Published on January 20, 2025
This presidential action presents a comprehensive cabinet nomination list, proposing 23 individuals for key positions across major federal departments and agencies. The nominations include high-profile political figures like Marco Rubio for Secretary of State, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. for Health and Human Services, and Tulsi Gabbard for Director of National Intelligence, representing a mix of current and former politicians, business leaders, and public figures.
The nomination pattern suggests a strategic consolidation of power by placing ideologically aligned individuals in key positions, particularly in national security and economic roles. The selection of media-prominent figures like Kennedy Jr. and Gabbard, known for controversial stances on various issues, could indicate an attempt to legitimize certain political viewpoints while potentially undermining established institutional norms. The heavy representation of former political rivals and critics-turned-supporters in crucial positions suggests a possible strategy to neutralize opposition while maintaining control through political debt and loyalty.
While presented as a standard cabinet nomination list, these selections appear designed to reshape federal governance through strategic placement of allies and converted critics in positions of significant influence. The public should carefully consider how this assembly of personalities, many with complex political histories and shifting allegiances, might affect policy implementation and institutional independence across crucial government functions.
To the Senate of the United States, I nominate Scott Bessent, of South Carolina, to be Secretary of the Treasury. Pamela Bondi, of Florida, to be Attorney General. Douglas Burgum, of North Dakota, to be Secretary of the Interior. Lori Chavez-DeRemer, of Oregon, to be Secretary of Labor. Douglas Collins, of Georgia, to be Secretary of Veterans Affairs. Sean Duffy, of Wisconsin, to be Secretary of Transportation. Peter Hegseth, of Tennessee, to be Secretary of Defense. Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., of California, to be Secretary of Health and Human Services. Howard Lutnick, of New York, to be Secretary of Commerce. Linda McMahon, of Connecticut, to be Secretary of Education. Kristi Noem, of South Dakota, to be Secretary of Homeland Security. Brooke Rollins, of Texas, to be Secretary of Agriculture. Marco Rubio, of Florida, to be Secretary of State. Eric Turner, of Texas, to be Secretary of Housing and Urban Development. Christopher Wright, of Colorado, to be Secretary of Energy. Tulsi Gabbard, of Hawaii, to be Director of National Intelligence. Jamieson Greer, of Maryland, to be United States Trade Representative, with the rank of Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary. Kelly Loeffler, of Georgia, to be Administrator of the Small Business Administration. John Ratcliffe, of Texas, to be Director of the Central Intelligence Agency. Elise Stefanik, of New York, to be the Representative of the United States of America to the United Nations, with the rank and status of Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary, and the Representative of the United States of America in the Security Council of the United Nations. Elise Stefanik, of New York, to be Representative of the United States of America to the Sessions of the General Assembly of the United Nations during her tenure of service as Representative of the United States of America to the United Nations. Russell Vought, of Virginia, to be Director of the Office of Management and Budget. Lee Zeldin, of New York, to be Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency.