulation is the same as Trump’s when he rolled back Obama’s environment-related regulations. There will be an attitude of power for energy independence, comfort from the government’s monopoly over business, and deregulation.
5. Tom Homan for Border Security
As one report states, Tom Homan, former Acting Director of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, or ICE, would preside once more over the nation’s border security. This appointment comes in the right direction promised by President Trump during his campaigns about tough actions on illegal immigration as well as securing the U.S.-Mexico border.
Homan has become infamous as an enforcer of hardline immigration of the undocumented, and the position further solidifies border-wall construction and stricter immigration policies. It is also a reflection of the continued interest of Trump in controlling the U.S. system of immigration.
6. Susie Wiles as White House Chief of Staff
Susie Wiles has been appointed as the new Chief of Staff to the White House for Donald Trump. She managed Trump’s campaign for the 2020 election. Wiles is very experienced in political strategy, and it does bear out Trump’s penchant for putting individuals with direct experience running his campaigns, those that know the nuances of political strategy into White House positions.
The Chief of Staff is one of the most important positions in the executive administration, and he will be moved forward to drive the policy agenda of Trump. Wiles’ leadership from that point would be an important feature of coordinating the administration’s operations and message.
7. Stephen Miller as Deputy Chief of Staff for Policy
Stephen Miller, a hardline immigration adviser to Trump, is widely expected to be named Deputy Chief of Staff for Policy in the White House. Miller played a long time in designing the Trump administration’s immigration policies and is likely to push further plans to crack down on immigration while continuing to advocate for more of the vision set forth by Trump for conservative policies.
Miller’s stamp is also going to be there in places such as immigration, law and order, and national security.
8. Attorney General: Jay Clayton or Bill Hagerty?
Discussion continues over the options for Attorney General, a role that will take a very central position in his political and legal agenda. Former SEC Chairman Jay Clayton appears to have been chosen for the role while Missouri Senator Eric Schmitt, who was believed by many to be the first choice, himself took his name out of contention.
Clayton’s experience in securities and law may make him have an orientation towards a different worldview in terms of the work undertaken, especially with regards to the regulation of corporations and the necessity for legal amendments.
Senator Bill Hagerty, one of the sharpest critics of U.S. aid going to Ukraine, is also said to be in the running, possibly as Attorney General. If appointed, that would mean an even more isolationist foreign policy approach, and certainly on the involvement of the U.S. side in international conflicts.
9. Elon Musk: Informal Powerplay
No official position of responsibility is enjoyed by the tech billionaire and chief of Tesla and SpaceX Elon Musk, but he still wields immense influence within the circle of Trump. If he accepts an official role in the administration or not remains to be known, but his input might prove useful in areas like space exploration, technology policy, and innovation.
Perhaps what is beneficial about the MUSK relationship with Trump is that it might give the administration a high-profile supporter of new industries and technologies.
Conclusion
President-elect Trump’s appointment key officials in new administration reflects more drift towards strictly conservative values as well as a tough stance on immigration issues, national security, and deregulation. Here are some clearly outlined ways to move forward with broadly defines sovereignty of America as well as national interests. That will be had alongside very influential people accompanying him in those top positions to whom he has worked before, including his most trusted friends.
It would be interesting to witness how this team deals with such a high level of politics.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: Who is likely to become Trump’s Secretary of State?
A Florida Senator, Marco Rubio, likely going to become the secretary of state. Marco Rubio will bring his foreign policy experience for this task.
Q2: What roles is Tom Homan likely to play in this new administration?
Former ICE head Tom Homan is also said to be overseeing border safety of the U.S. and implementing Trump’s “tough on immigration” policy.
Q3: Will Elon Musk be part of the cabinet of Trump?
Elon Musk has not been put in any office, but he is widely influential in policies implemented by Trump, especially as far as technological and innovative policies are concerned.
Q4: What does Susie Wiles’ Chief of Staff propose?
Susie Wiles, campaign manager for Trump 2020, is likely to take charge of the core components: policy agenda and the everyday activities of the administration.