 "Republican presidential nominee and former US President Donald Trump speaks at the Bitcoin 2024 event in Nashville, Tennessee, US, July 27, 2024. File Image/Reuters")
US President-elect Donald Trump has started to set the tone for his second term with his appointees.
So far, Trump has finalised some of his top officials, such as Secretaries of State, Defence, and Homeland Security along with the Chief of Staff, National Security Advisor, Director of Central Intelligence Agency (CIA).
Most of Trump’s picks so far are yearslong loyalists who are hawks on China and Iran and follow Trump’s hardliner position on immigration and border.
Susie Wiles as Chief of Staff
Susie Wiles was the co-chair of Trump’s election campaign.
Wiles has so far played a largely behind the curtains role in propping Trump as the President of the United States.
Wiles is known for being a shadowy yet feared political operative. It has been said that she had essentially been Trump’s chief of staff for past four years.
Marco Rubio as Secretary of State
Trump has picked Senator Marco Rubio of Florida as the Secretary of State.
Rubio is a hawk on China. He is also set to be the first Hispanic American to serve as the nation’s top diplomat.
Even though Rubio has had a hawkish foreign policy record, he has embraced Trump’s brand of isolationist and Russia-friendly foreign policy lately and has been critical of more assistance to Ukraine. In April, Rubio voted against the $95 billion aid package for Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan.
Mike Waltz as National Security Adviser
Trump has named China and Iran hawk Mike Waltz as National Security Advisor.
Waltz is the co-chair of India caucus in Congress and is supportive of closer India-US ties.
Waltz is a Republican member of House of Representatives from Florida.
Impact Shorts
More ShortsPete Hegseth as Secretary of Defense
Trump’s pick for Secretary of Defense, Pete Hegseth, is a former veteran and a host for Fox News.
Even though Hegseth’s pick may look as unconventional, he has been an ardent supporter of Trump over the years, defending his dealings with North Korean Supreme Leader Kim Jong-Un and withdrawal of troops and taking up the cause of veteran accused of war crimes, according to The New York Times.
“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,” said Trump.
John Ratcliffe as CIA Director
John Ratcliffe is expected to the top US spymaster as the Director of CIA in Trump’s second term.
Ratcliffe served as the National Intelligence Director in Trump’s first term.
In his first stint, Ratcliffe worked to counter Chinese and Iranian interference in 2020 US election.
Kristi Noem as Secretary of Homeland Security
Trump picked Noem to be in charge of the Department of Homeland Security.
Noem would have the overall charge of securing the nation’s borders and enforcing Trump’s hardliner anti-immigration agenda.
Tom Homan as ‘border czar’
Trump has appointed Tom Homan as the ‘border czar’, who would be responsible for deporting all illegal immigrants in the United States.
“I’ve known Tom for a long time and there is nobody better at policing and controlling our Borders. 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,” said Trump.
William McGinley as White House Counsel
The president-elect has made William Joseph McGinley to be the White House Counsel. In Trump’s previous term, McGinley had served as the White House Cabinet Secretary.
William, who also goes by the name Bill, was also a General Counsel at the National Republican Senatorial Committee.
Stephen Miller as policy adviser, deputy chief of staff
Miller is set to be the deputy chief of staff in Trump’s second administration and would be closely working on the hardliner immigration agenda, according to The Times.
Miller’s portfolio is expected to be vast and exceed what the title would make it look like, as per the newspaper.
Elise Stefanik as Ambassador to the United Nations
Elise Stefanik has been one of the staunchest allies of Trump, who is now set to be rewarded with a plush job.
While Stefanik, a Republican Congresswoman from New York, has little foreign policy experience, she is a Trump loyalist and is expected to deploy her boss’ combative agenda at the UN.
Mike Huckabee as US Ambassador to Israel
Huckabee is the father of former White House spokeswoman and current Arkansas Governor Sarah Sanders.
The appointment comes amid Israel’s multifront conflicts in the Middle East.
Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy to head Department of Efficiency
To cut the size of the federal government and reduce the power in the hands of career non-political officials and concentrate more power in his own hands and in the hands of his loyalist appointees, Trump has roped in Musk and Ramaswamy to cut the federal government.
The two would do so with the Department of Government Efficiency.
“A smaller Government, with more efficiency and less bureaucracy, will be the perfect gift to America on the 250th Anniversary of The Declaration of Independence. I am confident they will succeed!" said Trump.