A week after Donald Trump’s stunning comeback and resounding victory in the 2024 US presidential election, the incoming commander-in-chief is already forming his White House team. A major focus appears to be cracking down on immigration.Â
The following are the names that have come up:
Susie Wiles, White House Chief of Staff
Wiles was one of the first names announced. She served as co-chair of Trump’s 2024 presidential campaign, and reportedly helped Trump stay on message, amid his often chaotic impulses. Previously, she worked as chief strategist for Trump’s 2016 campaign in Florida. In 2018, she helped Ron DeSantis win his gubernatorial race in the state. Wiles would become the first female White House chief of staff of either party.
Tom Homan, ‘Border Czar’
Tom Homan, who was previously acting head of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), has been announced as Trump’s “border czar” to oversee border control. Border czar, which is not an official cabinet position, will not require a senate confirmation. On his social media platform Truth Social, Trump wrote that Homan “will be in charge of all Deportation of Illegal Aliens back to their Country of Origin.”
Stephen Miller, deputy chief of staff for policy
Miller is expected to be named Trump’s deputy chief of staff for policy. The news was reported on CNN, and incoming vice president JD Vance seemed to confirm the choice on X, formerly Twitter. Miller previously worked as a speechwriter for Trump in his first term and was an architect of the former president’s Muslim travel ban and family separation policy at the border.
Kristi Noem, head of the Department of Homeland Security
The South Dakota governor has reportedly been tapped to lead the Department of Homeland Security. Among her main initial tasks will be to help Homan and Miller with their mass deportation operation.
Elise Stefanik, Ambassador to the United Nations
Elise Stefanik, the representative from New York who led congressional hearings to oust university presidents over the proliferation of pro-Palestinian campus protests in response to Israel’s war in Gaza, has been chosen by Trump to be his ambassador to the United Nations.Â
Linda McMahon
McMahon is seen as a frontrunner to lead Trump’s Department of Commerce. She is co-founder and former CEO of the professional wrestling franchise WWE, and a major donor to the Trump campaign.
Dana White
Ultimate Fighting Championship business magnate and outspoken Trump supporter is rumoured to be joining the incoming president’s team. But it is unclear what his position would be.
Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Secretary of Health and Human Services
Though not official yet, Kennedy’s name has been floated to head the Department of Health and Human Services following his endorsement of Trump, in which it is believed he did in exchange for a position in his White House. Many, including members of his own family, have expressed concern over Kennedy’s science scepticism, namely his conspiracy theories of vaccines.
Lee Zeldin, head of the Environmental Protection Agency
The former New York congress member has been tapped by Trump to head the EPA. His environmental credentials are unclear, though he has voted on legislation limiting the rights of immigrants and the LGBTQ+ community.
Marco Rubio, Secretary of State
The senator from Florida is expected to be named by Trump to serve as Secretary of State. Rubio has run for president multiple times and as the country’s top diplomat could bring his hawkish approach to Iran, Cuba and China.
Mike Waltz, national security advisor
Trump has chosen the congressman from Florida as his national security advisor. He was an advocate of overturning the results of the 2020 presidential election, in which Trump lost. He has identified “woke” politics as a national security threat and has suggested that the US should turn away from diversity and inclusion programmes to win wars.
Who’s out?
Trump has already said that he will not be considering his former United Nations Ambassador Nikki Haley or his former Central Intelligence Agency director Mike Pompeo, to serve in his new administration, reportedly over their lack of loyalty to him.