Explained: From RFK Jr to Marco Rubio, 8 key appointments to Donald Trump’s new administration

1. 01

   Marco Rubio, Secretary of State

   SHORT STORY: Three-time Senator contested against Trump for the Republican nomination in 2016. Their relationship improved with time, and Rubio’s foreign policy views aligned more with Trump’s less interventionist views.

   ROLE: As the President’s chief foreign affairs adviser, the Secretary of State conducts negotiations relating to US foreign affairs, international treaties and agreements, etc.

   INDIA CONNECTION: Rubio has advocated a deeper US-India partnership, especially in light of China’s increased heft in global affairs. He said in 2023 that the US and India’s economic and security interests overlapped on many pressing issues, and pointed to Chinese actions in the Himalayas and the Indian Ocean.

2. 02

   Pete Hegseth, Secretary of Defense

   SHORT STORY: A military veteran who served in Iraq and Afghanistan, Hegseth has been working as a TV host at the conservative news channel Fox News. He has supported Trump’s ‘America First’ view since his first term in office. During that time, Hegseth reportedly lobbied for the pardons of three US military personnel who faced allegations of committing war crimes in Iraq and Afghanistan.

   ROLE: The Department of Defense is the largest government bureaucracy, with a national defence budget of $842 billion. The secretary oversees the department and is the principal defence policy maker and adviser.

3. 03

   Matt Gaetz, Attorney General

   SHORT STORY: Republican Representative from Florida has long supported Trump, repeating his claims of being unfairly targeted by the Biden administration and the Department of Justice over the legal cases against him.

   ROLE: As AG, Gaetz will be the federal government’s top legal officer. The AG heads the Department of Justice and gives advice and opinion to the President and the heads of the executive departments. When confirmed to the post, Gaetz would have the power to control the proceedings in the two federal cases against Trump, relating to the attack on the US Capitol by his supporters in 2021 and the classified documents case.

4. 04

   Susie Wiles, White House Chief of Staff

   SHORT STORY: Republican strategist met Trump for the first time in 2015, was appointed co-chair of his Florida campaigns in 2016 and 2020, and the co-chair of his 2024 presidential campaign. Wiles has been the only campaign manager to survive a full Trump campaign and was, according to American media reports, one of the few people who could control some of his worst impulses, especially during his 2024 campaign. 

   ROLE: The Chief of Staff helps define the President’s agenda, and executes his vision. She is the President’s gatekeeper, and advises him on a wide range of issues.

5. 05

   Robert F Kennedy Jr, Secretary of Health and Human Services

   SHORT STORY: Environmental lawyer and former Democrat ran for President as an Independent before dropping out and endorsing Trump. Kennedy has been a vaccine sceptic and critic of the pharmaceutical industry, but he has of late shifted his focus from vaccines to ending the “chronic disease epidemic”. Trump has said he would “let [Kennedy] go wild on health”.

   ROLE: The Health Secretary’s job is to protect the health of all Americans and provide essential human services. He will be in charge of more than 80,000 employees across 13 divisions that run around 100 programs, including Medicare and Medicaid. 

6. 06

   Michael Waltz, National Security Adviser

   SHORT STORY: Three-time congressman served as a defence policy director for Defence Secretaries Donald Rumsfeld and Robert Gates. Waltz is a leading critic of China, and has flagged the need for the US to be prepared for a potential conflict in the Asia-Pacific. He has applauded Trump for pushing NATO allies to spend more.

   ROLE: The NSA plays a major role in foreign and national security policy decision-making, briefs the President on key national security issues, and coordinates with different agencies. 

   INDIA CONNECTION: Waltz is the head of the India caucus, and has advocated strengthening US defence and security cooperation with India.

7. 07

   Tulsi Gabbard, Director of National Intelligence

   SHORT STORY: Elected to her home state Hawaii's legislature as a Democrat at age 21, she unsuccessfully ran for President in 2020. Gabbard later switched to the Republican party, and pledged her loyalty to Trump. 

   ROLE: The DNI is the head of the US intelligence community. According to The New York Times, Gabbard “would oversee 18 spy agencies and would be responsible for preparing the President’s Daily Brief, a written intelligence summary assembled each morning”.

   INDIA CONNECTION: While she has no direct connection to India, her mother Carol took a deep interest in Hinduism and named her Tulsi. Gabbard is a practising Hindu.

8. 08

   Kristi Noem, Secretary of Homeland Security

   SHORT STORY: South Dakota’s first woman Governor became a Conservative star after she resisted federal regulations to slow the spread of the Covid-19 virus. She has been a vocal Trump supporter, backing his immigration plans, including mass deportations. In 2021, she called the US border with Mexico a “war zone”. This summer, she drew criticism after writing about killing a dog that was “untrainable” and a goat that was “nasty and mean”.

   ROLE: Homeland Security head oversees the administration and enforcement of US immigration laws. She will be the chief implementer of Trump’s hardline immigration agenda.

Note that most of these appointments will have to be confirmed by the Senate to be made official.