What will Donald Trump's second presidency look like, four years after his first stint in the White House? The questions have been numerous since the Republican billionaire won the November 5 election against Democrat Kamala Harris.
While awaiting his inauguration in January, the outlines are beginning to emerge from the names listed to fill his administration.
Susie Wiles, Donald Trump's campaign manager, has been named chief of staff at the White House. The Republican nicknamed her “ice baby” because of her reputedly imperturbable temperament. He also describes her as “tough, intelligent, creative”.
The sixty-year-old will be the first woman to occupy this prestigious position, an “honor” according to him “well deserved”. The position of chief of staff is perhaps the most strategic in the American executive branch. In France, he is similar to that of secretary general of the Élysée.
Donald Trump announced on Monday that Thomas Homan would take the helm of the agency responsible for border control and immigration (ICE), which he already headed during the Republican's first term.
The 62-year-old former police officer was responsible for the separation of nearly 4,000 migrant children from their parents. This time he will be responsible for implementing the mass expulsion plan that the Republican billionaire mentioned on numerous occasions during the campaign. Which doesn't seem to pose a problem for him.
This Monday, the 47th President of the United States, who will not take office until January as required by the Constitution, also named Elise Stefanik United States Ambassador to the United Nations.
“Elise is an incredibly strong, tenacious and intelligent fighter for America,” Donald Trump said in a statement to the New York Post. The youngest woman elected to Congress 10 years ago, she has served in the House of Representatives since 2015. Initially among moderate Republicans, she gradually slipped towards the most pro-Trump fringe of the party. Like the billionaire, she still does not recognize the results of the 2020 election.
So much for the officially distributed roles. But names are already circulating for several other positions.
- Government efficiency
This charge has not yet been confirmed, but Elon Musk, a very big supporter of Donald Trump during the campaign, is expected to head what could be called a ministry of “Government Effectiveness”. The Republican would like to entrust him with an audit mission of federal spending, with a view to “drastic” reforms which could lead to 2,000 billion dollars in budget cuts.
Nothing official there either. However, the name of Robert F. Kennedy Jr, nephew of the assassinated president “JFK”, comes up regularly. He himself has already spoken about what he would do if he were appointed to Health, affirming a few days ago on NBC that he “would not take away anyone's vaccines” but judging that Americans should be able to “decide individually”. Once an independent candidate, this notorious anti-vaxxer joined the candidacy of Donald Trump at the end of August.
- A billionaire at the Treasury
The position of big financier could be disputed between two billionaires, heads of investment funds: Scott Bessent and John Paulson. The first, donor and economic advisor to the next president for tax cuts and increases in customs tariffs, responded cautiously on CNBC that he “will do what Donald Trump asks (him)”. The second also advised the Republican during his 2016 campaign.
- What place for Richard Grenell?
Described as an “emissary” of Donald Trump’s shadow, Richard Grenell was ambassador to Germany (2018-2020), where his style became strained. He was also acting director of intelligence and special envoy for Kosovo and Serbia.
The American media see two possible roles for him: as Secretary of State – the equivalent of Minister of Foreign Affairs – or as National Security Advisor to the White House.
Donald Trump still has a few weeks left to finalize his choices, since the official inauguration is scheduled for January 20.
