He has made his first official appointment, selecting Susan Summerall Wiles, his 2024 campaign co-chair, as White House Chief of Staff
President-elect Trump’s transition team, led by Linda McMahon and Howard Lutnick, is already reviewing potential candidates for key positions. It is anticipating that many loyalists who served under previous Trump’s administration will serve again. However, the new allies who have joined Trump, may assume key offices.
Chief of staff, Susie Wiles
Susie Wiles and campaign co-chair Chris LaCivita contributed a lot in behind Trump s stunning victory over Kamala Harris. Trump has paid her tribute in his victory speech, calling her “the ice maiden.”
Wiles was then appointed White House Chief of Staff, making history as the first woman in this role. . A seasoned Republican strategist, Wiles has worked on notable campaigns since Reagan s 1980 victory. Her ability to manage big egos may bring much-needed order to Trump s orbit.
Homeland Secretary
Donald Trump s pick for Secretary of Homeland Security will play a crucial role in enforcing his campaign promises, including mass deportations of undocumented migrants and securing the US-Mexico border. Trump s former acting director of Immigration and Customs Enforcement Tom Homan, stands out as the most likely choice.
Homan, 62, advocated the separating migrant children from their parents as a means to deter illegal border crossings, suggesting criminal proceedings against those politicians who backed the move.
Chad Wolf, who served as acting homeland secretary from 2019 to 2020, and Chad Mizelle, the homeland department s former acting general counsel, are also potential contenders. Stephen Miller, widely viewed to be the architect of Trump s immigration agenda, likely to play a senior advisory role in the White House.
Secretary of State
The US Secretary of State plays a crucial role as the president s chief foreign policy advisor and top diplomat representing the US abroad. For this position, several candidates are being considered, with Florida Senator Marco Rubio emerging as a top contender. Rubio, 53, has a reputation as a China hawk and has navigated complex relationships with Trump, opposing him in the 2016 Republican primary but later mending ties
Other contenders for the position are Robert O Brien; Tennessee Senator Bill Hagerty, and Brian Hook. However, Richard Grenell is also among the list of contenders.
Defence Secretary
Ex-Secretary of State Mike Pompeo is in the running to join Donald Trump s second-term administration, this time as Secretary of Defense, overseeing the US military. With his background as a former Kansas congressman, CIA director, and leader of Trump s Middle East diplomatic efforts, Pompeo s loyalty to Trump has been consistently demonstrated, even amidst controversies.
Other names that are being circulated for the post, Michael Waltz, a Florida lawmaker and Robert O Brien.
Interior Secretary
Kristi Noem, South Dakota Governor, who was passed over to be Trump s running mate, is likely to assume office of the interior secretary.
Elon Musk
Elon Musk, the world s richest man, invested heavily in Donald Trump s re-election campaign, raising concerns among critics that he will have significant influence over the regulations affecting his companies, Tesla, SpaceX, and X. Trump and Musk have discussed creating a "Department of Government Efficiency" (DOGE).
As DOGE s potential head, Musk would wield considerable power in shaping government policies. His involvement in Trump s call with Ukraine s President Zelensky suggests he may also play a key role in global diplomacy. This development has sparked debate about Musk s growing influence in politics and his potential impact on international relations.
