Donald Trump has begun to assemble his cabinet after securing a second term in office following his victory in the US presidential election, Reuters reports.
Trump’s early picks reflect his focus on loyalists and individuals aligned with his policies, particularly in defense, national security, trade, and immigration. Notable appointments include:
- Susie Wiles as White House chief of staff, credited with managing an efficient campaign and is expected to bring order to the administration.
- Tom Homan as ICE Director, focusing on border security, immigration enforcement, and deportations.
- Elise Stefanik as UN Ambassador, a staunch Trump supporter and key figure in the House Republican leadership.
- Lee Zeldin as EPA Administrator, tasked with overseeing energy policies aimed at boosting oil and gas production.
- Marco Rubio as Secretary of State, known for his strong foreign policy stance.
- Mike Waltz as National Security Adviser, a retired Army Green Beret with a focus on China and defense issues.
- Kristi Noem as Homeland Security Secretary, overseeing immigration, disaster response, and national security.
- Scott Bessent, Robert Lighthizer, and Howard Lutnick are contenders for Treasury Secretary, with backgrounds in finance, trade, and policy.
- Linda McMahon is a contender as Commerce Secretary, a prominent Trump supporter and former SBA director.
- John Ratcliffe is a potential candidate as CIA director, known for his loyalty to Trump and controversial tenure as director of national intelligence.
- Mike Lee is a contender as Attorney General, a key Trump ally with a history of supporting Trump’s efforts to overturn the 2020 election results.
- Kash Patel is a candidate for national security roles, known for his strong Trump loyalty.
