WASHINGTON — As President-elect Donald Trump prepares to take office, his upcoming administration will showcase less diversity compared to that of President Joe Biden. However, it is noteworthy that several nominees from diverse backgrounds, including women and individuals of color, are anticipated to hold significant positions.
Despite his strong opposition to diversity initiatives in various sectors, Trump’s Cabinet nominations and other prominent staffing decisions feature individuals who are set to break barriers. If confirmed, his Cabinet will be approximately one-third women and will include several historic appointments.
Florida Senator Marco Rubio has been chosen to head the State Department, potentially becoming the first Latino to assume this role. Additionally, Scott Bessent, an American hedge fund manager, has been nominated to lead the Treasury Department, which would mark him as the first openly gay individual in this position.
Susie Wiles, selected as the White House chief of staff, is expected to be the first woman to serve in this capacity.
Another key nomination is Scott Turner, a former NFL player who chaired the White House Opportunity and Revitalization Council during Trump’s first term. He will take on the role of secretary of housing and urban development. Turner, who is Black, represents the fourth confirmed HUD secretary of color since 2014; he follows in the footsteps of Ben Carson, who also identifies as Black and served in this position under Trump.
Trump’s inaugural administration featured some groundbreaking appointments as well, such as Gina Haspel, the first female director of the CIA. Nevertheless, it was observed to fall short in terms of diverse representation when compared to previous administrations.
The new administration anticipates including individuals of color in various high-stakes roles. Vivek Ramaswamy, a biotech entrepreneur and contender for the 2024 GOP presidential nomination, will co-head an external advisory committee on government efficiency alongside billionaire Elon Musk. Tulsi Gabbard, an ex-Democratic congresswoman, is slated to take the role of director of national intelligence, overseeing the nation’s intelligence agencies; she is of Samoan heritage while Ramaswamy is of Indian descent.
Trump has also appointed Mehmet Oz, a former television medical professional who previously ran for Senate in Pennsylvania, to lead the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. Janette Nesheiwat, a physician and media figure, is nominated to become surgeon general. Nesheiwat hails from a family of Christian Jordanian immigrants, while Oz, who is Turkish American, is positioned to become the first Muslim to occupy this role.
Furthermore, Trump’s Cabinet reflects a wide spectrum of ideological viewpoints, with several nominees espousing unconventional beliefs by Washington’s standards, while others possess differing perspectives, especially concerning key areas like trade and foreign policy.