If the Republican Party has regained the majority in the Senate, which will meet in January to take the oath of office, elected Democrats could slow down the process of approving appointments within the Trump administration.
Indeed, an article of the American Constitution allows the president to make appointments without them being approved by the Senate when the latter is not in session. But this provision is rarely activated, as senators usually arrange to sit at the time of nominations and thus exercise their power of control over the executive.
A review, and votes
The US Senate examines and confirms by a vote, first in committee, then in plenary session, the appointments of ministers, their deputies, but also ambassadors, military officials, directors of multiple federal agencies and judges, notably those of the Supreme Court. “No judge should be approved” before the Republicans have chosen their leader and taken office in the Senate, Donald Trump added on Sunday.
In the meantime, Donald Trump has started to name some names that could appear in his administration.
A hard-right supporter of immigration
American President-elect Donald Trump announced this Sunday, November 10, the return of Tom Homan, a hard-liner, to head the agency responsible for border and immigration control (ICE). The 78-year-old president-elect has pledged to launch, on the first day of his mandate, the largest operation to deport illegal migrants in the history of the United States.
“I am pleased to announce that former ICE Director and border control pillar, Tom Homan, will join the Trump administration where he will be responsible for our country’s borders (+The Border Czar+)” , wrote the Republican billionaire on his Truth Social network. “I have known Tom for a long time, and there is no one better than him to monitor and control our borders”continued Mr. Trump.
Tom Homan will be responsible for “all expulsions of illegal aliens to their country of origin”added Trump. Homan appeared at the Republican National Convention in July, telling his supporters: “ I have a message for the millions of illegal immigrants that Joe Biden has allowed into our country: you better start packing your bags now.”. Thomas Homan had already led ICE during Donald Trump's previous term (2017-2021).
A Republican at the United Nations
For the post of United States ambassador to the UN, Donald Trump announced that he had chosen Elise Stefanik, a Republican deputy.
“I have the honor of appointing President Elise Stefanik to serve in my government as United States Ambassador to the United Nations. Elise is an incredibly strong, tenacious and intelligent fighter for America.” Mr. Trump said in a statement to the New York Post.
Ms Stefanik confirmed she was accepting the position in a statement to the newspaper, saying she “truly honored”.
“In my conversation with President Trump, I expressed how deeply honored I was to accept his nomination and my eagerness to secure the support of my colleagues in the United States Senate”she said. Stefanik's appointment was also reported by CNN, which cited two anonymous sources.
Susie Wiles, “ice baby”, chief of staff
Last week, without delay, Donald Trump made his first major appointment, choosing a woman, Susie Wiles, whom he calls “ice baby” because of her supposedly imperturbable temperament – as House chief of staff White.
Architect of the Republican's campaign, Susie Wiles, 67, will be the first woman to occupy this position, underlined the future 47th American president. “Susie is tough, smart, creative, admired and respected everywhere”said Donald Trump, quoted in a press release. Susie Wiles will become the new administration's White House chief of staff.
Elon Musk or Robert F. Kennedy Jr, soon to be named?
Joe Biden invited Donald Trump to the White House on an unspecified date to prepare for the arrival of the next administration, in which figures such as entrepreneur Elon Musk or Robert F. Kennedy Jr. could play important roles. RFK Jr., nephew of the assassinated president and former independent candidate aligned with Donald Trump, could be entrusted with responsibilities in public health.
Notoriously critical of vaccination, he assured Thursday on NBC that he “wouldn’t take away anyone’s vaccines” but judged that the Americans should be able to “decide individually”.
Another key figure is expected to be billionaire Elon Musk, who campaigned very actively for Donald Trump. The president-elect could charge the richest man in the world with profoundly reorganizing the federal administration.
The name of Richard Grenell, former United States ambassador to Germany and fierce defender of the tribune, is circulating insistently for the post of national security advisor or head of diplomacy.
North Dakota Governor Doug Burgum is being considered for the post of Minister of Energy, Senator Tom Cotton for Defense.
Donald Trump did not mention what role his family, omnipresent during his first term, would play in his future administration. And in particular his daughter Ivanka, who advised him when he was in the White House, but who completely stayed away from his campaign against Kamala Harris, just like her husband Jared Kushner. His daughter-in-law Lara Trump co-chairs the Republican Party.
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