Trump Accelerates Cabinet Picks, Tapping Loyal Allies and Seasoned Republicans

In a fast-paced series of announcements, President-elect Trump has revealed key members of his future Cabinet, moving more swiftly than he did following his 2016 victory.

President-elect Donald Trump has wasted no time selecting major members of his prospective administration, naming six Cabinet appointees within a week of his recent election win. Notably, his selections reflect a combination of loyal allies and experienced GOP figures, signifying his commitment to assembling a team focused on advancing his policy priorities without delay.

Among his latest appointments, Trump announced Rep. Mike Waltz, R-Fla., as his choice for national security adviser. In a post on Truth Social, Trump praised Waltz’s extensive military background, saying, “Mike is the first Green Beret to have been elected to Congress, and previously served in the White House and Pentagon. Mike served in the Army Special Forces for 27 years where he was deployed multiple times in combat for which he was awarded four Bronze Stars, including two with Valor.” Waltz’s nomination follows Trump’s 2016 pick of former Army Gen. Mike Flynn, though this year’s selection arrives notably earlier.

Continuing the rapid pace, Trump named Rep. Elise Stefanik as U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations, making the announcement on November 11—nearly two weeks ahead of his 2016 choice of Nikki Haley for the role. “I am honored to nominate Chairwoman Elise Stefanik to serve in my Cabinet as U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations. Elise is an incredibly strong, tough, and smart America First fighter,” Trump commented on his selection of Stefanik, further emphasizing his preference for long-standing supporters and allies.

Other announcements followed swiftly, including former New York Rep. Lee Zeldin to lead the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). “He will ensure fair and swift deregulatory decisions that will be enacted in a way to unleash the power of American businesses, while at the same time maintaining the highest environmental standards,” Trump stated about Zeldin, a former candidate for New York governor praised within GOP circles for bolstering Republican congressional victories in 2022.

Trump also chose longtime adviser Susie Wiles as his chief of staff on November 6, immediately after Election Day. Wiles, whom Trump lauded as “tough, smart, innovative, and… universally admired,” will become the first female chief of staff in U.S. history. Trump said her selection was “a well-deserved honor,” adding, “I have no doubt that she will make our country proud.”

Additional appointees include seasoned Trump ally Stephen Miller as deputy chief of staff for policy, and former ICE director Tom Homan as “border czar,” a new role aimed at overseeing immigration and deportation policy. “I’ve known Tom for a long time, and there is nobody better at policing and controlling our Borders,” Trump noted in his statement, emphasizing Homan’s decades of experience.

Further nominations appear on the horizon, with reports indicating that Florida Sen. Marco Rubio may be named Secretary of State and North Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem could be chosen to lead the Department of Homeland Security. However, Trump’s team has yet to confirm these selections publicly.

The swift timeline for Trump’s Cabinet announcements reflects an urgency to establish his agenda quickly and with a team he views as both loyal and capable of advancing his key policies.