Here is the list of Trump Cabinet Appointments as of 11/14/24 . . .
by Kathryn Watson & Catlin Yilekm, CBSNews.com, November 13, 2024
With Republicans taking control of the Senate, many of President-elect Trump's Cabinet nominees are likely to face an easy path to confirmation, even some who may be controversial.
Here are some of the people Trump is reported to be considering or has chosen for critical Cabinet posts and top White House jobs.
By Fin Gomez, Ed O'Keefe and Margaret Brennan
Trump taps RFK Jr. to lead HHS
President-elect Trump has tapped anti-vaccine activist and environmental lawyer Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to head the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).
HHS has a budget of nearly $2 billion and administers federal health programs including Medicare, Medicaid and the Affordable Care Act. HHS and its subagencies are responsible for responding to diseases and public health threats like COVID-19 and bird flu, as well as approving new drugs, including vaccines.
“I am thrilled to announce Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as The United States Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS),” Trump tweeted Thursday afternoon. “For too long, Americans have been crushed by the industrial food complex and drug companies who have engaged in deception, misinformation, and disinformation when it comes to Public Health.”
“Mr. Kennedy will restore these Agencies to the traditions of Gold Standard Scientific Research, and beacons of Transparency, to end the Chronic Disease epidemic, and to Make America Great and Healthy Again!” the president-elect added.
Politico first reported the news.
The position requires Senate confirmation. While it could be difficult, the nomination is a sign Trump feels empowered by the comfortable Republican majority in the upper chamber.
The move will roil Democrats and public health leaders, who worry Kennedy could meddle with key government agencies, amplify vaccine hesitancy and direct agency funding to favor his preferred views.
Trump Will Nominate Former Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi as U.S. Attorney General after Gaetz Withdraws
President-elect Donald Trump on Thursday announced he will nominate former Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi as the next Attorney General of the United States. The decision, hailed as a significant move toward restoring integrity to the Department of Justice, was made in the wake of former Representative and fellow Floridian Matt Gaetz’s withdrawal from consideration.
“I am proud to announce former Attorney General of the Great State of Florida, Pam Bondi, as our next Attorney General of the United States,” Trump wrote. “Pam was a prosecutor for nearly 20 years, where she was very tough on violent criminals and made the streets safe for Florida families.”
Bondi, who served as Florida’s first female Attorney General from 2010 to 2018, earned a reputation for her firm stance on crime, particularly during her tenure leading the state’s legal efforts against the trafficking of dangerous drugs.
Her leadership caught the attention of Washington, leading to her appointment to the Opioid and Drug Abuse Commission during the first term of the first Trump administration.
“She did such an incredible job, that I asked her to serve on our Opioid and Drug Abuse Commission during my first term — We saved many lives!” Trump wrote.
The new U.S. Attorney General will face the challenge of restoring the reputation of the Department of Justice as a non-partisan law enforcement agency that prioritizes crime prevention and safety for American communities.
“For too long, the partisan Department of Justice has been weaponized against me and other Republicans—Not anymore,” the statement reads. “Pam will refocus the DOJ to its intended purpose of fighting crime, and Making America Safe Again.”
“I have known Pam for many years,” Trump’s statement concluded, “She is smart and tough, and is an AMERICA FIRST fighter, who will do a terrific job as Attorney General!”
By Major Garrett and Robert Costa
Director of national intelligence: Tulsi Gabbard
Trump announced that he has selected former Democratic Rep. Tulsi Gabbard to serve as his director of national intelligence.
"For over two decades, Tulsi has fought for our country and the freedoms of all Americans," he said in a statement.
Gabbard served in the Army National Guard and represented Hawaii in the House from 2013 to 2021 before becoming an independent in 2022. In his statement, Trump saiad she "is now a proud Republican!" Gabbard ran for president in the Democratic primaries in 2020.
White House chief of staff: Susie Wiles
Within a day of winning the election, Trump announced his campaign co-chair Susie Wiles would be his chief of staff. Wiles, an experienced Florida-based political operative based, will be the first woman in U.S. history to fill the role. Chief of staff isn't a Senate-confirmed position, but it's a prestigious position often considered to be part of the Cabinet.
By Kathryn Watson
Secretary of State: Marco Rubio
Trump is expected to nominate Sen. Marco Rubio of Florida to be secretary of state, though the pick isn't a done deal, two sources familiar with the talks tell CBS News.
Rubio, 53, a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and the top Republican on the Senate Intelligence Committee, is a China hawk with extensive foreign policy experience.
U.N. ambassador: Elise Stefanik
President-elect Donald Trump has offered the job of U.S. ambassador to the United Nations to Rep. Elise Stefanik, and the New York Republican has accepted the offer, a senior source close to the presidential transition confirmed to CBS News.
Stefanik, who represents a district in upstate New York, is a vocal and staunch Trump ally and the No. 4 House Republican as chair of the House Republican Conference.
"I am honored to nominate Chairwoman Elise Stefanik to serve in my Cabinet as U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations. Elise is an incredibly strong, tough, and smart America First fighter," Trump said in a statement to CBS News. The choice of Stefanik was first reported by the New York Post and CNN.
Stefanik withdrew from the renomination race to be conference chair, confirming in a letter to her GOP colleagues she had spoken with Trump and "shared how deeply humbled I am to accept his nomination."
The role of U.N. ambassador requires Senate confirmation.
By Fin Gomez and Nikole Killion
"Border czar": Tom Homan
Trump announced Tom Homan will serve as "border czar" in his incoming administration. Homan was the acting director of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement during the first Trump administration.
"I am pleased to announce that the Former ICE Director, and stalwart on Border Control, Tom Homan, will be joining the Trump Administration, in charge of our Nation's Borders," the president-elect wrote late Sunday, Nov. 10, on his Truth Social site.
In addition to overseeing the southern and northern borders and "maritime, and aviation security," Trump said Homan "will be in charge of all Deportation of Illegal Aliens back to their Country of Origin" — a major theme of Trump's campaign.
This role does not require Senate confirmation.
Homan was recently interviewed by 60 Minutes' Cecilia Vega before the election. During the conversation, he said Trump's plan for mass deportation would be implemented.
"I hear a lot of people say, you know, the talk of a mass deportation is racist. It's— it's— it's threatening to the immigrant community. It's not threatening to the immigrant community," Homan said. "It should be threatening to the illegal immigrant community. But on the heels of [a] historic illegal immigration crisis. That has to be done."
Defense secretary: Pete Hegseth
Trump announced that he will nominate Fox News anchor Pete Hegseth to head the Department of Defense.
"Pete has spent his entire life as a Warrior for the Troops, and for the Country. Pete is tough, smart and a true believer in America First. With Pete at the helm, America's enemies are on notice - Our Military will be Great Again, and America will Never Back Down," the president-elect said in a statement.
Trump praised Hegseth's military record as an Army combat veteran who served in Iraq, Afghanistan and Guantanamo Bay.
Hegseth, 44, is a co-host of "Fox & Friends Weekends" and author of the book "The War on Warriors: Behind the Betrayal of the Men Who Keep Us Free."
National security adviser: Michael Waltz
Rep. Michael Waltz, a Florida Republican, is expected to be named national security adviser, two sources familiar with the plans said. Trump confirmed his selection of Waltz in a statement, praising his military record and expertise on China, Russia, Iran and global terrorism.
"Mike has been a strong champion of my America First Foreign Policy agenda, and will be a tremendous champion of our pursuit of Peace through Strength!" the president-elect said in a statement.
Waltz, a Green Beret veteran who served multiple combat tours in Afghanistan, the Middle East and Africa, was elected to Congress in 2018, replacing Ron DeSantis who had been elected Florida's governor.
Waltz, a China hawk, serves on the House China Task Force that aims to develop solutions to address the Chinese Communist Party's influence. He has also been skeptical of giving more aid to Ukraine as it fights Russia's invasion.
By Ed O'Keefe and Sara Cook
White House counsel: William McGinley
Trump announced on Truth Social that William McGinley will be White House counsel.
"Bill is a smart and tenacious lawyer who will help me advance our America First agenda while fighting for election integrity and against the weaponization of law enforcement," Trump wrote.
McGinley was White House Cabinet secretary and also served as Republican National Committee outside counsel for election integrity and as general counsel for the GOP Senate campaign arm, the National Republican Senatorial Committee.
By Olivia Rinaldi
Department of Homeland Security: Kristi Noem
Trump confirmed in a statement that South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem is his pick to run DHS, praising her as "very strong on Border Security."
Noem, who was elected governor in 2018 after serving eight years in the House, endorsed Trump's reelection bid in 2023 and joined him at a number of campaign rallies. She had been considered a potential pick for vice president earlier in the campaign.
Noem sparked controversy earlier this year when her new book, "No Going Back," falsely claimed she had met North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and revealed that she shot and killed her 14-month-old dog Cricket after failures at training.
By Major Garrett and Fin Gomez
CIA director: John Ratcliffe
Former U.S. Rep. John Ratcliffe, who served as Director of National Intelligence under the first Trump administration, is Trump's pick for CIA director.
The president-elect announced the appointment in a social media post, praising Ratcliffe for investigating Hunter Biden and the FBI's use of FISA, the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act.
"John Ratcliffe has always been a warrior for Truth and Honesty with the American Public," Trump wrote on Truth Social. And noting Ratcliffe's role in his first administration, Trump said. "I look forward to John being the first person ever to serve in both of our Nation's highest Intelligence positions."
By Major Garrett and Robert Costa
EPA administrator: Lee Zeldin
Trump announced that he will nominate former New York Republican congressman Lee Zeldin to head the Environmental Protection Agency.
"Lee, with a very strong legal background, has been a true fighter for America First policies. He will ensure fair and swift deregulatory decisions that will be enacted in a way to unleash the power of American businesses, while at the same time maintaining the highest environmental standards," Trump said in a statement Monday, Nov. 11.
Zeldin tweeted, "It is an honor to join President Trump's Cabinet as EPA Administrator."
Zeldin represented New York's 1st Congressional District, on Long Island, from 2015 to 2023, and he ran for governor in 2022 but was defeated by Gov. Kathy Hochul.
U.S. ambassador to Israel: Mike Huckabee
The president-elect announced in a statement that he has selected Mike Huckabee, the former governor of Arkansas, to serve as his U.S. ambassador to Israel. The post requires Senate confirmation.
"Mike has been a great public servant, governor, and leader in faith for many years," Trump said in a statement. "He loves Israel, and the people of Israel, and likewise, the people of Israel love him. Mike will work tirelessly to bring about Peace in the Middle East!"
Huckabee served as Arkansas' governor from 1996 to 2007 and unsuccessfully sought the Republican presidential nomination in 2008 and 2016. After leaving office, he hosted a show on Fox News and a radio program.
By Melissa Quinn
Department of Government Efficiency: Elon Musk & Vivek Ramaswamy
Trump announced he is naming billionaire ally Elon Musk and entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy, a former GOP primary rival, to lead a newly created Department of Government Efficiency — nicknamed DOGE, which is also the name of a cryptocurrency Musk has promoted.
"I am pleased to announce that the Great Elon Musk, working in conjunction with American Patriot Vivek Ramaswamy, will lead the Department of Government Efficiency ("DOGE"). Together, these two wonderful Americans will pave the way for my Administration to dismantle Government Bureaucracy, slash excess regulations, cut wasteful expenditures, and restructure Federal Agencies," Trump said in a statement, adding a quote from Musk, who said: "This will send shockwaves through the system, and anyone involved in Government waste, which is a lot of people!"
Trump's statement said their work "will conclude no later than July 4, 2026."
Treasury secretary
Scott Bessent, the founder of a Connecticut-based hedge fund, Key Square Group, is a leading contender for Treasury secretary, and he's been making a full-court press for the post, according to a source deeply involved in transition planning. Bessent has outside advocates building the case for him to Trump.
Trump's former U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer is also being floated for Treasury secretary.
By Bob Costa, Major Garrett and Olivia Rinaldi
Commerce secretary
Linda McMahon, who served as small business administrator in Trump's first term and is a former WWE CEO, is a top contender to lead the Department of Commerce, multiple sources familiar with discussions about the role say.
"It is hers if she wants it," one senior Trump official said, adding that she is close to Trump and he trusts her.
McMahon also is co-chairwoman of the pro-Trump super PAC America First Policy Action, and is helping run the transition team with Trump's friend, Howard Lutnick.
Georgia congressman Doug Collins for Veterans Affairs Secretary
President-elect Donald Trump tapped a longtime ally for his cabinet Thursday, nominating former congressman Doug Collins to lead the Department of Veterans Affairs.
A Navy veteran and Air Force Reserve chaplain, Collins, 58, represented rural northern Georgia for eight years before retiring from Congress following an unsuccessful 2020 campaign for the US Senate. He also aided in Trump’s efforts to challenge the 2020 election results in the Peach State.
“We must take care of our brave men and women in uniform,” Trump, 78, said in a statement, “and Doug will be a great advocate for our Active Duty Servicemembers, Veterans, and Military Families to ensure they have the support they need.”
Collins was a staunch ally of Trump during his time in congress. Facebook / Doug Collins
Collins sat on the House Veterans Affairs Committee and rose to the rank of Vice Chair of the House Republican Conference during his tenure in the lower chamber.
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