Who has joined Trump's team so far?

As Donald Trump gears up for his anticipated return to the White House on January 20, 2025, he is assembling a new team to help him implement his agenda. This new administration is taking shape with several notable and sometimes controversial appointments. Among the key figures Trump has selected is Pete Hegseth, a Fox News host and military veteran, who has been nominated for the position of defense secretary. Additionally, Trump has expressed his desire to appoint Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as the health secretary, while Marco Rubio is being considered for the role of secretary of state. Notably, billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk is expected to play a significant role in cost-cutting efforts within the government. Let’s delve deeper into the appointments Trump has made and the positions that remain unfilled. nnThe cabinet positions are crucial and require approval from the US Senate. If four Republican senators and all Democrats oppose a nominee, that individual will not be confirmed. Here are some of the prominent roles Trump has filled: Marco Rubio as Secretary of State, Scott Bessent as Treasury Secretary, Pete Hegseth as Defense Secretary, Pam Bondi as Attorney General, Doug Burgum as Interior Secretary, Howard Lutnick as Commerce Secretary, Lori Chavez-DeRemer as Labor Secretary, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as Health and Human Services Secretary, Scott Turner as Housing Secretary, Sean Duffy as Transportation Secretary, Chris Wright as Energy Secretary, Linda McMahon as Education Secretary, Doug Collins as Veterans Affairs Secretary, and Kristi Noem as Homeland Security Secretary. nnMarco Rubio, a senator from Florida, has been selected to serve as the Secretary of State, which is a vital role as the main advisor to the president on foreign affairs. Rubio, who is 53 years old, has a strong stance on China and has previously opposed Trump during the 2016 Republican primary, but they have since reconciled. If confirmed, Rubio would make history as the first Latino Secretary of State in the United States. On the other hand, Pete Hegseth, a military veteran and Fox News host, has been nominated for the position of defense secretary. His appointment is particularly significant given the ongoing conflicts in Ukraine and Gaza. Trump has praised Hegseth, stating, 'Nobody fights harder for the troops. ' However, Hegseth's nomination has not been without controversy, as he was investigated in 2017 for an alleged sexual assault, which he denies. nnPam Bondi has been appointed as the Attorney General, taking over from former Florida Congressman Matt Gaetz, who withdrew amid controversy. Bondi has a long history as a prosecutor and has been recognized for her tough stance on violent criminals. Doug Burgum, the governor of North Dakota, has been nominated to lead the Department of the Interior, overseeing the management of federal lands and natural resources. Robert F. Kennedy Jr. , known for his controversial views on vaccines, has been selected to lead the Department of Health and Human Services. Despite lacking medical qualifications, Kennedy would have significant authority over federal health agencies. His nomination has raised concerns among medical experts due to his past controversies. Doug Collins, a former congressman and Iraq war veteran, has been chosen to lead the Department of Veterans Affairs, while Kristi Noem, the governor of South Dakota, has been nominated for the critical role of overseeing US security, including border control and emergency response. nnSean Duffy, a former congressman, has been selected to lead the Department of Transportation, where he will be responsible for transportation policies and safety issues. Chris Wright, an executive in the oil and gas industry, will head the Department of Energy, focusing on increasing US energy production. Howard Lutnick, the CEO of a financial firm, has been chosen to lead the US Commerce Department, while Linda McMahon, a co-founder of World Wrestling Entertainment, has been nominated as the education secretary. Scott Bessent has been selected to lead the US Treasury Department, overseeing tax policy and public debt. Russell Vought has been appointed to lead the Office of Management and Budget, a role he previously held during Trump's first term. Lori Chavez-DeRemer has been chosen to lead the Department of Labor, and Scott Turner will oversee the Department of Housing and Urban Development. nnIn addition to these cabinet roles, there are other significant positions that do not require Senate confirmation. For instance, Elon Musk has been appointed to lead a new Department of Government Efficiency, which aims to streamline government operations and reduce waste. Tom Homan has been selected as the border tsar, responsible for implementing Trump's immigration policies. Lee Zeldin has agreed to lead the Environmental Protection Agency, while Elise Stefanik has been chosen as the US ambassador to the United Nations. Trump has also selected John Ratcliffe as the CIA director and Tulsi Gabbard as the director of national intelligence. Michael Waltz will serve as the national security adviser, and Steve Witkoff has been appointed as the special envoy to the Middle East. Mike Huckabee will be the US ambassador to Israel, and Matthew Whitaker has been nominated as the ambassador to NATO. Dean John Sauer will serve as the solicitor general, and Brendan Carr will lead the Federal Communications Commission. Lastly, Mehmet Oz has been chosen to oversee the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. nnAs Trump prepares for his return to the White House, he is assembling a team that reflects his priorities and policies. The nominations will need to be confirmed by the Senate, and it will be interesting to see how the process unfolds. With a mix of experienced politicians and controversial figures, Trump's new administration is sure to make headlines in the coming months.