Donald Trump has initiated the selection process for his cabinet and other high-ranking administration officials following his presidential election victory. Here are the early picks and top contenders for key positions overseeing defense, intelligence, diplomacy, trade, immigration, and economic policymaking. Some individuals are being considered for multiple roles:
SUSIE WILES, chief of staff - Trump announced on Thursday that Wiles, one of his two campaign managers, will serve as his White House chief of staff. Although her political views are somewhat ambiguous, Wiles is recognized for running a successful and efficient campaign. Supporters hope she will bring order and discipline, qualities often missing during Trump's first term when he cycled through several chiefs of staff.
SCOTT BESSENT, potential treasury secretary - Bessent, a key economic adviser to Trump, is widely considered a top candidate for treasury secretary. A longtime hedge fund investor and former Yale University lecturer, Bessent has a close relationship with the president-elect. While he has long supported laissez-faire policies, he has also praised Trump's use of tariffs as a negotiating tool.
JOHN PAULSON, potential treasury secretary - Paulson, a billionaire hedge fund manager and major Trump donor, is another strong contender for treasury secretary. A proponent of tax cuts and deregulation, Paulson's profile aligns closely with other potential members of Trump's economic team. He has publicly supported targeted tariffs to ensure U.S. national security and combat unfair trade practices.
LARRY KUDLOW, potential treasury secretary - FOX Business Network personality Larry Kudlow, who served as director of the National Economic Council during much of Trump's first term, has a chance at becoming treasury secretary. He might also be offered a separate economics-focused position.
ROBERT LIGHTHIZER, potential treasury secretary - A loyalist who served as Trump's US trade representative, Lighthizer is likely to be invited back. While Bessent and Paulson may have better chances at becoming treasury secretary, Lighthizer could reprise his old role if interested.
HOWARD LUTNICK, potential treasury secretary - The co-chair of Trump's transition effort and longtime CEO of Cantor Fitzgerald, Lutnick is in the running for treasury secretary. A New Yorker like Trump, Lutnick has consistently praised the president-elect's economic policies.
LINDA McMAHON, potential commerce secretary - Professional wrestling magnate and former Small Business Administration director Linda McMahon is seen as the frontrunner to lead Trump's Department of Commerce. A major donor and early supporter of Trump, she was tapped to co-lead a transition team.
RICHARD GRENELL, potential secretary of state - Grenell, one of Trump's closest foreign policy advisers, served as acting director of national intelligence and U.S. ambassador to Germany. He is also considered a top contender for national security adviser.
ROBERT O'BRIEN, potential secretary of state - O'Brien, Trump's fourth and final national security adviser, maintains a close relationship with Trump. He is likely in the running for secretary of state or other top foreign policy and national security posts.
BILL HAGERTY, potential secretary of state - A U.S. senator from Tennessee and former Trump transition team member, Hagerty is considered a top contender for secretary of state. He has maintained solid relations with all factions of the Republican Party.
MARCO RUBIO, potential secretary of state - U.S. senator from Florida and 2016 Republican presidential candidate Rubio is also a top secretary of state contender. His policies align closely with those of Trump.
MIKE WALTZ, potential defence secretary - A former Army Green Beret and current U.S. congressman from Florida, Waltz is one of the foremost China hawks in the House of Representatives. He is widely considered a serious contender for secretary of defense.
KEITH KELLOGG, potential candidate for national security adviser - A retired lieutenant general who served as chief of staff to the National Security Council under Trump, Kellogg is a contender for national security adviser.
TOM HOMAN, potential homeland security secretary - Homan, who served as acting director of Immigration and Customs Enforcement during Trump's first term, is a contender for secretary of homeland security.
CHAD WOLF, potential homeland security secretary - Wolf, who served as Trump's acting secretary of homeland security, may have a shot at heading back to DHS.
MARK GREEN, potential homeland security secretary - A former Army flight surgeon and current chair of the House Homeland Security Committee, Green is considered by some Trump allies as a contender for the top job at DHS.
JOHN RATCLIFFE, potential attorney general - A former congressman and prosecutor who served as director of national intelligence during Trump's last year in office, Ratcliffe is seen as a potential attorney general.
MIKE LEE, potential attorney general - A U.S. senator from Utah, Lee is widely seen as another top candidate for attorney general.
KASH PATEL, potential candidate for national security posts - A former Republican House staffer who served in various high-ranking roles during Trump's first term, Patel is considered the ultimate Trump loyalist.
Source link: https://www.khaleejtimes.com
