The newly elected President of the United States, Donald Trump, continues to fill key positions in his second administration, appointing his strongest supporters and loyal allies to high-ranking posts. These selections highlight his agenda for both domestic and foreign policy.
Trump has focused on rewarding his closest allies during his election campaign for a second term. His latest appointments include the U.S. Ambassador to Israel and a Special Envoy for the Middle East.
Musk, Ramaswamy to Oversee Government Efficiency
On Tuesday, November 13th, Trump announced that billionaire Elon Musk would lead a new “Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE)” aimed at reducing federal bureaucracy, alongside former GOP presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy. The acronym “DOGE” refers to the popular cryptocurrency Dogecoin, which Musk is known to favor. During the campaign, Musk spent over $100 million promoting himself as a key ally of Trump. Musk also campaigned for Trump on X (formerly Twitter), the social media platform he owns. “Together, these two remarkable Americans will help guide my administration in reducing government bureaucracy, simplifying excessive regulations, cutting wasteful spending, and restructuring federal agencies,” Trump said in a statement. According to the announcement, Musk and Ramaswamy will work outside the government to provide advice and guidance to the White House.
Former Intelligence Chief to Lead the CIA
Trump has appointed John Ratcliffe to head the CIA. Ratcliffe, a former Republican congressman from Texas, previously served as Director of National Intelligence (DNI) during the final months of Trump’s first term. “I can’t wait for John to be the first person to serve in both of the nation’s highest intelligence positions,” Trump said. He described Ratcliffe as a “fearless fighter for the constitutional rights of all Americans.”
Conservative Appointed Ambassador to Israel
Former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee, one of the most conservative voices in the Republican Party, has been nominated as the next U.S. Ambassador to Israel. Huckabee, an evangelical Christian conservative, is known for his strong support for Israel and has also expressed support for settlements in the West Bank, which are considered illegal under international law.
This appointment follows Trump’s promise to align U.S. foreign policy more closely with Israeli interests. In a statement about the nomination, Trump said Huckabee “will work tirelessly to bring peace to the Middle East.”
Defense and National Security Secretaries
Trump appointed military veteran and Fox News presenter Pete Hegseth as his Secretary of Defense, praising him as “tough, smart, and a true believer in the ‘America First’ doctrine.” “With Pete at the helm, America’s enemies will know—our military will be strong again, and America will never back down,” Trump said in a statement.
Earlier, Trump named Kristi Noem, the Governor of South Dakota, as Secretary of Homeland Security. He noted that she was the first governor to deploy National Guard troops to help Texas fight illegal border crossings.
Golf Partner Appointed Special Envoy to the Middle East
For his Special Envoy to the Middle East, Trump has chosen his longtime friend and golf partner Steven Witkoff. Witkoff, a Florida real estate investor and current chairman of Trump’s inaugural committee, has been tapped to be a strong advocate for peace. “Steve will be an unwavering voice for peace and will make us all proud,” Trump said on social media.
Marco Rubio to be Secretary of State
Florida Senator Marco Rubio will be the next Secretary of State. “He will be a strong voice for our nation, a true friend of our allies, and a fearless fighter against our adversaries who will never back down,” Trump said in announcing his pick for this vital position.
U.S. Ambassador to the U.N.
Republican Congresswoman Elise Stefanik has been nominated as the U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations. Trump praised her as a “tough, strong, and smart fighter” for the “America First” policy, according to the New York Post.
Border Czar
Tom Homan will be the new “Border Czar,” overseeing border security and the deportation of refugees. Trump announced the role via his social media platform, Truth, explaining that Homan would be responsible for monitoring both the southern and northern borders, as well as maritime and air security. Homan will also be tasked with the mandatory return of all illegal immigrants to their countries of origin. Trump described Homan as an “unwavering advocate for border control” and stated that no one is “better suited to oversee and control our borders.”
Homan had been a key ally of Trump during his first term, serving for over a year as head of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). He was known for his controversial stance on separating immigrant children from their parents as a deterrent against illegal immigration, a policy that led to lengthy delays in reuniting families. Both Homan and Trump later defended the policy, arguing that it was intended as a deterrent.
Lee Zeldin to Head the EPA
Former Republican Congressman Lee Zeldin has been named the new head of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Zeldin is expected to roll back numerous environmental regulations. Trump said Zeldin would “unleash the power of the American economy” through “immediate deregulation” and would also “respect the highest standards of environmental protection, including the cleanest air and water on the planet.”
Zeldin, a staunch Trump supporter, voted against certifying the 2020 election results in Congress. He expressed his honor at being selected for Trump’s cabinet on social media, promising to “restore American energy dominance, revitalize the auto industry, bring jobs back to Americans, and make the U.S. a leader in artificial intelligence, while protecting access to clean air and water.”
