Back in 2016, Democrats were widely appalled by Donald Trump’s Cabinet picks, whom they described as dangerous and “historically unqualified.” Now even a few of Trump’s Republican congressional allies are “stunned and disgusted” over his second-term Cabinet picks, with Matt Gaetz, RFK Jr., and Pete Hegseth drawing the most outrage.
So, does that mean the new Republican Senate majority will refuse to confirm some of Trump’s more brazenly unqualified picks? It’s unclear! Trump has demanded that they let him make recess appointments, and new Majority Leader John Thune said he’s open to letting him bypass the Senate confirmation process.
Here’s a running list of all of Trump’s Cabinet picks so far — along with a few nominees for other top administration positions — arranged from highest to lowest in the line of succession.
Marco Rubio: Secretary of State
Who: Marco Rubio has served as U.S. senator from Florida since 2011 and is vice-chair of the Senate Intelligence Committee. He ran for president in 2016 but lost the GOP nomination to Trump.
Qualifications, According to Trump: He said in a statement posted to Truth Social:
Marco is a Highly Respected Leader, and a very powerful Voice for Freedom. 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. I look forward to working with Marco to Make America, and the World, Safe and Great Again!
Requires Confirmation: Yes.
Potential Issues: Rubio is known for his hawkish positions, particularly on China, Cuba, Iran, and Venezuela. But as the Washington Post notes, he’s “generated bipartisan acclaim,” as he might be Trump’s most conventional pick.
Pete Hegseth: Secretary of Defense
Who: Pete Hegseth is a Fox News host and Army National Guard officer. He served in the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, as well as Guantanamo Bay.
Qualifications, According to Trump: He said in a Truth Social post:
Pete has spent his entire life as a Warrior for the Troops, and for the Country. Pete is tough, smart and a true believer in America First. With Pete at the helm, America’s enemies are on notice - Our Military will be Great Again, and America will Never Back Down…
Requires Confirmation: Yes.
Potential Issues: While Hegseth served in the military, he has no experience running anything larger than a small nonprofit. As Defense secretary, he’d be in charge of leading the Pentagon and 1.3 million active-duty troops. He has controversial views on a wide range of topics, from women serving in combat (he’s opposed) to servicemembers accused of war crimes (he wants them pardoned) to handwashing (he doesn’t do it). Also, he was investigated for an alleged sexual assault in 2017. And a fellow servicemember flagged him as a possible “Insider Threat” over a tattoo he has that’s associated with white-supremacist groups. People were pretty stunned by his nomination, at least until Trump announced some other outrageous picks.
Matt Gaetz: Attorney General (has now withdrawn)
Who: Matt Gaetz was a U.S. representative from Florida who served from 2017 until he resigned from Congress on November 13, 2024, hours after Trump announced his nomination for AG.
Qualifications, According to Trump: In a pair of Truth Social posts, Trump called Gaetz a “deeply gifted and tenacious attorney.” He continued:
Matt will end Weaponized Government, protect our Borders, dismantle Criminal Organizations and restore Americans’ badly-shattered Faith and Confidence in the Justice Department. On the House Judiciary Committee, which performs oversight of DOJ, Matt played a key role in defeating the Russia, Russia, Russia Hoax, and exposing alarming and systemic Government Corruption and Weaponization. He is a Champion for the Constitution and the Rule of Law …
… Matt will root out the systemic corruption at DOJ, and return the Department to its true mission of fighting Crime, and upholding our Democracy and Constitution. We must have Honesty, Integrity, and Transparency at DOJ. Under Matt’s leadership, all Americans will be proud of the Department of Justice once again.
Requires Confirmation: Yes.
Potential Issues: Gaetz only practiced law for two years, but that’s really just the tip of the iceberg. If confirmed, he’d be leading a department that recently investigated him for sex trafficking; the Justice Department inquiry concluded in 2022 with no charges. But the House Ethics Committee was still investigating allegations that Gaetz “engaged in sexual misconduct and illicit drug use,” among other things. The committee was deadlocked, along partisan lines, on whether to release a “highly critical report” about Gaetz, but details about what witnesses told the Committee have continued to emerge regardless. Suffice it to say, he was the Trump pick least likely to be confirmed, and on November 21, he announced that he was withdrawing his name, saying he didn’t want to be a distraction for the Trump team.
Pam Bondi: Attorney General (Pick Number 2)
Who: Pam Bondi is a lobbyist who served as Florida’s attorney general from 2011 to 2019.
Qualifications, According to Trump: He wrote in a Truth Social post:
Pam was a prosecutor for nearly 20 years, where she was very tough on Violent Criminals, and made the streets safe for Florida Families. Then, as Florida’s first female Attorney General, she worked to stop the trafficking of deadly drugs, and reduce the tragedy of Fentanyl Overdose Deaths, which have destroyed many families across our Country. She did such an incredible job, that I asked her to serve on our Opioid and Drug Abuse Commission during my first Term — We saved many lives!
For too long, the partisan Department of Justice has been weaponized against me and other Republicans - Not anymore. Pam will refocus the DOJ to its intended purpose of fighting Crime, and Making America Safe Again. I have known Pam for many years — She is smart and tough, and is an AMERICA FIRST Fighter, who will do a terrific job as Attorney General!
Requires Confirmation: Yes.
Possible Issues: Bondi is a longtime Trump loyalist who served on his first impeachment defense team and publicly backed his false stolen election claims in 2020. (That’s true of most people on this list, but it’s notable because the AG is responsible for investigating claims of irregularities in federal elections.) Back in 2013, Bondi’s aides said the Florida AG was considering joining a multi-state lawsuit against Trump University after receiving nearly two dozen complaints about the for-profit college. Four days later, Bondi’s PAC received a $25,000 contribution from a Trump nonprofit and she never joined the lawsuit. But Trump and Bondi both claim the donation had nothing to do with her decision.
Doug Burgum: Secretary of the Interior
Who: Doug Burgum has been the governor of North Dakota since 2016. He’s worth hundreds of millions of dollars, mainly because he sold his software company to Microsoft in 2002. He ran for president in 2024 and became a top Trump surrogate when he dropped out.
Qualifications, According to Trump: He teasingly unveiled the news of Burgum’s impending nomination during an event at Mar-a-Lago on November 14. A day later, he put out a statement announcing that Burgum will be both Interior secretary and head of the newly formed “National Energy Council, which will consist of all Departments and Agencies involved in the permitting, production, generation, distribution, regulation, transportation, of ALL forms of American Energy.”
Requires Confirmation: Yes.
Potential Issues: Environmental groups raised concerns about Burgum’s lack of experience, coziness with oil billionaires, and commitment to drilling in public lands — but that all fits with Trump’s agenda. This is one of Trump’s more conventional picks.
Robert F. Kennedy Jr.: Secretary of Health and Human Services
Who: Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is America’s best-known anti-vaccine activist. He ran for president in 2024 as a Democrat, then as an independent. He dropped out of the race in August 2024 and endorsed Trump, but he still appeared on the ballot in some states.
Qualifications, According to Trump: He said on X:
For too long, Americans have been crushed by the industrial food complex and drug companies who have engaged in deception, misinformation, and disinformation when it comes to Public Health. The Safety and Health of all Americans is the most important role of any Administration, and HHS will play a big role in helping ensure that everybody will be protected from harmful chemicals, pollutants, pesticides, pharmaceutical products, and food additives that have contributed to the overwhelming Health Crisis in this Country. Mr. Kennedy will restore these Agencies to the traditions of Gold Standard Scientific Research, and beacons of Transparency, to end the Chronic Disease epidemic, and to Make America Great and Healthy Again!
Requires Confirmation: Yes.
Potential Issues: RFK Jr. may be competing with Gaetz for most controversial Trump pick. He has a long history of peddling health-related conspiracy theories: He’s claimed vaccines cause autism, linked depressants to mass shootings, and suggested HIV doesn’t cause AIDS, to name just a few of his false health assertions. And now he may oversee everything from Americans’ health insurance to food safety to the availability of drugs and vaccines.
Scott Bessent: Secretary of Treasury
Who: Scott Bessent, 62, is a billionaire hedge fund manager who is currently the CEO, founder, and chief investment officer at Key Square Capital Management in New York. Prior to that, he was the chief investment officer at Soros Fund Management. Bessent was a top Trump campaign fundraiser, as has become one of Trump’s top economic advisers. If confirmed, he will become the first openly gay Treasury secretary.
Qualifications, According to Trump: He said in a Truth Social post:
Scott is widely respected as one of the World’s foremost International Investors and Geopolitical and Economic Strategists. Scott’s story is that of the American Dream. Scott has long been a strong advocate of the America First Agenda. On the eve of our Great Country’s 250th Anniversary, he will help me usher in a new Golden Age for the United States, as we fortify our position as the World’s leading Economy, Center of Innovation and Entrepreneurialism, Destination for Capital, while always, and without question, maintaining the U.S. Dollar as the Reserve Currency of the World. Unlike in past Administrations, we will ensure that no Americans will be left behind in the next and Greatest Economic Boom, and Scott will lead that effort for me[.]
Requires Confirmation: Yes.
Potential Issues: Bessent is a former Democrat and protege of liberal billionaire philanthropist George Soros. Bessent survived an internal “knife fight” over the Treasury job with transition co-chair Howard Lutnick. Bessent’s Trump World critics have cast doubt on whether he is a MAGA true believer, particularly when it comes to the use of tariffs, which Bessent then enthusiastically backed in a November 15 Fox News op-ed. Nonetheless, Bessent is widely considered a safe pick for Trump, and he’s expected to be easily confirmed.
Howard Lutnick: Secretary of Commerce
Who: Howard Lutnick is the billionaire CEO of the financial services firm Cantor Fitzgerald, the co-chair of Trump’s transition team, a top campaign fundraiser, and a loyal longtime friend, ally, and adviser to Trump. Lutnick is also the chairman of the brokerage firm BGC Group Inc. and the commercial real estate firm Newmark Group. Trump said that in addition to his Commerce role, Lutnick will “lead our Tariff and Trade agenda, with additional direct responsibility for the Office of the United States Trade Representative.” It’s not clear if that means Lutnick, who is a big tariff fan, will also serve as Trump’s U.S. trade representative.
Qualifications, According to Trump: He said in a Truth Social post:
In his role as Co-Chair of the Trump-Vance Transition Team, Howard has created the most sophisticated process and system to assist us in creating the greatest Administration America has ever seen. Howard has been a dynamic force on Wall Street for more than 30 years. He joined Cantor Fitzgerald in 1983, and rapidly rose through the ranks to become President and CEO at the age of 29. Tragedy struck on September 11, 2001, when terrorists attacked the World Trade Center, and Cantor Fitzgerald lost 658 of its 960 New York-based employees, including Howard’s brother and his best friend. He emerged from these events with an indominable [sic] sense of purpose to rebuild the firm to honor those lost, support their families, and become a beacon of hope for those who remained.
Requires Confirmation: Yes.
Potential Issues: Lutnick’s attempts to sink his rival for the Treasury secretary job, Scott Bessent, reportedly frustrated Trump and made Lutnick some enemies among the president-elect’s inner circle. He has already been subject to conflict of interest suspicions, since his three businesses have dealings across most sectors of the U.S. economy, and he reportedly promoted his businesses during recent transition-related meetings on Capitol Hill.
Sean Duffy: Secretary of Transportation
Who: Sean Duffy is a former U.S. representative from Wisconsin, current co-host of The Bottom Line on Fox Business, and a contributor on Fox News. He rose to fame on The Real World: Boston and met his wife Rachel Campos-Duffy on Road Rules: All Stars. She is also a Fox News host.
Qualifications, According to Trump: In a statement posted to Truth Social, Trump described Duffy as a “tremendous and well-liked public servant” and said:
He will prioritize Excellence, Competence, Competitiveness and Beauty when rebuilding America’s highways, tunnels, bridges and airports. He will ensure our ports and dams serve our Economy without compromising our National Security and he will make our skies safe again by eliminating DEI for pilots and air traffic controllers. The husband of a wonderful woman, Rachel Campos-Duffy, a STAR on FoxNews, and the father of nine incredible children, Sean knows how important it is for families to be able to travel safely, with peace of mind.
Requires Confirmation: Yes.
Potential Issues: Duffy doesn’t have much transportation policy experience, but as the Washington Post notes, “that is not unusual for people nominated to run the department — current secretary Pete Buttigieg had previously been mayor of his hometown.” Duffy is one of Trump’s least controversial Cabinet picks.
Chris Wright: Secretary of Energy
Who: Chris Wright is the chief executive of Liberty Energy, a Denver-based fracking company. The New York Times described him as a “media-friendly evangelist for fossil fuels who promotes a feel-good message that oil and gas can lift people out of poverty, while disparaging climate science.”
Qualifications, According to Trump: In a statement posted to Truth Social, Trump said:
Chris has been a leading technologist and entrepreneur in Energy. He has working Nuclear, Solar, Geothermal, and Oil and Gas. Most significantly, Chris was one of the pioneers who helped launch the American Shale Revolution that fueled American Energy Independence, and transformed the Global Energy Markets and Geopolitics.
He also noted that Wright “has known and worked for years with Doug Burgum.” If confirmed to Trump’s Cabinet, both men will be on the new Council of National Energy; Burgum will lead the council and serve as Interior secretary.
Requires Confirmation: Yes.
Potential Issues: Wright has no government experience and recently declared, “There is no climate crisis, and we’re not in the midst of an energy transition.” Wright caught Trump’s attention via Fox News appearances, and he and his wife recently held a Trump fundraiser, donating $175,000 each to his joint fund-raising campaign committee. Fracking billionaire Harold Hamm, who has donated $5 million to Trump and is part of the transition team, said Wright was his top choice for Energy secretary. He probably won’t have a hard time getting confirmed.
Linda McMahon: Secretary of Education
Who: Linda McMahon is the co-founder of World Wrestling Entertainment, who built wrestling into a multibillion-dollar enterprise with husband Vince McMahon (they are now separated). She led the Small Business Administration during Trump’s first term, and is currently the board chair of the America First Policy Institute, a conservative think tank. She has been a major financial backer of Trump’s campaigns.
Qualifications, According to Trump: In a statement posted to Truth Social, which would be flagged by any elementary school teacher for improper capitalization, Trump wrote:
Linda has been a fierce advocate for Parents’ Rights, working hard at both AFPI and America First Works (AFW) to achieve Universal School Choice in 12 States, giving children the opportunity to receive and excellent Education, regardless of zip code or income. As Secretary of Education, Linda will fight tirelessly to expand “Choice” to every State in America, and empower parents to make the best Education decisions for their families.
Requires Confirmation: Yes.
Potential Issues: McMahon has little experience in education policy, other than serving on the Connecticut State Board of Education in 2009. She falsely claimed to have an education degree in a questionnaire for that post. She was recently named in a civil suit alleging that she ignored the sexual abuse of WWE “ring boys.” (Vince McMahon is under federal investigation for allegations of sexual abuse and trafficking, but Linda has not been directly implicated in that case.) The McMahons have denied any wrongdoing. Trump has promised to shut down the Education Department, so her lack of education credentials may not matter.
Lori Chavez-DeRemer: Secretary of Labor
Who: Lori Chavez-DeRemer is a moderate first-term House Republican who represents Oregon’s 5th Congressional District, but narrowly lost her reelection bid on Election Day. She also served as the mayor of Happy Valley, Oregon, from 2011 to 2019. Chavez-DeRemer is a rare pro-union Republican, and is one the few House GOP members who supports the PRO (Protecting the Right to Organize) Act, which would enact a historic expansion of labor rights. She also co-sponsored legislation to protect the Social Security benefits of public-sector workers. The Teamsters union, including Teamsters president Sean O’Brien, reportedly lobbied Trump to select her.
Qualifications, According to Trump: He said in a Truth Social post:
Lori has worked tirelessly with both Business and Labor to build America’s workforce, and support the hardworking men and women of America. I look forward to working with her to create tremendous opportunity for American Workers, to expand Training and Apprenticeships, to grow wages and improve working conditions, to bring back our Manufacturing jobs. Together, we will achieve historic cooperation between Business and Labor that will restore the American Dream for Working Families. Lori’s strong support from both the Business and Labor communities will ensure that the Labor Department can unite Americans of all backgrounds behind our Agenda[.]
Requires Confirmation: Yes.
Potential Issues: Trump choosing Chavez-DeRemer was a surprise to many of Trump’s conservative allies. Republican presidents typically nominate pro-business Labor secretaries, and when rumors spread that Trump was considering her for the role, pro-business groups spoke out in opposition. Pro-labor organizations have signaled support for the pick, while also expressing skepticism that the Trump administration will be beneficial for workers.
Brooke Rollins: Secretary of Agriculture
Who: Brooke Rollins ran the White House Domestic Policy Council during the first Trump administration, then went on to found and run the pro-Trump think tank, America First Policy Institute, which like the Heritage Foundation’s Project 2025, has worked to develop a blueprint for the second Trump administration.
Qualifications, According to Trump: He said in a Truth Social post:
Brooke was on my 2016 Economic Advisory Council, and did an incredible job during my First Term as the Director of the Domestic Policy Council, Director of the Office of American Innovation, and Assistant to the President for Strategic Initiatives. In these roles, she helped develop and manage the transformational Domestic Policy Agenda of my Administration. Brooke has spent the past four years as the Founder and CEO of the America First Policy Institute (AFPI) and America First Works (AFW), building a team of loyal Patriots, and championing the Policies of our America First Agenda. Brooke’s commitment to support the American Farmer, defense of American Food Self-Sufficiency, and the restoration of Agriculture-dependent American Small Towns is second to none.
Requires Confirmation: Yes.
Potential Issues: Rollins is a Trump loyalist with some agriculture policy experience, as well as a degree in agricultural development, but less experience than the other contenders on Trump’s shortlist for the role. The Trump team was divided on which of those other candidates to nominate, and Trump reportedly chose Rollins at the last minute, surprising everyone.
Kristi Noem: Secretary of Homeland Security
Who: Kristi Noem has served as the governor of South Dakota since 2019. Before becoming the South Dakota’s first female governor, she was the state’s sole representative in the U.S. House for eight years.
Qualifications, According to Trump: He said in a Truth Social message:
Kristi has been very strong on Border Security. She was the first Governor to send National Guard Soldiers to help Texas fight the Biden Border Crisis, and they were sent a total of eight times. She will work closely with “Border Czar” Tom Homan to secure the Border, and will guarantee that our American Homeland is secure from our adversaries…
Requires Confirmation: Yes.
Potential Issues: Noem hasn’t worked in Homeland Security and does not even have a law-enforcement background. Her nomination is seen “as further indication that the administration’s immigration policy will be run out of the White House,” per Politico. Oh, also she recently announced that she murdered her dog. But Trump’s wild subsequent picks essentially squashed any controversy around Noem.
Doug Collins: Secretary of Veterans Affairs
Who: Doug Collins is a former U.S. congressman from Georgia who served in the House from 2013 to 2021. He is a lawyer and veteran who served in the Iraq war and is currently an Air Force Reserve chaplain.
Qualifications, According to Trump: He wrote in a statement posted to Truth Social:
Doug is a Veteran himself, who currently serves our Nation as Chaplain in the United States Air Force Reserve Command, and fought for our Country in the Iraq War. We must take care of our brave men and women in uniform, and doug will be a great advocate for our Active Duty Servicemember, Veterans, and Military Families to ensure they have the support they need.
Requires Confirmation: Yes.
Potential Issues: Collins isn’t an unusual pick, but it’s worth noting that Trump seems to be rewarding him for his loyalty. Four of the eight Republicans who defended Trump during his first impeachment proceeding have been nominated for Cabinet positions, and Collins is one of them.
Scott Turner: Secretary of Housing and Urban Development
Who: Scott Turner played nine seasons in the NFL, and got involved in GOP politics during the offseason. After retiring, he eventually served two terms in the Texas House, then joined the first Trump administration as the head of the White House Opportunity and Revitalization Council. He’s now the chair of Center for Education Opportunity at the pro-Trump think tank America First Policy Institute. He’s also been a motivational speaker, and is an associate pastor at a Baptist megachurch in Plano, Texas.
Qualifications, According to Trump: He said in a Truth Social post:
Scott is an NFL Veteran, who, during my First Term, served as the First Executive Director of the White House Opportunity and Revitalization Council (WHORC), helping to lead an Unprecedented Effort that Transformed our Country’s most distressed communities. Those efforts, working together with former HUD Secretary, Ben Carson, were maximized by Scott’s guidance in overseeing 16 Federal Agencies which implemented more than 200 policy actions furthering Economic Development. Under Scott’s leadership, Opportunity Zones received over $50 Billion Dollars in Private Investment!
Requires Confirmation: Yes.
Potential Issues: Turner’s views on housing policy aren’t clear, and Politico reports that his selection surprised and confused housing industry lobbyists.
John Ratcliffe: CIA Director
Who: John Ratcliffe is a former Texas congressman who served as the director of national intelligence during the final year of Trump’s first term.
Qualifications, According to Trump: He said in a Truth Social post:
From exposing fake Russian collusion to be a Clinton campaign operation, to catching the FBl’s abuse of Civil Liberties at the FISA Court, John Ratcliffe has always been a warrior for Truth and Honesty with the American Public. When 51 intelligence officials were lying about Hunter Biden’s laptop, there was one, John Ratcliffe, telling the truth to the American People…
Requires Confirmation: Yes.
Potential Issues: Ratcliffe is a Trump loyalist who defended him during his first impeachment hearings. While serving as director of national intelligence, he declassified unverified Russian intelligence involving Hillary Clinton shortly before the 2020 election. But he reportedly balked at efforts to overturn Trump’s 2020 loss and CNN reported that career intelligence officials are cautiously optimistic about him leading the CIA, as they see him as a “largely professional and potentially less disruptive choice.”
Martin Makary: FDA Commissioner
Who: Dr. Martin Makary is a surgeon at Johns Hopkins University who, per Stat News, is a well known celebrity in the medical world, as well as a frequent critic of the U.S. health care system. He is also the chief medical officer at the telehealth firm Sesame, a regular guest on Fox News, and was an adviser to the first Trump administration.
Qualifications, According to Trump: He said in a Truth Social post:
FDA has lost the trust of Americans, and has lost sight of its primary goal as a regulator. The Agency needs Dr. Marty Makary, a Highly Respected Johns Hopkins Surgical Oncologist and Health Policy Expert, to course-correct and refocus the Agency. He will work under the leadership of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to, among other things, properly evaluate harmful chemicals poisoning our Nation’s food supply and drugs and biologics being given to our Nation’s youth, so that we can finally address the Childhood Chronic Disease Epidemic.
A member of the prestigious National Academy of Medicine, Dr. Makary has devoted his career to improving Medical Quality and lowering Hospital and Drug Costs for all Americans. In addition, Dr. Makary is an accomplished Professor at the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine and Johns Hopkins Carey Business School, and a leading advocate for Healthcare Transparency. He has authored more than 300 scientific articles and three New York Times bestselling books on Healthcare.
Requires Confirmation: Yes.
Potential Issues: Makary is a close ally of RFK Jr. and a fellow proponent of the Make America Healthy Again movement. He has been sharply critical of parts of the U.S. COVID response: he spoke out against mandatory masking for children, promoted natural immunity, opposed COVID vaccine mandates (but is not anti-vaccine), criticized the Biden administration’s blanket recommendation of COVID boosters for young people. Though Makary has publicly defended Kennedy, he hasn’t expressed the same extreme views. It’s possible his ties to Kennedy could be a concern for moderate GOP senators, but overall he was one of the more conventional picks on Trump’s short list for the job.
Dave Weldon: CDC Director
Who: Dave Weldon is a physician and former seven-term Florida congressman. In Congress, Weldon was a staunch ally of the anti-vax and anti-abortion movements.
Qualifications, According to Trump: He said in a Truth Social post:
In addition to being a Medical Doctor for 40 years, and an Army Veteran, Dave has been a respected conservative leader on fiscal and social issues, and served on the Labor/HHS Appropriations Subcommittee, working for Accountability on HHS and CDC Policy and Budgeting. Dave also served in a leading role in Government Oversight and Reform Committee Hearings, addressing issues within HHS and CDC. Dave has successfully worked with the CDC to enact a ban on patents for human embryos. … As a father of two and a husband of 45 years, Dave understands American Family Values, and views Health as one of utmost importance. Dave will prioritize Transparency, Competence, and High Standards at CDC.
Requires Confirmation: Yes.
Potential Issues: Weldon will be the first nominee for CDC director who has to be confirmed by the Senate, after Congress recently passed legislation to mandate that. He is an ally of both RFK Jr. and the anti-vaccine movement, and his nomination has been celebrated by anti-vax leaders. Weldon has frequently questioned vaccine safety, as well as the integrity of federal vaccine safety reviews, and was a major promoter of the discredited theory linking autism to childhood vaccines. In Congress, he introduced legislation which would have transferred the CDC’s responsibility for vaccine safety research to a new, separate HHS agency. (The Project 2025 blueprint for the second Trump administration advocates for stripping the CDC’s power to make vaccine recommendations.)
He also served as the president of the Alliance of Health Care Sharing Ministries, which represents Christian nonprofit groups that offer low-cost health insurance alternatives which have subject to allegations of misleading marketing. And Weldon was one of the Congressional Republicans who intervened in the controversial case of Terri Schiavo.
Janette Nesheiwat: Surgeon General
Who: Janette Nesheiwat is a family and emergency physician, Fox News contributor, and a medical director at CityMD, which operates urgent care centers in New York and New Jersey. She also has her own line of dietary supplements and is the author of the forthcoming book, Beyond the Stethoscope: Miracles in Medicine, in which “gripping stories of miraculous recoveries, experiences in the ER, and global medical missions illuminate the transformative power of prayer and unwavering dedication to healing and service.” Her sister, Julia Nesheiwat, served as homeland security adviser in the first Trump administration, and Trump has named her sister’s husband, Florida congressman Mike Waltz, as national security adviser for his second administration.
Qualifications, According to Trump: He said in a Truth Social post:
Dr. Nesheiwat is a double board-certified Medical Doctor with an unwavering commitment to saving and treating thousands of American lives. Dr. Nesheiwat is a fierce advocate and strong communicator for preventive medicine and public health. She is committed to ensuring that Americans have access to affordable, quality healthcare, and believes in empowering individuals to take charge of their health to live longer, healthier lives.
Requires Confirmation: Yes.
Potential Issues: Nesheiwat has little apparent experience with public health policy, but she does not have a history of criticizing vaccines, though she has opposed COVID vaccine mandates.
Mehmet Oz: Medicare and Medicaid Administrator
Who: Mehmet Oz is a heart surgeon, longtime television personality, and crudités fan who received Trump’s endorsement in his 2022 Pennsylvania Senate race, but lost to John Fetterman. He is also known for promoting dubious health claims, and served on Trump’s Presidential Council on Sports, Fitness and Nutrition during the first Trump administration.
Qualifications, According to Trump: He said in a Truth Social post:
America is facing a Healthcare Crisis, and there may be no Physician more qualified and capable than Dr. Oz to Make America Healthy Again. He is an eminent Physician, Heart Surgeon, Inventor, and World-Class Communicator, who has been at the forefront of healthy living for decades. Dr. Oz will work closely with Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to take on the illness industrial complex, and all the horrible chronic diseases left in its wake. Dr. Oz will be a leader in incentivizing Disease Prevention, so we get the best results in the World for every dollar we spend on Healthcare in our Great Country. He will also cut waste and fraud within our Country’s most expensive Government Agency, which is a third of our Nation’s Healthcare spend, and a quarter of our entire National Budget.
Requires Confirmation: Yes.
Potential Issues: The daytime Emmy winner has a well-earned reputation for promoting weird and false claims about health and wellness, as well as pushing products like “miracle pills” with dubious health benefits. He has also praised Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and the Make American Healthy Again movement.
Most importantly, Oz has no experience managing a large bureaucracy, and has now been nominated to run one of the most complicated ones in the federal government — which provides health insurance coverage to more than 150 million Americans and is the destination of about a quarter of all federal spending. It’s not clear what Oz himself plans to accomplish as Medicare and Medicaid Administrator, but he has in the past repeatedly promoted Medicare Advantage, a program in which commercial insurance companies provide coverage to Medicare recipients instead of the federal government, and which critics say is more expensive for taxpayers. Oz also holds investments in a large number of companies which benefit from Medicare and Medicaid spending.
Lee Zeldin: EPA Administrator
Who: Lee Zeldin served as U.S. representative from New York from 2015 to 2023. He ran for New York governor in 2022 but was defeated by Democrat Kathy Hochul.
Qualifications, According to Trump: He said in a statement posted to Truth Social:
Lee, with a very strong legal background, has been a true fighter for America First policies. 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 th highest environmental standards, including the cleanest air and water on the planet. He will set new standards on environmental review and maintenance, that will allow the United States to grow in a healthy and well-structured way.
I have known Lee Zeldin for a long time, and have watched him handle, brilliantly, some extremely difficult and complex situations. I am very proud to have him in the Trump Administration, where he will quickly prove to be a great contributor!
Requires Confirmation: Yes.
Potential Issues: Zeldin has almost no experience relevant to running the EPA, but he does have experience defending Trump in his first impeachment hearings. As The New Republic noted, “Zeldin voted to cut EPA funding, scrap its chemicals risk assessment program, and block the agency from taking action to restrict carbon pollution.” But none of that will keep him from getting confirmed.
Tulsi Director of National Intelligence
Who: Tulsi Gabbard represented Hawaii in the U.S. House from 2013 to 2021. She is a National Guard veteran who served in Iraq.
Gabbard ran for president as a Democrat in 2020 and endorsed Joe Biden when she ended her campaign. Two years later, she left the Democratic Party and became a regular at right-wing venues like Fox News and CPAC. She endorsed Trump for president in 2024.
Qualifications, According to Trump: In a statement attached to Gabbard’s biography, Trump said:
For over two decades, Tulsi has fought for our Country and the Freedoms of all Americans. As a former Candidate for the Democrat Presidential Nomination, she has broad support in both Parties — she is now a proud Republican! I know Tulsi will bring the fearless spirit that has defined her illustrious career to our Intelligence Community, championing our Constitutional Rights, and securing Peace through Strength. Tulsi will make us all proud!
Requires Confirmation: Yes.
Potential Issues: Gabbard has no formal intelligence experience and is known for her sympathetic views toward Russia’s Vladimir Putin and Syria’s Bashar al-Assad. Democratic senator Elizabeth Warren summed up her critics’ concerns, asking, “Do you really want her to have all the secrets of the United States and our defense intelligence agencies when she has so clearly been in Putin’s pocket?”
Russell Vought: Director of the Office of Management and Budget
Who: Russell Vought served in the same role during the first Trump administration, and prior to that worked as a VP at the Heritage Foundation’s Heritage Action lobbying group. Vought, a self-described Christian nationalist, is the founder of the Center for Renewing America, one of the think tanks preparing for a second Trump administration, and he’s a co-author of the Heritage Foundation’s Project 2025 blueprint.
Qualifications, According to Trump: He said in a Truth Social post:
He did an excellent job serving in this role in my First Term — We cut four Regulations for every new Regulation, and it was a Great Success! Russ graduated with a B.A. from Wheaton College, and received his J.D. from the Washington University School of Law. Russ has spent many years working in Public Policy in Washington, D.C., and is an aggressive cost cutter and deregulator who will help us implement our America First Agenda across all Agencies. Russ knows exactly how to dismantle the Deep State and end Weaponized Government, and he will help us return Self Governance to the People. We will restore fiscal sanity to our Nation, and unleash the American People to new levels of Prosperity and Ingenuity.
Requires Confirmation: Yes.
Potential Issues: Vought is already deeply involved in plans to engineer more power for Trump. In the first Trump administration, Vought tested the legal boundaries of White House power by impounding or diverting federal spending, and was one of architects of a late effort to strip civil service protections from as many as tens of thousands of career federal employees, which would have meant they could be fired without cause or recourse. In the Project 2025 chapter he authored, Vought called for OMB to be used to dramatically consolidate Trump’s executive power and eliminate independence among federal agencies. He has also called for reinterpreting the Constitution — or “radical constitutionalism” — to achieve Trump’s goals, and he has drafted all kinds of extreme proposals, including using of the military against Americans protesters, and ending the Justice Department’s longstanding political independence.
Matthew Whitaker: NATO Ambassador
Who: Matt Whitaker was briefly acting attorney general during the first Trump administration, and before that, a U.S. attorney for the Southern District of Iowa.
Qualifications, According to Trump: He said in a Truth Social post:
Matt is a strong warrior and loyal Patriot, who will ensure the United States’ interests are advanced and defended. Matt will strengthen relationships with our NATO Allies, and stand firm in the face of threats to Peace and Stability - He will put AMERICA FIRST
Requires Confirmation: Yes.
Potential Issues: Whitaker has no background in foreign policy or national security, and it’s not clear why Trump picked him to be NATO ambassador.
Elise Stefanik: Ambassador to the United Nations
Who: Elise Stefanik is a U.S. representative from New York and the fourth-ranking member in House GOP leadership.
Qualifications, According to Trump: In a statement posted to Truth Social, he said:
Elise is a strong and very smart America First fighter … She was the first Member of Congress to endorse me, and has always been a staunch advocate. Elisa is a senior Member of the House Armed Services Committee, the House Intelligence Committee, and led the charge against antisemitism on college campuses. She will be an incredible Ambassador to the United Nation, delivering Peace through Strength and America Fist National Security policies!
Requires Confirmation: Yes.
Potential Issues: Stefanik has little diplomatic or foreign-policy expertise, aside from serving on House national-security committees. As the New York Times notes, “she has repeatedly accused the U.N. of being plagued by ‘antisemitic rot’ and proposed blocking funding for the United Nations agency for Palestinian refugees.” Also, she defended Trump in his first impeachment hearings. She shouldn’t have any trouble getting confirmed.
Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy: Heads of Department of Government Efficiency
Who: Elon Musk is the world’s richest person; chief executive of Tesla and SpaceX; owner of X and its self-proclaimed “Chief Troll Officer.” He was Trump’s most famous surrogate in the 2024 election and poured $118 million into a pro-Trump super-PAC. Vivek Ramaswamy is a biotech entrepreneur who unsuccessfully ran for president in 2024 and endorsed Trump when he dropped out.
Qualifications, According to Trump: He said, in a lengthy statement that included a quote from Musk and musings on the Republicans’ longtime dream of downsizing the government:
Together these two wonderful Americans will pave the way for my Administration to dismantle Government Bureaucracy, slash excess regulations, cut wasteful expenditures, and restructure Federal Agencies - Essential to the “Save America” Movement. “This will send shockwaves through the system, and anyone involved in Government waste, which is a lot of people!” stated Mr. Musk.
It will become, potentially, “The Manhattan Project” of our time.
Requires Confirmation: No, this is an entirely made-up “department” that technically isn’t even in the government.
Potential Issues: Musk and Ramaswamy will only be providing “advice and guidance” on how to drastically restructure and dismantle the federal government. Still, could the two men’s financial interest create massive conflicts of interest? Ethics experts certainly have some questions!
This post has been updated.
More on politics
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- What Are RFK Jr.’s Plans as HHS Secretary for Trump?
- Don’t Worry: MTG Will Supervise Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy
