On the date of the month, the President-elect of the United States, Donald Trump, nominated several key officials for his administration after taking office.

Fox News television host nominated for the position of US Secretary of Defense, the "number two" in the armed forces; former special forces member to become Trump's "close aide," nominated for the position of Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs; Musk, who supported Trump's campaign both financially and physically, will also lead a newly established department.

Additionally, key roles behind the scenes at the White House, such as the "White House Counsel," have been filled.

Armed Forces "Number Two" U.S. Defense Secretary TV Host Pete Hegseth

Trump announced that he will nominate Pete Hegseth as the US Secretary of Defense. The US Secretary of Defense is the "second-in-command" of the US armed forces, ranking just below the President.

Pete Hegseth was born in the year, served in the United States Army National Guard, and is currently a television host for Fox News.

U.S. Homeland Security Secretary, a hardliner on border security issues, Kristjen Nielsen.

Trump issued a statement on the day, announcing that he will appoint South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem as the Secretary of Homeland Security after his inauguration. Noem confirmed the news on her social media platform on the same day. Trump emphasized that Noem is very tough on border security issues.

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security was established following the "9/11" terrorist attacks, primarily responsible for safeguarding homeland security and related matters, overseeing counter-terrorism, border security, immigration and customs, cybersecurity, disaster prevention and management, among other duties.

One of the President's "close aides," the former member of the special forces and the Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs, Mike Volz.

Trump announced that he has nominated Congressman Mike Waltz to serve as the Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs.

Waltz is a Republican congressman from Florida and this year. He is the first U.S. Army Special Forces member to be elected to the House of Representatives, having been deployed multiple times to Afghanistan, the Middle East, and Africa. He currently serves on the House Armed Services Committee, the Foreign Affairs Committee, and the Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence.

The primary responsibilities of the President's National Security Advisor include providing the President with daily national security briefings and coordinating U.S. government policies on diplomacy, intelligence, and military affairs. Given the significant nature of these duties, the President's National Security Advisor has historically been appointed from among individuals who enjoy the President's utmost trust.

Former New York State Assemblyman and Administrator of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Lee Zeldin

Local time on the day of the month, it was learned that US President-elect Trump will appoint former New York State Assemblyman Zeldin as the Administrator of the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Zeldin announced on the same day that he has accepted the position.

Zeldin expressed on his social media that he is honored to join the Trump cabinet as the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency.

It is reported that Zeldin is closely associated with Trump. During Trump's election campaign, Zeldin frequently visited Trump's Mar-a-Lago estate.

U.S. Permanent Representative to the United Nations, staunch supporter of Trump, Alice Stefanik

Trump issued a statement on the day, announcing the selection of Republican Congresswoman from New York, Elise Stefanik, as the U.S. Permanent Representative to the United Nations.

Alice Stefanik is currently years old and has served as a member of the Federal House of Representatives since , initially belonging to the moderate wing of the Republican Party before becoming a "staunch supporter" of Trump.

During both impeachment inquiries against Trump, she repeatedly voiced her support for Trump. Stephanie Bice agreed with Trump's claims about "widespread fraud in the 2020 election." In November 2020, Bice assumed the position of the third-ranking Republican in the House of Representatives, serving as the Chair of the Republican Conference.

US Ambassador to Israel, Israel supporter, Mike Huckabee

Trump announced that he has nominated former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee to serve as the U.S. Ambassador to Israel after he takes office as President.

Huckabee is 68 years old this year. He has served as the governor of Arkansas for 11 consecutive years since January, making him the longest-serving Republican governor in the state's history. He ran for president in 2008 and 2016 but withdrew during the Republican primary process both times.

Huckabee is a staunch supporter of Israel, recognizing Israel's claim over the West Bank and opposing the establishment of a Palestinian state.

Additionally, Trump announced the appointment of New York real estate investor and campaign donor Steve Witkoff as the U.S. Special Envoy to the Middle East following his inauguration.

Key behind-the-scenes role in the White House, counsel William McKinley

Trump announced that William McKinley would return to the White House as his White House Counsel after he takes office.

McKinley served as White House Cabinet Secretary in Trump's previous administration and was the General Counsel for the National Republican Senatorial Committee (). The position of White House Counsel was established in the year and is responsible for providing advice on all legal matters related to the President and his administration. The White House Counsel typically plays a key role behind the scenes, overseeing the review of Supreme Court candidates and nominees. During his first term, Trump nominated three Supreme Court justices.

"Ministry of Government Efficiency" leaders, business elite Musk and Ramaswamy

On the date of the month, local time, the U.S. President-elect Trump announced that American entrepreneur Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy will jointly lead the proposed "Department of Government Efficiency" after he assumes the presidency.

Trump said, "The Department of Government Efficiency" will "pave the way for dismantling the government bureaucracy, cutting redundant regulations and wasteful spending, and reorganizing federal agencies."

Both are business elites. World's richest man Musk leads electric car company Tesla, social media platforms, and space exploration technology company ( ). Ramaswamy is the founder of a pharmaceutical company and once competed with Trump for the Republican presidential nomination. After withdrawing from the race, he chose to support Trump.

Musk donates over a billion dollars to support Trump's presidential campaign and appears publicly with him. Previously, Trump had stated that he would offer Musk a position to enhance government efficiency.