Who are Trump’s picks for his cabinet and administration?

United States President-elect Donald Trump has started selecting his cabinet and other senior administration officials after his election victory on November 5.
Trump must appoint about 4,000 officials, including the heads of the executive departments that make up his cabinet.
The US cabinet consists of 15 federal agencies, each led by an appointed secretary. Along with the vice president, these officials advise the president and implement policies.
These appointments require Senate confirmation, and typically, these votes occur shortly after the president’s inauguration, which will take place on January 20.
Here’s a list of whom Trump has named or is expected to name:
Trump named Florida Senator Marco Rubio as secretary of state, making him the first Latino in the role. The 53-year-old Rubio, once a hawk on foreign policy, has shifted some views to align with Trump’s more noninterventionist stance, particularly regarding China, Iran and Cuba.
Trump announced on Tuesday that he has selected 44-year-old Pete Hegseth, a Fox News commentator and military veteran, as his pick for defence secretary. Hegseth, known for opposing “woke” military policies, could fulfil Trump’s promise to remove military leaders he views as promoting progressive ideals, potentially clashing with air force General CQ Brown, whom Hegseth has criticised for supporting “left-wing” positions.
Gaetz, 42, is a surprise and controversial choice for attorney general. A US representative from Florida, Gaetz has been an ardent defender of Trump for years, but has made enemies within the Republican party, where he has not been afraid to attack members of the party establishment. He was also investigated federally for sex trafficking, but the case eventually concluded in 2023 with no charges brought forward.
Linda McMahon, 76, former Small Business Administration (SBA) director and World Wrestling Entertainment co-founder, is considered the frontrunner to lead Trump’s Department of Commerce. A major donor and early supporter of Trump, she co-led his pre-2024 election transition team. McMahon served as SBA director until 2019 and later headed a pro-Trump political action committee supporting his unsuccessful 2020 re-election bid.
South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem, 52, has been selected by Trump to serve as homeland security secretary. A prominent figure for refusing a statewide mask mandate during the COVID-19 pandemic, Noem is known for her strong stance on border security. She was the first governor to send National Guard troops to assist Texas at the southern border. Noem will work alongside Trump “border czar” Tom Homan to enhance US security.
A former Democrat, Gabbard has adopted increasingly right-wing and pro-Trump positions since she left the US House of Representatives, where she represented Hawaii’s 2nd district. Gabbard was formerly associated with the progressive wing of the Democratic party, and endorsed Senator Bernie Sanders for the Democratic nomination for president in 2016, as well as adopting anti-interventionist foreign policy positions. However, she has long railed against what she terms “radical Islam” and has long been associated with right-wing Hindu groups and pro-Israeli positions.
Scott Bessent, Robert Lighthizer and Howard Lutnick are also being considered as potential candidates for treasury secretary.
Other prominent noncabinet positions named by Trump in recent days include:
After the president and vice president, the cabinet members are the highest-ranking officials in the executive branch of the US government, responsible for advising the president and overseeing their respective federal agencies.
Here are their roles listed in order of succession to the presidency:
Additionally, other positions like the White House chief of staff, director of national intelligence and the UN ambassador are also considered top-level positions even though they are not heads of the executive departments.
President Joe Biden’s outgoing cabinet will now be expected to go through a period of transition in which they will help with the handover of responsibilities, brief incoming officials and ensure continuity of government operations until Trump’s administration takes full control on January 20.