WASHINGTON: US President-elect Donald Trump has started the process of choosing new cabinet members and senior administrative officials following his victory in much-hyped presidential elections.
A US president’s administration includes thousands of people, but in the first weeks after the polls, the focus will be on naming the people who will form the next cabinet of the 78-year-old Republican.
Donald Trump secured 312 electoral votes, well passing the 270 needed for victory, while Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris lagged behind with 226.
The US cabinet traditionally includes the vice president and the heads of the 15 departments of the executive branch. It also includes about 10 officials serving in Cabinet-level positions and the White House chief of staff.
All Cabinet-level appointees, except the vice president and the chief of staff, require confirmation from the Senate.
Many of those who served under Trump’s first term do not intend to return, though some of the loyalists are rumoured by US media to be making a comeback.
BBC reported that Susie Wiles and campaign co-chair Chris LaCivita were the masterminds behind Trump’s victory over Kamala Harris.
White House Chief of Staff
Trump on the next day of his presidial triumph named Susie Wiles, as his White House chief of staff, the first appointee of his second term. She will be the first woman ever to hold this responsibility. Wiles is credited with running a successful and efficient election campaign.
Secretary of State
The US secretary of state is the main adviser of the president on foreign affairs and acts as America’s top diplomat. Florida Senator Marco Rubio, who was also under consideration to be Trump’s vice-president is a major contender for the key cabinet post. While Trump’s former national security adviser Robert O’Brien; Tennessee Senator Bill Hagerty and Brian Hook could also be named to lead the State Department.
Richard Grenell, a loyalist who served as ambassador to Germany, could also be given the responsibilities of Secretary of State in the cabinet.
Defence Secretary
BBC reported that two names being discussed for the slot of defence secretary are Michael Waltz, a Florida lawmaker and Robert O’Brien. Trump has already ruled out Mike Pompeo, former defence secretary to head up the Pentagon again.
Attorney General
Trump during his fisty Trump had uneven relationships with former attorney generals Jeff Sessions and William Barr. Trump is expected to choose a loyalist who will defend his position and wield the agency’s power to punish opponents.
Among the names circulating for the post are Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, Matthew Whitaker, the man who served as acting attorney general for three months, Mike Davis, a right-wing activist and Mark Paoletta, who served in Trump’s budget office.
Reuters news agency reported that a US senator from Utah, Mike Lee is widely seen as another top candidate for attorney general.
Homeland Secretary
Tom Homan, Trump’s former acting director of Immigration and Customs Enforcement is the most prominent candidate for the post. He supported separating migrant children from their parents as a means to stop illegal crossings.
Chad Wolf, who served as acting homeland secretary from 2019-20 and Chad Mizelle, the homeland department’s former acting general counsel, are also potential contenders.
Stephen Miller, the architect of Trump’s immigration agenda, is also expected once again to play a senior advisory role in the White House.
As per Reuters Mark Green, former Army flight surgeon and the current chair of the House Homeland Security Committee, is considered by some Trump allies in Washington as a contender for the top job at DHS.
UN ambassador
Former State Department spokeswoman Morgan Ortagus; David Friedman, Trump’s ambassador to Israel; and Kelly Craft, who served as UN ambassador at the end of Trump’s term are major names for the post of the US envoy to the United Nations.
Treasury Secretary
Trump is considering Robert Lighthizer, a free trade sceptic who led the tariff war with China as the US trade representative, as his chief financial officer.
But Scott Bessent, a billionaire, John Paulson, another megadonor from the hedge fund world, former Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) chair Jay Clayton, and Fox Business Network financial commentator Larry Kudlow are also among favourites.
Commerce Secretary
Linda McMahon is tipped as a major contender for the post of commerce secretary. She has already served as a small business administrator during Trump’s first term. Others who could fill this post include Brooke Rollins, Robert Lighthizer and Kelly Loeffler.
Interior Secretary
Governor of South Dakota Kristi Noem could be assigned the responsibility of interior secretary. North Dakota Governor Doug Burgum is also a major candidate for the role.
Energy Secretary
BBC reported that Doug Burgum could also lead the energy department, where he would implement Trump’s pledges to overhaul US energy policy. Former energy secretary Dan Brouillette is also reportedly in the race.
Press Secretary
Karoline Leavitt, who served as an assistant White House press secretary could become the administration’s spokesperson.
