Since he was elected the 47th president of the United States in early November, Donald Trump has begun assembling his cabinet – the team that will oversee federal operations and shape White House policy during his second term as president.

Trump’s picks have sparked controversy across the political spectrum. While some will face heated Senate confirmation battles, others will be appointed automatically. What stands out about his selections to date is what they share in common: they are extreme, inexperienced and unwaveringly loyal to Trump himself. As he assembles his ‘MAGA Avengers’, the question arises: will this set a precedent for future presidents to prioritise loyalty over ethics and experience when making key appointments?

Let’s take a closer look at who’s made Trump’s roster so far.

Defence: Pete Hegseth

The defence secretary, second in the chain of command, oversees national defence policy, manages the Pentagon and coordinates military intelligence. Trump has tapped Pete Hegseth – a military veteran and former Fox News host known for his fiery conservative commentary – to take on this critical role.

Hegseth has repeatedly voiced his disdain for modern military leadership, claiming in his latest book The War on Warriors that “woke” generals and elite military academies have weakened the armed forces by promoting diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives. He wrote that the next president will need to “clean house” and has mocked transgender service members, criticised female inclusion in combat roles and claimed the military is alienating recruits. “America’s white sons and daughters are walking away, and who can blame them,” he wrote.

Internationally, Hegseth has dismissed NATO allies as “self-righteous and impotent nations” demanding the US uphold “outdated and one-sided defence arrangements”. He has also stirred outrage by questioning moral objections to the American bombing of Japan, writing simply, “They won. Who cares.”

Hegseth’s selection is further clouded by allegations of misconduct. Reports allege excessive drinking, a settlement payment following a sexual assault accusation (which he denies), and financial mismanagement during his leadership of two veterans’ organisations. According to The New Yorker, multiple former colleagues and documents corroborate these claims.

Public opinion reflects the controversy surrounding Hegseth. A recent poll shows that only two in ten American adults approve of his appointment, while 36% disapprove and a significant number remain undecided.

Homeland Security: Kristi Noem

The secretary of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) oversees a vast organisation handling Customs and Border Protection (CBP), Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency), and the Secret Service. 

Trump’s pick, Kristi Noem, governor of South Dakota, aligns with his hardline immigration priorities, particularly on border security and opposition to illegal immigration.

Noem’s tenure as governor has been marked by controversy. She made headlines for sparring with Indigenous tribes in her state, accusing their leaders of benefiting from drug cartels rather than helping their children – comments that led to her being banned from certain tribal lands. This is particularly notable as DHS handles tribal affairs.

She has also taken extreme stances on other issues. Noem staunchly opposed Covid-19 safety measures such as masking, and bragged at a National Rifle Association event that her two-year-old grandchild owns “multiple guns”.

Her loyalty to Trump is undeniable. In 2020, The New York Times reported that Noem gifted Trump a four-foot replica of Mount Rushmore – complete with his face carved into the mountain. She was also one of the first governors to endorse his 2024 campaign.

However, her reputation has been clouded by a disturbing anecdote she shared in her memoir No Going Back: The Truth on What’s Wrong with Politics and How We Move America Forward. In the book, Noem recounts shooting her 14-month-old dog, Cricket, calling it “untrainable” and a threat to her farm animals. While she framed the story as a display of her capability, it has fuelled a public backlash and cast a shadow over her nomination.

Health and Human Services: Robert F. Kennedy

The HHS secretary is tasked with overseeing the FDA (Food and Drug Administration), managing Medicaid and Medicare policies and guiding the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention). For this incredibly important role, Donald Trump has selected Robert F. Kennedy Jr., a choice that has raised eyebrows across the political and medical communities.

Trump praised Kennedy’s appointment on X (formerly Twitter), declaring that Kennedy would “restore these Agencies to the traditions of Gold Standard Scientific Research, and beacons of Transparency, to end the Chronic Disease epidemic, and to Make America Great and Healthy Again!”

Despite Trump’s confidence, Kennedy’s controversial history as an anti-vaccine activist has alarmed many senior medical experts. For years, he has promoted claims about vaccines that contradict the overwhelming consensus of scientists, raising fears that his leadership could erode public trust in the nation’s health institutions.

On the other hand, Kennedy’s outspoken criticism of ultra-processed foods has found support among some top physicians, who see his stance as a positive step in addressing the chronic disease epidemic. Trump has promised to give Kennedy significant influence over health policy, including drug, vaccine and food safety.

Public opinion reflects the divisive nature of this pick: 40% of Americans disapprove of Kennedy’s appointment, 30% approve and 14% are neutral.

Environmental Protection Agency: Lee Zeldin

The head of the EPA is tasked with enforcing environmental laws, managing the agency’s budget and spearheading US environmental efforts. Donald Trump’s nominee, New York congressman Lee Zeldin, reflects a continuation of his administration’s approach to environmental issues, prioritising economic considerations over environmental preservation.

Zeldin received the League of Conservation Voters’ lowest score on environmental issues within the New York delegation in 2020, holding a 14% lifetime score. He opposed initiatives vital to the EPA’s mission, such as replacing lead service lines across the US, and voted against the 2021 bipartisan infrastructure law, which included funding for clean school buses, brownfield site clean-up and lead pipe replacement.

Defending his vision, Zeldin told Fox News, “One of the biggest issues for so many Americans was the economy, and the president was talking about unleashing economic prosperity through the EPA. We have the ability to pursue energy dominance, to be able to make the United States the artificial intelligence capital of the world, to bring back American jobs to the auto industry, and so much more.”

Critics note that Zeldin’s main focus for the EPA revolves around economic goals rather than environmental stewardship. He has pledged to roll back “left-wing” regulations and prioritise economic growth through the agency, which has heightened concerns among environmental advocates.

Government Efficiency: Elon Musk & Vivek Ramaswamey

In one of his most unconventional moves yet, Donald Trump announced the creation of a new federal agency: the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). The initiative, named after a cryptocurrency Musk has publicly supported, underscores Trump’s promise to slash federal waste and streamline government operations. 

To head this effort, Trump has tapped two of his most prominent billionaire allies: Tesla CEO Elon Musk and biotech entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy.

The timing of the announcement coincided with a surge in the value of Dogecoin, which rose over 150% in the days following the election compared to Bitcoin’s 30% increase. Critics have been quick to point out the symbolic nature of the agency’s acronym, questioning whether it reflects the seriousness of the initiative or Trump’s penchant for spectacle.

According to Trump, Musk and Ramaswamy will lead the charge to “dismantle government bureaucracy, slash excess regulations… and restructure federal agencies.” Both appointees bring a business-oriented perspective to the table, but their track records and corporate interests have sparked widespread concerns. Detractors worry that placing two influential business leaders with potential conflicts of interest in such a role could prioritise private gain over public good.

The proposed cuts under DOGE have also raised eyebrows. The agency aims to reduce federal expenditures by $2tn – a figure that seems nearly unattainable without targeting mandatory spending. However, Social Security and Medicare, which make up a significant portion of federal spending, have been declared off-limits by Trump himself. 

Compounding the challenge, Republican leaders have called for increased funding to implement Trump’s strict immigration policies, including mass deportations, and to bolster military aid for Israel amid ongoing conflict in the Middle East.

With these contradictions at play, many question whether the Department of Government Efficiency will live up to its ambitious name or serve as another emblem of Trump’s polarising approach to governance.

More chaos to come?

In the weeks ahead, Donald Trump is expected to continue expanding his roster of appointees. While not all of his nominations are guaranteed to clear Senate approval, some speculate that his most controversial picks may serve as deliberate distractions from his broader agenda.

As the nation awaits Inauguration Day and braces for the start of his presidency, these appointments point to a contentious road ahead – both for the administration and the country.