If you’re trying to keep up with the West Wing these days, it’s a lot. Honestly, the speed at which this roster moves can give anyone whiplash. We’re well into the second year of the second term now, and the question of who is in Trump’s cabinet has settled into a mix of TV-ready veterans, loyalist firebrands, and a few high-profile disruptors who have surprisingly stuck around.
It’s not just a list of names. It’s a map of how the country is being run.
Most people think a Cabinet is just a group of advisors who sit around a long table once a month. Kinda. But really, these are the folks running the massive machines of the federal government—the ones who decide how your food is inspected, how your taxes are collected, and where the troops go.
The Big Three: State, Defense, and Treasury
Let's start with the heavy hitters. You've got Marco Rubio at the State Department. He was confirmed almost immediately back in January 2025 with a 99-0 vote, which is basically a miracle in today's politics. He’s the first Latino Secretary of State, and he’s been the primary face of the "America First" foreign policy that balances traditional GOP hawkishness with Trump’s skepticism of long-term entanglements.
Then there’s the Pentagon. Pete Hegseth took the helm as Secretary of Defense. That was a much tighter race—51-50 in the Senate. He’s an Army veteran and former Fox News host, and his tenure has been defined by a massive push to strip "woke" policies out of the military. If you’re following the news, you know he’s been a lightning rod for debate since day one.
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Over at Treasury, Scott Bessent is the man with the checkbook. He came from the world of hedge funds (Key Square Group) and has been tasked with managing the tariffs and the "decoupling" from certain foreign markets. He’s basically the architect of the current economic "renaissance" or "reordering," depending on who you ask.
Who is in Trump’s Cabinet: The Rest of the Roster
It’s a long list, so let’s move fast.
Pam Bondi is the Attorney General. She took over after the initial Matt Gaetz nomination fell through. She’s a former Florida AG and a long-time Trump ally who has focused heavily on border-related litigation and "law and order" initiatives.
The Inner Circle
- JD Vance: Your Vice President. He’s been way more active in policy-making than many of his predecessors.
- Susie Wiles: The White House Chief of Staff. She doesn't need Senate confirmation, but she’s arguably the most powerful woman in D.C. right now.
- Robert F. Kennedy Jr.: Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS). This was the one that made everyone’s jaw drop. He’s been busy trying to "Make America Healthy Again," focusing on food dyes and seed oils.
Kristi Noem is running Homeland Security (DHS), and she’s been working closely with Tom Homan, the "Border Czar." While Homan isn't technically in the Cabinet, he’s in those meetings more often than some secretaries are.
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The Disruptors and the Specialists
One thing that makes this Cabinet different is the sheer number of people from outside the traditional "Beltway" bubble. Linda McMahon is over at the Department of Education. Her goal? Basically to work herself out of a job by decentralizing as much as possible to the states.
Chris Wright, a fracking executive, is the Secretary of Energy. You can guess what his priority is: "drill, baby, drill." He’s been aggressively rolling back regulations on fossil fuels while Lee Zeldin at the EPA has been streamlining the permit process for new energy projects.
Other Key Figures:
- Doug Burgum: Secretary of the Interior. The former North Dakota Governor is the point man for federal lands and energy leases.
- Tulsi Gabbard: Director of National Intelligence. A former Democrat and Iraq War vet, she’s been tasked with "cleaning up" the intelligence community.
- John Ratcliffe: Back at the CIA. He’s a familiar face from the first term and provides some continuity in the basement of Langley.
- Lori Chavez-DeRemer: Secretary of Labor. She’s had the tricky job of balancing the President’s pro-worker rhetoric with the business-first goals of the Treasury.
Why the 2026 Cabinet Looks Different
If you look back at 2017, that Cabinet was full of "generals and CEOs" who often clashed with the President. This time? It’s different. This is a team built for speed and loyalty. They aren't there to "contain" the President; they're there to execute.
Take Howard Lutnick at Commerce. He’s not just a businessman; he was the co-chair of the transition team. He knows where all the bodies are buried and exactly what the President wants in terms of trade deals.
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Then you have the wildcards. Dr. Mehmet Oz is running the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). Kash Patel is the FBI Director. These are choices that weren't just about administrative skill—they were about sending a message to the "Deep State."
The Actionable Insight: How to Watch the Move
Knowing who is in Trump’s cabinet is only half the battle. If you want to know what’s coming next for the country, don't just watch the President's social media. Watch the Federal Register.
That’s where the actual work happens. When Brooke Rollins (Agriculture) or Sean Duffy (Transportation) signs a new rule, that’s where the rubber meets the road.
If you’re a business owner, pay attention to Jamieson Greer, the U.S. Trade Representative. His office is where the next round of tariffs will be born. If you’re in healthcare, keep an eye on Robert F. Kennedy Jr.—his moves at HHS could change everything from school lunch programs to how vaccines are marketed.
Next Steps for You:
- Track the "Big Three": Rubio, Hegseth, and Bessent. Their departments represent about 80% of the administration's global impact.
- Monitor the Departures: In any administration, year two is when the "first wave" starts to burn out. Watch for who leaves—and who replaces them—to see if the policy shifts.
- Follow the Agency Rules: Use sites like FederalRegister.gov to see what the Cabinet secretaries are actually signing into law.
This isn't your grandfather’s Cabinet. It’s a faster, leaner, and much more ideological group than we’ve seen in decades. Whether you love it or hate it, knowing who’s at the table is the only way to understand where the country is headed.