- by foxnews
- 31 Jan 2025
Here's a roundup of whom Trump has picked to fill top jobs in his administration:
White House Chief of Staff - Susie WilesU.S. Ambassador to the United Nations - Elise StefanikNational Security Adviser - Michael Waltz "Border Czar" - Tom Homan Ambassador to Israel - Mike Huckabee Environmental Protection Agency Administrator - Lee Zeldin Middle East Envoy - Steven WitkoffWhite House Counsel - William McGinleyCIA Director - John RatcliffeDepartment of Government Efficiency - Elon Musk, Vivek Ramaswamy Secretary of Defense - Pete Hegseth Homeland Security Secretary - Kristi NoemDeputy Chief of Staff - Dan ScavinoDeputy Chief of Staff for Policy and Homeland Security Advisor - Stephen MillerDeputy Chief of Staff for Legislative, Political and Public Affairs - James BlairDeputy Chief of Staff for Communications and Personnel - Taylor BudowichDirector of National Intelligence - Tulsi GabbardSecretary of State - Marco RubioU.S. Attorney General - Matt GaetzSecretary of Health and Human Services - Robert F. Kennedy Jr.U.S. Attorney for Southern District of New York - Jay ClaytonSecretary of Veterans Affairs - Doug CollinsU.S Solicitor General - Dean John SauerDeputy Attorney General - Todd BlancheSecretary of the Interior - Doug BurgumCommunications Director - Steven CheungDirector of Presidential Personnel - Sergio GorPress Secretary - Karoline LeavittAssistant to the President and Staff Secretary - William Owen ScharfSecretary of Energy - Chris WrightChairman of the Federal Communications Commission - Brendan CarrSecretary of Transportation - Sean DuffySecretary of Commerce - Howard LutnickCenters for Medicare and Medicaid Services Administrator - Dr. Mehmet OzSecretary of Education - Linda McMahonAmbassador to NATO - Matthew Whitaker
"Susie is tough, smart, innovative and is universally admired and respected. Susie will continue to work tirelessly to Make America Great Again. It is a well deserved honor to have Susie as the first-ever female Chief of Staff in United States history. I have no doubt that she will make our country proud," Trump said in a statement.
"Mike has been a strong champion of my America First Foreign Policy agenda, and will be a tremendous champion of our pursuit of Peace through Strength!"
Homan has served under six administrations and presidents in both parties, dating back to the Reagan era, as a rank-and-file Border Patrol agent. He was appointed to the position of executive associate director of enforcement and removal operations for ICE under President Obama.
"I've known Tom for a long time, and there is nobody better at policing and controlling our Borders," Trump wrote. "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."
"Mike has been a great public servant, Governor, and Leader in Faith for many years. He loves Israel, and the people of Israel, and likewise, the people of Israel love him", a statement attached to Trump's Truth Social post said. "Mike will work tirelessly to bring about Peace in the Middle East!"
During that race, he called for New York to lift its ban on fracking.
Prior to running for governor, Zeldin served as a U.S. Congressman for eight years. During that time, Zeldin served on the House Foreign Affairs and House Financial Services committees. He also championed infrastructure and research projects like the preservation of Plum Island and Army Corps of Engineers initiatives.
In his announcement, Trump said that Witkoff would be an "unrelenting Voice for PEACE" in the highly-contentious region.
In 2020, he was awarded the National Security Medal, the nation's highest honor for distinguished achievement in the field of intelligence and national security.
Trump said that the pair will work together to "dismantle Government Bureaucracy, slash excess regulations, cut wasteful expenditures, and restructure Federal Agencies."
"It will become, potentially, 'The Manhattan Project' of our time," the announcement on Tuesday evening said. "Republican politicians have dreamed about the objectives of 'DOGE' for a very long time."
Trump nominated Hegseth to lead the Department of Defense. He would need to be confirmed by the Senate to assume the position. Hegseth has long championed a strong military and veterans causes.
He served in Iraq and Afghanistan as an Army infantry officer, being awarded two Bronze Stars and the Combat Infantryman's Badge. Hegseth was a host on "FOX & Friends Weekend" and FOX Nation until his last day on Tuesday.
"Nobody fights harder for the Troops, and Pete will be a courageous and patriotic champion of our 'Peace through Strength' policy," Trump said.
DHS oversees U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, the U.S. Secret Service and the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
"She was the first Governor to send National Guard Soldiers to help Texas fight the Biden Border Crisis, and they were sent a total of eight times," the Trump transition team said in a statement on Tuesday. "She will work closely with 'Border Czar' Tom Homan to secure the Border, and will guarantee that our American Homeland is secure from our adversaries."
Trump announced that his longtime aide Dan Scavino Jr. will return to the White House as an assistant to the president and deputy chief of staff.
"Scavino was a Trump Campaign Senior Advisor and remains one of President Trump's longest serving and most trusted aides," the Trump transition team said.
Trump announced Stephen Miller would serve as deputy chief of staff for policy in his administration. Miller was a senior adviser in Trump's first term. He helped craft many of Trump's hard-line speeches and plans on immigration.
Miller has advocated for mass deportations during the second Trump term.
Trump announced James Blair would serve in the White House as an assistant to the president and deputy chief of staff for legislative, political and public affairs.
"Blair was the Trump Campaign and Republican National Committee Political Director, managing hundreds of staff and overseeing a wide portfolio of political operations and programs," the Trump transition team said.
Blair was in charge of the Trump campaign's get-out-the-vote operations in key battleground states, which Trump swept on Election Day.
Trump announced that Taylor Budowich will join him in the White House as an assistant to the president and deputy chief of staff for communications and personnel.
"Prior to joining the Trump Campaign, Budowich served in a senior role in President Trump's Leadership PAC, Save America, and as CEO of the pro-Trump Super PAC, MAGA Inc.," the Trump transition team said.
"Dan, Stephen, James, and Taylor were 'best in class' advisors on my winning campaign, and I know they will honorably serve the American people in the White House," Trump said in a statement announcing his senior campaign aides would be promoted to the White House. "They will continue to work hard to Make America Great Again in their respective new roles."
The cabinet-level position involves overseeing the intelligence community and advising Trump and the National Security Council on intelligence matters. Gabbard is an Iraq War veteran and a U.S. Army reservist.
"As a former Candidate for the Democrat Presidential Nomination, she has broad support in both Parties - She is now a proud Republican!" Trump said in a statement. "I know Tulsi will bring the fearless spirit that has defined her illustrious career to our Intelligence Community, championing our Constitutional Rights, and securing Peace through Strength. Tulsi will make us all proud!"
President-elect Donald Trump nominated Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., to serve as his Secretary of State.
"It is my Great Honor to announce that Senator Marco Rubio, of Florida, is hereby nominated to be The United States Secretary of State. Marco is a Highly Respected Leader, and a very powerful Voice for Freedom," Trump said in a statement. "He will be a strong Advocate for our Nation, a true friend to our Allies, and a fearless Warrior who will never back down to our adversaries."
If confirmed, Gaetz will oversee the Department of Justice after Trump's inauguration in January.
"Matt is a deeply gifted and tenacious attorney, trained at the William & Mary College of Law, who has distinguished himself in Congress through his focus on achieving desperately needed reform at the Department of Justice," the president-elect said in Truth Social post. "Few issues in America are more important than ending the partisan Weaponization of our Justice System."
"He is a Champion for the Constitution and the Rule of Law," the post concluded.
Trump named his personal criminal defense attorney Todd Blanche as deputy attorney general. The president-elect said that the 50-year-old lawyer has experience prosecuting gangs - as well as representing Trump in his 2024 criminal trial in New York.
"I am pleased to announce that Todd Blanche will serve as Deputy Attorney General in my Administration. Todd is an excellent attorney who will be a crucial leader in the Justice Department, fixing what has been a broken System of Justice for far too long," Trump announced in a news release.
Trump announced he will tap former 2024 Democratic presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to lead the Department of Health and Human Services.
"I am thrilled to announce Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as The United States Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS). For too long, Americans have been crushed by the industrial food complex and drug companies who have engaged in deception, misinformation, and disinformation when it comes to Public Health," Trump said in his announcement Thursday.
"The Safety and Health of all Americans is the most important role of any Administration, and HHS will play a big role in helping ensure that everybody will be protected from harmful chemicals, pollutants, pesticides, pharmaceutical products, and food additives that have contributed to the overwhelming Health Crisis in this Country. Mr. Kennedy will restore these Agencies to the traditions of Gold Standard Scientific Research, and beacons of Transparency, to end the Chronic Disease epidemic, and to Make America Great and Healthy Again!" Trump added.
"I am pleased to announce that Jay Clayton, of New York, the Chairman of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission during my first term, where he did an incredible job, is hereby nominated to be the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York," Trump wrote in a post on Truth Social. "Jay is a highly respected business leader, counsel, and public servant.
"Jay is going to be a strong Fighter for the Truth as we, Make America Great Again," the president-elect added.
"Doug is a Veteran himself, who currently serves our Nation as a Chaplain in the United States Air Force Reserve Command, and fought for our Country in the Iraq War," Trump wrote on Truth Social. "We must take care of our brave men and women in uniform, and Doug will be a great advocate for our Active Duty Servicemembers, Veterans, and Military Families to ensure they have the support they need.
"Thank you, Doug, for your willingness to serve our country in this very important role," the president-elect added.
Trump announced Dean John Sauer as his pick for U.S. solicitor general.
"John is a deeply accomplished, masterful appellate attorney, who clerked for Justice Antonin Scalia in the United States Supreme Court, served as Solicitor General of Missouri for six years, and has extensive experience practicing before the U.S. Supreme Court and other Appellate Courts," Trump said in the announcement.
Sauer served as solicitor general of Missouri from 2017 to 2023, and represented Trump in his successful appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court in Trump v. United States.
President-elect Trump announced that North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum will lead the Department of the Interior during a speech at the Americans for Prosperity Gala at Mar-a-Lago.
Burgum, a multi-millionaire former software company CEO turned two-term governor, launched a White House bid in June 2023. The governor made energy and natural resources a key part of his campaign for the GOP nomination.
After he dropped out of the race, Burgum became a high profile surrogate for the former president, appearing on the campaign trail and in media hits on Trump's behalf. He was in consideration as Trump's running mate this past summer before Sen. JD Vance of Ohio was picked as the Republican Party's vice presidential nominee.
Trump announced Friday, Nov. 15, that Steven Cheung would return to the White House as assistant to the president and director of communications. Cheung previously served as communications director for the Trump-Vance campaign and was the White House director of strategic response in Trump's first term.
"Steven Cheung and Sergio Gor have been trusted Advisors since my first Presidential Campaign in 2016, and have continued to champion America First principles throughout my First Term, all the way to our HIstoric Victory in 2024," Trump said in a statement. "I am thrilled to have them join my White House, as we Make America Great Again!"
"Karoline Leavitt did a phenomenal job as the National Press Secretary on my Historic Campaign, and I am pleased to announce she will serve as White House Press Secretary," Trump said in a statement Friday evening.
"Karoline is smart, tough, and has proven to be a highly effective communicator. I have the utmost confidence she will excel at the podium, and help deliver our message to the American People as we, Make America Great Again."
Leavitt, 27, will be the youngest White House press secretary in U.S. history, unseating Nixon administration press secretary Ron Ziegler, who was 29 when he served in the role from 1969-1974.
William Owen Scharf, one of Trump's lawyers, will serve as Assistant to the President and Staff Secretary starting in January.
In a statement on Saturday, the President-elect wrote that Scharf "is a highly skilled attorney who will be a crucial part of my White House team."
"[Scharf] has played a key role in defeating the Election Interference and Lawfare waged against me, including by winning the Historic Immunity Decision in the Supreme Court," Trump's statement read.
"I am thrilled to announce that Chris Wright will be joining my Administration as both United States Secretary of Energy, and Member of the newly formed Council of National Energy," Trump's statement read, adding that Wright "has been a leading technologist and entrepreneur in Energy."
Wright graduated from MIT with a degree in mechanical engineering, according to Liberty Energy's website. He also completed graduate work in electrical engineering at University of California, Berkeley and MIT.
"[Wright] is a self-described tech nerd turned entrepreneur and a dedicated humanitarian on a mission to better human lives by expanding access to abundant, affordable, and reliable energy," the company's website reads.
"Commissioner Carr currently serves as the senior Republican on the FCC. Before that, he was the FCC's General Counsel," Trump's statement read. "I first nominated Commissioner Carr to the FCC in 2017, and he has been confirmed unanimously by the United States Senate three times."
As a current member of the FCC, Carr recently called out "Saturday Night Live" for platforming Kamala Harris without inviting Trump, which violates FCC rules.
"NBC has structured this in a way that's plainly designed to evade the FCC's rules," Carr said to Fox News Digital. "We're talking 50 hours before Election Day starts, without any notice to other candidates, as far as I can tell."
"Sean has been a tremendous and well-liked public servant, starting his career as a District Attorney for Ashland, Wisconsin, and later elected to the U.S. House of Representatives for Wisconsin's 7th Congressional District," Trump said in his announcement on Monday. "Sean will use his experience and the relationships he has built over many years in Congress to maintain and rebuild our Nation's Infrastructure, and fulfill our Mission of ushering in The Golden Age of Travel, focusing on Safety, Efficiency, and Innovation. Importantly, he will greatly elevate the Travel Experience for all Americans!"
While in Congress, Duffy helped advocate for fiscal responsibility, economic growth and rural development.
Duffy joined FOX News Media as a contributor in 2020. He currently serves as the co-host of FOX Business' The Bottom Line alongside Dagen McDowell. He also provides political analysis across all FOX News Media platforms.
"I am thrilled to announce that Howard Lutnick, Chairman & CEO of Cantor Fitzgeral, will join my Administration as the United States Secretary of Commerce," Trump said in a statement. "He will lead our Tariff and Trade agenda, with additional direct responsibility for the Office of the United States Trade Representative."
"In his role as Co-Chair of the Trump-Vance Transition Team, Howard has created the most sophisticated process and system to assist us in creating the greatest Administration America has ever seen," Trump's statement added.
"America is facing a Healthcare Crisis, and there may be no Physician more qualified and capable than Dr. Oz to Make America Healthy Again," Trump said in a Truth Social post. "He is an eminent Physician, Heart Surgeon, Inventor, and World-Class Communicator, who has been at the forefront of healthy living for decades."
His announcement, which was posted on Truth Social, came hours after two sources told Fox News that McMahon was likely to be picked. Trump cited the businesswoman's expertise when he made the announcement.
"Linda will use her decades of Leadership experience, and deep understanding of both Education and Business, to empower the next Generation of American Students and Workers, and make America Number One in Education in the World," Trump's statement read. "We will send Education BACK TO THE STATES, and Linda will spearhead that effort."
Trump described Whitaker, who is from Iowa, as "a strong warrior and loyal Patriot, who will ensure the United States' interests are advanced and defended."
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