Here’s a snapshot of the early picks for some of the key posts overseeing diplomacy, immigration, environmental, and overall strategy starting Jan. 20, 2025:
Susie Wiles, Chief of Staff
Trump announced last week that Susie Wiles, one of his two campaign managers, will serve as his chief of staff. She will be the first woman to serve in the role. “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 the statement. “Susie is tough, smart, innovative, and is universally admired and respected. Susie will continue to work tirelessly to Make America Great Again.”
During Trump’s first administration, four people served as White House Chief of Staff: Reince Priebus, John Kelly, Mick Mulvaney, and Mark Meadows.
Stephen Miller, Deputy Chief of Staff for Policy
Trump is expected to name Stephen Miller as deputy chief of staff for policy. He previously served as a senior advisor to Trump and director of speechwriting during his first term. While Trump has not formally announced him as his pick, Vice President-elect JD Vance and Corey Lewandowski, a senior adviser in the 2024 Trump campaign, congratulated Miller on Monday on the social media platform X, formerly Twitter.
“This is another fantastic pick by the president,” Vance said.
Tom Homan nominated as the ‘Border Czar’
Tom Homan will serve as the “border czar,” Trump announced Sunday, managing the country’s borders. He previously served as acting director of Immigration and Customs Enforcement from his first administration. Trump said on Truth Social that Homan’s position will manage “the Southern Border, the Northern Border, all Maritime, and Aviation Security.” Homan will prioritize deporting immigrants living in the United States without legal permission.
Elise Stefanik nominated to be the U.S. ambassador to the United Nations
U.S. House Representative Elise Stefanik, R-N.Y., will serve as Trump’s United Nations Ambassador. The position was previously held by Nikki Haley, who Trump announced would not be asked to join the administration. The New York representative currently holds the state’s 21st Congressional District seat and is Chairwoman of the House Republican Conference. She assumed both roles in 2021, seceding former Rep. Liz Cheney as Chairwoman.
Stefanik will serve in the role as Trump has promised to Israel’s war in Gaza, as well as the Russia-Ukraine war.
Lee Zeldin nominated to lead the Environmental Protection Agency
Trump announced former House Representative Lee Zeldin of New York as his nomination for the administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency on Monday. Zeldin served as New York’s 1st Congressional District from 20215 until 2023. He lost his race for governor against Gov. Kathy Hochul.
Zeldin is expected to help roll back many of the climate regulations set by the Biden administration as Trump pushes an expansion of fossil-fuel energy.
Kristi Noem nominated as Homeland Security Secretary
Trump has chosen South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem to serve as the next Homeland Security Secretary, two sources familiar with the decision said on Tuesday.
The Department of Homeland Security is responsible for everything from border protection and immigration to disaster response and the U.S. Secret Service.
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