President-elect Donald Trump is selecting a group of loyal allies for key federal government roles after their electoral defeats in recent years, often linked to their support for Trump’s controversial political claims. These selections highlight Trump’s enduring focus on loyalty and his tendency to reward those who have steadfastly supported him, even if their political races ended in defeat.
Among the notable picks are two former Georgia senators who lost their 2020 Senate races after promoting Trump’s unfounded claims of a stolen election. David Perdue, who also lost the 2022 gubernatorial primary while aligning himself with Trump’s election denial narrative, is being considered for the position of ambassador to China. Kelly Loeffler, who also lost her Senate seat in 2020, has been chosen to head the Small Business Administration.
Former football player Herschel Walker, whom Trump backed for the Georgia Senate seat in 2022, was appointed late Tuesday as ambassador to the Bahamas. Although Walker lost his Senate bid, he remains a strong Trump supporter.
Dr. Mehmet Oz, the TV personality and doctor who ran for Senate in Pennsylvania in 2022 with Trump’s endorsement, has been selected to lead the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. Similarly, Kari Lake, who lost races for governor in Arizona in 2022 and for Senate in 2024, has been chosen to run Voice of America, a U.S.-funded international news broadcaster.
Rep. Lori Chavez-DeRemer from Oregon, who lost re-election after being tied to Trump by her Democratic opponent, was selected for the position of labor secretary. Former Georgia congressman Doug Collins, a pro-Trump figure who lost a 2020 primary to Loeffler, is set to head the Department of Veterans Affairs. Former New York congressman Lee Zeldin, who lost his 2022 gubernatorial race, was picked to lead the Environmental Protection Agency.
For Trump, the central consideration behind these picks is loyalty. He has long placed great value on those who remain loyal to him, a trait that is evident in his choices for his second administration. Trump’s inner circle is unsurprised by these appointments. “He values loyalty, hard stop. At times, beyond all else. We were not surprised by anyone you mentioned was picked,” said a Trump ally familiar with the transition process. “They are not only qualified for the positions they are nominated for, but have shown great loyalty to President Trump. He’s trying to change Washington and wants people who he knows he can trust.”
Rep. Eric Swalwell of California critiqued Trump’s selections, arguing that the president-elect was rewarding loyalists and sending a message to Republicans: “Don’t cross me if you’re in Congress. Because he remembers.” However, Swalwell questioned whether Trump’s picks were the most qualified. “I don’t know why you’d want a Cabinet full of electoral losers,” he said in an interview.
Rep. Hillary Scholten from Michigan echoed concerns about competence, emphasizing that it’s essential to prioritize the most qualified individuals for these critical roles. “I cannot begin to get in the mind of Trump, but it certainly seems from the outside that this is a way to keep people who were close to him, who took a stand for him, within the inner circle,” Scholten said. “I’m glad that we have a vetting process in the Senate, because these are positions of incredible trust, and we need to make sure that we’re not only rewarding political loyalty here… We need the most competent person for the job in these roles.”
Senator John Cornyn of Texas defended Trump’s choices, expressing confidence in the talents of the nominees. “I’m glad he’s taking advantage of some of the talent that’s out there,” Cornyn said. “And so I’m encouraged by that.”
Trump’s strategy of elevating loyalists has, however, meant that those who challenged him have been sidelined. Notably, figures like Nikki Haley, the former South Carolina governor and U.N. ambassador, and Mike Pompeo, Trump’s former secretary of state, have been excluded. Haley, who ran against Trump for the Republican presidential nomination, and Pompeo, who is seen as disloyal by some in the MAGA movement, were both bypassed in favor of those who remained faithful to Trump’s brand of politics.
“I will not be inviting former Ambassador Nikki Haley, or former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, to join the Trump Administration, which is currently in formation,” Trump declared on his social media platform following the election.
For Trump’s loyalists, their dedication to his cause has helped them secure prominent positions. Kari Lake, for instance, has been a vocal promoter of Trump’s false claims about the 2020 election, and she has remained a frequent presence at Mar-a-Lago during the 2024 election period. Her continued allegiance to Trump, however, has at times led to friction with some of his advisers. “At the end of the day, those are not the sort of things that will end a relationship with Trump,” said a Trump ally in response to reports that Trump encouraged Lake to focus more on campaigning for her Senate race instead of staying at Mar-a-Lago.
Trump’s approach to political loyalty has also been a means for former political foes to regain favor with him. One such example is Sen. Marco Rubio of Florida, who after a bitter primary contest with Trump in 2016, recalibrated to become one of Trump’s staunchest allies. This shift in allegiance has earned him a key position in Trump’s second administration. “He will be a strong advocate for our nation, a true friend to our allies, and a fearless warrior who will never back down to our adversaries,” Trump said in announcing Rubio as his pick for secretary of state in November.
Lee Zeldin, who came within seven points of winning the New York governor’s race in 2022, stands out among the group of underperforming Republican nominees. His relatively strong performance in a heavily Democratic state has earned him a spot in Trump’s administration, signaling that political success, even if not entirely victorious, can still earn favor in Trump’s eyes.
Some of Trump’s appointments also appear to be more transactional in nature, such as his selection of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to lead the Department of Health and Human Services. Kennedy, a member of the prominent Democratic family who ran in the Democratic 2024 primary before endorsing Trump, is another example of Trump’s pragmatic approach.
“There is very little that someone can do to Trump, even if they were once political enemies, that can’t be fixed by showing that you are committed to his message and his movement,” said a Trump ally. “I think he has every right to expect that sort of loyalty for those around him.”
In sum, Trump’s cabinet selections reveal a clear pattern of prioritizing loyalty over other factors, including electoral success or political competence. His picks not only reinforce his influence within the Republican Party but also send a message that loyalty is the most crucial element in his approach to governance. As his second term in office begins to take shape, it remains to be seen whether these picks will prove effective in their respective roles, or whether they will further alienate critics who argue that competence should come first.