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

Rubio, Waltz and Noem may join Trump
Who else will Trump pick for his Cabinet after Kristi Noem, Marco Rubio and Mike Waltz? 04:28

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. 

Donald Trump and Susie Wiles
President-elect Donald Trump brings Susie Wiles to the podium at an election night watch party on Nov. 6, 2024, in West Palm Beach, Florida. Alex Brandon / AP

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. 

Former President Donald Trump shakes hands with Sen. Marco Rubio
Former President Donald Trump greets Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., during a campaign rally on Nov. 4, 2024, in Raleigh, N.C. Evan Vucci / AP

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. 

Rep. Elise Stefanik speaks during a Trump campaign rally at Madison Square Garde
Rep. Elise Stefanik of New York speaks during a Trump campaign rally at Madison Square Garden on Oct. 27, 2024. ANGELA WEISS / AFP via Getty Images

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.

Tom Homan
Tom Homan 60 Minutes

"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."

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.

Rep. Michael Waltz
Rep. Michael Waltz, R-Fla., at a hearing on Sept. 26, 2024. Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images

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

Department of Homeland Security: Kristi Noem

Two sources familiar with the transition discussions confirm to CBS News that President-elect Trump is expected to name South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem as his pick to run DHS.

Donald Trump and South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem
File: Trump greets South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem at a rally on on Sept. 8, 2023 in Rapid City, South Dakota. Getty Images

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

EPA administrator: Lee Zeldin

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

Former Rep. Lee Zeldin
Former Rep. Lee Zeldin, R-N.Y., is seen at the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee on July 16, 2024.  Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images

"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.

Donald Trump Campaigns In Pennsylvania With One Week Until Election Day
Former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee moderates a roundtable discussion with Republican presidential nominee, former U.S. President Donald Trump at the Drexelbrook Catering & Event Center on Oct. 29, 2024, in Drexel Hill, Pennsylvania.  / Getty Images

"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

Defense secretary

Several names have been floated to lead the Department of Defense, but a choice has not yet been confirmed.

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. 

Scott Bessent
Scott Bessent, founder and chief executive officer of Key Square Group LP Vincent Alban/Bloomberg via Getty Images

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

Former U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer
Former U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer Drew Angerer / Getty Images

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. 

Former Small Business Administration Administrator Linda McMahon Interview
Linda McMahon, former administrator of the U.S. Small Business Administration Andrew Harrer/Bloomberg via Getty Images

"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

CIA director

Former U.S. Rep. John Ratcliffe, the former Director of National Intelligence under the first Trump administration, is a top name being floated for CIA director, according to several sources familiar with the discussions. 

US-POLITICS-CONGRESS-INTELLIGENCE
John Ratcliffe ANDREW HARNIK/POOL/AFP via Getty Images

By Major Garrett and Robert Costa

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. 

Republican Presidential Candidate Donald Trump and Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
Robert F. Kennedy Jr. shakes hands with Trump at a campaign rally on Aug. 23, 2024 in Glendale, Arizona.  REBECCA NOBLE / Getty Images

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

Brian Hook
Brian Hook, former U.S. special representative to Iran, at the Concordia Annual Summit on Sept. 21, 2021, in New York City.  Leigh Vogel/Getty Images for Concordia Summit

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

Joel Rayburn
Joel Rayburn, then U.S. special envoy to Syria, on Oct. 29, 2019, at the United Nations offices in Geneva. FABRICE COFFRINI/AFP via Getty Images

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

Michael Anton
Michael Anton, a former spokesperson for the National Security Council in the first Trump administration. Al Drago/Bloomberg via Getty Images

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

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