With control of Congress hanging by a thread, President-elect Donald Trump is moving quickly to form his administration, nominating allies to high-profile roles, including a “border tsar” to tackle immigration, as his Republican Party edges closer to a House majority.
The Republican Party, having secured a narrow majority in the Senate, needs only a few more seats to take control of the House of Representatives, with the current seat count showing Republicans at 214 and Democrats at 205. A majority requires 218 seats, giving Republicans a slim margin to potentially lock down both chambers. Control of the House is a major political advantage, allowing the leading party to initiate spending legislation and even launch impeachment proceedings against officials, thus creating a strong legislative platform for the new administration.
One of Trump’s key campaign promises has been to reinforce immigration policies, including strict border control measures and deportations. In line with this, Trump appointed Tom Homan as the new “border tsar.” Homan, the former acting director of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), is known for his firm stance on immigration enforcement. Trump announced Homan’s new position on his Truth Social platform, saying Homan would oversee all aspects of border security, including the southern and northern borders, maritime security, and aviation safety. “Tom Homan will be in charge of all Deportation of Illegal Aliens back to their Country of Origin. Congratulations to Tom. I have no doubt he will do a fantastic, and long awaited for, job,” Trump stated.
Homan’s appointment aligns with Trump’s promise to clamp down on illegal immigration, a cornerstone of his campaign, and will likely be among the first initiatives his administration pursues. With control over both chambers, Republicans could streamline Trump’s immigration policy objectives through Congress, giving Homan considerable support in the House and Senate.
In addition to Homan, Trump nominated New York Congresswoman Elise Stefanik as the next U.S. ambassador to the United Nations. Known for her loyalty and support of Trump’s agenda, Stefanik expressed her honor at the nomination in a statement to the New York Post. “During my conversation with President Trump, I shared how deeply humbled I am to accept his nomination and that I look forward to earning the support of my colleagues in the United States Senate,” she said. Stefanik’s appointment signals Trump’s intent to strengthen the U.S. stance in international diplomacy with a reliable ally at the UN.
Susie Wiles, who has already been named as Trump’s chief of staff, is also joining the administration in a key advisory role. Known as “the ice maiden” for her calm demeanor, Wiles has played an instrumental role in Trump’s campaign. She is expected to maintain a low-profile yet powerful presence in the administration, guiding Trump’s agenda from the background.
Speculation is swirling around other top cabinet positions, with billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk and former presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. among those rumored to be considered for key roles. Musk, who played an influential role in Trump’s campaign, could bring his experience from the tech and business sectors, potentially focusing on technology policy or economic innovation.
Meanwhile, Trump has confirmed that former cabinet members Nikki Haley and Mike Pompeo, both of whom served during his first administration, will not be returning. By distancing himself from some former allies, Trump appears set on reshaping his cabinet to reflect his current priorities, focusing on loyalty and alignment with his policy goals.
If Republicans manage to secure control of the House, Trump will have unprecedented legislative leverage to pursue his key objectives, such as tax cuts, inflation reduction, and immigration reform. With allies like Homan and Stefanik positioned in strategic roles, Trump’s administration is gearing up for a fast start to its legislative agenda. As the final House results are awaited, Trump’s new appointments give a glimpse into the assertive, tightly controlled government he intends to lead come January.
