President-elect Donald Trump is filling key posts in his second administration, putting an emphasis so far on aides and allies who were his strongest backers during the 2024 campaign.
Here’s a look at who he’s selected so far.
In one of the more shocking announcements, Trump said he would tap Florida Representative, Matt Gaetz, to be the next attorney general – the top law enforcement position in the United States that Trump has promised to utilize to seek revenge on his opponents and enemies.
Gaetz, a Trump loyalist and controversial figure in Congress, is well-known for sending the House into leadership chaos last year by making a motion of vacate then-speaker of the house Kevin McCarthy. He was also subject to Justice Department investigation into allegations of sex trafficking. He was ultimately never charged with a crime but remains under a House ethics investigation.
“Matt is a deeply gifted and tenacious attorney, trained at the William & Mary College of Law, who has distinguished himself in Congress through his focus on achieving desperately needed reform at the Department of Justice. Few issues in America are more important than ending the partisan Weaponization of our Justice System,” Trump said in the announcement.
Gabbard, a veteran and former Democrat congressman who promoted conspiracy theories about the U.S.’s involvement in Ukraine, has been selected to head the U.S. intelligence community.
If selected, her job will require her to oversee the intelligence programs tasked with gathering and understanding intel from across the globe.
Gabbard once was a member of the Democratic Party, representing Hawaii’s second congressional district. She left her position to embark on an unsuccessful presidential campaign in 2020. Afterwaters, she changed her party affiliation to Independent.
But earlier this year, Gabbard joined the Republican Party, endorsed Trump and joined his presidential transition team.
The Florida Republican Senator was officially chosen to serve as Trump’s Secretary of State on November 13 after much speculation.
Rubio has been a prominent Republican member of Congress and made an unsuccessful bid for White House in 2016 against Trump. Despite losing, he still maintained a strong pressence and was reportedly a contendor to be Trump’s running mate this past year.
“Marco is a Highly Respected Leader, and a very powerful Voice for Freedom. He will be a strong Advocate for our Nation, a true friend to our Allies, and a fearless Warrior who will never back down to our adversaries,” Trump wrote in the announcement.
Rubio’s approach to foreign politics is described as “hawkish” especially when it comes to Iran and China. He is highly supportive of Israel and wary about the U.S. intervening in the Ukraine–Russia conflict.
If confirmed, Rubio will be the first Latino to serve as secretary of state.
