Cabinet 2.0

By: Elián Zidán

If there’s one lesson Donald Trump learned from his controversial exit from the White House, it’s that loyalty is invaluable.

This time, the president-elect is making it clear that he will reward loyalty—from his vice president to his entire cabinet, which is expected to be comprised of his most steadfast supporters—those who have backed him through both triumph and adversity.

Since his decisive victory, speculation has swirled around who might join him on this monumental return to the White House. It appears Trump is taking no chances, with Susie Wiles, his chief political advisor and former campaign manager, ensuring that his interests are safeguarded on all fronts. Starting in January, Wiles will make history as the first female chief of staff.

While many have been surprised by the appointments announced this week, they shouldn’t be. Trump is fulfilling his campaign promises. He has assembled a meticulous team that will help him realize his vision for the country.

The electorate, in large part, voted in favor of the promises Trump made during his campaign for a second term. One of the most significant of these promises is strengthening border security and executing mass deportations of the millions who have entered the country illegally in recent years.

To spearhead this effort, he has appointed Tom Homan as the next "Border Czar." A former law enforcement officer and immigration agent, Homan is a staunch Trump ally who will oversee and implement the ambitious immigration plan pledged by the incoming administration.

Kristi Noem, the current Governor of South Dakota, will also play a key role as the next Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security. Although she is far from the southern border, Noem will work closely with Homan to enforce a tough stance on illegal immigration and oversee critical agencies like ICE and FEMA.

Another important figure in the immigration sphere is Stephen Miller, who will serve as Deputy Chief of Staff for Policy. A senior advisor to Trump, Miller played a pivotal role in crafting the president's strict immigration policies during his first term and will be instrumental in leading efforts to deport undocumented immigrants on a mass scale.

On national defense, Trump’s selection of Fox News host Pete Hegseth to head the Department of Defense has raised eyebrows. A National Guard veteran, Hegseth has publicly opposed the inclusion of women in the military and is an outspoken proponent of conservative policies, particularly in areas such as national security, immigration, and the Second Amendment.

Perhaps the most eagerly awaited appointment for many Hispanics, however, is that of Florida Senator Marco Rubio as the next Secretary of State. This will mark the first time a Hispanic has held the nation’s top diplomatic position.

The son of Cuban immigrants, Rubio has been a fierce critic of Latin American dictatorships and, through his work on the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence and the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, has taken a hardline stance on China, Iran, and Russia. Like many Republicans, Rubio has set aside his past differences with Trump, aligning himself with the president-elect’s agenda, and is now being rewarded for his loyalty.

Another controversial pick is Matt Gaetz, the former representative from Florida, who will be appointed Attorney General. A staunch Trump ally, Gaetz will lead the very department that once investigated him for alleged sexual misconduct, drug use, accepting improper gifts, and attempting to obstruct investigations into his actions.

There are the unexpected picks: Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy. While it was clear that both would play a role in the administration given their strong support for Trump, the exact positions were unknown. Despite the regulatory challenges affecting their businesses, Musk and Ramaswamy will now lead the newly established Government Efficiency Department.

In what could be described as a case of both the judge and the accused, these billionaire entrepreneurs will head this new agency, tasked with eliminating bureaucracy and reducing waste across various government departments.

With this team of loyalists, Trump enters the executive branch more empowered than ever. Not only does he have his most trusted allies in his cabinet, but he also enjoys a solid majority in both chambers of Congress, giving him the legislative muscle needed to advance his plans for the second term.

It remains to be seen whether these nominations will be confirmed by the Senate, and only time will tell how long they will stay in their positions. After all, Trump’s previous tenure reminds us that no one is safe from being ousted at any moment.