FOCUS – Since his victory in the presidential election, Donald Trump has multiplied the appointments of those closest to him to head various “departments”. Together, these “Secretaries” form the “Cabinet”.
No sooner had he won the presidential election against Kamala Harris that Donald Trump has begun naming his potential future ministers – now it’s up to the Senate to confirm his choices. Since November 5, 2024, the names have been appearing in statements and press releases.
Among them is SpaceX founder Elon Musk, who has been given a brand-new role in the space industry. ministry of “government efficiencyveteran Fox News journalist Pete Hegseth who could take over the reins of Defense from anti-vaccine Robert Kennedy Jr. and other Trumpists devoted to the future tenant of the Oval Office. If appointed, the latter will in turn be able to appoint loyalists. When the new power takes hold, the previous administration gives way to a new public office in the hands of the president: this is called the “spoil system”.
Advisory roles
These ministers, known as “secretaries”, form the “Cabinet”. Their role “is to advise the President on any subject he may need to discuss in relation to the duties of each member of the Cabinet”.explains White House website. Joe Biden’s current Cabinet consists of Vice President Kamala Harris and fifteen Secretaries.
At the top of the list is Secretary of State (United States Secretary of State), in charge of the Foreign Affairs “department”. The future head of U.S. diplomacy could be Florida’s senator Marco Rubioknown for his anti-China stance. He is succeeded in protocol by Secretary of the Treasury. As the name suggests, this is the Secretary of the Treasury, responsible for advising the President on economic, fiscal and budgetary policies.
The person in charge of the armed forces – in France “ministre de la Défense” – has the title of Secretary of Defense. This is followed by theAttorney Generalthe Minister of Justice. The future Attorney General is expected to be Matt Gaetz, one of his most devoted supporters.
The Secretary of the Interioris not in charge of the security forces, as is the case in France. The United States Secretary of the Interior actually advises the POTUS on the exploitation of natural resources and the management of public lands – more than a quarter of the country – such as national parks and monuments. Doug Burgum, who is expected to develop oil, mining and gas production, is to hold this portfolio. The minister in charge of organizing and ensuring the homeland security of the United States has, for his part, the title of Secretary of Homeland Security. Donald Trump has appointed to this post South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem.
The perimeters of the other departments are unequivocal: Agriculture, Trade, Work, Health, Housing and urban development, Transportation, Energy, Education and Veterans.
Directors and Ambassadors
Donald Trump has also begun appointing those closest to him to other highly strategic positions. These include administration positions “with Cabinet rank”. In detail, people in these positions can attend Cabinet meetings but are not Secretaries in charge of a department.
These include White House Chief of Staff also known as General Secretary. Considered one of the most powerful figures in the United States, the latter is the most important member of the President’s Executive Office, the “Brain trust”, which advises him directly – some members of this Office are also members of the Cabinet. Donald Trump has chosen Susie Wiles, his campaign manager.
Attorney Lee Zeldin will be the future Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency. He will be responsible for “restore U.S. energy dominance”. while “protecting access to clean air and water”.. The Budget Directoradvises the President on budget preparation. The Director of Intelligence national, finally, is in charge of coordinating the country’s 18 intelligence agencies. Donald Trump has appointed Tulsi Gabbard to this post. A controversial figure because of her relations with the Russian and Syrian regimes.
Elise Stefanik, on the other hand, was appointed by the former real estate tycoon. Ambassador to the United Nationswhose role is to represent her country on the Security Council and at plenary meetings. L’Ambassador (or Representative) for Trade chosen by Donald Trump should be lawyer Robert Lighthizer. He will be in charge of international trade policy. Finally, appointments to other strategic positions such as Chairman of the Council of Economic Advisors, d’Small Business Administration Administrator or Scientific advisor will be closely monitored.