Trump unveils administration lineup ahead of meeting with Biden

An anti-China "hawk" on diplomacy, a "dog-killing" governor à Safety Interior: Donald Trump continues on Tuesday to unveil the cast of his future administration, on the eve of a highly symbolic meeting with Joe Biden at the White House.

The Republican, who made an extraordinary comeback by winning the American presidential election just a week ago, is moving at a fast pace to appoint his loyalists to key positions.

After having appointed three of his lieutenants at the UN, the Environment and Immigration, the president-elect is expected to announce that he has chosen the influential Senator Marco Rubio as Secretary of State.

Known for taking a very hard line on China and Iran, this 53-year-old elected official has until now co-chaired the Senate Intelligence Committee.

– Small hands –

However, it has not always been love at first sight between Donald Trump and Marco Rubio.

The Florida senator faced the real estate mogul in the 2016 Republican primaries, a race in which he openly mocked Donald Trump's hand size and complexion.

But the two men appear to have since buried the hatchet.

Representative Michael Waltz, at the Republican convention in Milwaukee, July 17, 2024 © AFP – Kamil Krzaczynski

His upcoming nomination, reported by American media, risks giving Kiev cold sweats: Marco Rubio estimated at the beginning of November that it was necessary to “put an end” to the war in Ukraine, in an “impasse” according to him.

Another “hawk” – and another elected official from Florida – Mike Waltz, has been appointed to the highly strategic position of White House National Security Advisor.

Together, they are the principal architects of Donald Trump's foreign policy, as he has promised to end the wars in Ukraine and the Middle East — without ever explaining how.

Former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee, a former Baptist pastor, has also been appointed to the post of ambassador to Israel.

– Dog shot dead –

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Beyond the diplomatic aspect, the president-elect is also expected to appoint Governor Kristi Noem, a loyalist among loyalists, to lead the Department of Homeland Security, which is responsible for customs. and border guards.

South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem in Vandalia, Ohio, United States, March 16, 2024 © AFP – KAMIL KRZACZYNSKI

His name had been cited among the credible candidates likely to become Donald Trump's running mate in his third campaign for the White House.

But this ambition to become vice president was doused when the sulphurous governor of South Dakota revealed that she had shot her young dog because she was “untamable” in her opinion.

This news had provoked a deluge of negative reactions in April in the political class and on social networks, dogs occupying a special place in the lives of many American families.

– Trump in Washington –

Donald Trump, who will continue these nominations throughout the week, was to be informed on Tuesday about the legality of his criminal conviction in New York but the judge postponed his decision until November 19.

The president-elect will be in Washington on Wednesday for a highly scrutinized meeting with Joe Biden.

The latter promised a “peaceful and orderly” transfer of powers with his Republican successor after the defeat of his vice-president Kamala Harris in the election.

Mike Johnson, Pennsylvania, October 28, 2024 © AFP – SAMUEL CORUM

Donald Trump, who will be sworn in on January 20, is also scheduled to visit Congress on Wednesday to speak with Republican leaders.

The 47th President of the United States will in all likelihood enjoy full powers in Washington: his party won the majority in the Senate and should retain control of the House of Representatives, according to a count still in progress.

“It's a beautiful morning in Washington, it's a new day for America,” said Republican Mike Johnson, who should, barring any major surprise, continue to preside over the House.

The leadership of the Senate will be the subject of a closed-door election between Republicans. The richest man on the planet, Elon Musk, who played an unprecedented role in Donald Trump's campaign, threw all his forces behind the candidacy of Florida Senator Rick Scott.

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