In his quest for electoral realignment, President-elect Donald Trump made significant gains among Latino and Black male voters. However, his selections for his Cabinet tell a different story. Despite promises of diversity, Trump’s Cabinet once again lacks representation from people of color.
After a flurry of selections last week, it is evident that only three people of color will hold secretary roles in Trump’s second term, mirroring the composition of his first Cabinet. This lack of diversity is particularly noticeable in the selection of former Texas state lawmaker Scott Turner, who is Black, for Housing and Urban Development, and Rep. Lori Chavez-DeRemer (R-Ore.), who is Hispanic, for Labor. These choices align with Trump’s initial appointments during his first term.
The absence of people of color in these key positions raises questions about the administration’s commitment to inclusivity. Alberto Gonzales, former attorney general under George W. Bush, pointed out that historically these agencies have been seen as places to put minorities. The fact that they continue to be filled by individuals who are not representative of the diverse population they serve is concerning.
However, there is a glimmer of progress with Trump’s selection of Florida Sen. Marco Rubio as secretary of State. If confirmed, Rubio would become the first-ever Hispanic secretary of State in U.S. history. This appointment could potentially signal a step toward increased diversity within higher-ranking positions.
Alberto Gonzales expressed satisfaction at seeing more Hispanics appointed to influential roles such as State Secretary but emphasized the importance of finding individuals from various backgrounds who can help achieve the president-elect’s goals.
While Trump has made some efforts to diversify his Cabinet by appointing more women than before, even these choices come with their own complexities and inconsistencies. For instance, Pam Bondi was initially considered for attorney general but became Trump’s pick for Justice after Matt Gaetz withdrew from consideration. Linda McMahon was initially nominated for Commerce but ended up with the Education job, which had a woman in the previous administration. Kristi Noem, Trump’s choice to lead the Department of Homeland Security, would oversee immigration enforcement policies that are widely believed to be controlled by Trump’s close allies Stephen Miller and Tom Homan.
Outgoing President Joe Biden prioritized diversity in his Cabinet, with people of color comprising over half of his appointments. However, this diverse representation did not translate into electoral victory for Democrats, as many voters of color shifted toward conservative ideologies.
The emphasis on finding individuals who can help implement Trump’s vision rather than prioritizing diversity is a recurring theme within his administration. The selection of Susie Wiles as chief of staff, the first woman to hold this position, and Scott Bessent as head of Treasury—a historic appointment as the highest-ranking openly gay Cabinet official—reflects this approach.
Trump has also included people of color in significant roles within his administration, such as Tulsi Gabbard, the former Congress member-turned-MAGA-star, who was appointed Director of National Intelligence. Additionally, Alex Wong, an Asian American, was named deputy national security adviser.
Critics have accused Trump of neglecting diversity in his appointments. Civil rights activist Al Sharpton expressed concern over Trump’s nominees and suggested that he has lost interest in communities of color despite proclaiming himself as the “best president for Black America since Abraham Lincoln.”
Some close to the president-elect argue that candidates of color may be considered for undersecretary positions instead. They believe these roles play a more integral part in carrying out the president’s agenda than Cabinet heads.
However, one obstacle remains: recruiting Black Republicans. There is a perceived lack of qualified candidates within this pool. Deanna Bass Williams, a longtime Republican strategist who worked with Ben Carson at HUD during Trump’s first term, urges Democrats to move past their fixation on racial diversity and instead focus on the dedication of Trump’s chosen Cabinet members to his mission.
In addition to the lack of diversity, Republicans highlight Trump’s departure from traditional establishment figures and subject-matter experts who have historically filled top positions in presidential administrations. This shift towards ideological diversity is seen as an opportunity for former Democrats like Tulsi Gabbard and Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to demonstrate a break from the party and align themselves with Trump’s agenda.
As Trump continues to shape his second-term Cabinet, concerns about representation and inclusivity persist. The lack of diversity among key decision-makers raises questions about whether the administration will adequately address the needs and perspectives of all Americans. Only time will tell if Trump’s vision for a diverse, yet ideologically aligned, administration will come to fruition.