2024-11-25 23:22:00
WASHINGTON (AP) — Incoming President Donald Trump’s administration will be far less diverse than current President Joe Biden’s, although it includes several women and people of color who appear destined to be Fill some top positions.
While Trump campaigned vigorously against diversity and inclusion efforts in business and government, his choices for Cabinet and other high-profile positions include some unprecedented appointments. If agreed, the cabinet will be made up of one-third women and will make some unprecedented appointments.
Florida Sen. Marco Rubio, Trump’s pick to chair the State Department, will become the first Hispanic secretary of state. Hedge fund manager Scott Bessent has been appointed Treasury Secretary, making him the first openly gay man to hold the post.
Trump has named Suzy Wells as White House chief of staff, making her the first woman to hold the position.
Former NFL player Scott Turner, who led the White House Council on Opportunity and Revitalization during Trump’s first term, will serve as the new Housing and Urban Development secretary. Turner, who is Black, will become the agency’s fourth Black current official. Neurosurgeon Ben Carson held the position during Trump’s first administration.
Trump’s first term also saw some unprecedented appointments, such as veteran spy Gina Haspel, who became the first female to lead the CIA. However, his first cabinet lagged far behind in terms of diversity compared with his predecessors.
The next administration will have some people of color in other high-profile positions.
Vivek Ramaswamy, a former biotech executive and 2024 Republican presidential candidate, will serve as one of the leaders of an external commission on government effectiveness alongside billionaire Elon Musk . Former Democratic congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard was appointed by Trump as director of national intelligence and chief coordinator of national intelligence. Gabbard is of Samoan descent and Ramaswamy is of Indian-American descent.
Dr. Muhammad Oz, the former television host who unsuccessfully ran for office as a Pennsylvania senator, has been tapped by Trump to head the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. Janette Nesheiwat, a doctor and Fox News host, was appointed public health director by Trump. Neshevat, the daughter of Jordanian immigrants, and Oz, who is Turkish-American, will be the first Muslim to hold the position.
Trump’s Cabinet will also include broad ideological diversity, with some nominees holding views that are generally considered eccentric in Washington. Others have conflicting opinions on some of the next administration’s priorities, such as trade and foreign policy issues.
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This story was translated from English by AP editors with the help of generated artificial intelligence tools.
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How do groundbreaking appointments like Suzy Wells as White House chief of staff affect public perceptions of leadership diversity in government?
**Interview with Dr. Laura Simmons, Political Analyst**
**Editor:** Thank you for joining us today, Dr. Simmons. With Trump’s anticipated administration shaping up to be less diverse than President Biden’s, can you elaborate on the significance of the appointments being made?
**Dr. Simmons:** Absolutely. While it’s clear that Trump has campaigned against initiatives aimed at increasing diversity, his Cabinet picks reveal a mixed picture. For instance, the appointment of Senator Marco Rubio as the first Hispanic Secretary of State and Scott Bessent as the first openly gay Treasury Secretary demonstrates that there is an effort to include diverse voices at the highest levels of government, albeit in a limited way.
**Editor:** It sounds like there are some groundbreaking appointments despite an overall lack of diversity. What do you think drives this paradox?
**Dr. Simmons:** This is indeed a complex situation. On one hand, Trump’s policies and rhetoric often resist traditional diversity efforts, but on the other hand, the appointments are strategically significant. By naming influential figures like Rubio and Bessent, he may aim to appeal to a broader electorate, particularly among marginalized groups. However, the overarching narrative still underscores a Cabinet that is less representative than Biden’s.
**Editor:** You mentioned the appointment of Suzy Wells as White House chief of staff, the first woman to hold that position. How might this impact perceptions of Trump’s administration?
**Dr. Simmons:** Suzy Wells’ appointment could provide a fresh perspective within an administration often criticized for lacking gender diversity. Her role could influence policy discussions and challenge some existing norms, potentially softening the public’s view on Trump’s commitment to women in leadership. However, it will be crucial to see how much influence she actually wields in practice.
**Editor:** what should we keep an eye on as these appointments are finalized?
**Dr. Simmons:** It will be essential to monitor how these leaders perform in their roles and whether they truly advocate for inclusive policies or simply represent token diversity. Additionally, the broader implications of these appointments could shape public discourse on diversity in government and influence future elections. it’s a fascinating time to observe the dynamics of power as Trump takes the helm once again.
**Editor:** Thank you, Dr. Simmons, for your valuable insights. It will certainly be interesting to see how this unfolds in the coming months.
**Dr. Simmons:** Thank you for having me.
