National security officials in Washington, D.C., are awaiting President-elect Donald Trump's decision on the secretary of defense.
President Trump's nomination of Rep. Michael Walz (R-Fla.) as national security adviser and the expected nomination of Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) as secretary of state. This has determined the direction of President Trump's foreign policy, which is expected to be as follows. Hawkish on China and Iran.
Whoever President Trump chooses as Secretary of Defense will oversee major changes within the Pentagon, including a reorientation of military posture overseas and the Pentagon's “awakening” under President Biden. Both a complete repeal of DEI provisions that they believe led to this.
There are many names being thrown around as to who could lead the government's largest agency, but there is one theme. Trump's nominations must pass Senate confirmation, but he is expected to appoint allies who will not undermine him.
During his first term, five men held the position of Pentagon chief, only to resign, be fired, or take on temporary positions.
One possibility is Robert Wilkie, President Trump's former Secretary of Veterans Affairs. Before being recognized as a veteran in 2018, he served as the undersecretary of defense for personnel and readiness in the Trump administration and served in both the Navy and Air Force Reserves. Mr. Wilkie has led the Trump transition team along with Pentagon staff.
Republican Rep. Mike Walz nominated as President Trump's National Security Adviser
Former U.S. Veterans Affairs Secretary Robert Wilkie listens during the America First Policy Institute's America First Agenda Summit in Washington, DC, on July 26, 2022. (Reuters/Sarah Silbiger)
Former National Security Advisor Robert C. O'Brien speaks at a rally for Republican vice presidential candidate Sen. J.D. Vance at Tucson Speedway on October 9, 2024 in Tucson, Arizona. (Reuters/Go Nakamura)
Mr. Wilkie is a researcher at the America First Institute, which works with Mr. Trump, and a military analyst for Newsmax.
The other name is Robert O'Brien, a former national security adviser to President Trump who also worked on the transition team. O'Brien told Fox News Digital that “of course” he would return to the Trump administration.
Mr. O'Brien has been outspoken about the need to pivot U.S. defense to China. He said the only way to get Russia to the negotiating table with Ukraine was through tougher sanctions, and that admitting Ukraine to NATO would “put us at risk of World War III.”
Richard Grenell, President Trump's former acting director of national intelligence and ambassador to Germany, was also expected to take on a national security role in the administration. He could also end up at the Pentagon if the role of national and national security adviser is filled.
During the campaign, Mr. Grenell advised Mr. Trump on foreign policy and political issues and led efforts to support Arab Americans in Michigan. He appeared with President Trump when he met with the president of Ukraine in September. Volodymyr Zelensky.
Grenell was a pro-Trump opponent of Europe during his time in Germany, and the former president joked about former German Chancellor Angela Merkel's joy when Grenell was moved to national security. .
US Congressman Mike Rogers to be considered for President Trump's defense secretary nomination
Sen. Joni Ernst, a defensive-minded Iowa Republican and current Republican conference chair, has also been floated as a candidate, sources confirmed to Fox News Digital, but she remains “focused” on the race for Republican conference chair. There is.” She also served in the Army Reserve and the Iowa Army National Guard.
If elected, she will be the first female Secretary of Defense.
Former Acting Director of National Intelligence Rick Grenell speaks on the third day of the Republican National Convention at the Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee on July 17, 2024. (Reuters/Mike Seeger)
Rep. Mike Rogers (R-Ala.), chairman of the House Armed Services Committee, is also being considered and has been contacted by the transition team, sources confirmed.
But two sources said Mr. Trump is likely to draw from the private sector for this role. Electing them from Congress would chip away at the small Republican majorities in those chambers, at least until the seats are filled.
Mr. Rogers is also a vocal supporter of aid to Ukraine, a position that could put him at odds with Mr. Trump.
Retired Lt. Gen. Keith Kellogg, who served as a senior national security official during President Trump's first term, has also been mentioned as a candidate.
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Kellogg recently told Fox News Radio's Guy Benson that “the president is going to make decisions about who will be in his administration,” suggesting he would say yes if the president made a decision. “It’s going to be a very loyal team.”
Sen. Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas) was the frontrunner for the administration's post, likely to be secretary of defense or director of the CIA, but he has removed his name from the list, a person familiar with the matter confirmed. He is running for chairman of the Republican conference and is likely to replace Rubio as chairman of the Intelligence Committee.
Former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo's name had been floated, but on Saturday, Trump posted on Truth Social that Pompeo would not be joining the current administration, nor would former United Nations Ambassador Nikki Haley.
FOX News' Liz Elkind contributed to this report.
