Entering into this next presidential cycle there is a hot mix of scrutiny and excitement surrounding President-elect Donald Trump’s picks for Cabinet. It’s important to understand who these positions belong to and how they got there to help us better understand the policies they are advocating for. Notable appointees like Elon Musk, department of government efficiency and Elise Stefanik, ambassador to the United Nations, have been left off because they are not technically a part of the Presidential Cabinet.
Here are Trump’s 15 picks for the Presidential Cabinet and a bit of background on each.
1. Secretary of State: Marco Rubio
Marco Rubio, 53, is a Republican senator from Florida with extensive foreign policy experience. He serves on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and is the top Republican on the Senate Intelligence Committee. Known for his firm stance on China, Rubio was a rival to Trump in the 2016 Republican primaries but has since aligned with Trump’s foreign policy agenda. Rubio’s confirmation process was one of the smoothest due to his substantial experience on Capitol Hill and his expertise in foreign policy.
2. Secretary of the Treasury: Scott Bessent
Scott Bessent, 62, founded Key Square Group, a Connecticut-based hedge fund. He previously worked for billionaire investor George Soros in the 1990s and is openly gay, becoming the first Senate-confirmed gay Cabinet member in a Republican administration. Bessent advocates for tariffs as a means to protect American industries. Bessent also boasts pro-innovation (cryptocurrency) economic policies.
From what I understand about U.S. macroeconomics, crypto doesn’t have the reach or trust of the public to create any large-scale change – yet. Crypto’s decentralized network attracts those who don’t care for a central authority over their money; however, it’s a bit daunting for those who do want a governing figure checking in every now and then.
Government interference has been a point of contention since the New York Stock Exchange was established in 1792, and I believe the U.S. will try to get involved in the crypto market if they can because of Trump’s plan to have crypto in the U.S. reserve. If it does end up affecting our economy, it’s plausible to presume positive results in the next five to 10 years; however, like most things that affect our economy, it just takes time and energy to see it come to fruition.
3. Secretary of Defense: Pete Hegseth
Pete Hegseth, 44, is a former Army National Guard major and Fox News host. He served in Iraq, Afghanistan and Guantanamo Bay. Hegseth is known for his advocacy of a “warrior ethos” in the military and has been a vocal supporter of Trump’s defense policies. His nomination has faced some pushback over allegations of misconduct and his views on women in combat roles.
4. Attorney General: Pam Bondi
Pam Bondi, 59, served as Florida’s Attorney General from 2011 to 2019. A staunch Trump ally, she defended him during his first impeachment trial. Bondi has been involved in various legal and political roles, including working with the America First Policy Institute.
Bondi was not Trump’s initial pick for Attorney General. Former Florida Congressman Matt Gaetz secured the nomination but withdrew after a Senate hearing brought forth questions regarding accounts of sexual assault and misconduct during his time in Congress. Gaetz wasn’t in a great position even before the hearing, with multiple Senate Republicans publicly questioning his qualifications and suitability for office. With the withdrawal of his nomination, Gaetz will not be returning to Congress as a representative of Florida.
5. Secretary of Health and Human Services: Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
Robert F. Kennedy Jr., 71, is an environmental lawyer and activist known for his controversial views on vaccines. He has recently moderated some of his positions, now endorsing certain vaccines like the polio vaccine. His nomination has sparked debate due to his previous anti-vaccine activism. Kennedy ran for president this cycle as an independent before dropping out and endorsing Trump.
6. Secretary of Homeland Security: Kristi Noem
Kristi Noem, 53, is the governor of South Dakota, elected in 2018 after serving eight years in the House of Representatives. She has been a vocal supporter of Trump’s immigration policies and is known for her strong stance on border security.
7. Secretary of Education: Linda McMahon
Linda McMahon, 76, is the former administrator of the Small Business Administration under Trump’s first term and co-founder of World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE). She has been involved in various business ventures and political activities, including co-chairing Trump’s 2024 transition team. What does WWE have to do with the Department of Education? I honestly can’t answer that.
Yet, McMahon has been adamant about vocational training in our education system and may be beneficial. Vocational training involves career-specific courses for students who feel strongly interested in it. Federal data shows that high school graduation rates increase by as much as 10% when students are enrolled in these courses.
8. Secretary of Energy: Chris Wright
Chris Wright is the CEO of Liberty Energy, a company specializing in hydraulic fracturing services. He is known for his advocacy of the energy industry and has been a proponent of domestic energy production. Wright is a large proponent of fossil fuels, which does raise some questions about the longevity of domestic energy.
9. Secretary of Veterans Affairs: Doug Collins
Doug Collins, 58, is a former U.S. Representative from Georgia who served from 2013 to 2021. A military chaplain and attorney, Collins has been a strong advocate for veterans’ issues and criminal justice reform. It is very common to see veterans in this position, and I do believe Collins is a great fit with just under 10 years of Capitol Hill experience as well.
10. Secretary of the Interior: Doug Burgum
Doug Burgum, 68, is the governor of North Dakota, known for his background in business and technology. He has been involved in various initiatives related to energy development and land management. Unlike Chris Wright, Burgum is a large proponent of renewable energy and innovation. Interior and energy work hand in hand, and I expect to see these two departments help lead the United States closer to a sustainable future.
11. Secretary of Agriculture: Brooke Rollins
Brooke Rollins is the former director of the Domestic Policy Council under Trump’s first term. She has a background in policy development related to agriculture and rural issues. Rollins is a co-founder of America First Policy Institute, and is expected to advocate for deregulation stunting agricultural growth in regions across the country.
12. Secretary of Commerce: Howard Lutnick
Howard Lutnick, 63, is the CEO of Cantor Fitzgerald, a financial services firm. He is known for his leadership in the financial industry and has been involved in various business ventures.
13. Secretary of Labor: Lori Chavez-DeRemer
Lori Chavez-DeRemer, 55, is a U.S. Representative from Oregon. She has a background in business and local government, having served as the mayor of Happy Valley, OR.
14. Secretary of Housing and Urban Development: Scott Turner
Scott Turner, 51, is a former NFL player and served as the executive director of the White House Opportunity and Revitalization Council during Trump’s first term. He has been involved in initiatives aimed at urban development and economic revitalization.
15. Secretary of Transportation: Sean Duffy
Sean Duffy, 53, is a former U.S. Representative from Wisconsin and a television personality. He has experience in public policy related to infrastructure and transportation.
These nominees reflect President-elect Trump’s focus on loyalty, but being buddy-buddy with the president only gets you so far. Each position has gone through (or is currently going through) Senate hearings and confirmations to ensure a correct fit has been assumed.
Cabinet members serve the president and are subject to termination if anything goes wrong. In fact, they can be fired if nothing goes wrong; it’s up to President Trump to decide. One can expect these members to become more vocal as Trump’s first 100 days start and policies start to be implemented.
Kaylie Shadburn