President-elect Donald Trump is pressing ahead with plans for his incoming administration, reportedly enlisting three new figures to join his team. At the top of the list, Trump has asked Florida Representative Mike Waltz to serve as his National Security Advisor.
Waltz, a loyal Trump ally, has served in Afghanistan, the Middle East, and Africa, and would be the first former Green Beret to take on this role. In this position, he would be tasked with addressing a range of conflicts, including the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war. Trump’s prior relationships with his National Security Advisors—such as John Bolton and retired Lt. Gen. H.R. McMaster—were rocky, as both publicly criticized the former president. This time, it seems Trump is opting for a trusted supporter. Trump has indicated that his national security team will reassess the U.S.’s stance on Ukraine, Russia, Middle Eastern conflicts, China, and Iran.
Waltz’s selection can be seen as a significant move in Trump’s renewed “America First” agenda, a stance that pits the party’s hawkish national security faction against its isolationist wing. Speaking on immigration with CNN last week, Waltz criticized the Biden-Harris administration, saying, “The angriest immigrant I’ve ever spoken to is one who came legally, waited years, did everything right, and now sees the government turning a blind eye as others break the law and jump the line.”
Asked if he had discussed with Trump the Afghan nationals trying to enter the U.S., Waltz responded that they had talked “quite some time ago, after the Afghanistan withdrawal,” and noted Trump’s sympathy toward those who had fought alongside American soldiers.
But Waltz is not the only figure Trump has reportedly approached. Florida Senator Marco Rubio has also been contacted and offered the role of Secretary of State. While former acting Director of National Intelligence Ric Grenell was initially considered the favorite, CNN reports that Trump may now favor Rubio, particularly given his tough stance on China’s trade policies. Rubio’s critical stance on Beijing has led to his being barred from entering China, due to his outspoken campaign against Beijing’s tightening grip on Hong Kong’s autonomy.
If appointed, Rubio—who is of Cuban descent—would become the first Latino Secretary of State. His nomination could potentially lead China to lift its sanctions against him.
Lastly, South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem is set to take the helm of the Department of Homeland Security. A staunch Trump supporter, Noem will oversee a department that Trump has vowed to prioritize, emphasizing its role in domestic policy. She will now be in charge of overseeing critical agencies, from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement to the Federal Emergency Management Agency, as well as the Secret Service.
Noem was previously considered a potential vice-presidential pick, though her relationship with Trump reportedly shifted after the release of her book, No Going Back: The Truth on What’s Wrong with Politics and How We Move America Forward. In the book, Noem recounts the story of having to put down her own 14-month-old dog, a shorthaired pointer, shedding light on her life and personal convictions.
