Key Roles in Trump's Cabinet: DOT and CBP Leadership

Senate approval is anticipated amid Republican pressure to align with Trump's agenda.

This Monday, January 20, the presidential inauguration will take place , as the start of the administration of the new president of the United States is known, where Donald Trump will be the 47th president of this country , and will assume a second term.

Donald Trump assumes the presidential mandate with controversy preceded by statements that in his first days he will take drastic measures on immigration issues, which could impact border movement, but also the power to establish policies to deregulate different economic sectors, give tax incentives to various industries and impose tariffs on products from countries such as China, Canada and Mexico, according to an analysis carried out by the consulting firm Integralia Consultores .

For Integralia, the greatest risk scenario is generated by economic uncertainty due to the lack of knowledge of the type, degree and duration of tariff measures; this could translate into financial volatility and the weakening of the peso.

In addition to the above, Integralia emphasizes the decline in investor interest in nearshoring .
When announcing his cabinet that will accompany his second term as president of the United States, Donald Trump incorporated different profiles where, according to a document from the think tank Connecting Mexico, “it is important to highlight that the cabinet candidates have been chosen for their loyalty to Trump , which seeks to ensure that their decisions are not limited, unlike the previous administration.”

One of those positions is the Secretary of Transportation (DOT) , which will be headed by Sean Duffy , who according to the Connecting Mexico profile, is a former congressman from Wisconsin, and in that role, “he introduced a bill to expand presidential powers over the imposition of tariffs, which brought him closer to Trump.”

His key lines of action include aviation, automobile, railway and infrastructure policies, despite his lack of experience. Other areas of focus include safety in the manufacture of Boeing aircraft , the increase in road accidents, electric vehicle charging stations and climate change.

Rodney Scott will be the head of the Customs and Border Protection Office (CBP) . Scott has served in the Border Patrol for almost three decades, where he was chief during the Trump presidency. “During this period, the Border Patrol engaged in actions such as the use of tear gas against immigrants. He was dismissed in 2021, during the Joe Biden administration. A critic of Biden’s immigration stance, Scott expressed his support for Trump during the election campaign. Now, he returns to his old position,” Connecting Mexico highlighted.

Lee Zeldin was appointed by Donald Trump as Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), a decision that various environmental groups have criticized, since Zeldin, a former congressman from New York, has shown a favorable stance towards the deregulation and development of fossil fuels, according to the analysis by Connecting Mexico.

“He has promised to restore the use of fossil fuels and revitalize the automotive industry. He is expected to eliminate environmental protections, which could affect the environmental chapter of the USMCA, which includes strict obligations on air, water, climate, among others,” the document states.

One profile that Connecting Mexico highlights is that of Christopher Landeau, Under Secretary of State , and well-known to Mexico, as he was ambassador between 2019-2021 (in the previous Trump administration).

“He is a strong supporter of the USMCA and highlights its importance in maintaining supply chains between the United States and Mexico. He will work with Marco Rubio (Secretary of State) to direct Trump’s foreign policy, focusing on curbing illegal immigration, the imposition of tariffs, and the withdrawal of the United States from international conflicts,” describes Connecting Mexico.

The consulting firm emphasizes that while these positions require Senate ratification, most of the nominations are expected to be ratified without problems, as there is strong pressure within the Republican Party to align itself with Trump’s agenda.

Other positions: