News

Donald Trump’s presidential Cabinet

Joy Ma, Assistant-Editor-in-Chief, Long-form • November 22, 2024

President-elect Donald Trump is currently appointing members for his presidential Cabinet. Since the start of the presidential system, Cabinet positions were appointed by the president and later awaited approval by the Senate.

Donald Trump’s victory in the 2024 presidential election paved the way for a significant restructuring of federal leadership as his administration begins the process of filling over 4,000 political appointee seats within the executive branch. These positions — which range from Advisory to Cabinet — are essential to carrying out the administration’s goals and managing government agencies.

Vice President: JD Vance

JD Vance, 40 years old, is a former venture entrepreneur, corporate lawyer and best-selling author of “Hillbilly Elegy.” Despite at one point comparing Donald Trump’s management style to that of Adolf Hitler’s, Vance has since grown to be a devoted supporter, concentrating on trade, immigration and denouncing China as a serious danger to the stability of the U.S. economy, according to The New Yorker. He frequently frames his agenda around preserving American workers and has been vocal in his opposition to the “global outsourcing of U.S. jobs.”

Secretary of Defense: Pete Hegseth

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Pete Hegseth, 44 years old, a veteran and Fox News co-host, will be bringing his military experience to the role of Secretary of Defense. Hegseth has served in the Army National Guard and the Minnesota National Guard, and has been on tours in Afghanistan, Iraq and Guantanamo Bay, according to CBS News. He has generated controversy by challenging leadership diversity initiatives and is well-known for opposing “woke” Pentagon policies, such as the inclusion of women in combat roles, according to Reuters.

Secretary of Energy: Chris Wright

Chris Wright, an energy executive with a strong focus on fossil fuel innovation, is to lead the Department of Energy. As the Chief Executive Officer of the fracking company Liberty Energy, he has argued that raising the output of fossil fuels is necessary to raise living standards worldwide and has opposed government policies that favor renewable energy over fossil fuels, according to Politico. Wright has historically defended laws that encourage the production of natural gas and oil domestically,, and has placed a strong emphasis on energy independence , opposing laws requiring renewable energy.

Secretary of Health and Human Services: Robert F. Kennedy Jr.

Robert F. Kennedy Jr., 70 years old, is a former Democrat who ran as an independent candidate in the 2024 presidential election. He has been skeptical of vaccines and has promised to make contentious reforms, such as removing fluoride from drinking water in the United States and claiming that chemicals in the water are impacting the sexuality of children. His appointment for Secretary of Health and Human Services marks a dramatic change in the administration’s approach to public health policy.

Secretary of Homeland Security: Kristi L. Noem

Kristi L. Noem, 52 years old, the former governor of South Dakota, is to step into the role of Secretary of Homeland Security. Noem is well-known for her strict border control measures and minimal government interference to federal COVID-19 mandates. Her leadership on these issues makes her a prominent figure in the advancement of strict immigration and security policy within the Grand Old Party.

Secretary of Interior: Doug Burgum

Doug Burgum, 68 years old, governor of North Dakota, brings his experience in state governance and energy policy to the Department of the Interior. Burgum, in his capacity as governor, promoted “energy dominance,” giving natural resource development top priority and encouraging private-sector innovation while lowering regulatory obstacles. He concentrated on developing oil, gas and renewable energy projects. It is expected that Burgum’s leadership will support the Trump administration’s objectives of striking a balance between conservation and resource development on public lands, with a focus on simplified resource management, according to Fox News.

Secretary of State: Marco Rubio

Marco Rubio, 53 years old, is a senator from Florida who is expected to take on the role of Secretary of State. Rubio, who is well-known for his tough stance against China and his keen interest in Latin America, bases his diplomatic strategy on countering international dangers while strengthening alliances, according to NPR. Rubio has long opposed China’s expanding power, especially in Latin America, and has concentrated on resolving issues caused by the region’s autocratic governments. He intends to resist Chinese and Russian expansions in order to prioritize U.S. participation in Latin America.

Secretary of Veterans Affairs: Douglas A. Collins

Douglas A. Collins, 58 years old, a former congressman and Air Force Reserve chaplain, has been appointed to oversee the Department of Veterans Affairs. Having been a chaplain ministering to soldiers who served in the war in Iraq, Collins’ priorities will be to improve veteran healthcare access and mental health services, with a particular emphasis on reforms that favor veteran choice and accountability within the Veterans Affairs system.

Attorney General: Matt Gaetz

Matt Gaetz, 42 years old, a former congressman from Florida, has been nominated as Attorney General. Gaetz, who is recognized for his ardent backing of Trump, has continuously backed allegations of election fraud in the 2020 election and resisted inquiries into the Capitol riots on Jan. 6, 2021. In keeping with Trump’s plan to restructure the Department of Justice, he has also positioned himself as an opponent of the agency, accusing it of being politically biased.

The positions of Secretary of Labor, Agriculture, Treasury, Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, Commerce and Education are undecided. The positions need U.S. Senate approval unless they are to conduct recess appointments.

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About the Contributors

Joy Ma, Asst. Editor-in-Chief, Long-form

Did you know that frogs were the first land animals with vocal cords? TPHS’ biggest frog fanatic, Joy Ma, embodies the calm, adaptive and curious nature of her favorite amphibians as she steps into her role as Assistant Editor-in-Chief for her third year on the Falconer. Born and raised in Hong Kong and fluent in three languages, Ma brings a global perspective and a unique voice to the team. Chiefly the epitome of wanderlust, Ma has traveled to over 12 countries, her favorite travel spot being Toledo, Spain, where she was captivated by the intricate damasquinados. For her senior year at TPHS, Ma is eager to elevate the paper’s storytelling and continue to foster a dynamic, inclusive newsroom environment. Outside the newsroom, Ma is an avid reader with a particular fondness for Mary Oliver, Ocean Vuong and Fyodor Dostoevsky (The Brothers Karamazov is the greatest book of all time — do not even attempt to fight her on this). When she’s not buried nose-deep in a book or working on the newspaper, you’ll likely find her spending humorously large amounts of hours on Pinterest searching for future home inspiration or unique outfit combinations. Looking to the future, Ma is excited to continue her journey of growth and exploration and cannot wait to make lifelong memories with her favorite “Falconerds.”

April Kato, News Editor

In the same way her 13-year piano journey crescendo towards a finale, April Kato is intent on making her last year as a falcon and a staff on the Falconer a balance of memorable, accent-like events and legato-like relaxed moments. Joining the Falconer her junior year and being inspired by the wonderful community, Kato furthered her love for journalism by securing a position as news editor her senior year. This year, she hopes to take on more stories than she did last year, as her goal is time management and fighting the urge of procrastinating, all of which she fell captive to junior year. Outside of the newsroom, Kato enjoys quiet moments of reading at home and playing classical and modern music on her piano, a treasure passed down from her mother. On the weekends, she can be seen volunteering at a Japanese language school, drafting editorials for her internship at a local community journal or roaming Barnes & Noble. Throughout the years in high school Kato's interest for international relations and global topics has grown, linking to her hopes of pursuing such fields after graduation.