How Trump’s cabinet picks could reshape the US and the world
Trump’s Cabinet nominations underline his prioritisation of loyalty and ideological alignment over conventional qualifications
Ignoring Washington's so-called "experts"—Trump is contemptuously handing out jobs to his most loyal followers in record time; without any scruples. President-elect Donald J Trump is making hiring decisions like he's picking items off a menu. With the Republican Party securing a trifecta—control of the Presidency, Senate, and House—Trump holds a rare advantage, enabling him to pursue his agenda with minimal legislative resistance.
His critics see the lineup as an assembly of individuals with questionable qualifications and debatable judgement.
Trump has claimed that during his first run as President, he was new to the political field and received some bad advice from trusted members of his staff. He has assured his followers that this time he will surround himself with people who are truly aligned with his MAGA (Make America Great Again) vision.
Within days of the election, he has tapped over a dozen people for various roles, many of whom have taken the country by storm—like Pete Hegseth as Secretary of Defence.
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Hegseth is known for being a host on Fox News where he has often made bizarre statements. Apparently, he has not washed his hands– as he claimed in a live TV show— in years, because he does not believe in germs, due to the fact that he cannot see them.
For Secretary of State, Trump nominated his once-rival Marco Rubio. However, his choices for key positions reveal a polarising vision that promises sweeping changes, both domestically and globally.
Foreign policy: A shift toward isolationism and partisanship
Trump's early nomination of Elise Stefanik as US Ambassador to the United Nations underscores his preference for loyalty over expertise. Stefanik's vocal defence of Trump during his impeachment trials and her hardline pro-Israel stance suggest a confrontational approach in international diplomacy. Her lack of diplomatic experience raises concerns about the efficacy of US representation at the UN, particularly amid growing tensions in the Middle East and criticism of Israeli policies.
Similarly, the nomination of Mike Huckabee as Ambassador to Israel amplifies Trump's alignment with ultra-Zionist ideologies. Huckabee's inflammatory rhetoric, such as his assertion that Israel's claim to Palestine is stronger than America's to Manhattan, risks alienating Arab nations and undermining prospects for peace. This pivot toward an uncompromising pro-Israel stance reflects a potential erosion of 'US neutrality' in the region.
These appointments are emblematic of a broader shift toward isolationist policies. Tulsi Gabbard's selection as Director of National Intelligence, despite her limited experience, signals a retreat from America's traditional role in international conflicts. Her isolationist leanings could reshape US foreign policy, but her strong ties to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi add a layer of complexity, particularly for Bangladesh.
Gabbard's history of denouncing violence against Hindus in Bangladesh and her connections to Modi's Bharatiya Janata Party raise concerns about potential biases that could strain US-Bangladesh relations.
Domestic policy: Immigration and the erosion of public trust
One of the major sources of support for Trump comes from his promise to take a hardline stance on immigration. During his first run as president, Trump enforced a Muslim Ban in his first week in office. His deportation policies caused outrage due to putting children in cages and separating them from their families.
This time, Trump has doubled down and announced that he will oversee a mass deportation program where every undocumented immigrant currently residing in the US will be eventually deported.
He has claimed that there are around 11 million illegal immigrants and his government plans to deport around 1 million a year. To carry out his ani-immigration policies, he has picked Tom Homan to be his "border czar", while Stephen Miller is potentially set to serve as Deputy Chief of Staff for Policy.
Homan and Miller will work together to figure out the logistics of mass deportation, with Miller being the brains behind the "Muslim Ban" and family separation policies during Trump's first presidential run.
Homan is the current Director of the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agency. In a recent interview with CBS, when asked if there was a way to deport immigrants without separating families, Homan responded, "of course there is. Families can be deported together."
The issue of immigration will be overseen by Kristi Noem, who has been picked to be the Secretary of Homeland Security.
The nomination of Robert F. Kennedy Jr as Health and Human Services Secretary has similarly stirred controversy. Kennedy, the nephew of John F Kennedy, has long been a controversial figure in American politics due to his anti-vaccine rhetoric and promotion of conspiracy theories (such as vaccines cause autism) that threaten to undermine public health initiatives at a critical juncture. His leadership could erode trust in institutions tasked with safeguarding the nation's health, particularly in the aftermath of a pandemic that exposed systemic vulnerabilities.
Another blow to the environment
Trump's environmental agenda signals a rollback of progress made during the Biden administration. Lee Zeldin's nomination to lead the Environmental Protection Agency reflects a commitment to deregulation, with a focus on lifting restrictions on fossil fuel industries. Zeldin's support for fracking and his disregard for clean air regulations highlight the administration's prioritisation of economic interests over environmental sustainability.
A new era of fiscal experimentation
For his role in helping Trump get elected, Elon Musk along with Vivek Ramaswamy has been put in charge of a brand-new department. The establishment of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), headed by Musk and Ramaswamy, introduces a novel experiment in budgetary governance.
Tasked with slashing federal spending by $2 trillion within two years, this initiative could redefine fiscal policy. However, the practicality of such drastic cuts remains uncertain, particularly as the US grapples with rising national debt and economic instability.
A time of reckoning
Trump's Cabinet nominations underline his prioritisation of loyalty and ideological alignment over conventional qualifications. He has been accused by Democrats of picking loyalists who will do his bidding without complaint, rather than nominating people who have the necessary qualifications to run the country. However, some of his picks have even shocked members of his own party, such as that of Matt Gaetz as Attorney General.
Gaetz was under investigation by a House Ethics Committee due to allegations of sexual misconduct. After the nomination, Gaetz has now abruptly resigned from Congress, successfully putting a stop to the report of the investigation from getting released.
In his role as Attorney General, Gaetz will be responsible for ensuring Trump's policies are actually implemented. As many of Trump's policies will likely face resistance in court, he will provide legal counsel to the president, as well as defend the legalities of the policies in court.
Due to the controversial nature of Trump's choices for his cabinet, some of them may not pass the Senate approval. As the Senate begins its confirmation process, the stakes for America's future governance could not be higher.
