After winning the 2024 Presidential election, Donald Trump has become the first U.S President to serve as Head of State in two non-consecutive terms. Weeks after this victory, Trump is already making the blueprint for his ideal supporting cabinet increasingly clear. The President’s cabinet is a team of trusted decisionmakers appointed by the President to handle vital departments under the executive branch. Those nominated are presented to the Senate, subjected to federal security clearances, then either approved or denied being sworn in shortly after the President’s inauguration. Those in cabinet positions typically have extensive professional backgrounds and lead the departments of their expertise. Trump’s approach has been to choose his most loyal companions to help him run his Presidential term.
The first move to cause a stir was Trump’s nomination for Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy to lead in a new department named the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). Ramaswamy is a former Republican candidate, Harvard Law graduate, and founder of a biotech company named Roviant Sciences. Musk is the owner of multiple investments and businesses including Tesla Energy, Solar City, Space X, and neurotechnology companies like Neuralink. Both men are billionaires with impressive portfolios. Despite their lack of political backgrounds or holding any similar position, Trump has complete trust in their ability to “provide advice and guidance” in partnership with the White House Office of Budget and Management. Trump explained during his announcement of this new development that Musk and Ramaswamy have what it takes to make budget and efficiency progressions. “These two will pave the way for my Administration to dismantle Government Bureaucracy, slash excess regulations, cut wasteful expenditures, and re-structure Federal agencies.”
Other Cabinet Nominees
Former television personality, Dr. Mehmet Oz has been nominated as Administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. Dr. Oz is popularly known for his show that aired for thirteen seasons that was centered on him using his experience as a physician and cardiothoracic surgeon to answer scripted questions concerning health fads, common health conditions, and remedies to health issues. The position he’s being nominated for is responsible for the management of Medicare, Medicaid, and other programs that determine American’s access to healthcare. Trump confidently endorsed Dr. Oz during the announcement of this nomination, stating, “There may be no physician more qualified and capable to make America healthy again.” If selected, Dr. Oz would work closely with the Department of Health and Human Services which may soon be led by another candidate Trump chose; Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
Robert F Kennedy Jr., the nephew of former President John F. Kennedy, is nominated to lead the Department of Health and Human Services. Kennedy Jr.’s professional history includes time as an Assistant District Attorney, environmental activist and many other titles. As lead of the DHHS, Kennedy Jr. would be overseeing federal health agencies, responsible for the approval of vaccines and pharmaceuticals.
First pick for attorney general was former Florida Congressman Matt Gaetz who decided to withdraw from consideration last week. Announcement of his nomination further stirred controversy after allegations of sexual misconduct and drug allegations against him resurrected with the announcement of his nomination. Fox News host Pete Hegseth has been selected to stand in office as the Defense Secretary. He too has a tainted past that includes alleged sexual assault but denies all wrong doing and has welcomed the offer of this nomination with open arms.
Doug Burgum, Governor of North Dakota has been appointed by Trump to lead the Department of the Interior, (DOI). Burgum is a politician who graduated from Stanford Graduate School of Business and went on to be a software entrepreneur well known for his $1.1 billion dollar deal with Microsoft. He ran in the 2024 Republican primary but ultimately dropped out and endorsed Trump. If the Senate accepts his nomination, Burgum would be responsible for the management and conservation of federal lands and natural resources.
World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) co-founder, Linda McMahon is the latest nominee for Education Secretary. Trump has mentioned wanting to shut down the Department of Education and has made it clear that she would work in alignment with his intentions to “spearhead the effort to send Education Back to the states.”
NFL veteran and former White House Opportunity and Revitalization Council member Scott Turner has been nominated to led the US Department of Housing and Urban Development. He also has a layered background including managing a software company, and serving two terms in the Texas Legislature. If appointed in Trump’s nomination, he would oversee America’s housing needs by enforcing laws, preventing discrimination, and providing assistance to low-income families and individuals.
Other nominees drawing Trump a lot of attention are Matt Gaetz for Attorney General, Mike Huckabee as Ambassador to Israel, Tulsi Gabbard as Director of National Intelligence, and Steve Witkoff as Special Envoy to the Middle East. Each decision that Trump makes has come with large public reactions, as many of their professional backgrounds are not what most people would expect to be considered. Majority of these picks are wealthy people of various ranges of power and unique layers of real estate investing, philanthropists, and activists. It’s fair to say that every cabinet has its own flavor as every President chooses who they see fit as a trustworthy team. Yes, they may have to endure the decision process from the Senate, and complete dissection by the FBI against their backgrounds, but that doesn’t seem to compare to the scrutiny these nominees are exposed to by the public.
As of late November, twelve of the nominees are currently being protected by highly ranked national security after receiving death threats from those unhappy with them stepping into these opportunities. The transition team is making great effort to keep all nominees safe amongst the heat of this election season that still has many Americans in an emotionally sensitive state. Their loyalty and dedication to Trump’s policies and plans don’t seem to waver under the stressors that have come about with these sequential announcements. There’s less than 60 days before the world sees who will be the faces of Trump’s 2025 cabinet.
