WASHINGTON
As Donald Trump prepares to return to the Oval Office as the 47th president of the United States, he continues to reveal his choices for his second-term administration, which is set to govern for the next four years.
Trump’s second term will formally begin on Jan. 20, 2025, and the president-elect has already named several key cabinet members, with more appointments expected in the weeks ahead.
The cabinet consists of 25 members, in addition to Vice President-elect JD Vance.
Here are the picks announced so far:
Department of State – Secretary of State
Marco Rubio
Marco Rubio, first elected to the Senate in 2010, is known for his hardline stance on Cuba, Iran and China. Recently, however, he has aligned more closely with Trump’s foreign policy, echoing the president-elect’s calls for an end to Russia’s war in Ukraine. Rubio, a staunch supporter of Israel, has consistently adopted hardline positions.
Department of Defense - Secretary of Defense
Pete Hegseth
Army veteran Pete Hegseth, 44, who has no government experience, served tours in Iraq and Afghanistan and holds degrees from Princeton and Harvard universities. Since joining Fox News as a contributor in 2014, he has become a co-host of Fox & Friends Weekend.
Department of Justice – Attorney General
Matt Gaetz
Matt Gaetz, a member of the 118th Congress, is currently serving his fourth term in the House of Representatives, representing Florida. He is a member of the House Armed Services Committee and the House Judiciary Committee and known as a staunch supporter of Trump.
Department of Homeland Security – Homeland Security Secretary
Kristi Noem
South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem served as a representative from the state. If confirmed, she would be responsible for leading a large agency that includes US Customs and Border Protection, US Immigration and Customs Enforcement, the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the US Secret Service.
Other key roles
White House Chief of Staff - Susie Wiles
Wiles served as Trump's presidential campaign manager, having previously worked on his 2016 campaign. The chief of staff pick was the first administration post Trump announced after his election victory.
National security adviser - Mike Waltz
Congressman Mike Waltz from Florida is a retired Army National Guard officer and war veteran and former White House and Pentagon policy advisor. He is the first Green Beret to be elected to Congress.
Ambassador to United Nations – Elise Stefanik
The staunchly pro-Israel representative from upstate New York is the fourth-highest ranking Republican in the House of Representatives, where she chairs the Republican Conference. A graduate of Harvard University, Stefanik has been a rising star among Trump's allies after refashioning herself from a moderate Republican to a ‘Make America Great Again’ stalwart.
Ambassador to Israel - Mike Huckabee
Mike Huckabee, a former presidential candidate and governor of the state of Arkansas from 1996-2007, as well as a long-time supporter of Israeli settlements in the West Bank, has consistently opposed a two-state solution, favoring Israeli sovereignty over the occupied territories.
‘Border czar’ - Tom Homan
Tom Homan is a veteran immigration official and immigration hawk. When he was a police officer in New York state and Border Patrol agent, the Obama administration appointed him to head Immigration and Customs Enforcement's deportation branch in 2013.
Director of National Intelligence (DNI) – Tulsi Gabbard
The former Democratic representative joined the Republican Party during the 2024 campaign and endorsed Trump at a rally in North Carolina, saying the Democratic Party she left two years ago is “completely unrecognizable.” She was an Army Reserve officer and served as vice chair of the Democratic National Committee.
Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) – John Ratcliffe
John Ratcliffe served as the director of National Intelligence (DNI). The former lawyer, 59, earned Trump’s trust in Congress as a vocal critic of special counsel Robert Mueller and his 2016 election interference report.
Special envoy to the Middle East - Steven Witkoff
Steven Witkoff, the founder, chairman and CEO of real estate firm the Witkoff Group, has decades of experience in property development and investment. A notable Trump donor and supporter, Witkoff was reportedly golfing with Trump at his Mar-a-Lago estate during the second assassination attempt against the former president in September.
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) - Lee Zeldin
Trump has tapped former Republican Representative Lee Zeldin to lead the agency, describing him as a "true fighter for America First policies" who wields a "very strong legal background."
White House counsel - William McGinley
A lawyer, William McGinley was White House Cabinet secretary in Trump's first administration.
Trump also announced key advisors from his presidential campaign.
Dan Scavino will return to the White House as assistant to the president and deputy chief of staff; Stephen Miller will serve as assistant to the president and deputy chief of staff for policy and as Homeland Security advisor; James Blair will take on the role of assistant to the president and deputy chief of staff for legislative, political and public affairs, and Taylor Budowich will be assistant to the president and deputy chief of staff for communications and personnel.
