President-elect Donald Trump is accelerating appointments for his second-term administration, set to launch in January next year. Following the nomination of Suzy Wiles, the 'loyal kingmaker' who led his presidential campaign behind the scenes, as White House Chief of Staff, he has appointed hardline anti-immigration figures to lead the 'illegal immigrant deportation' efforts he pledged to implement from day one of his inauguration. Hawkish figures supporting America First policies have also been positioned in the national security line, including the Secretary of Defense. Below is an update on the official appointments announced as of 4 p.m. Korea time on the 13th.
Suzy Wiles, White House Chief of Staff
On the 7th, President-elect Trump formally began assembling his second-term administration by appointing Suzy Wiles, co-chair of his campaign, as White House Chief of Staff. She is the first female White House Chief of Staff in U.S. history. Trump introduced her by saying, "Wiles helped achieve one of the greatest political victories in American history and played a key role in the 2016 and 2020 campaigns. She is strong, smart, innovative, and respected by all." Wiles, considered one of the main contributors to Trump's election victories, is a long-time close aide who enjoys Trump's deep trust. A veteran political consultant with over 40 years of experience, she entered politics as a congressional aide in 1979 and worked on Ronald Reagan's 1980 presidential campaign.
Tom Homan, Border Czar
Tom Homan, who served as acting director of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) during Trump's first administration, has been appointed as the 'Border Czar.' By announcing the 'Border Czar' appointment before other cabinet positions, Trump emphasized the importance of immigration policy. This was the second senior appointment after Wiles' nomination as White House Chief of Staff. In a statement on the 11th (local time), Trump said, "I am pleased to announce that Tom Homan, a strong supporter of border control, will join the administration as the official overseeing our borders (Border Czar). There is no one better suited to control and monitor our borders." He added, "Homan will also oversee the deportation of all illegal immigrants to their countries of origin." Homan has previously expressed hardline stances on immigration, refugees, and illegal residents.
Alice Sturfanic, U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations
Congresswoman Alice Sturfanic, appointed as U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations, was also mentioned as a potential running mate (vice-presidential candidate) for Trump ahead of this year's election. Initially classified as a moderate when she entered politics in 2014 as the youngest congresswoman, she later aligned herself with the pro-Trump faction. Even before Trump declared his re-election bid, she expressed support within the Republican Party, stating that "we must unite around the most popular candidate." On the 11th, Trump nominated Sturfanic as U.S. Ambassador to the UN, introducing her as "an incredibly excellent ambassador who will bring peace through strength and America First national security policies."
Lee Zeldin, Environmental Protection Agency Administrator
Trump selected former Congressman Lee Zeldin as the head of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), tasked with overturning President Joe Biden's environmental policies. Trump described Zeldin as "a true warrior for America First policies," emphasizing that "through fair and swift deregulation, he will unleash the power of American businesses while maintaining the highest environmental standards for the cleanest air and water on the planet." A native of New York, Zeldin opposed certifying Biden's election victory during the joint session of Congress on January 6, 2021, and has actively supported Trump's claims of election fraud. After losing the 2022 New York gubernatorial race to Democrat Kathy Hochul, he spent much of this year traveling between Florida's Mar-a-Lago resort and supporting Trump's campaign activities. In an interview with Fox News on the day of his nomination, he said, "During the first 100 days (after inauguration), we will repeal regulations that burden businesses and reduce costs. There are regulations championed by the left that ultimately lead businesses in the wrong direction."
Mike Waltz, White House National Security Advisor
Mike Waltz, a congressman and Green Beret veteran, was appointed as White House National Security Advisor, a position directly nominated by the president. In a statement on the 12th, Trump said, "Mike has been a strong advocate for the 'America First' foreign policy agenda and will be a tremendous proponent of pursuing 'peace through strength.' He is an expert on China, Russia, Iran, and global terrorist threats." Waltz has publicly stated that the U.S. is "in a cold war with the Chinese Communist Party" and has taken an anti-China stance. He has worked on the House China Task Force, introducing legislation to reduce U.S. dependence on China for critical minerals and to protect American academia from Chinese espionage. Days before the U.S. election, he published an article in The Economist urging the U.S. to end conflicts with Europe and the Middle East and confront the "greater threat" from China. The White House National Security Advisor is the top aide assisting the president in foreign and security affairs, coordinating all national security-related agencies, reporting to the president, and implementing policies.
Mike Huckabee, U.S. Ambassador to Israel
Trump, known for his overtly pro-Israel policies, chose former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee, a Christian conservative, as the U.S. Ambassador to Israel, a key diplomatic channel for Middle East policy in the next administration. Huckabee served as Arkansas governor from 1996 to 2007. A Baptist minister and conservative, he enjoys strong support from American Christian fundamentalist groups. He has twice run in Republican primaries for the presidency. He is also the father of Sarah Huckabee Sanders, former White House Press Secretary in Trump's first administration and current Arkansas governor. Shortly after his appointment on the night of the 12th (local time), Huckabee appeared on Fox News, stating, "It is time to completely reset our domestic and international relations. That is exactly what Trump intends to make clear." He assessed that the impact of Trump's inauguration is already being felt across the Middle East and expressed a hawkish stance toward adversaries such as Iran and China.
Steven Witkoff, Middle East Special Envoy
Trump appointed Steve Witkoff, a real estate mogul and known golf buddy, as Middle East Special Envoy. Witkoff, a New York-based real estate businessman, is a longtime friend of Trump. As co-chair of the joint inauguration committee, he was with Trump during the second assassination attempt at a golf course in September. He also testified as a witness in Trump's lawsuits. Trump introduced him as "a respected leader in business and philanthropy who has made every project and community he has been involved in stronger and more prosperous." Huckabee, nominated the same day as U.S. Ambassador to Israel, also praised Witkoff, saying "he knows the region well."
William Joseph McGinley, White House Counsel
William Joseph McGinley, nominated as White House Counsel, served as Cabinet Secretary during Trump's first administration. He has experience as an external counsel for election integrity at the Republican National Committee (RNC) and as legal counsel for the National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC). Trump described him as "a smart and tough lawyer who will help fight against the weaponization of the judicial system and election integrity issues while advancing our 'America First' agenda."
John Ratcliffe, Director of the Central Intelligence Agency
Trump nominated former Director of National Intelligence (DNI) John Ratcliffe as Director of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA). Ratcliffe previously led the DNI during Trump's first term. Trump introduced him as "a warrior who will fearlessly fight for the constitutional rights of all Americans while ensuring the highest level of national security and 'peace through strength.'" Ratcliffe currently serves as co-chair of the American Security Center under the America First Policy Institute (AFPI), a pro-Trump think tank. He is a prominent hawk who has labeled China as the "greatest national security threat" and has warned about China's military enhancement through artificial intelligence (AI) and biotechnology, raising security concerns. He has also advocated for stronger pressure on North Korea to abandon its nuclear weapons and supports a "maximum pressure" policy toward Iran.
Pete Hegseth, Secretary of Defense
The appointment of 40-year-old Fox News host Pete Hegseth as the next Secretary of Defense has been widely regarded as a bold move. On the 12th, Trump selected Hegseth, co-host of the weekend edition of Fox & Friends, praising him as "tough, smart, and a true believer in America First." A former Army major, Hegseth served in the Iraq and Afghanistan wars and received medals. He ran unsuccessfully for the U.S. Senate in Minnesota in 2012. He has been with Fox News since 2014 and appears to have developed a close relationship with Trump during this time. He is 44 years old. Trump said, "With Pete leading (the Department of Defense), America's enemies will be warned. Our military will be great again, and America will never back down," signaling a strong national security stance. Hegseth has also expressed hawkish views, calling for strong economic sanctions over China's expanding economic and military influence through public appearances and writings.
Kristi Noem, Secretary of Homeland Security
Trump appointed South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem as Secretary of Homeland Security (DHS) for his second administration. Noem was also considered a 'loyalist' candidate for Trump's running mate. However, she has faced criticism for lacking experience in national security. She gained notoriety for refusing to mandate mask-wearing during the COVID-19 pandemic. She once sparked controversy by admitting to shooting and killing her own dog. Additionally, she claimed in her memoir to have met North Korean Supreme Leader Kim Jong-un, though the North Korea desk at the National Intelligence Council (NIC) under the DNI stated they had no knowledge of such a meeting.
Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy, Heads of the Department of Government Efficiency
Elon Musk, the world's richest person and CEO of Tesla, who played a significant role in Trump's election victory, was appointed as head of the newly established Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), responsible for reforming the next administration. Entrepreneur and pro-Trump politician Vivek Ramaswamy will co-lead DOGE alongside Musk. On the 12th, Trump announced these appointments, stating, "These two outstanding Americans will work together to dismantle government bureaucracy, eliminate excessive regulations, reduce wasteful spending, and restructure federal agencies." Shortly after, Musk posted on X (formerly Twitter) that to maximize transparency, all activities would be publicly available online, and a 'leaderboard' ranking the most absurd and foolish uses of taxpayers' money would be created. Trump likened this new department to the 'Manhattan Project' during World War II, when the U.S. secretly developed nuclear weapons, calling it "the core of the Save America movement." The new department, led by CEOs, aims to break bureaucracy and establish an entrepreneurial approach. Ramaswamy, also a CEO who founded a biotech company, will co-lead DOGE, which will operate as an independent advisory board rather than a federal agency.
CNN: "Stephen Miller, Deputy Chief of Staff"
News that Stephen Miller, former senior White House advisor who designed the illegal immigrant deportation plan, will be appointed Deputy Chief of Staff first emerged through CNN on the 11th, shortly after the 'Border Czar' appointment. Miller was the architect of the large-scale illegal immigrant deportation pledge ahead of this election, signaling Trump's strong commitment to his top priority of deporting illegal immigrants. Throughout the campaign, Miller appeared as a close aide, traveling on Trump's private plane and speaking at rallies. CNN cited multiple sources saying the appointment would be announced within days. Vice President-elect J.D. Vance also shared the news on X the same day, calling it "another fantastic choice by the president."
NYT: "Marco Rubio, Secretary of State"
Among the key national security positions in the second-term administration?Secretary of Defense, Secretary of State, White House National Security Advisor, and CIA Director?the Secretary of State has yet to be officially announced. However, reports have been circulating that Senator Marco Rubio from Florida has already been nominated for the position. The New York Times (NYT) cited multiple sources on the 11th, stating, "Although there is a possibility Trump might change his mind at the last moment, it appears he has settled on Rubio for Secretary of State." Rubio, a pro-Trump foreign policy expert, is a prominent anti-China hawk who has served on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. He has consistently been involved in various U.S. congressional efforts to impose sanctions on China and has been on the Chinese government's entry ban list since 2020. Rubio was also previously included on Trump's list of potential running mates.
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