Trump’s VP short list offers glimpse into future Cabinet

MILWAUKEE — With Sen. J.D. Vance (R-OH) now officially the GOP vice presidential nominee, other top contenders on Donald Trump’s short list are set to return to the spotlight as the focus turns to who the former president would tap to fill his Cabinet should he be reelected. 

More than a half-dozen names cropped up on Trump’s initial short list, ranging from the House to the Senate to statewide offices. Each of the contenders brings with them a different skill set and area of expertise — something Republicans say offers Trump a “good bench” to choose from. 

Among the top names on Trump’s short list for vice president were Sen. Marco Rubio (R-FL) and Gov. Doug Burgum (R-ND), who were both in the running until Trump ultimately chose Vance instead. However, both are considered top choices for Trump to appoint somewhere in his Cabinet. 

Burgum has already hinted at a possible position in the Trump administration, telling CNN on Monday the former president referred to him as “Mr. Secretary” during a phone call this week. 

“Well, I got a call and a great conversation with the president. And he said, ‘Hey, Mr. Secretary,’” the North Dakota governor said. 

Burgum is considered a leading contender for the secretary of energy by many Republicans, including those who are close to Trump’s orbit. Rubio is also being floated as taking on some sort of prominent role in the Cabinet, even as he is in line to become chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee if Republicans win control of the upper chamber. 

“Burgum brings a good background in energy policy, which could make him in the running to lead Energy,” a source close to the Trump campaign told the Washington Examiner. “Rubio brings a wealth of foreign policy credentials that could land him at State.”

Rubio hasn’t indicated whether he has been in talks about a Cabinet position, telling the Washington Examiner on Tuesday that his focus right now is “winning in November.”

Other initial vice presidential choices are also being looked at for top positions in a possible second Trump administration, including House GOP Chairwoman Elise Stefanik (R-NY) and Sen. Tom Cotton (R-AR), two of Trump’s vocal allies on Capitol Hill. 

“Stefanik, for example, has experience on Armed Services and Intel, could easily serve as CIA Director or U.N. Ambassador,” the source close to Trump’s campaign said. “Cotton brings strong defense qualifications that could make him a contender for the Pentagon.”

Stefanik has repeatedly said she would “be honored to serve in the Trump administration in any capacity,” but she has not provided details of any personal conversations with the former president. 

Cotton emerged as a top name on Trump’s short list because of his reputation as a strong and effective communicator. As a result, he and Trump began talking more regularly during the 2024 cycle, particularly to push for more media appearances to back the former president’s campaign. 

“[Cotton] developed a much tighter relationship with both Trump and his team through this process,” a source familiar with Cotton and Trump’s relationship told the Washington Examiner. 

The source noted there “hasn’t been any formal offers from the team” about a Cabinet position, “but the connection between Trump and Tom has certainly become much closer through this process.”

Meanwhile, former Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley and Sen. Tim Scott (R-SC), who both ran against Trump for the GOP nomination, could also be on the list of possible Cabinet contenders. 

“I think with pretty much everything set, I know from Nikki, I’ve heard a lot of different things, secretary of state would be a perfect fit for her,” Rep. Ralph Norman (R-SC) told the Washington Examiner. “I know he’s going to place a world of people. He’s got some talent. Tim Scott being one of them, of course.”

But, Norman noted, Trump will have a wide array of new candidates and former Trump administration officials to choose from. 

“I do know he knows who burned him last time,” Norman said. “He knows he has a short time [to get Cabinet sorted] and he’s going to clean house.”

But there could be one former Trump administration official quickly called back to the ranks: Ben Carson. 

The former secretary of housing and urban development under the Trump administration was floated as a vice presidential contender, and he was a favorite among some Republican lawmakers. Rep. Andy Ogles (R-TN) told the Washington Examiner he was rooting for Carson to be tapped as Trump’s No. 2, and he even called the former president over the weekend to tell him so. 

Ogles later told the Washington Examiner he would “absolutely” push for Carson to be considered in a Trump Cabinet, while also noting it’s ultimately “a decision to be made by Trump.”

Trump has not yet indicated who he would choose to serve in his second administration, should he win in November. However, it’s likely the former president will choose among those who have remained loyal to his campaign and have poured resources into his reelection bid over the last year. 

Trump is set to accept the GOP presidential nomination on Thursday, the final day of the Republican National Convention. He’ll also give a speech to the delegates, his first public remarks since the assassination attempt at a Pennsylvania rally over the weekend.