LATEST: Trump Picks Heavy Hitters For In-coming MAGA Administration

By Oyeoba Calista / Lagos Posted November 12, 2024

Following his historic win at the recent U.S. presidential election, where he roundly defeated incumbent Vice President Kamala Harris, Donald Trump has continued to upend expectations in his picks for key positions of the incoming administration.

Trump secured victory over Vice President Kamala Harris in the November 5, 2024 U.S. presidential election, marking a significant political milestone. He not only won the Electoral College but also became the first Republican in 20 years to capture the popular vote, achieving 50.7% of total ballots cast. This victory makes him the second U.S. president, after Grover Cleveland, to serve non-consecutive terms.

Key appointments announced, so far, in Trump’s administration predominantly include figures who supported his “Make America Great Again” (MAGA) campaign. His nominations reflect loyalty to his policies and ideology during his previous tenure.

The notable nominees are:

CHIEF OF STAFF – SUSAN WILES

Susan Wiles, a renowned Florida-based political strategist is the 2024 Presidential Campaign Manager of Trump. She’s reputed to be the brainbox of strategies behind the president-elect’s win.

“Susie Wiles just helped me achieve one of the greatest political victories in American history and was an integral part of both my 2016 and 2020 successful campaigns,” Trump said in a statement. “Susie is tough, smart, innovative, and is universally admired and respected. Susie will continue to work tirelessly to Make America Great Again. It is a well-deserved honor to have Susie as the first-ever female Chief of Staff in United States history. I have no doubt that she will make our country proud”, said Trump.

An unobtrusive personality, Sussie fondly called ‘Ice Baby’, is the daughter of American football player and sportscaster Pat Summerall. She managed operations for Trump’s 2016 and 2020 campaigns in Florida and helped Gov. Ron DeSantis (R-FL) with his 2018 bid for governor. She also worked as former President Ronald Reagan’s campaign scheduler during his 1980 presidential bid. She managed several political campaigns, including former Utah Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr.’s presidential campaign and Florida Sen. Rick Scott’s Senate bid.

SECRETARY OF STATE – SENATOR MARCO RUBIO (R-FL)

Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL) is Trump’s pick as Secretary of State, a historic move marking the first time a Cuban American will hold the prestigious position.

Rubio’s deep experience in foreign policy makes him a compelling choice for the position. As vice chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee and a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Rubio has consistently positioned himself as a staunch advocate for U.S. interests abroad. His focus on China’s economic and military ambitions has defined much of his Senate career, and he’s expected to play a key role in Trump’s strategy to ramp up pressure on the Chinese Communist Party. The president-elect has pledged to impose tariffs and take aggressive action against China’s offshoring practices and rampant intellectual property theft, aligning well with Rubio’s longstanding warnings about the dangers of the Chinese regime.

The decision to tap Rubio for the job is also notable given the history between the two politicians. Rubio and Trump were once bitter rivals during the 2016 presidential primary, trading sharp insults in what became a memorable and contentious campaign cycle. But in recent years, the Florida senator has emerged as one of Trump’s most dependable allies in Congress, vocally opposing both impeachment trials against Trump and voting to end the proceedings as quickly as possible.

UN ENVOY – REP. ELISE STEFANIK (R-N.Y.)

Rep. Elise Stefanik is the chair of the House Republican Conference and has been nominated as U.S. ambassador to the United Nations in the upcoming administration.

Trump said in a statement announcing the appointment that, “I am honored to nominate Chairwoman Elise Stefanik to serve in my Cabinet as U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations. Elise is an incredibly strong, tough and smart America First fighter.”

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In her statement accepting the new role, Stefanik said,
“I am truly honored to earn President Trump’s nomination to serve in his Cabinet as U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations.”

Several diplomats like Davis Friedman, former US Ambassador to Israel have applauded the appointment, saying, ‘A great choice.’

BORDER SECURITY CHIEF – TOM HOMAN

Tom Homan, who Trump as nominated to be Border Czar is former acting Immigration and Customs Enforcement director.

“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 (‘The Border Czar’), including, but not limited to, the Southern Border, the Northern Border, all Maritime, and Aviation Security,” Trump said on Truth Social.

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“I’ve known Tom for a long time, and there is nobody better at policing and controlling our Borders. Likewise, Tom Homan will be in charge of all Deportation of Illegal Aliens back to their Country of Origin. Congratulations to Tom. I have no doubt he will do a fantastic, and long awaited for, job”, said Trump.

Homan’s position will not require Senate confirmation, meaning he can get to work on Day One. The pick was widely celebrated on the right, with people sharing some of their favorite clips of Homan on X and other social media platforms.

The new Border Security Chief has served six presidents and he has a strong message for the millions of illegal immigrants and drug cartels in America, that the days illegal entry into US via the borders, is now a foregone issue.

DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY (DHS) – GOV. KRISTI NOEM

Kristi Noem is currently the Governor of South Dakota, whose tenure is winding up and by this appointment by Trump, she’s now expected to lead the Department of Homeland Security.
Noem will be tapped to take over the agency as two key immigration hardliners — Stephen Miller and Tom Homan — are slated to serve in senior roles, signaling Trump is serious about his promise to crack down on his immigration pledges. With his selection of Noem, Trump is ensuring a loyalist will head an agency he prioritizes and that is key to his domestic agenda.

She was once shortlisted as running mate until a controversy engulfed her when she admitted to killing her pet dog for being ‘untrainable’. Noem rose to national prominence after she refused to impose a statewide mask mandate during the deadly COVID-19 pandemic.

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Overall, President Donald Trump’s picks for the key positions that have been announced are pretty solid, in terms of experience and connect to the MAGA vision.

NATIONAL SECURITY ADVISOR – MIKE WALTZ

Trump has tapped Mike Waltz, a known China and Canada critic who leads the India Caucus in the House, to serve as his National Security Advisor.

Waltz, a staunch Trump supporter, has been vocal in his criticism of China’s actions in the Asia-Pacific region, stressing the importance of the US being prepared for a potential conflict there.
The 50-year-old war veteran is expected to adopt a tough stance on national security, in line with Trump’s promises to bolster American security. He was a former policy staffer under the Bush Admisitration.

NOTE: This is a developing story and it’s being monitored for updates.
Calista is on internship at DDNEWSONLINE.COM from the Department of Mass Communication, Ekocity Polytechnic, Lagos.