Donald Trump is moving quickly to fill the top jobs in his upcoming administration. He confirmed today that his national security adviser would be Representative Michael Waltz of Florida, a former Green Beret who has taken a tough line on China. He also announced that he would nominate Mike Huckabee, the former Arkansas governor, to be the U.S. ambassador to Israel.
Other early picks include: Representative Elise Stefanik as the ambassador to the U.N.; former Representative Lee Zeldin as the head of the E.P.A.; Stephen Miller, the immigration hard-liner, as a deputy chief of staff; and Thomas Homan as “border czar.” Perhaps most significant so far, Trump is expected to name Senator Marco Rubio of Florida as his secretary of state — a former critic who has become a vocal defender.
Some Republicans in Congress warned that they couldn’t spare many more members departing a House that they expect to just barely hold a majority in.
Susan Wiles, Trump’s pick for chief of staff, is helping the president-elect shape his administration. She told donors at a private event yesterday that Trump would move on his first day in office to reinstate several executive orders from his first term.
Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is also expected to have a role in Trump’s administration. His role is not yet clear, but he has an expansive wish list for ways to reshape public health.
In other politics news:
Trump is mounting another bid to dismiss his criminal conviction in New York.
Much of corporate America is betting that a second Trump term will be good for the economy.
Mexico signaled that it would respond to new U.S. tariffs with trade restrictions of its own.
Higher education has been a favorite target of Republicans. Now, colleges and universities are wondering if they will be “the enemy” under Trump.
The Democratic Party will soon be without an obvious leader. There will be no shortage of ambitious people looking to fill that gap.
Some Black voters ask: What have Democrats done for us?