Soon-to-be President Donald Trump has picked a notable Florida representative, renowned for his strong stance on China, to be his national security adviser. Michael Waltz, a military veteran, will take on this crucial position, advising the president on US responses to global threats. Leading conjecture suggests that Senator Marco Rubio could be Trump’s pick for secretary of state, but confirmation of this selection is pending. Whether Rubio or someone else, Trump is assembling a strong front to deal with international challenges.
Another name circulating in Trump’s forthcoming administration is South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem. She may be drafted as the homeland security secretary, playing a prominent role in the security architecture of the nation. Trump’s win in the presidential election is paving the way for his promised ‘America First’ foreign policy, with his Republican Party nearing full control of Congress.
Trump’s political dominance is becoming evident, with his party winning control of the Senate and inching towards a majority in the House. The president-elect is so confident of his strength that he’s made demands to bypass the typical Senate approval for certain appointments. Certain positions, like the national security adviser, he can directly assign, placing trustworthy figures in pivotal positions at his discretion.
Trump’s selection of Waltz as his national security adviser is now official. Waltz, the Floridian congressman, comes in as a certified expert on threats posed by China, Russia, Iran, and global terrorism. Trump praised Waltz for being a ‘strong champion’ of his ‘America First’ Foreign Policy. This appointment could influence a decisive shift in how the US handles foreign threats in the years to come.
Trump’s recent actions also hint at potential roles for Rubio and Noem. These, along with Waltz’s appointment, follow the selection of Susie Wiles as Trump’s chief of staff and Tom Homan, a former immigration official, as his ‘border tsar’. New York Congresswoman Elise Stefanik has been nominated to be Trump’s future ambassador to the United Nations. It appears that Trump is slowly but surely, shaping a team aligned with his policy perspectives.
Trump’s approach in building his cabinet seems systematic and deliberate. In his first term, he took several months to put together his cabinet and it seems this calculated approach is not changing in his second term. Senator Rubio’s appointment as secretary of state, though not yet confirmed, seems almost appropriate. The bulk of news reports suggest talks are ongoing between Rubio and the Trump transition team.
A seasoned foreign policy ‘hawk’, Rubio could make a considerable difference in the position, with his hardline stances on countries like Iran and China. He’s been supportive of Ukraine but has also remarked it is necessary for the ongoing war with Russia to conclude soon. Though Rubio’s career puts him in a good position for the role, the final decision rests with the president-elect, who could still switch courses.
Despite their rivalry during the race for the Republican presidential nomination in 2016, Rubio not only endorsed his former adversary, Trump, but also campaigned for him in 2024. This change in dynamics likely smoothed the way for him potentially taking up the reins as secretary of state. Additionally, Trump picking JD Vance, who shares similar views on China to Rubio and Waltz, as his running mate further solidifies the president-elect’s tough stance on China.
Waltz, a long-time Trump ally and military veteran, was re-elected to Congress prior to his appointment as national security adviser. An accomplished Green Beret and a veteran of the army, Waltz has served multiple times in Afghanistan, the Middle East, and Africa. His experiences and hard-earned wisdom captured in his book ‘Warrior Diplomat: A Green Beret’s Battles from Washington to Afghanistan’ make him amply qualified for the role.
Like Rubio, Waltz is tough on China and has championed for greater conflict readiness in the Pacific region. He has also discussed maintaining US support for Ukraine and reassessing US spending on aid for their military efforts. While Waltz agrees with Trump on the need for NATO allies to spend more on defense, he emphasizes the importance of maintaining friendships and alliances.
Waltz’s critique of President Joe Biden’s withdrawal from Afghanistan further solidifies his alignment with Trump’s administration. A second Trump term may also see Waltz stepping down from his office in the House of Representatives. This political reshuffling could potentially affect the Republicans’ control of the House if they win by a slim majority.
The National Security Adviser role will be Waltz’s next challenge, marking him as the fifth to fill this role under Trump. Trump has demonstrated a robust approach in his decisions, sacking three of his previous advisers. This reinforces his strong leadership style, as he clearly is unafraid to make bold decisions.
Kristi Noem, with her experience as South Dakota’s first female governor, could oversee a major security brief that includes concerns like border integrity, cyber threats, terrorism, and emergency response. Her working camaraderie with Tom Homan, the new ‘border tsar’, and Stephen Miller, who is in charge of policy, is anticipated to strengthen Trump’s stance on immigration.
Despite being passed over as Trump’s running mate, Noem remains loyal and dedicated to the president-elect and his policies. In fact, Trump’s apparent desire to have his face added to Mount Rushmore, a monumental symbol in Noem’s home state, implies a level of favor. Instead, Noem had a 4-foot bust crafted that included Trump’s face alongside his distinguished predecessors.
From filling key positions to sculpting his administration, Donald Trump is carefully shaping his team. Through appointments like Waltz, Rubio, and Noem, it’s evident that Trump is formulating a staunch strategy to tackle global threats. As with everything in politics, these appointments are eagerly watched, as they will play a significant part in determining the course of America’s foreign policy.