Trump names new members of his administration
President-elect Donald Trump continues to build his team for a second term with several key additions, including Elon Musk to lead a newly created department, Pete Hegseth as defense secretary, and John Ratcliffe as CIA director, Kazinform News Agency correspondent reports.
Department of Government Efficiency. Elon Musk and entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy will lead the new Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). Their mission is to cut costs, dismantle government bureaucracy, and reduce the number of federal employees.
“Together, these two wonderful Americans will pave the way for my Administration to dismantle Government Bureaucracy, slash excess regulations, cut wasteful expenditures, and restructure Federal Agencies,” says Trump in a statement.
Musk will retain his roles at Tesla and SpaceX.
Defense secretary. Pete Hegseth, a Fox News host and U.S. Army veteran, has been named defense secretary. Hegseth will play a key role in maintaining the policy of “peace through strength” amid crises in Ukraine and the Middle East.
"Nobody fights harder for the Troops and Pete will be a courageous and patriotic champion of our 'Peace through Strength' policy," says Trump in a campaign release.
Director of the CIA. John Ratcliffe, a former director of national intelligence and a former representative from Texas, has been appointed director of the CIA.
“John Ratcliffe has always been a warrior for Truth and Honesty with the American Public,” says Trump in a statement.
Ratcliffe would be the first person to have headed both the CIA and National Intelligence.
Ambassador to Israel. Mike Huckabee, a former Arkansas governor and influential evangelical Christian, has become the U.S. ambassador to Israel.
“Mike has been a great public servant, Governor, and Leader in Faith for many years. 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, reads Trump’s post.
Special Envoy to the Middle East. Steven Witkoff, an investor and longtime golf partner of Trump, has been named special envoy to the Middle East.
"Steve is a highly respected leader in business and philanthropy, who has made every project and community he has been involved with stronger and more prosperous," says Trump in a campaign release.
Homeland Security secretary. South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem has confirmed her appointment as Secretary of Homeland Security. She will oversee immigration, cybersecurity, and emergency response.
National security adviser. War veteran, Mike Waltz named national security adviser. He served multiple tours in Afghanistan and also worked in the Pentagon as a policy adviser. In his new post, Waltz will focus on strategic security issues, including current geopolitical conflicts.
