Who’s Who in Trump’s Cabinet Picks
This week, President-elect Donald Trump has been announcing his selections and nominees who will aid him in his second administration. Trump’s latest notable selections include: Tulsi Gabbard for Director of National Intelligence, Marco Rubio for Secretary of State, Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy to lead the Department of Government Efficiency, Mike Waltz as the National Security Advisor, Kristi Noem as Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security, and Mike Huckabee as Trump’s nominee for the U.S. Ambassador to Israel.
Trump’s “draft picks” serve as a preview of his second term, where Americans are counting on Trump to deliver on his platform’s promises, such as sealing the border, fixing the economy, and restoring peace through strength. (READ MORE: Susie Wiles Named Trump’s Chief of Staff)
Former Rep. Tulsi Gabbard, who left the Democratic Party, was Trump’s most recent appointment as the Director of National Intelligence. Gabbard was part of Trump’s transition team, along with other notable figures like former presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
Trump commended Gabbard’s illustrious political career and military background, stating that her experience would carry into “our Intelligence Community, championing our Constitutional Rights, and securing Peace through Strength.”
Gabbard thanked Trump for “the opportunity to serve as a member of your cabinet to defend the safety, security and freedom of the American people.” (READ MORE: What Trump Really Means by ‘Transition Team’)
The media’s inkling that Sen. Marco Rubio (R-FL) would be nominated as the Secretary of State was confirmed by Trump on Wednesday. “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,” Trump said in his statement.
“Leading the U.S. Department of State is a tremendous responsibility,” Rubio posted on X. “I will work every day to carry out his foreign policy agenda. Under the leadership of President Trump, we will deliver peace through strength and always put the interests of Americans and America above all else.”
Leading the U.S. Department of State is a tremendous responsibility and I am honored by the trust President Trump has placed in me. As Secretary of State, I will work every day to carry out his foreign policy agenda. Under the leadership of President Trump we will deliver peace…
— Marco Rubio (@marcorubio) November 13, 2024
Musk and Ramaswamy were vocal allies who also contributed to the Trump campaign’s success. Trump charged the pair in his statement to “dismantle Government Bureaucracy, slash excess regulations, cut wasteful expenditures, and restructure Federal Agencies. ” Musk and Ramaswamy’s position is temporary and will conclude on July 4, 2026.
“This will send shockwaves through the system, and anyone involved in Government waste, which is a lot of people!” Musk said in the statement.
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) November 13, 2024
Trump also selected House Rep. Mike Waltz (R-FL) to join his cabinet as the national security adviser, replacing the current advisor, Jake Sullivan. The national security adviser, which does not need Senate confirmation, is responsible for informing the president on policy options regarding various issues surrounding our country’s defense, both externally and internally.
Waltz is the first Green Beret veteran elected to Congress, and he has previously served in the White House and the Pentagon. He has an expansive military background, serving 27 years in the Army Special Forces, earned four Bronze Stars for his multiple deployments, and retired as a Colonel. (READ MORE: Undoing Biden: Trump’s First-Month Agenda)
“I am deeply honored President Trump is placing his trust in me to serve in his Cabinet as National Security Advisor,” Waltz posted on X. “America will keep its allies close, we will not be afraid to confront our adversaries, and we will invest in the technologies that keep our country strong. America’s greatest strength is its booming economy and our energy dominance, and those tools will keep us out of wars and allow us to once again lead from a position of strength.”
Trump appointed South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem to be the secretary of the Department of Homeland Security. “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,” Trump commended Noem in his statement. Noem will be working with Tom Homan, former acting head of Immigration and Customs Enforcement who will be Trump’s “Border Czar,” to secure the border.
“This is such a key position,” Franklin Graham, son of evangelist Billy Graham and president of Samaritan’s Purse, said about Noem on X. “I believe she will select quality people to work with her who will help keep our country, and our president, safe.”
I want to congratulate South Dakota Governor @KristiNoem on being selected by President-elect @realDonaldTrump to serve as Homeland Security Secretary. This is such a key position. I believe she will select quality people to work with her who will help keep our country, and our… pic.twitter.com/5QLrnc2WWD
— Franklin Graham (@Franklin_Graham) November 13, 2024
Former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee was nominated as the United States ambassador to Israel. “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!” Trump said in a statement.
Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders (R-AR), Mike Huckabee’s daughter who formerly served as Trump’s White House Press Secretary, commended her father’s nomination. “There’s no greater supporter, and nobody that has a greater understanding of our two nation’s unbreakable bond,” Sanders said.
With 25 cabinet seats to fill, Trump has only announced seven positions within the past week. As he transitions into the presidency, Trump is expected to make more announcements in the coming weeks.
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