Upon Trump’s return to office, Republicans will have a majority control over the Senate. Below is a list briefly detailing 10 of Trump’s picks for cabinet and administration as of December 11th, 2024.
Secretary of Defense: Pete Hegseth
- Hegseth is a Fox News personality
- He is facing allegations of sexual and financial misconduct, and alcohol abuse
Director of National Intelligence: Tulsi Gabbard
- Facing scrutiny for describing the Syrian president as a “brutal dictator”
- Disguised meetings with the Syrian president as “fact-finding missions”
Deputy Secretary of State for Management and Resources: Michael Rigas
- Served in Trump’s first terms as the Deputy and Acting Director of the Office of Personnel Management
- Also served as the Acting Deputy Director for Management at the Office of Management and budget
Ambassador to Colombia: Daniel Newlin
- Described by Trump as highly accomplished in business and entrepreneurial endeavors
- Worked at the Orange County Sheriff’s Office in Orlando for 28 years
Director of Voice of America: Kari Lake
- Former news anchor who lost bids to become a senator of Arizona in 2024, and the state governor in 2022
- Lake stated that the VOA will excel under her leadership in chronicling America’s achievements worldwide
Ambassador to Mexico: Ronald Johnson
- Johnson is an Army veteran and civil servant
- Ambassador to El Salvador during Trump’s first term
- This pick happened after controversy over a possible tariff proposed by Trump on Mexican goods
Federal Trade Commission Chair: Andrew Ferguson
- Has served as one of the FTC’s 5 commissioners since April, and will be replacing a democratic chair
- Trump has said Ferguson has a good track record of protecting free speech
Counselor to the President: Alina Habba
- A lawyer who had represented Trump in various legal proceedings
- Trump picked her for her consistent loyalty to him
Counselor of the Department of State: Michael Needham
- Has previously served as chief of staff for Michael Rubio (Trump’s pick to lead the State Dept.)
- Trump picked him because he has been on the front lines of the Forgotten Men and Women of America
Customs and Border Protection Commissioner: Rodney Scott
- Serves as Chief of Border Patrol during Trump’s first term, and briefly after Biden took office
- Vocal critic of the Biden administration’s immigration policies
