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Again in 2016, Democrats have been broadly appalled by Donald Trump’s Cupboard picks, whom they described as harmful and “traditionally unqualified.” Now even a number of of Trump’s Republican congressional allies are “surprised and disgusted” over his second-term Cupboard picks, with Matt Gaetz, RFK Jr., and Pete Hegseth drawing essentially the most outrage.
So, does that imply the brand new Republican Senate majority will refuse to substantiate a few of Trump’s extra overtly unqualified picks? It’s unclear! Trump has demanded that they let him make recess appointments, and new Majority Chief John Thune stated he’s open to letting him bypass the Senate affirmation course of.
Right here’s a operating listing of all of Trump’s Cupboard picks to date — together with a number of nominees for different prime administration positions — organized from highest to lowest within the line of succession.
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Who: Marco Rubio has served as U.S. senator from Florida since 2011 and is vice-chair of the Senate Intelligence Committee. He ran for president in 2016 however misplaced the GOP nomination to Trump.
{Qualifications}, In accordance with Trump: He stated in an announcement posted to Reality Social:
Marco is a Extremely Revered Chief, and a really highly effective Voice for Freedom. He shall be a powerful Advocate for our Nation, a real pal to our Allies, and a fearless Warrior who won’t ever again all the way down to our adversaries. I look ahead to working with Marco to Make America, and the World, Protected and Nice Once more!
Requires Affirmation: Sure.
Potential Points: Rubio is understood for his hawkish positions, notably on China, Cuba, Iran, and Venezuela. However because the Washington Put up notes, he’s “generated bipartisan acclaim,” as he is perhaps Trump’s most standard decide.
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Who: Pete Hegseth is a Fox Information host and Military Nationwide Guard officer. He served within the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, in addition to Guantanamo Bay.
{Qualifications}, In accordance with Trump: He stated in a Reality Social submit:
Pete has spent his whole life as a Warrior for the Troops, and for the Nation. Pete is hard, sensible and a real believer in America First. With Pete on the helm, America’s enemies are on discover – Our Army shall be Nice Once more, and America will By no means Again Down…
Requires Affirmation: Sure.
Potential Points: Whereas Hegseth served within the navy, he has no expertise operating something bigger than a small nonprofit. As Protection secretary, he’d be answerable for main the Pentagon and 1.3 million active-duty troops. He has controversial views on a variety of matters, from ladies serving in fight (he’s opposed) to servicemembers accused of warfare crimes (he desires them pardoned) to handwashing (he doesn’t do it). Additionally, he was investigated for an alleged sexual assault in 2017. And a fellow servicemember flagged him as a attainable “Insider Risk” over a tattoo he has that’s related to white-supremacist teams. Folks have been fairly surprised by his nomination, not less than till Trump introduced another outrageous picks.
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Who: Matt Gaetz was a U.S. consultant from Florida who served from 2017 till he resigned from Congress on November 13, 2024, hours after Trump introduced his nomination for AG.
{Qualifications}, In accordance with Trump: In a pair of Reality Social posts, Trump known as Gaetz a “deeply gifted and tenacious lawyer.” He continued:
Matt will finish Weaponized Authorities, defend our Borders, dismantle Felony Organizations and restore People’ badly-shattered Religion and Confidence within the Justice Division. On the Home Judiciary Committee, which performs oversight of DOJ, Matt performed a key position in defeating the Russia, Russia, Russia Hoax, and exposing alarming and systemic Authorities Corruption and Weaponization. He’s a Champion for the Structure and the Rule of Legislation …
… Matt will root out the systemic corruption at DOJ, and return the Division to its true mission of combating Crime, and upholding our Democracy and Structure. We will need to have Honesty, Integrity, and Transparency at DOJ. Underneath Matt’s management, all People shall be pleased with the Division of Justice as soon as once more.
Requires Affirmation: Sure.
Potential Points: Gaetz solely practiced regulation for 2 years, however that’s actually simply the tip of the iceberg. If confirmed, he’d be main a division that just lately investigated him for intercourse trafficking; the Justice Division inquiry concluded in 2022 with no prices. However the Home Ethics Committee was nonetheless investigating allegations that Gaetz “engaged in sexual misconduct and illicit drug use,” amongst different issues. The committee was deadlocked, alongside partisan traces, on whether or not to launch a “extremely essential report” about Gaetz, however particulars about what witnesses informed the Committee have continued to emerge regardless. Suffice it to say, he was the Trump decide least more likely to be confirmed, and on November 21, he introduced that he was withdrawing his title, saying he didn’t need to be a distraction for the Trump group.
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Who: Pam Bondi is a lobbyist who served as Florida’s lawyer basic from 2011 to 2019.
{Qualifications}, In accordance with Trump: He wrote in a Reality Social submit:
Pam was a prosecutor for practically 20 years, the place she was very robust on Violent Criminals, and made the streets protected for Florida Households. Then, as Florida’s first feminine Legal professional Common, she labored to cease the trafficking of lethal medication, and cut back the tragedy of Fentanyl Overdose Deaths, which have destroyed many households throughout our Nation. She did such an unimaginable job, that I requested her to serve on our Opioid and Drug Abuse Fee throughout my first Time period — We saved many lives!
For too lengthy, the partisan Division of Justice has been weaponized in opposition to me and different Republicans – Not anymore. Pam will refocus the DOJ to its supposed objective of combating Crime, and Making America Protected Once more. I’ve identified Pam for a few years — She is sensible and hard, and is an AMERICA FIRST Fighter, who will do a terrific job as Legal professional Common!
Requires Affirmation: Sure.
Attainable Points: Bondi is a longtime Trump loyalist who served on his first impeachment protection group and publicly backed his false stolen election claims in 2020. (That’s true of most individuals on this listing, but it surely’s notable as a result of the AG is answerable for investigating claims of irregularities in federal elections.) Again in 2013, Bondi’s aides stated the Florida AG was contemplating becoming a member of a multi-state lawsuit in opposition to Trump College after receiving practically two dozen complaints in regards to the for-profit school. 4 days later, Bondi’s PAC acquired a $25,000 contribution from a Trump nonprofit and she or he by no means joined the lawsuit. However Trump and Bondi each declare the donation had nothing to do along with her resolution.
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Who: Doug Burgum has been the governor of North Dakota since 2016. He’s price lots of of tens of millions of {dollars}, primarily as a result of he offered his software program firm to Microsoft in 2002. He ran for president in 2024 and have become a prime Trump surrogate when he dropped out.
{Qualifications}, In accordance with Trump: He teasingly unveiled the information of Burgum’s impending nomination throughout an occasion at Mar-a-Lago on November 14. A day later, he put out a assertion saying that Burgum shall be each Inside secretary and head of the newly fashioned “Nationwide Power Council, which is able to include all Departments and Businesses concerned within the allowing, manufacturing, technology, distribution, regulation, transportation, of ALL types of American Power.”
Requires Affirmation: Sure.
Potential Points: Environmental teams raised issues about Burgum’s lack of expertise, coziness with oil billionaires, and dedication to drilling in public lands — however that each one matches with Trump’s agenda. That is one in every of Trump’s extra standard picks.
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Who: Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is America’s best-known anti-vaccine activist. He ran for president in 2024 as a Democrat, then as an impartial. He dropped out of the race in August 2024 and endorsed Trump, however he nonetheless appeared on the poll in some states.
{Qualifications}, In accordance with Trump: He stated on X:
For too lengthy, People have been crushed by the economic meals advanced and drug corporations who’ve engaged in deception, misinformation, and disinformation on the subject of Public Well being. The Security and Well being of all People is a very powerful position of any Administration, and HHS will play an enormous position in serving to be sure that everyone shall be protected against dangerous chemical compounds, pollution, pesticides, pharmaceutical merchandise, and meals components which have contributed to the overwhelming Well being Disaster on this Nation. Mr. Kennedy will restore these Businesses to the traditions of Gold Normal Scientific Analysis, and beacons of Transparency, to finish the Power Illness epidemic, and to Make America Nice and Wholesome Once more!
Requires Affirmation: Sure.
Potential Points: RFK Jr. could also be competing with Gaetz for many controversial Trump decide. He has an extended historical past of peddling health-related conspiracy theories: He’s claimed vaccines trigger autism, linked depressants to mass shootings, and instructed HIV doesn’t trigger AIDS, to call just some of his false well being assertions. And now he might oversee all the pieces from People’ medical insurance to meals security to the supply of medication and vaccines.
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Who: Sean Duffy is a former U.S. consultant from Wisconsin, present co-host of The Backside Line on Fox Enterprise, and a contributor on Fox Information. He rose to fame on The Actual World: Boston and met his spouse Rachel Campos-Duffy on Highway Guidelines: All Stars. She can be a Fox Information host.
{Qualifications}, In accordance with Trump: In a assertion posted to Reality Social, Trump described Duffy as a “great and well-liked public servant” and stated:
He’ll prioritize Excellence, Competence, Competitiveness and Magnificence when rebuilding America’s highways, tunnels, bridges and airports. He’ll guarantee our ports and dams serve our Economic system with out compromising our Nationwide Safety and he’ll make our skies protected once more by eliminating DEI for pilots and air visitors controllers.
The husband of a beautiful girl, Rachel Campos-Duffy, a STAR on FoxNews, and the daddy of 9 unimaginable youngsters, Sean is aware of how vital it’s for households to have the ability to journey safely, with peace of thoughts.
Requires Affirmation: Sure.
Potential Points: Duffy doesn’t have a lot transportation coverage expertise, however because the Washington Put up notes, “that’s not uncommon for folks nominated to run the division — present secretary Pete Buttigieg had beforehand been mayor of his hometown.” Duffy is one in every of Trump’s least controversial Cupboard picks.
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Who: Chris Wright is the chief govt of Liberty Power, a Denver-based fracking firm. The New York Occasions described him as a “media-friendly evangelist for fossil fuels who promotes a feel-good message that oil and gasoline can elevate folks out of poverty, whereas disparaging local weather science.”
{Qualifications}, In accordance with Trump: In an announcement posted to Reality Social, Trump stated:
Chris has been a number one technologist and entrepreneur in Power. He has working Nuclear, Photo voltaic, Geothermal, and Oil and Gasoline. Most importantly, Chris was one of many pioneers who helped launch the American Shale Revolution that fueled American Power Independence, and reworked the International Power Markets and Geopolitics.
He additionally famous that Wright “has identified and labored for years with Doug Burgum.” If confirmed to Trump’s Cupboard, each males shall be on the brand new Council of Nationwide Power; Burgum will lead the council and function Inside secretary.
Requires Affirmation: Sure.
Potential Points: Wright has no authorities expertise and just lately declared, “There isn’t a local weather disaster, and we’re not within the midst of an power transition.” Wright caught Trump’s consideration through Fox Information appearances, and he and his spouse just lately held a Trump fundraiser, donating $175,000 every to his joint fund-raising marketing campaign committee. Fracking billionaire Harold Hamm, who has donated $5 million to Trump and is a part of the transition group, stated Wright was his best choice for Power secretary. He most likely gained’t have a tough time getting confirmed.
Who: Linda McMahon is the co-founder of World Wrestling Leisure, who constructed wrestling right into a multibillion-dollar enterprise with husband Vince McMahon (they’re now separated). She led the Small Enterprise Administration throughout Trump’s first time period, and is at the moment the board chair of the America First Coverage Institute, a conservative suppose tank. She has been a serious monetary backer of Trump’s campaigns.
{Qualifications}, In accordance with Trump: In a assertion posted to Reality Social, which might be flagged by any elementary college trainer for improper capitalization, Trump wrote:
Linda has been a fierce advocate for Dad and mom’ Rights, working exhausting at each AFPI and America First Works (AFW) to realize Common College Selection in 12 States, giving youngsters the chance to obtain and glorious Schooling, no matter zip code or revenue. As Secretary of Schooling, Linda will combat tirelessly to broaden “Selection” to each State in America, and empower dad and mom to make the most effective Schooling choices for his or her households.
Requires Affirmation: Sure.
Potential Points: McMahon has little expertise in schooling coverage, aside from serving on the Connecticut State Board of Schooling in 2009. She falsely claimed to have an schooling diploma in a questionnaire for that submit. She was just lately named in a civil go well with alleging that she ignored the sexual abuse of WWE “ring boys.” (Vince McMahon is underneath federal investigation for allegations of sexual abuse and trafficking, however Linda has not been instantly implicated in that case.) The McMahons have denied any wrongdoing. Trump has promised to close down the Schooling Division, so her lack of schooling credentials might not matter.
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Who: Kristi Noem has served because the governor of South Dakota since 2019. Earlier than turning into the South Dakota’s first feminine governor, she was the state’s sole consultant within the U.S. Home for eight years.
{Qualifications}, In accordance with Trump: He stated in a Reality Social message:
Kristi has been very sturdy on Border Safety. She was the primary Governor to ship Nationwide Guard Troopers to assist Texas combat the Biden Border Disaster, they usually have been despatched a complete of eight instances. She’s going to work carefully with “Border Czar” Tom Homan to safe the Border, and can assure that our American Homeland is safe from our adversaries…
Requires Affirmation: Sure.
Potential Points: Noem hasn’t labored in Homeland Safety and doesn’t also have a law-enforcement background. Her nomination is seen “as additional indication that the administration’s immigration coverage shall be run out of the White Home,” per Politico. Oh, additionally she just lately introduced that she murdered her canine. However Trump’s wild subsequent picks basically squashed any controversy round Noem.
Who: Doug Collins is a former U.S. congressman from Georgia who served within the Home from 2013 to 2021. He’s a lawyer and veteran who served within the Iraq warfare and is at the moment an Air Power Reserve chaplain.
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{Qualifications}, In accordance with Trump: He wrote in a assertion posted to Reality Social:
Doug is a Veteran himself, who at the moment serves our Nation as Chaplain in the USA Air Power Reserve Command, and fought for our Nation within the Iraq Battle. We should care for our courageous women and men in uniform, and doug shall be an amazing advocate for our Energetic Responsibility Servicemember, Veterans, and Army Households to make sure they’ve the assist they want.
Requires Affirmation: Sure.
Potential Points: Collins isn’t an uncommon decide, but it surely’s price noting that Trump appears to be rewarding him for his loyalty. 4 of the eight Republicans who defended Trump throughout his first impeachment continuing have been nominated for Cupboard positions, and Collins is one in every of them.
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Who: John Ratcliffe is a former Texas congressman who served because the director of nationwide intelligence through the ultimate 12 months of Trump’s first time period.
{Qualifications}, In accordance with Trump: He stated in a Reality Social submit:
From exposing pretend Russian collusion to be a Clinton marketing campaign operation, to catching the FBl’s abuse of Civil Liberties on the FISA Courtroom, John Ratcliffe has at all times been a warrior for Reality and Honesty with the American Public. When 51 intelligence officers have been mendacity about Hunter Biden’s laptop computer, there was one, John Ratcliffe, telling the reality to the American Folks…
Requires Affirmation: Sure.
Potential Points: Ratcliffe is a Trump loyalist who defended him throughout his first impeachment hearings. Whereas serving as director of nationwide intelligence, he declassified unverified Russian intelligence involving Hillary Clinton shortly earlier than the 2020 election. However he reportedly balked at efforts to overturn Trump’s 2020 loss and CNN reported that profession intelligence officers are cautiously optimistic about him main the CIA, as they see him as a “largely skilled and doubtlessly much less disruptive selection.”
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Who: Lee Zeldin served as U.S. consultant from New York from 2015 to 2023. He ran for New York governor in 2022 however was defeated by Democrat Kathy Hochul.
{Qualifications}, In accordance with Trump: He stated in a assertion posted to Reality Social:
Lee, with a really sturdy authorized background, has been a real fighter for America First insurance policies. He’ll guarantee honest and swift deregulatory choices that shall be enacted in a strategy to unleash the ability of American companies, whereas on the identical time sustaining th highest environmental requirements, together with the cleanest air and water on the planet. He’ll set new requirements on environmental evaluate and upkeep, that may permit the USA to develop in a wholesome and well-structured approach.
I’ve identified Lee Zeldin for a very long time, and have watched him deal with, brilliantly, some extraordinarily tough and complicated conditions. I’m very proud to have him within the Trump Administration, the place he’ll shortly show to be an amazing contributor!
Requires Affirmation: Sure.
Potential Points: Zeldin has nearly no expertise related to operating the EPA, however he does have expertise defending Trump in his first impeachment hearings. As The New Republic famous, “Zeldin voted to lower EPA funding, scrap its chemical compounds threat evaluation program, and block the company from taking motion to limit carbon air pollution.” However none of that may preserve him from getting confirmed.
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Who: Tulsi Gabbard represented Hawaii within the U.S. Home from 2013 to 2021. She is a Nationwide Guard veteran who served in Iraq.
Gabbard ran for president as a Democrat in 2020 and endorsed Joe Biden when she ended her marketing campaign. Two years later, she left the Democratic Social gathering and have become an everyday at right-wing venues like Fox Information and CPAC. She endorsed Trump for president in 2024.
{Qualifications}, In accordance with Trump: In a assertion hooked up to Gabbard’s biography, Trump stated:
For over 20 years, Tulsi has fought for our Nation and the Freedoms of all People. As a former Candidate for the Democrat Presidential Nomination, she has broad assist in each Events – she is now a proud Republican! I do know Tulsi will convey the fearless spirit that has outlined her illustrious profession to our Intelligence Group, championing our Constitutional Rights, and securing Peace by way of Energy. Tulsi will make us all proud!
Requires Affirmation: Sure.
Potential Points: Gabbard has no formal intelligence expertise and is identified for her sympathetic views towards Russia’s Vladimir Putin and Syria’s Bashar al-Assad. Democratic senator Elizabeth Warren summed up her critics’ issues, asking, “Do you really need her to have all of the secrets and techniques of the USA and our protection intelligence companies when she has so clearly been in Putin’s pocket?”
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Who: Elise Stefanik is a U.S. consultant from New York and the fourth-ranking member in Home GOP management.
{Qualifications}, In accordance with Trump: In a assertion posted to Reality Social, he stated:
Elise is a powerful and really sensible America First fighter … She was the primary Member of Congress to endorse me, and has at all times been a staunch advocate. Elisa is a senior Member of the Home Armed Companies Committee, the Home Intelligence Committee, and led the cost in opposition to antisemitism on school campuses. She shall be an unimaginable Ambassador to the United Nation, delivering Peace by way of Energy and America Fist Nationwide Safety insurance policies!
Requires Affirmation: Sure.
Potential Points: Stefanik has little diplomatic or foreign-policy experience, except for serving on Home national-security committees. Because the New York Occasions notes, “she has repeatedly accused the U.N. of being stricken by ‘antisemitic rot’ and proposed blocking funding for the United Nations company for Palestinian refugees.” Additionally, she defended Trump in his first impeachment hearings. She shouldn’t have any bother getting confirmed.
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Who: Elon Musk is the world’s richest individual; chief govt of Tesla and SpaceX; proprietor of X and its self-proclaimed “Chief Troll Officer.” He was Trump’s most well-known surrogate within the 2024 election and poured $118 million right into a pro-Trump super-PAC. Vivek Ramaswamy is a biotech entrepreneur who unsuccessfully ran for president in 2024 and endorsed Trump when he dropped out.
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{Qualifications}, In accordance with Trump: He stated, in a prolonged assertion that included a quote from Musk and musings on the Republicans’ longtime dream of downsizing the federal government:
Collectively these two great People will pave the way in which for my Administration to dismantle Authorities Forms, slash extra laws, lower wasteful expenditures, and restructure Federal Businesses – Important to the “Save America” Motion. “It will ship shockwaves by way of the system, and anybody concerned in Authorities waste, which is lots of people!” said Mr. Musk.
It can turn into, doubtlessly, “The Manhattan Undertaking” of our time.
Requires Affirmation: No, that is a wholly made-up “division” that technically isn’t even within the authorities.
Potential Points: Musk and Ramaswamy will solely be offering “recommendation and steering” on tips on how to drastically restructure and dismantle the federal authorities. Nonetheless, might the 2 males’s monetary curiosity create large conflicts of curiosity? Ethics consultants definitely have some questions!
This submit has been up to date.