TRUMP’S CABINET HEADS: MEET THE LEADERS SHAPING OUR GOVERNMENT
President-elect Donald Trump is assembling his team for his second term in the Oval Office. The cabinet members are rolling in and these leaders will help shape policy while advising Trump over his time in the White House. Get to know Trump’s cabinet heads who will help shape our nation over the next four years:
Who Are Trump’s Cabinet Heads?
Trump’s cabinet heads are beginning to take shape. However, keep in mind that during his first term as President, Trump’s cabinet turned over at an astounding rate of 91%, so even though selections are coming in, they might not stay.
Nevertheless, the cabinet’s job is to provide expert advice on a wide range of topics facing our nation, making these positions influential and important from a political level as well as how they affect us as citizens.
Here’s a closer look at some of the members of Trump's cabinet, so far:
Chief of Staff
In a surprising pick, Trump selected his campaign adviser Susie Wiles for the role of Chief of Staff.
Wiles is a well-seasoned political operative but remains a Washington outsider, conducting most of her previous professional efforts in the state of Florida.
Yet, her experience has a resume that includes names like Ronald Reagan, Mitt Romney, Jeb Bush, and Rick Scott.
The daughter of NFL and Army Veteran Pat Summerall, Wiles has been by Trump's side throughout his presidential run and will now hold one of the most influential positions in his cabinet.
Attorney General
Controversially, Trump has selected Rep. Matt Gaetz of Florida for the role of Attorney General.
This comes as many House Republicans do not particularly like Gaetz due in part to his personal actions in the past.
While Gaetz denies doing anything wrong and the federal investigation involving the House Ethics Committee and U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) didn’t end with any charges, he was being investigated for trying to have sex with a minor.
The future leader of the DOJ is sure to face many legal challenges despite the backing of Trump. Furthermore, the President-elect has also chosen Todd Blanche as our nation’s next Deputy Attorney General.
Gaetz is a member of the Armed Forces committee, and has fought for increased funding for the F-35 program to ensure that our nation is being protected. After the NDAA passed, Gaetz secured authorization for $31.9 million in funding for Gulf Coast Test Range Enhancements.
Secretary of the Department of Veterans Affairs
Veteran Doug Collins is joining Trump’s cabinet heads to lead the VA. While he has first-hand experience with the healthcare experiences Veterans face, his conservative views could hinder access for marginalized groups within the LGBT+ community, and those in need of abortion services.
Doug Collins plans to improve Veteran healthcare, as he has said many times that he thinks the VA's medical system is "broken and our Veterans pay the price." While Collins didn't play a significant role on Veterans issues while in Congress, he plans on changing that as Secretary of the VA.
Secretary of Defense
Fox News host and military Veteran Pete Hegseth is going to guide Trump’s defense policies, as he’s proven to be a strong ally to the President-elect.
Depending on how things shake out, Hegseth could have a role in ushering in not only foreign defense policies but also influencing policies affecting the border, military culture and “wokeism,” and a potential court-martial list that includes active duty military Officers as well as Veterans.
After a recent podcast appearance, Hegseth has upset the Veteran community, specifically female Vets. He stated that our nation's military "should not have women in combat roles" saying that men are "more capable" in such positions. Many Vets have taken to X to share their frustration.
Secretary of State
Marco Rubio is the first Latino to hold the position of Secretary of State. Rubio will become one of Trump’s cabinet heads, despite not always seeing eye-to-eye over the years, as emerging threats around the globe, particularly with Iran and China, continue to threaten American interests.
In the past, he voted 'yes' to the PACT Act in 2022 & 2021, he voted 'yes' to the nomination of Denis McDonough as Secretary of Veterans Affairs, and helped introduce other pieces of legislation to help Veterans.
National Security Adviser
He’s been a Green Beret and a Congressman but now, Mike Waltz is bringing his knowledge of the military and politics into the role of the country’s National Security Adviser.
While the title might be new, Waltz and Trump have been allies for years. During Trump’s first term, Waltz was providing advice on related matters as a trusted resource.
As the Chairman of the House Armed Services Subcommittee on Readiness and a member of the House Oversight and Accountability Committee and House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, Mike has worked to implement legislation to "restore the military back to be merit-based and mission-focused."
Now, Waltz is stepping into a world that continues to find new ways to create powder kegs, as conflicts in Europe, Asia, and the Middle East intensify—not to mention tensions at the Mexico-U.S. border.
Director of National Intelligence
Tulsi Gabbard is no stranger to politics but the former congresswoman and military Veteran was a Democrat until joining the GOP after endorsing Trump in 2022.
Gabbard served in the Army National Guard for more than two decades, and was deployed to Iraq and Kuwait. She also received the Combat Medical Badge in 2005 for "her participation in combat operations under enemy hostile fire in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom III," said the Hawaii National Guard.
Now, she's the Director of National Intelligence, although critics are pointing out her limited experience in this area.
Secretary of Health and Human Services
At one point, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. was a political rival, as he tried to gain a presidential bid. Now, he’s the Secretary of Health and Human Services.
Joining the Trump cabinet, RFK Jr. is a controversial pick, considering his various stances on vaccines, including their false connection for causing autism.
As the leader of the HHS, his policies could have a major impact on healthcare options for military families.
Environmental Protection Agency Administrator
The Trump cabinet has made Lee Zeldin the leader of the EPA. Zeldin has been a defender of Trump and an ally throughout his political career, has served in the Army, and is currently serving in the Army Reserve.
He also also been a supporter for the national expansion of Veteran mental health support programs to improve Veteran healthcare access.
Secretary of Homeland Security
Kristi Noem is known for being the South Dakota Governor, maintaining anti-immigration stances, and for the incident with her dog. Now, she’s leading Homeland Security.
Noem is going to be in charge of a lot of funding and capable of influencing what the likes of FEMA, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Customs and Border Protection, and other government agencies are doing.
Director of the Central Intelligence Agency
John Ratcliffe is the Director of the CIA, which makes sense because he was Trump’s Director of National Intelligence during his first term.
Ratcliffe voted in favor of the 2017 NDAA to boost support for the military and to enhance America's national defense capabilities. He also added an amendment to the bill to protect more than 5,000 jobs near the Red River Army Depot, as they are critical for providing readiness to the Army.
However, there have been questions about the effectiveness of Ratcliffe, but as we’re watching unfold, loyalty counts for a lot if you want to make it as a part of Trump’s cabinet heads for his second term.
Secretary of Interior
North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum is the new leader of the Energy Department and for Veterans working in the energy sector, a potential boost could be on the horizon, as favorable policies should come forth based on Trump’s cabinet heads so far.
In 2023, Burgum signed the last of five bills that named bridges on North Dakota state highways in honor of military Veterans.
Secretary of the Department of Energy
Liberty Energy CEO Chris Wright has been selected to the Trump cabinet as the leader of the Energy Department.
The direct effect on Veterans would depend on many factors but it’s clear that if you’re working in the energy industry, you can expect a boost through policies as Wright works to loosen regulations companies currently face due to climate change.
Border Czar
Tom Homan has worked as an acting director of the ICE and is now the “Border Czar” focusing on deporting millions of illegal immigrants.
Homan has made waves with his controversial approach, including separating families when deporting immigrants.
With a focus on the use of the Alien Enemies Act of 1798 and military force, Trump’s cabinet plans to take a harsh stance against immigration during his second term.
White House Counsel
William “Bill” McGinley is going to likely be busy as Trump’s White House Counsel. His job will be to look into various legal and ethical aspects of the bills signed by the President.
White House Communications Director
Over the years, Steven Cheung has been a loyal part of Trump’s team and has experience in communications.
Therefore, his selection as the White House Communications Director makes sense for Trump’s second term.
Known to not mince words, Cheung’s loyalty and ability to deliver on brand messaging only add to the type of people Trump’s cabinet heads and secretaries are looking to assemble.
White House Press Secretary
At only 27 years old, the selection of Karoline Leavitt for the White House Press Secretary is believed to be the youngest ever.
Previously, Leavitt worked as a spokesperson for MAGA Inc. and has proven herself to be a strong ally of Trump’s agenda.
Department of Government Efficiency
Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy are leading a new initiative known as DOGE, which is focused on cutting costs.
At one point, it was unclear how these budget cuts would have a concrete effect on Veterans; however, there are already concerns that around $120 billion in healthcare for Vets could be at risk with their appointments.
Trump’s cabinet heads will have widespread influence on policy and plenty to work on when he takes office following a successful 2024 presidential campaign.
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