Trump makes protection, Doge and Latin America envoy picks for administration

Donald Trump introduced a sequence of appointments to his incoming administration on Sunday night, together with prime positions within the Division of Protection and one of many first members of “Elon Musk’s division of presidency effectivity”.

The president-elect mentioned he would nominate billionaire investor Stephen Feinberg to function deputy secretary of protection, the No 2 position on the Pentagon.

Feinberg is the co-chief govt of Cerberus Capital Administration LP, a personal fairness agency that has invested in protection contractors. He served on an intelligence advisory board throughout Trump’s 2017-2021 White Home time period.

Elbridge Colby was picked to function undersecretary of protection for coverage, the quantity three place on the Pentagon. Colby, referred to as a China hawk, served as a senior Pentagon official throughout Trump’s first time period.

Trump additionally introduced he selected Katie Miller, the spouse of Stephen Miller, to hitch the advisory board to be led by Musk and fellow billionaire Vivek Ramaswamy to slash authorities funding and rules.

“Katie Miller will quickly be becoming a member of DOGE! She has been a loyal supporter of mine for a few years, and can carry her skilled expertise to Authorities Effectivity,” Trump posted in a message on his social media platform Fact Social.

Katie Miller had served within the first Trump administration as deputy press secretary for the Division of Homeland Safety and as press secretary for the previous vice-president, Mike Pence. She is at present a spokesperson for the transition crew for Trump’s designated well being and human companies secretary, Robert Kennedy Jr.

Katie Miller’s married to Trump’s very long time aide, Stephen Miller, who will function deputy chief of workers and designated homeland safety adviser in Trump’s new White Home.

Musk and Ramaswamy just lately revealed plans to wipe out scores of federal rules crafted by what they are saying is an anti-democratic, unaccountable forms, however have but to announce members of the Doge crew. Musk has mentioned he desires to slash the variety of federal companies from greater than 400 to 99.

Trump additionally mentioned he would nominate Mauricio Claver-Carone to function his particular envoy to Latin America.

Claver-Carone served in Trump’s first administration and was fired in 2022 as head of the Inter-American Growth Financial institution after an investigation discovered he had an intimate relationship with a staffer. Investigators additionally discovered that Claver-Carone created a hostile surroundings on the financial institution. He denied having an affair.

Trump mentioned Claver-Carone was the precise man for the job, and would assist handle migration and drug-smuggling points. “Mauricio is aware of the area, and the best way to put America’s pursuits FIRST,” Trump mentioned on social media.