List of Trump's cabinet picks, what seats are open

NEW YORK - As President-elect Trump builds his cabinet, some of his picks have drawn criticism from lawmakers, raising concerns about their suitability for key roles. 

Among those selected are two figures from New York: former Rep. Lee Zeldin for the Environmental Protection Agency and Rep. Elise Stefanik as United Nations ambassador. 

It’s unclear whether more appointees from New York will join the team as Trump continues to make his selections.

JUMP TO: What cabinet positions are left?

Here's a list of the currently empty Trump cabinet seats:

Linda McMahon, Education Secretary

Trump announced that billionaire professional wrestling mogul, Linda McMahon as secretary of the Education Department. McMahon has been a steady ally of Trump, serving in his administration and backing his presidential campaigns. 

In 2017, he appointed her to lead the Small Business Administration, just a month after his victory over Hillary Clinton. McMahon, who transitioned from wrestling to politics, is married to Vince McMahon, the founder of World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE), which became a dominant force in the industry. Trump's connection to the McMahons dates back to 2007, when he appeared at WrestleMania and participated in a staged feud that saw him shave Vince McMahon’s hair.

Dr. Mehmet Oz, Head of Medicare and Medicaid Services

Trump has nominated Mehmet Oz, a celebrity heart surgeon and former talk show host, to lead the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, overseeing programs like Medicare, Medicaid, and the Affordable Care Act. 

If confirmed, Oz would manage healthcare programs relied on by more than half of Americans. 

A vocal Trump supporter, Oz previously ran an unsuccessful Senate campaign in Pennsylvania and recently backed Robert F. Kennedy Jr. for the Department of Health and Human Services. Trump praised Oz's leadership, stating he would focus on disease prevention to ensure the best healthcare outcomes.

Howard Lutnick, Commerce Secretary

Trump will select billionaire Howard Lutnick, the head of brokerage and investment bank Cantor Fitzgerald and a cryptocurrency enthusiast, as his nominee for commerce secretary. In this role, Lutnick will play a key part in implementing Trump’s plans to raise and enforce tariffs. 

Trump made the announcement Tuesday on his social media platform, Truth Social, stating that Lutnick "will lead our Tariff and Trade agenda, with additional direct responsibility for the Office of the United States Trade Representative."

Sean Duffy, Transportation Secretary

 Trump announced that he is nominating former Wisconsin Rep. Sean Duffy as his choice for transportation secretary, continuing to unveil picks for his Cabinet. 

Duffy, a former reality TV star and one of Trump’s most visible defenders on cable news, served nearly nine years in the House and was a member of the Financial Services Committee, as well as chairman of the subcommittee on insurance and housing. 

In his announcement, Trump noted that Duffy is married to a Fox News host, calling him "the husband of a wonderful woman, Rachel Campos-Duffy, a STAR on Fox News."

Chris Wright, Energy Secretary

President-elect Donald Trump has chosen Chris Wright, a campaign donor and fossil fuel executive, to be energy secretary in his second administration. Wright, CEO of Denver-based Liberty Energy, is a strong proponent of oil and gas development, including fracking, which aligns with Trump’s goal of achieving U.S. "energy dominance" in the global market.

Karoline Leavitt, White House press secretary

Karoline Leavitt, who served as National Press Secretary for Donald Trump’s historic campaign, has been chosen as his White House Press Secretary, making her the youngest person ever to hold the position.  

"Karoline Leavitt did an outstanding job as National Press Secretary during my campaign, and I am thrilled to announce she will serve as White House Press Secretary," Trump said in a statement. "Karoline is intelligent, resilient, and an exceptional communicator. I have full confidence she will excel at the podium and effectively convey our message to the American people as we work to Make America Great Again."

Doug Burgum, Secretary of the Interior

The governor of North Dakota, who was once little-known outside his state, Burgum is a former Republican presidential primary contender who endorsed Trump, and spent months traveling to drum up support for him, after dropping out of the race.

Burgum was a serious contender to be Trump’s vice presidential choice this summer. The two-term governor was seen as a possible pick because of his executive experience and business savvy. Burgum also has close ties to deep-pocketed energy industry CEOs.

Trump made the announcement about Burgum joining his incoming administration while addressing a gala at his Mar-a-Lago club, and said a formal statement would be coming the following day.

In comments to reporters before Trump took the stage, Burgum said that, in recent years, the power grid is deteriorating in many parts of the country, which he said could raise national security concerns but also drive up prices enough to increase inflation.

"There's just a sense of urgency, and a sense of understanding in the Trump administration," Burgum said.

Doug Collins, Secretary of Veterans Affairs

Collins is a former Republican congressman from Georgia who gained recognition for defending Trump during his first impeachment trial, which centered on U.S. assistance for Ukraine. Trump was impeached for urging Ukraine to investigate Joe Biden in 2019 during the Democratic presidential nomination, but he was acquitted by the Senate.

Collins has also served in the armed forces himself and is currently a chaplain in the United States Air Force Reserve Command.

"We must take care of our brave men and women in uniform, and Doug will be a great advocate for our Active Duty Servicemembers, Veterans, and Military Families to ensure they have the support they need," Trump said in a statement about nominating Collins to lead the Department of Veterans Affairs.

Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Department of Health and Human Services

AP reports that Trump is set to nominate former presidential candidate and anti-vaccine activist Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to head the Department of Health and Human Services, according to two people familiar with the discussions who spoke on condition of anonymity. Kennedy dropped his own presidential bid to endorse the now-president-elect, signaling Trump's confidence after his decisive electoral win and the Republicans’ comfortable Senate majority.

Matt Gaetz, Attorney General

 Matt Gaetz, 42, has been tapped by Trump to serve as attorney general, bypassing more established attorneys who were also considered for the position.

"Matt will end Weaponized Government, protect our Borders, dismantle Criminal Organizations and restore Americans’ badly-shattered Faith and Confidence in the Justice Department," Trump said in a statement.

Former Rep. Tulsi Gabbard, Director of National Intelligence

Tulsi Gabbard, 43, a former Democratic Congresswoman and presidential candidate, has been chosen by Trump to serve as director of national intelligence, continuing his trend of appointing loyal supporters over seasoned professionals in key roles.

"As a former Candidate for the Democrat Presidential Nomination, she has broad support in both Parties - She is now a proud Republican!" Trump said in a statement. 

Pete Hegseth, Secretary of Defense

Hegseth, 44, is a co-host of Fox News Channel’s "Fox & Friends Weekend" and has been a contributor with the network since 2014, where he developed a friendship with Trump, who made regular appearances on the show.

Elon Musk, Vivek Ramaswamy, Department of Government Efficiency

Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy will lead the newly-created Department of Government Efficiency ("DOGE").

"Together, these two wonderful Americans will pave the way for my Administration to dismantle Government Bureaucracy, slash excess regulations, cut wasteful expenditures, and restructure Federal Agencies - Essential to the "Save America" Movement," Trump said in a statement on Tuesday. 

Kristi Noem, Secretary of Homeland Security

South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem has been chosen to run the Department of Homeland Security.

Mike Huckabee, Ambassador to Israel

Former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee is the choice to be the next U.S. ambassador to Israel in the incoming Trump administration, President-elect Trump announced on Tuesday. 

Lee Zeldin, Environmental Protection Agency

Former New York Rep. Lee Zeldin, a longtime supporter with no apparent environmental experience, has been selected to lead the EPA, vowing to restore U.S. energy dominance while protecting access to clean air and water.

Elise Stefanik, United Nations Ambassador

New York Representative Stefanik, 40, a top House leader, has been one of Trump’s staunchest defenders since his first impeachment.

Susie Wiles, Chief of Staff

Wiles, 67, a senior adviser and de facto manager of Trump’s 2024 campaign, has a background in Florida politics, having helped Ron DeSantis win his first gubernatorial race before playing a key role in Trump’s defeat of him in the 2024 Republican primary.

Mike Waltz, National Security Adviser

Waltz, a three-term GOP congressman from east-central Florida and retired Army National Guard officer, was asked by Trump to be his national security adviser, according to a source familiar with the matter.

Tom Homan, ‘Border Czar’

Homan, 62, a former leader of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement under Trump, has been tasked with overseeing the largest deportation operation in U.S. history, a role expected due to Trump's focus on border issues during his campaign.

Stephen Miller, Deputy Chief of Staff for Policy

Miller, a 39-year-old immigration hardliner and senior adviser during Trump’s first administration, was a vocal spokesperson for mass deportations and played a central role in policies such as separating thousands of immigrant families.

Marco Rubio, Secretary of State

Donald Trump is expected to nominate Sen. Marco Rubio of Florida as Secretary of State, FOX 13 Tampa reported citing multiple published reports.

The New York Times first reported the possible pick on Monday evening, with a source later telling FOX News that Trump plans to offer Rubio the job.

So far, Trump's team has not made an official announcement, but several Republican colleagues, including fellow Sen. Rick Scott has publicly congratulated Rubio.

Kristi Noem, Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security

South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem reportedly has been selected by Donald Trump for the role of secretary of the Department of Homeland Security, CNN and FOX News reported Tuesday. Trump has not made an official announcement.

Here is the list of currently empty Trump cabinet seats:

• Secretary of Agriculture
• Secretary of Housing and Urban Development
• Secretary of the Treasury
• Secretary of Labor
• Director of the Central Intelligence Agency
• Chair of the Council of Economic Advisers
• Director of the Office of Management and Budget
• Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy
• Administrator of the Small Business Administration
• United States Trade Representative

The Associated Press contributed to this report.