Ahead of his return to the White House in January, President-elect Donald Trump has begun announcing the key figures he wants to fill Cabinet positions and other major roles in his upcoming administration. The list of nominees features some of Trump’s closest allies on Capitol Hill, as well as prominent figures from his 2024 campaign.
In addition to well-known politicians like Florida Sen. Marco Rubio and South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem, and high-profile entrepreneurs such as Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy, several notable New Jersey natives are among Trump’s selections.
Dr. Mehmet Oz – Administrator for the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services
Dr. Mehmet Oz, a longtime Bergen County resident and TV personality, has been selected as the Administrator for the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), an agency within the Department of Health & Human Services. Oz became a household name in the early 2000s through his frequent appearances on The Oprah Winfrey Show, later hosting his own daytime talk show.
While Oz has faced criticism for promoting unproven medical products and claims, such as endorsing the anti-malaria drug hydroxychloroquine for COVID-19 treatment, Trump expressed confidence in his qualifications to address America’s healthcare challenges. Oz is set to work closely with Robert F. Kennedy Jr., nominated to lead the Department of Health & Human Services. The CMS position requires Senate confirmation.
Charles Kushner – U.S. Ambassador to France
Charles Kushner, founder of Kushner Cos., a major real estate firm with a significant presence in New Jersey, has been tapped to serve as U.S. Ambassador to France. Kushner, who is the father of Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner, is a prominent businessman with ties to the Trump family. Trump praised him as a “tremendous business leader, philanthropist, and dealmaker,” and highlighted his son’s previous work in the White House, particularly on initiatives like Operation Warp Speed and the Abraham Accords.
However, Kushner’s past includes a conviction for tax evasion and illegal campaign donations, which led to a prison sentence. He was pardoned by Trump in 2020. Like all ambassadorial nominees, Kushner’s appointment will require Senate confirmation.
Susie Wiles – White House Chief of Staff
Susie Wiles, a political strategist who played a key role in Trump’s past campaigns, has been named the first female White House Chief of Staff. Wiles, who grew up in Saddle River, New Jersey, has an extensive career in politics, having worked on Ronald Reagan’s presidential campaign and with numerous Republican candidates, including Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis. She will not require Senate confirmation to take on this role, and Trump has expressed admiration for her leadership, calling her “tough, smart, innovative, and universally admired.”
Jared Isaacman – NASA Administrator
Jared Isaacman, a billionaire entrepreneur from Central Jersey, has been selected to lead NASA. Isaacman, the founder and CEO of Shift4 Payments, will take charge of NASA’s mission of space exploration, drawing from his extensive leadership background and experience as an astronaut. Although he has no direct experience at NASA, Isaacman’s ties to SpaceX CEO Elon Musk and his own spaceflights with SpaceX make him a unique choice for the role. Isaacman’s appointment will require Senate confirmation.
Frank Bisignano – Social Security Administration Commissioner
Frank Bisignano, the CEO of Fiserv Inc., has been chosen to head the Social Security Administration. Bisignano, who has an extensive background in financial services, including leadership roles at JP Morgan Chase and Citigroup, is credited with transforming large corporations. Fiserv, under his leadership, has expanded its presence in New Jersey, establishing a financial technology hub in Berkeley Heights. His appointment also requires Senate confirmation.
Trump’s picks reflect a combination of business acumen, political experience, and personal connections, with several New Jerseyans playing a key role in the upcoming administration. As the appointments move forward, Senate confirmation will be required for most positions, ensuring further scrutiny and debate before the new administration takes shape.
