Donald Trump is swiftly assembling a hard-line Cabinet ahead of his January return to the White House, after defeating Vice President Kamala Harris in last week's election. He will meet President Biden today and visit the US Capitol, where Republicans have regained control of the Senate and are set to keep the House, giving them a “trifecta.”

Among his key picks are Pete Hegseth for Defense Secretary, Marco Rubio as Secretary of State, and Mike Waltz as National Security Advisor. Trump also named Tom Homan as “border czar” and Stephen Miller as deputy chief of staff, signaling a tough stance on immigration. Other appointments include Kristi Noem for Homeland Security, Lee Zeldin for the EPA, and Mike Huckabee as Ambassador to Israel.

As he consolidates power, Trump is pushing for recess appointments to bypass Senate approval, turning it into a loyalty test for Republican leaders. His swift rise back to prominence reflects his tight grip on the GOP, despite ongoing legal challenges.