See the full list of Trump Cabinet picks and major White House appointments
Republicans will have a majority in the Senate when President-elect Donald Trump returns to the White House in January. That means his Cabinet nominees will likely face an easier path to confirmation, even some who may be controversial.
Among those are Trump's pick for secretary of defense, Fox News personality Pete Hegseth, who is facing headwinds over allegations of sexual misconduct, financial mismanagement and alcohol abuse. But Hegseth has gone to the Capitol repeatedly to meet with Republican senators to shore up support for his confirmation, and Trump in early December reiterated his support for Hegseth and said support for him among GOP senators is "strong and deep."
Also under the microscope is former Rep. Tulsi Gabbard, Trump's pick for director of national intelligence. Gabbard is facing renewed scrutiny after the collapse of the regime of former Syrian President Bashar al-Assad for a trip she took to Syria in 2017 when she met with Assad. At the time, she defended the meeting und of a "fact-finding mission," but in 2019 she described him as a "brutal dictator."
Here's the full list of all the appointments Trump has announced so far, and below is the full list of Trump's Cabinet picks and other top staff.
Secretary of State: Marco Rubio
Trump intends to nominate Sen. Marco Rubio of Florida to be secretary of state. The selection marks some distance from when Trump and the Florida senator were rivals in the 2016 Republican primaries.
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.
Secretary of the Treasury: Scott Bessent
On Nov. 22, President-elect Donald Trump announced that he would nominate hedge fund CEO Scott Bessent to be Treasury secretary.
Bessent, 62, is the founder of Connecticut-based hedge fund Key Square Group, and had been making a full-court press for the post to Trump, according to a source deeply involved in transition planning.
In a statement, Trump said he was "most pleased to nominate" Bessent, describing him as "widely respected as one of the world's foremost international investors and geopolitical and economic Strategists."
Bessent, like Trump, advocates tariffs, viewing them as a way to raise revenue and protect American industries.
He previously worked for billionaire investor George Soros, a prominent donor to liberal causes, for nearly a decade in the 1990s, and at one point was the executive director of Soros' hedge fund.
Bessent is also openly gay, and he and his husband, former New York City prosecutor John Freeman, have two children. If confirmed, Bessent would be the first Senate-confirmed gay Cabinet member of a Republican administration. A native of South Carolina, Bessent is a graduate of Yale University.
—Kathryn Watson and Olivia Rinaldi
Defense Secretary: Pete Hegseth
Trump announced that he will nominate former Fox News host 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, was 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."
Attorney General: Pam Bondi
On Nov. 21, the same day Trump's first pick for the job, former GOP Rep. Matt Gaetz of Florida withdrew from consideration as attorney general, the president-elect announced the former attorney general of Florida, Pam Bondi, would be his new nominee.
Bondi served two terms as Florida attorney general and was the first woman to win election to the post in 2010. She was a staunch Trump ally and defended him in his first impeachment trial.
Later, Bondi worked with Linda McMahon and other Trump allies at America First Policy Institute, a right-wing think tank that has been developing and promoting conservative policies since 2021.
Gaetz withdrew amid controversy over an investigation by the House Ethics Committee for alleged sexual misconduct and illicit drug use. Trump will now have to select a new nominee.
Trump said just over a week earlier he would nominate Gaetz, one of his fiercest defenders, to serve as his attorney general. He has faced several investigations into his conduct, and a number of Republican senators expressed reservations about support for his nomination.
The House Ethics Committee revealed in June that it was investigating Gaetz on allegations including sexual misconduct, drug use and obstruction. Gaetz has denied all wrongdoing and maintained his innocence throughout a Justice Department probe — closed last year — into allegations that he violated sex trafficking laws and obstructed justice. Federal prosecutors in Florida did not file charges against him in the case.
Secretary of the Interior: Doug Burgum
Speaking Nov. 14 at Mar-a-Lago during a gala hosted by the right-leaning think tank the America First Policy Institute, Trump said he planned to formally nominate North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum as Interior secretary.
"Actually, he's gonna head the Department of the Interior, and he's gonna be fantastic," Trump told the crowd. Burgum was also in attendance.
Burgum ran against Trump for the Republican nomination before dropping out in December and endorsing Trump the following month. He was also at one point on a shortlist to be Trump's running mate.
When asked by reporters ahead of the gala about the possibility of joining the Trump administration, Burgum responded, "There's been a lot of discussions about a lot of different things. And...like I said...nothing's true till you read it on Truth Social."
Trump made the announcement official in a statement on Nov. 15 and said Burgum would also lead "the newly formed, and very important, National Energy Council." Trump said the council would include all the departments and agencies involved in "the permitting, production, generation, distribution, regulation, transportation of ALL forms of American Energy."
Secretary of Agriculture: Brooke Rollins
Brooke Rollins has been selected to lead the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Trump announced on Nov. 23.
Rollins was part of Trump's first administration as director of the Domestic Policy Council. She currently serves as president of the America First Policy Institute, a right-leaning think tank.
"Brooke's commitment to support the American farmer, defense of American food self-sufficiency, and the restoration of agriculture-dependent American small towns is second to none," Trump said in his statement.
Secretary of Commerce: Howard Lutnick
Trump announced on Nov. 19 his intent to nominate billionaire Howard Lutnick as commerce secretary. The president-elect said Lutnick "will lead our tariff and trade agenda" and oversee the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative.
Lutnick, CEO of Cantor Fitzgerald, has served as co-chair for the Trump transition and has been a major donor to his campaign.
Citing his role with the transition, Trump said Lutnick "has created the most sophisticated process and system to assist us in creating the greatest administration America has ever seen."
—Fin Gomez and Ed O'Keefe
Labor Secretary: Lori Chavez-DeRemer
Trump announced he will nominate Rep. Lori Chavez-DeRemer of Oregon, a first-term Republican, to head the Department of Labor.
She lost her recent reelection bid to Democratic challenger Janelle Bynum in Oregon's 5th Congressional District race.
"Lori has worked tirelessly with both Business and Labor to build America's workforce, and support the hardworking men and women of America," Trump said in a statement announcing his choice.
Teamsters head Sean O'Brien posted a statement thanking Trump for "putting American workers first" with the choice.
Secretary of Health and Human Services: Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
Trump picked Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to lead the Department of Health and Human Services, saying he will take on "industrial food complex and drug companies who have engaged in deception, misinformation, and disinformation," and will "Make America Great and Healthy Again!"
Kennedy has a long record of criticizing vaccines, including spreading misleading claims about their safety.
Kennedy has vowed to combat an "epidemic" of chronic diseases and believes that large drug and food companies are to blame for a broad swath of ailments. He has claimed a number of health issues have worsened due to federal inaction, including autism, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, sleep disorders, infertility rates, diabetes and obesity. He has also urged removing fluoride from drinking water.
Kennedy ran for president as an independent but dropped out of the race in August and endorsed Trump.
Housing and Urban Development Secretary: Scott Turner
Scott Turner, a former NFL player, was picked by Trump on Nov. 22 to be his secretary for the Department of Housing and Urban Development.
Turner was part of Trump's first administration as executive director of the White House Opportunity and Revitalization Council. Turner is also the highest ranking Black person selected to Trump's administration so far, according to the Associated Press.
Transportation Secretary: Sean Duffy
Trump said he will nominate former congressman Sean Duffy as secretary of transportation. Duffy represented Wisconsin's 7th congressional district from 2011 to 2019, serving on the House Financial Services committee, and before that he was district attorney of Ashland County, Wisconsin. After leaving Congress, he joined Fox News as a contributor and now co-hosts a show on Fox Business.
"He will prioritize Excellence, Competence, Competitiveness and Beauty when rebuilding America's highways, tunnels, bridges and airports. He will ensure our ports and dams serve our Economy without compromising our National Security," Trump said in a statement. He also noted that Duffy is married to Fox News' Rachel Campos-Duffy and is the father of nine children.
Secretary of Energy: Chris Wright
Trump has selected Liberty Energy CEO Chris Wright as his pick to lead the U.S. Department of Energy.
Trump also said in a statement that Wright will serve on the newly-created National Energy Council, which will be chaired by North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum, Trump's selection for secretary of the Interior.
Trump said in his announcement that the council "will oversee the path to U.S. energy dominance."
Wright has been a vocal advocate of oil and gas development, including fracking, and has said "there is no climate crisis and we are not in the midst of an energy transition either."
Education Secretary: Linda McMahon
Trump announced he has chosen Linda McMahon run the Department of Education. McMahon, a former wrestling executive, led the Small Business Administration during Trump's first term and is co-chair of his 2024 transition team.
"As Secretary of Education, Linda will fight tirelessly to expand "Choice" to every State in America, and empower parents to make the best Education decisions for their families," Trump said in a statement. "We will send Education BACK TO THE STATES, and Linda will spearhead that effort."
During the campaign, Trump pledged to shut down the department, complaining that the agency's budget is too large and that its staff "in many cases hate our children."
McMahon and her husband, WWE magnate Vince McMahon, have been friends of Trump for over 20 years and are among his biggest donors.
Secretary of Veterans Affairs: Doug Collins
Trump tapped former Republican Rep. Doug Collins of Georgia to lead the Department of Veterans Affairs, filling another Cabinet position with a military veteran.
Collins served in Congress from 2013 to 2021 and, as the top Republican on the House Judiciary Committee, defended Trump during his first impeachment hearing.
"We must take care of our brave men and women in uniform," Trump said in a statement announcing the pick.
Secretary 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.
—Major Garrett and Fin Gomez
In addition to the Cabinet, Trump has been announcing the appointments of other key members of his second administration. Here are the people he's tapped for top roles:
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.
FBI director: Kash Patel
Trump announced on Nov. 30 that he plans to name Kash Patel as his director of the FBI.
Current FBI Director Chris Wray would have to voluntarily vacate the position or be fired by Trump if he is to be replaced before his term ends in 2027.
One source previously told CBS News the Trump team was aware of the complexities involved in ousting Wray.
Patel served in intelligence and defense roles in Trump's first term, including chief of staff to the secretary of defense.
In a post to his Truth Social platform, Trump called Patel "a brilliant lawyer, investigator, and 'America First' fighter who has spent his career exposing corruption, defending Justice, and protecting the American People."
The 44-year-old Patel served in intelligence and defense roles in Trump's first term, including chief of staff to the secretary of defense. He was also designated by Trump to be a representative to the National Archives and Records Administration and testified before a federal grand jury in the Mar-a-Lago classified documents case.
He is an attorney and staunch Trump loyalist who rose to prominence as an aide to former Republican Rep. Devin Nunes of California, fighting the investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 election.
The University College London graduate served on Trump's National Security Council, then as a senior adviser to acting Director of National Intelligence Ric Grenell, and later as chief of staff to acting Defense Secretary Christopher Miller.
Patel published a 2023 book titled "Government Gangsters," which received praise from Trump and in which Patel writes that the "FBI has become so thoroughly compromised that it will remain a threat to the people unless drastic measures are taken."
"This is the roadmap to end the Deep State's reign," Trump said on Truth Social about the book in September 2023.
—Libby Cathey, Jake Rosen, Fin Gómez and Ed O'Keefe
CIA director: John Ratcliffe
Former U.S. Rep. John Ratcliffe, who served as Director of National Intelligence in Trump's first term, is the 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."
Director of national intelligence: Tulsi Gabbard
Trump announced that he has selected former Democratic Rep. Tulsi Gabbard to serve as his director of national intelligence.
"For over two decades, Tulsi has fought for our country and the freedoms of all Americans," he said in a statement.
Gabbard served in the Army National Guard and represented Hawaii in the House from 2013 to 2021 before becoming an independent in 2022. In his statement, Trump said she "is now a proud Republican!" Gabbard ran for president in the Democratic primaries in 2020.
Gabbard does not have experience in the field of intelligence and opposes U.S. intervention in the war in Ukraine. Her views on Russia and her 2017 meeting with Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad have drawn controversy.
"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 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."
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."
Office of Management and Budget director: Russ Vought
Trump announced he will name Russ Vought as OMB director. Vought served in this role in the latter part of the first Trump administration.
Vought was involved in writing the conservative Heritage Foundation's Project 2025, which contains a detailed blueprint for the next Republican president to usher in a sweeping overhaul of the executive branch.
He was also the policy director for the 2024 Republican National Committee's platform committee, which adopted the GOP platform at July's convention.
—Ed O'Keefe and Major Garrett
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.
Zeldin wrote, "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.
National security adviser: Michael Waltz
Rep. Michael Waltz, a Florida Republican, was named national security adviser. Trump praised 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.
U.N. ambassador: Elise Stefanik
Trump has offered the job of U.S. ambassador to the United Nations to Rep. Elise Stefanik.
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.
Stefanik withdrew from the 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.
—Fin Gomez and Nikole Killion
Administrator of the Small Business Administration: Kelly Loeffler
Trump on Dec. 4 announced he is selecting former Sen. Kelly Loeffler of Georgia to lead the Small Business Administration.
Loeffler served in the Senate briefly between 2020 and 2021. She was appointed to the post following the resignation of former Georgia Sen. Johnny Isakson, but lost a bid for a full term about a year later to current Sen. Raphael Warnock in a runoff election.
In a post to his Truth Social platform, Trump said "Kelly will bring her experience in business and Washington to reduce red tape, and unleash opportunity for our Small Businesses to grow, innovate, and thrive. She will focus on ensuring that SBA is accountable to Taxpayers by cracking down on waste, fraud, and regulatory overreach."
Loeffler, a Trump loyalist, supported efforts to overturn the results of the 2020 election. She co-owned the WNBA team the Atlanta Dream, but sold the franchise in 2021 after she received backlash over being publicly critical of the league for supporting the Black Lives Matter movement.
She was also briefly investigated by the Senate Ethics Committee over allegations of insider trading before the pandemic, but that investigation was dropped.
Counselor to the president: Alina Habba
Trump on Dec. 8 announced Alina Habba, a lawyer who has represented the president-elect in numerous legal proceedings over the past few years, would serve as counselor to the president.
"She has been unwavering in her loyalty, and unmatched in her resolve - standing with me through numerous 'trials,' battles, and countless days in Court," Trump said in a statement.
"Crypto czar": David Sacks
Trump announced on Dec. 5 that he is selecting venture capitalist David Sacks to be his so-called "White House A.I. & Crypto Czar."
In a post to his Truth Social platform, Trump said that Sacks "will guide policy for the Administration in Artificial Intelligence and Cryptocurrency, two areas critical to the future of American competitiveness."
It's unclear exactly what Sacks' role will consist of. The move comes one day after Trump selected Paul Atkins as his pick to lead the Securities and Exchange Commission. Atkins has been a major proponent of cryptocurrency. On the same day that Atkins was named, the price of Bitcoin surpassed the $100,000 mark for the first time ever, a major milestone for the industry.
Sacks, who was a key figure in developing Paypal, served as its COO and later founded the social networking service Yammer. He was also an angel investor in major companies like SpaceX, Uber and Palantir.
A past supporter of Democrat Hillary Clinton, Sacks supported Trump and Vice President-elect JD Vance in the last election cycle and was an early adopter of the Trump tech money machine, urging others in Silicon Valley to give to Trump.
He also spoke at the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee in July.
—Daniel Klaidman
Surgeon general: Dr. Janette Nesheiwat
Trump announced he will name Dr. Janette Nesheiwat to be the nation's next surgeon general.
Neshiwat is a double board-certified medical doctor practicing in New York, where she is currently medical director at the CityMD chain of urgent care centers. She is also a Fox News medical contributor.
In a statement, Trump praised her as "a fierce advocate and strong communicator for preventive medicine and public health."
He noted, "During the COVID-19 pandemic, she worked on the front lines in New York City treating thousands of Americans and helped patients in the aftermath of President Donald Trump's Historic Operation Warp Speed that saved hundreds of millions of lives."
White House press secretary: Karoline Leavitt
Karoline Leavitt, who was the national press secretary for Trump's presidential campaign, will be White House press secretary. She worked in the White House during Trump's first term as assistant press secretary.
"Karoline is smart, tough, and has proven to be a highly effective communicator. I have the utmost confidence she will excel at the podium," Trump said in a statement.
The 27-year-old previously ran an unsuccessful race for Congress in New Hampshire.
Full list of Trump's Cabinet picks
In addition to Vice President-elect JD Vance, who is part of the Cabinet, here's the list of the people Trump has chosen to fill his Cabinet. They're listed in order of succession to the presidency, which is determined by when the department was created.
- Secretary of State: Sen. Marco Rubio of Florida
- Treasury Secretary: Scott Bessent
- Defense Secretary: Pete Hegseth
- Attorney General: Former Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi
- Interior Secretary: North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum
- Agriculture Secretary: Brooke Rollins
- Commerce Secretary: Howard Lutnick
- Labor Secretary: Rep. Lori Chavez-DeRemer of Oregon
- Health and Human Services Secretary: Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
- Housing and Urban Development Secretary: Former Texas state Rep. Scott Turner
- Transportation Secretary: Former Rep. Sean Duffy of Wisconsin
- Energy Secretary: Chris Wright
- Education Secretary: Former Small Business Administrator Linda McMahon
- Veterans Affairs Secretary: Former Rep. Doug Collins of Georgia
- Homeland Security Secretary: South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem
Other key roles and positions in Trump administration
- Chief of staff: Susie Wiles
- FBI director: Kash Patel
- CIA director: Former Director of National Intelligence John Ratcliffe
- Director of National Intelligence: Former Rep. Tulsi Gabbard of Hawaii
- Border czar: Tom Homan
- Department of Government Efficiency: Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy
- Office of Management and Budget director: Russ Vought
- Environmental Protection administrator: Former New York Rep. Lee Zeldin
- National security adviser: Rep. Michael Waltz of Florida
- Ambassador to the U.N.: Rep. Elise Stefanik of New York
- Administrator of the Small Business Administration: Kelly Loeffler
- Counselor to the president: Alina Habba
- "Crypto czar": David Sacks
- Surgeon General: Dr. Janette Nesheiwat
- White House press secretary: Karoline Leavitt
