with the republican take control In the Senate, many of President-elect Trump's Cabinet nominees may face an easier path to confirmation, even some that may be controversial.
Here are some of the potential people Trump is considering or has chosen for key Cabinet positions and top White House jobs.
White House Chief of Staff
Susie Wills
Alex Brandon/AP
A day after Trump was declared president-elect announced His campaign co-chair Susie Wills will be his chief of staff. Wills, a veteran Florida-based political activist, would be the first woman in U.S. history to hold the role. The Chief of Staff is not a Senate-confirmed position, but it is a prestigious position that is often considered part of the Cabinet.
by katherine watson
Secretary of State
A source with knowledge of the discussions says GOP Senator Bill Hagerty of Tennessee is under consideration for secretary of state, but several other candidates are also under consideration.
Andrew Harnik/Getty Images
Hagerty was the US ambassador to Japan under Trump from 2017 to 2019, when he left the post to run for his current Senate seat.
by Margaret Brennan
Secretary of Defense
Former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, 60, has been named as a contender to lead the Defense Department, according to two sources familiar with the process.
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Pompeo already has extensive experience in the Trump administration and dealing with Trump. He was previously both Secretary of State and CIA Director in the Trump administration. Before attending Harvard Law School, he served as a cavalry officer patrolling the Iron Curtain before the fall of the Berlin Wall. He also remained in Congress from 2011 to 2017.
By James LaPorta and Robert Costa
Treasury Secretary
Vincent Alban/Bloomberg via Getty Images
Scott Besant, the founder of Key Square Group, a Connecticut-based hedge fund, is a leading contender for Treasury secretary, and according to a source deeply involved in transition planning, he is making a full-court press for the post. Besant has outside counsel on her side against Trump.
Drew Angerer/Getty Images
Robert Lighthizer, Trump's former US trade representative, is also being nominated for Treasury secretary.
By Bob Costa, Major Garrett and Olivia Rinaldi
Commerce Secretary
Linda McMahon, who served as small business administrator in Trump's first term and is the former CEO of WWE, is a top contender to lead the Commerce Department, multiple sources familiar with discussions about the role say.
Andrew Harrer/Bloomberg via Getty Images
A senior Trump official said, “If she wants it, it's hers.” He also said that he is close to Trump and that he trusts him.
McMahon is also co-chair of the pro-Trump super PAC America First Policy Action, and is helping run the transition team with Trump friend Howard Lutnick.
By Major Garrett and Finn Gomez
cia director
Andrew Harnik/Pool/AFP via Getty Images
Former U.S. Representative John Ratcliffe, who previously served as director of national intelligence under the Trump administration, is a top name for CIA director, according to multiple sources familiar with the discussions.
By Major Garrett and Robert Costa
Department of Homeland Security
Tom Homan is one of several names being floated for DHS secretary, according to multiple sources familiar with the transition discussions. Homan was previously the acting director of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement during the Trump administration.
60 minutes
Homan was recently Interview 60 Minutes Before the Election By Cecilia Vega. During the conversation, he addressed Mr. Trump's plan for mass deportation.
“I've heard a lot of people say, you know, the mass deportation thing is racist. It's a threat to the immigrant community. It's not a threat to the immigrant community,” Homan said. “This illegal immigrant must be a threat to the community. But after [a] Historic illegal immigration crisis. This has to be done.”
Greg Nash/Getty Images
Chad Wolf, the former acting DHS secretary under Trump's first administration, is another name being floated by Trump insiders as a top contender for DHS secretary, according to two sources close to the transition.
“Look, if the president asks, I'd be happy to serve, I think it's an honor to do so,” Wolf told NewsNation in a recent interview.
He said, “I would be very happy to serve, not only for the President but for the country, if needed.”
Homan and Wolf top the list, according to a source close to the transition, but the source reiterated that it is still in process and an official investigation will begin next week.
By Finn Gomez and Nicole Saganga
rfk jr
robert f kennedy jr Several people associated with the president-elect's campaign say he is being tipped by some of Trump's allies to be the next head of the Department of Health and Human Services. Kennedy is scheduled to meet with Trump's senior team next week, but his role in the administration is still unclear, according to a Trump source familiar with the discussions.
Rebecca Noble/Getty Images
There has been growing hope among Kennedy supporters in recent days that he might be nominated to lead the department after Republicans consolidated control of the Senate.
Kennedy ran for president as an independent candidate but dropped out of the race in August and endorsed Trump.
By Finn Gomez and Alex Tin
Trump's family members
As of now, it is not clear whether any member of Trump's family will serve in his administration. During his first term, daughter Ivanka Trump and son-in-law Jared Kushner both worked in the White House, but they have taken a step back from being involved in their father's political work.