Trump 2.0: Pompeo, Friedman among floated appointees
The former president sees loyalty as a key criterion as he considers a mix of familiar faces and new allies for top positions.
Ariel Kahana
Israel Hayom
Nov 6, 2024
Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and President Donald Trump share a laugh during a Cabinet meeting at the White House in 2018. Reports say Pompeo is one of three Trump loyalists being considered as Secretary of Defense.
Following his presidential victory, President-elect Donald Trump is expected to begin selecting the members of his new cabinet soon. Final decisions are anticipated in the coming weeks, with several candidates being vetted for multiple positions simultaneously.
In a wide-ranging interview on "The Joe Rogan Experience" podcast last month, Trump declared that his "biggest mistake" during his first term was hiring "bad people, or disloyal people" to his White House team. The former president effectively acknowledged errors in his staffing choices, which led to an exceptionally high turnover rate among senior administration officials.
Several former senior officials who departed or were dismissed became vocal critics of Trump after leaving their positions. Former National Security Advisor John Bolton published a highly critical memoir about his tenure. For his upcoming term, Trump intends to place significantly greater emphasis on personal loyalty as the central criterion in staff selection.
According to multiple sources and reports in American media outlets, the State Department leadership is likely to be determined from among three contenders: former National Security Advisor Robert O'Brien, Senator Bill Hagerty of Tennessee, and Senator Marco Rubio of Florida. For the crucial position of US Ambassador to Israel, sources indicate David Friedman, who maintains a decades-long relationship with the president-elect and served in the same role during Trump's first term, is being strongly considered for reappointment.
Republican
presidential candidate and former US President Donald Trump arrives at a
campaign rally in Grand Rapids, Michigan, USA, Nov. 4, 2024.
Former US Ambassador Richard Grenell, who served as Trump's envoy to Germany, has emerged as a leading candidate for national security advisor. The defense secretary position has drawn three prominent candidates: former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, Representative Mike Waltz of Florida, and Senator Tom Cotton of Arkansas. For the Department of Homeland Security leadership, former Immigration and Customs Enforcement Director Tom Homan, former Acting Secretary Chad Wolf, and Representative Mark Green are under consideration. Former Director of National Intelligence John Ratcliffe and Senator Mike Lee lead the field of candidates for Attorney General.
For White House chief of staff, the highest-ranking position within the president's inner circle, veteran political strategist Susie Wiles has emerged as the leading candidate. Wiles, widely credited as the mastermind behind Trump's recent election victory, may be joined in the senior leadership team by former Trump White House official Brooke Rollins, who is also under consideration for the role.
The treasury secretary position has attracted five high-profile candidates: JPMorgan Chase CEO Jamie Dimon, though sources indicate uncertainty about his willingness to accept; former Soros Fund Management executive Scott Bessent; hedge fund manager John Paulson; Fox News commentator Larry Kudlow; and former US Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer, who served during Trump's first term.
Sources close to the transition process emphasize that these selections remain fluid, noting Trump's penchant for last-minute decisions and willingness to reverse course. His decisive victory two nights ago has significantly expanded his options for filling these crucial positions, an advantage the president-elect appears poised to leverage fully.
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