After defeating Kamala Harris in the election, Donald Trump swiftly began announcing his new cabinet. The first pick was Susie Wiles, his campaign chief, who has been appointed as the White House Chief of Staff. Navigating the White House Landscape
Donald Trump achieved a decisive victory against Vice President Kamala Harris in the US election. Without wasting any time, he has promptly begun outlining significant appointments for his forthcoming Cabinet, drawing on the support of aides and allies who fervently endorsed him throughout the 2024 presidential campaign.
Under Trump’s leadership in the White House, coupled with the Republican Party’s significant dominance in both houses of the US Congress, he has emerged as one of the most influential presidents in American history. This influence is characterized not only by his bold policy initiatives but also by his strategic appointments of trusted associates to critical roles within his administration.
Trump has already declared that he would neither offer his former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo or former UN Ambassador Nikki Haley a position in his upcoming administration. Before losing and eventually supporting Trump, Haley, the Republican leader of Indian descent, was a fierce competitor for the presidential nomination.
In October, Trump stated during an episode of ‘The Joe Rogan Experience’ that the “biggest mistake” of his prior presidency was the selection of “bad, disloyal people” for his administration. His anticipated second term is expected to differ significantly from the previous one, as he plans to appoint loyalists to critical positions. Additionally, the President-elect has requested a bypass of Senate confirmation for his appointees.
Here is the compilation of Trump’s selections for significant positions to date
- Susan Wiles, Chief of Staff at the White House
Susie Wiles has held the position of senior campaign manager for the Republican frontrunner in the 2024 presidential election and is set to make history as the first woman to assume the role of White House Chief of Staff. Often referred to as the “ice maiden,” Wiles brings with her decades of experience in American politics, having previously contributed to former President Ronald Reagan’s campaign in 1980. She is recognized for orchestrating a dynamic campaign for Trump that successfully engaged a portion of Black and Latino voters, contributing to his electoral success.
With her appointment as President-elect Donald Trump’s incoming White House chief of staff, seasoned political strategist Susie Wiles transitions from her largely behind-the-scenes role as campaign co-chair to the prominent position of the president’s chief adviser and counsellor. She has largely shunned the limelight, even choosing not to address the crowd as Trump marked his victory in the early hours of Wednesday.
- Pete Hegseth, Secretary of Defence
Pete Hegseth, a host on Fox News and a veteran of the Army, has been appointed to the prestigious position of Secretary of Defense in President Trump’s administration. His selection came as a surprise, as he was not previously regarded as a frontrunner for the role among Pentagon officials. President Trump praised Hegseth, describing him as “tough, smart, and a true believer in America First.”
Pete Hegseth is a veteran of the military and a well-known conservative media figure who has garnered a substantial following. Since joining Fox News in 2014, the 44-year-old Hegseth has co-hosted the program “Fox & Friends Weekend” on the Fox News Channel and serves as a host for Fox Nation. Additionally, he has written several books, one of which received personal praise from former President Trump.
- Stephen Miller, Deputy Chief of Policy
Miller, a longstanding associate of Trump and a staunch advocate for strict immigration policies, has been designated as the deputy chief of policy in the new administration. He previously held a position during Trump’s first term and has played a pivotal role in shaping numerous policy decisions, especially regarding immigration, as well as in drafting Trump’s stringent speeches.
Since departing from the White House, Miller has taken on the role of president at America First Legal, an organization comprised of former Trump advisors designed to function as a conservative counterpart to the American Civil Liberties Union. This organization actively contests the Biden administration, media corporations, universities, and various other entities on matters related to freedom of speech, religious liberties, and national security.
- Kristi Noem, Secretary of Homeland Security
Kristi Noem, Governor of South Dakota, has been appointed as the Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security. In this new role, she will lead the agency alongside two prominent figures known for their strict immigration policies, Stephen Miller and Tom Homan, who are expected to hold senior positions. A steadfast supporter of former President Trump, Noem has committed to enhancing border security and ensuring the safety of American communities.
Noem has consistently opposed the immigration policies put in place by the Biden administration. The department underwent considerable turmoil during Trump’s prior term. She is now tasked with overseeing a large agency that includes multiple entities, such as US Customs and Border Protection, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, the Federal Emergency Management Agency, and the US Secret Service.
- Lee Zeldin, Environmental Protection Agency
In light of apprehensions regarding Trump’s climate change policies, he appointed New York Representative Lee Zeldin to head the Environmental Protection Agency. At 44 years of age, Zeldin has committed to reinstating the United States’ energy supremacy, rejuvenating the automotive sector to enhance employment opportunities, and positioning America as the worldwide leader in Artificial Intelligence.
Zeldin, similar to many others, has been a longstanding advocate for Trump; however, he lacks significant experience in environmental matters. Trump stated that Zeldin will “guarantee equitable and prompt deregulatory actions that will be implemented to unlock the potential of American enterprises, all while upholding the highest environmental standards, which encompass the cleanest air and water globally.”
- Elise Stefanik, UN Ambassador
Elise Stefanik, the youngest woman ever elected to the United States Congress, has been appointed by Trump as the United Nations ambassador. The congresswoman from New York has consistently been one of Trump’s most ardent supporters within Congress and has held the position of House Republican Conference chair since 2021, making her the third-highest official in-House leadership.
If she is confirmed, she will advocate for American interests at the United Nations, aligning with Trump’s commitment to address the conflict initiated by Russia against Ukraine in 2022. Stefanik has also expressed criticism of the UN for its inadequate support of Israel in its conflict with Hamas. Her inquiries directed at university presidents regarding antisemitism on their campuses resulted in the resignation of two of those leaders.
- Elon Musk, Vivek Ramaswamy: Department of Government Efficiency
Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy have been appointed by Trump to spearhead the newly established ‘Department of Government Efficiency.’ This initiative is designed to eliminate bureaucratic obstacles, reduce government expenditures, and reorganize federal agencies. Trump has compared this effort to the ‘Manhattan Project,’ asserting that it will foster an entrepreneurial mindset within the forthcoming administration.
This newly established department will offer counsel and support from external sources and collaborate with the White House to implement extensive structural reforms. Trump indicated that the department’s efforts are expected to be completed by July 4, 2026, with the aim of enhancing the quality of life for all Americans. He has previously suggested significant positions for Tesla CEO Musk and entrepreneur Ramaswamy, who has Indian heritage.
- John Ratcliffe, Director of Central Intelligence Agency (CIA)
John Ratcliffe has been appointed as the new Director of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) in the incoming administration of President Trump. This announcement effectively eliminates the prospect of Kashyap ‘Kash’ Patel, a former Republican House staffer of Indian descent, being selected for the position. Ratcliffe, a staunch ally of Trump, was designated as the leading intelligence official in the United States in 2020.
He had earlier faced accusations from Democrats and former intelligence officials regarding the declassification of intelligence intended for Trump’s use in targeting adversaries, including Biden, who was his opponent in the presidential election. Ratcliffe refuted these allegations. Trump praised him as a “fearless advocate for the Constitutional Rights” of the nation’s citizens.
- Tom Homan, Border Czar
Thomas D. Homan, who previously served as the acting director of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), was designated as the “border czar” during the second term of the Trump administration. The President-elect demonstrated his trust in Homan’s capability to effectively remove “illegal aliens” from the United States. A steadfast supporter of Trump, Homan aligns with the administration’s perspective on illegal immigration and has committed to executing the “largest deportation operation” in the nation.
During Trump’s initial term, Homan implemented a “zero tolerance” immigration policy that resulted in the separation of families during detention and deportation processes. He has expressed criticism towards Joe Biden’s administration for permitting millions of undocumented immigrants to enter the nation and has advocated for stringent enforcement measures. Nevertheless, Homan emphasized that deportations would be carried out in a “humane manner.”
- Mike Waltz, National Security Adviser
Donald Trump appointed Mike Waltz, a retired officer of the National Guard and a three-term Republican congressman representing east-central Florida, to the position of National Security Adviser in the United States. Waltz has garnered recognition for his strong stance on China, frequently voicing apprehensions regarding its aggressive actions in the Indo-Pacific region. Additionally, he serves as the co-chair of the bipartisan congressional India Caucus, advocating for enhanced defense and security collaboration with India.
In this role, Waltz will be tasked with informing Trump about critical national security matters and collaborating with various agencies. He will be at the centre of numerous issues, including the ongoing conflicts in Gaza and Ukraine, as well as the increasing concerns regarding the strengthening partnership between Russia and North Korea.
- William McGinley, White House Counsel
Veteran Republican attorney William Joseph McGinley has been appointed as the new White House counsel. In a statement, Trump remarked, “Bill is a smart and tenacious lawyer who will assist me in promoting our America First agenda while advocating for election integrity and opposing the weaponization of law enforcement.”
McGinley previously held the position of White House Cabinet secretary during the initial phase of Trump’s first term. In this influential role, he will serve as a primary adviser, providing essential guidance to the president. However, Trump’s approach has led to his former White House counsel’s becoming key witnesses in various federal investigations, including McGinley’s long-time associate and Trump’s inaugural White House Counsel, Don McGahn.
