Donald Trump’s transition
Trump’s transition
Secretary of State
Marco Rubio confirmed
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: Senate confirms Rubio as secretary of state
What is the Department of State?
The U.S. Department of State is responsible for foreign policy issues, including negotiating treaties and agreements. The State Department maintains diplomatic relations with other countries, overseeing embassies, consulates and diplomatic missions. It was created in 1789 and was the first executive department established in the United States.
Secretary of the Treasury
Scott Bessent confirmed
Having built his wealth as a hedge fund manager, Bessent was a major donor for both Democratic and Republican campaigns. If confirmed, he would become the highest-ranking openly LGBTQ person to hold a U.S. government position.
Read more: Scott Bessent wins Senate confirmation as US Treasury secretary
What is the Treasury Department?
The U.S. Department of the Treasury oversees all federal financial operations from supervising and licensing banks to managing government debt, as well as advising on fiscal policy. The Treasury includes the U.S. Mint and the Bureau of Engraving and Printing, which issues currency, and the Internal Revenue Service, which collects and enforces taxes.
Secretary of Defense
Pete Hegseth confirmed
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 U.S. assistance to Ukraine and funding to NATO and the United Nations, while pledging continued support for Israel.
Read more: US Senate approves Hegseth as defense secretary by 51-50 vote
What is the Department of Defense?
The U.S. Department of Defense provides the country’s military forces, and its head acts as second in command of the U.S. military after the president. Serving the same functions as a defense minister in other countries, the secretary of defense has the authority to set military policy, communicate with congressional committees and issue medals and awards.
Secretary of Homeland Security
Kristi Noem confirmed
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.
Read more: US Senate confirms Noem as homeland security secretary
What is the Department of Homeland Security?
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security is responsible for public security, much like the Interior or Home ministries of other countries. Its stated mission involves anti-terrorism, border security, immigration and customs, cybersecurity, and disaster prevention and management.
Director of the Central Intelligence Agency
John Ratcliffe confirmed
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.
Read more: Senate confirms Trump’s choice for CIA director
What is the CIA?
The Central Intelligence Agency is a civilian foreign intelligence service of the U.S. federal government tasked with gathering, processing and analyzing national security information from around the world. The CIA has no law enforcement function and is mainly focused on overseas intelligence gathering, with only limited domestic collection.
Secretary of Health and Human Services
Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
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. | Learn more.
What is the Department of Health and Human Services?
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services is tasked with protecting public health and has 13 operating divisions, including the Food and Drug Administration, National Institutes of Health, and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.
Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
Confirmation challenges
Kennedy has a long history of promoting conspiracy theories and misinformation, including anti-vaccine advocacy, HIV denialism and allegations that the 2004 election was stolen by George W. Bush.
Director of National Intelligence
Tulsi Gabbard
An Iraq War veteran, 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 Republican Party in October 2024. | Read more.
What does the Director of National Intelligence do?
The director of national intelligence serves as the president’s principal adviser on intelligence matters, overseeing coordination and collection of information between the nation’s 18 intelligence agencies.
Tulsi Gabbard
Confirmation challenges
In arguing against U.S. military intervention in Ukraine and Syria, Gabbard has made statements in support of Russian President Vladimir Putin and former Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, meeting with the latter during a trip to Syria in 2017. She has also come under scrutiny for her perceived closeness to Indian Prime Minister Narenda Modi and his Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party.
Ambassador to the United Nations
Elise Stefanik
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. | Read more.
What does the Ambassador to the U.N. do?
The permanent representative of the United States of America to the United Nations represents the United States on the U.N. Security Council and during almost all plenary meetings of the General Assembly, except when a more senior U.S. officer, such as the secretary of state or the president, is present.
Trump’s administration
Explore the full list of nominees
A look at the people President-elect Donald Trump says he intends to nominate for key positions in his administration. | Explore the full list