President-elect Donald Trump is moving swiftly to assemble a national security team for his upcoming term, choosing familiar faces and loyalists for key roles. After feeling constrained by some of his early appointments in his first administration, Trump is signaling a preference for civilians over generals, hoping for appointees who align closely with his agenda.
According to a report from Axios, Trump’s new approach underscores his desire for strong, business-minded leaders rather than military figures in national security roles. According to insiders mentioned in the report, this lineup will prioritize loyalty and experience with Trump’s policies, with a key focus on resolving international conflicts like the Russia-Ukraine war and tensions in the Middle East.
Top picks for State Department
For the Secretary of State position, former U.S. Ambassador to Germany Richard Grenell is a prominent contender. Grenell, who advised Trump on foreign policy throughout the campaign, would likely focus on Russia-Ukraine diplomacy. With a Republican-led Senate, Grenell’s confirmation could be straightforward.
Other contenders include Sen. Bill Hagerty (R-Tenn.), who served as ambassador to Japan, and Robert O’Brien, Trump’s former national security adviser. Meanwhile, former State Department spokesperson Morgan Ortagus is being considered for a senior position, and Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-N.Y.) is a frontrunner for U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations.
Defense and Intelligence team
Trump’s potential picks for the Defense Secretary include former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and Rep. Michael Waltz (R-Fla.), who could also be considered for CIA director. John Ratcliffe, a former Director of National Intelligence, is also in the mix for the CIA role. Sen. Tom Cotton (R-Ark.) was also a contender (for leading either CIA or Pentagon), but he has reportedly declined any cabinet roles for this term.
Brian Hook, Trump’s Iran envoy, is another familiar face who could see a top role in the next administration. Currently, Hook is leading the State Department transition team and could end up in a senior foreign policy or national security post.
Grenell and Waltz are also being considered for the position of national security adviser, where they would work closely with Trump on implementing his policies without the resistance he felt from some past advisors.
Middle East strategy and potential key figures
In his previous term, Trump’s Middle East approach was led by senior adviser and son-in-law Jared Kushner, who crafted the Abraham Accords, a historic peace plan between Israel and several Arab nations. Although Kushner has publicly stated he is not interested in returning to government, the current Middle East crisis and the possibility of a Saudi-Israel peace deal might sway his decision.
Other familiar names from the prior administration, like Avi Berkowitz, David Friedman, Jason Greenblatt, and Aryeh Lightstone, are also expected to play key roles in Middle East policy, potentially resuming positions they held under Trump’s first term.
Here is what else you need to know
A former senior Trump administration official advised caution when predicting Trump’s final choices. “At the start of Trump’s first term, ‘Rex Tillerson wasn’t in the first 3,000 people who were mentioned as candidates for Secretary of State,'” the official noted, according to the Axios report. Trump is expected to prioritize a team that will carry out his agenda without resistance, contrasting his experience with previous officials like Tillerson and Secretary of Defense James Mattis, who often challenged his direction.
Who Are The Top Contenders For Trump’s New National Security Team? world-news World News | Latest International News | Global World News | World Breaking Headlines Today
