As Donald Trump prepares to begin his second term as President of the United States, his administration is taking shape, reflecting a vision marked by the continuity of his past priorities and a renewed commitment to his campaign goals.
With these appointments, Donald Trump marks his return above all by putting forward a team aligned with his priorities and his campaign promises: security, economic nationalism and efficiency. If certain choices raise controversies, particularly around the qualifications or ideology of the candidates, it is clear that the new administration intends to implement an uncompromising political line.
Homeland security and border management
Border security remains a key priority for Donald Trump. He promised to intensify measures taken during his first term, including continuing construction of the border wall and toughening migration policies. Tom Homan, former acting director of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), has been appointed to oversee an ambitious campaign to secure the borders and deport illegal immigrants.
According to AP News, Tom Homan assured: “We will implement firm measures to secure our borders.” He will be supported by Stephen Miller, another fervent defender of a hard line on this subject. For her part, Kristi Noem, appointed Secretary of Homeland Security, embodies this desire for firmness in all respects. She is also known for her strict stances on immigration. “I am committed to protecting our citizens and strengthening the security of our nation,” she told AP News.
Foreign policy: strength and pragmatism
Under his previous term, Donald Trump adopted a foreign policy centered on the slogan “America First”, favoring American interests in international relations. This trend is reflected in the choice of Marco Rubio as secretary of state. The Florida senator, a foreign policy expert, has always adopted an uncompromising stance towards China, Russia and Iran. “The United States must continue to project force that inspires respect and deterrence,” he said in the Wall Street Journal.
At the same time, Elise Stefanik, ambassador-designate to the United Nations, will be in charge of promoting American sovereignty while defending strategic alliances. According to the New York Post, Elise Stefanik expressed her determination to “defend American interests on the international stage.” As for the Middle East question, the arrival of Mike Huckabee, a figure of the conservative Christian right, to the post of United States ambassador to Israel, risks complicating relations between Israelis and Palestinians. Indeed, Mike Huckabee is a fervent defender of Israeli interests, particularly settlements in the West Bank.
Justice and National Defense
To lead the Pentagon, Donald Trump chose Pete Hegseth, a veteran of Afghanistan and Iraq and a conservative figure well known to Fox News viewers. Although his military experience is criticized, Pete Hegseth benefits from the confidence of the president-elect to modernize the defense capabilities of the United States and strengthen international partnerships. According to AP News, Donald Trump praised his “understanding of contemporary security challenges”.
Concerning justice, Donald Trump announced on Wednesday the nomination of Matt Gaetz, a very controversial and loyal elected official among the Republican faithful. “Matt Gaetz will put an end to the exploitation of our administration,” said Donald Trump, convicted of criminal charges, who accuses the current Department of Justice of having fomented a “witch hunt” against him. This choice of justice worries many elected officials, especially on the Democratic side, but also certain moderate Republicans.
Reform of the federal administration
One of the flagship projects of this administration is the creation of a Department of Government Effectiveness, entrusted to two emblematic figures: Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla and SpaceX, and Vivek Ramaswamy, businessman and author. This brand new administration should also emphasize technology as a driver of national competitiveness.
But before that, their role will mainly consist of rationalizing federal spending, reducing bureaucracy and introducing innovations into government processes. Donald Trump announced that Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy “will work together to dismantle government bureaucracy and reduce federal spending.”
Environment and economic growth
Amid criticism of a lack of climate commitment, the Trump administration has chosen Lee Zeldin, a former congressman from New York, to lead the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The latter should commit to adopting policies favoring industry and economic growth, by revising regulations deemed restrictive. “We must find a balance between protecting the environment and promoting economic growth,” said Lee Zeldin in several American media.
This administration is also distinguished by a desire to promote innovation and strengthen economic resilience. Indeed, Donald Trump has emphasized his objective of reducing the United States' dependence on foreign supply chains, particularly in critical sectors such as energy and technology.
