Trump names key players in new administration

A second-generation Cuban American elected as part of the Tea Party movement, Rubio contended for the 2016 presidential race and strongly criticized Trump before supporting him. Seen as a more traditional Republican, he has previously led efforts at bipartisan immigration reform and supports interventionist foreign policy. | Read more.

A combat veteran, Hegseth has advocated for a more muscular military policy and denounced current Army leadership for its diversity initiatives. He has also criticized NATO as overly reliant on the U.S. | Read more.

As Florida's first female attorney general, Bondi led the state's effort to overturn the Affordable Care Act, the health bill more commonly known as Obamacare, and later served on Trump’s legal team in his first impeachment trial. She currently heads the legal department at the America First Policy Institute. | Read more.

Following a successful business career, Burgum served as governor of North Dakota and ran as a moderate in the 2024 Republican presidential primary. He has called for expanding fossil fuel production on federal land, deployed the National Guard to the U.S.-Mexico border and signed a statewide abortion ban while saying he would oppose a national ban.

After his company's offices were destroyed in the 9/11 attacks and most of its employees killed, Lutnick emerged as a prominent philanthropist and advocate for victims' families. A major fundraiser for Trump and a supporter of his low-tax, high-tariff economic proposals, Lutnick now serves as co-chair of the presidential transition team. | Read more.

A longtime environmental activist and a member of one of America's most prominent political families, Kennedy sought the Democratic nomination and subsequently ran as an independent before dropping out and endorsing Trump. He has criticized what he views as overreach by federal regulatory agencies, as well as U.S. military aid to Ukraine, while maintaining strong support for Israel.

Prior to his political career, Duffy had a background as a lumberjack athlete and appeared on reality TV. During his congressional career, he served on several committees and mostly voted in line with other Republicans.

Wright has spent much of his career as an energy CEO campaigning against climate change regulations impacting the fossil fuel industry. He is expected to push for removing environmental restrictions on hydraulic fracturing (fracking) and increasing the role of nuclear power.

Known for running the world's largest professional wrestling promotion, McMahon served as the head of the Small Business Administration during Trump’s first term. As a supporter of charter schools and voucher programs, McMahon will be charged with heading a federal department that Trump's campaign has pledged to eliminate. | Read more.

Representing one of the most Republican districts in the eastern U.S., Collins has opposed abortion, same-sex marriage and the Affordable Care Act, as well as climate change legislation. He has also been a staunch Trump ally, praising the assassination of Iranian General Qassem Soleimani and supporting efforts to contest the 2020 election results.

As South Dakota’s first female governor, Noem pursued conservative policies such as banning abortion, abolishing gun restrictions and deploying the National Guard to the U.S.-Mexio border.

One of the most conservative members of Congress, Ratcliffe chaired multiple committees and opposed Trump's impeachment. After being named director of national intelligence, he often contradicted the findings of other intelligence officials and was accused of politicizing the role in order to help the president.

A conservative attorney from Long Island, New York, Zeldin unsuccesfully ran for the state's governor in 2022. During his congressional career, he opposed same-sex marriage and abortion, while supporting tax cuts and voting to roll back environmental regulations. Zeldin was a consistent advocate for Trump and opposed his impeachment.

Gabbard was one of Joe Biden's rivals in the 2020 Democratic primary, running on a platform that combined support for Israel and the Global War on Terrorism with anti-interventionist foreign policy on Ukraine and Syria. She has since moved right on social issues and supported Trump's reelection bid, joining the Republian Party in October 2024.

Intially a moderate Republican, Stefanik emerged as a supporter of Trump, opposing his impeachment and backing his claims that the 2020 election was stolen from him. She later gained national attention for her backing of Israel and aggressive questioning of university presidents over the question of antisemitism on college and university campuses.

During Trump's first term, Whitaker was controversially appointed as a temporary replacement as attorney general when Jeff Sessions was fired. He has strongly criticized federal investigations regarding Russian interference in the 2016 election.

Wiles is a longtime political consultant who has advised Republican Party campaigns since the 1980s. Having successfully worked on Trump's 2016 campaign and co-chaired his 2024 run, she will be the first woman to serve as chief of staff.

Waltz was a Pentagon policy adviser in the George W. Bush administration. Considered one of the most hawkish members of Congress, he opposed withdrawal from Afghanistan and has called for a more aggressive stance toward China. While Waltz initially supported military aid to Ukraine, he later voted against several aid packages.

McGinley has had a long career in Washington as legal counsel for various Repubican Party organizations and officials, and worked on Trump's 2016 campaign.