Wait, didn't it feel like just yesterday we were watching the transition news crawl across the bottom of the screen? Honestly, keeping up with the revolving door of a presidential administration is a full-time job. If you’ve been scrolling through social media trying to figure out who has trump appointed to run the country in his second term, you've probably seen a mix of familiar faces and some total wildcards. It's not just about the big "inner circle" names anymore. We're talking about a massive shift in how the federal government is being steered, from the Department of Justice to the folks handling your local farm subsidies.
The 2025-2026 roster is basically a "who’s who" of loyalists, media personalities, and firebrands. Unlike the first term, where there was a lot of "adults in the room" talk involving traditional GOP figures, this second go-around is much more focused on people who are fully on board with the MAGA agenda.
The Heavy Hitters in the Cabinet
Let's look at the big ones first. These are the positions that usually dominate the Sunday morning talk shows.
Marco Rubio snagged the Secretary of State spot. It’s kinda wild if you remember the 2016 primary "Little Marco" nicknames, but he’s become a key ally. He was confirmed with a massive 99-0 vote, which is basically unheard of these days. He’s the first Latino to hold the job, and he’s clearly there to keep a hawkish eye on China and Iran.
Then there’s the Treasury. Scott Bessent, a hedge fund manager, got the nod. He’s the first openly gay man to serve in a Trump cabinet. His main mission? Tariffs. If you see your coffee or car parts getting more expensive because of import taxes, he’s likely the one who drafted the memo.
Justice and Defense: The Firebrands
The Department of Justice (DOJ) was the biggest drama of the transition. Remember the Matt Gaetz saga? Yeah, that didn’t happen. Instead, Pam Bondi stepped in. She’s a former Florida Attorney General and a long-time Trump defender. She was confirmed in early February 2026 with a 54-46 vote. She’s expected to fundamentally change how the DOJ operates, focusing heavily on what the administration calls "cleansing" the department of political bias.
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Over at the Pentagon, things got even more interesting. Pete Hegseth, a Fox News host and Army veteran, took the lead as Secretary of Defense. This was a tight one—Vice President J.D. Vance had to cast a tie-breaking vote to get him in. Critics pointed to his lack of senior management experience, but the administration wanted someone to "shake up" the military's leadership.
The Outsiders Taking Over
Some of the most talked-about appointments aren't even in the traditional "big four" departments.
- Robert F. Kennedy Jr. (HHS): This one sent shockwaves through the medical community. He’s now the Secretary of Health and Human Services. His focus is "MAHA"—Make America Healthy Again—which involves looking at food dyes, seed oils, and vaccine transparency.
- Tulsi Gabbard (DNI): The former Democratic congresswoman is now the Director of National Intelligence. She’s been a vocal critic of foreign intervention, and her appointment signals a major pivot in how the U.S. looks at global conflicts.
- Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy (DOGE): While technically not Senate-confirmed Cabinet roles in the traditional sense, they lead the "Department of Government Efficiency." Their goal is basically to take a chainsaw to federal spending and regulations.
Breaking Down the Rest of the Team
It’s easy to miss the middle-tier stuff, but these people affect your life daily. Brooke Rollins at Agriculture handles everything from food stamps to crop insurance. Linda McMahon, formerly of the SBA and WWE fame, is now the Secretary of Education, though there's been constant talk about her department being phased out or radically decentralized.
For the environment, Lee Zeldin is the EPA Administrator. He’s pretty much the opposite of the previous administration's picks, focusing more on energy independence and rolling back "over-regulation" than on climate change initiatives. Chris Wright, a fracking executive, is the Secretary of Energy, which fits perfectly with the "drill, baby, drill" mantra.
The White House Inner Circle
You can't talk about who has trump appointed without mentioning the people who don't need a Senate vote. These are the folks in the President's ear every single day.
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Susie Wiles is the Chief of Staff. She’s often called "The Ice Baby" and is credited with the disciplined 2024 campaign. She’s the first woman to ever hold this role. Then you have Tom Homan, the "Border Czar." He doesn't have a department per se, but he’s the architect of the mass deportation plans. Stephen Miller is back as a Deputy Chief of Staff, ensuring that immigration policy stays at the forefront.
Why This List Matters More Than the Last One
In 2017, there were a lot of people who seemed to be there to "contain" Trump. This time, the vetting process was much stricter. If you’re on this list, it’s because you’ve passed a loyalty test. This means the administration can move much faster on executive orders and policy changes because there is less internal friction.
For example, when Kristi Noem (Homeland Security) or Doug Burgum (Interior) want to implement a change, they aren't fighting a "deep state" cabinet—they are the cabinet. Burgum is also the "Energy Czar," a dual role that gives him massive power over federal lands and drilling permits.
A Quick Glance at the Confirmed Names (As of 2026)
Basically, if you're looking for a cheat sheet, here's how the board looks right now:
- State: Marco Rubio
- Treasury: Scott Bessent
- Defense: Pete Hegseth
- Justice: Pam Bondi
- Interior: Doug Burgum
- Agriculture: Brooke Rollins
- Commerce: Howard Lutnick
- Labor: Lori Chavez-DeRemer
- HHS: Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
- HUD: Scott Turner
- Transportation: Sean Duffy
- Energy: Chris Wright
- Education: Linda McMahon
- VA: Doug Collins
- Homeland Security: Kristi Noem
- CIA: John Ratcliffe
- FBI: Kash Patel
Surprising Facts About the New Staff
You might have missed that Scott Turner, the HUD Secretary, is currently the only Black member of the Cabinet. Or that Sean Duffy, the Transportation Secretary, used to be on The Real World on MTV. It’s a diverse group in terms of background—moving from reality TV stars and hedge fund moguls to career politicians—but they are ideologically very tight-knit.
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The confirmation process for some, like Kash Patel at the FBI, was a total bruiser. It took a long time and a lot of political capital to get him through, mostly because of his past clashes with the intelligence community. But his presence there is a signal that the administration is serious about overhaul.
What This Means for You
So, what should you actually do with this information? Understanding who has trump appointed helps you predict where the country is headed. If you’re in the tech sector, you want to watch Howard Lutnick (Commerce) and the DOGE guys. If you’re in healthcare, RFK Jr. is your primary focus.
Actionable Next Steps:
- Follow the money: Keep an eye on the Department of Commerce and Treasury. Their stance on tariffs will hit your wallet faster than any other policy.
- Monitor the DOJ: Watch Pam Bondi's first 100 days. If you are involved in legal or corporate compliance, the rules of the game are changing.
- Local Impact: Reach out to your local representatives regarding the Department of Agriculture and HUD changes, as these will affect local infrastructure and food costs.
The landscape is shifting. It’s not just a change in personnel; it’s a change in the entire philosophy of governance. Whether you love it or hate it, knowing the names is the first step in navigating the 2026 political reality.