See Trump’s Cabinet picks and other White House appointments so far

With Republicans taking control of the Senate, many of President-elect Trump’s Cabinet nominees are likely to face an easy path to confirmation, even some who may be controversial.

Here are some of the people Trump is reported to be considering or has chosen for critical Cabinet posts and top White House jobs.

White House chief of staff: Susie Wiles 

Within a day of winning the election, Trump announced his campaign co-chair Susie Wiles would be his chief of staff. Wiles, an experienced Florida-based political operative based, will be the first woman in U.S. history to fill the role. Chief of staff isn’t a Senate-confirmed position, but it’s a prestigious position often considered to be part of the Cabinet. 

By Kathryn Watson

Secretary of State: Marco Rubio 

Trump is expected to nominate Sen. Marco Rubio of Florida to be secretary of state, though the pick isn’t a done deal, two sources familiar with the talks tell CBS News. 

Rubio, 53, a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and the top Republican on the Senate Intelligence Committee, is a China hawk with extensive foreign policy experience.

By Fin Gomez, Ed O’Keefe and Margaret Brennan 

U.N. ambassador: Elise Stefanik

President-elect Donald Trump has offered the job of U.S. ambassador to the United Nations to Rep. Elise Stefanik, and the New York Republican has accepted the offer, a senior source close to the presidential transition confirmed to CBS News. 

Stefanik, who represents a district in upstate New York, is a vocal and staunch Trump ally and the No. 4 House Republican as chair of the House Republican Conference.

“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 said in a statement to CBS News. The choice of Stefanik was first reported by the New York Post and CNN.

Stefanik withdrew from the renomination race to be conference chair, confirming in a letter to her GOP colleagues she had spoken with Trump and “shared how deeply humbled I am to accept his nomination.”

The role of U.N. ambassador requires Senate confirmation.

By Fin Gomez and Nikole Killion

“Border czar”: Tom Homan

Trump announced Tom Homan will serve as “border czar” in his incoming administration. Homan was the acting director of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement during the first Trump administration.

“I am pleased to announce that the Former ICE Director, and stalwart on Border Control, Tom Homan, will be joining the Trump Administration, in charge of our Nation’s Borders,” the president-elect wrote late Sunday, Nov. 10, on his Truth Social site.

 In addition to overseeing the southern and northern borders and “maritime, and aviation security,” Trump said Homan “will be in charge of all Deportation of Illegal Aliens back to their Country of Origin” — a major theme of Trump’s campaign.

This role does not require Senate confirmation.

Homan was recently interviewed by 60 Minutes’ Cecilia Vega before the election. During the conversation, he said Trump’s plan for mass deportation would be implemented.

“I hear a lot of people say, you know, the talk of a mass deportation is racist. It’s— it’s— it’s threatening to the immigrant community. It’s not threatening to the immigrant community,” Homan said. “It should be threatening to the illegal immigrant community. But on the heels of [a] historic illegal immigration crisis. That has to be done.”

Defense secretary: Pete Hegseth

Trump announced that he will nominate Fox News anchor Pete Hegseth to head the Department of Defense.

“Pete has spent his entire life as a Warrior for the Troops, and for the Country. Pete is tough, smart and a true believer in America First. With Pete at the helm, America’s enemies are on notice – Our Military will be Great Again, and America will Never Back Down,” the president-elect said in a statement. 

Trump praised Hegseth’s military record as an Army combat veteran who served in Iraq, Afghanistan and Guantanamo Bay.

Hegseth, 44, is a co-host of “Fox & Friends Weekends” and author of the book “The War on Warriors: Behind the Betrayal of the Men Who Keep Us Free,” which rails against what he calls the “warped, woke, and caustic policies of our current military.”

National security adviser: Michael Waltz 

Rep. Michael Waltz, a Florida Republican, is expected to be named national security adviser, two sources familiar with the plans said. Trump confirmed his selection of Waltz in a statement, praising his military record and expertise on China, Russia, Iran and global terrorism. 

“Mike has been a strong champion of my America First Foreign Policy agenda, and will be a tremendous champion of our pursuit of Peace through Strength!” the president-elect said in a statement.

Waltz, a Green Beret veteran who served multiple combat tours in Afghanistan, the Middle East and Africa, was elected to Congress in 2018, replacing Ron DeSantis who had been elected Florida’s governor. 

Waltz, a China hawk, serves on the House China Task Force that aims to develop solutions to address the Chinese Communist Party’s influence. He has also been skeptical of giving more aid to Ukraine as it fights Russia’s invasion. 

By Ed O’Keefe and Sara Cook

White House counsel: William McGinley

Trump announced on Truth Social that William McGinley will be White House counsel. 

“Bill is a smart and tenacious lawyer who will help me advance our America First agenda while fighting for election integrity and against the weaponization of law enforcement,” Trump wrote. 

McGinley was White House Cabinet secretary and also served as Republican National Committee outside counsel for election integrity and as general counsel for the GOP Senate campaign arm, the National Republican Senatorial Committee.

By Olivia Rinaldi

Department of Homeland Security: Kristi Noem

Trump confirmed in a statement that South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem is his pick to run DHS, praising her as “very strong on Border Security.”

Noem, who was elected governor in 2018 after serving eight years in the House, endorsed Trump’s reelection bid in 2023 and joined him at a number of campaign rallies. She had been considered a potential pick for vice president earlier in the campaign. 

Noem sparked controversy earlier this year when her new book, “No Going Back,” falsely claimed she had met North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and revealed that she shot and killed her 14-month-old dog Cricket after failures at training.

By Major Garrett and Fin Gomez

CIA director: John Ratcliffe

Former U.S. Rep. John Ratcliffe, who served as Director of National Intelligence under the first Trump administration, is Trump’s pick for CIA director.

The president-elect announced the appointment in a social media post, praising Ratcliffe for investigating Hunter Biden and the FBI’s use of FISA, the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act.

“John Ratcliffe has always been a warrior for Truth and Honesty with the American Public,” Trump wrote on Truth Social. And noting Ratcliffe’s role in his first administration, Trump said. “I look forward to John being the first person ever to serve in both of our Nation’s highest Intelligence positions.”

By Major Garrett and Robert Costa

EPA administrator: Lee Zeldin

Trump announced that he will nominate former New York Republican congressman Lee Zeldin to head the Environmental Protection Agency.  

“Lee, with a very strong legal background, has been a true fighter for America First policies. 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 said in a statement Monday, Nov. 11.

Zeldin tweeted, “It is an honor to join President Trump’s Cabinet as EPA Administrator.”

Zeldin represented New York’s 1st Congressional District, on Long Island, from 2015 to 2023, and he ran for governor in 2022 but was defeated by Gov. Kathy Hochul.

U.S. ambassador to Israel: Mike Huckabee

The president-elect announced in a statement that he has selected Mike Huckabee, the former governor of Arkansas, to serve as his U.S. ambassador to Israel. The post requires Senate confirmation.

“Mike has been a great public servant, governor, and leader in faith for many years,” Trump said in a statement. “He loves Israel, and the people of Israel, and likewise, the people of Israel love him. Mike will work tirelessly to bring about Peace in the Middle East!”

Huckabee served as Arkansas’ governor from 1996 to 2007 and unsuccessfully sought the Republican presidential nomination in 2008 and 2016. After leaving office, he hosted a show on Fox News and a radio program.

By Melissa Quinn

Department of Government Efficiency: Elon Musk & Vivek Ramaswamy

Trump announced he is naming billionaire ally Elon Musk and entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy, a former GOP primary rival, to lead a newly created Department of Government Efficiency — nicknamed DOGE, which is also the name of a cryptocurrency Musk has promoted.

“I am pleased to announce that the Great Elon Musk, working in conjunction with American Patriot Vivek Ramaswamy, will lead the Department of Government Efficiency (“DOGE”). Together, these two wonderful Americans will pave the way for my Administration to dismantle Government Bureaucracy, slash excess regulations, cut wasteful expenditures, and restructure Federal Agencies,” Trump said in a statement, adding a quote from Musk, who said: “This will send shockwaves through the system, and anyone involved in Government waste, which is a lot of people!”

 Trump’s statement indicated their roles may not be formally part of the government but would “provide advice and guidance from outside.” He said their work “will conclude no later than July 4, 2026.”

Assistants to the president and deputy chiefs of staff

Trump announced four top advisers — Dan Scavino, Stephen Miller, James Blair and Taylor Budowich — who worked on his presidential campaign will join him in the White House as members of his senior staff. They will all serve as assistants to the president and deputy chiefs of staff overseeing specific areas.

“Dan, Stephen, James, and Taylor were ‘best in class’ advisors on my winning campaign, and I know they will honorably serve the American people in the White House,” Trump said. “They will continue to work hard to Make America Great Again in their respective new roles.”

Dan Scavino will serve as deputy chief of staff and is described by Trump as one of his “longest serving and most trusted aides.” He served as deputy chief of staff for communications and director of social media during Trump’s first term.

Stephen Miller, who also worked in the White House for Trump during his first four years in office, will return as deputy chief of staff for policy and Homeland Security adviser. Miller advised the president-elect in his first term and crafted the administration’s stringent immigration policies.

James Blair will serve as deputy chief of staff for legislative, political and public affairs. He was the political director for Trump’s campaign and the Republican National Committee, overseeing a portfolio of political operations and programs in that role, the president-elect said.

Taylor Budowich was tapped as deputy chief of staff for communications and personnel. He worked in a senior role for Trump’s Save America PAC and was CEO of the super PAC MAGA Inc.

By Melissa Quinn

Treasury secretary

Scott Bessent, the founder of a Connecticut-based hedge fund, Key Square Group, is a leading contender for Treasury secretary, and he’s been making a full-court press for the post, according to a source deeply involved in transition planning. Bessent has outside advocates building the case for him to Trump. 

Trump’s former U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer is also being floated for Treasury secretary. 

By Bob Costa, Major Garrett and Olivia Rinaldi 

Commerce secretary 

Linda McMahon, who served as small business administrator in Trump’s first term and is a former WWE CEO, is a top contender to lead the Department of Commerce, multiple sources familiar with discussions about the role say. 

“It is hers if she wants it,” one senior Trump official said, adding that she is close to Trump and he trusts her. 

McMahon also is co-chairwoman of the pro-Trump super PAC America First Policy Action, and is helping run the transition team with Trump’s friend, Howard Lutnick. 

By Major Garrett and Fin Gomez

Possible role for RFK Jr.

Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is being floated by some Trump allies to serve as the next head of the Department of Health and Human Services, multiple people close to the president-elect’s campaign say. Kennedy is scheduled to meet with Trump’s senior team next week, but a role in the administration is still unclear, according to a Trump source familiar with the discussions. 

The hope among Kennedy’s backers that he could be nominated to lead the department has grown in recent days after Republicans cemented control of the Senate. 

Kennedy ran for president as an independent but dropped out of the race in August and endorsed Trump. 

By Fin Gomez and Alex Tin

Not joining the administration

Former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, 60, was floated early on as a contender to lead the Defense Department, according to two sources familiar with the process. However, in a post to his Truth Social platform Saturday, Trump indicated that Pompeo would not be joining the White House. In his post, Trump also said Nikki Haley — who served as U.S ambassador to the United Nations in his first administration, and ran against him in the Republican presidential primary — would not be joining it either.

“I will not be inviting former Ambassador Nikki Haley, or former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, to join the Trump Administration, which is currently in formation,” Trump wrote. “I very much enjoyed and appreciated working with them previously, and would like to thank them for their service to our Country.”

Trump’s family members

It’s unclear whether any of Trump’s family members will work in his administration. In his first term, both daughter Ivanka Trump and son-in-law Jared Kushner worked in the White House, but they’ve taken a step back from involvement in their father’s political work. 

Who is running Trump’s national security transition team

Brian Hook

Hook, a former U.S. special representative to Iran during Trump’s first term and an aide to both Pompeo and former Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, is part of the State Department transition team. He has been working on policy for months and meeting with foreign diplomats, but official transition meetings with the Biden-Harris team have not yet happened. The Trump team has not yet signed a memorandum of understanding, which is an agreement with the General Services Administration to receive assistance and funding from the GSA with the transition process.

Hook maintains U.S. taxpayer-funded diplomatic security protection because of ongoing threats against him from Iran and the 2020 assassination Iranian Gen. Qassem Soleimani.

He declined to comment. 

Joel Rayburn

Rayburn, former special envoy to Syria, as well as deputy assistant secretary for Levant Affairs and Senior Director for Iran, Iraq, Syria, and Lebanon under Trump, is also back and working on the National Security Council transition team.

He declined to comment.

Michael Anton

Anton, a former NSC spokesperson and deputy national security adviser during the Trump administration, is also working on the NSC transition team.

He declined to comment. 

By Margaret Brennan

contributed to this report.