Trump Fills Defense, EPA, Homeland Security, and CIA Slots Within His Cabinet

President-elect Donald Trump continues to build his administration’s leadership as he announces picks for Secretary of Defense, Environmental Protection Agency Administrator (EPA), Homeland Security Secretary, and Central Intelligence Agency Director. 

To lead the Department of Homeland Security, President Trump has chose South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem. 

Governor Noem has previously served in the South Dakota state legislature, the US House of Representatives, and is a rancher, farmer, small business owner, and New York Times bestselling author.

Noem has been a fierce critic of President Joe Biden’s immigration policies and previously sent 60 South Dakota national guardsmen to patrol the southern border. 

“The border is a warzone, so we’re sending soldiers,” said Noem at the time. “These soldiers’ primary mission will be construction of a wall to stem the flow of illegal immigrants, drug cartels, and human trafficking into the United States of America.”

For the EPA, Trump selected Lee Zeldin, a former New York Representative and proponent of environmental deregulation. 

“Zeldin will ensure fair and swift deregulatory decisions that will be enacted in a way to unleash the power of American businesses, while at the same time maintaining the highest environmental standards, including the cleanest air and water on the planet,” said Trump. 

Trump also chose Fox News star Pete Hegseth to lead his Department of Defense. 

Hegseth has been a consistent Trump supporter and is an Army veteran who served in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Hegseth has claimed he will end progressive military programs and has generally criticized the direction of the Department of Defense, claiming it needs to be reoriented to focus on efficiency and mission execution rather than diversity, equity, and inclusion. 

Finally, Trump has chosen John Ratcliffe, who served as his director of national intelligence from 2020 to 2021, to lead the CIA. 

Ratcliffe was one of Trump’s strongest defenders during his impeachment trials and his previous experience within the intelligence community makes him a more traditional choice.