The upcoming administration of President-elect Donald Trump is gradually taking shape with strategic appointments being made. Renowned for his staunch position on global threats, Florida House member and military veteran, Michael Waltz has been nominated as the national security advisor. The role, one of great significance, tasks him with advising the president on the appropriate US response to foreign threats.
The rumored nomination of Senator Marco Rubio as Trump’s future secretary of state is currently a hot topic of discussion. An appointment like this would place the senator in America’s top diplomacy position, although the final decision has not been disclosed yet. Several US media outlets have reported ongoing discussions between Rubio and members of the Trump transition team, hinting at the potential appointment.
Adding to the roster of impactful roles, South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem could potentially serve as Homeland Security Secretary in the forthcoming Trump government. With the Republican Party’s recent resurgence, securing control in the Senate and close to a majority in the House, Trump’s administrative design starts to materialize.
Tuesday saw President-elect Trump officially announce Waltz as his next national security advisor. Waltz, an expert on threats posed by countries such as China, Russia, and Iran, as well as global terrorism, was praised highly by Trump. He further elaborated that Waltz is a massive proponent of the ‘America First Foreign Policy’ agenda.
Backed by a strong and experienced team, Trump has confirmed Susie Wiles as his chief of staff, appointed ex-immigration official Tom Homan as ‘border tsar’, and proposed New York Congresswoman Elise Stefanik as his future ambassador to the United Nations.
In the context of Rubio’s potential appointment as secretary of state, it’s essential to note the senator’s impressive career trajectory. A foreign policy ‘hawk’, Rubio maintains a tough stance towards Iran and China. He has also been supportive of Ukraine, expressing the need to resolve their conflict with Russia conclusively.
Reviving a 2016 rivalry, Trump had competed with Rubio for the Republican presidential nomination. Despite differing perspectives on various issues, Rubio endorsed and openly campaigned for Trump in the run-up to the 2024 election. The senator was also in consideration for Trump’s running mate, a position that finally went to JD Vance, who shares similar views on China.
Born to working-class Cuban immigrants, Rubio was elected to the Senate in 2010. His potential nomination as America’s top diplomat would follow an impressive political career. On the other hand, Waltz, a staunch Trump supporter, successfully earned re-election to Congress.
Waltz is not just a political figure but a military veteran. He served several tours in various global hotspots, namely Afghanistan, the Middle East, and Africa. Waltz’s military experiences, especially his tenure as a decorated Green Beret, make him an apt fit for the position of national security advisor.
Chair of the Armed Services Subcommittee on Readiness, Waltz, like Rubio, is a firm advocate for a more robust stance on China. He believes that the US must be better prepared for potential conflict in the Pacific. Furthermore, he has supported Ukraine while advocating for the reassessment of US aid spending.
The repeat assignment of Waltz would demand his resignation from his current position in the House of Representatives. This move might have implications if the Republicans secure control of the House by a slim margin. Till a new replacement is elected, Waltz’s resignation would proportionally reduce the majority.
Waltz would be the fifth national security adviser under Trump, who has been known for his strategy of appointing fresh faces in this position. His strategy was exhibited during his first term when he appointed four different men to this role.
Noem, possibly the next Homeland Security Secretary, is poised to oversee the security of the US. She will work in coordination with Homan, the border tsar, and Stephen Miller, in charge of policy, to deliver Trump’s immigration mandates. Despite a blunder related to her pet dog, Noem carries a strong reputation, having served as South Dakota’s first female governor starting in 2018.