Following his election victory, President-elect Donald Trump is preparing to return to the White House and has already made two prominent decisions about his upcoming Cabinet.
On Thursday, Trump announced Susie Wiles as his new chief of staff, marking the first time a woman has held this role in his administration.
Trump also confirmed Saturday that former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley and former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo would not be part of his initial administration team. “I will not be inviting former Ambassador Nikki Haley or former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo to join the Trump Administration, which is currently in formation,” Trump posted on Truth Social, expressing gratitude for their past service.
There is also speculation about the involvement of high-profile allies such as Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who recently endorsed Trump, and Elon Musk, who contributed more than $118 million to support Trump’s campaign. Trump previously mentioned his intention to give Musk a cost-efficiency role within his administration and hinted at providing Kennedy with a leading position on health issues.
With a Republican-majority Senate, Trump expects minimal resistance in confirming his Cabinet choices. Here are some possible candidates for key roles.
Potential Secretary of State Nominees
As the President’s chief foreign affairs advisor, the Secretary of State plays a pivotal role in diplomacy and international relations. Here are the individuals reportedly under consideration:
- Richard Grenell: Known as a close advisor on foreign policy matters, Grenell has a strong relationship with Trump, who reportedly refers to him as “my envoy.” Grenell was present at a private meeting between Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy.
- Bill Hagerty: A senator from Tennessee with a background on Trump’s 2016 transition team, Hagerty has taken a firm stance on China and is well-positioned for Senate confirmation, especially due to his role on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.
- Robert O’Brien: Trump’s former national security advisor, O’Brien has remained connected with Trump and recently met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. His approach to NATO and Ukraine is somewhat more favorable than other contenders.
- Marco Rubio: The senator from Florida, who shares similar foreign policy views with Trump, was previously considered for the 2024 vice-presidential spot and would likely face an uncomplicated Senate approval process.
Potential Treasury Secretary Nominees
The Treasury Secretary oversees the nation’s financial and economic policy. Here are some of the candidates being discussed:
- Scott Bessent: A seasoned hedge fund investor and one of the leading candidates, Bessent recently met with Trump.
- John Paulson: As the founder of Paulson & Co., Paulson is a strong contender for the role and has expressed interest in working alongside Musk to reduce government spending.
- Larry Kudlow: Known for his role as the former director of the National Economic Council, Kudlow has been a visible supporter of Trump’s policies and has close ties with Trump’s economic agenda.
- Robert Lighthizer: A former trade representative under Trump, Lighthizer is well-known for implementing tariffs and managing key negotiations with China, Canada, and Mexico.
Potential Attorney General Nominees
Given Trump’s ongoing critiques of the Justice Department, his choice for Attorney General is expected to be highly loyal. Here are a few names under consideration:
- Sen. Mike Lee: The Utah senator is reportedly a prominent choice.
- John Ratcliffe: A former director of National Intelligence and a former House representative from Texas.
- Jeffrey Clark: Former assistant attorney general.
- U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannon: Known for her rulings on Trump’s classified documents case.
- Mike Davis: Former counsel on the Senate Judiciary Committee.
- Mark Paoletta: A longtime congressional and White House counsel.
- Stephen Miller: A former senior advisor in Trump’s administration.
Overview of Cabinet Positions
The Cabinet’s primary function is to advise the President on matters related to their areas of responsibility. Each of these key positions, ranging from Secretary of State to Secretary of Treasury, requires Senate confirmation. Additional advisers in the administration include roles such as the vice president, U.N. ambassador, director of National Intelligence, and other agency heads who work closely with the President on policy and administrative tasks
