Who’s who in Trump’s new team They will lead the State Department, Pentagon, and CIA

The Republican candidate Donald Trump, who won the US presidential election, will begin his duties after his inauguration on January 20. One of the key questions now is: who will be part of his team when he returns to the White House? Donald Trump has completed the formation of his future administration, announcing candidates for key positions. Most of the nominees still need to be approved by the Senate. The majority of the candidates are loyal conservatives who fully share his views on domestic and foreign policy.

However, the biographies of some of them have already caused scandals, leading, for example, to the first withdrawal from a future position. Former Florida Congressman Matt Gaetz announced that he would not seek the post of US Attorney General. Gaetz, who had been accused of sexual crimes, explained that he did not want to divert attention from the work of forming the new administration.

Now, let’s take a look at the candidates Trump has nominated for key positions in his future administration.

Secretary of State: Marco Rubio

Marco Rubio once called Trump a "fraud" and "the most vulgar person to ever run for President," while Trump referred to him as "Little Marco." Rubio is considered one of the most hawkish candidates for the position of Secretary of State. He is a strong opponent of US involvement in foreign conflicts and has suggested ending the war in Ukraine through negotiations, adding that Kyiv should not expect to regain all of its territories.

Attorney General, Secretary of Justice: Pamela Bondi

Bondi is an experienced prosecutor with a long tenure in law enforcement. In 2011, she became the first woman to serve as Florida's Attorney General. She publicly supported Trump during the legal proceedings regarding payments to adult film actress Stormy Daniels.

Secretary of the Interior: Douglas Burgum

Burgum is the Governor of North Dakota. His fortune, estimated by Forbes to be at least $100 million, came from selling his software company to Microsoft. Burgum will also become the "energy czar," heading a new US agency, the National Energy Council, which will include agencies and departments responsible for energy production, regulation, and transportation.

White House Chief of Staff: Susie Wiles

Trump's election victory was the result of her work as the head of his campaign. She will be the first woman to hold the position of Chief of Staff. Trump calls her the "Ice Queen," and other Republicans say she knows how to rein in Trump's ambitions and bring discipline to his team. She prefers working behind the scenes and avoids public appearances.

Secretary of Health and Human Services: Robert F. Kennedy Jr.

At 29, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., a member of one of America's most famous families, was convicted on probation for heroin possession, which ended his career as a prosecutor. After that, he focused on fighting global warming and is credited with cleaning up the Hudson River. In recent years, he has spread conspiracy theories claiming that vaccines cause autism in children, and during the COVID-19 pandemic, he became one of the most well-known anti-vaxxers. Trump stated that Robert F. Kennedy Jr. would play an important role in public health organizations like the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

Director of National Intelligence: Tulsi Gabbard

A veteran of the Iraq War and a former member of the Democratic Party, Tulsi Gabbard left the party in 2020 and became a supporter of Trump. She is known for her support of Israel. Ukraine's security services believe Gabbard has "worked for a foreign audience for Kremlin money" for several years. She is listed on the "Myrotvorets" website as an "agent of Russian intelligence services." Gabbard has made several pro-Russian statements that sparked criticism from both sides. She shared information accusing Ukraine of developing biological weapons, prompting Senator Mitt Romney to accuse her of spreading "treasonous lies." She also criticized the Biden administration for not recognizing what she claimed were "Russia's legitimate security concerns about Ukraine joining NATO."

Head of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services: Mehmet Oz

"Dr. Oz," from the eponymous TV show, will lead the agency responsible for healthcare services for millions of Americans. Before 2022, Oz hosted his own program, offering health advice to viewers. Many experts criticized him for promoting "miracle" cures. During the coronavirus pandemic, he advocated for malaria drugs, despite experts declaring them ineffective.

Secretary of Homeland Security: Kristi Noem

Kristi Noem, Governor of South Dakota, is known for her tough stance on illegal immigration. In recent years, she has made several trips to the US-Mexico border and sent the National Guard there. Noem faced criticism after revealing in her memoirs that she personally shot her dog, which she described as "untrainable," "dangerous," and "useless" for pheasant hunting.

Head of the Office of Government Efficiency: Elon Musk

One of the wealthiest people in the world, CEO of Tesla and SpaceX, and owner of social media platform X, Elon Musk became a central figure in Trump’s campaign. Musk began actively supporting Trump in 2022 (after previously criticizing him). The exact role of the Office of Government Efficiency remains unclear, but Musk has stated his intention to combat the "stifling federal bureaucracy."

Secretary of Defense: Pete Hegseth

A reserve major who served in Iraq, Afghanistan, and at Guantanamo Bay, Pete Hegseth later led a veterans' rights organization. He worked at Fox News, where he frequently criticized NATO allies, claiming that "China is building an army specifically designed to defeat the US." His candidacy has raised doubts due to his involvement in a sexual scandal.

Director of the CIA: John Ratcliffe

Former congressman from Texas and Director of National Intelligence, John Ratcliffe was a staunch defender of Donald Trump during the impeachment hearings in the House of Representatives. He also vehemently denied the findings of the investigation into possible Russian interference in the US elections. Later, in an attempt to show his independence, he began acknowledging that Russia had interfered in the 2016 elections.

Secretary of the Navy: John Phelan

Donald Trump, the winner of the US presidential election, appointed businessman and art collector John Phelan as the new Secretary of the Navy. Phelan, 59, is one of the founders of the investment firm MSD Capital. He holds a degree in political science and an MBA from Harvard University. In August, he organized a fundraising event for Trump’s campaign, raising around $38 million.

As we can see, Trump's current team is radically different from the one he worked with from 2016 to 2020. During the Senate confirmation process for most of the key positions, heated debates may unfold. However, given Trump’s nature, he will likely find the right arguments to justify his choice of candidates.

By Vusala Azimzade