Trump is expected to make Marco Rubio his secretary of state, name Stephen Miller and Mike Waltz to key White House posts, and appoint Lee Zeldin to lead the EPA.
Topline
President-elect Donald Trump has made a flurry of appointments to fill top posts in his administration in the days since he won the election, tapping some of his staunchest defenders and loyalists for roles as others are jockeying for the remaining cabinet positions.Key Facts
Trump has reportedly chosen a secretary of state, a United Nations ambassador and an Environmental Protection Agency administrator, marking the first Senate-confirmed Cabinet-level jobs.
The president-elect has also announced his White House chief of staff and border czar, and has reportedly picked a national security adviser and a deputy chief of staff for policy—several key roles that don’t require Senate confirmation.
Trump has decamped to Mar-a-Lago since his win Tuesday, holding meetings with his inner circle, administration hopefuls and transition team to craft his second term agenda and build out his staff.
Attorney general, CIA director, White House counsel and secretaries of defense, state and homeland security are top priorities for Trump, according to The New York Times, citing people familiar with his thinking who said he is keen on candidates who will remove career bureaucrats Trump considers to be part of what he refers to as the “deep state.” Secretary Of State: Likely Marco Rubio
Trump is likely to pick Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., as his secretary of state, according to multiple reports. The New York Times says Trump might change his mind, and CNN reports Trump set his sights on Rubio after initially favoring former acting Director of National Intelligence Ric Grenell for the job. Rubio, a high-profile Republican who was reportedly among the finalists for Trump’s running mate choice, has a reputation as a foreign policy hawk, favoring tough approaches on China and Iran. Rubio said prior to the election he believed a Trump administration would broker “a negotiated settlement” to end the war in Ukraine. Rubio and Trump were bitter rivals in the 2016 GOP presidential primaries, often clashing vehemently, but their relationship has improved since then.National Security Adviser: Mike Waltz
Trump has asked Rep. Mike Waltz, R-Fla., to serve as his national security adviser, according to CNN and The Wall Street Journal. In recent months, Waltz—a former Army Green Beret—has frequently criticized China, urged NATO members to pay more for defense and said he expects Trump to push Ukraine and Russia toward a negotiated end to the war in Ukraine.Environmental Protection Agency Administrator: Lee Zeldin
Trump announced Monday he’s tapped former Rep. Lee Zeldin, R-N.Y., to lead the EPA, citing his “very strong legal background” and calling him “a true fighter for America First policies” in a statement.
