On 05 November 2024, Donald J. Trump, a 78-year-old man, won 291 electoral votes against Kamala Harris 223 to become President for the second time in the country’s history.Trump, owing to his slogan “Making America Great Again,” is now in the process of selecting his Presidential cabinet. Similarly, the US Cabinet is not only a significant body for the country but also for the world. Indeed, it plays a crucial role in influencing national decisions, and furthermore, it has the power to shift the direction of the country’s policies.Let’s have a look at Trump’s choices and see what the impact of it on the US political landscape could be.
What is the Trump Cabinet?
Before delving into the details of cabinet members, let’s first gain a clear understanding of the cabinet itself. The President’s cabinet is a body of senior officials who in their respective fields advise for the policies of the country. Such policies are significant in shaping a country’s political landscape and outlook for the world. After the elections, the President begins selecting cabinet members, and subsequently, these choices are reviewed and confirmed by the US Senate. Remember, the cabinet does not have a collective function or authority like a normal government institution. The US President chose 26 members including the vice president, 15 department heads and 10 cabinet-level officials.
Trump’s Approach to Selecting Cabinet Members
There have been different cases of selecting cabinet members of the US Presidents.Some Presidents opt for university professors, friends, and loyalists, while others prefer politicians. Similarly, while selecting his cabinet, Donald Trump prioritized loyalty, political alignment, and the media presence of the members. He can make a bold move by choosing even a controversial member for his cabinet, that’s Trump’s style of decision-making. In short, Trump selects individuals who closely align with his mindset.
A Closer Look at Key Picks
Trump cabinet’s comprises a mix of seasoned politicians, media personalities and controversial figures.
Marco Rubio as Secretary of State: A seasoned politician-cum-lawyer is a senator from the state of Florida since 2011. He also served as Speaker of the Florida House of Representatives from 2006 to 2008.
Pete Hegseth as Secretary of Defense: An American television presenter, author and Army National Guard officer. He remained affiliated with Fox News since 2014. In 2016, he emerged as a strong supporter of Donald Trump and served as an occasional advisor in Trump’s first term.
Matt Gaetz as Attorney General: The announcement of Matt Gaetz has shocked the USA due to sex trafficking allegations in 2020 against him. He is an American politician who served as the US representative for Florida’s 1st congressional district since 2017.
Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as Secretary of Health and Human Services: Known for his anti-vaccine stance, is a seasoned American politician. He is a member of the Kennedy family and nephew of the US President John F. Kennedy.
Tulsi Gabbard as Director of National Intelligence: A former democrat congresswoman who later joined the Republican party, will oversee US intelligence agencies. Although she lacks experience in intelligence.
Tulsi Gabbard
Susie Wiles as Chief of Staff: She will be the first woman in the history of the USA to hold the position of Chief of Staff. Wiles was the chief strategist of the Trump campaign in Florida in 2016. She has been active in Trump’s 2024 election campaign.
John Ratcliffe as Director of CIA: He remained director of national intelligence in the first term of Trump, particularly during the time of COVID-19. He became prominent when he defended Turmp in his first impeachment.
Kristi L. Noem as Secretary for Homeland Security: Former governor of South Dakota, a critic of immigration policies of Biden, Kristi is a staunch ally of Trump. If approved, she will look after US immigration policies.
Elise Stefanik as UN Ambassador: Currently, she is serving as the US Representative for New York’s 21st Congressional District. She was the youngest ever woman to be elected to Congress at the age of 30. She also came to prominence for supporting Trump in his impeachment. Although with less foreign policy experience, she will serve the UN forum on behalf of the USA. It will be a test for her to deal with ongoing Iran-Israel proxy war.
Potential Impact of Trump’s Cabinet Choices
The Presidential cabinet in the USA is not a stand-alone phenomenon rather it has profound implications for not only the country itself but also for the whole world. By assessing the records of the cabinet members, one can easily assess the future of the country. In this regard, Marco Rubio and Tulsi Gabbard would be key members of the cabinet to influence global diplomacy and intelligence strategies for the USA.
Similarly, Pete Hegseth and Kristi Noem would focus more on domestic security, particularly rising knife attacks in the country and military priorities. The appointment of Rober F. Kennedy may lead to debates in public over his health initiatives and his policies regarding vaccines. Overall, Trump’s cabinet will pursue its agenda aggressively but not without controversies.