Trump’s Cabinet And Key Jobs: Billionaire Tilman Fertitta And ‘The Apprentice’ Producer Mark Burnett Among Latest Nominees

Topline

President-elect Donald Trump on Saturday nominated billionaire Houston Rockets owner Tilman Fertitta as U.S. ambassador to Italy, “The Apprentice” producer Mark Burnett as special envoy to the U.K. and David Fink as head of the Federal Railroad Administration, the latest new appointments in recent weeks as Trump fills out roles in his coming administration.

Key Facts

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Council Of Economic Advisers Chairman: Stephen Miran

Trump tapped Stephen Miran, who served as a senior adviser for economic policy in the Treasury Department during Trump’s first term and is a fellow at the Manhattan Institute conservative think tank, to lead the three-member panel, though his appointment must be confirmed by the Senate.

Ambassador To Italy: Tilman Fertitta

Trump tapped Tilman Fertitta, owner of the Houston Rockets and the Texas-based restaurant and entertainment company Landry’s as ambassador to Italy. Fores estimates Fertitta, a longtime GOP donor, has a net worth of $10.4 billion.

Special Envoy To The United Kingdom: Mark Burnett

Trump named Mark Burnett as his pick for special envoy to the U.K., noting Burnett’s career as a producer for shows like “Survivor,” “Shark Tank,” “The Voice” and Trump’s “The Apprentice” in announcing the choice. Burnett is the former chairman of MGM and a 13-time Emmy Award winner.

Administrator Of The Federal Railroad Administration: David Fink

Trump tapped David Fink, whom the president-elect referred to as a fifth-generation railroader, to lead the Federal Railroad Administration. Fink is a former president of Pan Am Railways and the son of David Andrew Fink, who served as president of Guilford Transportation before it rebranded as Pan Am.

Head Of The Justice Department’s Office Of Legal Policy: Aaron Reitz

Aaron Reitz, who serves as the chief of staff for Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, was nominated by Trump to serve as the head of the Justice Department’s Office of Legal Policy. Reitz will lead the office to advance Trump’s “law and order agenda,” the president-elect wrote on Truth Social. Reitz previously served as deputy to Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton and reportedly wrote after President Joe Biden’s election win in 2020 they would “fight Joe Biden and the Democrats at every turn,” suggesting “everything they do is unconstitutional, illegal, bad for Texas and bad for America.”

Justice Department Chief Of Staff: Chad Mizelle

Trump nominated Chad Mizelle, who served as general counsel and chief of staff at the Department of Homeland Security during Trump’s first administration, to serve as chief of staff at the Justice Department.

Ambassador To The Holy See: Brian Burch

Trump announced Brian Burch as his pick for ambassador to the Holy See on Friday, praising him as “a devout Catholic, a father of nine, and President of CatholicVote,” a Catholic advocacy group. Burch has notably been a critic of Pope Francis in the past and shared writings from right-wing clerics who criticized the pope, Politico reported. In a post on X, formerly known as Twitter, Burch said he will work “to promote the dignity of all people and the common good” and thanked Trump for the role.

Ambassador To Bahamas: Herschel Walker

Trump picked former football player Herschel Walker to serve as his ambassador to the Bahamas, a job that requires Senate confirmation. A Heisman-winning University of Georgia and NFL running back, Walker ran for a Georgia Senate seat in 2022. He scored the GOP nomination after securing Trump’s endorsement, but he narrowly lost the general election to incumbent Democratic Sen. Raphael Warnock, after a scandal-filled campaign in which Walker was accused of threatening his ex-wife and paying a woman to get an abortion despite his staunch opposition to the procedure (which he denied). Walker’s relationship with the president-elect goes back to at least the 1980s, when he played for the New Jersey Generals, a short-lived United States Football League team bought by Trump. Decades later, Walker served on a presidential advisory board on fitness and nutrition during Trump’s first term, and he campaigned for Trump earlier this year.

Envoy For Special Missions: Ric Grenell

Former ambassador to Germany and fierce Trump ally Ric Grenell is his pick for the newly created position of envoy for special missions. Grenell, widely considered a contender for secretary of state, previously served as acting director of national intelligence and helped Trump challenge the 2020 election results in Nevada.

Ambassador To Ireland: Edward Sharp Walsh

Trump nominated Edward Sharp Walsh, president of construction and real estate firm the Walsh Company, as his ambassador to Ireland. Walsh, Trump said in a statement, “is a great philanthropist in his local community, and previously served as the Chairman of the New Jersey Schools Development Authority Board.”

Chairman Of The President’s Intelligence Advisory Board: Devin Nunes

Devin Nunes, the chief executive of Trump-owned Truth Social, was announced as Trump’s nominee for chairman of the President’s Intelligence Advisory Board, a panel that advises the president on matters related to U.S. intelligence. Nunes, a longtime Trump ally, led the House Intelligence Committee in Trump’s first administration. He will remain as Truth Social’s CEO while serving on the panel, Trump said.

Deputy Secretary Of Homeland Security: Troy Edgar

Trump nominated Troy Edgar as his pick for Deputy Secretary of Homeland Security, citing Edgar’s experience as Homeland Security’s chief financial officer. Edgar was named to that role in May 2020, and previously served as the mayor of Los Alamitos, California. He is the host of the podcast “Ameritocracy,” which he says explores “merit, success and the conditions for personal and professional growth across America,” and is an executive at IBM as the company’s finance and supply chain transformation leader, according to his LinkedIn.

Deputy Secretary Of State For Management And Resources: Michael Rigas

Trump named Michael Rigas, who served in the Office of Personnel Management and Office of Management and Budget during Trump’s first term, as deputy secretary of state for management and resources.

Ambassador To Belgium: Bill White

Trump selected Bill White, the former president of the Intrepid Sea-Air-Space Museum, as his pick for ambassador to Belgium. The president-elect said White has raised more than $1.5 billion for injured service members.

Ambassador To Colombia: Daniel Newlin

Orlando attorney Daniel Newlin, a former detective for the Orange County Sheriff’s Office, is Trump’s pick for ambassador to Colombia.

Ambassador To Argentina: Peter Lamelas

Trump tapped Peter Lamelas, founder of Florida’s largest urgent care system, MD Now Urgent Care, to serve as ambassador to Argentina, writing in a statement that “Peter and his family fled communist Cuba, and LEGALLY immigrated to the USA, starting with nothing, and achieving the American Dream.”

Ambassador To The Organization Of American States: Leandro Rizzuto Jr.

Trump named Leandro Rizzuto Jr., son of the late billionaire Conair co-founder Leandro Rizzuto and former U.S. consul general to Bermuda, as ambassador to the Organization of American States.

Voice Of America Director: Kari Lake

Trump announced he is picking Kari Lake, the former news anchor and avid Trump supporter who lost the Arizona Senate race to Democrat Ruben Gallego, to serve as the director of the U.S. government-funded news outlet Voice of America. In a post on his Truth Social platform, Trump wrote that her appointment would ensure that “the American values of Freedom and Liberty are broadcast around the World FAIRLY and ACCURATELY, unlike the lies spread by the Fake News Media.” The former news anchor and 2022 Arizona gubernatorial candidate has embraced Trump’s false claims about the 2020 elections being stolen. After losing to Democrat Katie Hobbs in the Governor’s race in 2022, she refused to concede and made multiple failed legal attempts to challenge the results. Responding to the announcement, Lake thanked Trump on X and said VOA is a “vital international media outlet dedicated to advancing the interests of the United States.” Under her leadership, Lake said, VOA will “excel” at “chronicling America’s achievements worldwide.”

Undersecretary Of State For Economic Growth, Energy And The Environment: Jacob Helberg

Jacob Helberg was appointed to serve as the State Department’s top economic policy and trade advisor. Helberg is a former Democratic donor and tech executive known as a Silicon Valley China hawk. A senior advisor to the chief executive officer at Palantir Technologies who serves on the U.S.-China Economic and Security Review Commission, Helberg is played a key role in lobbying Congress to support the U.S. TikTok ban. He married tech investor and major Republican donor Keith Rabois in 2018 in a ceremony officiated by OpenAI CEO Sam Altman.

Ambassador To Mexico: Ronald Johnson

Trump appointed Ronald Johnson, a former CIA official and ambassador to El Salvador during Trump’s first term, as ambassador to Mexico, a key role in carrying out Trump’s immigration policies. Johnson will work closely with Secretary of State Marco Rubio to “put an end to migrant crime” and “stop the illegal flow of Fentanyl and other dangerous drugs into our Country,” Trump said in a statement. The position requires Senate confirmation.

Office Of Management And Budget Chief Of Staff: Ed Martin

Ed Martin has been appointed to serve as chief of staff at the Office of Management and Budget, Trump announced. Martin is the former chair of the Missouri Republican Party and was a prominent supporter of Trump’s false claims that he won the 2020 election. Martin co-authored “The Conservative Case for Trump,” designed to sway conservative voters to back Trump in the 2016 election.

Federal Trade Commissioner: Mark Meador

Mark Meador, a former staffer to Sen. Mike Lee, R-Utah, was tapped as a commissioner for the Federal Trade Commission. Meador previously worked in the FTC, focusing on antitrust cases, and in the Justice Department’s antitrust division, before working for Lee.

Ambassador To Greece: Kimberly Guilfoyle

Kimberly Guilfoyle, Donald Trump Jr.’s fiancée, was nominated to serve as the U.S. ambassador to Greece. Guilfoyle is a television personality, a former prosecutor and a top fundraiser for the president-elect, who called Guilfoyle a “close friend and ally” who is “perfectly suited to foster strong bilateral relations with Greece.” In 2022, Guilfoyle was subpoenaed for testimony by the Jan. 6 House committee, a member of which claimed she was paid $60,000 to speak at the Trump rally investigated as the catalyst for the attack on the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021.

Ambassador To Turkey: Tom Barrack

Private equity real estate investor Tom Barrack was announced as Trump’s pick for U.S. ambassador to Turkey. Barrack, who was on Forbes’ 2013 billionaires list, founded his private equity firm Colony Capital in 1991 and built his fortune through acquiring out-of-favor real estate assets in places such as Germany and the Middle East.

Federal Trade Commission Chair: Andrew Ferguson

Federal Trade commissioner Andrew N. Ferguson was selected as the agency’s chair, meaning if confirmed he will take over for Lina Khan, who has spearheaded a yearslong antitrust crackdown on large companies across the tech, grocery and pharmaceutical sectors. Ferguson has worked as an antitrust litigator and was Virginia’s solicitor general from 2022 to 2024.

Deputy Director For Budget At The Office Of Management And Budget: Dan Bishop

Trump nominated Rep. Dan Bishop, R-N.C., as deputy director for budget at the Office of Management and Budget, trusting Bishop with implementing his “cost-cutting and deregulatory agenda across all agencies.” Bishop recently lost the race for North Carolina attorney general and is a member of the right-wing House Freedom Caucus. He has served in Congress since 2019.

Attorney General For Civil Rights: Harmeet Dhillon

Trump nominated Harmeet Dhillon, former vice chair of the California Republican Party, to lead the Justice Department’s office of civil rights, touting her work filing free speech lawsuits and challenges to Covid-19 restrictions in a statement.

Office Of Management And Budget General Counsel: Mark Paoletta

Trump announced Mark Paoletta will return to the role he held during Trump’s first term and “will work closely” with the newly created Department of Government Efficiency led by Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy.

Counselor To The President: Alina Habba

Trump announced Alina Habba, who represented him in his New York civil fraud case and his Manhattan hush money case, will serve as counselor to the president.

Deputy Secretary Of State: Chirstopher Landau

Trump tapped Christopher Landau, who previously served as ambassador to Mexico under Trump, as his deputy secretary of state, a position that requires Senate confirmation.

State Department Director Of Policy Planning: Michael Anton

Trump named Michael Anton, who served as a spokesperson for the National Security Council during his first term, as director of policy planning for the State Department.

State Department Counselor: Michael Needham

Michael Needham will serve as a State Department counselor, advising Trump’s pick for Secretary of State, Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla. Needham previously served as chief of staff to Rubio and chairs the conservative think tank American Compass.

Ai & Crypto Czar: David Sacks

Trump, who championed himself as a “crypto president” in the lead-up to the election, announced David Sacks as the White House’s artificial intelligence and cryptocurrency czar, saying in a Truth Social post the entrepreneur and internet tech investor would guide policy for the administration in the two burgeoning sectors. Sacks is the founder of software as a service firm Yammer, which was Microsoft purchased in 2012 for $1.2 billion. He also founded venture capital firm Craft Ventures and is a former PayPal chief operating officer. Trump noted Sacks will also lead the Presidential Council of Advisors for Science and Technology.

Ambassador To China: David Perdue

Former Sen. David Perdue, R-Ga., was nominated by Trump as the U.S. ambassador to China. The president-elect said Perdue would be “instrumental in implementing my strategy to maintain Peace in the region, and a productive working relationship with China’s leaders.” Perdue was elected to the U.S. Senate in 2014 but he lost his reelection bid to Democrat Jon Ossoff in 2020. Before his political career, Perdue served as a top executive at several companies including Reebok, Sara Lee and Dollar General, where he played a key role in outsourcing manufacturing to China, Hong Kong and other Asian countries. In a statement on X, Perdue wrote: “Having lived in Asia on two occasions, I understand the gravity of this responsibility and look forward to implementing President Trump’s strategy to make the world safe again and to represent the United States’ interests in China.”

U.s. Customs And Border Protection Commissioner: Rodney Scott

Trump picked former U.S. Border Patrol Chief Rodney Scott as the commissioner of U.S. Customs and Border Protection. In his announcement, Trump hailed Scott’s tenure as Border Patrol chief, saying he “achieved record low levels of illegal immigration.” Scott served in the role for 19 months between 2020 and 2021 and oversaw the implementation of several key policies including the “Remain in Mexico” policy and Title 42.

Social Security Administration Commissioner: Frank Bisignano

Trump picked Frank Bisignano, the Chairman and CEO of the financial services company Fiserv, to serve as the commissioner of the Social Security Administration. In his announcement on Truth Social, Trump said Bisignano is a business leader “with a tremendous track record of transforming large corporations… [and] will be responsible to deliver on the Agency’s commitment to the American People.” In 2017, when he was the CEO of First Data Corporation—which was acquired by Fiserv in 2019, Bisignano placed second on the New York Times’ list of highest-paid CEOs in the country with a total compensation of $102.2 million (mostly in stock). Bisignano appears much lower on AFL-CIO’s list of highest-paid CEOs for 2023, with a total pay of $27.9 million last year. Federal Election Commission filings show Bisignano’s wife, Tracy Bisignano, donated $924,600 to Trump’s campaign in October.

Small Business Administration Administrator: Kelly Loeffler

Former Sen. Kelly Loefller, R-Ga., was nominated as administrator of the Small Business Administration by Trump, who said Loefller will crack down on “waste, fraud, and regulatory overreach” in her new role. The former senator fundraised for Trump ahead of the election, raising $7 million for his campaign this summer, according to CNN. As SBA administrator, Loefller will be in charge of overseeing billions of dollars worth of loans and disaster aid to small businesses. Loeffler’s run in the Senate was short-lived, as she filled in for a vacant seat left by former Sen. Johnny Isakson, R-Ga., and served from 2020 to 2021, when she was defeated by Sen. Raphael Warnock, D-Ga. Loeffler is the former CEO of a cryptocurrency platform known as Bakkt and is married to Jeffrey C. Sprecher, the longtime CEO of financial services firm Intercontinental Exchange and chairman of the New York Stock Exchange.

Irs Commissioner: Billy Long

Trump selected former Rep. Billy Long, R-Mo., as the Internal Revenue Service’s 51st commissioner, noting he has known the former congressman since 2011. Pending Senate approval, Long’s addition will seemingly end IRS Commissioner Danny Werfel’s term early (his term was slated to end in 2027). Long is a former auctioneer and has worked as a business and tax adviser since leaving Congress in 2022.

White House Counsel: David Warrington

Trump announced David Warrington, his campaign general counsel who represented him during the House Jan. 6 committee probe, as the top White House lawyer, replacing his initial nominee, William McGinley, who Trump said will serve as counsel to the newly created Department of Government Efficiency.

Department Of Government Efficiency Counsel: William Mcginley

In what could be viewed as a demotion from White House counsel, Trump said William McGinley will instead serve as the head lawyer for the newly created DOGE, though the Trump transition team “War Room” X account disputed the notion, insisting DOGE “needs a solid, experienced pro like Bill McGinley.”

Assistant Secretary Of State: Monica Crowley

A former Fox News contributor and former senior communications director for Trump’s National Security Council who stepped down from that role amid plagiarism accusations, Trump tapped Monica Crowley as assistant secretary of state and chief of protocol of the U.S., writing on Truth Social that she will “be the administration representative for major U.S. hosted events,” such as the Olympics in Los Angeles in 2028, the World Cup in 2026 and the nation’s 250th anniversary celebrations, also in 2026.

Securities And Exchange Commission Chair: Paul Atkins

Trump tapped Paul Atkins for the top financial regulator post, announcing his decision in a post on Truth Social. Atkins was previously an SEC commissioner from 2002 to 2008, during the George W. Bush administration. Atkins “recognizes that digital assets & other innovations are crucial to Making America Greater than Ever Before,” Trump wrote Wednesday, nodding to the crypto community’s embrace of Atkins, who would succeed crypto skeptic Gary Gensler as SEC chief.

Drug Enforcement Agency Administrator: Chad Chronister Withdraws

Hillsborough County (Fla.) Sheriff Chad Chronister was Trump’s initial choice to lead the Drug Enforcement Agency, but Chronister posted to X that he decided to withdraw. The post was met with accounts celebrating the withdrawal and ridiculing past decisions. But, the following day Trump took credit for Chronister stepping down, saying on Truth Social Chronister “didn’t pull out, I pulled him out.” Trump said he did so “because I did not like what he said to my pastors and other supporters.” As sheriff, Chronister once arrested a pastor for breaking Covid-19 lockdown rules in 2020. Rep. Thomas Massie, R-Ky., posted to X after the announcement, saying he’s “glad to see [Chronister] withdraw from consideration. Next time politicians lose their ever-lovin minds, he can redeem himself by following the Constitution.”

Senior Counselor For Trade And Manufacturing: Peter Navarro

Trump chose Peter Navarro for the top trade advisor role, announcing the appointment on Truth Social and writing that Navarro “was treated horribly by the Deep State, or whatever else you would like to call it,” referencing Navarro’s conviction last year that made him the first person in history to serve a prison sentence for contempt of Congress.

Nasa Administrator: Jared Isaacman

Trump tapped billionaire Jared Isaacman, founder and CEO of Shift4 payment processing firm, as administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, calling him “an accomplished business leader, philanthropist, pilot, and astronaut” in a Truth Social post.

Army Secretary: Daniel Driscoll

Trump announced Daniel Driscoll, a senior advisor to Vice President-elect JD Vance, will serve as the senior Defense department civilian. Driscoll, an Army veteran, will “serve as a disruptor and change agent,” Trump wrote on Truth Social.

Special Envoy For Hostage Affairs: Adam Boehler

Adam Boehler, founder of the health-care investment firm Rubicon Founders and the former CEO of the United States Development Finance Corporation, will serve as special envoy for hostage affairs, Trump announced on Truth Social.

Ambassador To Uk: Warren Stephens

Trump has chosen Warren Stephens, an investment banker worth an estimated $3.4 billion, to serve as his envoy to the United Kingdom, a job that requires Senate confirmation. He leads Arkansas-based investment bank Stephens Inc., which was founded by his uncle more than 90 years ago and is known for its role in Walmart’s 1970 initial public offering. Stephens has also donated millions to pro-Trump and GOP-aligned political action committees. In a Truth Social post, Trump called Stephens “one of the most successful businessmen in the Country.”

Senior Advisor On Arab And Middle Eastern Affairs: Massad Boulos

Trump tapped Massad Boulos, father-in-law to his daughter, Tiffany Trump, as his senior advisor on Arab and Middle Eastern affairs. Boulos’ son, Michael Boulos, married Tiffany Trump in 2022. Boulos, the CEO of a Nigerian motor vehicle company, conducted outreach to Arab American voters for Trump during his 2024 campaign. Trump announced Boulos as his pick for the role in a Truth Social post, calling him “an asset to my Campaign” who was “instrumental in building tremendous new coalitions with the Arab American Community.”

Fbi Director: Kash Patel

Trump announced Kash Patel as his pick for FBI director. Patel held multiple roles in the first Trump administration, including helping lead the GOP-controlled House Intelligence Committee’s investigation into the FBI’s probe of Russia’s links to Trump’s 2016 campaign. He served as chief of staff to former acting Defense Secretary Christopher Miller during Trump’s final months in office, and Trump reportedly attempted to install him as deputy CIA or FBI director in his final months in office, but reversed course amid internal backlash. Patel has remained fiercely loyal to Trump since he left office and has vowed to help Trump seek retribution against his various political enemies. He has also called for an overhaul of the FBI, writing in his book that the agency “has become so thoroughly compromised that it will remain a threat to the people unless drastic measures are taken,” according to excerpts cited by ABC News. Patel would replace FBI Director Christopher Wray if he’s confirmed by the Senate.

Ambassador To France: Charles Kushner

Trump nominated Charles Kushner, founder of the real estate firm Kushner Companies and the father of Trump’s son-in-law Jared, as U.S. ambassador to France. Kushner was pardoned by Trump in 2020 after serving a prison sentence on federal charges of tax evasion and illegal campaign donations. He pleaded guilty to 18 counts, including tax evasion and witness tampering.

Special Envoy For Ukraine And Russia: Keith Kellogg

Trump named Keith Kellogg, a retired lieutenant general and former chief of staff for the White House National Security Council during Trump’s first term, as special envoy for Ukraine and Russia, a newly created position. Kellogg has presented Trump with a plan for ending the war and forcing Ukraine and Russia to the negotiating table, Reuters reported previously, citing unnamed sources.

National Institutes Of Health Director: Dr. Jay Bhattacharya

Stanford professor and vocal Covid-19 lockdown critic Dr. Jay Bhattacharya is Trump’s pick to lead the National Institutes of Health. In announcing the appointment, Trump said “Jay and RFK Jr. will restore the NIH to a Gold Standard of Medical Research as they examine the underlying causes of, and solutions to, America’s biggest Health challenges, including our Crisis of Chronic Illness and Disease.” In 2020, Bhattacharya co-authored an open letter titled the “Great Barrington Declaration” which argued against the effectiveness of Covid-19 lockdowns. The letter, which was criticized by health experts including Dr. Anthony Fauci, argued for “herd immunity” for most of the population “through natural infection” while sheltering vulnerable populations. According to his profile page on Stanford Medicine, the India-born Bhattacharya serves as professor of health policy at the university.

United States Trade Representative: Jamieson Greer

Washington lawyer Jamieson Greer is Trump’s pick to lead international trade negotiations. An Air Force veteran and former chief of staff to Trump’s former trade representative, Robert Lighthizer, Greer “played a key role during my First Term in imposing Tariffs on China and others to combat unfair Trade practices,” Trump said in a statement.

National Economic Council Director: Kevin Hassett

Trump picked Kevin Hassett to lead the National Economic Council, giving him significant sway over policy decisions surrounding trade, taxes and deregulation. Trump said Hassett “will play an important role in helping American families recover from the Inflation that was unleashed by the Biden Administration.” Hassett, who led the Council of Economic Advisers during Trump’s first term, recently expressed some skepticism about some of Trump’s economic proposals, telling Goldman Sachs last month Trump’s proposal to reduce the corporate tax rate to 15% was unlikely to net the same “dynamic effects” as the 2017 Tax Cut and Jobs Act, and Trump’s tariffs proposals would likely require legislation, Politico reported. Hassett also told Goldman that Federal Reserve leadership should be “neutral” from the administration and said “suspicions” about Trump’s desire for coordination between the Fed and the White House in setting interest rates “should be taken seriously.”

Domestic Policy Council Director: Vince Haley

Vince Haley, who served as adviser and speechwriter during Trump’s first term was named as the head of the Domestic Policy Council. Trump said Haley had a “brilliant mind for Policies that work for the American People.” Trump did not outline any specific issues that Haley will focus on, but according to the Wall Street Journal the council will oversee several key domestic issues, including “healthcare, immigration and education.” Haley has worked with former House Speaker Newt Gingrich, R-Ga., for several decades and even served as the campaign manager of his 2012 presidential bid. Haley also worked under Stephen Miller—who Trump named as his Deputy Chief of Staff for Policy— while writing Trump’s speeches during his first term in office.

Department Of Health And Human Services Deputy Secretary: Jim O’neill

Silicon Valley investor Jim O’Neill, who is a close associate of billionaire and Trump backer Peter Thiel, was named as the pick for the Department of Health and Human Services Deputy Secretary. In his announcement Trump said O’Neill will work alongside his HHS Secretary pick Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and “oversee all operations and improve Management, Transparency, and Accountability to, Make America Healthy Again.” O’Neill previously served as the CEO of the Thiel Foundation and was up for consideration for the FDA commissioner role during Trump’s first term. O’Neill also worked as the HHS principal associate deputy secretary during the George W. Bush administration. The Silicon Valley investor has called for major reform at the FDA in the past and argued that the efficacy of drugs should be measured after they have been allowed on market. O’Neill said the agency should approve drugs once its been demonstrated as being safe.

Navy Secretary: John Phelan

Trump tapped financier John Phelan as his nominee for Secretary of the Navy. Phelan founded MSD Capital more than two and half decades ago to manage the fortune of billionaire Michael Dell. According to the Hill, Phelan was a key donor to Trump’s campaign during this election season and contributed $834,600 to the president-elect’s joint fundraising committee, Trump 47.

Treasury Secretary: Scott Bessent

Hedge fund executive Scott Bessent is Trump’s pick for treasury secretary. Bessent—who spoke recently with Forbes—had long been seen as a top choice for the role, especially as it was reported Trump was leaning toward someone with Wall Street experience. Bessent is the founder of Key Square Management, a hedge fund that had less than $600 million in assets under management at the end of last year, and worked for Democratic megadonor George Soros for years before that. Bessent donated about $3 million to Trump and other Republican causes this election season and previously said Trump was “very sophisticated on economic policy.” Bessent is known for being pro-tariff—tariffs are at the center of Trump’s economic policies—and called the import taxes a “negotiating tool with our trading partners” in a Fox News column. If confirmed, Bessent would make history as the first Senate-confirmed LGBTQ+ Republican Cabinet member.

Attorney General: Pam Bondi

Trump announced former Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi as his pick to lead the Justice Department—elevating an ally shortly after former Rep. Matt Gaetz’s withdrawal. Bondi served as Florida’s top lawyer from 2011 to 2019, and later joined Trump’s defense team in his first Senate impeachment trial in 2020. She also served on a Trump-era commission on opioids and drug addiction. Attorney general is one of the most high-profile and highly anticipated appointments, as Trump has fiercely criticized the Justice Department for prosecuting him and is expected to drastically change its makeup—and possibly push for retribution against his opponents. In a Truth Social post, Trump said Bondi will “refocus the DOJ to its intended purpose of fighting Crime, and Making America Safe Again.”

Secretary Of Defense: Pete Hegseth

Trump selected Pete Hegseth as his secretary of defense, praising his status as a combat veteran and role as a co-host on Fox & Friends Weekend. Revelations subsequently emerged that Hegseth was accused of sexually assaulting a woman at a Monterey, California, hotel in 2017. The Monterey Police Department confirmed in a statement that it investigated the incident, but did not bring charges. Hegseth has denied the allegations through his attorney, Timothy Parlatore, who told multiple outlets he paid his accuser a settlement to avoid a lawsuit over the matter.

Health And Human Services Secretary: Robert F. Kennedy Jr.

Trump nominated Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to lead the Health and Human Services Department, making good on his promise to give Kennedy broad leeway over public health. Kennedy, who ran for the Democratic nomination then as an independent candidate before dropping out and endorsing Trump, espouses debunked views on public health—including skepticism about the efficacy of childhood vaccines and the Covid-19 vaccine. He has also advocated for removing fluoride from public water, an idea Trump said he as open to. As HHS secretary, Kennedy would oversee 13 public health-related agencies, and has expressed plans to upend many of them, telling an audience at a conference in November he would halt infectious disease studies at the National Institutes of Health if given a role in the Trump administration. “I’m going to say to NIH scientists, God bless you all . . . thank you for your public service,” NBC reported. The surprise selection drew criticism from many Democrats, and some Republicans expressed wariness about the pick. Trump’s former Vice President Mike Pence spoke against Kennedy as the pick to lead HHS in a statement and urged Senate Republicans to reject the nomination, citing Kennedy’s support of abortion rights.

Secretary Of State: Marco Rubio

Trump nominated Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., as secretary of state. Rubio and Trump feuded when they both ran for president in 2016, but the two smoothed over their relationship during Trump’s most recent White House run. Rubio frequently campaigned for Trump and was said to be in the running to be his vice presidential pick. Some of Rubio’s foreign policy stances break with Trump, including his co-sponsorship of legislation last year that would prohibit a president from exiting NATO without congressional approval. Rubio would be the first Latino to hold the position, which is subject to Senate confirmation. Forbes estimated Rubio’s net worth at over $1 million—significantly less than some other members of Trump’s inner circle, but a jump since 2015, when he was worth just $100,000.

Director Of National Intelligence: Tulsi Gabbard

Trump announced Tulsi Gabbard will serve as his Director of National Intelligence, a role that puts her at the head of the U.S. intelligence community. Gabbard is a former Democratic representative from Hawaii and a 2020 Democratic presidential candidate, perhaps best-known for clashing with Kamala Harris on the debate stage in 2019. She left the party in 2022 and became an independent, before endorsing Trump in August and announcing she had joined the Republican Party. A critic of U.S. military interventions, Gabbard has drawn intense scrutiny for her foreign policy views, including for meeting with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad in 2017.

Education Secretary: Linda Mcmahon

Trump tapped former WWE CEO Linda McMahon as secretary of the Department of Education. McMahon is Trump’s transition co-chair alongside Lutnick and served as the administrator of the Small Business Administration from 2017 to 2019. The nomination came after Lutnick was picked as commerce secretary over McMahon, who was “privately frustrated” she was not offered the position before Lutnick was tapped for it, Semafor reported, citing two unnamed people familiar with the matter. McMahon is also the America First Policy Institute’s board chair, helping lead the think tank that has raised millions in support of Trump, according to CNN.

Commerce Secretary: Howard Lutnick

Howard Lutnick is Trump’s pick for commerce secretary—choosing him for the commerce role instead of treasury secretary. Trump, in a statement, called Lutnick “the embodiment of resilience in the face of unspeakable tragedy,” referencing his charitable contributions to 9/11 families after 658 Cantor Fitzgerald employees, including Lutnick’s brother, died in the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, while Lutnick was CEO. Lutnick, who rebuilt the company after 9/11, has spent his entire career at Cantor Fitzgerald and became president and CEO of the financial services firm at the age of 29. His special purposes acquisition company, Cantor Fitzgerald Acquisition Corp., took the Rumble video platform popular among right-wing influencers public in 2022. As commerce secretary, Lutnick will play a role in implementing Trump’s plans for steeper tariffs and he has expressed broad support for the proposal. Lutnick was previously under consideration for treasury secretary—typically a more prominent Cabinet job—and earned support from Musk and Kennedy, but Trump ultimately turned his attention to other candidates after he reportedly became annoyed with Lutnick’s aggressive campaign for the treasury role.

Homeland Security Secretary: Kristi Noem

Trump picked South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem for the role of secretary of the Department of Homeland Security. Noem is a long-time Trump loyalist who was believed be a contender for Vice President. The appointee will be essential in carrying out Trump’s aggressive immigration plans, in addition to the agency’s duties surrounding cybersecurity, antiterrorism and emergency response.

Agriculture Secretary: Brooke Rollins

Trump announced Brooke Rollins as his pick for agriculture secretary. Rollins served as a policy advisor during Trump’s first administration and is the president of the America First Policy Institute, a think tank founded by former Trump administration officials that has advocated against foreign ownership of U.S. farmland. She was reportedly considered for White House chief of staff before Susie Wiles was named to the role.

Centers For Medicare And Medicaid Services Administrator: Mehmet Oz

Mehmet Oz, the celebrity doctor who lost his 2022 Senate bid to Sen. John Fetterman, D-Pa., will fill the role. Oz will work closely with Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who Trump announced as his pick for Health and Human Services secretary. Oz’s rise to fame is largely tied to his frequent appearances on the Oprah Winfrey show in the early 2000s and his own subsequent daytime talk show. He’s accused of espousing questionable medical claims, including promoting the debunked theory that the anti-malaria drug hydroxychloroquine could treat Covid-19, and pushing so-called miracle weight loss products unsupported by scientific research. Trump endorsed Oz in his 2022 Senate campaign.

Chief Of Staff: Susie Wiles

Trump named his campaign co-manager Susie Wiles chief of staff two days after his election win, marking his first major administrative pick. Wiles will be the first woman to hold the position.

Department Of Government Efficiency: Elon Musk And Vivek Ramaswamy

Trump announced Elon Musk, the world’s wealthiest person, will run a new Department of Government Efficiency (or “DOGE”) alongside investor and former Republican primary candidate Vivek Ramaswamy. Trump said in a statement the department—which has not yet been created—will offer “advice and guidance from outside of Government” and focus on “making changes to the Federal Bureaucracy with an eye on efficiency,” including through spending and regulatory cuts. Musk, a vocal Trump backer who donated over $100 million to a pro-Trump super PAC, has pitched the department in the past, seemingly naming it after the meme cryptocurrency dogecoin.

Office Of Management And Budget Director: Russell Vought

Trump nominated Russell Vought as director of the Office of Budget and Management, potentially marking his second time in the role. Vought was the office’s director from 2020 to 2021 after serving as deputy director and acting director. Vought authored a chapter in the controversial Project 2025 policy agenda on the Executive Office of the President of the United States and will be in charge of overseeing the White House budget and implementation of Trump’s policies throughout the executive branch. He also reportedly said in secret camera footage published by the Centre for Climate Reporting that Trump “blessed” Project 2025 despite distancing himself from it on the campaign trail. Vought is expected to push for policy restructuring that provides more power to the president.

Homeland Security Adviser And Deputy Chief Of Staff For Policy: Stephen Miller

Trump announced Stephen Miller as White House Deputy Chief of Staff for Policy, plus the additional role of homeland security adviser. Miller was a senior adviser to Trump during his first administration and one of the architects of some of his most controversial immigration policies, including his family separation program.

Border Czar: Tom Homan

Trump appointed his former Immigration and Customs Enforcement Director Tom Homan to newly created role, he announced, as Trump plans a mass deportation of undocumented migrants during his second term.

Cdc Director: Dave Weldon, Fda Commissioner: Marty Makary, Surgeon General: Janette Nesheiwat

Trump announced former Rep. Dave Weldon, R-Fla.—who served in Congress from 1995 to 2009—as CDC director, and tapped Marty Makary, who became known for opposing vaccine mandates during the COVID-19 pandemic, as FDA commissioner. He also named former Fox News contributor Janette Nesheiwat as his pick for surgeon general.

Secretary Of Labor: Lori Chavez-Deremer

Rep. Lori Chavez-DeRemer, R-Ore., was nominated as Trump’s secretary of labor. She was elected to the House of Representatives in 2022 to represent Oregon’s 5th Congressional District and recently lost her reelection bid.

Senior Director For Counterterrorism: Sebastian Gorka

Sebastian Gorka was appointed as the deputy assistant to the president and senior director for counterterrorism. He previously served as strategist to the president in the first Trump administration and is the host of his own radio show, “America First with Sebastian Gorka.”

Hud Secretary: Scott Turner

Trump named former NFL player Scott Turner as his pick for secretary of the Department of Housing and Urban Development. Turner served in the first Trump administration as the executive director of Trump’s White House Opportunity and Revitalization Council.

National Security Adviser: Mike Waltz

Trump appointed Rep. Mike Waltz, R-Fla., to serve as his national security adviser. In recent months, Waltz—a former Army Green Beret—has frequently criticized China, urged NATO members to pay more for defense and said he expects Trump to push Ukraine and Russia toward a negotiated end to the war in Ukraine.

Interior Secretary: Doug Burgum (and Head Of New National Energy Council)

Trump nominated North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum as secretary of the interior. If confirmed by the Senate, he’ll be responsible for managing vast swaths of federally owned land, administering national parks and handling oil and gas drilling on federal property—which Trump has vowed to ramp up. Trump also tapped Burgum as chairman of the new National Energy Council, which will cut down on regulations and “oversee the path to U.S. ENERGY DOMINANCE,” according to Trump. The position will also provide Burgum a seat on the National Security Council. First elected North Dakota governor in 2016, Burgum briefly ran against Trump in the 2024 GOP primaries, but dropped out and endorsed Trump. A tech executive and investor by trade, Burgum previously ran Great Plains Software, remaining at the company after it was acquired by Microsoft. Last year, Forbes estimated his net worth at at least $100 million.

Energy Secretary: Chris Wright

Chris Wright, chief executive of the oilfield services group Liberty Energy, was named Trump’s nominee for secretary of energy. Wright has argued against climate change’s role in causing extreme weather events, saying in a video posted to LinkedIn last year “there is no climate crisis, and we’re not in the midst of an energy transition either.” He later disputed he was “[fighting] climate science,” despite saying the claims he made were “correct.”

Transportation Secretary: Sean Duffy

Trump nominated former Rep. Sean Duffy, R-Wisc., as secretary of transportation, lauding his time in Congress and his role as a member of the House Financial Services Committee. Following his resignation from Congress in 2019, Duffy registered as a lobbyist and continued spending campaign funds on Trump’s D.C. hotel. The campaign spent more than $22,000 at Trump’s D.C. hotel between 2017 and 2020, $17,000 of which was spent in a single day in July 2019. Duffy is a co-host of Fox Business’ “The Bottom Line” and has contributed to Fox News since 2020. He is married to “Fox & Friends Weekend” co-host Rachel Campos-Duffy.

Veterans Affairs Secretary: Doug Collins

Trump picked former Rep. Doug Collins, R-Ga., as his secretary for veterans affairs. Collins served as a congressman from 2013 to 2021, and was known as a vocal backer of Trump in the chamber during his first administration. He is also a chaplain in the United States Air Force Reserve Command. Collins vowed to “streamline and cut regulations in the VA, root out corruption, and ensure every veteran receives the benefits they’ve earned.” The former congressman was deployed to Iraq in 2008 as a member of the Air Force’s 94th Airlift Wing.

Cia Director: John Ratlciffe

Former Director of National Intelligence John Ratcliffe will serve as CIA director. A former Texas congressman, Ratcliffe served as the director of national intelligence from 2020 to 2021 and acted as Trump’s primary intelligence adviser during his last presidency. During his time as director of national intelligence, Ratcliffe declassified unverified Russian intelligence information that claimed Hillary Clinton approved a plan to link Trump to Russia and the Democratic National Committee cyberattacks in 2016. Democrats criticized Ratcliffe’s decision to publicly release the information, alleging he was politicizing unverified information to aid Trump.

Environmental Protection Agency Administrator: Lee Zeldin

Trump tapped former Rep. Lee Zeldin, R-N.Y., to lead the EPA, citing his “very strong legal background” and calling him “a true fighter for America First policies” in a statement. Zeldin—a Trump ally who ran for New York governor two years ago—“will ensure fair and swift deregulatory decisions that will be enacted in a way to unleash the power of American business while at the same time maintaining the highest environmental standards,” the statement said.

Fcc Chair: Brendan Carr

Trump named Brendan Carr to chair the Federal Communications Commission. Carr has served as one of the FCC’s five commissioners since 2017, when Trump first appointed him to the agency. He’s known as a critic of big tech companies, writing a chapter of the controversial Project 2025 agenda—which Trump has broadly disavowed—that argued the FCC should narrow the immunity enjoyed by tech platforms and require companies to be transparent about their content moderation decisions. He’s also used his platform at the FCC to back Musk. He’ll take over the FCC as Trump pushes the agency to revoke the licenses of broadcast TV stations whose coverage he claims is unfair—though that could be very difficult in practice.

Ambassador To Un: Elise Stefanik

Trump nominated GOP Conference Chair Rep. Elise Stefanik, R-N.Y., for the United Nations ambassador role. Stefanik is known as a staunch Trump ally.

Special Envoy To The Middle East: Steven C. Witkoff

Trump tapped Steven Witkoff, a GOP donor and real estate investor, for special envoy to the Middle East. Witkoff is chairman of the University of Miami Business School Real Estate Advisory Board and the CEO of Witkoff, a real estate firm he founded in 1997. He is also a longtime friend of Trump’s and one of the president-elect’s golf partners. Witkoff was with Trump during the apparent second assassination attempt on his life, telling NBC that Secret Service agents dived on Trump and got him off his Florida golf course in under 20 seconds.

Ambassador To Nato: Matthew Whitaker

Trump announced Matthew Whitaker will serve as the official U.S. representative to NATO. Whitaker was the former U.S. acting attorney general appointed after former Attorney General Jeff Sessions resigned and before former Attorney General William Barr was sworn in during Trump’s first term. Whitaker oversaw the DOJ during former Special Counsel Robert Mueller’s investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 election and was heavily scrutinized by Democrats over whether he sought to interfere in the probe on Trump’s behalf, allegations he denied. Whitaker frequently appears on Fox News as an advocate for Trump, defending his decision to tap Gaetz as attorney general and broadly criticizing the Justice Department over its various investigations into Trump’s conduct.

Ambassador To Israel: Mike Huckabee

Trump announced former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee as his envoy to Israel, touting his military service as he served in the Army Special Forces for 27 years. Huckabee is a staunch supporter of Israel and has criticized the Biden administration’s calls for a cease-fire with Hamas. Huckabee has advocated for Israel to annex parts of the West Bank, which Israel occupied in 1967, and has backed Israeli settlers in the territory. A former Southern Baptist pastor, Huckabee regularly leads evangelicals on visits to Israel.

White House Press Secretary: Karoline Leavitt

Karoline Leavitt, the Trump campaign’s national press secretary, will serve as White House Press Secretary once the president-elect assumes his office. Leavitt, 27, was an assistant press secretary during Trump’s first presidency. She also won the Republican primary in New Hampshire’s 1st Congressional District in 2022, becoming the second Gen Z candidate to win a House primary.

White House Communications Director: Steven Cheung

Trump picked his campaign spokesman, Steven Cheung, to serve as his communications director at the White House. Cheung was the director of communications for the president-elect’s 2024 presidential campaign and served as director of strategic response during Trump’s last term, after working in communications for the Ultimate Fighting Championship previously.

Other White House Jobs

• Trump named James Braid his director of legislative affairs—Braid is Vice President-elect Sen. JD Vance’s lead policy staffer and worked in the Office of Management and Budget during Trump’s first term.
• Matt Brasseaux, a deputy political director for the Trump campaign and Republican National Committee in 2024, was appointed director of the office of political affairs.
• Alex Latcham, Trump’s former deputy political director during his first administration and a senior deputy political director for his most recent campaign and the RNC, will serve as director of the office of public liaison.
• Campaign staffer and former One America News anchor Natalie Harp—nicknamed the “human printer” as she’s known for trailing Trump with a portable printer and supplying him with paper copies of news stories—is expected to help control the flow of information to and from Trump, according to The New York Times, though she hasn’t officially been given a role.
• Top GOP lawyer William McGinley was chosen for White House counsel, after previously working as Trump’s White House cabinet secretary from 2017 to 2019, advising other cabinet members on policy coordination, optics and ethics.
• Dan Scavino will return to his role as deputy chief of staff, after serving as a longtime Trump communications staffer (he was held in contempt of Congress for refusing to testify in the House Jan. 6 committee investigation, but the Justice Department declined to prosecute him).
• James Blair will work as deputy chief of staff for legislative, political and public affairs, after spearheading Trump’s grassroots voter outreach efforts and making frequent media appearances.
• Taylor Budowich was picked for deputy chief of staff for communications and personnel, after running the Trump-aligned MAGA Inc. super PAC.
• Trump tapped William Scharf to be White House staff secretary: Scharf, a former prosecutor who ran in the Republican primary for Missouri attorney general, was part of Trump’s legal team that successfully argued he has immunity from official acts he took during his first term.
• Sergio Gor, president and co-founder of Donald Trump Jr.’s Winning Team Publishing company, has been tapped to lead the Presidential Personnel Office.

Other Justice Department Jobs

• Todd Blanche, Trump’s hush money trial lawyer, was tapped as the president-elect’s deputy attorney general. Blanche was lauded as “an excellent attorney who will be a crucial leader in the Justice Department,” which Trump has often criticized throughout his criminal and civil cases.
• Trump picked another of his attorneys, Emil Bove, as principal associate deputy attorney general. Bove represented Trump alongside Blanche throughout the hush money trial and is a former federal prosecutor.
• Dean John Sauer was chosen for for solicitor general, after he was credited with helping win Trump’s presidential immunity case, which resulted in the Supreme Court ruling that presidents have some immunity for official acts they take in office. Sauer also served as solicitor general of Missouri for six years and clerked for late Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia.
• Former Securities and Exchange Commission Chairman Jay Clayton was chosen as U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York, widely seen as one of the most prestigious prosecuting jobs due to the high-profile cases filed in the district, which includes New York City.

Tangent

Trump asked Republican National Committee co-chair Michael Whatley to return to his role. Trump tapped Whatley and his daughter-in-law Lara Trump to co-chair the RNC after he effectively secured the GOP 2024 presidential nomination.

Key Background

Trump decamped to Mar-a-Lago after his win, holding meetings with his inner circle, administration hopefuls and transition team to craft his second term agenda and build out his staff. Trump is shaping his second-term agenda with the help of several right-wing groups, his closest allies and billionaire backers. Musk, who has been spotted on numerous occasions alongside Trump since his election, is among those who appear to be influencing Trump’s policy and personnel decisions. Lutnick is also overseeing a team making recommendations for personnel picks and vetting potential candidates, and Miller is expected to play a key role in making the final decisions. The right-wing think tank America First Policy Institute is reportedly the primary driver of Trump’s transition plans and has been crafting possible executive actions for Trump once he takes office. The organization is chaired by McMahon and led by former Trump Domestic Policy Counsel Director Brook Rollins.

Further Reading

What We Know About Trump’s Potential Cabinet—With RFK Jr. And Elon Musk Among The Candidates (Forbes)

Who Will Help Shape Trump’s Policy Agenda? Here Are The Key Groups And Players (Forbes)

Stephen Miller Will Reportedly Lead Trump’s Policy Agenda—Here’s Who Else Could Help Him (Forbes)