Trump has finally finished announcing his cabinet picks for his second term. These potential cabinet members will have to be confirmed by the Senate in January. As the Republicans successfully flipped the Senate this election cycle, one would think that the confirmation process for Trump’s picks would be fairly quick and easy. However, many of Trump’s picks have caused controversy and may even fail to make it through a Republican Senate.
Trump’s initial Attorney General pick, Florida Congressman Matt Gaetz, didn’t even make it to the Senate. He was investigated by the House Ethics Committee and FBI for allegations of use of illegal drugs and sexual misconduct. Although the FBI failed to charge Gaetz and the House Ethics Committee did not issue a report on their investigation, the allegations against Gaetz were likely to make his confirmation borderline impossible, which would be an early embarrassment for the Trump administration. Gaetz was replaced by Pam Bondi, the former Attorney General of Florida and a figure shrouded in less controversy. Gaetz not only lost his shot at Attorney General but also resigned from Congress due to his controversies.
Robert Kennedy Jr. was chosen to be the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services in a pick that was promised since he dropped out of the race and endorsed Trump. Kennedy has faced criticism for his unorthodox views on health: being anti-vax, wanting to remove the fluoride in drinking water, and advocating for the consumption of unpasteurized milk. The Senate may not consider Kennedy’s legal victories concerning the environment enough for him to be qualified to regulate Americans’ health.
Trump also picked Senator Marco Rubio, who has been both an ally and an enemy in the past, to be the Secretary of State. Senator Rubio advised Trump on foreign policy during his first term and currently serves on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, so he has the experience expected of his potential role. Senator Rubio has expressed anti-Russia sentiment in the past that is at odds with Trump’s foreign policy. However, he has recently changed his tune, stating that the war in Ukraine needs to come to a swift end, a position that Trump has promoted. Therefore, it looks like, if confirmed, Senator Rubio will fall in line with Trump’s foreign policy views.
Trump also notably nominated Susie Wiles to be his Chief of Staff. According to those close to the campaign, Wiles was critical in helping Trump win the 2024 election, advising him throughout the process. Wiles formerly lobbied for a tobacco company, foreign mining companies, and other large companies. Although Trump says that he will not listen to lobbyists during his second term, having a Chief of Staff so closely connected to the interests of lobbyists could make him susceptible. However, Wiles’s alleged ability to temper Trump’s unpredictable personality during the 2024 campaign could help his public image during his term.
With the likes of these candidates as well as Tulsi Gabbard, Chris Wright, Linda McMahon, and all of the other characters, Trump’s second round of the cabinet confirmation process will no doubt be drama-filled. We are yet to see whether Trump’s cabinet will be identical to his board of picks. If it isn’t identical, who will be cut, and who will replace them?
