Trump's team: Who could fill key positions in new US administration
Donald Trump has almost three months to make appointments to the new US administration (Getty Images)
US President-elect Donald Trump has about 75 days until his inauguration to make key personnel decisions, particularly regarding those who will hold crucial positions in his administration, including defense, finance, and diplomacy.
RBC-Ukraine outlines potential members of Trump’s team.
Contents:
- Who could become Trump’s Secretary of State
- Who might head the Pentagon
- Candidates for top national security positions
- Who Trump may appoint as Attorney General
- Potential candidates for Treasury Secretary
- Who could become Secretary of Homeland Security
- Potential Chief of Staff picks
- Candidates for other cabinet positions
Who could become Trump’s Secretary of State
Richard Grenell – A staunch supporter of MAGA, Grenell served as ambassador to Germany, acting director of national intelligence, and later became the first openly gay cabinet secretary in US history. He established himself as one of Trump’s most influential foreign policy advisors. He attended the September meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Grenell's sharp remarks have made him a controversial figure, but if his Senate confirmation faces issues, he might take another important role, such as National Security Advisor.
Bill Hagerty – A senator from Tennessee and a veteran of George H.W. Bush’s administration, Hagerty served as ambassador to Japan during Trump’s first term. Known as a hawk on China, he voted against a $60 billion aid package for Ukraine.
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Photo: Richard Grenell could lead the US State Department or become Trump's national security adviser (wikimedia.org)
Robert O’Brien – The only one of Trump’s four national security advisors with whom the president did not have a public falling-out. O’Brien served as a special envoy for hostage affairs from 2018-2019, helping free rapper A$AP Rocky from detention in Sweden. A strong proponent of Ukraine and NATO, O’Brien has advocated for a TikTok ban.
Marco Rubio – Once a Trump opponent, Rubio now shares many of Trump’s tough views, particularly on Cuba and Iran. The Florida senator worked with Democrats on legislation to prevent Trump from withdrawing the US from NATO. Though he has tried to position himself as a Ukraine supporter, Rubio calls for negotiations with Moscow.
Mike Waltz – A former Green Beret and a fierce China hawk, Waltz is also a proponent of aid to Ukraine and a vocal critic of the withdrawal of troops from Afghanistan.
Who might head the Pentagon
Mike Waltz is also a contender for Secretary of Defense or a senior CIA position. He embodies two qualities Trump values: media presence and loyalty. A frequent guest on Fox News, Waltz has defended Trump on major issues, including his stance on Ukraine and accusations related to payments to porn star Stormy Daniels.
Tom Cotton – A senator from Arkansas, Cotton was considered for Secretary of Defense before Trump’s first term. A former infantry officer and Iraq and Afghanistan veteran, Cotton is a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee. He advocates for a “stronger and more innovative Pentagon” and supports aid to Ukraine.
Photo: Mike Pompeo is predicted to become the US Secretary of Defense (Getty Images)
Mike Pompeo – Former CIA Director and Secretary of State under Trump, Pompeo has been a strong advocate of Trump’s foreign policy, supporting Israel and a tougher stance on Iran. He is one of Trump’s closest allies and a staunch defender of Ukraine, a position that sometimes puts him at odds with other members of the Trump team.
Candidates for top national security positions
Keith Kellogg – A retired lieutenant general and former National Security Council chief of staff under Trump. Kellogg is vying for several positions, though it is unclear which one he will ultimately occupy. He proposed a plan to end the war in Ukraine that includes forcing negotiations and ruling out NATO membership for the near future.
Kash Patel – Formerly held top positions in defense and intelligence. Some supporters want to see him as CIA Director, but Senate confirmation could be an obstacle due to his controversial past, such as his promise to “target politicians and journalists” who were seen as enemies of Trump.
Who Trump may appoint as Attorney General
John Ratcliffe – A former prosecutor who served as Director of National Intelligence in Trump’s final year. A loyal ally, Ratcliffe was one of the most vocal critics of Special Counsel Robert Mueller’s investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 election.
Mike Lee – A senator from Utah who didn’t vote for Trump in 2016 but later became a staunch supporter and intellectual hero among Republicans. Lee played a key role in attempts to contest the 2020 election loss and promoted conspiracy theories about the Capitol riot.
Jeff Clark – Known for pressuring the Department of Justice to prevent the transfer of power to Joe Biden, Clark had his law license suspended for two years. He briefly served as Acting Assistant Attorney General in the DOJ’s Civil Division and is now a senior fellow at the conservative Center for American Renewal.
Potential candidates for Treasury Secretary
Jamie Dimon – The CEO of JPMorgan Chase & Co., Dimon is a critic of what he sees as overly burdensome regulations imposed by the Federal Reserve and the SEC. According to the New York Times, he privately expressed support for Kamala Harris.
Photo: Jamie Dimon may become the US Treasury Secretary (wikimedia.org)
Scott Bessent – A key economic advisor to Trump and investor who taught at Yale University. Bessent praised Trump’s use of tariffs and skepticism toward international trade.
John Paulson – A billionaire and major Trump donor, Paulson has long supported tax cuts and deregulation. He publicly endorsed targeted tariffs as a tool for ensuring US national security.
Robert Lighthizer – Trump’s trade representative throughout his presidency, Lighthizer is seen as a strong candidate for Treasury Secretary, though Bessent and Paulson may have better chances. Lighthizer was a key figure in the trade war with China and the renegotiation of NAFTA.
Who could become Secretary of Homeland Security
Tom Homan – A former acting director of Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Homan was frequently praised by Trump during the campaign for his work uniting supporters. He advocated for separating children of illegal immigrants from their parents.
Chad Wolf – A former acting Secretary of Homeland Security, Wolf may return to the position. He oversaw strict immigration policies, including sending federal agents to Portland to quell protests after George Floyd’s killing.
Mark Green – A former army surgeon and current chairman of the House Homeland Security Committee, Green is seen as a strong advocate for hardline immigration policies.
Mark Morgan – The acting head of Customs and Border Protection at the end of Trump’s term, Morgan has extensive law enforcement experience, including with the FBI. He gained Trump’s favor through his media appearances.
Potential Chief of Staff picks
Susie Wiles – A key leader of Trump’s campaign. While her political views are unclear, she is credited with running an effective and successful campaign and is expected to bring order and discipline to the administration.
Photo: Susie Wiles may become chief of staff (x.com/susie57)
Brooke Rollins – A former acting Director of the Domestic Policy Council, Rollins has received praise from Trump in personal conversations and supported his criminal justice reforms, which reduced prison sentences for minor offenses.
Kevin McCarthy – The former second-ranking Republican in the House of Representatives during Trump’s first term, McCarthy played a significant role in demonstrating Trump’s political resilience and influence. Though criticized for his handling of the Capitol riot, McCarthy was seen as a staunch Trump ally before leaving Congress in 2023.
Candidates for other cabinet positions
The Department of the Interior (overseeing natural resources, federal lands, Native American programs, and island territories) could be led by North Dakota Governor Doug Burgum, though he may aim for a higher-profile role, possibly Secretary of State.
Potential candidates for ministerial positions include Catherine McGregor, Cynthia Lummis, and David Bernhardt.
The Department of Agriculture might be led by Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller, 69-year-old rodeo cowboy and co-chair of “Farmers and Ranchers for Trump” Kip Tom, or former Deputy Secretary Ted McKinney.
The Department of Commerce may be headed by Bill Hagerty, Robert Lighthizer, or Linda McMahon, former head of the Small Business Administration and a key political action committee leader.
Potential nominees for Secretary of Labor include Patrick Pizzella and Brian Slater; for Health and Human Services, Robert Kennedy Jr., Joe Grogan, Paul Mango, Eric Hargan, Brian Blase, or Bobby Jindal.
Transportation Secretary candidates include Garrett Graves and Sam Graves (unrelated), while Energy may be led by Doug Burgum, Mark Menezes, Paul Dabbar, or Dan Brouillette.
In earlier statements, billionaire Elon Musk, founder of Tesla and SpaceX, said he would seek to reduce the number of federal agencies in the US if Trump offers him a position. Musk is believed to have made a decisive contribution to Trump’s victory in swing states.
For a deeper analysis of Trump’s victory, read “Red wave coming: How Trump scored landslide victory in US election.”
Sources: Reuters, Politico
