Behind the Curtain: The battle for Trump power
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The battle for power in a potential second Trump White House is in full swing:
- Former President Trump's two veep runners-up, Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) and North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum, are in the running for secretary of state, Trump sources tell us.
Why it matters: We're told Trump is focused on campaigning, and paying little attention to the fight to staff a prospective second administration. But top Republicans are already lobbying Trump advisers hard for specific slots. A clear matrix of likely options — largely consistent across conversations with Trump insiders — is emerging.
The big picture: The top of a second Trump administration would be mainly white, male, populist and loyal, based on preliminary lists of likely Cabinet members and top staff, the sources said.
- Trump constantly tells friends he felt burned by disloyal Cabinet officials and staff last time around. This time, he wants people he can trust both to implement his policies and never block his will.
- JD Vance would be very involved with planning Trump's transition — the high-stakes period between Election Day and the inauguration. But look for an official chair to be named.
The intrigue: Rubio and Burgum just missed out on their dream job: vice presidential nominee. But Trump's advisers are contemplating one helluva consolation prize: secretary of state.
- Also in contention: Sen. Bill Hagerty of Tennessee, who was Trump's former ambassador to Japan and occasional golf partner.
- Sen. Tom Cotton of Arkansas, a former Army officer who has been an unwavering Trump advocate and confidant, would rather be secretary of defense. But he's also on the list for secretary of state. Trump likes him because he's tough. And he's deft at "speaking Trump" on TV, including Sunday shows, one adviser said.
Susie Wiles, the campaign's co-manager, wants White House chief of staff — and likely would get the job if she pushes for it.
- But Trump wants a chief of staff who knows Washington and congressional landmines. So advisers see former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy as a top Wiles alternative.
- This new gig could prove as impossible, and short-lived, as being speaker. Just ask Reince Priebus or John Kelly or Mick Mulvaney or Mark Meadows — Trump's first-term chiefs.
Chris LaCivita, co-manager with Wiles, would also land a top West Wing job if he wants it — perhaps counselor or senior adviser.
- Stephen Miller, Trump's hawkish whisperer on immigration issues, is expected to be a major West Wing power. He's another option for counselor or senior adviser — enviable slots with broad purview, but less operational responsibility than other roles.
Between the lines: The two biggest changes in staffing since the first term are the increased power of populists compared to Trump's original West Wing, which included such establishment powers as former Goldman Sachs exec Gary Cohn. You could see this dynamic in the sway Don Jr. and Tucker Carlson had in pushing Vance over the finish line for V.P. It's not a coincidence that Don Jr. wants to screen top officials for loyalty.
- Second, Trump realizes he has to staff further down in the agencies and departments if he's going to work his full will.
Reality check: This is all contingent on actually winning a second term, and some Republicans think the Trump team is acting too over-confident.
- But Trump insiders realize that the more prepared they are for a transition, the more power can stay concentrated with Trump loyalists — and the less would go to outsiders.
A rundown of top options for other slots:
- Treasury secretary: Trump loves brand names. So Jamie Dimon, JPMorgan Chase CEO, will stay on the list. But the pick wouldn't be popular with Trump's base, and the former president disavowed his own Dimon trial balloon in a Truth Social post last week. Scott Bessent, a hedge-fund manager who's a Vance ally and big Trump fundraiser, is being pushed by some campaign insiders.
- National security adviser: Ric Grenell, former ambassador to Germany and Trump's acting director of national intelligence. He'd love to be secretary of state, and believes he'd be confirmed with zero Republican "no" votes. But this would be a safer route for a controversial pick widely known for trolling Trump critics online.
- Commerce secretary: Linda McMahon, the former WWE executive and head of the Small Business Administration in Trump's first term, is on the list. A strong contender is Ray Washburne, a Dallas entrepreneur who was a key player in Trump I. The key economic post could be a backup spot for Rubio, McCarthy or Sen. Tim Scott of South Carolina, one of Trump's primary challengers. Scott would love to be considered for Treasury, based on his advocacy for Opportunity Zones. But he doesn't seem to fit Trump's vision of a Wall Street-savvy Treasury secretary.
- Energy secretary: A backup option for Burgum.
- CIA director: John Ratcliffe, who was Trump's director of national intelligence last time and another golfing buddy. Ratcliffe would also be an option for SecDef or any top national security job.
