President-elect Donald Trump has made significant appointments to his cabinet as he prepares for his second term. On November 20, 2024, he announced Linda McMahon as Secretary of Education, Dr. Mehmet Oz to lead Medicare and Medicaid, and Howard Lutnick as Commerce Secretary [97d8fdb4]. McMahon, a billionaire and former head of WWE, has a history in education and is a strong supporter of charter schools. She previously supported Trump with a $6 million donation in 2016 and aims to eliminate the Education Department while promoting parental choice in education [97d8fdb4]. Trump emphasized her leadership experience in his announcement, highlighting her commitment to reforming education [97d8fdb4].
Dr. Oz, a former television host and heart surgeon, aims to incentivize disease prevention and reduce waste in healthcare. He has faced criticism for lacking qualifications and promoting pseudoscience, which raises concerns about his ability to effectively lead Medicare and Medicaid [97d8fdb4]. Lutnick, a Wall Street executive and head of Cantor Fitzgerald, will focus on tariffs and trade, having expressed strong support for protecting American workers. His appointment reflects Trump's administration's priorities, particularly in dismantling perceived left-wing policies in education and healthcare [97d8fdb4].
These appointments come amid ongoing controversy regarding Trump's cabinet selections. U.S. Senator Maggie Hassan has voiced concerns about the qualifications of several nominees, including Matt Gaetz for Attorney General, Tulsi Gabbard for Secretary of State, and Pete Hegseth for Secretary of Defense. During her seventh annual Innovate NH forum, Hassan emphasized the importance of maintaining freedom and democracy, suggesting that these values are at risk with Trump's choices [3d8a5937].
In addition to McMahon's appointment, Trump's cabinet selections have sparked debate over the qualifications of nominees. Critics have raised alarms about Gaetz's limited legal experience and Hegseth's lack of military management experience, questioning the potential effectiveness of the Justice Department and the Department of Defense [485114c2]. Furthermore, Caroline Kennedy has criticized R.F.K. Jr.'s controversial views on vaccinations, adding another layer of scrutiny to his nomination [3a878a7d].
Fox News host Jesse Watters defended Trump's Cabinet nominations, arguing that they are 'good on TV' and do not necessarily need to be qualified for their roles. He claimed that the federal bureaucracy runs itself, and the nominees' primary job is to cut waste and protect Trump from lawsuits [43839109]. This perspective has drawn criticism, especially considering the implications of appointing unqualified individuals to lead major agencies, particularly in light of past failures during the COVID-19 pandemic. The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) took legal action against Trump's administration 434 times during his first term, highlighting the potential consequences of such appointments on millions of Americans and the global community [43839109].
Trump's approach to immigration policy has also raised eyebrows, as he endorses emergency powers for mass deportations and plans to involve the military in immigration enforcement [3a878a7d]. New Hampshire Republican Party Chairman Chris Ager defended Trump's right to assemble his team, asserting that the president-elect should be allowed to choose individuals he trusts [3d8a5937].
The Cuban government is reportedly concerned about Rubio's nomination as Secretary of State, especially amid its worst economic crisis in three decades, while the Venezuelan opposition has expressed support for Trump's administration [f9d9270a]. Additionally, tensions with Mexico are expected to rise, with Trump threatening tariffs unless drug trafficking is curtailed [f9d9270a].
As of November 20, 2024, Trump has announced 13 out of 25 cabinet positions, with key nominees including Pete Hegseth for the CIA, Kristi Noem for Homeland Security, and Tulsi Gabbard for Director of National Intelligence. Notably, Matt Gaetz resigned from the House on November 13, 2024, amid ethics investigations, adding further complexity to his nomination for Attorney General [d5e85c8e]. The evolving political landscape in the U.S. and abroad will undoubtedly influence both domestic policies and international relations in the coming years [6aa8a28f].