DAMON HIGGINS/THE PALM BEACH POS
With his historic victory under his belt, Donald Trump must now begin defining the contours of his second presidency — starting with the team that’ll help him run it.
This time, the once-and-future prez has the advantage of experience: He knows the ropes, he’s built a network of competent folks he can trust to build out his top administrators.
He’s got two months, room enough to take his time and find true workhorses for his Cabinet and White House staff: People he can rely on to back his agenda, but also to guide him in pursuing it effectively.
Not yes men, but also not hostile moles: a team that can plot a path through legal or political hurdles to achieve his vision.
Trump’s agenda — securing the border, stabilizing prices, jumpstarting energy production, cutting taxes, de-politicizing US agencies, putting out global fires — enjoys strong public support.
As for finding the team, we imagine it’ll go something like this:
He needs a strong, organized, loyal chief of staff, someone like, perhaps, Robert Lighthizer, his first-term trade representative.
He’ll want an economic team focused intensely on growth — rolling back the crippling Biden regulatory regime, cutting taxes, restraining federal outlays.
Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin could be an excellent choice to run Treasury; for other staff he can get advice from allies and former aides such as Larry Kudlow, Scott Bessent, John Paulson and Howard Lutnick.
As for that “government efficiency commission”: Do it, even if Elon Musk only has the time to consult or kibbitz.
To run Homeland Security and end the migrant madness, find the opposite of Alejandro Mayorkas: A totally honest boss who understands the vast scale of the problem and the steps needed to take to fix it — perhaps a Trump vet like outspoken former acting ICE head Tom Homan or ex-Homeland Security chief Chad Wolf.
And to help craft foreign policy in a volatile world, a smart, shrewd and experienced hand — maybe Sen. Bill Hagerty (R-Tenn.) — to take over the State Department.
For the Pentagon, with all its complexity and rapid technological change, go for a superb proven executive such as North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum; ask a reliable veteran like Mike Pompeo to suggest some trustworthy top aides with inside experience.
To head the Justice Department, find an attorney general who’ll treat all Americans (even anti-woke parents) fairly and weed out the snakes, maybe bring in fearless former Missouri AG, Sen. Eric Schmitt (R-Mo.), and ask the Federalist Society for a few “inside guides.”
To take on one more nest of vipers, maybe send iconoclastic and passionate young businessman Vivek Ramaswamy to head and revolutionize the Education Department.
For other jobs, there are great names like Elise Stefanik, Lee Zeldin, Tulsi Gabbard and others.
In the end, Trump himself will need to lead — and make wise choices.
But picking the right band of brothers (and sisters!) is critical.
We wish him luck: The nation’s counting on him.