Trump's Late-Night Cabinet Picks: A Closer Look

On a Friday night, President-elect Donald Trump announced several key nominations for his administration. Among the notable picks were hedge fund manager Scott Bessent for Treasury Secretary, outgoing Representative Lori Chavez-DeRemer (R-OR) for Labor Secretary, and former Texas state Representative Scott Turner for Housing and Urban Development Secretary. Trump also filled other important roles in health and national security. Scott Bessent, if confirmed, would oversee the country's economic policy and Trump's promised economic agenda, which includes increasing tariffs and cutting taxes. Trump praised Bessent's support for the "America First" agenda. Rep. Lori Chavez-DeRemer, described as a "mainstream Republican, " was chosen for her work with both business and labor to build America's workforce. Trump aims to create opportunities for American workers, expand training programs, and improve working conditions. Scott Turner, a former NFL player and Texas lawmaker, was tapped for his previous role in transforming distressed communities. Trump highlighted his experience working with former HUD Secretary Ben Carson.Russ Vought, who previously served as the director of the Office of Management and Budget, was reappointed to the same role. Trump praised his ability to cut costs and deregulate, aiming to restore fiscal sanity and unleash American ingenuity. Dr. Janette Nesheiwat, a Fox News medical contributor, was nominated for Surgeon General. She has experience in handling healthcare crises, including Hurricane Katrina and the Joplin tornadoes. Though she supports vaccines, she was critical of mandates during the COVID-19 pandemic. Marty Makary, a Johns Hopkins professor, was chosen to lead the FDA. Trump believes Makary will restore the FDA to a gold standard of scientific research and cut bureaucratic red tape. Former Representative Dave Weldon (R-FL) was picked to lead the CDC. Weldon, a doctor and Army veteran, has experience in various congressional committees. Alex Wong, a State Department official, was selected as deputy national security adviser for his role in negotiating the North Korea summit. Sebastian Gorka, a legal immigrant with extensive national security experience, was appointed senior director for counterterrorism.