Here Are the New Members of Donald Trump’s Administration So Far

President-elect Donald Trump has already begun building out a team to serve in his second term. 

Trump’s new administration is expected to look different from his first—he said in an October interview that the “biggest mistake” of his first term was choosing “bad, disloyal people” to join his administration. Donald Trump Jr. said in mid-November, after several unconventional choices had already been made, that pushback from the Washington establishment simply reflects his father fulfilling a campaign promise to appoint “actual disruptors—that’s what the American people want.” Many of the roles will need to be confirmed by the Senate—though Trump has demanded that Republican leadership let him bypass the typical confirmation process.

Here are the key appointments, nominations, and staffing decisions announced by Trump’s transition team, in a list that will continue to be updated.

Brooke Rollins, Secretary of Agriculture

Trump has tapped Brooke Rollins, the cofounder and CEO of the America First Policy Institute, to head the Department of Agriculture. The Wall Street Journal reported that her nomination was unexpected, given other candidates had relatively deeper agricultural background, though Rollins has a degree in agricultural development. Rollins served during Trump’s first term as director of the Office of American Innovation and acting director of the Domestic Policy Council. 

“From her upbringing in the small and Agriculture-centered town of Glen Rose, Texas, to her years of leadership involvement with Future Farmers of America and 4H, to her generational Family Farming background, to guiding her four kids in their show cattle careers, Brooke has a practitioner’s experience, along with deep Policy credentials in both Nonprofit and Government leadership at the State and National levels,” Trump said in a statement announcing his pick.

Scott Turner, Secretary of Housing and Urban Development 

Trump has nominated former NFL player Scott Turner to lead the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and address the country’s housing affordability crisis. Currently, Turner serves as chair of Center for Education Opportunity at the America First Policy Institute. During Trump’s first term, Turner served as executive director of the White House Opportunity and Revitalization Council, overseeing federal opportunity zones, which attempt to spur economic growth and job creation in low-income communities while providing tax benefits to investors. His work there “help[ed] to lead an Unprecedented Effort that Transformed our Country’s most distressed communities,” Trump said in a statement announcing Turner’s nomination.

Marty Makary, Food and Drug Administration commissioner

Trump has selected Dr. Marty Makary, a surgical oncologist at Johns Hopkins University, to serve as commissioner for the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). If confirmed by the Senate, he will work closely with Trump’s Health Secretary-designate Robert F. Kennedy Jr., whose nomination Makary recently voiced support for.

In his statement on Makary’s nomination, Trump vowed that Kennedy Jr. and Makary would “properly evaluate harmful chemicals poisoning our Nation's food supply and drugs and biologics being given to our Nation's youth, so that we can finally address the Childhood Chronic Disease Epidemic.”

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Makary became an outspoken voice against vaccine mandates, calling them a “complete dismissal of natural immunity.”

Dave Weldon, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention director

Trump has chosen physician, veteran, and former congressman Dave Weldon (R-Fla.) to run the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). In his announcement of his pick, Trump emphasized Weldon’s work to ban patents on human embryos (used in stem cell research) in Congress, and wrote that Weldon has “American Family Values” and will prioritize “Transparency, Competence and High Standards” at the CDC. 

While in Congress, in 2007 Weldon introduced a bill that would move responsibility for vaccine safety research from the CDC to an independent agency within the Department of Health and Human Services. (CDC director will now require Senate confirmation after new legislation.)

Read More: Who Decides Who Leads U.S. Health Agencies?

Alex Wong, deputy national security advisor

Trump is bringing back Alex Wong, a former deputy special representative for North Korea and deputy assistant secretary for North Korea in the State Department’s bureau of East Asian and Pacific affairs during Trump’s first term, to be part of his senior national security staff in his second term. In his announcement, Trump said that Wong helped negotiate his summit with North Korea’s Supreme Leader Kim Jong Un and that Wong led the State Department’s implementation of the Free and Open Indo-Pacific Strategy.

Read More: How Asia Is Bracing for Trump’s Second Term

Sebastian Gorka, senior director for counterterrorism

Another White House alum returning for Trump’s second term is conservative media commentator Sebastian Gorka, whom the President-elect picked to be a deputy assistant and the senior director for counterterrorism. Born to Hungarian parents in the U.K., Gorka is a “tireless advocate for the America First Agenda and the MAGA Movement,” Trump said in his statement announcing Gorka’s position.

Gorka served as a strategist in Trump’s first term, leaving the post in August 2017 following the arrival of then chief of staff John Kelly and the ouster of Steve Bannon, whom Gorka was closely aligned with. Gorka is known for his incendiary remarks against Islam and its followers, and he is reportedly “widely disdained” within his field, even among fellow conservatives. The Washington Post reported that Michael Anton, a former communications and national security official in Trump’s first administration, removed himself from contention for a deputy national security adviser role in the second term after learning he would have to work with Gorka.

John Bolton, Trump’s former national security adviser turned critic, called Gorka a “con man” in an interview on CNN.

Janette Nesheiwat, Surgeon General

Trump nominated physician and Fox News contributor Janette Nesheiwat to be the next Surgeon General, a key health information leader for the public and public health officers. Currently, Nesheiwat serves as one of the medical directors of CityMD, a network of urgent care centers in New York and New Jersey. Her sister, Julia Nesheiwat, served as homeland security advisor during Trump’s first term, and Julia’s husband, Mike Waltz, is a Republican congressman from Florida who has been tapped to serve as Trump’s national security advisor.

“Dr. Nesheiwat is a fierce advocate and strong communicator for preventive medicine and public health,” Trump said in a statement. “She is committed to ensuring that Americans have access to affordable, quality healthcare, and believes in empowering individuals to take charge of their health to live longer, healthier lives.”

Lori Chavez-DeRemer, Secretary of Labor

Trump has tapped outgoing congresswoman Lori Chavez-DeRemer (R-Ore.) to run the Labor Department. Chavez-DeRemer narrowly lost her re-election bid earlier this month. During her time in Congress she was one of only a few House Republicans to support the PRO Act, a major pro-union bill, and she also served on the Education and the Workforce Committee.

Chavez-DeRemer has support from key labor unions and figures including Teamsters president and Trump supporter Sean O’Brien. The AFL-CIO, however, gave her a lifetime score of 10%, with regards to her support for pro-union legislation. Multiple business groups have signaled their opposition to Trump’s choice of DeRemer.

“Lori’s strong support from both the Business and Labor communities will ensure that the Labor Department can unite Americans of all backgrounds behind our Agenda for unprecedented National Success - Making America Richer, Wealthier, Stronger and more Prosperous than ever before,” Trump said in a statement announcing DeRemer’s nomination.

Russell Vought, Office of Management and Budget director

Trump announced that he will nominate Russell Vought, a contributor to the conservative presidential transition playbook Project 2025 that Trump distanced himself from during his campaign, to once again be the director of the Office of Management and Budget. “He did an excellent job serving in this role in my First Term,” Trump said in a statement, adding, “Russ knows exactly how to dismantle the Deep State and end Weaponized Government, and he will help us return Self Governance to the People. We will restore fiscal sanity to our Nation, and unleash the American People to new levels of Prosperity and Ingenuity.”\

Scott Bessent, Secretary of the Treasury

Trump has appointed hedge fund manager Scott Bessent to run the Treasury Department in his second-term administration. Bessent is the founder and CEO of hedge fund firm Key Square Group and previously supported Democrats before turning to support Republican candidates and eventually Trump, though he was not in Trump’s orbit during his first term. Bessent is known to support tariffs and has also backed extending the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017. He would also be the country’s first openly gay Treasury Secretary.

“As a lifelong Champion of Main Street America and American Industry, Scott will support my Policies that will drive U.S. Competitiveness, and stop unfair Trade imbalances, work to create an Economy that places Growth at the forefront, especially through our coming World Energy Dominance,” Trump wrote in a statement announcing Bessent’s nomination.

Read More: Why CEOs Are Cheering Donald Trump’s Pick for Treasury Secretary

Pam Bondi, Attorney General

Trump has tapped former Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi to run the Department of Justice, replacing his earlier nominee, former Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.), who withdrew from consideration after facing scrutiny over alleged sexual misconduct involving at least one minor.

Bondi, a longtime Trump loyalist, served on the executive committee of his 2016 transition team, and during Trump’s first term, she was a member of Trump’s first-impeachment defense team. Since 2021, she has led the legal arm of the America First Policy Institute, a think tank formed to promote Trump’s agenda and plan for his second term.

“For too long, the partisan Department of Justice has been weaponized against me and other Republicans - Not anymore,” Trump said in a statement announcing Bondi’s nomination. “Pam will refocus the DOJ to its intended purpose of fighting Crime, and Making America Safe Again. I have known Pam for many years — She is smart and tough, and is an AMERICA FIRST Fighter, who will do a terrific job as Attorney General!”

Trump had previously nominated Gaetz for the role of U.S. Attorney General, prompting Gaetz to resign from Congress ahead of the release of an ethics probe that was then put on hold. (It’s not yet clear whether the committee’s report will be made public. Gaetz has denied any wrongdoing.) But the allegations followed Gaetz, who is deeply unpopular among many members of his own party, and in a post on X, he announced: “It is clear that my confirmation was unfairly becoming a distraction to the critical work of the Trump/Vance Transition. There is no time to waste on a needlessly protracted Washington scuffle, thus I'll be withdrawing my name from consideration to serve as Attorney General. Trump's DOJ must be in place and ready on Day 1.”

In a post on Truth Social after Gaetz announced his withdrawal, Trump said he “greatly appreciate[s]” Gaetz’s efforts to get Senate approval but “has much respect” for his decision to step aside.

Pete Hoekstra, ambassador to Canada

Trump has nominated former congressman Peter Hoekstra (R-Mich.) to become the U.S. ambassador to Canada. Hoekstra served during Trump’s first term as the ambassador to the Netherlands and was a prominent campaign supporter as chair of the Michigan Republican Party. “In my Second Term, Pete will help me once again put AMERICA FIRST,” Trump said in a statement announcing his pick.

Matt Whitaker, NATO ambassador

Trump has named former acting Attorney General Matt Whitaker to become the country’s ambassador to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). In his statement announcing his pick, Trump said Whitaker is “a strong warrior and loyal Patriot, who will ensure the United States' interests are advanced and defended. Matt will strengthen relationships with our NATO Allies, and stand firm in the face of threats to Peace and Stability - He will put AMERICA FIRST.” Trump has shown dubious commitment to the military alliance, criticizing other members for not contributing as much as the U.S.

Whitaker, a former U.S. attorney in Iowa who was Attorney General Jeff Sessions’ chief of staff until Trump fired Sessions and elevated Whitaker, has not previously served in a role focused on foreign policy. He is, however, a close ally of the President-elect, having vocally criticized special counsel Robert Mueller’s investigation of Russian interference in the 2016 election and having come to Trump’s defense during his first impeachment proceedings, claiming: “Abuse of power is not a crime.”

Linda McMahon, Secretary of Education

Trump has tapped his first-term Small Business Administration (SBA) administrator Linda McMahon to run the Department of Education during his second term. In a statement announcing his selection, Trump cited McMahon’s leadership credentials as a co-chair of his transition team alongside Commerce Secretary-designate Howard Lutnick and a chair of the board of the America First Policy Institute. McMahon, the former CEO and co-founder of WWE and a major Republican donor, has also served on the Connecticut Board of Education and on the board of trustees at Sacred Heart University in Connecticut, a state where she twice unsuccessfully ran for U.S. Senate.

Trump promised during his campaign to dismantle the Department of Education. “We will send Education BACK TO THE STATES,” he said in his statement announcing McMahon’s nomination, “and Linda will spearhead that effort.”

Mehmet Oz, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) administrator

Trump has chosen celebrity doctor Mehmet Oz to run the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), a federal agency within the Health and Human Services (HHS) Department that provides health coverage to millions of Americans. In a statement announcing the pick, Trump said that Oz (known on TV as “Dr. Oz”) would work closely with Robert F. Kennedy Jr., a vaccine skeptic and conspiracy theorist who has been nominated to run HHS, to “take on the illness industrial complex, and all the horrible chronic diseases left in its wake.”

“Our broken Healthcare System harms everyday Americans, and crushes our Country’s budget,” Trump said, adding that “Dr. Oz will be a leader in incentivizing Disease Prevention.” Oz would need to be confirmed by the Senate.

As CMS Administrator, Oz would oversee programs including Medicare, Medicaid, the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), and the Affordable Care Act (ACA) health insurance Marketplaces. During his unsuccessful run for Pennsylvania’s open Senate seat two years ago, Oz pushed for “Medicare Advantage For All,” which would allow seniors to choose privately run health insurance plans

Early in the pandemic, Oz pushed unproven theories about COVID-19 cures, including the anti-malaria drug hydroxychloroquine as treatment, which caught Trump’s eye.

Before entering politics, he was a heart surgeon and health expert on Oprah Winfrey’s show. Oz later appeared on his own show, known for providing medical tips and leaning into so-called alternative and complementary medicine. Oz is not the first television fixture to be selected for a key role in the Administration; Pete Hegseth (Defense secretary) is co-host of Fox & Friends. 

Howard Lutnick, Secretary of Commerce

Trump announced that he has selected Howard Lutnick, the billionaire CEO of Cantor Fitzgerald, to serve as his Secretary of Commerce. A vocal supporter of Trump’s economic policies, Lutnick has been an influential figure within the President-elect’s circle, advising on trade and economic matters throughout the transition process. He won the endorsement of Elon Musk, the billionaire CEO of Tesla in Trump’s inner circle, for Treasury Secretary, but on Tuesday Trump tapped him for Commerce instead. In a statement, Trump praised Lutnick as a “dynamic force on Wall Street” and credited him with building a robust system to staff the incoming administration.

If confirmed by the Senate, Lutnick, 63, would oversee an agency tasked with expanding U.S. economic growth, boosting domestic industries, regulating artificial intelligence, and managing the implementation of the 2022 CHIPS and Science Act, which provides subsidies to U.S. semiconductor manufacturers. It’s unclear whether the Trump Administration will proceed with disbursing the funds agreed to under current Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo, as the Commerce Department has yet to release much of the allocated money despite having signed agreements with U.S. chipmakers. Lutnick would also inherit the Biden Administration’s broadband expansion initiative aimed at providing internet access to at least 6.25 million households by 2025.

Given his extensive business holdings, Lutnick could face scrutiny over his finances and potential conflicts of interest during the confirmation process. In addition to being CEO of Cantor Fitzgerald, Lutnick is chairman of BGC Group Inc, a brokerage company, and of Newmark Group, a commercial real estate company.

Sean Duffy, Secretary of Transportation

Trump has tapped former congressman from Wisconsin and TV personality Sean Duffy to run the Transportation Department.

Upon the announcement of his nomination Duffy, 53, parted ways with Fox, where he was a co-host of The Bottom Line on Fox Business and a contributor on Fox News. A former outdoor games athlete, Duffy has also worked as a commentator on ESPN and in the 1990s appeared on several MTV reality shows, where he met his wife. He then served for eight years as a prosecutor followed by eight years as a U.S. representative after his election in 2010 as part of the conservative populist Tea Party wave. Duffy left Congress in 2019 to focus on family health matters. Trump encouraged him to run for governor of Wisconsin in 2022, but he declined.

If confirmed to the post, Duffy will succeed former South Bend, Ind., Mayor Pete Buttigieg to head a department that oversees highways, railroads, aviation and other transportation systems, with a budget of about $110 billion. In his statement announcing the nomination, Trump said Duffy “will prioritize Excellence, Competence, Competitiveness and Beauty when rebuilding America’s highways, tunnels, bridges and airports. He will ensure our ports and dams serve our Economy without compromising our National Security, and he will make our skies safe again by eliminating DEI for pilots and air traffic controllers.”

Brendan Carr, chair of the Federal Communications Commission

Trump announced that Brendan Carr will become chair of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), the regulator of interstate and international communications. Since Carr is already on the commission, he can assume control when Trump takes office in January. 

Carr, whom Trump first nominated to the commission in 2017 and who has previously served as its general counsel, wrote the FCC chapter of the Heritage Foundation’s controversial Project 2025 presidential transition playbook. In it, he argued that the FCC should expand its oversight, aim to rein in Big Tech, ban TikTok in the U.S. on national security grounds, and roll back protections for tech companies under Section 230 of the Communications Act. “Facebook, Google, Apple, Microsoft & others have played central roles in the censorship cartel,” he posted on X last week. “The censorship cartel must be dismantled.”

Carr is also publicly aligned with Elon Musk. He criticized the FCC’s refusal to finalize nearly $900 million in rural broadband subsidies for Musk’s satellite internet company Starlink, and his appointment could open up federal funding for it.

“Commissioner Carr is a warrior for Free Speech, and has fought against the regulatory Lawfare that has stifled Americans’ Freedoms, and held back our Economy,” Trump said in a statement. “He will end the regulatory onslaught that has been crippling America’s Job Creators and Innovators, and ensure that the FCC delivers for rural America.”

Chris Wright, Secretary of Energy

Chris Wright, Trump’s nominee to run the Department of Energy, is the CEO of Denver-based fracking company Liberty Energy who has downplayed the effects of the climate crisis and is likely to be a vocal player in the administration against measures that aim to cut carbon emissions—if his appointment is confirmed by the Senate.

In a LinkedIn video posted a year ago, Wright said: “There is no climate crisis, and we’re not in the midst of an energy transition either.” In a May petroleum conference, Wright said that climate change “should be treated honestly and evaluated as trade-offs not as a religion or a cult, which unfortunately it's become.” In October, he acknowledged that climate change is a “real background phenomenon” that is “wildly misrepresented for political, media, all sorts of other reasons.”

Wright, who has no prior political experience but was reportedly pushed for the role by Trump donor Harold Hamm, also sits on the Board of Directors for nuclear power start-up Oklo Inc. In the statement announcing Wright’s selection, Trump said Wright will also be a member of the new National Energy Council which will involve multiple departments and agencies and will focus on establishing “U.S. ENERGY DOMINANCE.”

Will Scharf, White House staff secretary

Trump selected another of his personal legal defense team, William Owen Scharf, to join his administration. Scharf will take on the post of White House Staff Secretary and assistant to the President. Scharf represented Trump in his federal election interference case and his presidential immunity case, and he previously worked both in and out of the government during Trump’s first term on securing the confirmations of Supreme Court nominees Brett Kavanaugh and Amy Coney Barrett. Scharf, a former prosecutor, ran for Missouri Attorney General earlier this year but fell short in the GOP primary.

Steven Cheung, communications director

Trump’s campaign spokesperson, Steven Cheung, was named White House communications director, taking on a post that saw high turnover during the first Trump administration—with Trump having six during his first term. Cheung also worked on Trump’s first campaign and was director of strategic response during his first term. Prior to that, he worked as a spokesperson for the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC).

Sergio Gor, director of the Presidential Personnel Office

Sergio Gor, who co-founded a conservative publishing house with Trump’s son Donald Trump Jr. and ran a super PAC that spent tens of millions of dollars in support of Trump’s campaign, will lead the Presidential Personnel Office—which is responsible for helping to recruit, vet, and nominate some 4,000 political appointees throughout government.

Karoline Leavitt, White House press secretary

Trump’s campaign spokesperson Karoline Leavitt will become the main liaison between members of the press and the incoming President. Leavitt, 27, will be the youngest-ever White House press secretary and the sixth woman in a row to hold the role. She was assistant press secretary during Trump’s first term. In 2022, she ran for Congress to represent a New Hampshire district but lost to Democratic incumbent Rep. Chris Pappas.

“Karoline is smart, tough, and has proven to be a highly effective communicator,” Trump said in a statement. “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.”

Doug Burgum, Secretary of Interior

Trump has tapped North Dakota Governor Doug Burgum to lead the Department of the Interior in his upcoming Administration, elevating (if confirmed) a former Republican presidential primary rival turned staunch ally and even onetime running mate contender. The announcement was first made during an America First Policy Institute Gala at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago resort on Nov. 14, following speculation about Burgum’s future role in the Administration. “He’s going to head the Department of Interior, and it’s going to be fantastic,” Trump said.

The next day, Trump formally announced his selection in a statement, saying that Burgum will also head the new National Energy Council and have a seat on the National Security Council, a position not typically granted to the Interior Secretary. “Doug will be a key leader in ushering in a new ‘Golden Age of American Prosperity’ and World Peace,” Trump said.

Burgum’s selection to head the Interior Department has raised eyebrows due to his lack of direct experience in environmental policy or natural resource management. However, his business background—he’s a former Microsoft executive—and ties to the energy sector could make him an attractive choice for an Administration eager to prioritize energy independence and deregulation. A former software entrepreneur, Burgum sold his tech company to Microsoft in 2001 for $1.1 billion and spent several years as a senior vice president at the tech giant. His business acumen and relationships with key players in the energy industry have positioned him as a figure who could help advance Trump’s pro-energy, pro-business agenda. Burgum’s nomination would bring a decidedly corporate flair to the Department of the Interior, an agency that oversees the nation’s public lands and natural resources.

Doug Collins, Secretary for Veterans Affairs

Trump nominated Doug Collins, the former Republican congressman from Georgia, to lead the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), a critical post tasked with overseeing the welfare of the nation’s more than 15 million veterans. Collins, a staunch Trump ally and former ranking member of the House Judiciary Committee, has shown unwavering loyalty to Trump, particularly during the impeachment proceedings in the House and the fallout from the 2020 election. Collins was an Air Force Reserve chaplain who served in Iraq.

Should he be confirmed in his new role, Collins will inherit a department grappling with both budget shortfalls and a controversial electronic health records overhaul that has been plagued by delays and safety concerns. The VA’s responsibility for providing care to veterans exposed to toxic substances, such as Agent Orange, was expanded by bipartisan legislation in 2022. In a statement on social media, Collins pledged to streamline operations, cut regulations, and address corruption within the department, promising to deliver “world class care” to veterans. “Together, we’ll make the VA work for those who fought for us,” he said.

John Sauer, Solicitor General

Trump has selected John Sauer, a key member of his legal defense team, to serve as the next U.S. Solicitor General. A former federal prosecutor and Missouri's Solicitor General from 2017 to 2023, is perhaps best known for his successful defense of Trump in a landmark Supreme Court case securing presidential immunity. The ruling, which found that a sitting President could not be prosecuted for official acts, was a critical victory for Trump amid ongoing legal challenges related to the 2020 election. Sauer had also urged the Supreme Court to intervene to keep Trump in power by challenging the 2020 election results in several crucial swing states.

If confirmed as Solicitor General, Sauer will represent the federal government in key Supreme Court cases, including contentious matters involving transgender rights and gun control. “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 a statement. The nomination reflects Trump’s deep reliance on his inner circle of legal allies, particularly those who have defended him against multiple investigations. 

Todd Blanche, deputy attorney general

Trump has picked his personal lawyer Todd Blanche to serve as deputy attorney general. The nomination is a significant move within Trump’s strategy of placing loyal allies in top Justice Department roles. Blanche, who spent years as a federal prosecutor in Manhattan, is credited with playing a pivotal role in defending Trump in several high-profile cases, including as the lead attorney in the New York hush-money trial that resulted in Trump’s conviction and in the cases related to his handling of classified documents and efforts to challenge the 2020 election results.

In his new role, Blanche would oversee the daily operations of the Justice Department, manage its policy priorities, and help advise Attorney General Matt Gaetz if he’s confirmed by the Senate.

Emil Bove, principal associate deputy attorney general

Trump has selected Emil Bove to serve as principal associate deputy attorney general. A former prosecutor in the Southern District of New York, Bove worked alongside Blanche on Trump’s defense team in the Manhattan hush-money case and the federal investigations into mishandling classified documents and election subversion. Bove joins a growing group of Trump allies in key legal positions, reinforcing the President-elect’s strategy of relying on trusted figures in his upcoming Administration.

“Emil is a tough and strong attorney, who will be a crucial part of the Justice Department, rooting out corruption and crime,” Trump said in a statement.

Jay Clayton, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York

Trump has selected Jay Clayton, the former chair of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), to lead the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York (SDNY), an influential post known for its aggressive pursuit of high-profile financial and political corruption cases. If confirmed, Clayton, who has no criminal prosecution experience, would inherit a number of high-profile cases, including investigations into New York City Mayor Eric Adams and the prosecution of former New Jersey Senator Bob Menendez, a Democrat. Trump described Clayton as a “highly respected business leader, counsel, and public servant,” pointing to his years of experience in the financial world, where he was known for his work in mergers and acquisitions before taking over at the SEC in 2017.

Clayton’s tenure at the SEC was largely characterized by a pro-business approach, which included efforts to roll back certain regulations on Wall Street and to develop clearer guidelines for cryptocurrency investments. His leadership also saw significant enforcement actions, including a high-profile case against Tesla CEO Elon Musk, who will co-lead the new Department of Government Efficiency, for misleading statements about taking the company private. This will be Clayton's second attempt at taking the SDNY post, after a contentious attempt in 2020 to replace Geoffrey Berman, who held the position during part of Trump’s first term. At that time, his nomination faced resistance from both inside the Justice Department and from Democratic lawmakers who feared political interference, particularly because SDNY had been investigating Trump’s associates, including his former lawyers Michael Cohen and Rudy Giuliani. 

The SDNY has long been a thorn in the side of political figures, including Trump himself, who was investigated for his role in the 2016 hush-money payments, a case that led to his conviction in New York State court. During his campaign, Trump vowed to exact revenge against the officials who prosecuted him.

Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Secretary of Health and Human Services

Trump has picked Robert F. Kennedy Jr., a prominent anti-vaccine conspiracy theorist, to head the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). The appointment comes less than three months after Kennedy dropped out of the 2024 presidential race and endorsed Trump.

Kennedy, 70, is known for his vocal opposition to vaccines, particularly his longstanding claims linking vaccinations to autism—a theory debunked by decades of scientific research. His views, which have earned him both fervent supporters and sharp critics, now position him at the helm of the very agency responsible for overseeing the nation’s health regulations.

Kennedy would need to be confirmed by the Senate. The nomination marks a dramatic departure from conventional selections for the position, and it is likely to test the Senate's willingness to confirm yet another controversial figure. In his new role, Kennedy is expected to have significant influence over key health agencies within HHS, including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). His past rhetoric, which includes calls for removing fluoride from drinking water and restructuring the National Institutes of Health (NIH), suggests that his tenure could lead to sweeping changes in federal health policy, especially around vaccine safety and food regulation. Kennedy has tempered some of his more extreme positions in recent interviews, such as assuring the public that he would not “take vaccines away from anybody,” but his broader agenda remains focused on revisiting vaccine safety studies and challenging longstanding health guidelines, particularly those related to childhood immunizations.

Although Kennedy’s appointment has raised alarms among public health experts, Trump has expressed confidence in his new nominee’s ability to reshape the nation's health system. Trump said in a statement that Kennedy would “restore these agencies to the traditions of Gold Standard Scientific Research” and “end the Chronic Disease epidemic.”

Tulsi Gabbard, Director of National Intelligence

Tulsi Gabbard, a former Democratic member of Congress, was selected by Trump to serve as Director of National Intelligence. The position will require Senate confirmation. Gabbard served in the Army National Guard for more than two decades and was a member of the Armed Services, Homeland Security, and Foreign Affairs Committees. After running for President as a Democrat in 2019, she left the Democratic Party to become an independent. She joined the Republican Party in 2024 and endorsed Trump for President, co-chairing his transition team.

Read More: ‘We Are Reeling’: Trump’s Pick of Tulsi Gabbard Alarms Intelligence Community

Marco Rubio, Secretary of State

Florida Senator Marco Rubio has been named Secretary of State. Rubio currently serves as the vice-chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee and sits on the Foreign Relations Committee. He was a vocal critic of Trump in 2016 during his own presidential bid, but went on to endorse and campaign for him in 2024. Rubio has taken a hardline stance on China and Iran, and has called for an end of the war in Ukraine with a “negotiated settlement.” The role requires Senate confirmation.

Stephen Miller, deputy chief of staff

Longtime Trump advisor Stephen Miller was named deputy chief of staff for policy, which Trump’s Vice President-elect J.D. Vance had already confirmed in a post on X. The role does not require Senate confirmation.

Miller worked with Trump on his 2016 campaign and then joined him in the White House as a senior adviser. He orchestrated some of the first Trump Administration’s controversial immigration policies, including the “zero tolerance” family separation policy. Upon leaving the White House, he started America First Legal, a conservative legal nonprofit, which targeted many Biden Administration initiatives.

Dan Scavino, deputy chief of staff

Dan Scavino, a key figure in Trump’s political orbit for nearly a decade, has been appointed as deputy chief of staff and assistant to the President. Scavino first worked for Trump as a caddy at one of his golf courses, and has risen through the ranks to become one of Trump’s most trusted and longest-serving aides. He played a central role in shaping Trump’s media presence, first as social media director for the 2016 campaign and later as the White House’s director of social media during Trump’s first term. In his new role, Scavino will likely continue to wield significant influence over both the day-to-day operations of the White House and Trump’s public messaging strategy.

In 2022, he was held in contempt of Congress for refusing to comply with a subpoena issued by the House committee investigating the January 6th Capitol insurrection, though the Department of Justice declined to prosecute him.

James Blair, deputy chief of staff

James Blair has been appointed as deputy chief of staff for legislative, political, and public affairs, a role that will place him at the heart of Trump’s political strategy and legislative agenda. Blair previously served as political director for both Trump’s 2024 campaign and the Republican National Committee (RNC), and was also a top aide for Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis. He played a pivotal role in crafting Trump’s economic messaging during his campaign, including the "Trump can fix it" slogan. Blair will also serve as an assistant to the President.

Taylor Budowich, deputy chief of staff

Taylor Budowich has been appointed as deputy chief of staff for communications and personnel, placing him at the forefront of Trump’s public relations and staffing strategies. A veteran of Trump’s political operations, Budowich launched and directed Make America Great Again, Inc., the pro-Trump Super PAC that supported his 2024 bid. He also served as the spokesperson for Trump after his first term, working closely with the Save America PAC to shape the narrative surrounding Trump’s post-White House political activities.

Kristi Noem, Secretary of Homeland Security

The governor of South Dakota, Kristi Noem, will be the next Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security. The agency oversees everything from U.S. Customs and Border Protection to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the U.S. Secret Service.

“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 said in a statement sharing the pick.

A Trump loyalist, Noem was an outspoken opponent of COVID-19 safety measures and has historically taken a hardline stance on immigration. She was expected to be a front-runner for Trump’s Vice President pick in 2024, but faced controversy for admitting in her book, No Going Back, that she killed her 14-month-old dog after it ruined a hunt, killed another family’s chickens, and moved to bite her.

Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy, co-heads of “Department of Government Efficiency”

Trump announced that his prominent supporter, Tesla CEO Elon Musk and former GOP presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy will lead a new “Department of Government Efficiency” (DOGE, for short). In a statement, Trump shared that the two will work from outside the government but partner with the White House and Office of Management and Budget to “drive large scale structural reform and create an entrepreneurial approach to Government never seen before.” Trump said that the two will finish their work by July 4, 2026.

Ramaswamy, who ran in the Republican primary before dropping out and endorsing Trump, made reducing government spending a key part of his campaign. During his campaign, Trump also mentioned the possibility of giving Musk, who has said he could cut nearly a third of annual government spending, a role in the Administration.

Pete Hegseth, Secretary of Defense

As co-host of Fox News Channel’s Fox & Friends, Pete Hegseth is an untraditional choice for Secretary of Defense. “I am honored to announce that I have nominated Pete Hegseth to serve in my Cabinet as The Secretary of Defense,” Trump said in a post on Truth Social. “Pete has spent his entire life as a Warrior for the Troops, and for the Country. Pete is tough, smart and a true believer in America First.” If confirmed, Hegseth, an Army veteran who served in Afghanistan, Iraq, and at Guantanamo Bay, will take on the job amidst a number of global crises—including the Israel-Hamas war and the Ukraine-Russia conflict.

John Ratcliffe, CIA director

Trump said he will name John Ratcliffe to be director of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), pending confirmation by the Senate. Ratcliffe served as a Texas congressman from 2015 to 2020, before joining the first Trump Administration as Director of National Intelligence. While in Congress, he served as a member of the House Intelligence and Judiciary Committees and as Cybersecurity Chairman on the Homeland Security Committee. Ratcliffe, who received a National Security Medal from Trump in 2020, testified in front of a grand jury as part of a criminal probe into the aftermath of the 2020 election, and warned White House staffers against following through with efforts to overturn the 2020 presidential election, according to a former White House staffer.

William Joseph McGinley, White House counsel

William Joseph McGinley, who served as White House Cabinet secretary in the first Trump Administration, will serve as Trump’s White House counsel. McGinley most recently worked as an outside counsel for the Republican National Committee’s election integrity team during the 2024 election.

“Bill is a smart and tenacious lawyer who will help me advance our America First agenda while fighting for election integrity and against the weaponization of law enforcement,” Trump said in a statement announcing the decision.

Steve Witkoff, special envoy to the Middle East

Trump has appointed real estate executive and philanthropist Steven Witkoff as his special envoy to the Middle East, tapping a close personal ally and major campaign fundraiser for a role that could shape U.S. foreign policy in the region. Witkoff, the chairman and CEO of Witkoff Group, played a key role in rallying financial backing for Trump from Jewish donors, particularly during tensions with the Biden Administration over military support for Israel.

Trump praised Witkoff’s business acumen and philanthropic efforts, calling him an “unrelenting Voice for PEACE,” while noting his ability to make “every project and community he has been involved with stronger and more prosperous.” Witkoff was golfing with Trump at Trump’s club in West Palm Beach, Florida in September when the former President was the target of a second assassination attempt.

The special envoy role remains somewhat undefined compared to traditional diplomatic positions. Witkoff has no prior experience in foreign diplomacy. He has been an outspoken advocate for Trump’s Middle East policies, praising the former President for his efforts to strengthen Israel's position and curb Iran’s influence. 

Witkoff is also set to co-chair Trump’s inaugural committee.

Mike Huckabee, ambassador to Israel

Trump has selected former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee to be the U.S. ambassador to Israel, tapping a loyal ally for the high-profile diplomatic position with the region in crisis. If confirmed by the Senate, Huckabee will step into the role as Israel wages a multifront war against Iran’s proxies and a humanitarian catastrophe unfolds in Gaza.

A staunch defender of Israel and a vocal supporter of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Huckabee has long been a proponent of U.S. policies that align with Israeli interests, including the recognition of Jerusalem as Israel’s capital and moving the U.S. Embassy to the city. His appointment signals a continuation of Trump’s support for Israel, particularly in its conflict with Hamas and its broader territorial claims.

“Mike has been a great public servant, Governor, and Leader in Faith for many years,” Trump said in a statement. “He loves Israel, and the people of Israel, and likewise, the people of Israel love him. Mike will work tirelessly to bring about Peace in the Middle East!”

An evangelical Christian, Huckabee would be the first non-Jewish person to hold the role since 2011. Huckabee has consistently dismissed the notion of Palestinian statehood within Israeli borders, suggesting in the past that any Palestinian state should be established in neighboring countries such as Egypt or Jordan. During his 2008 presidential campaign, he said, “There’s really no such thing as a Palestinian.” He has also signaled that he opposes negotiating a ceasefire deal with Hamas, calling on the Islamist militant group to surrender.

Huckabee’s daughter, Sarah Huckabee Sanders, is the current Governor of Arkansas and served as White House press secretary during Trump’s first term.

Mike Waltz, national security adviser

Mike Waltz, a Republican congressman from Florida, was tapped to serve as Trump’s national security advisor. Waltz, a Green Beret veteran who served in Afghanistan, the Middle East and Africa, has been a member of Congress since 2019. He is a member of the House’s China Task Force, along with the Armed Services, Foreign Affairs and Intelligence committees. Waltz, widely known for his aggressive stance on China and Iran, will step into the role amid ongoing wars in Ukraine and Gaza. Last year, he wrote an op-ed for Fox News in which he argued that “the era of Ukraine’s blank check from Congress is over.” He, like Trump, has also called for European countries to contribute more to NATO. The role does not require Senate confirmation.

“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,” Trump said in a statement.

Elise Stefanik, U.N. ambassador

Trump nominated New York Rep. Elise Stefanik to be U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations. Stefanik has been a critic of the U.N., in particular over the organization’s stance on Israel, saying last month that the Biden Administration should consider a “complete reassessment” of U.S. funding of the U.N. given the Palestinian Authority’s efforts to expel Israel from the General Assembly. Stefanik has been a vocal supporter of Trump, during both of his impeachment trials and as he contested the results of the 2020 election. She has ascended the party’s ranks, serving as chair of the House Republican Conference, the fourth highest position in House GOP leadership. Stefanik’s appointment will need to be confirmed by the Senate.

Lee Zeldin, EPA administrator

Trump has picked Lee Zeldin, a former New York representative, to serve as the administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The position is subject to Senate confirmation. Zeldin said he would “restore U.S. energy dominance, revitalize our auto industry to bring back American jobs, and make the US the global leader of AI,” while committing to clean air and water, in a statement posted on X.

Zeldin represented a district spanning from Long Island to the Hamptons while in Congress from 2015-2023 and previously served as a major in the Army Reserve. Zeldin was a staunch defender of Trump during his first term and sided with him during both impeachments. Zeldin most recently ran against New York Gov. Kathy Hochul in the state’s 2022 gubernatorial race.

Tom Homan, ‘border czar’

Tom Homan, the former acting director of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), was appointed as “border czar,” a role that will likely be involved in Trump’s plan for mass deportations of millions of undocumented migrants. Homan, a former police officer, will be in charge of the southern and northern U.S. borders, as well as “all Maritime and Aviation Security,” according to Trump’s post on Truth Social. Homan also served in Trump’s first term—acting as ICE director from January 2017 to June 2018—and played a role in Trump’s crackdown on immigration, as one of the architects of the administration’s controversial child separation policy. The role will not require Senate confirmation.

Susie Wiles, chief of staff

Susie Wiles, Trump’s 2024 campaign manager, was named White House chief of staff soon after Election Day, in the first major staffing decision. A longtime Republican strategist and campaign staffer, Wiles worked on Ronald Reagan’s 1980 campaign and managed Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis’ winning gubernatorial campaign in 2018. Wiles, who Trump referred to as the “ice maiden” in his election night victory speech, will be the first woman to serve as chief of staff.

—With additional reporting by Solcyré Burga and Rebecca Schneid.