Future US government: Trump relies on migration hardliners and critics of China

Hardliners and loyal followers: Donald Trump’s government team is taking shape with the first personnel details. The foreign policy experts on his team that have become known so far are taking a tough stance towards China. Domestic policy is about implementing the mass deportation of migrants from the USA announced by President-elect Trump – and expanding oil and gas production.

Architects of deportation

Stephen Miller, who attracted attention during Trump’s first term with plans to deport migrants, is getting a position in the White House again. This time he should become deputy chief of staff to the future US president, reported the news channel CNN and the New York Times, among others. Miller will have extensive powers – but does not have to be confirmed in this position by the Senate.

At one of Trump’s campaign events, Miller shouted to the crowd: “America is for Americans – and only for Americans.” Trump will drive criminal migrants, cartels and gangs out of the country, he said.

He would already be the second migration hardliner in Trump’s team after Tom Homan, who as “border czar” is supposed to oversee the mass deportation of irregularly immigrated foreigners. Homan implemented the separation of children from their parents at the US border during Trump’s first term in office.

CNN: Gov. Noem to lead Homeland Security

According to information from the TV channel CNN, another Trump supporter will be the US Secretary of Homeland Security: Kristi Noem, governor of the state of South Dakota. In the post she would be responsible, among other things, for immigration and border authorities.

Noem had previously been considered a possible running mate for Trump. But according to media reports, the idea was off the table after negative headlines about her memoir. The 52-year-old wrote that she shot her 14-month-old dog, Cricket, herself because she was not trained to hunt. Noem later argued that her actions showed that she was not afraid to make tough decisions.

Supporter of a tough China policy

With the personal details in foreign policy that have become known so far, it is clear that a tough position towards China – and also Iran – will become a focus of Trump’s second term in office.

According to media reports, Republican Representative Mike Waltz will become national security advisor in the White House. A few days before the presidential election, he described China as the US’s “biggest rival” in an opinion piece in the Economist magazine. The next US president must quickly end the wars in Ukraine and the Middle East in order to focus on China, he argued.

At the same time, Waltz wrote last year with a view to the Republican majority in the House of Representatives: “The era of blank checks for Ukraine from Congress is over.” European countries would have to make an even greater contribution. At the same time, he said that the USA had the leverage against Russia to lift restrictions on the use of American weapons supplied to Ukraine.

Rubio likely Secretary of State

According to media reports, Trump wants to make Senator Marco Rubio, known for his tough stance against China and Iran, his Secretary of State. The “New York Times” and the NBC broadcaster also stated that Trump could change his mind. Richard Grenell, the former US ambassador to Germany, had also been considered a promising candidate for the post in recent days.

Member of Parliament as UN Ambassador

The new US ambassador to the United Nations in New York is to be Republican MP Elise Stefanik. The 40-year-old has repeatedly appeared as a loyal ally of Trump in recent years. So Stefanik addressed his false claims about fraud in the 2020 presidential election.

Environmental authority should relax rules

The next head of the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is also expected to be a long-time Trump supporter, former Congressman Lee Zeldin. The president-elect announced that he would make “quick and fair” decisions to relax regulations. At the same time, he will “adhere to the highest environmental standards” to ensure that the USA has the cleanest air and water on the planet.

Republican Trump denies there is a climate crisis. For his second term in office, he has announced a far-reaching expansion of domestic production of oil and natural gas. According to media reports, environmental regulations will also be relaxed so that drilling can be carried out in more areas. Trump should also once again aim for the USA to withdraw from the Paris climate agreement.

After his election victory last week, Trump is scheduled to be sworn in for a second term as president on January 20th.