With president-elect Donald Trump taking office in January, the Republican Party has assumed control over the majority of Washington. With a 6-3 majority in the Supreme Court, a narrow majority in the House of Representatives, newfound control of the Senate, and the occupant of the White House, the Republican Party is set to hold a trifecta of power across the three branches of government for the next four years. Trump has begun to nominate individuals to his cabinet and staff, who support his policies and are positioned to oversee major government functions. These appointments have sparked widespread speculation about their potential impact, creating hyperactivity in the stock market and generating controversy among the American public.
Florida Senator Marco Rubio, who opposed Trump during the 2016 primaries, is in consideration for secretary of state, a position that gives him the power to advise the president in foreign affairs and represent the U.S. in international exchanges. Rubio has had his eye on this position for a long time and if appointed, he hopes to keep a close eye on China and address the concerns of its relationship with the U.S. If appointed, Rubio will be the first Latino secretary of state in U.S. history.
One of Trump’s first major initiatives is the creation of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), a presidential advisory commission, led by billionaires Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy. This department will not join the current 15 federal executive departments, as this would require the approval of the U.S. Congress. Instead, it will serve as a body making recommendations on streamlining government processes. The department’s goal is to follow Trump’s promise to cut federal spending. Musk, a close ally of Trump, has raised public concerns due to his frequent presence at Mar-a-Lago, with some describing his influence as “co-president-like.” One anonymous source noted, “He’s making sure everyone knows it.” Musk’s reputation for being difficult to work with has led to speculation that his leadership could hinder the department’s productivity and have far-reaching consequences for American governance.
The initial pick for attorney general was former Representative Matt Gaetz, a controversial choice due to his history of allegations involving illicit drug use and inappropriate relationships with minors. The attorney general oversees the Justice Department, which is responsible for federal prosecutions, civil lawsuits, and other significant legal matters. Facing mounting scrutiny and questions about his credibility as a leader, Gaetz withdrew from consideration for the role. While Gaetz and his lawyers denied all allegations, and senators supporting Trump expressed their support for his nomination and advocated for dismissing the charges, the controversy ultimately proved too damaging. Hours after Gaetz rescinded his nomination, Trump announced Pam Bondi as his new pick for attorney general. A former Florida attorney general, Bondi has over 20 years of experience as a prosecutor, during which she took a tough stance on violent crime in Florida. She also served in Trump’s first administration as a member of the Opioid and Drug Abuse Commission and was a vocal defender of Trump during his first impeachment trial. Bondi’s nomination marks a shift toward a candidate with established legal credentials and a strong alignment with Trump’s policies.
Television presenter Pete Hegseth has been selected as defense secretary. A former Army National Guard veteran and Fox News host, Hegseth has faced allegations of misconduct, including a 2015 incident where he was reportedly intoxicated on the job while reporting for Fox News. Despite these concerns, Republican senators met with Hegseth in late November and some voiced their support for his nomination, choosing to overlook the charges against him. The pick remains embattled, and there were reports that Trump was considering replacing Hegseth with Florida governor Ron DeSantis as his choice to lead the Pentagon.
Trump has also appointed former presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). In a post on X, Trump emphasized that the department’s mission is to protect Americans from “harmful chemicals, pollutants, pesticides, pharmaceutical products, and food additives that have contributed to the overwhelming health crisis in this country.” While Trump has expressed confidence in Kennedy’s ability to reform healthcare standards and address chronic disease, Kennedy’s history as a prominent anti-vaccine conspiracy theorist has raised significant concerns. Many question whether someone with such a controversial stance on public health should be entrusted with leading HHS, given the potential consequences for the nation’s healthcare policies.
Trump’s presidency signals an uncharted era for American governance, one defined by unconventional leadership and controversial appointments. These decisions have already begun reshaping the political landscape, evoking both hope for reform and fear of instability. As the administration moves forward, the balance between innovation and accountability will be critical in determining its legacy. The next steps in the nomination process involve confirmation hearings, which will take place before inauguration day on January 20. During these hearings, nominees will testify before Senate committees, answering questions regarding their qualifications and positions on various issues. While it is common for nominations to be withdrawn due to controversies or political opposition, a rejection of a nominee by a vote in the Senate is rare and unlikely, given that Republicans hold control of the Senate. The outcome of these hearings will determine whether the nominees are confirmed and able to assume their roles in the new administration.
