The Trump transition team has yet to officially confirm some widely circulated names for key positions. President-elect Donald Trump has already announced several appointments, including Susie Wiles as chief of staff, Lee Zeldin as head of the Environmental Protection Agency, and Rep. Elise Stefanik as U.N. ambassador. Other prospective appointments are still awaiting confirmation. Sen. Marco Rubio is rumored to be Trump’s choice for Secretary of State, while investor Scott Bessent is said to be the pick for Treasury Secretary. Gov. Kristi Noem is reported to lead the Department of Homeland Security, and Rep. Mike Rogers may serve as Secretary of Defense. Additionally, Sen. Mike Lee and Ken Paxton are among those mentioned for the role of Attorney General. The process of filling these key positions is ongoing, with various names being considered for each role. Lighthizer and Hagerty are potential candidates for consideration as well.
Department of Education
Trump has pledged to close down the Department of Education as part of his Agenda 47. Betsy DeVos, who served as Trump’s education secretary in his first term, and Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin are also being considered. Tiffany Justice, co-founder of Moms for Liberty, is in the mix as well.
Department of Energy
North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum, who was previously ruled out as a running mate by Trump, is a likely contender for this position. David Bernhardt, former secretary of the interior under Trump, and Andrew Wheeler, a former EPA administrator, are also potential candidates. Former Secretary of Energy Dan Brouillette could be in the running too.
Department of Health and Human Services
Kennedy and former Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal are potential contenders for this position. Eric Hargan, former deputy secretary of the department under Trump, and Brian Blase, who served in the National Economic Council under Trump, are also being discussed.
Department of Housing and Urban Development
Dr. Ben Carson, who led the department during Trump’s first term, may return to the role. Sen. Tim Scott (R-S.C.) and Brian Montgomery, former deputy secretary of housing and urban development under Trump, are also in consideration.
Department of the Interior
Burgum and Bernhardt, who are also being considered for the Department of Energy, could potentially lead the Department of the Interior. Sen. Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyo.) and Katharine MacGregor, former deputy interior secretary under Trump, are also possible candidates.
Department of Labor
Patrick Pizzella, former acting labor secretary under Trump, and Bryan Slater, Virginia’s secretary of labor under Youngkin, are among those on shortlists for this position.
Department of Veterans Affairs
Tulsi Gabbard may find a place in the administration here. Robert Wilkie, who led the department during much of Trump’s first term, is another potential candidate.
Department of Transportation
Reps. Garret Graves (R-La.) and Sam Graves (R-Mo.) may also be under consideration for this department.
Office of Management and Budget
Russ Vought, former head of this office under Trump, has received public backing from Trump legal ally Mike Davis.
Other key positions that Trump may soon fill include science adviser, Small Business Administration administrator, Council of Economic Advisors chair, FDA commissioner, White House press secretary, and director of national intelligence.
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