As Donald Trump returns to the White House on January 20, Republicans will have a majority in the Senate. This means that his Cabinet nominees will likely face an easier path to confirmation, even for those who may have surrounded themselves with controversies.
Among those is Trump's pick for secretary of defense, Fox News personality Pete Hegseth, who is facing headwinds over allegations of sexual misconduct, financial mismanagement and alcohol abuse.
But Hegseth has gone to the Capitol repeatedly to meet with Republican senators to shore up support for his confirmation, and Trump in early December reiterated his support for Hegseth and said support for him among GOP senators is "strong and deep."
Tulsi Gabbard, former Rep., will also be under the microscope as Trump's pick for director of national intelligence. Gabbard is facing renewed scrutiny after the collapse of the regime of former Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. She had taken a trip to Syria in 2017 when she met with Assad. At the time, she defended the meeting, calling it a a "fact-finding mission," but in 2019 she described him as a "brutal dictator," reported CBS News.
Check the full list of all the appointments Trump has announced so far, including the list of Trump's Cabinet picks and other top staff.
Secretary of State: Marco Rubio
Trump has nominated Marco Rubio, 53, of Florida to be secretary of state. Notably, the Florida senator and Trump were rivals in the 2016 republican primaries. Rubio, a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and the top Republican on the Senate Intelligence Committee, is a China hawk with extensive foreign policy experience.
Secretary of the Treasury: Scott Bessent
On November 22, President-elect Donald Trump announced his intention to nominate hedge fund CEO Scott Bessent as Treasury Secretary. Bessent, 62, is the founder of Connecticut-based hedge fund Key Square Group and had been actively lobbying for the position, according to a source closely involved in the transition process.
In a statement, Trump expressed his enthusiasm for the nomination, calling Bessent "widely respected as one of the world's foremost international investors and geopolitical and economic strategists."
Bessent, like Trump, supports the use of tariffs, seeing them as a means to generate revenue and protect American industries. Earlier in his career, Bessent worked for billionaire investor George Soros, a well-known donor to liberal causes, spending nearly a decade with Soros in the 1990s. He eventually served as the executive director of Soros' hedge fund.
Bessent is also openly gay. He and his husband, former New York City prosecutor John Freeman, have two children. If confirmed, Bessent would become the first Senate-confirmed gay Cabinet member in a Republican administration, reported CBS News.
Defense Secretary: Pete Hegseth
Trump appointed Pete Hegseth, 44, co-host of "Fox & Friends weekends," to head the Department of Defence. Peter has spent his entire life as a Warrior for the Troops, and for the Country, Trump said in a statement, "Pete is tough, smart and a true believer in America First. With Pete at the helm, America's enemies are on notice - Our Military will be Great Again, and America will Never Back Down."
Hegseth has a military record as an Army combat veteran who served in Iraq, Afghanistan and Guantanamo Bay.
Attorney General: Pam Bondi
On November 21, the same day Trump's first pick for the job, former GOP Rep. Matt Gaetz of Florida withdrew from consideration as attorney general, the President-elect announced the former attorney general of Florida, Pam Bondi, to be his new nominee.
Bondi, a Trump ally, served two terms as Florida attorney general and was the first woman to win election to the post in 2010.
Secretary of the Interior: Doug Burgum
At a gala at Mar-a-Lago hosted by the America First Policy Institute, Trump announced plans to nominate North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum as Interior Secretary, and will also lead the newly formed National Energy Council.
"He's gonna head the Department of the Interior, and he's gonna be fantastic," Trump said, with Burgum in attendance.
Secretary of Agriculture: Brooke Rollins
Brooke Rollins, who was part of Trump's first administration as director of the Domestic Policy Council, has been selected to lead the Department of Agriculture. She currently serves as president of the America First Policy Institute, a right-leaning think tank.
Secretary of Commerce: Howard Lutnick
Billionaire Howard Lutnick will lead the tariff and trade agenda and will also oversee the Office of the US Trade Representative.
Labor Secretary: Lori Chavez-DeRemer
Rep. Lori Chavez-DeRemer of Oregon, a first-term Republican, has been appointed to head the Department of Labor. Recently, she lost her reelection bid to Democratic challenger Janelle Bynum in Oregon's 5th Congressional District race.
Secretary of Health and Human Services: Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
Robert F. Kennedy Jr. was picked by Trump to lead the Department of Health and Human Services, saying he would take on "industrial food complex and drug companies who have engaged in deception, misinformation, and disinformation," and would "Make America Great and Healthy Again!"
Housing and Urban Development Secretary: Scott Turner
Scott Turner, a former NFL player, is appointed to be the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development. He was part of Trump's first administration as executive director of the White House Opportunity and Revitalization Council.
Transportation Secretary: Sean Duffy
Sean Duffy, former congressman, represented Wisconsin's 7th congressional district from 2011 to 2019, serving on the House Financial Services Committee, and before that, he was district attorney of Ashland County, Wisconsin. After leaving Congress, he joined Fox News as a contributor and now co-hosts a show on Fox Business.
Secretary of Energy: Chris Wright
Trump has selected Liberty Energy CEO Chris Wright to lead the U.S. Department of Energy. Trump said that Wright will serve on the newly-created National Energy Council, which will be chaired by North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum, Trump's selection for secretary of the Interior.
Education Secretary: Linda McMahon
Linda McMahon, a former wrestling executive, led the Small Business Administration during Trump's first term and is co-chair of his 2024 transition team.
Secretary of Veterans Affairs: Doug Collins
Former Republican Rep, and a military veteran, Dough Collins of Georgia to lead the Department of Veterans Affairs.
Secretary of Homeland Security: Kristi Noem
Kristi Noem, South Dakota Governor, who was elected governor in 2018 after serving eight years in the House, endorsed Trump's reelection bid in 2023 and joined him at several campaign rallies.
White House chief of staff: Susie Wiles
Susie Wiles, Trump's campaign co-chair, would be his chief of staff. Wiles, an experienced Florida-based political operative, will be the first woman in U.S. history to fill the role.
Department of Government Efficiency: Elon Musk & Vivek Ramaswamy
Billionaire ally Elon Musk and entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy, a former GOP primary rival, has been appointed to lead a newly created Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), which is also the name of a cryptocurrency Musk has promoted.
Other key roles and positions in Trunp's cabinet and administration
FBI director: Kash Patel
CIA director: John Ratcliffe
Director of National Intelligence: Tulsi Gabbard
"Border czar": Tom Homan
Office of Management and Budget director: Russ Vought
EPA administrator: Lee Zeldin
National security adviser: Michael Waltz
U.N. ambassador: Elise Stefanik
Administrator of the Small Business Administration: Kelly Loeffler
Counsellor to the president: Alina Habba
"Crypto czar": David Sacks
Surgeon general: Dr. Janette Nesheiwat
White House press secretary: Karoline Leavitt
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