At 6:52 p.m. on a busy Friday evening, President-elect Donald Trump set the political arena abuzz, announcing his selection for the Treasury Secretary. In less than an hour that followed, he announced eight more names for high-ranking administration roles. The pace continued into Saturday when Brooke Rollins was named his pick for Agriculture Secretary, completing the core roles in his Cabinet. This flurry of appointments, starkly contrasting with his 2016 transition, signals a new approach for Trump’s administration.
Only two and a half weeks post-election, Trump has filled 20 key administration roles, including leadership for all 15 executive agencies. Still, there are four top positions pending — trade representative, chair of the Council of Economic Advisers, administrator of the Small Business Administration, and director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy. Overall, Trump will need to make about 4,000 political appointments, with around 1,200 requiring Senate confirmation.
This accelerated transition process is characterized by a strong anti-establishment streak, with Trump naming loyalists to top positions, a significant departure from his previous transition where he relied heavily on his team’s experience for establishment selections.
Treasury Selection
Though the transition process has been rapid, Trump took his time selecting the Treasury head. The ultimate choice was hedge fund manager Scott Bessent, but not before a tumultuous tug-of-war between Bessent and Howard Lutnick, another contender for the position. Despite public scrutiny and internal conflicts, Bessent emerged victorious, with Lutnick being named Commerce Secretary, a position with authority over trade.
Labor Secretary
Defying expectations of a hard line against unions, Trump chose Oregon Rep. Lori Chavez-DeRemer to lead the Department of Labor. Despite conservative warnings about her support for the PRO Act and a strong pro-union stance, she received notable backing from GOP leaders and the Teamsters President. Chavez-DeRemer’s selection has been largely well-received on both sides of the aisle, indicating a potential shift in Trump’s labor policies.
National Security and Health
Trump’s choice for national security roles and health positions also made headlines. Former Trump aide Sebastian Gorka, initially seen as a contender for deputy national security adviser, took on a less public but influential role in counterterrorism. The No. 2 spot on the National Security Council went to Alex Wong, a more traditional choice. In health, Trump’s pick for surgeon general, physician and Fox News contributor Janette Nesheiwat, received praise from several public health leaders, marking a positive note among the flurry of appointments.
In conclusion, Trump’s transition into his second term is marked by a faster pace and an anti-establishment stance compared to his first. His choices for key administration roles so far indicate a willingness to challenge the status quo and a commitment to his loyalists. However, it remains to be seen how these appointments will shape policy decisions and the direction of the administration in the coming years. The political landscape is watching closely as the Trump administration takes shape, with the promise of change and challenges ahead.
Contributors: Eric Bazail-Eimil, Daniel Payne, Meredith Lee Hill, Victoria Guida
