Translate
07 November 2024
Trump 2.0: Who would be in the running for top jobs in Trump's second administration?
Trump 2.0: Who would be in the running for top jobs in Trump's second administration?
Reuters
06/11/2024
Republican presidential nominee and former U.S. President Donald Trump gets on stage to deliver remarks during a rally at Lee's Family Forum in Henderson, Nevada, U.S. October 31, 2024. REUTERS/Brendan McDermid/File Photo
Republican Donald Trump,who on Wednesday was on the cusp of victory over Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris in his campaign to retake the White House, could begin the process of choosing a cabinet and selecting other high-ranking administration officials in the coming weeks.
Here are the top contenders for some of the key posts overseeing defense, intelligence, diplomacy, trade, immigration and economic policymaking. Some are in contention for a range of posts.
JAMIE DIMON, potential treasury secretary
The chief executive officer of JPMorgan Chase & Co, Dimon is considered a strong candidate for treasury secretary, though it is far from clear that he would actually take the job.
Dimon is an opponent of what he describes as unnecessarily burdensome regulations that have been imposed by the Federal Reserve, the Securities and Exchange Commission and other agencies. He would likely push for a broad rollback of those regulations should he join the administration.
The New York Times reported in October that Dimon privately preferred Harris for the presidency, and that he viewed then-President Trump's actions around the Jan. 6 attack as close to disqualifying for public office.
SCOTT BESSENT, potential treasury secretary
Bessent, a key economic adviser to Trump, is widely seen as a top candidate for treasury secretary. A longtime hedge fund investor who taught at Yale University for several years, Bessent has a warm relationship with the president-elect.
While Bessent has long favored the laissez-faire policies that were popular in the pre-Trump Republican Party, he has also praised Trump's use of tariffs as a negotiating tool. He has praised the president-elect's economic philosophy, which rests on a skepticism of both regulations and international trade.
JOHN PAULSON, potential treasury secretary
Paulson, a billionaire hedge fund manager and major Trump donor, is another top contender for treasury secretary. The longtime financier has told associates he would be interested in the job.
A longtime proponent of tax cuts and deregulation, Paulson's profile is broadly similar to that of other potential members of Trump's economic team. He has publicly supported targeted tariffs as a tool to ensure U.S. national security and combat unfair trade practices abroad.
One high-profile fundraiser hosted by Paulson in April raked in over $50 million for the former president.
LARRY KUDLOW, potential treasury secretary
Fox News personality Larry Kudlow, who served as director of the National Economic Council for much of Trump's first term, has an outside shot at becoming his treasury secretary and would likely have an opportunity to take a separate economics-focused position if he is interested.
While he is privately skeptical of broad tariffs, there is publicly little daylight between the policies Kudlow advocates and those of the president-elect.
ROBERT LIGHTHIZER, potential treasury secretary
A loyalist who served as Trump's U.S. trade representative for essentially the then-president's entire term, Lighthizer will almost certainly be invited back. Though Bessent and Paulson likely have a better shot at becoming treasury secretary, Lighthizer has an outside chance, and he might be able to reprise his old role if he's interested.
Like Trump, Lighthizer is a trade skeptic and a firm believer in tariffs. He was one of the leading figures in Trump's trade war with China and the renegotiation of the North American Free Trade Agreement, or NAFTA, with Mexico and Canada during Trump's first term.longtime financier has told associates he would be interested in the job.
RICHARD GRENELL (Potential national security adviser)
Grenell is among Trump's closest foreign policy advisers. During the president-elect's first four-year term, he served as acting director of national intelligence and U.S. ambassador to Germany. When Trump met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy in September, Grenell sat in on the private meeting.
Grenell's private dealings with foreign leaders and often-caustic personality have made him the center of multiple controversies, a fact that might make another Senate confirmation process a challenge. However, he is considered a top contender for national security adviser, which does not require Senate confirmation, and a Senate-confirmed post is not out of the question.
Among the policies he has advocated for is setting up an autonomous zone in eastern Ukraine to endthe war there, a position Kyiv considers unacceptable.
ROBERT O'BRIEN, potential secretary of state
O'Brien, Trump's fourth and final national security adviser during his first term, maintains a close relationship with Trump, and the two often speak on national security matters.
He is likely in the running for secretary of state or other top foreign policy and national security posts. He has maintained close contacts with foreign leaders since Trump left office, having met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Israel in May.
His views are somewhat more hawkish than some of Trump's advisers. He has, for instance, been more supportive of military aid for Ukraine than many of his Republican contemporaries, and he is a proponent of banning TikTok in the United States.
BILL HAGERTY, potential secretary of state
A U.S. senator from Tennessee who worked on Trump's 2016 transition effort, Hagerty is considered a top contender for secretary of state. He has maintained solid relations with essentially all factions of the Republican Party, and could likely be confirmed with ease in the Senate.
He served as U.S. ambassador to Japan in the first Trump administration at a time when the president touted his warm relationship with then-Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.
Hagerty's policies are broadly in line with those of Trump. Earlier in the year, he voted against a major military aid package for Ukraine.
MARCO RUBIO, potential secretary of state
Rubio, a U.S. senator from Florida and 2016 Republican presidential candidate, is also a top secretary of state contender whose policies hew closely to those of Trump. Like Hagerty, he was a contender to be Trump's 2024 running mate.
Rubio has long been involved in foreign affairs in the Senate, particularly as it relates to Latin America, and he has solid relationships throughout the party.
MIKE WALTZ, potential defense secretary
A former Army Green Beret who is currently a U.S. congressman from Florida, Waltz has established himself as one of the foremost China hawks in the House of Representatives. Among the various China-related bills he has co-sponsored are measures designed to lessen U.S. reliance on critical minerals mined in China.
Waltz is on speaking terms with Trump and is widely considered to be a serious contender for secretary of defense.
MIKE POMPEO, potential defense secretary
Pompeo, who served as CIA director and secretary of state during Trump's first term, is considered a top contender for secretary of defense but could land in various slots involving national security, intelligence or diplomacy.
While he flirted with a Republican primary challenge against Trump, Pompeo never pulled the trigger, and he is now back on friendly terms with the president-elect after a period of awkwardness. He stands out as possibly the fiercest defender of Ukraine among Trump's close allies, a position that puts him at odds with most high-ranking figures in his potential boss's camp.
TOM COTTON, potential defense secretary
A Harvard College and Harvard Law School-educated Army officer-turned-U.S. senator from Arkansas, Cotton is well-liked among Trump donors and is a serious contender for secretary of defense. Like Hagerty, he emerged as a dark-horse contender to be Trump's running mate in the final weeks of the vice presidential selection process in June and July.
Cotton represents the shrunken hawkish wing of the Republican Party, having consistently supported military aid for Ukraine.
KEITH KELLOGG, potential candidate for national security posts
A retired lieutenant general who served as chief of staff to the National Security Council under Trump, Kellogg has Trump's ear and is a contender for several national security-related positions, though it is unclear precisely where he would land.
During the campaign, he presented Trump with a plan to end the war in Ukraine, which involved forcing both parties to the negotiating table and ruling out NATO membership for Ukraine for the foreseeable future, among other measures.
TOM HOMAN, potential homeland security secretary
Homan, who served as the acting director of Immigration and Customs Enforcement for a year and a half during Trump's first term, is a contender for secretary of homeland security. Trump made cracking down on illegal immigration the central element of his campaign, promising mass deportations.
Trump frequently praised Homan during the campaign, and Homan often hit the trail to rally supporters. During Trump's first term, Homan was a leading advocate of the administration's controversial child separation policy, during which children of immigrants who had entered the country illegally were detained separately from their parents.
CHAD WOLF, potential homeland security secretary
Wolf, who served as Trump's acting secretary of homeland security for roughly 14 months during his first presidency, may have a shot at heading back to DHS.
Wolf loyally carried out Trump's hardline immigration policies, and he deployed federal agents to Portland, Oregon, to control protests during the riots that followed the murder of George Floyd, a Black man, by a white police officer.
He may have some strikes against him. He resigned on Jan. 11, 2021, just days after the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol.
Trump has expressed misgivings about bringing back those who resigned in the final days of his term. Wolf, however, cited the legal controversy around his appointment as DHS secretary - rather than the Capitol attack - when he stepped down. Multiple judges ruled that his appointment by Trump, which effectively circumvented the Senate, was illegal.
MARK GREEN, potential homeland security secretary
A former Army flight surgeon and the current chair of the House Homeland Security Committee, Green is considered by some Trump allies in Washington as a contender for the top job at DHS. His supporters describe him a Trump loyalist and immigration hardliner who also has significant legislative experience.
Green was nominated by Trump during his first term to serve as secretary of the Army, but he withdrew his name as past statements, which were widely seen as transphobic and Islamophobic, drew more scrutiny.
JOHN RATCLIFFE, potential attorney general
A former congressman and prosecutor who served as director of national intelligence during Trump's last year in office, Ratcliffe is seen as a potential attorney general, though he could also take a separate national security or intelligence position.
The president-elect's allies view Ratcliffe as a hardcore Trump loyalist who could likely win Senate confirmation. Still, during his time as director of national intelligence, Ratcliffe often contradicted the assessments of career civil servants, drawing criticism from Democrats who said he politicized the role.
MIKE LEE, potential attorney general
A U.S. senator from Utah, Lee is widely seen as another top candidate for attorney general. Though the former prosecutor declined to vote for Trump during the 2016 election, he later become an unwavering ally, and he has become something of an intellectual hero among some factions of Trumpworld.
Lee was a key figure in attempts by Trump and his allies to overturn his 2020 election loss to Democrat Joe Biden, and has spread unfounded conspiracy theories about the Jan. 6 attack on the Capitol.
SUSIE WILES, potential chief of staff
One of Trump's two co-campaign managers, Wiles is seen as the odds-on favorite to be Trump's White House chief of staff.
While the specifics of her political views are somewhat unclear, she is credited with running a successful and efficient campaign. Supporters hope she would instill a sense of order and discipline that was often lacking during Trump's first term, when he cycled through a number of chiefs of staff.
BROOKE ROLLINS, potential chief of staff
The former acting director of Trump's Domestic Policy Council, Rollins is also a contender for chief of staff.
Trump has a close personal relationship with Rollins, and often compliments her in private settings.
She was generally considered one of Trump's more moderate advisers while in office. Among other policies she supported during Trump's first term were criminal justice reforms that lessened prison sentences for some relatively minor offenses.
KASH PATEL, potential candidate for national security posts
A former Republican House staffer who served in various high-ranking staff roles in the defense and intelligence communities during Trump's first term, Patel has frequently appeared on the campaign trail to rally support for the candidate.
Some Trump allies would like to see Patel, considered the ultimate Trump loyalist, appointed CIA director. Any position requiring Senate confirmation may be a challenge, however.
Patel has leaned into controversy throughout his career. In an interview with Trump ally Steve Bannon last year, he promised to "come after" politicians and journalists perceived to be enemies of the president-elect. During Trump's first term, Patel drew animosity from some more experienced national security officials, who saw him as volatile and too eager to please the then-president.
Popular Posts - Last 7 days
-
Woman hit by car at pedestrian crossing while chasing young boy dashing across road image: http://www.thestar.com.my/~/medi...
-
Pastor didakwa bunuh, simpan mayat ibu dalam peti sejuk beku Astro Awani 26/11/2024 Deanesh didakwa di bawah Seksyen 302 Kanun Keseksaan ya...
-
Ananda Krishnan leaves behind indelible mark in corporate Malaysia Bernama 28/11/2024 Ananda Krishnan will be remembered as a pioneer who tr...
-
DHL cargo plane crashes in residential area 25/11/2024 Initial reports indicated that there were four people on board the ill-fated plane ...
-
Transport Ministry to study proposal for senior citizen licence renewal assessments - Loke Bernama 25/11/2024 According to Transport Minist...
Popular Posts - Last 30 days
-
Woman hit by car at pedestrian crossing while chasing young boy dashing across road image: http://www.thestar.com.my/~/medi...
-
CNN CBS AP BBC US PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS LIVE RESULTS: https://edition.cnn.com/election/2024/results/president?elec...
-
Kadar jangka pendek diunjurkan kekal kukuh disokong operasi BNM Bernama 04/11/2024 Hari ini, BNM akan menawarkan dua tender repo berbalik m...
-
Pastor didakwa bunuh, simpan mayat ibu dalam peti sejuk beku Astro Awani 26/11/2024 Deanesh didakwa di bawah Seksyen 302 Kanun Keseksaan ya...
-
Ringgit advances as domestic optimism offsets US rate concerns Bernama 18/11/2024 Bank Muamalat Malaysia Bhd chief economist Dr Mohd Afzani...
-
Sugar overload: A growing threat to kidney function Bernama 16/11/2024 Approximately 3.8 mln Malaysians suffer from chronic kidney disease, ...
-
Lyia Meta, the first Malaysian singer nominated in the Grammy Awards Astro Awani 11/11/2024 Lyia Meta continues to strengthen her position...
Blog Archive
-
▼
2024
(4570)
-
▼
Nov 2024
(801)
- Polis terima laporan kejadian kucing dibunuh denga...
- Lebih 60 perniagaan, usahawan Bumiputera terima pe...
- 11 penumpang bas ditinggal pemandu semasa Ops Bers...
- Ibu bapa Zayn Rayyan kemuka representasi
- Member of prominent Rothschild family found dead a...
- Manchester United 3-2 Bodø/Glimt | Europa League 2...
- Tottenham Hotspur 2-2 Roma | Europa League 24/25 M...
- PERDA giat persiap usahawan kuasai teknologi digit...
- Gaza dibom, 26 rakyat Palestin terbunuh
- Australia lulus undang-undang larang kanak-kanak g...
- Putin denies deliberately scaring Merkel with his ...
- Cabbie, two passengers met fiery end as NGV taxi c...
- US, China swap detained citizens after years of di...
- Tycoon Ananda Krishnan’s companies see slight dip ...
- 266 telco towers still not operational, exceeding ...
- Eight individuals detained on suspicion of being f...
- What you need to know about Adani US bribery indic...
- Ananda Krishnan leaves behind indelible mark in co...
- 266 menara belum beroperasi, lebihi tempoh sembila...
- KKM kaji sistem DRG kebangsaan tangani kenaikan ko...
- Mahkamah batal permohonan Siti Bainun tangguh huku...
- Kes bunuh pelajar vokasional: Mungkin lebih daripa...
- PM Anwar tangguh program, utamakan kebajikan rakya...
- Mahkamah Rayuan benarkan permohonan Na'imah dapat ...
- Banjir bertambah buruk di Kelantan, mangsa meningk...
- SPRM sudah lengkapkan siasatan babit Vivy, suami -...
- Suspek Dikehendaki Maut Berbalas Tembakan Di Serem...
- Rayuan Najib Ditangguh Lagi Kerana Hakim Tarik Diri
- Sambutan Jubli Emas BN pada 7 Dis - Ahmad Zahid
- Bekas peserta program realiti komedi ditahan kes r...
- Bomba selamatkan empat terperangkap di matau balak
- Prabowo's coalition dominate Indonesian regional e...
- Usaha Tegas Chairman Ananda Krishnan passes away
- Pemandu Grab Rugi RM500,000
- Man suspected of threatening to kill Trump arrested
- Tiga Mangsa Rentung, Kereta Terbakar Rempuh Tembok...
- 5 Premis Makanan Di Klang Kotor
- KPDN kesan peniaga sorok bekalan minyak masak peket
- Penganggur dituduh rogol gadis bawah umur anak yat...
- Ringgit dibuka tinggi berbanding dolar AS
- 91.6 peratus kandungan Facebook diturunkan berkait...
- Fahmi akan bertemu pengurusan tiga portal berita b...
- KRU artis Malaysia pertama menggunakan AI Generati...
- Lapan orang termasuk pesara kerajaan aktif ajaran ...
- Permohonan Program Matrikulasi sesi 2025/2026 dibu...
- Gautam Adani faces charges for securities law viol...
- Guru MIliki Ganja
- Wang KWSP Setengah Juta Ringgit "Lesap"
- Saya tengok PM 'bersilat' nak lepas perangkap send...
- Liverpool 2-0 Real Madrid | Champions League 24/25...
- 37,189 mangsa banjir melibatkan 11,385 keluarga se...
- Immigration Dept arrests 119 illegals in raid on P...
- Tikam isteri dan anak, penghantar makanan dipenjar...
- Jabatan Imigresen kenal pasti kewujudan koloni pen...
- Astro raih RM75,000 ganti rugi berkanun pertama un...
- Pengganas paling dikehendaki FBI diberkas di UK
- Nicol David terima sijil daripada Harvard Business...
- SSPA: KKM adakan pertemuan dengan kesatuan jururaw...
- Beras sekampit 5kg berharga RM15 mula dijual bulan...
- Sekatan terhadap Rusia: Syarikat tempatan dinasiha...
- Bunuh pelajar kolej vokasional: Hakim beri amaran ...
- Perhilitan tangkap harimau serang haiwan ternakan
- Lima Pegawai Kadet Dibuang, Diarah Bayar Ganti Rugi
- Trump nominated businessman John Phelan for the po...
- Pakistani forces launch midnight raid on ex-PM Imr...
- Trump team signs transition agreement with Biden W...
- Najib, Mohd Irwan granted DNAA for six CBT charges...
- Warga emas maut kereta dihanyut arus
- Najib, Mohd Irwan lepas tanpa bebas pertuduhan pec...
- Israeli politician dragged out of Israel Parliamen...
- Enam Suspek Samun Empat Kilogram Emas Diburu
- Lebih RM2 bilion bajet MINDEF diseleweng- Che’GuBard
- LELAKI SOUND USAHAWAN KOSMETIK DATO SERI VIDA BELA...
- Why is Wee Ka Siong doing the opposition's job? - ...
- Health Minister breaks down in Parliament
- Diancam boikot beri makan anjing, pemilik restoran...
- Anak Penyanyi Ditahan Disyaki Curi Ferrari
- Statement Penuh Dato Vida Isu Hutang Rm 1 Juta “Ko...
- Ringgit mengukuh berbanding dolar AS pada sesi awal
- APM Kelantan tangkap ular sawa batik seberat 50 kg
- Caj hospital swasta meningkat, KKM akan bawa pende...
- Enam individu ditahan disyaki terlibat kes curi Fe...
- ACLE: JDT tewas tipis 0-1 kepada Shandong Taishan
- PKS perlu segera sepadukan amalan ESG dalam operas...
- Imigresen, MPAJ gempur apartmen Pandan Mewah, 119 ...
- SOP perbaiki jalan berlubang dalam tempoh 24 jam p...
- Mohon maaf kepada rakyat Jepun, China bukan isu pa...
- ‘C4Cinta’ sets record as highest-grossing Malaysia...
- Hyundai to invest RM2.16 bil in Malaysia through s...
- 'No one will win a trade war,' China says after Tr...
- Pergi Mekah Minta Ampun Balik Malaysia Minta Rasua...
- Bayern Munich 1-0 PSG | Champions League 24/24 Mat...
- Sporting CP 1-5 Arsenal | Champions League 24/25 M...
- Manchester City 3-3 Feyenoord | Champions League 2...
- Malaysia minta perolehan pesawat FA-50M dari Korea...
- Mahkamah Rayuan kekalkan hukuman penjara 30 bulan ...
- Pekerja bank ditipu, jadi 'orang suruhan' sindiket...
- Aplikasi TikTok jadi 'medan' promosi skim pelabura...
- Naib Presiden Filipina disepina berkenaan ancaman ...
- Untung bersih Maybank naik 7.6 peratus kepada RM2....
-
▼
Nov 2024
(801)