Mostly relying on a stable of current and former elected officials, former and future President Donald J. Trump has begun announcing nominees for major posts to fill his administration once he takes office on January 20, 2025. Some believe Trump is avoiding the initial appointments of his first term when he nominated individuals who traveled in more “establishment” circles, like former Marine General James Mattis for Defense or former Senator Dan Coats for Director of National Intelligence. This time around, after a term under his belt, Trump appears to value loyalty more than other qualities.
His picks requiring Senate confirmation include the following list.
Marco Rubio – Secretary of State
Senator from Florida, Rubio ran against Trump in 2016 and briefly engaged in a public feud with the President during the campaign. Rubio, one of the few nominees considered traditional establishment picks, is tough on China, just like his future boss. Additionally, Rubio made waves by co-opting an attempt by left wing anti-war activists Code Pink to embarrass him, directly addressing their camera and declaring that Hamas must be destroyed.
Trump said Rubio will be a “strong advocate for our nation, a true friend to our allies and a fearless warrior who will never back down” to nations opposing the United States. Pennsylvania Senator John Fetterman, a Democrat, already said on social media that he will vote to confirm Rubio despite their “political differences.”
Matt Gaetz – Attorney General
Another Florida politician, Matt Gaetz was, until Wednesday, a member of the House of Representatives. A few hours after Trump announced Gaetz as his nominee for Attorney General, Gaetz announced his resignation from Congress effective immediately. The nomination shocked most of Washington, as Gaetz is a polarizing figure who was facing a House Ethics investigation, the results of which were due to be released on Friday. Republican Senator from Texas John Cornyn said it is in the Senate’s interest to see a yet-to-be-released (and potentially never released now that he is no longer a member of the House) report detailing allegations of Gaetz having sexual relations with a minor. Sen. Fetterman, who praised the Rubio pick, called Trump’s nomination of Gaetz “nothing but trolling.”
Pete Hegseth – Secretary of Defense
Another outside-the-box pick, Pete Hegseth, currently an on-air personality for Fox News, is Trump’s nominee to head the Department of Defense. A 20-year veteran with combat experience, Hegseth is a vocal opponent of “woke” ideology and its place in the American military. CNN contributor Van Jones called Hegseth’s views on the role of the military “frightening” while other Democrat activists erroneously claim the nominee’s tattoos have links to white supremacy.
Criticism of Hegseth focused on current status as a television host, in which a number of high-profile social media users reminded followers that Hegseth graduated from Princeton and Harvard.
Kristi Noem – Secretary of Homeland Security
The current Governor of South Dakota, Noem spent several terms in the House of Representatives before moving back to run for Governor. Noem’s appointment similarly surprised some insiders, but Homeland Security plays an important role in border security and immigration. Noem, a Trump ally who is also close with several Trump advisors, will work closely with White House staff to beef up border patrols and reduce illegal immigration while also working to deport the millions of foreign nationals in the United States illegally.
During Trump’s first term, Noem voiced support for Trump’s efforts to temporarily ban on refugees from regions and nations controlled by terrorists or otherwise anti-American regimes, which the media called the “Muslim ban.” She also supported Texas’s border security efforts by deploying the South Dakota National Guard to the Texas-Mexico border.
