Trump Narrows Down Cabinet Picks: Key Names and Roles Emerging

As President-elect Donald Trump prepares to take office, he is actively narrowing down his list of potential cabinet picks. One of the critical positions he is focusing on is the Treasury Secretary role. Trump is expected to make a decision on this post by the end of the week, with a strong inclination towards candidates with a Wall Street background. Names that have been floated for the Treasury Secretary position include Howard Lutnick, CEO of Cantor Fitzgerald LP, hedge-fund billionaire John Paulson, former George Soros money manager Scott Bessent, and Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin, a former executive at Carlyle Group Inc.[2][3][4]

In the realm of national security, Trump has clarified that neither Mike Pompeo, his former Secretary of State, nor Nikki Haley, the former U.S. ambassador to the U.N., will be joining his cabinet. Instead, Florida Rep. Mike Waltz and Arkansas Sen. Tom Cotton are being considered for the Secretary of Defense role. Both Waltz and Cotton have military backgrounds, with Waltz being the first Green Beret elected to Congress and Cotton being a veteran who has previously been considered for the post[3][4].

For the Attorney General position, Trump is looking for someone highly loyal who can help him navigate the federal criminal charges he faces. Utah Sen. Mike Lee, a former clerk under Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito, is a prominent contender. Other names include Jeffrey Clark, a former assistant attorney general, and John Ratcliffe, Trump’s former Director of National Intelligence[3].

Linda McMahon, the co-founder and former CEO of WWE, is considered the frontrunner to head the Commerce Department. McMahon was a major donor to Trump’s campaign and previously served as the director of the Small Business Administration before resigning in 2019[3].

Additionally, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., known for his anti-vaccine views and other conspiracy theories, may be given a health-related role within the administration. There is speculation that he could be considered for the head of Health and Human Services, although he may also be offered a position outside the cabinet[3].

Trump’s cabinet selections are being closely watched, especially as he has warned the Senate not to stand in the way of his picks. The upcoming meetings between Trump and President Biden in the Oval Office are expected to provide further insights into the shaping of Trump’s new White House team[1][4].