Hegseth, 44 years old, former reserve major
Trump: “A true believer in America First”
The CIA director is ‘Trump’s bodyguard.’
Musk to head government reform ‘Ministry of Efficiency’
U.S. President-elect Donald Trump selected Fox News host Pete Hegseth (44) as the next administration’s Secretary of Defense on the 12th (local time). In addition, former Director of National Intelligence (DNI) John Ratcliffe (59) was nominated as Director of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA). Tesla CEO Elon Musk (53) and Indian businessman Vivek Ramaswamy (39) were appointed as co-heads of the newly created Department of Government Efficiency.
President-elect Trump said in a statement that day, “Pete is tough, smart, and a true believer in America First.” Hegseth, a former major in the Army Reserves, has strongly criticized the Joe Biden administration’s progressive policies, including support for sexual minorities in the military. He is also known as a person with strong isolationist tendencies, opposing the stationing of U.S. troops overseas.
Ratcliffe, who served as DNI director in the first Trump administration, has played the role of an escort, including releasing unconfirmed confidential documents that refute the Democratic Party’s claim that Russia supported President Trump ahead of the 2020 presidential election. President-elect Trump nominated Representative Michael Waltz as White House National Security Advisor and South Dakota Governor Kristi Norm as Secretary of Homeland Security. The appointment of key foreign and security positions was virtually completed just a week after the presidential election, emphasizing the will to fulfill the pledge of the America First policy.
Musk, who exerts great influence in all areas including personnel management, policy, and diplomacy during Trump’s second term, is expected to emphasize federal government reform and deregulation as head of the Ministry of Government Efficiency and pursue a ‘Trump-style small government.’ Ramaswami, a former biotechnology entrepreneur, ran for the Republican presidential primary, but withdrew in January and established himself as a close associate of President-elect Trump by declaring his support.
President-elect Trump said, “The great Musk and the patriot Ramaswamy will dismantle bureaucracy and rebuild federal institutions,” adding,
Minister of Defense, a former major, and special envoy of a golf friend… Establishment of diplomatic and security lines in one week
U.S. President-elect Donald Trump has begun a high-speed selection process to form the ‘Trump 2nd term’ administration, announcing 14 high-ranking officials just one week after winning the presidential election on the 5th. In particular, we are prioritizing the selection of personnel who will be responsible for implementing pledges in key areas that have been emphasized, such as foreign affairs and security, response to illegal immigration, and expansion of fossil energy use.
President-elect Trump’s personnel keywords are largely summarized as △40s and 50s △America First △Loyalists who have promoted the President-elect’s pledges through conservative media such as Fox News. The analysis is that this reflects his intention to strongly pursue an America-first policy upon his inauguration on January 20th next year.
In particular, when Fox News host Pete Hegseth (44), an Army reserve major born in 1980 with no experience in Congress or the executive branch, was nominated on the 12th (local time) to the position of Minister of Defense, which was usually held by the highest-ranking general, even the Republican Party reacted with surprise. The New York Times said, “Trump’s foreign affairs and security personnel are all America First,” and “Hegseth, who represents Trump’s isolationism and impulsive interventionism, is an ardent supporter of America First.”
● Diplomatic and security-immigration policy appointments virtually completed
On the 7th, President-elect Trump selected Suzy Wiles (67), co-chairman of the presidential campaign, as White House chief of staff. On the 10th, former Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Acting Director Tom Horman (63) was nominated as the ‘border czar’ who will oversee immigration policy, and on the 12th, South Dakota Governor Christie Norm (53) was nominated as Secretary of Homeland Security. They will be in charge of illegal immigration-related policies, along with Stephen Miller (39), President-elect Trump’s closest confidant, who is known to have been appointed deputy chief of staff for policy at the White House.
On the 12th, President-elect Trump nominated Hegseth as Secretary of Defense, former Director of National Intelligence (DNI) John Ratcliffe (59) as Director of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), and Republican Congressman Michael Waltz (50) as National Security Advisor. Also, on the 10th, Republican Congressman Ellis Stefanik (40) was nominated as U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations. Most of the key positions have been announced, except for the Secretary of State and the Director of the DNI, which are known to have been nominated by Republican Senator Marco Rubio (53). Additionally, President-elect Trump nominated his long-time golf friend and Jewish businessman Steve Witkoff (67) as special envoy to the Middle East, and former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee (69) as ambassador to Israel.
Hegseth, who was appointed as the Secretary of Defense, who commands about 2.2 million U.S. troops, including U.S. forces stationed in Korea, holds a bachelor’s degree from Princeton University and a master’s degree from Harvard University’s Kennedy School, and was deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan. He said on Fox News in 2017, “A preemptive strike against North Korea has clear advantages, but it must be done properly.” Also, in 2018, “Kim Jong-un (North Korea’s State Affairs Commission Chairman) would not want to be someone who slaughters his own people all day long. “Let’s give him a chance.”
If Hegseth passes Senate confirmation early next year, he will become the second youngest head of defense after former Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld, who became head of defense at the age of 43 during the then-Gerald Ford administration in 1975. However, NYT and other sources predicted that the confirmation could be difficult due to the Republican Party’s concerns about Hegseth’s young age and lack of experience. Nevertheless, it is interpreted that Hegseth was selected to take charge of national defense reforms, including the withdrawal of support for U.S. military abortions, as demanded by President-elect Trump’s hard-core supporters.
Ratcliffe, who will lead the CIA, was positive about partial denuclearization and exchange of sanctions relief, saying during his confirmation hearing in 2020, “North Korea may be willing to exchange some of its nuclear weapons and missiles for the relief of international sanctions and other political and security gains.” showed his stance.
● “There are only two years for a major change”… ‘Young blood’ transfusion
To date, most of those who have been nominated by President-elect Trump are in their 40s or 50s. In his first administration, President-elect Trump established the so-called ’axis of adults’, including former Secretary of Defense James Mattis, former Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, and former White House Chief of Staff John Kelly, to make up for his lack of administrative experience, but he often came into conflict with them. The second administration made it clear that it would form a cabinet centered on young loyalists. Chief of Staff nominee Wiles also predicted a race of speed at a recent private meeting with Republican donors, saying, “The time when a government revolution is possible is two years before the midterm elections (2026).”
Another characteristic is that many people have appeared on Fox News, which is enjoyed by President-elect Trump’s supporters. In addition to Hegseth, Waltz, Norm, Huckabee, and Homan also frequently appeared.
However, there are also signs of a behind-the-scenes power game surrounding the position of Secretary of State to which Rep. Rubio was nominated. According to political media Politico, supporters of former U.S. Ambassador to Germany Rick Grenell are demanding that President-elect Trump reexamine his personnel. They argue that Rep. Rubio, who has supported U.S. military intervention in overseas conflicts in the past, does not fit President-elect Trump’s isolationist stance.
What are the key policies President-elect Trump is expected to prioritize in his second term?
President-elect Trump is rapidly assembling his administration in preparation for his second term, having already nominated 14 key officials within a week of the election. This swift selection process highlights his commitment to executing his “America First” agenda, particularly in the realms of foreign affairs, security, illegal immigration, and energy policy.
Notable appointments include Pete Hegseth as Secretary of Defense, who has no prior Congressional or executive branch experience, surprising many in the Republican Party. Hegseth is known for his strong stance on military and defense issues, including a willingness to consider preemptive action against nations like North Korea. His appointment comes amidst a backdrop of Trump’s push for a government reform, with expected emphasis on deregulation.
John Ratcliffe, a former Director of National Intelligence, has been chosen to lead the CIA. His past statements indicate a pragmatic approach to North Korea, suggesting the possibility of partial denuclearization in exchange for sanctions relief. Other notable appointments include Michael Waltz as National Security Advisor and Kristi Noem, the Governor of South Dakota, as Secretary of Homeland Security.
As Trump prioritizes individuals who align with his policies and have supported him through conservative media, such as Fox News, he seems to aim for a younger, loyal, and ideologically aligned team. This reflects a broader strategy to assert a strong America-first stance, particularly in relation to U.S. military actions abroad and immigration policies.
With uncertainties surrounding Senate confirmations, especially for Hegseth due to his lack of experience, the incoming administration may face challenges. However, Trump’s clear directive to pursue defense reforms and a focus on reducing bureaucratic hurdles suggests a significant shift in how the U.S. will engage with both domestic and international matters in the near future.