Hardline Names: Key Figures in Trump’s New Administration

Western media outlets are abuzz with speculation about the key figures likely to assume senior roles in President-elect Donald Trump’s administration. Reports suggest that his second-term team will differ significantly from his first, especially after Trump confirmed he would exclude several of his prominent former aides.

Trump is set to assume his second term as president on January 20, 2025, succeeding incumbent Joe Biden. This follows his decisive victory over Democratic challenger Kamala Harris, with a margin of more than four million votes.

First Batch

Just days after his election victory, Donald Trump wasted no time unveiling a series of names set to take on senior roles in his new administration.

On November 13, 2024, Trump announced Pete Hegseth as his choice for Secretary of Defense. Hegseth, a military officer who served with U.S. forces in Iraq in 2006, gained prominence as a host on Fox News.

Trump also appointed his close friend, prominent businessman Steve Witkoff, as Special Envoy to the Middle East.

For the position of Director of Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Trump selected Tom Homan, who held the same role during Trump’s first term (2017–2021). Homan’s mandate includes the removal of millions of undocumented Mexicans and Haitians who entered the U.S. illegally during Joe Biden’s presidency, and now he is one of the hardliners in Trump’s team.

“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,” he wrote late Sunday on his Truth Social site.

Trump also named Elise Stefanik, who is under 40, as the U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations. Stefanik, a strong supporter of “Israel,” garnered attention in December 2023 for her combative questioning of Harvard University President Claudine Gay over anti-”Israel” slogans displayed by students backing Palestine.

“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,” Trump said in a statement.

Lee Zeldin, the former New York congressman, has been chosen to serve as administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, leading to criticism from environmental groups.

The newly elected president said Zeldin was “a true fighter for America First policies” and that “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.”

Trump also brought Susie Wiles into his upcoming White House team. Wiles, who led Trump’s campaign to a resounding success, is described by the president-elect as an “ice queen,” a nod to her confidence and composure.

In early November, Trump confirmed his intention to task Elon Musk with conducting a “comprehensive audit” of the U.S. government to implement sweeping reforms. Musk, one of the world’s wealthiest individuals, accepted the role.

The CEO of SpaceX and Tesla played a significant part in Trump’s campaign, personally contributing over $110 million to boost voter turnout for the Republican candidate.

Potential Names

Speculation is mounting about figures likely to assume key roles in Donald Trump’s new administration, though official announcements have yet to be made. Among the most notable names is Florida Senator Marco Rubio, known for his hardline policies on China, Iran, and Venezuela, who is expected to be appointed as Trump's secretary of state.

Selecting Rubio would make him the first Latino to serve as the United States’ top diplomat. 

“The president-elect appears to have settled on the Florida senator, who has taken hard-line positions on China, Iran and Venezuela, to be the nation’s top diplomat,” The New York Times has learned.

Trump, in a statement, said that Mr. Rubio would 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.”

Western media outlets, specifically Politico, suggested that Brian Hook, the former U.S. envoy on Iran during Trump’s first term, may play a significant role in shaping the incoming administration. Hook, who resigned in 2020 after attempting to address Iran’s nuclear program, was seen as central to Trump’s “maximum pressure” policy against Tehran, which included the U.S. withdrawal from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA).

In an interview with CNN on November 8, 2024, Hook described Iran as the primary driver of instability in the Middle East and blamed Biden’s administration for failing to deter Tehran and its proxies. He predicted Trump would adopt policies to diplomatically isolate and economically weaken Iran to curtail its support for groups destabilizing “Israel” and regional partners but ruled out any intention to pursue regime change.

Another name in the mix is Mike Waltz, expected to become National Security Advisor, as per The Wall Street Journal. A former Special Forces officer, Waltz is well-known for his staunch anti-China views.

Former State Department spokesperson Morgan Ortagus is frequently mentioned as a contender for a senior State Department position or a high-profile ambassadorship, Axios reported.

In intelligence circles, several names are being floated, including Florida Representative Mike Waltz, who is a potential candidate to lead the CIA. Another contender is John Ratcliffe, who briefly served as Director of National Intelligence during Trump’s first term.

Senator Tom Cotton, a Republican from Arkansas, is also being discussed for high-profile roles in defense or intelligence. Cotton is known for his hawkish approach to national security and foreign policy.

Names Excluded

In a notable shift, Donald Trump has ruled out several prominent figures from his first term from assuming roles in his new administration. Among those excluded are his former Republican rival, Nikki Haley, and ex-Secretary of State Mike Pompeo.

“I will not be inviting former Ambassador Nikki Haley, or former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, to join the Trump Administration, which is currently in formation,” Trump posted on social media. “I very much enjoyed and appreciated working with them previously, and would like to thank them for their service to our country.”

Haley, who served as U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations under Trump, later launched a contentious primary campaign against him. Despite endorsing Trump in July 2024 during the Republican National Convention, her past opposition remains a sore point.

Pompeo, who was speculated to consider a 2024 presidential run, ultimately refrained from challenging Trump. While widely regarded as an effective Secretary of State, tensions between the two escalated after Trump left office. In a 2023 CPAC speech, Pompeo appeared to criticize Trump, urging Republicans to reject “celebrity leaders with fragile egos.”

Trump has privately questioned Pompeo’s loyalty and whether he could be trusted to advance his agenda, as reported by CNN on November 10.

Trump has also indicated that his children, including Ivanka Trump with her husband Jared Kushner, will not hold roles in a second administration. In a 2023 interview with Fox News, he said they’ve had enough of politics and it’s been hell for them. Despite their significant influence during his first term, their family ties sparked considerable criticism at the time.

Former National Security Advisor John Bolton is another figure Trump has ruled out. On November 9, Bolton told al-Arabiya that he would not be “waiting by the phone for a call from Trump.” In his memoir, released in January 2024, Bolton harshly criticized Trump, calling him self-serving and lacking a coherent political vision. He also warned that Trump’s second term could lead to the U.S. leaving NATO, reducing aid to Ukraine, and adopting a more isolationist stance.

Former Vice President Mike Pence has distanced himself from Trump, announcing on March 16, 2024, that he would not endorse his former running mate. Pence stated that it was not surprising he would not be supporting Trump this year, as he believed Trump's agenda conflicted with the conservative principles they had governed by during their four years.

These exclusions highlight Trump’s shift in priorities and relationships as he plans for his potential second term.