Following his recent presidential election victory, Donald Trump has begun selecting key cabinet and high-ranking administration officials. Here’s a look at the early appointees and top contenders for major roles in defense, intelligence, diplomacy, trade, immigration, and economic policy. Some candidates are being considered for multiple roles.
Key Administration Picks and Contenders
Susie Wiles – Chief of Staff
Trump has named Susie Wiles, one of his campaign managers, as his White House chief of staff. Known for her successful campaign management, supporters believe Wiles could bring much-needed order and discipline to the White House, an area that saw high turnover in Trump’s first term.
Treasury Secretary Candidates
- Scott Bessent: A long-time hedge fund investor and Trump’s key economic adviser, Bessent is a strong candidate for treasury secretary. Although he traditionally supports laissez-faire economic policies, he has praised Trump’s strategic use of tariffs.
- John Paulson: Another contender, Paulson is a billionaire hedge fund manager and significant Trump donor. He has advocated for tax cuts and deregulation and supports tariffs as a tool to bolster national security.
- Larry Kudlow: Kudlow, a FOX Business Network personality and former director of Trump’s National Economic Council, is a possible treasury candidate, though he could be offered another economics-focused role. Publicly, he aligns closely with Trump’s economic policies despite private reservations about broad tariffs.
- Robert Lighthizer: Lighthizer, Trump’s former U.S. trade representative, is likely to be invited back. A tariff supporter and trade skeptic, he was central to the Trump administration’s trade war with China and NAFTA renegotiation efforts.
- Howard Lutnick: CEO of Cantor Fitzgerald and co-chair of Trump’s transition, Lutnick is also a contender for treasury secretary. A vocal supporter of Trump’s economic policies, he has sometimes drawn criticism for seemingly speaking on behalf of the campaign.
Secretary of State Candidates
- Richard Grenell: A close Trump ally and former U.S. ambassador to Germany, Grenell is a top choice for secretary of state or national security adviser. He has attracted controversy over foreign policy stances, including support for an autonomous zone in eastern Ukraine.
- Robert O’Brien: Trump’s final national security adviser, O’Brien is also in the running for secretary of state. Known for his hawkish stance, he advocates for military aid to Ukraine and banning TikTok in the U.S.
- Bill Hagerty: A U.S. senator from Tennessee and former ambassador to Japan, Hagerty has strong bipartisan relationships and aligns closely with Trump’s policies. He opposed a recent military aid package for Ukraine, in line with Trump’s stance.
- Marco Rubio: Rubio, a Florida senator and former presidential candidate, is another contender for secretary of state. Focused on Latin American affairs, he has a strong foreign policy background and solid Republican support.
Defense Secretary Candidates
- Mike Waltz: A former Army Green Beret and current congressman from Florida, Waltz is known for his strong anti-China stance. He has co-sponsored measures aimed at reducing U.S. reliance on Chinese resources.
- Mike Pompeo: Former CIA director and secretary of state, Pompeo is another potential defense secretary candidate. Although he briefly considered running against Trump, he remains a strong ally and has a notable pro-Ukraine stance that contrasts with others in Trump’s camp.
National Security and Homeland Security Candidates
- Keith Kellogg: A retired lieutenant general and former chief of staff to Trump’s National Security Council, Kellogg is considered for multiple national security roles. He has proposed a strategy for peace in Ukraine that includes negotiating without granting NATO membership.
- Tom Homan: The former acting director of Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Homan is a leading candidate for secretary of homeland security. Known for his strict stance on immigration, he was a prominent advocate of Trump’s controversial child separation policy during his first term.
These selections and top contenders reflect Trump’s priorities, including economic nationalism, a strict immigration stance, and a hardline approach to foreign policy and trade.
I am an experienced writer, analyst, and author. My exposure in English journalism spans more than 28 years. In the past, I have been working with daily The Muslim (Lahore Bureau), daily Business Recorder (Lahore/Islamabad Bureaus), Daily Times, Islamabad, daily The Nation (Lahore and Karachi). With daily The Nation, I have served as Resident Editor, Karachi. Since 2009, I have been working as a Freelance Writer/Editor for American organizations.
