Trump Unveils Exciting New Cabinet Choices Ahead of Crucial Confirmation Hearings This Tuesday

Donald Trump announces new administration picks as key confirmation hearings set to start Tuesday As the first confirmation hearings for Donald Trump's new administration are set to start this week, the president-elect announced several new nominees Saturday who share one thing in common: they all served in Trump's first term. The latest picks would work
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Trump Unveils Exciting New Cabinet Choices Ahead of Crucial Confirmation Hearings This Tuesday

 

Donald Trump announces new administration picks as key confirmation hearings set to start Tuesday


As the initial confirmation hearings for Donald Trump’s new administration are set to commence this week, the president-elect revealed a series of new nominees on Saturday, all of whom previously served during Trump’s first term.

 

The new appointees will be involved in various departments focused on veterans, small businesses, energy, environmental issues, transportation, and national parks. They will play vital supporting roles for Trump’s nominees who will lead several departments.

This week marks a critical point in the confirmation process for some of Trump’s prominent cabinet choices, commencing with senators evaluating several nominees during public hearings, including Defense Secretary nominee Pete Hegseth. He’s likely to come under scrutiny regarding accusations of sexual assault and heavy drinking, among other matters.

 

Other prominent nominees expected to answer questions this week include South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem, nominated as Trump’s Homeland Security secretary, and former Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi, tapped as Trump’s U.S. attorney general pick. Their hearings are planned to start on Wednesday.

 

Here’s a summary of Trump’s recent selections for the White House:

Paul R. Lawrence, nominated as deputy veterans affairs secretary

Lawrence, a past vice president at Kaiser Associates for the public sector, was the under secretary of benefits at the Department of Veterans Affairs during Trump’s first term. He would work under Veterans Affairs secretary nominee Doug Collins, pending confirmation.

Collins is a former congressman from Georgia and a chaplain in the U.S. Air Force Reserve Command. He was involved in promoting unfounded claims of voter fraud in Georgia after the 2020 election. His confirmation hearing is slated to start Tuesday.

 

James P. Danly, nominated as deputy energy secretary

Danly, a decorated former U.S. Army officer with two tours in Iraq, held several positions in Trump’s first-term Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, including chairman. If confirmed, he will work under oil industry executive and 2024 Trump campaign supporter Chris Wright, whose confirmation hearing is also set for Wednesday.

David Fotouhi, nominated as deputy EPA administrator

Fotouhi, currently a partner at the law firm Gibson, Dunn, & Crutcher, has occupied various roles at Trump’s first-term Environmental Protection Agency, including acting general counsel. He would serve under Lee Zeldin, a former congressman from New York, if they are both confirmed, with Zeldin’s hearing scheduled for Thursday.

 

Steven Gill Bradbury, nominated as deputy transportation secretary

Bradbury, who once clerked for U.S. Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas, was the general counsel for the Department of Transportation during Trump’s first term. If confirmed, he will work under former Wisconsin Republican congressman Sean Duffy, currently co-hosting “The Bottom Line” on Fox Business. Duffy’s hearing is also set for Wednesday.

Katharine MacGregor, nominated as deputy interior secretary

MacGregor has experience serving in Trump’s first-term Department of the Interior and is now the vice president of environmental services at NextEra Energy, Inc. She would assist North Dakota Republican Governor Doug Burgum, who was previously considered for Trump’s vice presidential candidate. The Department of the Interior manages most federal lands and natural resources while also supporting tribal communities.

Casey B. Mulligan, nominated as chief counsel for advocacy at the Small Business Administration

Mulligan is an economist from the University of Chicago and served as the chief economist for Trump’s first-term Council of Economic Advisers. He would work under former Georgia Republican Senator Kelly Loeffler, nominated for the Small Business Administration administrator role.