Barran Press
President-elect Donald Trump has officially announced four key figures in his upcoming administration, with increasing speculation about the most influential positions as the administration prepares to take office after the inauguration in January.
Marco Rubio has been among the latest names mentioned in recent news reports, with American media suggesting he is a candidate for Secretary of State.
Susie Wiles
Trump has chosen his campaign manager, Susie Wiles, as the White House Chief of Staff, making her the first woman to hold this position.
"Susie Wiles helped me achieve one of the greatest political victories in American history," Trump said in a statement.
Wiles is credited with running what has been described as "the most disciplined and best-executed campaign," making her the top candidate for the position.
Democratic Party member Calvin Dark previously told Alhurra TV that Wiles is known for her "organizational skills," which were evident during the campaign, and that Trump chose her to "improve his image."
Republican political advisor Suhail Khan highlighted Wiles' significant role in the campaign's success and Trump's victory, noting that the president-elect found her to be "confident and capable of managing the Oval Office."
Stephen Miller
Trump has appointed his former advisor, Stephen Miller, known for his hardline stance on immigration, as Deputy Chief of Staff for Policy in his new administration.
This appointment signals Trump's intention to continue his tough stance on illegal immigration, as Miller was the architect of Trump's immigration policy during his first term.
Miller was at the center of the initial attempt to impose a travel ban on seven Muslim-majority countries in late January 2017.
Lee Zeldin
On Monday, Trump announced the selection of former Republican Congressman Lee Zeldin to lead the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
"Zeldin will ensure fair and swift regulatory decisions," Trump said in a statement, adding that these decisions "will unleash the power of American businesses while maintaining the highest environmental standards, including the cleanest air and water on the planet."
Trump emphasized that Zeldin "will set new standards for environmental review and maintenance, allowing the United States to grow healthily and orderly."
Elise Stefanik
Trump has chosen Republican Congresswoman Elise Stefanik as the U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations.
"I am honored to nominate Elise Stefanik to serve as the U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations. She is a strong and smart fighter for America First," Trump said in a statement.
Stefanik, 40, represents New York and is the chair of the House Republican Conference. She is a strong ally of Trump and was educated at Harvard University.
Stefanik has repeatedly accused the United Nations of anti-Semitism for its criticism of Israel during the Gaza war and its ongoing opposition to settlement expansion and treatment of Palestinians in the West Bank.
In October, Stefanik called for a "complete reevaluation of U.S. funding to the United Nations" in response to the Palestinian Authority's efforts to expel Israel from the organization over allegations of war crimes and human rights violations in Gaza and the West Bank.
The previously mentioned names are officially part of Trump's administration, alongside Vice President J.D. Vance, who ran alongside Trump in the presidential election.
Zeldin and Stefanik's appointments require approval from the U.S. Congress, unlike Wiles' position.
Marco Rubio
American reports have indicated that several names are close to taking specific positions, without official announcements yet. The latest is Senator Marco Rubio, a candidate for Secretary of State.
Sources said on Monday that Trump has chosen Rubio for the position, putting the Florida-born politician on track to become the first Latino to hold the top diplomat position in the United States once the president-elect takes office in January, according to Reuters.
The New York Times, citing informed sources, reported that Trump is expected to choose Rubio as Secretary of State, but the sources noted that the president-elect might change his mind at the last moment.
Rubio, elected to the Senate in 2010, adopts a strict approach to foreign policy, particularly on issues related to China, Iran, and Cuba.
Mike Waltz
The Wall Street Journal reported on Monday, citing informed sources, that the president-elect has chosen Congressman Mike Waltz as National Security Advisor.
The National Security Advisor is a highly influential position in the U.S. administration, appointed directly by the president and does not require Senate confirmation.
The advisor's role is to coordinate between top national security agencies in the United States, report to the president, and implement his policies.
Waltz, 50, is a former U.S. Special Forces veteran who served in Afghanistan and other parts of the Middle East and Africa.
He is a strong supporter of Trump in recent years, with his positions and ideas often aligning with those of the president-elect. He is also a member of the China Task Force in the U.S. House of Representatives.
A previous Reuters report mentioned names linked to national security positions, such as Kash Patel, who held various high-level positions in defense and intelligence during Trump's first term.
According to Reuters, Patel frequently appeared in the campaign to rally support for the candidate.
Some Trump supporters want Patel, considered the most loyal to Trump, to be appointed as CIA director. However, it may be challenging to take any position requiring Senate approval.
Intense Competition
Several candidates are vying for different positions, according to recent media reports.
Various media reports have listed names for key cabinet positions, such as defense and treasury, alongside potential roles for billionaire and strong Trump supporter Elon Musk and former presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
Scott Baenst, Trump's chief economic advisor, is widely seen as the top candidate for Treasury Secretary.
Other names include Larry Kudlow, a prominent Fox News personality who served as director of the National Economic Council during most of Trump's previous presidency.
Robert Lighthizer, who worked with Trump during his first term in various roles, and Howard Lutnick, a passionate Trump supporter from New York who backs his economic policies, particularly regarding tariffs, are also mentioned.
For the Department of Defense, a Reuters report mentioned former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, who served during Trump's first term, as a candidate for Defense Secretary. Pompeo also served as CIA director during Trump's administration.
However, Trump confirmed on Truth Social on Saturday that Pompeo and former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley would not be part of his new administration.
Other names mentioned for Defense Secretary include Tom Cotton, a Harvard Law School graduate and former Army officer who transitioned to Congress as a senator from Arkansas.
Cotton is highly popular among Trump donors and is a serious candidate for Defense Secretary, having been strongly considered for Vice President.
Waltz was among the candidates before being mentioned for National Security Advisor.
Additionally, Punchbowl News reported on Wednesday, citing unnamed sources, that the president-elect is considering appointing former Director of National Intelligence John Ratcliffe to lead the CIA in his second administration.
For the Department of Homeland Security, names like Tom Homan, Chad Wolf, and Mark Green are being considered.