Who Are The Top Contenders For Trump's New National Security Team?

President-elect Donald Trump is moving swiftly to assemble a national security team for his upcoming term, choosing familiar faces and loyalists for key roles. After feeling constrained by some of his early appointments in his first ministration, Trump is signaling a preference for civilians over generals, hoping for appointees who align closely with his nda.

According to a report from Axios, Trump’s new approach underscores his desire for strong, business-minded leers rar than military figures in national security roles. According to insiders mentioned in report, this lineup will prioritize loyalty and experience with Trump's policies, with a key focus on resolving international conflicts like Russia-Ukraine war and tensions in Middle East.

Top picks for State Department

For Secretary of State position, former U.S. Ambassor to Germany Richard Grenell is a prominent contender. Grenell, who vised Trump on foreign policy throughout campaign, would likely focus on Russia-Ukraine diplomacy. With a Republican-led Senate, Grenell’s confirmation could be straightforward.

Or contenders include Sen. Bill Hrty (R-Tenn.), who served as ambassor to Japan, and Robert O'Brien, Trump’s former national security viser. Meanwhile, former State Department spokesperson Morgan Ortagus is being considered for a senior position, and Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-N.Y.) is a frontrunner for U.S. Ambassor to United Nations.

Defense and Intelligence team

Trump’s potential picks for Defense Secretary include former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and Rep. Michael Waltz (R-Fla.), who could also be considered for CIA director. John Ratcliffe, a former Director of National Intelligence, is also in mix for CIA role. Sen. Tom Cotton (R-Ark.) was also a contender (for leing eir CIA or Pentagon), but he has reportedly declined any cabinet roles for this term.

Brian Hook, Trump’s Iran envoy, is ar familiar face who could see a top role in next ministration. Currently, Hook is leing State Department transition team and could end up in a senior foreign policy or national security post.

Grenell and Waltz are also being considered for position of national security viser, where y would work closely with Trump on implementing his policies without resistance he felt from some past visors.

Middle East strategy and potential key figures

In his previous term, Trump’s Middle East approach was led by senior viser and son-in-law Jared Kushner, who crafted Abraham Accords, a historic peace plan between Israel and several Arab nations. Although Kushner has publicly stated he is t interested in returning to government, current Middle East crisis and possibility of a Saudi-Israel peace deal might sway his decision.

Or familiar names from prior ministration, like Avi Berkowitz, David Friedman, Jason Greenblatt, and Aryeh Lightstone, are also expected to play key roles in Middle East policy, potentially resuming positions y held under Trump’s first term.

Here is what else you need to kw

A former senior Trump ministration official vised caution when predicting Trump’s final choices. "At start of Trump's first term, 'Rex Tillerson wasn't in first 3,000 people who were mentioned as candidates for Secretary of State,'" official ted, according to Axios report. Trump is expected to prioritize a team that will carry out his nda without resistance, contrasting his experience with previous officials like Tillerson and Secretary of Defense James Mattis, who often challenged his direction.