Trump might be considering candidates from his inner circle for his next administration
Trump filled his campaign team with residents of Florida and is anticipated to spend numerous weekends at Mar-a-Lago throughout his presidency.
TroibNews 
**MIAMI — President-elect Donald Trump is in the process of assembling his administration, with Florida serving as a key source of candidates for his second term.**
The state has increasingly become a significant part of Trump's political world; having officially adopted it as his home, its political landscape has grown even more Republican-friendly. Many insiders believe that Trump will tap into Florida's talent pool to fill key roles in his administration.
“Florida is hot right now, for obvious reasons,” remarked Max Goodman, a Republican consultant from the southwest region of the state. “Florida has quite a bit of talent in terms of what this administration is looking for.”
Trump's administration will need to appoint around 4,000 political appointees, and on Thursday, he made a noteworthy selection for chief of staff, choosing Susie Wiles—an individual with strong ties to Florida who previously helmed successful gubernatorial campaigns for Rick Scott and Ron DeSantis.
During his victory speech at the Palm Beach County Convention Center early Wednesday, Trump praised Wiles, giving her the nickname “ice baby” and highlighting her preference for working behind the scenes.
In addition, Trump's campaign featured many top Florida talents, including finance director Meredith O'Rourke, political director James Blair, senior adviser Danielle Alvarez, and Brian Hughes, who served as Florida director during the GOP primary before transitioning to a senior adviser role.
While Trump's transition team has remained tight-lipped about specific appointments, speculation is rife among political insiders. Conversations among approximately 20 Florida lawmakers, operatives, lobbyists, and insiders revealed a palpable sense of anticipation about Florida's influence in Washington.
One Florida GOP operative, who chose to remain anonymous, noted that appointments may be guided by various factors, including loyalty, merit, and preemptive moves to mitigate future rivalries. The operative also pointed out the upcoming gubernatorial race and Trump's potential interest in positioning Vice President-elect JD Vance for the 2028 presidential nomination.
Senator Marco Rubio, previously a candidate for Trump's running mate, is viewed as a strong contender for a position in the new administration. His experience and contributions to drafting Trump's Latin America policy make him a prominent target for the role of secretary of state. Other members from Florida's congressional delegation are also under consideration for key positions.
In a podcast discussion with Joe Rogan before the election, Trump acknowledged that selecting certain individuals during his first term was a misstep. This time around, he aims to enter office with a more organized and skilled staff, drawing on lessons from his past experience.
The political landscape in Florida has shifted significantly since 2016, when Trump narrowly won the state. In the 2024 election, he secured a solid 13-point advantage, reinforcing Florida's status as a Republican stronghold. The GOP continues to hold a supermajority in the Legislature, with Governor Ron DeSantis successfully opposing amendments regarding pot and abortion that passed in other regions of the U.S.
Esteban Bovo, a staunch Trump supporter and Republican mayor of Hialeah, advised that Trump should prioritize finding individuals who are committed to his agenda rather than those seeking to navigate bureaucratic challenges.
Florida operatives are suggesting that not only will the state be a pool for high-profile roles, but also for thousands of political appointments essential for effective policy implementation. Names being discussed include loyalists such as Bovo, Miami Commissioner Kevin Cabrera—who directed Trump's 2020 campaign in Florida—and state Senator Joe Gruters, an early Endorser of Trump in 2024.
The transition team is being directed in part by Trump's sons, Donald Trump Jr. and Eric Trump, both of whom reside in Florida. Ivanka Trump and Jared Kushner have opted to step back from political life, focusing instead on their private lives in the exclusive enclave of Indian Creek Village.
Several Florida congressional members are also being considered based on their vocal defense of Trump during his 2024 campaign. This list includes Republican Representatives Mike Waltz, Matt Gaetz, Byron Donalds, Brian Mast, Carlos Giménez, and Greg Steube—who expressed disappointment over Governor DeSantis' lack of communication after a serious personal accident.
Should any House member join the Trump administration, the responsibility of scheduling a special election to fill their seat would fall to DeSantis. If Rubio were to leave the Senate, it would also provide DeSantis with the opportunity to appoint a replacement, although his circle has indicated he would not take that role himself. The prospect of how House members are weighed against control of the chamber complicates the situation, as the outcome of the House majority is still uncertain. If Republicans maintain a slim majority, Trump may hesitate to leave any seats vacant, even temporarily.
Officials from the DeSantis administration, like Florida Agency for Health Care Administration Secretary Jason Weida, also have previous experience working for Trump.
“A lot of people who are currently in high profile roles in public service came here after serving in the first Trump administration,” Florida lobbyist Slater Bayliss noted. “I think naturally there will be a cohort of people who served in the first Trump administration who will go back to D.C. and who will presumably recommend others currently serving in Gov. DeSantis' administration.”
Florida appears to be an attractive source for staffing an Education Department likely to align its policies with those implemented under DeSantis.
Trump and Republican leadership aim to decrease federal funding for schools perceived to be promoting critical race theory and “radical gender ideology,” as well as content deemed inappropriate for children. The Florida Department of Education has already enacted laws aligning with these objectives, such as prohibiting discussions on gender identity and sexual orientation in classrooms.
Moreover, one of Trump’s initiatives targets transgender athletes with the goal of “keeping men out of women’s sports,” a stance that the Florida education system has battled against the Biden administration for years.
Education Commissioner Manny Diaz Jr. expressed interest in leading the education department if approached, although he argued the agency should either be dismantled or significantly reduced in size and scope.
“You always listen if the president of the United States were to call you to serve your country,” Diaz commented in a text. “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 both advocating for Dr. Joe Ladapo, Florida’s surgeon general, to serve as Trump’s Health and Human Services secretary—a role crucial for overseeing the president’s health policies and various sub-agencies.
“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 from Sarasota, “and it has been for some time.”
Kimberly Leonard reported from Miami, and Andrew Atterbury contributed reporting from Tallahassee.
Lucas Dupont for TROIB News
The state has increasingly become a significant part of Trump's political world; having officially adopted it as his home, its political landscape has grown even more Republican-friendly. Many insiders believe that Trump will tap into Florida's talent pool to fill key roles in his administration.
“Florida is hot right now, for obvious reasons,” remarked Max Goodman, a Republican consultant from the southwest region of the state. “Florida has quite a bit of talent in terms of what this administration is looking for.”
Trump's administration will need to appoint around 4,000 political appointees, and on Thursday, he made a noteworthy selection for chief of staff, choosing Susie Wiles—an individual with strong ties to Florida who previously helmed successful gubernatorial campaigns for Rick Scott and Ron DeSantis.
During his victory speech at the Palm Beach County Convention Center early Wednesday, Trump praised Wiles, giving her the nickname “ice baby” and highlighting her preference for working behind the scenes.
In addition, Trump's campaign featured many top Florida talents, including finance director Meredith O'Rourke, political director James Blair, senior adviser Danielle Alvarez, and Brian Hughes, who served as Florida director during the GOP primary before transitioning to a senior adviser role.
While Trump's transition team has remained tight-lipped about specific appointments, speculation is rife among political insiders. Conversations among approximately 20 Florida lawmakers, operatives, lobbyists, and insiders revealed a palpable sense of anticipation about Florida's influence in Washington.
One Florida GOP operative, who chose to remain anonymous, noted that appointments may be guided by various factors, including loyalty, merit, and preemptive moves to mitigate future rivalries. The operative also pointed out the upcoming gubernatorial race and Trump's potential interest in positioning Vice President-elect JD Vance for the 2028 presidential nomination.
Senator Marco Rubio, previously a candidate for Trump's running mate, is viewed as a strong contender for a position in the new administration. His experience and contributions to drafting Trump's Latin America policy make him a prominent target for the role of secretary of state. Other members from Florida's congressional delegation are also under consideration for key positions.
In a podcast discussion with Joe Rogan before the election, Trump acknowledged that selecting certain individuals during his first term was a misstep. This time around, he aims to enter office with a more organized and skilled staff, drawing on lessons from his past experience.
The political landscape in Florida has shifted significantly since 2016, when Trump narrowly won the state. In the 2024 election, he secured a solid 13-point advantage, reinforcing Florida's status as a Republican stronghold. The GOP continues to hold a supermajority in the Legislature, with Governor Ron DeSantis successfully opposing amendments regarding pot and abortion that passed in other regions of the U.S.
Esteban Bovo, a staunch Trump supporter and Republican mayor of Hialeah, advised that Trump should prioritize finding individuals who are committed to his agenda rather than those seeking to navigate bureaucratic challenges.
Florida operatives are suggesting that not only will the state be a pool for high-profile roles, but also for thousands of political appointments essential for effective policy implementation. Names being discussed include loyalists such as Bovo, Miami Commissioner Kevin Cabrera—who directed Trump's 2020 campaign in Florida—and state Senator Joe Gruters, an early Endorser of Trump in 2024.
The transition team is being directed in part by Trump's sons, Donald Trump Jr. and Eric Trump, both of whom reside in Florida. Ivanka Trump and Jared Kushner have opted to step back from political life, focusing instead on their private lives in the exclusive enclave of Indian Creek Village.
Several Florida congressional members are also being considered based on their vocal defense of Trump during his 2024 campaign. This list includes Republican Representatives Mike Waltz, Matt Gaetz, Byron Donalds, Brian Mast, Carlos Giménez, and Greg Steube—who expressed disappointment over Governor DeSantis' lack of communication after a serious personal accident.
Should any House member join the Trump administration, the responsibility of scheduling a special election to fill their seat would fall to DeSantis. If Rubio were to leave the Senate, it would also provide DeSantis with the opportunity to appoint a replacement, although his circle has indicated he would not take that role himself. The prospect of how House members are weighed against control of the chamber complicates the situation, as the outcome of the House majority is still uncertain. If Republicans maintain a slim majority, Trump may hesitate to leave any seats vacant, even temporarily.
Officials from the DeSantis administration, like Florida Agency for Health Care Administration Secretary Jason Weida, also have previous experience working for Trump.
“A lot of people who are currently in high profile roles in public service came here after serving in the first Trump administration,” Florida lobbyist Slater Bayliss noted. “I think naturally there will be a cohort of people who served in the first Trump administration who will go back to D.C. and who will presumably recommend others currently serving in Gov. DeSantis' administration.”
Florida appears to be an attractive source for staffing an Education Department likely to align its policies with those implemented under DeSantis.
Trump and Republican leadership aim to decrease federal funding for schools perceived to be promoting critical race theory and “radical gender ideology,” as well as content deemed inappropriate for children. The Florida Department of Education has already enacted laws aligning with these objectives, such as prohibiting discussions on gender identity and sexual orientation in classrooms.
Moreover, one of Trump’s initiatives targets transgender athletes with the goal of “keeping men out of women’s sports,” a stance that the Florida education system has battled against the Biden administration for years.
Education Commissioner Manny Diaz Jr. expressed interest in leading the education department if approached, although he argued the agency should either be dismantled or significantly reduced in size and scope.
“You always listen if the president of the United States were to call you to serve your country,” Diaz commented in a text. “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 both advocating for Dr. Joe Ladapo, Florida’s surgeon general, to serve as Trump’s Health and Human Services secretary—a role crucial for overseeing the president’s health policies and various sub-agencies.
“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 from Sarasota, “and it has been for some time.”
Kimberly Leonard reported from Miami, and Andrew Atterbury contributed reporting from Tallahassee.
Lucas Dupont for TROIB News
