U.S. President-elect Donald Trump made his first cabinet selection on Thursday, shortly after his resounding victory over Democrat Kamala Harris.
The appointment of his campaign manager, Susie Wiles, as White House Chief of Staff marks the first official addition to Trump’s incoming administration.
Wiles, a Florida native, will become the first woman to hold the influential role.
Trump’s win has already stirred reactions both domestically and abroad, setting the stage for potential policy shifts.
Russian President Vladimir Putin praised Trump as “courageous” for his response to an attempted assassination during a July rally and indicated his willingness to engage in dialogue with the U.S. president-elect.
Trump, who has spoken favorably of Putin in the past, told NBC News that although they had not yet spoken since his election, he anticipated a conversation soon.
This stance contrasts sharply with the tense relations between Putin and current President Joe Biden, especially since Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine.
Trump has previously criticized U.S. support for Ukraine and expressed interest in brokering a peace deal, though Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky warned that pushing for a ceasefire could be dangerous.
Chinese President Xi Jinping was among the first global leaders to congratulate Trump, in line with a series of international recognitions.
During his campaign, Trump faced criticism from Harris over his perceived closeness with authoritarian leaders like Putin and Xi.
Domestically, Trump reinforced his hardline approach on immigration, pledging to intensify deportations of undocumented migrants and stating that he would spare “no price tag” to implement stricter policies.
Biden, meanwhile, promised a “peaceful and orderly” transfer of power, urging Americans to “bring down the temperature” in a televised address.
He invited Trump to discuss the transition at the White House, though Biden’s team noted that Trump’s advisors had yet to approve essential documents for the formal process.
In a Rose Garden address, Biden appealed for unity, encouraging Democrats to remain hopeful despite the outcome: “Remember, a defeat does not mean we are defeated.”
Tensions within the Democratic Party have risen over Biden’s initial decision to seek a second term despite his age, only to step aside for Harris mid-campaign.
White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre defended Biden’s choice, stating, “He believed it was the right decision to make at that time.”
Trump’s return to the White House despite a criminal fraud conviction, two impeachments, and his status as the oldest president-elect at 78, underscores public demand for a change from the Biden administration.
Economic concerns and immigration issues are credited as major factors in his win.
Trump expressed confidence in his new chief of staff, describing Wiles as “tough, smart, innovative, and universally admired and respected,” adding, “Susie will continue to work tirelessly to Make America Great Again.”
Wiles is widely supported within Trump’s team and was highlighted on stage during his victory speech.
Other potential picks for Trump’s administration signal a distinct shift.
Robert F. Kennedy Jr., known for his anti-vaccine stance, is expected to take a prominent role in healthcare.
In an NBC interview, Kennedy stated, “I’m not going to take away anybody’s vaccines,” but added that Trump’s administration would propose removing fluoride—viewed by U.S. health authorities as beneficial to dental health from public water supplies.
Elon Musk, CEO of SpaceX and Tesla, has also been suggested as a potential choice to audit government spending, following his public endorsement of Trump.
As a climate change skeptic, Trump is expected to roll back Biden’s environmental policies, reviving the “drill, baby, drill” mantra to boost oil production.
However, dismantling some of Biden’s investment legislation may be challenging, as it injects funds into key Congressional districts that legislators may be reluctant to relinquish.
With his cabinet picks underway, Trump’s agenda is already signaling sweeping changes from the Biden era, as both his supporters and critics brace for the impact of his return to the White House.
