Donald Trump's Cabinet Picks: Who He's Already Chosen and Who He Might Choose Next

President-elect Donald Trump has begun the process of selecting his advisory team for a second term in the White House, sifting through a pile of potential Cabinet nominees and looking to other loyal allies who can be slotted into senior administration posts.

Dozens of top jobs are up for grabs in the Trump-Vance administration, and everyone who helped the former president emerge victorious in the 2024 presidential election is undoubtedly hoping to cash in by gaining influence on his policies — some who serve in Congress, some from Wall Street, some who helped compile Project 2025 and some who played roles in his White House four years ago.

PEOPLE is keeping up with the latest rumors and staffing decisions as Trump's Cabinet starts to take form, along with the high-level openings that will have direct access to the Oval Office. Here's where things stand as of now.

Filled Positions

White House Chief of Staff

Susie Wiles was the first official tapped to join Trump's next administration as the White House chief of staff, the senior-most political appointee in his administration who will have unmatched influence on his priorities and decision-making as the top adviser in the president's ear.

Wiles, 67, served as a senior adviser and co-campaign manager on Trump's 2024 presidential campaign. The Florida-based lobbyist has earned a reputation for being quiet and calculated in Trump's orbit, staying largely behind the scenes on the campaign. She will be the first female White House chief of staff.

"Susie is tough, smart, innovative, and is universally admired and respected. Susie will continue to work tirelessly to Make America Great Again," Trump said in a statement obtained by Politico.

Trump had four chiefs of staff during his first administration. The final one, Mark Meadows, is under indictment in two separate criminal cases for his alleged efforts to overturn the 2020 presidential election.

Secretary of State

The most coveted Cabinet position will hold even more significance in the next administration, as foreign policy takes center stage with the wars in Gaza and Ukraine.

On Nov. 13, Trump formally offered the role to Florida Sen. Marco Rubio, a staunch Israel advocate and member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee who was thought to be on Trump's running mate shortlist over the summer. Rubio, 53, was born to Cuban immigrants who came to the United States during the 1950s Cuban Revolution.

"He will be a strong Advocate for our Nation, a true friend to our Allies, and a fearless Warrior who will never back down to our adversaries," Trump said in a statement.

Secretary of Defense

Fox News host Pete Hegseth becoming Trump's top choice for defense secretary was a development that Washington insiders didn't see coming.

"Pete has been a host at FOX News for eight years, where he used that platform to fight for our Military and Veterans," Trump said in a statement, before touting that Hegseth had a bestselling book which he says "reveals the leftwing betrayals of our Warriors, and how we must return our Military to meritocracy, lethality, accountability, and excellence."

Hegseth, 44, is a political newcomer who is far younger than most people who have held the high-ranking post. If approved by Senate, the Army National Guard officer will oversee the Pentagon and all branches of the U.S. Armed Forces.

Attorney General

Trump's left-field announcement that he was nominating Florida Rep. Matt Gaetz for attorney general stunned news anchors on live television on Nov. 13. If confirmed by the Senate, the 42-year-old MAGA ally would become the nation's chief law enforcement officer after only briefly practicing law before entering politics.

In 2017, Gaetz was accused of sex trafficking and sexual misconduct with minors. President Biden's Justice Department declined to bring charges against him, though he remains under investigation by the Republican-led House Ethics Committee.

Gaetz has repeatedly claimed that the Justice Department and FBI are corrupt under Biden, yet similarly supported Trump's rhetoric that the DOJ should seek retribution against his enemies. His addition to the Cabinet, combined with reports that Trump may wipe out career-long civil service workers in federal government, would leave the door open for Trump to have unfettered control over the traditionally insulated Justice Department.

Gaetz's nomination will test the Republican-controlled Senate's loyalty to Trump when they are asked to vote on whether to approve one of the least qualified attorney general nominees in history or stand up to the president.

Secretary of Health and Human Services

Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has been tapped to lead the Department of Health and Human Services, after Trump previously said that he would let the anti-vaccine activist “do whatever he wants” with government health agencies after he’s sworn in.

Some previously believed that Kennedy, 70, could be named a broad health "czar" instead, which would not need Senate approval and would prevent lawmakers from rehashing his political and personal controversies during the confirmation process.

Secretary of Veterans Affairs

Former Congressman Doug Collins, who served as a members of the House of Representatives for Georgia's 9th district from 2013 to 2021, has been announced as the new head of the department responsible for issues involving benefits, health care as well as memorials and cemeteries for veterans.

"Doug is a Veteran himself, who currently serves our nation as a chaplain in the United States Air Force Reserve Command, and fought for our country in the Iraq War," Trump said in a statement, adding that Collins will be an advocate for people serving active duty.

Secretary of Homeland Security

The Department of Homeland Security will play a significant role in Trump's second administration as the overseer of immigration and border security, in addition to anti-terrorism efforts, cyber-security, disaster prevention and the Secret Service.

Trump will nominate an unexpected ally to lead the department: South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem, who was once thought to be under consideration for Trump's running mate. Many believed he would select someone with more border state experience, or someone who has worked in one of the immigration and border-related government agencies.

'Border Czar'

Tom Homan, former acting director of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, was recruited as Trump's "border czar" to help carry out the president-elect's controversial plan for the largest mass deportation in history, working closely with the secretary of homeland security without having to get Senate approval.

"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," Trump wrote on Truth Social on Nov. 10.

The border czar is not an official government position, but Trump said it will entail Homan, 62, monitoring the United States' borders, plus overseeing security on the seas and in the skies.

Homan, who has asserted that the mass deportation plan is not racist, told Fox News Channel that ICE will be responsible for finding illegal immigrants. "When we go out there, we're going to know who we're looking for," he said. "We most likely know where they're going to be, and it's going to be done in a humane manner."

Leaders of Government Efficiency

Billionaire businessmen Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy were chosen to co-lead the new Department of Government Efficiency, which Trump says will "provide advice and guidance from outside of Government, and will partner with the White House and Office of Management & Budget to drive large scale structural reform, and create an entrepreneurial approach to Government never seen before."

Musk, 53, and Ramaswamy, 39, were once believed to be in the running for top administration positions, and their new assignment gives them a seat at the table without handing them control of a core federal department.

Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency

Former New York Rep. Lee Zeldin, a lieutenant colonel in the Army Reserve, was chosen to helm the Environmental Protection Agency. Before entering politics, Zeldin, 44, briefly ran a law firm and worked as an attorney for the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey.

"Lee, with a very strong legal background, has been a true fighter for America First policies," Trump said in a statement on Nov. 11. "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, including the cleanest air and water on the planet."

In recent years, the conservative-leaning Supreme Court has chipped away at the EPA's power to impose regulations on businesses that would help protect citizens from pollution and combat climate change. Trump campaigned in 2016 on abolishing the EPA and sought to dramatically cut back its funding as president. In the next term, he is expected to continue the work he began by rolling back environmental protections that force businesses to be mindful of their footprint.

Director of National Intelligence

Democratic presidential candidate turned MAGA spokesperson Tulsi Gabbard, 43, has been chosen to oversee all of the United States intelligence agencies as Trump's director of national intelligence.

Gabbard, a former Hawaii congresswoman, is not a shoo-in to get approved by the Senate, given her history of undermining the U.S. intelligence community and, as The Hill reports, that she has been accused of mimicking Russian talking points.

Director of the C.I.A.

The New York Times previously reported that Trump is looking for someone who is willing to overhaul the Central Intelligence Agency to step in as director.

On Tuesday, Nov. 12, Trump announced former national intelligence director John Ratcliffe as his pick for the gig. In his announcement, Trump said that Ratcliffe, 59, earned his trust when he undermined "51 national intelligence officials" who said that the Hunter Biden laptop scandal was part of a Russian disinformation campaign.

Ratcliffe would report to the director of national intelligence.

U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations

New York Rep. Elise Stefanik, the fourth-ranking House Republican, will vacate her role to serve as the United States ambassador to the United Nations. In Trump's first administration, the position was notably held by friend-turned-foe Nikki Haley and, later, conservative business consultant Kelly Craft.

Stefanik replaced Wyoming Rep. Liz Cheney as chair of the House GOP in 2021, after Cheney was stripped of her leadership position for speaking out against Trump. Stefanik, now 40, was the youngest congresswoman in history at the time of her swearing-in in 2015. Once considered a moderate, she rose the ranks after moving further right to become a fierce defender of the MAGA movement.

White House Counsel

The White House counsel serves as a key guardrail for the president, leading a team of lawyers that offers legal guidance the president and his administration. Trump offered the position to Bill McGinley, who served as his White House Cabinet secretary from 2017 to 2019.

McGinley is a prominent D.C. lawyer who has previously held top legal roles with the Republican National Committee and the National Republican Senatorial Committee.

National Security Adviser

Florida Rep. Mike Waltz has been asked to join the administration as Trump's national security adviser, according to several reports. He will act as the president's right hand on security issues and work closely with the departments of State and Defense to understand the White House's options in times of crisis.

Waltz, 50, is a combat-decorated Green Beret who served in Afghanistan, the Middle East and Africa. He serves on multiple House committees, including the Armed Forces and Foreign Affairs committees.

Homeland Security Adviser

Former White House speechwriter Stephen Miller, who has been integral in shaping Trump's mass deportation plan as an immigration adviser, will hold dual roles as a deputy White House chief of staff overseeing policy and as the homeland security adviser.

Miller, 39, founded a conservative legal advocacy group that was initially listed on the advisory board of Project 2025.

Other Positions

Todd Blanche, who represented Trump during his 2024 criminal trial, resulting in Trump being found guilty of 34 felony counts, will join the administration as deputy attorney general.

Also set to join Trump's administration is Emil Bove, who will serve as principal associate deputy attorney general. He will also serve as acting attorney general while Blanche goes through the process of being confirmed by the Senate.

Dean John Sauer has been tapped to serve as solicitor general. He was previously the lead counsel in the Trump v. United States case, which the Supreme Court ruled that Trump was absolutely immune from being charged for "official" presidential acts.

Rumored Candidates

Secretary of the Treasury

The secretary of the treasury is effectively the chief financial officer of the United States government, in charge of shaping an administration's economic policy. Among the many in Trump's orbit with finance backgrounds, a few names have seemingly stood out as top contenders.

Hedge fund manager Scott Bessent, a gay man who once supported Al Gore's presidential campaign and worked as an investor for liberal philanthropist George Soros, has become an unlikely ally of Trump's and reportedly met with the president-elect after his victory.

Other possible candidates to run the treasury include former U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer, a big proponent of tariffs; billionaire Wall Street executive Howard Lutnick, who has helped vet potential White House administrators; Fox Business commentator Larry Kudlow, who previously served as director of Trump's National Economic Council; and former SEC Chair Jay Clayton.

Secretary of Commerce

One name has risen above the rest in conversations about who could step in as secretary of commerce in a second Trump administration: Linda McMahon, the former WWE CEO and co-founder who went on to lead the Small Business Administration from 2017-2019. McMahon is guiding Trump's transition team after serving as the co-chair of a pro-Trump super PAC, America First Policy Action.

"It is hers if she wants it," a senior Trump official told CBS News of the secretary position, noting McMahon's close relationship to the president-elect.

Secretary of the Interior

The secretary of the interior, which manages the nation's public lands, will play an outsized role in Trump's administration as the person who can help fulfill the president-elect's campaign promise to "drill, baby, drill" by leasing out land for fossil fuel production.

North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum is expected to join Trump's leadership team in some capacity, and many have noted that his experience overseeing a state known for its oil production and vast public lands makes the interior secretary a natural fit.

For institutional knowledge, Trump could also lean on Katharine MacGregor, who served as deputy interior secretary in his first administration and has experience as a staffer for the House Committee on Natural Resources. The same logic applies for recruiting Trump's former Interior Secretary David Bernhardt to return to the post, though Politico notes he has been eyeing other roles this time around.

Wyoming Sen. Cynthia Lummis is another possible candidate — she interviewed for the job twice before — given her experience in Congress sitting on relevant committees, but she told Politico's E&E News that she will not fight for the job this time around after being passed over by Trump previously.

Secretary of Agriculture

Trump's secretary of agriculture will play an important role in helping rural and low-income Americans feel supported by the administration. The Department of Agriculture oversees a wide range of agencies that deal with forests, food safety, food stamps and rural development.

Ted McKinney, the former under secretary of agriculture for trade and foreign agricultural affairs, has privately expressed an interest in the role, according to Politico, which reports that he would potentially use the position to push back against Trump's proposal for widespread tariffs on China given the impact it could have on American farmers.

For a bolder pick, Trump could tap Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller, a right-wing conspiracy theorist and rodeo cowboy who has threatened to "hunt" moderate Republicans and once called Hillary Clinton a "c---." Despite making enemies in his own party and facing an uphill battle to be confirmed by Senate, he has allegedly been shortlisted by Trump and would be expected to slash some health programs that low-income Americans rely on.

Then there's Kip Tom, who co-chaired a "Farmers and Ranchers for Trump 47" committee. While more respected than Miller, Tom would likely follow a similar playbook to him when it comes to rolling back Biden's investment in climate-friendly agricultural programs.

Other Positions to Fill

Trump's transition team has countless senior positions to fill before he takes office on Jan. 20, 2025, beyond the initial wave of nominations and hirings.

Selections for these Cabinet (and other high-level) roles will also soon be revealed, completing his advisory team for the new term:

• Secretary of Labor
• Secretary of Housing and Urban Development
• Secretary of Transportation
• Secretary of Energy
• Secretary of Veteran Affairs
  
• Director of the Office of Management and Budget
• U.S. Trade Representative
• Chair of the Council of Economic Advisers
• Administrator of the Small Business Administration
• Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy
  
• White House Press Secretary