Who will be the secretary of defense and foreign affairs under 'Trump 2.0'?

Mr. Pompeo (left) is expected to take on the position of defense minister or positions related to national security, intelligence or diplomacy.

Former US President Donald Trump will begin the process of selecting his cabinet and other senior officials in the coming weeks, after declaring victory in the presidential election.

Candidates are vying for a range of key positions. Here are the top candidates for key positions in defense, intelligence, diplomacy, trade, immigration and economic policymaking, according to Reuters.

CANDIDATE FOR SECRETARY OF STATE

Robert O'Brien

Mr. Robert O'Brien (58 years old) was the fourth and final security adviser in Mr. Trump's first term and has maintained a close relationship with him. The two often talk about national security issues.

Mr. O'Brien campaigned for vice presidential candidate JD Vance in Arizona on October 9.

Mr O'Brien is likely to be nominated for secretary of state or other top national security and foreign policy posts. He has maintained close contact with foreign leaders since Trump left office, having met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Israel in May.

His views are more hawkish than some of his other advisers. For example, he has been more supportive of military aid to Ukraine than many of his fellow Republicans, and he has advocated banning TikTok in the US.

Bill Hagerty

Mr. Bill Hagerty (65 years old) is a senator from Tennessee and participated in taking over power in the Trump administration in 2016. He is considered the leading candidate for the position of Secretary of State.

Bill Hagerty is considered the leading candidate for Secretary of State.

PHOTO: SENATOR BILL HAGERTY'S OFFICE

Mr Hagerty has maintained strong ties with most factions of the Republican Party and is likely to be confirmed easily by the Senate. He served as US ambassador to Japan in the Trump administration, when the White House chief praised his warm relationship with former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.

Mr. Hagerty’s policies are broadly in line with Mr. Trump’s. Earlier this year, he voted against a large military aid package to Ukraine.

Marco Rubio

Mr. Marco Rubio (53 years old), a senator from Florida, is also the leading candidate for Secretary of State, with policies similar to Mr. Trump.

Mr. Marco Rubio campaigned for Mr. Trump in Pennsylvania on November 4.

Mr. Rubio has long been involved in foreign affairs in the Senate, especially those related to Latin America, and he has strong relationships across the Republican Party.

MINISTER OF DEFENSE

Mike Waltz

A former special forces soldier and now a congressman from Florida, Mike Waltz, 50, has established himself as one of the most hawkish China advocates in the House. Among the China-related bills he has sponsored are measures designed to reduce America’s dependence on critical minerals mined in China.

Mr. Waltz speaks at the Republican National Convention in Wisconsin on July 17.

Mr. Waltz is in talks with Mr. Trump and is considered a leading candidate for defense secretary.

Mike Pompeo

Mike Pompeo (61 years old), who served as CIA director and Secretary of State during Trump's first term, is considered the leading candidate for Secretary of Defense. However, he may take on various positions related to national security, intelligence or diplomacy.

Mr. Pompeo testified at the US House of Representatives on January 30.

Mr Pompeo has been one of the most vocal defenders of Ukraine among Mr Trump’s closest allies, a stance that has put him at odds with most of the senior figures in the group who could become senior officials in the next administration.

Tom Cotton

A military officer before becoming a senator representing Arkansas, Tom Cotton (47 years old) is loved by Trump's donors and is a strong candidate for the position of defense secretary.

Mr. Cotton attended a Senate hearing on March 11.

Like Mr. Hagerty, Mr. Cotton was a leading candidate to be Mr. Trump’s running mate in the final weeks of the vice presidential selection process in June and July.

Mr. Cotton represents the narrow "hawk" wing of the Republican Party, which has always supported military aid to Ukraine.

In addition, potential names for the position of Treasury Secretary include Scott Bessent (former economic advisor to Mr. Trump), John Paulson (billionaire and major donor to Mr. Trump), Larry Kudlow (former director of the National Economic Council), Robert Lighthizer (former trade representative under Mr. Trump) and Howard Lutnick (former chairman of Mr. Trump's transition team).

For the position of national security adviser, potential candidates include Richard Grenell (former acting director of national intelligence under Mr. Trump), Keith Kellogg (former chief of staff of the National Security Council), Tom Homan (former acting director of Immigration and Customs Enforcement).

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/ai-se-lam-bo-truong-quoc-phong-ngoai-giao-duoi-thoi-trump-20-18524110711050894.htm