Florida Appears as a Staffing Agency for Trump Administration Officials
Trump filled his campaign team with individuals from Florida and remains likely to spend numerous weekends at Mar-a-Lago throughout his presidency.
TroibNews 
**MIAMI — President-elect Donald Trump is on the lookout for new hires, and Florida appears to be a key source for staffing a potential second Trump administration.**
Florida has increasingly become integral to Trump’s political landscape. It now serves as his adopted home state, which has only leaned more Republican since he made the move. Many insiders believe that his new state will be a significant resource for talent in his incoming administration.
“Florida is hot right now, for obvious reasons,” noted Max Goodman, a Republican consultant based in the state. “Florida has quite a bit of talent in terms of what this administration is looking for.”
The Trump administration faces the task of filling approximately 4,000 roles with political appointees. On Thursday, Trump made one of his most notable appointments, selecting campaign co-chair Susie Wiles as chief of staff. Wiles has strong connections to Florida, having previously led successful gubernatorial campaigns for both Rick Scott and Ron DeSantis.
During his victory speech Wednesday morning at the Palm Beach County Convention Center, Trump lauded Wiles, sharing that he nicknamed her “ice baby” and expressed admiration for her preference for staying out of the spotlight.
Trump’s campaign had already tapped top talent from Florida, including finance director Meredith O'Rourke; political director James Blair; senior adviser Danielle Alvarez; and Brian Hughes, who initially served as Florida director during the GOP primary before becoming a senior adviser.
Although the Trump transition team is not yet confirming specific names, speculation abounds among lawmakers, political operatives, lobbyists, and other insiders in Florida. Conversations among 20 different individuals revealed a keen anticipation for a wave of Floridians making their way to Washington.
The rationale behind potential selections seems to mix loyalty, merit, and strategic positioning to minimize future conflict, according to a Florida GOP operative who spoke anonymously to address sensitive internal dynamics. The operative highlighted the upcoming governor’s race while noting Trump’s likely strategy to set Vice President-elect JD Vance up for a presidential bid in 2028.
Senator Marco Rubio, who was considered as a possible running mate for Trump, is widely expected to be in the running for a role in the new administration. His expertise makes him a frequent contender for secretary of state, given his committee assignments and involvement in shaping Trump's Latin America policy during his first term. Other members of the Florida congressional delegation are also being mentioned for high-ranking positions.
In a previous appearance on Joe Rogan's podcast, Trump acknowledged that one of his major mistakes during his first presidency was selecting “a few people I shouldn’t have picked.” With the experience gained from his prior term, he is approaching his new term with a more structured and professional staff.
Since 2016, Florida has transformed significantly, solidifying its status as a Republican stronghold. Trump’s 2024 victory margin was much larger than in 2016, increasing from just over a point to 13 points, and Democrats failed to reclaim a Senate seat. The GOP holds a supermajority in the state Legislature, and Governor Ron DeSantis successfully opposed amendments on issues like marijuana and abortion that passed in other states.
Esteban Bovo, the Republican mayor of Hialeah and a keen Trump supporter, suggested the new president should seek out individuals who “buy into his agenda and will help him fulfill his agenda” rather than those who may attempt to control him or navigate the bureaucracy.
Potential appointees could extend beyond prominent roles to include thousands of political appointees critical for implementing policies. Among the names proposed by Florida operatives are loyalists like Bovo, Miami Commissioner Kevin Cabrera—who served as Florida state director for Trump’s 2020 campaign—and state Senator Joe Gruters, who co-chaired Trump’s 2016 campaign and endorsed Trump early in 2024 despite dissent from much of the Legislature.
The transition efforts are also being directed by Trump’s sons, Donald Trump Jr. and Eric Trump, who now reside in Florida. Ivanka Trump and her husband Jared Kushner have opted to maintain their private lives in the upscale enclave of Indian Creek Village, north of South Beach, keeping their distance from government and politics.
Members of the Florida congressional delegation are also seen as strong candidates for Trump administration roles, especially as many defended him during his 2024 campaign. Possible names include GOP Representatives Mike Waltz, Matt Gaetz, Byron Donalds, Brian Mast, Carlos Giménez, and Greg Steube, the latter of whom expressed frustration that DeSantis did not reach out after he experienced a serious accident.
If any House member joins the Trump administration, it would fall to DeSantis to set the special election date for a replacement. A departure by Rubio from the Senate would enable DeSantis to appoint a successor, with those close to him stating he would not consider stepping into that role himself. Additionally, the current control of the House remains uncertain, which could lead Trump to hesitate in opening up seats, even temporarily.
Other officials from the DeSantis administration—like Florida Agency for Health Care Administration Secretary Jason Weida—also have connections to Trump’s earlier team.
“A lot of people who are currently in high-profile roles in public service came here after serving in the first Trump administration,” remarked Florida lobbyist Slater Bayliss. He added that a cohort of the first administration's alumni would likely return to Washington and recommend individuals currently working in DeSantis' administration.
Florida also stands out as a prime target for staffing the Education Department, which anticipates significant alignments with policies established under DeSantis.
Trump and Republican leaders are advocating for cuts to federal funding for schools teaching critical race theory and “radical gender ideology,” as well as those facilitating “inappropriate racial, sexual, or political content” for children. The Florida Department of Education, under DeSantis, has already implemented laws addressing these issues by prohibiting lessons on gender identity or sexual orientation.
Additionally, one of Trump’s initiatives focuses on reforming participation in women’s sports to exclude transgender athletes. This issue has already been a point of contention between Florida and the Biden administration for years.
Education Commissioner Manny Diaz Jr. expressed interest in leading the education department if given the opportunity, suggesting that the agency “should be dismantled or definitely reduced greatly in size and scope.”
“You always listen if the president of the United States were to call you to serve your country,” Diaz stated in a text. “I will say regardless of who serves in that spot, I believe the Florida Education blueprint will have effects on that agency.”
DeSantis and Rep. Anna Paulina Luna are also advocating for Dr. Joe Ladapo, the Florida surgeon general, to become Trump’s Health and Human Services secretary—a position that oversees the president’s health policy agenda and manages various sub-agencies related to scientific research, food safety, drug pricing, and Medicare.
“Any and all of them are probably on a list somewhere to be considered because Florida is the model for conservative government,” stated Jamie Miller, a political consultant based in Sarasota, “and it has been for some time.”
Kimberly Leonard reported from Miami, and Andrew Atterbury contributed from Tallahassee.
Navid Kalantari for TROIB News
Florida has increasingly become integral to Trump’s political landscape. It now serves as his adopted home state, which has only leaned more Republican since he made the move. Many insiders believe that his new state will be a significant resource for talent in his incoming administration.
“Florida is hot right now, for obvious reasons,” noted Max Goodman, a Republican consultant based in the state. “Florida has quite a bit of talent in terms of what this administration is looking for.”
The Trump administration faces the task of filling approximately 4,000 roles with political appointees. On Thursday, Trump made one of his most notable appointments, selecting campaign co-chair Susie Wiles as chief of staff. Wiles has strong connections to Florida, having previously led successful gubernatorial campaigns for both Rick Scott and Ron DeSantis.
During his victory speech Wednesday morning at the Palm Beach County Convention Center, Trump lauded Wiles, sharing that he nicknamed her “ice baby” and expressed admiration for her preference for staying out of the spotlight.
Trump’s campaign had already tapped top talent from Florida, including finance director Meredith O'Rourke; political director James Blair; senior adviser Danielle Alvarez; and Brian Hughes, who initially served as Florida director during the GOP primary before becoming a senior adviser.
Although the Trump transition team is not yet confirming specific names, speculation abounds among lawmakers, political operatives, lobbyists, and other insiders in Florida. Conversations among 20 different individuals revealed a keen anticipation for a wave of Floridians making their way to Washington.
The rationale behind potential selections seems to mix loyalty, merit, and strategic positioning to minimize future conflict, according to a Florida GOP operative who spoke anonymously to address sensitive internal dynamics. The operative highlighted the upcoming governor’s race while noting Trump’s likely strategy to set Vice President-elect JD Vance up for a presidential bid in 2028.
Senator Marco Rubio, who was considered as a possible running mate for Trump, is widely expected to be in the running for a role in the new administration. His expertise makes him a frequent contender for secretary of state, given his committee assignments and involvement in shaping Trump's Latin America policy during his first term. Other members of the Florida congressional delegation are also being mentioned for high-ranking positions.
In a previous appearance on Joe Rogan's podcast, Trump acknowledged that one of his major mistakes during his first presidency was selecting “a few people I shouldn’t have picked.” With the experience gained from his prior term, he is approaching his new term with a more structured and professional staff.
Since 2016, Florida has transformed significantly, solidifying its status as a Republican stronghold. Trump’s 2024 victory margin was much larger than in 2016, increasing from just over a point to 13 points, and Democrats failed to reclaim a Senate seat. The GOP holds a supermajority in the state Legislature, and Governor Ron DeSantis successfully opposed amendments on issues like marijuana and abortion that passed in other states.
Esteban Bovo, the Republican mayor of Hialeah and a keen Trump supporter, suggested the new president should seek out individuals who “buy into his agenda and will help him fulfill his agenda” rather than those who may attempt to control him or navigate the bureaucracy.
Potential appointees could extend beyond prominent roles to include thousands of political appointees critical for implementing policies. Among the names proposed by Florida operatives are loyalists like Bovo, Miami Commissioner Kevin Cabrera—who served as Florida state director for Trump’s 2020 campaign—and state Senator Joe Gruters, who co-chaired Trump’s 2016 campaign and endorsed Trump early in 2024 despite dissent from much of the Legislature.
The transition efforts are also being directed by Trump’s sons, Donald Trump Jr. and Eric Trump, who now reside in Florida. Ivanka Trump and her husband Jared Kushner have opted to maintain their private lives in the upscale enclave of Indian Creek Village, north of South Beach, keeping their distance from government and politics.
Members of the Florida congressional delegation are also seen as strong candidates for Trump administration roles, especially as many defended him during his 2024 campaign. Possible names include GOP Representatives Mike Waltz, Matt Gaetz, Byron Donalds, Brian Mast, Carlos Giménez, and Greg Steube, the latter of whom expressed frustration that DeSantis did not reach out after he experienced a serious accident.
If any House member joins the Trump administration, it would fall to DeSantis to set the special election date for a replacement. A departure by Rubio from the Senate would enable DeSantis to appoint a successor, with those close to him stating he would not consider stepping into that role himself. Additionally, the current control of the House remains uncertain, which could lead Trump to hesitate in opening up seats, even temporarily.
Other officials from the DeSantis administration—like Florida Agency for Health Care Administration Secretary Jason Weida—also have connections to Trump’s earlier team.
“A lot of people who are currently in high-profile roles in public service came here after serving in the first Trump administration,” remarked Florida lobbyist Slater Bayliss. He added that a cohort of the first administration's alumni would likely return to Washington and recommend individuals currently working in DeSantis' administration.
Florida also stands out as a prime target for staffing the Education Department, which anticipates significant alignments with policies established under DeSantis.
Trump and Republican leaders are advocating for cuts to federal funding for schools teaching critical race theory and “radical gender ideology,” as well as those facilitating “inappropriate racial, sexual, or political content” for children. The Florida Department of Education, under DeSantis, has already implemented laws addressing these issues by prohibiting lessons on gender identity or sexual orientation.
Additionally, one of Trump’s initiatives focuses on reforming participation in women’s sports to exclude transgender athletes. This issue has already been a point of contention between Florida and the Biden administration for years.
Education Commissioner Manny Diaz Jr. expressed interest in leading the education department if given the opportunity, suggesting that the agency “should be dismantled or definitely reduced greatly in size and scope.”
“You always listen if the president of the United States were to call you to serve your country,” Diaz stated in a text. “I will say regardless of who serves in that spot, I believe the Florida Education blueprint will have effects on that agency.”
DeSantis and Rep. Anna Paulina Luna are also advocating for Dr. Joe Ladapo, the Florida surgeon general, to become Trump’s Health and Human Services secretary—a position that oversees the president’s health policy agenda and manages various sub-agencies related to scientific research, food safety, drug pricing, and Medicare.
“Any and all of them are probably on a list somewhere to be considered because Florida is the model for conservative government,” stated Jamie Miller, a political consultant based in Sarasota, “and it has been for some time.”
Kimberly Leonard reported from Miami, and Andrew Atterbury contributed from Tallahassee.
Navid Kalantari for TROIB News
