Trump’s cabinet picks raise concerns, with key roles still unfilled

One of the top remaining vacancies in President-elect Donald Trump’s proposed cabinet is the position of Treasury Secretary. The views of his top contenders for the role reflect broader questions about how he might wield tariffs in his new administration. Billionaire investor Scott Bessent, considered a leading candidate, has spoken about using tariffs as a negotiating tool. Meanwhile, there is increasing reaction to some of Trump’s other controversial picks.

President-elect Donald Trump has named the senior Republican on the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) as the new chairman of the agency responsible for regulating broadcasting, telecommunications, and broadband. Brendan Carr, a longtime member of the commission, previously served as the FCC’s general counsel.

With Republicans taking control of the Senate, many of Trump’s cabinet nominees are likely to face an easy path to confirmation.

Among Trump’s picks are: Florida Representative Matt Gaetz for Attorney General; Florida Senator Marco Rubio for Secretary of State, in charge of foreign affairs; Fox News host Pete Hegseth as Defense Secretary; South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem for Homeland Security; former House Representative Tulsi Gabbard to lead the Department of National Intelligence; and Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as Secretary of Health and Human Services.

However, some have raised concerns about Gaetz and Gabbard, with Gaetz in particular receiving significant criticism. A big question remains: Will some of Trump’s controversial nominees receive enough votes for confirmation in the Senate?

Trump is reportedly considering recess appointments to bypass Senate confirmation for some of the most powerful positions in the U.S. government. He has demanded that Republican leaders in the Senate agree to allow these appointments as he fills out his administration. This would represent a significant shift in power away from the Senate, but Trump is returning to Washington with almost total support from his party.

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