In a statement released on Friday night, President-elect Donald Trump announced his intention to nominate hedge fund manager Scott Bessent as secretary of the Treasury. Bessent, 62, is the founder of Key Square Capital Management and has been working with Soros Fund Management since 1991. If confirmed, he will become the first openly gay treasury secretary in the nation’s history.
Bessent, who is a billionaire, has previously supported Democratic candidates but has now become a strong supporter of Trump. In an interview with Bloomberg in August, he stated that this election cycle is the last chance for the US to reduce its national debt without becoming a socialist democracy like Europe. He also shares Trump’s views on extending tax cuts and implementing tariffs primarily aimed at China.
In his statement, Trump praised Bessent as one of the world’s foremost international investors and geopolitical and economic strategists. He also announced his intention to nominate other candidates for top posts, including Russell Thurlow Vought as director of the Office of Management and Budget. Vought previously served in the same role during Trump’s first administration and is known for his aggressive cost-cutting and deregulation policies.
Trump also chose Oregon Representative Lori Chavez-DeRemer, who lost her reelection bid, as secretary of labor. In his statement, Trump highlighted her strong support from both the business and labor communities, stating that she will help unite Americans of all backgrounds behind his agenda for unprecedented national success.
His final Cabinet pick on Friday night was Scott Turner, a former football player, to serve as housing secretary. Turner previously worked in Trump’s first administration as the executive director of the White House Opportunity and Revitalization Council. Trump praised Turner for his role in transforming the country’s most distressed communities.
On the health and national security front, Trump announced several picks on Friday night, including family medicine doctor and Fox News contributor Janette Nesheiwat as surgeon general, former congressman and medical doctor Dave Weldon to direct the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and surgeon Martin Makary to lead the Food and Drug Administration. Trump described Nesheiwat as a fierce advocate and strong communicator for preventive medicine and public health.
For the position of deputy national security adviser, Trump chose former State Department official Alex Wong, who served as deputy special representative for North Korea during his first administration. Trump credited Wong for his role in negotiating the summit with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un.
Trump also announced the appointment of conservative commentator Sebastian Gorka as White House senior director for counterterrorism, citing his more than 30 years of national security experience.
On Thursday, Trump announced his intention to nominate Pam Bondi as attorney general. Bondi, who was Trump’s second choice after former Republican Representative Matt Gaetz withdrew his name from consideration, has established herself as a staunch conservative and Trump loyalist. She was also part of Trump’s defense team during his first impeachment trial and played a leading role in his efforts to overturn the results of the 2020 election.
However, some of Trump’s appointees are facing intense scrutiny, including defense secretary pick Pete Hegseth, a Fox News talk show host and decorated military veteran; Health and Human Services chief pick Robert F. Kennedy Jr., a vaccine skeptic; and director of national intelligence pick Tulsi Gabbard, a Democratic-congresswoman-turned-Republican supporter of Trump.
Despite the scrutiny, Trump’s nominees are likely to be confirmed as Republicans hold a majority in the Senate and members of both parties traditionally give deference to new presidents in filling top-level positions.
In conclusion, President-elect Donald Trump’s nomination of Scott Bessent as secretary of the Treasury, along with his other picks for top posts, reflects his commitment to implementing his America First agenda and achieving unprecedented national success. These nominees bring a wealth of experience and expertise to their respective roles, and their confirmation will surely contribute to the success of the Trump administration.
