Who's Set to Shape the Next Administration?
As we move closer to the 2024 election, we are considering who might fill the top Cabinet and executive agency roles under Vice President Kamala Harris or former President Donald Trump. These individuals will influence everything from foreign policy to regulatory practices that could affect your business. Both candidates have already chosen their Vice Presidents – Tim Walz and JD Vance – but below is a detailed look at likely candidates for key positions in both administrations.
Harris Agency Heads
Secretary of State
William Burns: Current CIA Director and former ambassador to Russia; well-respected across parties for his deep diplomatic expertise.
Linda Thomas-Greenfield: U.S. Ambassador to the UN, experienced in global diplomacy with a focus on Africa and human rights.
Treasury Secretary
Lael Brainard: Current top Biden economic adviser; known for her deep understanding of monetary policy and fiscal issues.
Wally Adeyemo: Current Deputy Treasury Secretary with significant experience in financial policy and international sanctions.
Defense Secretary
Christine Wormuth: Current Secretary of the Army; well-versed in defense logistics and modern military challenges.
Michèle Flournoy: Former Undersecretary of Defense, with a focus on military innovation and U.S. defense strategy.
Secretary of Interior
Deb Haaland: Current Secretary of the Interior, the first Native American to hold the role, focusing on conservation and tribal issues.
Tom Udall: Former senator and public lands advocate, strong supporter of environmental policies.
Secretary of Agriculture
Xochitl Torres Small: Current Deputy Secretary of Agriculture, with a strong focus on rural development and sustainable farming.
Karen Ross: Secretary of Agriculture in California, known for her expertise in managing agricultural production and policy.
Secretary of Commerce
J.B. Pritzker: Governor of Illinois, a pro-business Democrat with a track record of economic development.
Phil Murphy: Governor of New Jersey, focused on innovation and workforce development.
Secretary of Labor
Julie Su: Current Acting Labor Secretary, with a strong background in labor rights and worker protection.
Sara Nelson: Labor union leader and advocate for workers’ rights, especially in the airline industry.
Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS)
Michelle Lujan Grisham: Governor of New Mexico, with a strong focus on public health and healthcare reform.
Mandy Cohen: Current CDC Director, known for managing public health crises.
Secretary of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)
Adrianne Todman: Current Deputy HUD Secretary with experience in urban development and housing policy.
Barbara Lee: Longtime advocate for affordable housing and urban development issues.
Secretary of Transportation
Polly Trottenberg: Current Deputy Secretary of Transportation, with extensive experience in transportation policy.
Shailen Bhatt: Current head of the Federal Highway Administration, focused on infrastructure modernization.
Secretary of Energy
David Turk: Deputy Secretary of Energy, focused on clean energy transition and climate policy.
Jay Inslee: Governor of Washington, a climate action advocate with deep experience in environmental policy.
Secretary of Homeland Security
Ken Wainstein: Current DHS intelligence official, experienced in national security and counterterrorism.
Kristie Canegallo: Senior official at DHS, with a focus on cybersecurity and immigration enforcement.
Other Harris Cabinet Officials
Chief of Staff
Karen Dunn: A seasoned Democratic strategist, known for managing high-profile political crises and campaigns.
Marty Walsh: Former Labor Secretary with a background in labor relations, bringing strong ties to labor and business communities.
Attorney General
Sally Yates: Former Acting Attorney General under Obama, known for her strong stance on the rule of law.
Doug Jones: Former Alabama Senator with a history of bipartisan collaboration and civil rights advocacy.
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator
Brenda Mallory: Chair of the Council on Environmental Quality, with a focus on environmental justice and regulation.
Michael Regan: Current EPA Administrator, leading Biden’s environmental agenda, especially on climate policy.
Director of National Intelligence
Avril Haines: Current DNI, known for her strong bipartisan support and management of the intelligence community.
Sue Gordon: Former principal deputy DNI, respected for her extensive experience in national security.
U.S. Trade Representative
Katherine Tai: Current USTR, focused on labor protections and fair trade, especially in relation to China.
Sarah Bianchi: Deputy USTR, with a focus on trade relations with Europe and the Western Hemisphere.
United Nations Ambassador
Linda Thomas-Greenfield: Current U.N. Ambassador, known for her deep experience in diplomacy, particularly in Africa.
Pete Buttigieg: Current Secretary of Transportation, with a strong public profile and interest in international diplomacy.
Chair of the Council of Economic Advisors
Cecilia Rouse: Current CEA Chair, known for her focus on labor economics and economic recovery post-COVID.
Heather Boushey: Senior economic adviser, expert in inequality and worker rights.
Small Business Administrator
Isabella Casillas Guzman: Current SBA Administrator, with a strong track record on small business recovery post-pandemic.
Maria Contreras-Sweet: Former SBA Administrator under Obama, focused on expanding access to capital for minority-owned businesses.
Director of the Office of Management and Budget
Shalanda Young: Current OMB Director, managing federal budgets and spending priorities under the Biden administration.
Neera Tanden: Senior advisor with deep policy expertise in budget and healthcare reform.
Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy
Alondra Nelson: Current Deputy Director, focused on the social impact of science and technology, especially equity and ethics.
Eric Lander: Former OSTP Director, a leading figure in the scientific community with a focus on health and climate issues.
CIA Director
William Burns: Current CIA Director, with a long history in diplomacy and intelligence, highly respected across parties.
David Cohen: Current Deputy CIA Director, with a focus on national security and counterterrorism.
Trump Agency Heads
Secretary of State
Ric Grenell: Former U.S. Ambassador to Germany and acting Director of National Intelligence, a staunch MAGA ally.
Bill Hagerty: Senator and former Ambassador to Japan, a strong China hawk with experience in trade relations.
Treasury Secretary
Robert Lighthizer: Trump’s former U.S. Trade Representative, known for his hardline trade policies.
Larry Kudlow: Former Director of Trump’s National Economic Council, a proponent of tax cuts and deregulation.
Defense Secretary
Mike Waltz: Congressman and former Green Beret, with strong views on China and military innovation.
Tom Cotton: Senator and Army veteran, known for his hawkish foreign policy stances.
Secretary of Interior
David Bernhardt: Former Interior Secretary under Trump, known for advancing fossil fuel development on public lands.
Ryan Zinke: Former Interior Secretary under Trump, focused on deregulation and resource extraction.
Secretary of Agriculture
Sid Miller: Texas Agriculture Commissioner, a strong advocate for rural farming and deregulation.
Kip Tom: Co-chair of Farmers for Trump, with a focus on traditional agriculture policies.
Secretary of Commerce
Linda McMahon: Former head of the Small Business Administration, with ties to Trump’s pro-business initiatives.
Bill Hagerty: Senator with extensive experience in trade negotiations and business policies.
Secretary of Labor
Patrick Pizzella: Former Acting Labor Secretary, focused on deregulating labor laws.
Eugene Scalia: Former Labor Secretary under Trump, known for his work on business-friendly labor policies.
Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS)
Bobby Jindal: Former Governor of Louisiana, known for healthcare reform efforts.
Brian Blase: Health policy expert, focused on conservative healthcare solutions.
Secretary of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)
Pam Patenaude: Former Deputy HUD Secretary, focused on housing policy and urban development.
Brooke Rollins: President of America First Policy Institute, known for advocating MAGA-aligned housing policies.
Secretary of Transportation
Garret Graves: Congressman and transportation policy expert, aligned with Trump’s infrastructure priorities.
Sam Graves: Long-serving House Transportation Committee member, respected for his aviation and infrastructure expertise.
Secretary of Energy
Harold Hamm: Oil executive, a strong proponent of fossil fuel development and energy independence.
Andrew Wheeler: Former EPA Administrator, known for rolling back environmental regulations.
Secretary of Homeland Security
Chad Wolf: Former Acting Secretary of DHS, focused on immigration control and border security.
Ken Cuccinelli: Former Deputy Secretary of DHS, aligned with Trump’s hardline immigration policies.
Other Trump Cabinet Officials
Chief of Staff
Susie Wiles: Longtime Trump advisor, with extensive experience in political strategy and campaign management.
Kevin McCarthy: Former Speaker of the House, close Trump ally, with leadership experience in navigating the legislative branch.
Attorney General
John Ratcliffe: Former Director of National Intelligence, a close Trump ally known for his support of Trump’s legal positions.
Matt Whitaker: Former Acting Attorney General, aligned with Trump’s views on law enforcement and federal oversight.
Environmental Protection Agency Administrator
Andrew Wheeler: Former EPA Administrator under Trump, known for rolling back environmental regulations.
Scott Pruitt: Former EPA Administrator under Trump, with a strong focus on deregulation and fossil fuel development.
Director of National Intelligence
John Ratcliffe: Former DNI under Trump, a staunch ally who supported Trump's national security priorities.
Richard Grenell: Former Acting DNI and Ambassador to Germany, with close ties to Trump’s foreign policy team.
U.S. Trade Representative
Robert Lighthizer: Former USTR, a key figure in Trump's trade wars with China and tariff policies.
Peter Navarro: Former Trump trade advisor, known for his hawkish views on trade with China and protectionist policies.
United Nations Ambassador
Kelly Craft: Former U.N. Ambassador under Trump, focused on America-first policies and U.N. reform.
Nikki Haley: Former U.N. Ambassador under Trump, with strong conservative credentials and foreign policy experience.
Chair of the Council of Economic Advisors
Larry Kudlow: Former National Economic Council Director under Trump, a strong advocate for tax cuts and deregulation.
Stephen Moore: Former Trump economic advisor, known for his strong supply-side economic views and tax policies.
Small Business Administrator
Linda McMahon: Former SBA Administrator under Trump, known for her strong business background and ties to Trump.
Jovita Carranza: Former SBA Administrator under Trump, focused on reducing regulations for small businesses.
Director of the Office of Management and Budget
Russell Vought: Former OMB Director under Trump, known for advancing Trump’s fiscal policies.
Mick Mulvaney: Former Acting OMB Director and Trump Chief of Staff, known for pushing budget cuts.
Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy
Kelvin Droegemeier: Former OSTP Director under Trump, known for his expertise in weather and climate science.
Scott Atlas: Former Trump COVID-19 advisor, with controversial stances on health policy and science.
CIA Director
Mike Pompeo: Former CIA Director and Secretary of State under Trump, known for his aggressive foreign policy stance.
John Ratcliffe: Former DNI and Trump loyalist, focused on advancing Trump's intelligence policies.
Not To Be Forgotten
In the political landscape, alliances and loyalties often shape cabinet selections. While top contenders may dominate headlines, there are individuals with significant ties to the candidates who could be surprising yet strategic cabinet picks. Specific to Kamala Harris, the below individuals could also earn top positions in a future Harris Administration due to their contributions to her campaign.
Fred Upton, a long-serving Republican Congressman from Michigan, could be a surprising yet strategic addition to Harris’s cabinet. Known for his moderate stance and for voting to impeach Trump, Upton endorsed Harris as a unifying leader and emphasized his belief in her ability to bridge partisan divides. With his extensive background on the Energy and Commerce Committee, Upton could be well-suited for Secretary of Commerce or EPA Administrator, roles where he can leverage his bipartisan approach to address pressing economic and environmental issues.
Adam Kinzinger, a former Illinois Representative and another GOP figure who parted ways with Trump, has similarly voiced strong support for Harris, especially on defense and foreign policy matters. He views Harris as a counterbalance to Trump’s foreign policy and has shown interest in working under her administration to strengthen national security, particularly regarding Ukraine. Kinzinger’s expertise and commitment make him a strong candidate for Secretary of Defense or a key position on the National Security Council.
Governor Josh Shapiro of Pennsylvania, a staunch Harris supporter, has campaigned tirelessly for her, even advising her on blue-collar policies that resonate with working-class voters. Although passed over for the vice presidency, Shapiro remains dedicated to Harris’s success, promoting policy measures that align with her platform. His focus on labor and infrastructure could make him a valuable choice for Secretary of Labor or Secretary of Transportation, where he could expand on the policies he championed in Pennsylvania.
Click here to see all names being thrown around for the Harris Administration
Click here to see all names being thrown around for the Trump Administration
Understanding the potential Cabinet choices of Kamala Harris and Donald Trump offers a window into how each administration would govern, and what policies they might prioritize. Whether it’s healthcare, trade, or defense, these leaders will shape the future regulatory landscape. As always, Constitution Partners will continue to monitor developments and provide timely updates to ensure your interests are protected, no matter who wins the election.