New Delhi: Donald Trump has returned to the White House as the 47th President of the United States, and his cabinet picks are reflective of his commitment to the “America First” agenda. This line-up, consisting of political loyalists and conservative hawks, signals a tough, nationalist shift in US governance and policy.
Trump’s return to power comes after a tumultuous first term marred by political battles, two impeachment trials, and the aftermath of the 2020 election results. But now, with the Republican Party holding a majority in the Senate, his cabinet nominations are expected to sail through with minimal scrutiny or opposition.
Trump’s second term will see the return of familiar faces, including Pam Bondi as Attorney General, William McGinley as White House Counsel, and Karoline Leavitt as Press Secretary.
The President has outlined an ambitious plan to overhaul federal agencies, focusing on creating a leaner, more efficient government. At the same time, national security and a hardline stance on immigration and foreign policy remain central to his tenure with choices like Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Defense Secretary nominee Pete Hegseth, and National Security Adviser Michael Waltz.
Russell Vought, a key architect of Project 2025—a conservative plan to overhaul federal governance—returns to his former role as Director of the Office of Management and Budget.
One of Trump’s more novel initiatives is the creation of a new “Department of Government Efficiency” (DOGE), which is independent and will influence federal operations in collaboration with the White House.
Billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk and Indian origin biotech mogul Vivek Ramaswamy have been selected to co-lead this initiative, although reports suggest that Ramaswamy may step down in favour of a run for the Governor of Ohio. If that happens, Musk, whose financial backing was crucial to Trump’s victory, would likely take full control of the department.
Scott Bessent at the Treasury and Howard Lutnick at Commerce are expected to push aggressive policies aimed at strengthening the US economy, particularly in the face of global competition from China.
Several of Donald Trump’s cabinet picks are expected to be confirmed by the Senate this week, following over a dozen confirmation hearings held last week. Additional hearings for other nominees are also scheduled for this week.
ThePrint takes a closer look at some of the key picks:
Pete Hegseth as defense secretary
Pete Hegseth, 44, a military veteran, has been an outspoken critic of what he calls the “woke” policies of Pentagon leaders, especially those related to diversity. If confirmed, he would follow through on Trump’s campaign promise to oust generals who, in Trump’s view, were pushing progressive agendas in the military. Hegseth’s confirmation as defense secretary could face hurdles in the Senate due to past allegations of sexual misconduct, which he has denied.
Pam Bondi as attorney general
Trump selected Pam Bondi as attorney general after Matt Gaetz withdrew amid allegations of sexual misconduct. 59-year-old Bondi served as a key member of Trump’s Opioid and Drug Abuse Commission and is viewed as one of his closest allies.
She is expected to play a critical role in Trump’s plans for mass deportations, pardoning those involved in the 6 January insurrection, and seeking retribution against those who have prosecuted him in the past.
During her confirmation hearing, Bondi reassured the Senate that the Justice Department would not target individuals based on their politics, though she avoided directly addressing investigations into Trump’s adversaries.
Marco Rubio as secretary of state
Marco Rubio, 53, is set to make history as the first Latino US Secretary of State. Known for his hawkish foreign policy stance, Rubio has long been a vocal critic of adversaries such as China, Iran, and Cuba.
In recent years, his views have aligned more closely with Trump’s preference for a less-interventionist foreign policy, especially on issues like military engagement. During his confirmation hearing, he warned that the US must avoid becoming overly dependent on China.
Kash Patel as FBI chief
Indian origin Kash Patel, who served as an adviser to both the director of national intelligence and the secretary of defense during Trump’s first term, has been an outspoken critic of the FBI. He has previously advocated for the agency to be stripped of its intelligence-gathering responsibilities and called for the dismissal of any employee who did not align with Trump’s agenda. His confirmation, however, is yet to be scheduled.
Kristi Noem to head department of homeland security
Noem has been selected to head the Department of Homeland Security, where she will be responsible for immigration enforcement, cybersecurity, and disaster response. Known for her refusal to impose statewide mask mandates during the pandemic, Noem has consistently framed illegal immigration as an “invasion”.
Tulsi Gabbard as intelligence chief
Tulsi Gabbard, 43, a former Democratic Congresswoman and Army officer, has been selected to lead the Office of National Intelligence. Known for her opposition to US support for Ukraine in its war with Russia, Gabbard’s appointment signals a shift in US intelligence priorities, with a greater focus on confronting Russia. Her confirmation hearing is still pending.
John Ratcliffe as CIA chief
59-year-old John Ratcliffe, a former Congressman and Trump loyalist, would lead the CIA, after previously serving as Director of National Intelligence during Trump’s first term.
Ratcliffe’s appointment may raise eyebrows, given his past criticism of intelligence agencies and allegations of politicising his former role. During his hearing, Ratcliffe reassured lawmakers that he would not purge CIA employees based on political differences, despite Trump’s frequent criticism of them.
Sean Duffy as transport minister
At 53, former Congressman and Fox News host Sean Duffy is set to oversee the Department of Transportation. In his hearing, Duffy agreed to continue ongoing investigations into Tesla’s driver-assistance systems.
Chris Wright as energy secretary
A prominent Trump donor and CEO of Liberty Energy, the 59-year-old is poised to head the Department of Energy. Wright, a vocal advocate for fossil fuels, has been skeptical of the connection between extreme weather and climate change. If confirmed, he would focus on expanding domestic energy production, including natural gas and nuclear power, while also overseeing the country’s nuclear stockpile.
Lee Zeldin as environment head
44-year-old Lee Zeldina, former Congressman from New York, is to head the Environmental Protection Agency, with a mandate to roll back environmental regulations. Zeldin has long been a strong supporter of Trump’s energy policies, which prioritise oil and gas expansion over climate action. In his hearing, he emphasised that Trump’s energy policy would focus on maximising the production of fossil fuels.
Howard Lutnick as commerce secretary
Howard Lutnick, 63, CEO of Cantor Fitzgerald, has been chosen to lead the Department of Commerce. Lutnick, a key supporter of Trump’s trade policies, will play a central role in implementing a robust economic strategy aimed at countering China’s technological rise. His role will also include overseeing the US Trade Representative’s office, and he is expected to pursue aggressive trade policies to bolster US interests.
Elise Stefanik as UN ambassador
Elise Stefanik, a staunch Trump ally, is set to represent the US at the United Nations. If confirmed, she will be tasked with promoting Trump’s foreign policy at the UN, including efforts to end the war in Ukraine.
(Edited by Tikli Basu)
Also Read: Money, power & loyalty. Seating arrangement at Trump’s inauguration sets the tone for his 2nd term