Trump’s new cabinet takes shape with focus on immigration, economy, and national security
President-elect Donald Trump has begun appointing individuals to key positions in his new administration, with each choice reflecting the core priorities he outlined during the campaign, including strengthening immigration policy, reconsidering international cooperation, and focusing on developing the domestic economy, Kazinform News Agency correspondent reports.
Vice president. Former Ohio Senator and Marine Corps veteran JD Vance, 39, became the vice president of the United States. In his first speech as a candidate for the post of vice president of the United States, Vance proposed to join Trump in “making America great again.” He also promised to end the country’s dependence on foreign labor and energy, and to review military aid.
Deputy chief of staff for policy. Trump has nominated Stephen Miller as White House deputy chief of staff for policy. Miller, who was a senior adviser during Trump's first administration, is well-known for his role in shaping immigration policies, including the family separation policy. Trump has pledged to execute the largest deportation operation in U.S. history, a plan Miller supports, endorsing the deportation of all undocumented residents.
Border tsar. Tom Homan will be responsible for immigration issues at the southern and northern borders of the United States. A former acting director of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Homan is known for his focus on strengthening border security. His role will involve coordinating efforts to reduce illegal immigration. The role will not require Senate confirmation.
UN ambassador. Elise Stefanik, the highest-ranking woman in the Republican conference in the House of Representatives, has been nominated to be the next U.S. ambassador to the United Nations. She has already expressed her readiness to advance U.S. foreign policy on the global stage.
“I stand ready to advance President Donald J. Trump’s restoration of America First peace through strength leadership on the world stage on Day One at the United Nations,” says Stefanik in a statement.
Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Lee Zeldin, a former New York congressman, has been appointed administrator of EPA. The position is subject to Senate confirmation.
“We will restore US energy dominance, revitalize our auto industry to bring back American jobs, and make the US the global leader of AI. We will do so while protecting access to clean air and water,” says Zeldin in a post on X.
During his campaign, Trump criticised the Biden government’s restrictions on oil and gas drilling. President-elect has reiterated his commitment to a 'drill, baby, drill' approach, aiming to boost domestic energy production. Zeldin will follow Trump's policy direction.
Chief of staff. Susie Wiles, a seasoned political strategist and Trump's 2024 campaign manager, has been named White House chief of staff. She will be the first woman to hold the position in U.S. history. Wiles has a background in Florida politics and worked on Ronald Reagan's 1980 presidential campaign.
Expected cabinet picks
National security adviser. War veteran, Mike Waltz could be 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.
Secretary of state. Senator of Florida Marco Rubio is under consideration for the position of secretary of state. Rubio has been active in shaping U.S. foreign policy, serving on the Senate Foreign Relations and Intelligence Committees. In his new role, Rubio is expected to focus on strengthening international cooperation while advancing priorities that protect national interests, especially in dealing with China. Rubio’s appointment would signal a tougher stance on China.
Homeland Security secretary. Kristi Noem, the governor of South Dakota, is being considered for the post of Homeland Security secretary. She gained national attention after refusing to mandate statewide mask-wearing during the COVID-19 pandemic. Noem would oversee immigration, cybersecurity and emergency response.
Unspecified role. Musk will wield substantial influence in a potential second Trump term. Although neither Trump nor Musk has confirmed an official government role for Musk, they both appear aligned on the goals of cost-cutting and efficiency. Trump jokingly referred to Musk as the “Secretary of Cost-Cutting,” while Musk embraced the unofficial title, stating that his efforts could be housed under a “Department of Government Efficiency” abbreviated as D.O.G.E., a playful nod to his fondness for Dogecoin.
