The Florida governor and White House contender said he is not interested in becoming Donald Trump’s running mate if given the chance.
“I don’t think so. I’m not a No. 2 guy,” DeSantis said on the “Wisconsin Right Now” radio show, NBC News reported.
DeSantis said he would opt to stay in his governorship over joining Trump’s ticket, adding that the vice presidency “doesn’t really have any authority.”
When asked whom he would consider signing on as a running mate, the Sunshine State governor said “it’s a little bit presumptuous to be doing that at this stage,” adding that he’s focused on winning the early primaries before delving deep into his search for vice president.
The Florida governor is trailing Trump in the 2024 GOP primary race by nearly 30 points nationally, according to a FiveThirtyEight poll.
Recently, a pro-DeSantis spokesperson told Mediaite he has serious concerns about the Florida Governor’s ability to take on Trump.
“Right now in national polling we are way behind, I’ll be the first to admit that,” said Cortes. “I believe in being blunt and honest. It’s an uphill battle but clearly Donald Trump is the runaway frontrunner.”
He added that DeSantis’ campaign was the “clear underdog,” and added that in the first four primary states, “which matter tremendously, polls are a lot tighter, we are still clearly down. We’re down double digits, we have work to do.”
Who do you think the winning Republican ticket is? Tell us in the comments below!
As President-elect Donald Trump begins to start forming his administration one high-profile name will be notably absent: Arkansas Senator Tom Cotton.
Cotton had been widely seen as a front-runner for a top cabinet position in the next Trump administration, but a source close to the senator told Fox News on Thursday that he asked that his name be pulled from consideration
Cotton has two boys under the age of 10 and wants to remain close to them and not upend their lives. He also feels “confident” about securing the No. 3 position in the new GOP Senate majority, the Republican Conference chair when the election is held next week.
The source said Trump understands Cotton’s decision and knows “he is with him all the way in the Senate.”
It’s unclear who Trump will select to serve in his new administration but some familiar faces are expected to return.
Ben Carson is being weighed to return once again as the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, and Betsy DeVos could return as Secretary of Education. Mike Pompeo too could return as Defense Secretary.
New faces include North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum, who could serve as Secretary of the Interior or Energy Secretary. Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) is in the running for Secretary of State, while Robert F. Kennedy Jr., could serve as Secretary of Agriculture or Health and Human Services.
By Elvert Barnes from Silver Spring MD, USA - MaxineWaters1.CFPB.WDC.10February2025, CC BY-SA 2.0,
Radical Congresswoman Maxine Waters is igniting controversy once again…
While addressing the Congressional Black Caucus on Thursday, Rep. Maxine Waters (D-CA) claimed that President Donald Trump as on the verge of starting a civil war.
“I’m worried that Trump is on the edge of creating a civil war,” she claimed. “He alluded to it more than once. He alluded to the fact that if he did not get reelected, that there could be a civil war.”
She claimed that this idea placed a major responsibility on Democrats to “live and do, like Doctor Martin Luther King told us to do.”
“He taught us to organize and to protest, but he taught us nonviolence,” she said. “He taught us nonviolence. That was the center. That was the core of his message. And we live with that all the time. No matter how upset we can get, no matter how angry we can get. We live with what we’ve been taught.”
Waters claimed that Trump was putting people “in a position where hungry people are going to be on the street, where nonprofits who were waiting for their checks are not going to get them, where seniors waiting for their Social Security check will not get it – where poor families with children will not get what they believe the government has agreed to do.”
“And so when that happens, what does Trump expect? Oh, I believe he expects violence,” she claimed. “I believe he expects confrontation. I believe he’s working toward a civil war.”
Democrat Congresswoman Maxine Waters: “I’m worried that Trump is on the edge of creating a Civil War”
President Trump vowed to “lead the charge” to oust Kentucky Congressman Thomas Massie (R) after he revealed he will not support the GOP’s short-term government funding bill ahead of Friday’s shutdown deadline.
Trump began a Truth Social post late Monday night by thanking the House Freedom Caucus for backing the stopgap funding package and supporting Speaker Mike Johnson’s (R-La.) efforts to keep the government open, and then called on Massie to be primaried.
“Thank you to the House Freedom Caucus for just delivering a big blow to the Radical Left Democrats and their desire to raise Taxes and SHUT OUR COUNTRY DOWN! They hate America and all it stands for. That’s why they allowed MILLIONS of Criminals to invade our Nation. Sometimes it takes great courage to do the right thing. Congressman Thomas Massie, of beautiful Kentucky, is an automatic ‘NO’ vote on just about everything, despite the fact that he has always voted for Continuing Resolutions in the past. HE SHOULD BE PRIMARIED, and I will lead the charge against him,” Trump said.
The president then compared Massie to former Rep. Liz Cheney (R-Wyo.), who served on the committee investigating Jan. 6, 201 and was censured by the Republican National Committee. Trump endorsed Cheney’s primary challenger in the 2022 race.
“He’s just another GRANDSTANDER, who’s too much trouble, and not worth the fight. He reminds me of Liz Chaney before her historic, record breaking fall (loss!). The people of Kentucky won’t stand for it, just watch. DO I HAVE ANY TAKERS??? Anyway, thank you again to the House Freedom Caucus for your very important vote. We need to buy some time in order to MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN, GREATER THAN EVER BEFORE. Unite and Win!!!” Trump said.
Sen. Mike Lee responded to Trump’s attack against Massie by speaking out in support of the congressman.
“I have nothing but profound respect for @RepThomasMassie, who has worked harder than perhaps any member of Congress to bring federal spending under control,” Lee wrote on X. “He might vote differently on this matter than most, but if he does so he’ll have a really good reason,” the senator continued. “I’m a huge fan.”
While Massie has yet to directly respond to Trump’s comments he signaled the threats will have no impact on his re-election plans.
Someone thinks they can control my voting card by threatening my re-election. Guess what? Doesn’t work on me. Three times I’ve had a challenger who tried to be more MAGA than me. None busted 25% because my constituents prefer transparency and principles over blind allegiance. https://t.co/qBXNQmlIN4
In 2020, Trump called for the congressman to be booted from the GOP.
“Looks like a third rate Grandstander named @RepThomasMassie, a Congressman from, unfortunately, a truly GREAT State, Kentucky, wants to vote against the new Save Our Workers Bill in Congress. He just wants the publicity,” Trump declared in a March 2020 tweet.
“He can’t stop it, only delay, which is both dangerous,” Trump wrote in the post, before continuing his thought in another post, “& costly. Workers & small businesses need money now in order to survive. Virus wasn’t their fault. It is ‘HELL’ dealing with the Dems, had to give up some stupid things in order to get the “big picture” done. 90% GREAT! WIN BACK HOUSE, but throw Massie out of Republican Party!”
Months later, Massie sailed to a decisive Republican primary victory.
In 2022, Trump did a turnaround and endorsed Massie shortly before the congressman earned another GOP primary win.
In 2023, Massie endorsed Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis for president before the Sunshine State politician even launched his presidential primary bid. In early 2024, DeSantis dropped out of the race and endorsed Trump.
As President Donald Trump approaches the one-year mark of his second term, the White House is preparing for the possibility of limited Cabinet adjustments — a normal process in any administration and one that officials stress is not indicative of instability.
Unlike Trump’s first term, which saw high turnover across many departments, the president’s current Cabinet has been deliberately steady. Senior officials say this has been intentional to reinforce continuity and reliability during the administration’s first year. While internal discussions about potential future changes have occurred, the White House maintains that no decisions have been made and no changes are expected before early next year.
White House spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt dismissed speculation about looming resignations, saying: “The cabinet is not changing no matter how much CNN wishes that it would because it thrives off drama.”
Department of Homeland Security: Praise for Noem, Scrutiny of Lewandowski
One of the departments that has drawn attention is the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), led by Secretary Kristi Noem. Trump has made immigration enforcement a central focus of his second-term agenda, and DHS has been central to carrying out those policies.
Multiple sources emphasized that the president remains pleased with Noem’s leadership. A senior White House official reiterated Trump’s confidence, saying: “The President loves Kristi. He loves the job she’s doing.”
However, internal friction has emerged around Corey Lewandowski, a longtime Trump ally who joined DHS as a special government employee with temporary status. His close working relationship with Noem has prompted speculation that the pair might eventually depart together if changes were made.
Lewandowski, who previously helped run Trump’s 2016 campaign, has taken an active role inside the department. Sources told CNN he has directed personnel changes, overseen administrative leave requests, and pushed senior leaders to accelerate deportation-related programs. While supporters view him as an enforcer of the administration’s priorities, others within the White House believe his management style has caused tension.
A person close to the White House noted that concerns have been raised internally: “Yes, he likes [Noem], but it has been brought to his attention that [Lewandowski] is a problem, and the agency is being mismanaged because of it.”
The White House and DHS pushed back strongly on that interpretation. White House spokeswoman Abigail Jackson highlighted DHS’s results under Trump and Noem, saying: “The tremendous results coming from the Department of Homeland Security … speak for themselves.”
A DHS spokesperson added that Lewandowski “has a reputation of reprimanding officials who impede or slow down the administration and undermine the will of the American people.”
In September, Trump met with Noem and Lewandowski to discuss DHS operations. According to two people familiar with the meeting, the conversation became tense at times — particularly between Lewandowski and the president — though Noem’s standing with Trump was not affected.
Department of Energy: Questions Around Secretary Chris Wright
The Department of Energy, led by former Colorado energy executive Chris Wright, is another agency where speculation has surfaced. Sources say some White House officials believe Wright has been reluctant on certain campaign-promised initiatives and that his department has faced senior-level turnover.
Energy Department spokeswoman Taylor Rogers defended Wright’s performance, saying: “Secretary Wright has been working lockstep with President Trump since day one to restore America’s energy dominance.” She added that U.S. oil production hit a record high in July under Trump’s policies.
Past Discussions About Other Cabinet Members
This is not the first time internal debate about Cabinet roles has surfaced. Earlier discussions took place around Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth after an accidental sharing of sensitive information, and Trump had expressed frustration over Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard’s stance on Iran’s nuclear capabilities. Both remained in their posts.
An upcoming Pentagon inspector general report on Hegseth’s messaging incident could renew attention but is not expected to carry formal consequences.
Youngkin Seen as a Potential Future Administration Pick
With Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin leaving office in January due to term limits, several Republicans close to Trump believe he may be considered for a future Cabinet position if an opening arises. Although the two men have not directly discussed a role, Youngkin has been publicly supportive of the president.
During a call with supporters, Youngkin told Trump: “Mr. President, I want to thank you… I know that you will always put America first.”
Trump returned the praise, calling Youngkin “one of the great governors in our country.”
Sources say Youngkin would be interested in a position with an economic or business focus, while likely avoiding an immigration-first role such as DHS.
Routine Evolution in Any Administration
Cabinet adjustments are not unusual. During President Biden’s term, changes occurred at the Departments of Housing and Urban Development and Labor. Trump officials emphasize that any future changes would be part of routine administrative alignment, not broader turmoil.
Tech. Sgt. Samuel King Jr., Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Following the disappointing results in Georgia’s Senate runoff election, the state’s Lieutenant Governor is voicing what he thinks happened.
Geoff Duncan, Georgia’s No. 2 Republican official, told CBS that Herschel Walker “will go down in history as probably one of the worst candidates in our party’s history” and said Republicans should unequivocally blame Donald Trump for the GOP’s disappointing midterm results.
“The only way to explain this is candidate quality,” Duncan added, alluding to Walker’s numerous controversies, including, but not limited to, claims he paid and pressured two women to have abortions despite running on a strict no-abortion platform and lied about his education, ties to law enforcement, and family.
Duncan said Warnock’s victory in a once-red state should serve as a wake-up call for Republicans and force the GOP to face some hard truths about the former president and his pull among the electorate.
“If we don’t take our medicine here, it’s our fault. … Every Republican in this country ought to hold Donald Trump accountable for this,” he said.
Walker’s defeat hands Democrats an outright majority in the upper chamber of Congress, 51-49.
Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz (D), Kamala Harris’s running mate in the 2024 election, said this week that he now believes he mishandled his vice-presidential debate with Sen. J.D. Vance (R-Ohio) — and resorted to profane bravado while attempting to explain why.
Appearing Tuesday on The Bulwark podcast with host Tim Miller, Walz was asked whether he gave Vance “too much benefit of the doubt” during their widely watched debate and whether assuming good faith was a mistake.
“Look, I’ll own it,” Walz said. “But you’ve been around this long enough. When you’re on a ticket, you take your orders. Look, I have agency on that, meaning I could have done this, but I am a good team player. And I will say this: I never kidded anybody about debates.”
Walz went on to express frustration that he failed to more aggressively challenge Vance, who emerged from the debate with bipartisan praise for his composure, clarity, and command of the issues.
Though Walz claimed he does not “get joy out of beating someone,” he added, “Yes, I would beat the s— out of him now if I could, and I would call that out. I mean, that’s just different. In verbally going at it, my argument is much better.”
Walz specifically objected to Vance’s arguments on housing and immigration — positions that align closely with mainstream Republican policy priorities and resonate strongly with working-class voters.
“Making the case that housing prices are up because of immigration and that we should build on federal lands — it was such a crazy thing,” Walz said. “But then when I watched him, I got sucked into that.”
Walz admitted he veered off message during the debate, particularly when reacting to controversial media narratives circulating at the time.
“If you remember, this was right in that moment of eating dogs and cats,” Walz said. “I took that bait and thought that that was the argument of how outrageous it was. That was not the argument.”
A Debate That Elevated Vance
The October 2024 vice-presidential debate was widely viewed as a breakout moment for Vance, who surprised many observers with a calm, confident, and policy-focused performance. While Democrats had expected an aggressive partisan clash, Vance struck a cordial tone while forcefully defending conservative positions on immigration enforcement, housing affordability, energy independence, and federal overreach.
Polling afterward showed Vance’s favorability rising, particularly among independents and blue-collar voters — a key reason many Republicans now see him as the natural heir to the post-Trump GOP coalition.
Since the election, Vance has continued to build his national profile, maintaining close ties to President Donald Trump while also positioning himself as a next-generation conservative leader capable of winning Rust Belt states and expanding the Republican map. Many party insiders already consider him the likely Republican presidential nominee in 2028, if not sooner.
Harris Privately Criticized Walz Performance
Former Vice President Kamala Harris confirmed Walz’s shaky debate showing in her post-campaign memoir, 107 Days, revealing that she was deeply disappointed by his performance.
“When Tim fell for it and started nodding and smiling at J.D.’s fake bipartisanship, I moaned to Doug, ‘What is happening?’” Harris wrote, referring to her husband, Doug Emhoff.
Harris acknowledged that the debate ultimately had little impact on polling but suggested Walz should have been better prepared.
“I reassured him that the election would not be won or lost on account of that debate, and in fact it had a negligible effect on our polling,” she wrote. “In choosing Tim, I thought that as a second-term governor and twelve-year congressman he would know what he was getting into. In hindsight, how could anyone?”
A Telling Contrast
For many Republicans, Walz’s comments highlight a broader contrast between the two men: Vance’s disciplined, message-driven approach versus Democrats’ increasing reliance on emotional rhetoric and post-hoc excuses.
While Walz now says he wishes he had been more combative, Republican voters saw something different in 2024 — a Republican candidate who didn’t need theatrics to win the argument, and who looked every bit like a future president.
Former Vice President Mike Pence is reportedly planning to fight a subpoena for testimony as part of a Justice Department special counsel’s investigation into former President Donald Trump.
Multiple sources close to Pence informed Politico that the former VP, who is rumored to be planning to announce a 2024 White House run, will likely address his plans to resist the subpoena during a visit to Iowa on Wednesday.
The aides told Politico that Pence’s decision to challenge Special Counsel Jack Smith’s request has little to do with executive privilege, instead, he plans to argue that his former role as president of the Senate — therefore a member of the legislative branch — shields him from certain Justice Department demands.
Pence allies say he is covered by the constitutional provision that protects congressional officials from legal proceedings related to their work — language known as the “speech or debate” clause. The clause, Pence allies say, legally binds federal prosecutors from compelling Pence to testify about the central components of Smith’s investigation. If Pence testifies, they say, it could jeopardize the separation of powers that the Constitution seeks to safeguard.
“He thinks that the ‘speech or debate’ clause is a core protection for Article I, for the legislature,” said one of the two people familiar with Pence’s thinking, who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss his legal strategy. “He feels it really goes to the heart of some separation of powers issues. He feels duty-bound to maintain that protection, even if it means litigating it.”
That’s because the legal question of whether the vice president draws the same “speech-or-debate” protections as members of Congress remains largely unsettled, and constitutional scholars say Pence raising the issue will almost certainly force a court to weigh in. That could take months.
“It is admittedly a constitutionally murky area with no clear outcome,” said Mark Rozell, a George Mason University political scientist who specializes in executive privilege. “Since there is a legislative function involved in the vice president presiding over the Senate, a court very well could decide that it must address the scope of the speech or debate privilege and whether it would apply in this case.”
Last week, Smith’s office moved to subpoena Pence in one of its most aggressive moves to date as its inquiries into Trump’s alleged efforts to overturn the 2020 presidential election accelerate. (RELATED:Special Counsel Overseeing Trump Criminal Probe Subpoenas Mike Pence)
Notably, the Justice Department has previously argued in civil litigation that the “speech or debate” clause protects the vice president when working on Senate business. The department explicitly asserted in 2021 that Pence was shielded by the “speech or debate” clause in a civil lawsuit related to his role presiding over Congress’ Jan. 6 session.
President-elect Trump has named a number of nominees to flesh out his incoming Administration…
Check back in to stay up-to-date on the Trump administration:
Vice President JD Vance
Status: Certified
Current: Kamala Harris
Vice President JD Vance, an Ohio Senator and author of the bestselling book Hillbilly Eulogy, will be confirmed. The certification of the election will occur on Jan. 6 2025.
White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles
Status: Appointed
Current: Ron Klain
Trump announced the appointment of Wiles as White House chief of staff. This position does not require Senate confirmation.
Wiles will make history as the first woman White House Chief of Staff.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio
(Miami – Flórida, 09/03/2020) Presidente da República Jair Bolsonaro durante encontro com o Senador Marco Rubio..Foto: Alan Santos/PR
Status: Confirmed
Trump nominated Florida Sen. Marco Rubio to succeed Antony Blinken as Secretary of State.
Blinken was confirmed on January 26, 2021, by a vote of 78-22.
Secretary of Treasury Scott Bessent
Status: Confirmed
Senate Finance Committee lawmakers voted Tuesday to confirm President Donald Trump’s nominee for Treasury secretary, Scott Bessent, a 16-11 vote of approval that sends his confirmation to the Senate for a full floor vote.
Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth
Status: Announced
Current: Ret. Gen. Lloyd Austin
Trump announced the selection of Fox News contributor Pete Hegseth as his nominee for secretary of Defense. Hegseth has faced an uphill road to confirmation over allegations of sexual assault and alcohol abuse which he has vehemently denied.
Sen. Joni Ernst recently annoucned her plans to support Hegseth’s confirmation in a statement:
I appreciate Pete Hegseth’s responsiveness and respect for the process. Following our encouraging conversations, Pete committed to completing a full audit of the Pentagon and selecting a senior official who will uphold the roles and value of our servicemen and women — based on quality and standards, not quotas — and who will prioritize and strengthen my work to prevent sexual assault within the ranks. As I support Pete through this process, I look forward to a fair hearing based on truth, not anonymous sources.
1/5/24 UPDATE: According to three sources, Senate Majority Leader John Thune told incoming President Trump that Hegseth has the votes to be confirmed, though he refused to publicly comment on the matter
Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem
Status: Announced
Current: Alejandro Mayorkas
Trump tapped South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem to serve as the next Secretary of Homeland Security.
HOLY SH*T 🚨 DHS Secretary Kristi Noem fully supports Donald Trump’s deportation plan 🔥
Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
Status: Announced
Current: Xavier Beccera
President-elect Donald Trump announced Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has his choice to lead the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). RFK Jr. previouslt ran against Trump as an Independent before suspending his campaign and endorsing the Republican.
Attorney General Pam Bondi
Status: Announced
Current: Merrick Garland
President-elect Donald Trump nominated Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi to the key Cabinet position in late November after former Rep. Matt Gaetz withdrew his nomination.
Trump initially nominated Florida Rep. Matt Gaetz to be Attorney General but he withdrew from consideration after it became clear he would not muster the required support for confirmation. Congress recently released an ethics report finding the former lawmaker “engaged in sexual misconduct, used illicit drugs, “shared inappropriate images or videos on the House floor, misused state identification records, converted campaign funds to personal use, and/or accepted a bribe, improper gratuity, or impermissible gifts.”
Gaetz has not been charged with any crimes.
Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard
Status: Announced
Current: Avril Haines
Trump tapped former Democrat presidential candidate Tulsi Gabbard to be his Director of National Intelligence.
In a statement, Trump said, “For over two decades, Tulsi has fought for our Country and the Freedoms of all Americans. As a former Candidate for the Democrat Presidential Nomination, she has broad support in both Parties – She is now a proud Republican! I know Tulsi will bring the fearless spirit that has defined her illustrious career to our Intelligence Community, championing our Constitutional Rights, and securing Peace through Strength.”
United Nations Ambassador Elise Stefanik
Status: Announced
Current: Linda Thomas-Greenfield
“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 the New York Post.
Stefanik, chairwoman of the House Republican Conference, also released a statement:
“I am truly honored to earn President Trump’s nomination to serve in his Cabinet as U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations,” Stefanik told the Post. “During my conversation with President Trump, I shared how deeply humbled I am to accept his nomination and that I look forward to earning the support of my colleagues in the United States Senate. President Trump’s historic landslide election has given hope to the American people and is a reminder that brighter days are ahead — both at home and abroad.”
FBI Director Kash Patel
Gage Skidmore Flickr
Status: Announced
Current: Christopher Wray
“Kash did an incredible job during my First Term, where he served as Chief of Staff at the Department of Defense, Deputy Director of National Intelligence, and Senior Director for Counterterrorism at the National Security Council. Kash has also tried over 60 jury trials,” Trump posted to Truth Social shortly after his announcement.
“This FBI will end the growing crime epidemic in America, dismantle the migrant criminal gangs, and stop the evil scourge of human and drug trafficking across the Border. Kash will work under our great Attorney General, Pam Bondi, to bring back Fidelity, Bravery, and Integrity to the FBI.”
Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency Lee Zeldin
Status: Announced
Trump announced on November 11, 2024, that he had selected Zeldin as his nominee for administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency in his second presidential term.
After the announcement, Zeldin posted on X: “We will restore US energy dominance, revitalize our auto industry to bring back American jobs, and make the US the global leader of AI. We will do so while protecting access to clean air and water.”
Interior Secretary Doug Burgum
Status: Announced
Current: Deb Haaland
Donald Trump (R) announced on November 14, 2024, that he had selected Burgum as his nominee for secretary of the interior in his second presidential term. This appointment requires Senate confirmation.
Trump also said Burgum would lead the National Energy Council, a newly formed group consisting of “all Departments and Agencies involved in the permitting, production, generation, distribution, regulation, transportation, of ALL forms of American Energy.” In a statement, Trump said, “Doug Burgum will protect our Nation’s Natural Resources, restore our fabulous Oil and Gas advantage, and Make America, and its Energy, Dominant and Great Again!”
Energy Secretary Chris Wright
Status: Announced
Chris Wright is Donald Trump’s (R) announced nominee for secretary of Energy in his second presidential term.
In a statement Trump said, “Chris has been a leading technologist and entrepreneur in Energy. He has worked in Nuclear, Solar, Geothermal, and Oil and Gas. Most significantly, Chris was one of the pioneers who helped launch the American Shale Revolution that fueled American Energy Independence, and transformed the Global Energy Markets and Geopolitics.”
Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy
Status: Confirmed
Duffy, the former five-term Republican Congressman, was advanced out of committee with a 28-0 vote during a brief Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee hearing.
In a statement, Trump said, “Sean will use his experience and the relationships he has built over many years in Congress to maintain and rebuild our Nation’s Infrastructure, and fulfill our Mission of ushering in The Golden Age of Travel, focusing on Safety, Efficiency, and Innovation.”
Administrator of the Small Business Administration, Kelly Loeffler
Kelly served in the U.S. Senate in 2020, where she brought her private-sector experience to Washington. She served on key committees including Agriculture, Joint Economic, HELP, and Veterans Affairs – championing conservative values, pro-growth policies, advocating for small businesses, and passing legislation to strengthen economic resilience.
As co-owner of the WNBA’s Atlanta Dream for a decade, Senator Loeffler helped position the franchise as a platform to empower women through sports, demonstrating her commitment to community impact.
After her Senate service, Kelly founded Greater Georgia Action, an election integrity advocacy and voter registration non-profit, as well as RallyRight, a conservative tech startup – while serving on several corporate and philanthropic boards.
Secretary of Agriculture, Brooke Rollins
Brooke Leslie Rollins is from Glen Rose, Texas, a small agricultural community in the American heartland. She grew up working summers on her family’s farm in Minnesota, barrel racing, and raising livestock for 4-H and Future Farmers of America. She proudly served as a Texas State FFA Officer and worked for the National FFA Organization.
Rollins most recently served as the Founder, President and CEO of the America First Policy Institute. Prior to that, she was Director of the Domestic Policy Council and Assistant to the President for Strategic Initiatives in the last White House under President Donald Trump. In these roles, she helped lead the transformational domestic policy agenda of the Trump Administration, enacting the President’s vision and leading to historic achievements for the American people.
Rollins graduated with honors from Texas A&M University with a Bachelor of Science in agricultural development and was the first woman in university history to be elected student-body president. After earning her Juris Doctor with honors at the University of Texas School of Law, she served as Governor Rick Perry’s policy director before building and leading the Texas Public Policy Foundation for fifteen years.
Rollins and her husband, Mark, reside in Fort Worth, Texas, with their four children.
Secretary of Commerce, Howard Lutnick
Howard W. Lutnick has been nominated to serve as the 41st United States Secretary of Commerce. During President Trump’s 2024 election campaign, he was the Co-Chair of the Trump-Vance Transition Team.
Before entering public service, Mr. Lutnick was a prominent figure on Wall Street for over three decades, simultaneously serving as Chairman and CEO of Cantor Fitzgerald, L.P. and BGC Group, as well as Executive Chairman of Newmark. He joined Cantor Fitzgerald in 1983 and quickly rose through the ranks, becoming President and CEO at just 29 years old.
Tragedy struck on September 11, 2001, when terrorists attacked the World Trade Center and Cantor Fitzgerald lost 658 of its 960 New York-based employees, including Mr. Lutnick’s brother and his best friend. He emerged from these events with an indomitable sense of purpose to rebuild the firm to honor those lost, support their families, and become a beacon of hope for those who remained.
In the days after the attacks, Mr. Lutnick launched the Cantor Fitzgerald Relief Fund, which donated $180 million to families of his coworkers who died on 9/11. He has donated more than $100 million to victims of terrorism, natural disasters, and other emergencies around the world.
Mr. Lutnick served on the Board of Directors of the National September 11 Memorial & Museum and Weill Cornell Medicine. He was named the Financial Times Person of the Year in 2001 and Ernst & Young’s United States Entrepreneur of the Year in 2010. Howard also received the Department of the Navy’s Distinguished Public Service Award, the highest honor granted to non-military personnel by the Navy.
Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, Scott Turner
Scott Turner, from Richardson, Texas, is a visionary leader with a distinguished career in public service, business, and professional sports. As Executive Director of the White House Opportunity and Revitalization Council, he led more than 200 policy actions to revitalize economically distressed communities. Turner served as Founder and CEO of the Community Engagement & Opportunity Council (CEOC), dedicated to revitalizing communities through mentorship, sports, and economic opportunity.
Turner served as a Texas State Representative for the 33rd District (2013–2017) and played nine seasons in the NFL. He also served as an Associate Pastor at Prestonwood Baptist Church. He holds a degree in Speech Communications from the University of Illinois and an honorary doctorate from Dallas Baptist University. Scott and his wife, Robin, are active in their church and community and are proud parents of Solomon, a recent University of Illinois graduate.
Secretary of Labor, Lori Chavez-DeRemer
Lori Chavez-DeRemer has dedicated over two decades of her life to public service, beginning in 2002 on the Happy Valley Parks Committee in Oregon. She later served on the Happy Valley City Council, becoming council president, and was elected as the city’s first Latina mayor in 2010, serving two successful terms. Under her leadership, Happy Valley became Oregon’s fastest-growing community, with initiatives that strengthened working families and small businesses.
In 2022, Lori was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives for Oregon’s 5th Congressional District, making history as the first Republican woman and one of the first Latinas elected to Congress from Oregon. She served on the Agriculture, Education and Workforce, and Transportation and Infrastructure Committees, championing practical solutions and securing critical investments for her constituents.
Lori is also a successful small businesswoman and the first in her family to graduate from college, earning a business administration degree. She and her husband, Dr. Shawn DeRemer, her high school sweetheart, founded an anesthesia management company and several medical clinics across the Pacific Northwest. A proud wife and mother, Lori is passionate about advocating for businesses, workers, and families across the country.
Secretary of Veterans Affairs, Doug Collins
An Air Force Reserve colonel, chaplain and Iraq War veteran with more than 20 years of military experience, Doug Collins knows the complex issues facing veterans across the country.
As a longtime congressman and attorney, Collins has a deep understanding of the federal government and the policy expertise to solve complex problems, cut through red tape and get things done for those who have worn the uniform. Over eight years in Congress, Collins helped scores of veterans solve their Department of Veterans Affairs problems, and he will put that expertise to work making VA more user-friendly, so veterans won’t need outside help to navigate the department’s bureaucracy.
As a congressman, Collins championed bipartisan legislation like the First Step Act, the Music Modernization Act and the Defend Trade Secrets Act. Collins’ efforts in support of the First Step Act earned him the 2019 Allegheny College Prize for Civility in Public Life.
When it comes to veterans policy, Collins voted for some of the most important VA reforms in recent history, including the Veterans, Access, Choice and Accountability Act, the VA Accountability and Whistleblower Protection Act and the MISSION Act.
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The article was published with permission from Official Trump Tracker.
