President-elect Donald Trump has completed his core cabinet appointments by selecting the last few individuals who will lead the federal government’s major agencies.
Ranging from multi-millionaires to former lawmakers, President Trump’s cabinet nominees hail from diverse sectors of America. Here is a list of Trump’s choices:
Susan Wiles- White House Chief of Staff
President-elect Donald Trump’s first cabinet position was given to Susan Wiles, who will serve as the first female chief of staff in history. Wiles, who managed President’s Trump campaign, has had a successful track record helping Republican candidates win their respective races.
Marco Rubio-Secretary of State
Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL) was tapped by Trump to lead the Department of State. Senator Rubio, the son of Cuban exiles, is known for his hawkish China policies and opposition to socialism’s growth across the West.
Pam Bondi-Attorney General
Former Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi was chosen to lead the Department of Justice after Representative Matt Gaetz (R-FL), Trump’s original appointee, removed himself from the appointment process. As reported by The Floridian’s Javier Manjarres, Bondi is very close to Ivanka Trump and other close advisors of the former President, including Susie Wiles, and led the America First Legal group founded by several of Trump's close supporters and advisors.
Howard Lutnick-Department of Commerce
Lutnick is the Chief Executive Officer of billionaire financial services firm Cantor Fitzgerald. In his secretary of commerce role, Lutnick will administer the US foreign trade policy and ensure American companies remain globally competitive, which Trump has promised to achieve through tariffs.
Scott Bessent-US Department of the Treasury
Scott Bessent, a former partner at Soros Fund Management and the founder of Key Square Group has been appointed to head the Treasury Department. Bessent has previously expressed support for Trump’s tariff policies and has been a major Trump donor. As the leader of the Treasury Department, Bessent will set the US government’s fiscal policy.
Linda McMahon-Department of Education
The co-founder of World Wrestling Entertainment, McMahon has been selected to lead the Department of Education. McMahon's role could potentially paradoxically include terminating the department, as Trump has promised he will do during his campaign. Trump’s campaign pledged that, “in connection with totally refocusing schools on succeeding in the world of work, President Trump pledges to close the Department of Education in Washington, D.C. and to send all education work and needs back to the States.”
Robert F. Kennedy Jr- Health and Human Services
Kennedy Jr. was selected to lead the ‘Make America Healthy Again’ movement through the Department of Health and Human Services. Kennedy, who endorsed Trump in the lead-up to the November election, has made health a central focus of his political career.
Kristi Noem-Department of Homeland Security
South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem has previously served in the South Dakota state legislature and the US House of Representatives, and is a rancher, farmer, small business owner, and New York Times bestselling author. Noem has been a fierce critic of President Joe Biden’s immigration policies and previously sent 60 South Dakota national guardsmen to patrol the southern border.
Department of Defense- Pete Hegseth
Hegseth has been a consistent Trump supporter and is an Army veteran who served in Iraq and Afghanistan. Hegseth has claimed he will end progressive military programs and has generally criticized the direction of the Department of Defense, claiming it needs to be reoriented to focus on efficiency and mission execution rather than diversity, equity, and inclusion.
Environmental Protection Agency-Lee Zeldin
For the EPA, Trump selected Lee Zeldin, a former New York Representative and proponent of environmental deregulation. “Zeldin will ensure fair and swift deregulatory decisions that will be enacted in a way to unleash the power of American businesses, while at the same time maintaining the highest environmental standards, including the cleanest air and water on the planet,” said Trump.
Sean Duffy- Department of Transportation
Former US Congressman and Fox News host Sean Duffy will lead the Department of Transportation. Trump has promised Duffy will lead a revival of US infrastructure, adding that Duffy was a “tremendous and well-liked public servant” who will “prioritize Excellence, Competence, Competitiveness, and Beauty when rebuilding America’s highways, tunnels, bridges and airports.”
Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy-Department of Government Efficiency
Musk and Ramaswamy will lead a new department, the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), intended to slash government spending and bureaucracy. Musk and Ramaswamy have both proposed massively reducing the size and scope of the federal government.
John Ratcliffe- Central Intelligence Agency
Trump has also chosen John Ratcliffe, who served as his director of national intelligence from 2020 to 2021, to lead the CIA. Ratcliffe was one of Trump’s strongest defenders during his impeachment trials and his previous experience within the intelligence community makes him a more traditional choice.
Tom Homan-Border czar
Homan was Trump’s Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Director until 2018 and will administer Trump’s immigration policy and enforce border security. “I’ve known Tom for a long time, and there is nobody better at policing and controlling our Borders,” said Trump via Truth Social. “Likewise, Tom Homan will be in charge of all Deportation of Illegal Aliens back to their Country of Origin. Congratulations to Tom. I have no doubt he will do a fantastic, and long-awaited for, job.” It is not yet clear which specific role Homan will fill.
Elise Stefanik- United Nations Ambassador
Representative Elise Stefanik (R-NY), was chosen to lead the US’ mission to the UN. Representative Stefanik’s ambassadorial role will be key for directing President Trump’s foreign policy. Stefanik recently gained popularity through her intense questioning of Ivy-league University presidents following pro-Palestine protests on their campuses in the wake of the October 7th attacks.
Michael Waltz-National Security Advisor
Representative Mike Waltz's role as national security adviser will have him brief President Trump on national security issues, a position that does not require Senate confirmation. The Florida Congressman and former Green Beret has stepped up to bat for Trump in foreign policy multiple times, with his most recent comments coming after a second Iranian plot to assassinate the President-elect was uncovered just before Election Day.
Tulsi Gabbard-Director of National Intelligence
Representative Tulsi Gabbard (R-HI) will lead the Department of National Intelligence, an important role that will set the policy for the US’ intelligence operations. Representative Gabbard has embraced Trump in recent years, proclaiming that the "America First" agenda is the future. Rep. Gabbard formerly served as a member of the Democratic Party where she was the vice-chair of the Democratic National Committee. After finding ideological conflict with the party, she left and registered as an Independent. Earlier this year, she announced that she had registered as a Republican while speaking at a rally for President Trump.
Doug Burgum-Department of Interior
North Dakota Governor Doug Burgum has also been selected to lead the Department of Interior. The Department of Interior is tasked with managing public lands and minerals, national parks, and wildlife refuges. Governor Burgum previously ran for president and eventually endorsed Trump.
Brooke Rollins- US Department of Agriculture
Co-founder and head of the America First Policy Institute, Trump’s flagship think-tank, Brooke Rollins will direct the US Department of Agriculture. Rollins was raised on a farm and graduated from Texas A&M University with a bachelor's in agricultural development. “Thank you, Mr. President, for the opportunity to serve as the next U.S. Secretary of Agriculture,” said Rollins via X. “It will be the honor of my life to fight for America’s farmers and our Nation’s agricultural communities.”
Lori Chávez DeRemer- Labor Secretary
Lori Chávez-DeRemer is a Republican politician and a member of the U.S. House of Representatives, representing Oregon's 5th Congressional District. She was elected in 2022 and took office in January 2023. Chávez-DeRemer has a background in business and public service.
Dr. Mehmet Oz- Centers for Medicare and Medicaid
Trump chose Dr. Oz to manage the Medicare and Medicaid center as well as oversee its over $2.6 trillion budget.
Dr. Oz, a well-known television personality and former heart surgeon, ran for the U.S. Senate in Pennsylvania in 2022 as a Republican candidate, with Trump's endorsement. Trump publicly supported Oz during the Republican primary, endorsing him as the best candidate to win the general election.
Doug Collins- Veterans Affairs
Trump selected veteran and former House of Representatives member Doug Collins to lead the Veterans Affairs administration. During his time in the House of Representatives (2013–2021), Doug Collins served on the House Judiciary Committee. Collins served as a chaplain in the Navy and Air Force.
Marty Makaray- Food and Drug Administration
Dr. Marty Makary, a well-known surgeon and public health expert associated with Johns Hopkins University was appointed by Trump to head the FDA. Dr. Makary is a professor of surgery at Johns Hopkins and also holds positions in public health and health policy. He's widely recognized for his work in the fields of surgery, medical ethics, and healthcare reform.
Chris Wright- Department of Energy
CEO of oil and gas firm Liberty Energy, Chris Wright has been tapped to lead Trump’s department of energy. Trump has heavily campaigned on “unleashing” American energy, a promise Wright is now expected to fulfill. Wright’s criticisms of anti-fossil fuel symbolize his alignment with Trump’s energy plans.
Scott Turner- Department of Housing and Urban Development
The first black man to be appointed to a Republican cabinet and a former National Football League player, Scott Turner will manage Trump’s Department of Housing and Urban Development. Turner ran the White House Opportunity and Revitalization Council during Trump’s first term.
