Key Names In President-Elect Trump’s Cabinet: A Look At His Picks So Far

As President-elect Donald Trump prepares to return to the White House, he is finalizing the roles of his cabinet.

His cabinet choices, which include political figures and trusted allies, are expected to shape his policy agenda and leadership style.

Here's a look at who Trump has picked for key cabinet positions so far:

White House chief of staff: Susie Wiles 

Within a day of winning the election, Trump announced his campaign co-chair Susie Wiles would be his chief of staff. Wiles, an experienced Florida-based political operative, will be the first woman in U.S. history to fill the role. Chief of staff isn't a Senate-confirmed position, but it's a prestigious position often considered to be part of the Cabinet. 

"Susie Wiles just helped me achieve one of the greatest political victories in American history, and was an integral part of both my 2016 and 2020 successful campaigns," Trump said in a statement. "Susie is tough, smart, innovative, and is universally admired and respected. Susie will continue to work tirelessly to Make America Great Again. It is a well deserved honor to have Susie as the first-ever female chief of staff in United States history. I have no doubt that she will make our country proud."

Deputy chief of staff for policy: Stephen Miller

Miller is one of Trump’s longest-serving aides, dating back to his first campaign for the White House. He was a senior adviser in Trump’s first term and has been a central figure in many of his policy decisions, particularly on immigration.

Miller has also helped craft many of Trump’s speeches and was often the public face of those policies during Trump’s first term in office and during his campaigns.

Since leaving the White House, Miller has served as the president of America First Legal, an organization of former Trump advisers fashioned as a conservative version of the American Civil Liberties Union, challenging the Biden administration, media companies, universities and others over issues such as freedom of speech and religion and national security.

The appointment does not need Senate confirmation because it is not a Cabinet position.

U.N. ambassador: Elise Stefanik

President-elect Donald Trump has offered Rep. Elise Stefanik the job of U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, and the New York Republican has accepted the offer, a senior source close to the presidential transition confirmed to CBS News. 

Stefanik, who represents a district in upstate New York, is a vocal and staunch Trump ally and the No. 4 House Republican as chair of the House Republican Conference.

"I am honored to nominate Chairwoman Elise Stefanik to serve in my Cabinet as U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations. Elise is an incredibly strong, tough, and smart America First fighter," Trump said in a statement to CBS News.

Stefanik withdrew from the renomination race to be conference chair, confirming in a letter to her GOP colleagues she had spoken with Trump and "shared how deeply humbled I am to accept his nomination."

The role of the U.N. ambassador requires Senate confirmation.

"Border czar": Tom Homan

Trump announced that Tom Homan would serve as "border czar" in his incoming administration. Homan was the acting director of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement during the first Trump administration.

"I am pleased to announce that the Former ICE Director, and stalwart on Border Control, Tom Homan, will be joining the Trump Administration, in charge of our Nation's Borders," the president-elect wrote late Sunday, Nov. 10, on his Truth Social site.

 In addition to overseeing the southern and northern borders and "maritime, and aviation security," Trump said Homan "will be in charge of all Deportation of Illegal Aliens back to their Country of Origin."

This role does not require Senate confirmation.

EPA administrator: Lee Zeldin

Trump announced he will nominate former New York Republican congressman Lee Zeldin to head the Environmental Protection Agency. 

"Lee, with a very strong legal background, has been a true fighter for America First policies. He will ensure fair and swift deregulatory decisions that will be enacted in a way to unleash the power of American businesses, while at the same time maintaining the highest environmental standards," Trump said in a statement Monday, Nov. 11.

Zeldin tweeted, "It is an honor to join President Trump's Cabinet as EPA Administrator."

Zeldin represented New York's 1st Congressional District on Long Island from 2015 to 2023. He ran for governor in 2022 but was defeated by Gov. Kathy Hochul.

National security adviser: Mike Waltz

Rep. Michael Waltz, a Florida Republican, was expected to be named national security adviser, two sources familiar with the plans said. Trump confirmed his selection of Waltz in a statement, praising his military record and expertise on China, Russia, Iran, and global terrorism. 

"Mike has been a strong champion of my America First Foreign Policy agenda, and will be a tremendous champion of our pursuit of Peace through Strength!" the president-elect said in a statement.

Defense Secretary: Pete Hegseth

Trump announced that he will nominate Fox News anchor Pete Hegseth to head the Department of Defense.

"Pete has spent his entire life as a Warrior for the Troops, and for the Country. Pete is tough, smart and a true believer in America First. With Pete at the helm, America's enemies are on notice - Our Military will be Great Again, and America will Never Back Down," the president-elect said in a statement. 

Trump praised Hegseth's military record as an Army combat veteran who served in Iraq, Afghanistan, and Guantánamo Bay.

Hegseth, 44, is a co-host of "Fox & Friends Weekends" and author of the book "The War on Warriors: Behind the Betrayal of the Men Who Keep Us Free," which rails against what he calls the "warped, woke, and caustic policies of our current military."

CIA director: John Ratcliffe

Former U.S. Rep. John Ratcliffe, who served as Director of National Intelligence under the first Trump administration, is Trump's pick for CIA director.

The president-elect announced the appointment in a social media post, praising Ratcliffe for investigating Hunter Biden and the FBI's use of FISA, the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act.

"John Ratcliffe has always been a warrior for Truth and Honesty with the American Public," Trump wrote on Truth Social. And noting Ratcliffe's role in his first administration, Trump said. "I look forward to John being the first person ever to serve in both of our Nation's highest Intelligence positions."

U.S. Ambassador to Israel: Mike Huckabee

The president-elect announced in a statement that he has selected Mike Huckabee, the former governor of Arkansas, to serve as his U.S. ambassador to Israel. The post requires Senate confirmation.

"Mike has been a great public servant, governor, and leader in faith for many years," Trump said in a statement. "He loves Israel, and the people of Israel, and likewise, the people of Israel love him. Mike will work tirelessly to bring about Peace in the Middle East!"

Huckabee served as Arkansas' governor from 1996 to 2007 and unsuccessfully sought the Republican presidential nomination in 2008 and 2016. After leaving office, he hosted a show on Fox News and a radio program.

Department of Government Efficiency: Elon Musk & Vivek Ramaswamy

Trump announced he is naming billionaire ally Elon Musk and entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy, a former GOP primary rival, to lead a newly created Department of Government Efficiency — nicknamed DOGE, which is also the name of a cryptocurrency Musk has promoted.

"I am pleased to announce that the Great Elon Musk, working in conjunction with American Patriot Vivek Ramaswamy, will lead the Department of Government Efficiency ("DOGE"). Together, these two wonderful Americans will pave the way for my Administration to dismantle Government Bureaucracy, slash excess regulations, cut wasteful expenditures, and restructure Federal Agencies," Trump said in a statement, adding a quote from Musk, who said: "This will send shock waves through the system, and anyone involved in Government waste, which is a lot of people!"

 Trump's statement said their work "will conclude no later than July 4, 2026."