Rep. Elise Stefanik in Contention for Top Post

Now that Donald Trump has won the election, it is time to start to fill his cabinet. 

There is much speculation that one of those positions will go to Rep. Elise Stefanik, who was also reportedly a top contender for Trump’s VP.  

Starts with the Chief of Staff 

Everything about this second term thus far tells me that it will be far more successful for Trump on the personnel side.  

Trump has already named his chief of staff Susie Wiles, a woman who does not seek the spotlight but don't mistake that for timidness.  

She was the architect behind Trump’s very effective 2024 campaign and somehow managed to get Trump to tone it down and stay on message.  

Her strategy was clearly effective, giving Republicans a popular vote win for the first time in two decades, as well as a landslide electoral vote win. That does not even begin to address the counties Trump flipped, some of which have not voted red for more than 100 years.  

Stefanik Being Eyed for Top Post 

One of the top and most influential posts of this administration will be the United States Ambassador to the United Nations.  

This was the post held by Nikki Haley and it is widely considered a launching pad for an up-and-coming politician.  

I am not really a fan of Stefanik’s, but Donald Trump loves her, and she has been a fierce advocate for him since taking office.  

When Trump’s office was asked about potential roles for Stefanik, it remained coy, stating, "President-Elect Trump will begin making decisions on who will serve in his second Administration soon. Those decisions will be announced when they are made." 

Raiding Congress 

There is a lot of speculation that Trump will raid Congress to fill his administration, awarding his loyalists for their part in his victory.  

Some of the names being mentioned are Senator Bill Hagerty (R-TN), Senator Ted Cruz (R-TX), Rep. Jim Jordan (R-OH), and as mentioned above, Rep. Stefanik.  

However, much of this will depend on how big of a majority Republicans have and if their seats would be filled by another Republican in the case of an appointment or special election, depending upon the rules of the state.  

With Wiles in place as Trump’s Chief of Staff, I am sure the correct decisions will be made because the most important thing is to keep that majority intact and ensure that in his quest to reward his loyalists, he does not turn the majority back over to the Democrats. Above all else, Trump needs that majority to pass key legislation, and I am sure his loyalists will understand if they get skipped over for that reason.