Loyalists to Enforce America First Policy Appointed in Succession
'Border Tsar' Tom Homan Followed by Zeldin and Stefaniak Nominations
"Miller to Be Named White House Deputy Chief of Staff Within Days"
"Mike Waltz Appointed National Security Advisor"
The key themes for personnel appointments in President-elect Donald Trump's second administration are summarized as 'loyalty' and 'America First.' Following his first appointment of Suzy Wiles, the 'loyal kingmaker' who led the presidential campaign behind the scenes, as White House Chief of Staff, he plans to appoint former White House Senior Advisor Steven Miller, who designed his major pledge of 'mass deportation of illegal immigrants,' as Deputy Chief of Staff, and Senator Marco Rubio, a close diplomatic ally, as Secretary of State. He also selected former Representative Lee Zeldin as head of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), which will overturn President Joe Biden's environmental policies, and Representative Elise Stefanik as U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations. All are prominent pro-Trump loyalists who have claimed '2020 election fraud.'
President-elect of the United States Donald Trump (left) is greeting Senator Marco Rubio at a campaign rally in North Carolina on the 4th. Photo by AFP Yonhap News
Outline of Trump's Second Term Emerges: "Rubio for Secretary of State, Miller for Deputy Chief of Staff"
On the 11th (local time), The New York Times (NYT) reported, citing multiple sources, that President-elect Trump is expected to appoint Senator Marco Rubio from Florida as Secretary of State. Rubio, who has voiced hawkish stances on foreign and security issues such as China and Iran, was previously considered by Trump as a running mate (vice presidential candidate).
NYT stated, "Even after not being selected as the vice presidential candidate, Rubio played the role of Trump's loyal proxy," adding, "Although there is a possibility Trump might change his mind at the last moment, it seems he has firmly decided to entrust Rubio." Earlier, The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) reported that Representative Mike Waltz, a politician and Green Beret veteran, has been nominated as White House National Security Advisor, a position directly appointed by the president. The Secretary of State and White House National Security Advisor, along with the Secretary of Defense and CIA Director, are considered key roles in national security policy decision-making.
On the same day, news also broke that former Senior Advisor Miller, who served in Trump's first administration, has been nominated as White House Deputy Chief of Staff. According to CNN, President-elect Trump plans to officially announce this within days. Miller was the architect of the large-scale illegal immigrant deportation pledge ahead of this election. Throughout the campaign, he appeared as a close aide, traveling with Trump on his private plane and appearing as a rally speaker. Vice President-elect J.D. Vance also shared this news on X (formerly Twitter) on the same day, confirming it as "another fantastic choice by the president."
EPA Head and UN Ambassador Nominations Announced... Keywords: 'Loyalty' and 'America First'
On the same day, President-elect Trump also issued a statement announcing the nominations for the head of the EPA, which will overturn President Biden's environmental policies, and the U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations. He introduced former Representative Lee Zeldin, nominated as EPA Administrator, as "a true champion of America First policies," emphasizing that "through fair and swift deregulation, he will unleash the power of American businesses while maintaining the highest environmental standards, including the cleanest air and water on the planet." Regarding Representative Elise Stefanik, appointed as U.S. Ambassador to the UN, he said, "She will be an incredibly excellent UN Ambassador who brings peace through strength and America First national security policies."
Like the officially appointed White House Chief of Staff Suzy Wiles and 'border czar' Tom Homan, they share the commonality of being prominent pro-Trump figures who actively supported President-elect Trump's reelection. Zeldin, from New York State, is a pro-Trump figure who agreed with claims of election fraud, opposing the certification of President Biden's victory at the joint session of Congress on January 6, 2021. Stefanik, who initially entered politics in 2014 as the youngest member of Congress and was considered a moderate, later turned pro-Trump. Even before President-elect Trump declared his reelection bid, she expressed support within the Republican Party, stating that "we must unite around the most popular candidate." She was also once mentioned as a potential running mate for Trump ahead of this year's election.
For President-elect Trump, these appointments satisfy both key themes of loyalty and America First for his second administration. This also explains why he unusually formalized that Nikki Haley, former UN Ambassador, and Mike Pompeo, former Secretary of State?both of whom competed fiercely in the Republican presidential primaries?will not be invited to the second administration. The gap is also evident in that they emphasize alliances, unlike Trump, who prefers America First and diplomatic isolationism.
Additionally, local media are naming Jay Clayton, former chairman of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), as a leading candidate for Attorney General. Robert Lighthizer, former U.S. Trade Representative (USTR), who led the trade war with China in the first administration, is likely to take a key economic cabinet position, including Secretary of Commerce. Doug Burgum, Governor of North Dakota, whose name was once mentioned alongside Senator Rubio for Secretary of State, is expected to be appointed as 'energy czar.' Senator Bill Hagerty, who called for an immediate halt to aid to Ukraine, is also expected to be appointed to a key position.
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