As the dust settles on Donald Trump’s US election win, the president-elect has begun choosing who will be in his administration for his second stint in the White House.
During the campaign, Mr Trump avoided directly confirming any appointments but frequently dropped hints about who he would like in his top team.
Nominees must be questioned by members of the Senate before it votes on their appointment. Even with the Republicans in control some of the picks are very controversial and could be blocked.
So who is in, who is out and who are the leading contenders for jobs?
Susie Wiles is a veteran Republican campaign manager – having helped Ronald Reagan and Ron DeSantis get elected as well as Donald Trump in 2016 and 2024. She is the first member of his team to be announced – and becomes the first female chief-of-staff in American history.
The 67-year-old, who lives in Florida, has a political career that spans decades but has largely kept out of the limelight and rarely given interviews.
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She is the daughter of late American footballer Pat Summerall and one of her first jobs in politics was as an assistant to one of his former New York Giants teammates when he became a Republican representative.
Outside politics, she has worked in the private sector as a lobbyist, for both Ballard Partners, whose clients include Amazon, Google, and the MLB (Major League Baseball), and then Mercury, which works with Elon Musk’s SpaceX and the embassy of Qatar.
This time around, Mr Trump credited her with his “best-run” presidential campaign, describing her as “incredible” at a Milwaukee rally earlier this year, and an “ice maiden” in his victory speech.
Matt Gaetz
Mr Trump has chosen Matt Gaetz, a man who once faced a federal sex trafficking probe, to be the nation’s top prosecutor.
The investigation, carried out by the Justice Department he will now lead, ended without charges.
However, it is just one of a number of reasons why his appointment as attorney general has raised concerns in Washington.
Mr Gaetz had also been under scrutiny by the House Ethics Committee over wider allegations including sexual misconduct, illicit drug use and accepting improper gifts.
The inquiry was dropped on Wednesday 13 November when Mr Gaetz left Congress – the only forum where the committee has jurisdiction.
The 42-year-old is a fierce Trump supporter who has regularly attacked both the Justice Department and the FBI, and even called for the FBI to be defunded and abolished.
He was particularly critical of the Justice Department’s investigation into the January 6 attack on the Capitol in 2021 – which resulted in charges against more than 1,500 Trump supporters and hundreds of convictions.
Veteran Democratic senator Chris Murphy declared his appointment as attorney general as “a red alert moment for our democracy”.
Steve Bannon, Trump’s former adviser told NBC news: “President Trump is going to hit the Justice Department with a blowtorch, and Matt Gaetz is that torch.”
His nomination, which must be ratified by Congress, could be blocked unless Republicans unite around him.
Elon Musk
Tech billionaire Elon Musk became one of Mr Trump’s staunchest supporters in the months leading up to the election and spent at least $119m (£92m) canvassing for him in the seven battleground states.
In a statement on Tuesday, the president-elect said Mr Musk and Mr Ramaswamy “will pave the way for my administration to dismantle government bureaucracy, slash excess regulations, cut wasteful expenditures, and restructure federal agencies”.
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Musk to co-run ‘efficiency’ dept
Despite its name, the DOGE is not a government agency and is instead set to provide “advice and guidance” from the outside of government.
The statement released by Mr Trump said it will partner with the office of management and budget to “drive large-scale structural reform, and create an entrepreneurial approach to government never seen before”.
The department has been given a deadline of 4 July 2026 to conclude its work.
Vivek Ramaswamy
Former Republican presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy will join Elon Musk in leading DOGE.
Mr Ramaswamy, the founder of a pharmaceutical company, suspended his campaign in January to support Mr Trump.
In his 2021 bestseller book Woke, Inc, Mr Ramaswamy criticised the decisions of some big companies to base business strategy around social justice and climate change concerns.
Pete Hegseth
Fox News commentator and National Guard veteran Pete Hegseth has been picked as Mr Trump’s defence secretary.
In a statement, the president-elect described the 44-year-old as “tough, smart and a true believer in America First”.
He said: “With Pete at the helm, America’s enemies are on notice – our military will be great again, and America will never back down.”
If confirmed by the Senate, Mr Hegseth could make good on Mr Trump’s campaign promises to rid the US military of generals who he accuses of pursuing progressive policies on diversity in the ranks that conservatives have rallied against.
In the past Mr Hegseth has expressed disdain for the so-called “woke” policies of Pentagon leaders including its top military officer.
He has also railed against NATO allies for being weak and claimed China is on the verge of dominating its neighbours.
Mr Hegseth has pushed for making the US military more lethal and argued allowing women to serve in combat hurts that effort.
“Everything about men and women serving together makes the situation more complicated, and complication in combat, that means casualties are worse,” he said in an interview on The Shawn Ryan Show podcast.
Though he said diversity in the military is a strength, he said that was because minority and white men “can perform similarly” but the same is not true for women.
Critics have pointed to Mr Hegseth’s lack of experience with some suggesting he could be defence secretary in name only as the Trump White House runs the department.
“There is reason for concern that this is not a person who is a serious enough policymaker, serious enough policy implementer, to do a successful job,” said Adam Smith, the ranking Democrat on the House Armed Services Committee.
The president-elect wrote on X that RFK Jr will “restore these Agencies to the traditions of Gold Standard Scientific Research, and beacons of Transparency, to end the Chronic Disease epidemic, and to Make America Great and Healthy Again”.
RFK Jr abandoned his independent presidential campaign to back Mr Trump in August.
It was a move that saw RFK Jr condemned by many members of his family, but as with Musk, his public support has been rewarded.
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From August: Kennedy family criticises RFK Jr
Mr Kennedy – the son of politician Robert F Kennedy and the nephew of assassinated president John F Kennedy – made a name for himself as a vaccine sceptic during the COVID-19 pandemic and has frequently repeated debunked claims, including linking vaccines to autism in children.
He has claimed Mr Trump will push to remove fluoride from drinking water on his first day in office. The addition of the compound has been cited as helping to improve dental health.
RFK Jr’s controversial views could see him struggle to land enough votes to have his role confirmed, even in a Republican-controlled Senate.
Marco Rubio
Donald Trump has named Marco Rubio as his secretary of state, making him the first Latino member of the president-elect’s top team.
Mr Rubio, a Florida senator, unsuccessfully ran against Mr Trump to be the Republican presidential candidate in 2016.
In the past, the 53-year-old has advocated for muscular foreign policy with respect to the US’s geopolitical rivals, including China, Iran and Cuba.
However, over the last several years he has softened some of his stances to align more closely with Mr Trump’s views.
He was a contender to be his 2024 running mate before JD Vance landed the role.
Elise Stefanik
According to US network CNN, Mr Trump has offered fierce ally Elise Stefanik the job as US ambassador to the UN.
Citing two anonymous sources, CNN confirms rumours the Republican – who represents New York in the House – was lined up for the role.
Ms Stefanik has built up a national profile as an unwavering ally of the president-elect, shedding her early reputation as a moderate – having worked on Mitt Romney’s 2012 campaign – to become the highest-ranking woman in the House Republican leadership.
Sky News’ US partner network NBC News reported in January this year she was being considered as Mr Trump’s pick for vice president.
Mr Trump reportedly described her as a “killer”.
Tom Homan
Mr Trump said late on Sunday that Tom Homan will return to government to be in charge of US borders and the deportation of illegal immigrants.
Announcing the news on Truth Social, the president-elect said “there is nobody better at policing and controlling our Borders” than his new “border czar”.
Mr Homan served as former acting director of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) during Mr Trump’s first term, and was an early backer of the president’s “zero tolerance” policy – which NBC News reported led to at least 5,500 families being separated at the southern border in 2018.
Earlier this year, he told a conservative conference he would “run the biggest deportation force this country has ever seen,” per NBC.
Mr Homan was also a contributor to Project 2025’s Mandate for Leadership book.
Mike Waltz
Trump loyalist Mike Waltz is the president-elect’s national security adviser – a powerful role which does not require confirmation from the Senate.
The 50-year-old, who served in the National Guard, will be responsible for briefing Mr Trump on key national security issues and coordinating with different agencies.
Having praised Mr Trump’s foreign policy views, Mr Waltz is a leading critic of China, and has spoken out about the country’s activity in the Asia-Pacific, claiming the US needs to be ready for a potential conflict in the region.
Kristi Noem
South Dakota governor Kristi Noem has been picked to serve as the next homeland security secretary.
Once seen as a possible running mate for the president-elect, Ms Noem is currently serving her second four-year term as South Dakota’s governor, having risen to prominence after refusing to impose a statewide mask order during the COVID-19 pandemic.
As head of homeland security, she will be responsible for everything from border protection and immigration to disaster response and the US Secret Service.
In a statement on Tuesday, Mr Trump said: “Kristi has been very strong on border security. She was the first governor to send National Guard soldiers to help Texas fight the Biden border crisis, and they were sent a total of eight times.”
He said Ms Noem would work closely with his “border czar,” Mr Homan.
Stephen Miller
Mr Trump has named Stephen Miller, an immigration hardliner, to be his deputy chief of staff for policy and homeland security adviser.
Mr Miller was a vocal spokesperson during the presidential campaign for Mr Trump’s priority of mass deportations.
The 39-year-old previously served as a senior adviser during Mr Trump’s first administration.
Mr Miller has been a central figure in some of Mr Trump’s policy decisions, notably his move to separate thousands of immigrant families.
John Ratcliffe
Former director of national intelligence John Ratcliffe has been picked by Mr Trump to serve as director of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA).
A former congressman and prosecutor, Mr Ratcliffe is seen as a Trump loyalist who is likely to win Senate confirmation.
Tulsi Gabbard
Tulsi Gabbard, a former Democratic member of Congress and presidential candidate, has been chosen to serve as director of national intelligence.
“As a former Candidate for the Democrat Presidential Nomination, she has broad support in both Parties – She is now a proud Republican!” Mr Trump said.
“I know Tulsi will bring the fearless spirit that has defined her illustrious career to our Intelligence Community, championing our Constitutional Rights, and securing Peace through Strength. Tulsi will make us all proud!”
She has been accused of amplifying Russian propaganda and would come to the job having never worked in the intelligence world or served on a congressional intelligence committee.
Two years ago it was claimed she echoed Russian propaganda by posting a video saying there were bio labs across Ukraine funded by the US.
Karoline Leavitt
The chief spokesperson for the president-elect’s transition team, Karoline Leavitt, has been appointed as his White House press secretary.
At 27, she will be the youngest person to ever hold the title.
Ms Leavitt previously served as an assistant press secretary during the latter part of Mr Trump’s first term.
“I have the utmost confidence she will excel at the podium, and help deliver our message to the American People as we, Make America Great Again,” Mr Trump said in a statement.
The job of the White House press secretary is to promote the president’s activities without betraying the confidence of the boss.
Nikki Haley was once Mr Trump’s main rival during his run for the Republican presidential nomination.
Despite losing the contest, she proved her popularity with parts of the GOP and previously served in his first presidential cabinet as the US ambassador to the United Nations.
The 51-year-old also served as governor of South Carolina but news of her not being involved this time around was broken by the president-elect on his own social media platform, Truth Social.
In a short statement, Mr Trump said he would not be inviting either her or former secretary of state Mike Pompeo back but thanked them for their service.
Image: @realDonaldTrump/Truth Social
In response, Ms Haley, who eventually endorsed Mr Trump despite harshly criticising him in the party primaries, said: “I was proud to work with President Trump defending America at the United Nations.
“I wish him, and all who serve, great success in moving us forward to a stronger, safer America over the next four years.”
Mike Pompeo
Mike Pompeo also served as the director of the CIA under Mr Trump and had been mentioned in some reports as a possible defence secretary or in relation to another role linked to national security, intelligence or diplomacy.
Image: Former secretary of state Mike Pompeo. Pic: AP
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Mr Trump confirmed Mr Pompeo would not be returning to his cabinet in the same post that he ruled out Ms Haley.
Previously among Mr Trump’s closest allies, Mr Pompeo is one of the fiercest US defenders of Ukraine.
Who is yet to be decided?
Don Jr, Eric and Lara Trump
Image: Don Jr, flanked by Eric and Lara, defending his father outside his hush money trial in May. Pic: AP
Mr Trump’s daughter and son-in-law, Ivanka Trump and Jared Kushner, were among his senior advisers during his first term. But will the businessman once again keep any family members close when he is in the Oval Office?
In June 2023, Mr Trump said he did not want his children to serve in a second administration, saying it was “too painful for the family”.
Nevertheless, while Ms Trump and Mr Kushner have stayed away from politics since, two of Mr Trump’s other sons – Don Jr and Eric – have played prominent roles on the campaign trail.
Eric’s wife, Lara Trump, already has a significant role in US politics, as she serves as co-chair of the Republican Party.
Larry Kudlow
Image: Larry Kudlow hosts shows on Fox News and Fox Business. Pic: AP
Fox News personality Larry Kudlow served as director of the National Economic Council for much of Mr Trump’s first term and is said to have an outside shot at becoming his treasury secretary this time.
Other names being linked to the post include John Paulson – a billionaire hedge fund manager and donor, who hosted a fundraiser that raked in more than $50m (£38m) for the former president.
Iranian state television says a ceasefire in its war with Israel has now begun, following a night of missile strikes.
Israel’s ambulance service says at least four people were killed in overnight strikes, with footage from southern Israel showing extensive damage to what appeared to be a residential building.
Sirens sounded in several areas – and members of the public who received an alert were ordered to take shelter – with explosions heard over Tel Aviv.
Early on Tuesday morning, US President Donald Trump declared: “The ceasefire is now in effect. Please do not violate it!”
The message on Truth Social followed a series of posts on Monday, in which the president declared that a “complete and total ceasefire” had been agreed upon between the two countries and would begin at approximately 5am UK time.
Image: Footage appeared to show a residential building in southern Israel that was extensively damaged. Pic: AP
In a post on X, Iran’s foreign minister Abbas Araghchi, confirmed that Tehran “has no intention” to continue its response to Israel – provided it “stops its illegal aggression against the Iranian people”.
Israeli media reports suggested Benjamin Netanyahu was also on board – provided Iran stops firing missiles towards the country – but there has been no official confirmation.
Image: Donald Trump in the Situation Room at the White House over the weekend. Pic: Reuters
Mr Trump had written: “Officially, Iran will start the CEASEFIRE and, upon the 12th hour, Israel will start the CEASEFIRE and, upon the 24th Hour, an Official END to THE 12 DAY WAR will be saluted by the World.
“On the assumption that everything works as it should, which it will, I would like to congratulate both countries, Israel and Iran, on having the stamina, courage, and intelligence to end, what should be called, ‘THE 12 DAY WAR.’
“This is a war that could have gone on for years, and destroyed the entire Middle East, but it didn’t, and never will!”
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2:58
Iran’s nuclear capabilities
In an interview with Sky News’ partner network NBC, the president said it was a “great day” for the US and the Middle East – and a “wonderful day” for the world.
“I’m very happy to have been able to get the job done. A lot of people were dying, and it was only going to get worse. It would have brought the whole Middle East down,” he said.
Mr Trump said he thinks the ceasefire is “unlimited” and is “going to go forever” – adding: “I don’t believe they will ever be shooting at each other again.”
Analysis: Seasoned diplomats startled at developments
I’ve spoken to a diplomat involved in the fast-moving developments of the past 12 hours.
The diplomat, speaking on condition of anonymity because they are not permitted to speak publicly, told me that Donald Trump called the Emir of Qatar yesterday evening.
Trump told the emir that he had a commitment from Israel that it would cease its attacks on Iran. Trump asked the emir to try to secure the same commitment from the Iranians.
The Qatari PM and vice president JD Vance engaged on the details of what they hoped could be achieved.
The Qatari PM then spoke to Iranians (it’s not clear who within the Iranian power structure the Qataris spoke to, and my source wouldn’t say). The Iranians agreed to stop their attacks.
Shortly after, Iranian foreign minister Abbas Araghchi posted the confirmation, saying: “The military operations of our powerful armed forces to punish Israel for its aggression continued until the very last minute, at 4am.
“Together with all Iranians, I thank our brave armed forces who remain ready to defend our dear country until their last drop of blood, and who responded to any attack by the enemy until the very last minute.”
My source could not comment on the complex timeline (six hours, 12 hours, 24 hours) laid out in Donald Trump’s Truth Social post, but it’s thought that this might have been overtaken now by agreements made by Trump, the Israelis, the Iranians, and Qatar. Time will tell.
It’s clear from the tone of the messages I have had from various sources that the pace and style of the developments of the past 12 to 24 hours have left even these seasoned diplomats startled.
Messages from several Middle Eastern diplomats have included emojis reflecting exasperation, surprise and bewilderment.
Just hours earlier, people in the Qatari capital Doha had stopped and gazed up at the sky as Iranian missiles flew to the American al Udeid base and interceptors fired.
Officials said there were no casualties, and the US later confirmed it had been warned about the attack by Iran.
Mr Trump was in the Situation Room in the White House as the strikes took place.
He later claimed on his social network that the missiles were a “very weak response”, which the US “expected” and “very effectively countered”.
The Iranian attack came after the US dropped “bunker buster bombs” on three key nuclear sites in Iran over the weekend.
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In a new interview on Fox News, US Vice President JD Vance claimed Iran is no longer able to build nuclear weapons after the American attacks.
“Iran was very close to having a nuclear weapon,” he said. “Now Iran is incapable of building a nuclear weapon with the equipment they have because we destroyed it.”
These days, peace is a post on social media. On Donald Trump’s Truth Social site, it came in two parts.
Part one read: “CONGRATULATIONS WORLD, IT’S TIME FOR PEACE.”
The Magna Carta it wasn’t, but it was a peace treaty for our times – a US president announcing there would be no retaliation against Iran’s missile attack.
An anxious world watching for US bombers returning to Iranian skies could cool its jets – and the primetime president could feel vindicated, having enjoyed strategic success.
Image: Donald Trump at a meeting in the Situation Room at the White House. Pic: Reuters
Trump has tweaked the politics and military landscape around Iran to suit US interests, without a single American life lost.
He had framed US intervention in Iran as an effort to prevent a “forever” foreign war, not to provoke it, and he is sitting pretty, following ugly predictions he’d be sucked into conflict.
Image: Footage appeared to show a residential building in southern Israel that was extensively damaged. Pic: AP
Then, on Truth Social, there was peace “part two”.
A couple of hours after announcing non-retaliation, Trump wrote the sequel: “Ceasefire.”
He posted: “CONGRATULATIONS TO EVERYONE!” – saying a “complete and total” ceasefire had been fully agreed between Israel and Iran.
Quite the day of problem-solving for the self-styled “peacemaker-in-chief”. Quite the day of problems unsolved too – time will tell.
As deadlines loomed, neither Israel nor Iran appeared fully committed to the Trump script, and fresh missiles were fired overnight.
Daytime will test the durability of a ceasefire. There are motivations on both sides to continue a conflict in which both see the other as an existential threat.
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Can Tehran regard Donald Trump as a trusted broker of peace when he floated the idea of regime change in Iran, as pursued by Israel?
Can Israel be convinced to pull back on its military advantage when its instinct will be to reinforce superiority and undermine an Iranian rebuild?
Trump’s influence will be tested, as ever, when he flies to a NATO summit in The Netherlands today. For him, it can be a difficult crowd and one for whom he remains a mystery.
A positive result in the Middle East will help to confound their curiosity, for the better.
It’s the most important day for Donald Trump since the last one.
Iran fires missiles at a US military base – with Qatari airspace shut off and Britons told by the Foreign Office to “take shelter”.
And then, a ceasefire – announced by Trump on Truth Social – declaring himself the arbiter of world peace and an end not just to US-Iranian hostilities, but to the conflict between Iran and Israel.
A head-spinning few hours. We unpack it all.
If you’ve got a question you’d like the Trump100 team to answer, you can email it to trump100@sky.uk.