Meet Donald Trump’s formidable new Cabinet and others advising him in his second term
On January 20, 2025, Donald Trump would become president of the United States for a second time despite, among other things, suggesting Americans drink bleach in the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic and inspiring a violent attack on the Capitol causing many deaths. When Trump first took office, his Cabinet included relatively mainstream Republicans — like the Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross and Minister of Transport Elaine Chao. Many individuals he appointed to top advisory roles — such as retired Marine Corps generals John Kelly as White House chief of staff and former chairman and CEO of Goldman Sachs Gary Cohn as director of the National Economic Council—also has relevant experience. But this time, Trump is expected to hire almost exclusively people from the far right whose number one standard is total loyalty to him.
Speaking to Fox News shortly after the election, Donald Trump Jr., who are “deeply involved in the transition,” assign that he’s focused on appointing people who won’t speak up if they disagree with his father, saying he’s looking to staff the administration with individuals who “don’t think they know better than the president duly elected by the United States. ”
The most powerful and coveted contracts are clearly the Cabinet positions, which technically require Senate approval. However, many serving in an “acting” capacity during Trump’s term, allowing them to circumvent that requirement. Also, Trump has request that Senate Republicans let him bypass the confirmation process altogether by agreeing to “adjournment appointments.” That thing so scared among at least one staunch conservative, but that doesn’t mean it won’t happen!
To date, Trump’s Cabinet nominees include:
Matt Gaetz, Attorney General
Is this Donald Trump trying to troll? An effort that left millions screaming “What the hell?!” at the same time? An elaborate lowering of standards, so that when he nominates, say, a serial killer, to be a surgeon, people are like “oh, this isn’t that crazy”? It is likely all of the above. In addition to having less experience as an attorney than most law firm associates, Gaetz is currently under investigation by the House Ethics Committee for allegations of sexual misconduct, which he denies.
Interesting fact: In his memoirs, fire brandGaetz wroteof Trump: “The President called me while I was in my car, fast asleep in the middle of the night on the cot at the Longworth Office, on the throne, on an airplane, in a nightclub, and even while passionately (yes, I answered).”
Kristi Noem, Secretary of Homeland Security
Trump tap lightly governor of South Dakota for one of the most important jobs of his administration, pledging to “carry out the largest domestic deportation operation in United States history.” Even though she doesn’t run a border state, Noem has been outspoken about her tough immigration views. She was before call for punishing “sanctuary cities” that protect undocumented immigrants. And last April Noem was prohibited from visiting three separate reservations covering about 10% of South Dakota’s 75,789.6 square mile land area after she declared that Mexican drug cartels “have been successful in recruiting tribal members to join their criminal activities” and that “some tribal leaders… are personally benefiting from the cartels present here”.
Interesting facts: If confirmed, Noem would be the first Secretary of the Interior in history to have one write about led her family dog to a gravel pit and shot it at close range.
Marco Rubio, Foreign Minister
GOP senator who mocked Trump‘s spray tan and hand size during the 2016 presidential race, he became a staunch ally; at one point he was reportedly on Trump’s 2024 shortlist for Vice President.
On Capitol Hill, the Florida congressman is known for his foreign policy hawk. In April, he voted against a $95 billion aid package for Ukraine and, in equally worrying news for the war-torn country, speak The war started by Russia will probably end with a “negotiate settlement” instead of a victory for the country Vladimir Putin invade.
Interesting facts: If things get ugly between Trump and Rubio—as they did with Trump’s first secretary of state, whom he would later call “stupid as a rock” and “lazy as hell”—the incoming president gave him a derogatory nickname: “Little Marco.”
Lee Zeldin, Environmental Protection Agency Administrator
At a time when scientists say we are reaching the point of no return with climate change, Zeldin’s selection is Not a great sign for the planetif one is at all expected. In 2020, the former New York congressman received the worst score on the League of Conservation Voters’ 2020 National Environmental Scorecard of the entire New York delegation; he has a lifetime score of 14% from the environmental advocacy organization. In an interview, he said his priority for “the first day and the first 100 days” is to “roll back regulations.”
Interesting facts: Zeldin voted to overturn the 2020 election results after a mob attacked the Capitol on January 6.
Pete Hegseth, Minister of National Defense
If you’re familiar with the name Pete Hegseth, it’s probably because this guy is a Fox News host and if confirmed, will be the first Fox and friends co-host in US history to become a Cabinet Secretary. Hegseth joined the Minnesota National Guard and later the Army National Guard, serving in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, Iraq and Afghanistan, reaching the rank of major. He ran unsuccessfully for the Senate in 2012 and joined Fox News as a contributor two years later. In 2019, Hegseth according to the report pressed Trump to pardon a number of soldiers accused of war crimes, including war crimes. shoot civilians; Trump ultimately pardoned three individuals. According to New York Times“a former Pentagon official from Mr. Trump’s first term questioned Mr. Hegseth’s lack of experience — beyond serving in the military — and raised concerns about his ability to win approval of the Senate, even when Republicans hold a majority in the chamber.” Days before Trump nominated him, Hegseth speak in an interview, “I’m just saying frankly that we shouldn’t have women in combat roles.”
