There are still two weeks until Election Day, but President Donald Trump’s transition team is holding preliminary talks with top Republicans who hope to serve in the president’s administration.
Among the most likely candidates is Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), a former finalist for President Trump’s running mate and a leading candidate for secretary of state, the post said. The paper reported.
“Senator Rubio is well-respected, known for his foreign affairs expertise, and is a strong and loyal supporter of President Trump,” a campaign official told the Post about Rubio’s chances.
Former Florida congressman Carlos Trujillo, who served as ambassador to the Organization of American States during President Trump’s first term, also supports the three-time senator as America’s next top diplomat.
“He’s been a great campaign surrogate, a strong supporter of the president, and I think they have a very strong personal relationship,” Trujillo said, adding that Rubio was the second He added that he would “absolutely” be open to serving in the next Trump cabinet.
“I think he’s the best candidate they could nominate,” Trujillo added, adding that Trump, 78, has “trust” in the 53-year-old Florida senator, and that’s why He said that makes him the “strongest candidate” to support the Florida Legislature. State Department.
The newspaper previously reported that Rubio was neck-and-neck with Sen. J.D. Vance (R-Ohio) in deliberating President Trump’s running mate, but there are constitutional complications in having two people from the same state participate in the election. The main reason was that it was abandoned.
President Trump also announced that if he returns to power in November, Sen. Tom Cotton (R-Ark.), former acting director of national intelligence Richard Grenell, and former national security adviser Robert O’Brien will become national security advisers. He also spoke positively about his prospects for taking office. 5.
Sen. Bill Hagerty (R-Tenn.) and Rep. Mike Walz (R-Fla.) could also join as either secretary of state or defense. Former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo is also widely expected to return to the Trump campaign in some capacity.
Other Trump supporters, including Congressional Republicans, have been vocal about their interest in administration posts, with House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-Louisiana) telling the Post in an exclusive interview last week that up to 10 He said there is a possibility that a Republican lawmaker could take up a government post. Jump to the other side of Pennsylvania Avenue.
Mr Johnson, 52, did not name names, but said: “There are probably six to 10 strong candidates for cabinet-level positions and deputy chief ministerships.”
“I think most of them are in pretty safe Republican seats, so we’ll elect another Republican[in their place],” the chairman continued.
“Obviously I don’t want to lose all that talent, but they and I both want to do what’s best for the country. So if they’re called up, they’ll support me.”
Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-N.Y.), chair of the House Republican Conference, was the first member of Republican leadership to endorse Trump after he announced his bid for the White House in November 2022. “I’m proud to serve in the Trump administration,” he previously told the Post. To exercise control in any capacity. ”
Stefanik, 40, has served on the House Armed Services Committee for 10 years and is one of the most senior members of the House Intelligence Committee, and one Republican insider said she was a member of the CIA director, ambassador to the U.S. He suggested that he might be a candidate for the post. countries.
Another Republican strategist told the Post, “It is widely known and recognized that Elise is President Trump’s strongest defender among his elected colleagues, both publicly and privately.” Ta. “She was the most vocal in arguing that Mr. Trump on the ballot was an overall strength for all Republican House candidates. And Elise supported President Trump’s He was very active in ensuring that he only supported and supported candidates he supported.
The race to be part of Trump’s team if he wins a second term also includes former primary rival and North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum, who said Trump would be the 45th president. Trump has bragged about calling him “Mr. Trump.” We are campaigning for the position of Secretary.
Burgum, 68, opted in January not to seek a third term as governor of North Dakota, increasing his chances of becoming energy secretary in the incoming Trump administration.
Biotech mogul Vivek Ramaswamy, another 2024 No. 1 Republican candidate, has also been a staunch defender of the former president, and people familiar with the discussions said he was considered as a Cabinet candidate in March. He confirmed this to the Post, and Bloomberg reported at the time. The Secretary of Homeland Security was among those possibilities.
But Ramaswamy, 39, has no plans to replace Vance in the Senate or run for Ohio governor in 2026, when Republican incumbent Mike DeWine would be barred from seeking a third term. has also shown interest.
“Vivek is fully focused on securing victory in the next two weeks,” said a source close to Ramaswamy. “After November 6th, he will be far more interested in firing bureaucrats than in hiring.”
Publicly, the campaign is not looking beyond Election Day.
“President Trump has announced the formation of a Trump-Vance transition leadership team to begin the post-election preparation process,” Stephen Chan, Trump’s communications director, said in a statement.
“But it is too early to formally discuss who will take office in the second Trump administration. He will choose the best people for his cabinet to restore the organization.
But Howard Lutnick, co-chair of the transition team and CEO of Cantor Fitzgerald, said he was excited about the potential prospects.
“It’s incredibly uplifting,” Lutnick told the Post on September 10 after the debate between President Trump and Vice President Harris in Philadelphia.
“If you see the talent that’s coming my way, you’ll be blown away.”
