DONALD Trump is nominating former Wisconsin Representative Sean Duffy, now a Fox News host, to be his transportation secretary.
If confirmed, Duffy will oversee aviation, automotive, rail, transit and other transportation policies at the department.
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The Real World star will have about a $110 billion budget as well as significant funding remaining under the Biden administration’s 2021 $1 trillion infrastructure law.
Trump has vowed to reverse the Biden administration’s vehicle emissions rules.
He has said he plans to begin the process of undoing the Biden administration’s stringent emissions regulations finalised earlier this year as soon as he takes office.
The rules cut tailpipe emissions limits by 50% from 2026 levels by 2032 and prod automakers to build more EVs.
Reuters reported on Thursday the Trump transition team wants to kill the $7,500 consumer tax credit for electric-vehicle purchases, citing sources.
Following his recent election victory, Donald Trump has begun unveiling key cabinet appointments for his administration, set to begin on January 20 next year.
Among the most notable picks is Karoline Leavitt, who, at 27, will make history as the youngest-ever White House Press Secretary.
Leavitt played a vital role in Trump’s communications during his campaign and first term, with Trump praising her as a “smart, tough, and highly effective communicator.”
For the role of Energy Secretary, Trump has nominated Chris Wright, CEO of Liberty Energy and a top donor to his campaign.
Wright brings a wealth of experience across energy sectors, including nuclear, solar, and oil, and will also contribute to a new National Energy Council led by Interior Secretary nominee Doug Burgum.
In health policy, Trump has fulfilled a campaign promise by selecting Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as Secretary of Health and Human Services.
Kennedy, a controversial figure for his opposition to vaccines and processed foods, has vowed to address public health issues with transparency and reform, aligning with Trump’s broader America First agenda.
The nomination of Matt Gaetz as Attorney General has drawn considerable attention, with concerns raised over Gaetz’s legal controversies, including allegations of sexual misconduct.
Despite this, Gaetz remains a staunch Trump loyalist and a vocal supporter.
Other key returning figures include Steven Cheung, named Director of Communications, and Sergio Gor, appointed Director of Presidential Personnel.
Both have been instrumental in Trump’s past campaigns and are seen as trusted allies within his inner circle.
Trump has also selected Pete Hegseth, a Fox News personality and Army National Guard veteran, to serve as Defense Secretary.
Hegseth’s nomination has sparked mixed reactions on Capitol Hill but underscores Trump’s focus on America First policies.
For Secretary of State, Trump has chosen Marco Rubio, marking an evolution in their relationship since their 2016 rivalry.
Who is Sean Duffy?
SEAN Duffy is an American politician, television personality, and attorney who gained national recognition through both his political career and his appearances on reality television.
Born on October 3, 1971, in Hayward, Wisconsin, Duffy grew up in a large, Irish-American family in Wisconsin’s Northwoods.
He pursued higher education at St. Mary’s University, earning a degree in marketing, and later obtained a law degree from William Mitchell College of Law.
Duffy first entered the public eye in 1997 as a cast member on MTV’s reality show The Real World: Boston and its spinoff, Road Rules: All Stars.
These appearances made him a recognisable figure before he transitioned into politics.
In 2002, he was appointed as the district attorney for Ashland County, Wisconsin, a role he held until 2010.
That year, he successfully ran for Congress, representing Wisconsin’s 7th district, which covers much of the state’s northern region.
During his time in the US House of Representatives, from 2011 to 2019, Duffy became known as a strong conservative voice, advocating for limited government, tax reform, and deregulation.
A vocal supporter of Donald Trump, Duffy gained prominence in Republican circles and was seen as a key figure in connecting with rural and working-class voters.
In September 2019, Duffy resigned from Congress to focus on his family, as he and his wife were expecting their ninth child, who faced health complications.
Since leaving Congress, Duffy has remained active in public life.
He works as a political commentator, frequently appearing on Fox News, where he shares his conservative perspectives on national issues.
Rubio, known for his strong foreign policy positions, has shifted closer to Trump’s views on global conflicts, such as the war in Ukraine.
Another notable choice is Tulsi Gabbard, a former Democrat who has been a vocal critic of President Biden’s foreign policy.
Gabbard, now nominated as Director of National Intelligence, has increasingly aligned herself with Trump’s vision for US leadership.
Meanwhile, Elon Musk has been appointed to lead the Department of Government Efficiency, a newly created position aimed at reducing federal waste.
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Musk’s involvement reflects a blend of humor and seriousness, with his department humorously nicknamed “DOGE” after the Dogecoin cryptocurrency.
Vivek Ramaswamy, another advocate for government streamlining, will assist Musk in this initiative.
For Chief of Staff, Trump has tapped Susie Wiles, a seasoned political strategist who has been integral to his campaign successes.
Wiles will become the first woman to hold the position, earning praise for her ability to unite teams and hold officials accountable.
Other key appointees include Elise Stefanik as UN Ambassador, Doug Burgum as Interior Secretary, Kristi Noem as Homeland Security Secretary, and Mike Huckabee as Ambassador to Israel.
Loyalist Stephen Miller will return as Deputy Chief of Staff, with Tom Homan named as the administration’s “border czar.”
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Notably absent from Trump’s lineup are former administration figures such as Nikki Haley and Mike Pompeo, signaling a shift toward new faces and loyalists.
As Trump continues to fill remaining positions, speculation surrounds potential nominees, including family members like Lara Trump, with several special elections anticipated to fill vacant Senate and House seats caused by these appointments.
Donald Trump’s Cabinet Picks
In the days following his dominant Election Day victory, President-elect Donald Trump has begun carving out his future administation.
Here’s a list of Trump’s confirmed cabinet picks:
- Susie Wiles – White House Chief of Staff
- Stephen Miller – Deputy Chief of Staff
- Bill McGinley – White House counsel
- Tom Homan, ex-ICE acting director – “Border Czar”
- Elise Stefanik, Republican New York representative – Ambassador to the United Nations
- Lee Zeldin, former New York representative – Environmental Protection Agency administrator
- Marco Rubio, Republican Florida senator – Secretary of State
- Kristi Noem, Republican South Dakota governor – Homeland Security Secretary
- Mike Huckabee, former Arkansas governor – Ambassador to Israel
- John Ratcliffe, former Texas representative – CIA director
- Pete Hegseth, US Army veteran – Secretary of Defense
- Mike Waltz, Republican Florida representative – National Security Advisor
- Steven Witkoff, real estate investor – Middle East envoy
- Elon Musk & Vivek Ramaswamy – Department of Government Efficiency
- Tim Scott, Republican South Carolina senator – Chairman of the National Republican Senatorial Committee
- Tulsi Gabbard, former Hawaii representative – Director of National Intelligence
- Matt Gaetz, Republican Florida representative – Attorney General
- Robert F. Kennedy Jr. – Secretary of Health and Human Services
- Jay Clayton – US Attorney for the Southern District of New York
- Doug Burgum, Republican North Dakota governor – Department of Interior
- Todd Blanche, lawyer – Deputy Attorney General
- Karoline Leavitt – youngest White House Press Secretary
- Chris Wright – Energy Secretary
