The Cabinet That Keeps the World on Edge – A Mirror Image of the AfD

Here you meet the figures behind the Trump administration – a cabinet that not only shapes the political landscape of the United States but reverberates far beyond its borders. Ministers who appear with radical positions, ideological resolve, and open disdain for liberal achievements.

What stands out: Many names, many faces – but a single course. Nationalist, economically liberal, authority-driven. Those who read through this cabinet recognize patterns: dismantling of environmental standards, rollback of social programs, targeted silencing of critical voices.

nd last but not least: a rhetoric that, in Europe, recalls a party that also campaigns with anti-establishment pathos, culture wars, and scapegoating politics – the AfD. So anyone who wants to understand how right-wing networks operate on both sides of the Atlantic will find this cabinet an instructive parallel.

Donald J. Trump
Position: President of the United States

Biography:
45th and 47th President of the USA, businessman, reality TV star. Returned to the White House in 2025 after an unprecedented election period. His political career is marked by populism, nationalism, and legal controversies.

Views:
America First, isolationism, rejection of institutions like NATO and the UN, radical immigration and economic policy. Opponent of "wokeness," diversity programs, and climate protection.

Scandals:
Trump was criminally indicted in 2023 on multiple counts, including election interference and mishandling classified information. He has a conviction for falsifying business records. Additionally, he was impeached twice and remains entangled in various legal disputes.

J.D. Vance
Position: Vice President

Biography:
U.S. Senator from Ohio, author of "Hillbilly Elegy," former venture capitalist.

Views:
Trump-aligned national conservative, criticizes the justice system as "politicized," calls for dismantling institutions like the FBI. Once a Trump critic, Vance said in 2016 that Trump was “useful to America’s white nationalists,” a remark for which he later publicly apologized. He is closely aligned with billionaire investor Peter Thiel, whose political network includes anti-democratic ideologues such as Curtis Yarvin.

Vance has faced criticism for controversial statements about women and poverty — including suggesting that “poor people should marry more” — as well as for expressing support for authoritarian governance models like that of Viktor Orbán’s Hungary.

Scandals:
Previously a Trump critic, later retracted his criticisms. Criticized for racially charged statements and authoritarian justice reforms.

Scott Bessent
Position: Secretary of the Treasury

Biography:
Finance investor, former hedge fund manager at Soros Fund Management. Early supporter of Trump’s economic plans.

Views:
Advocates deregulation of financial markets, tax breaks for the wealthy.

Scandals:
Criticized for conflicts of interest and ties to speculators.

Pam Bondi
Position: Attorney General

Biography:
Pam Bondi served as Florida’s Attorney General from 2011 to 2019. Known for her tough “Law and Order” stance and close political alliance with Donald Trump. She worked on Trump’s communications team during his first term and was later part of his legal defense during his first impeachment.

Views:
Bondi is known for her uncompromising stance on crime, opposition to progressive criminal justice reform, and alignment with conservative culture war issues. She supports limiting abortion rights, opposes trans rights in the justice system, and advocates for a strong role of the federal DOJ in prosecuting so-called "leftist extremists." She also publicly opposed diversity training and "Critical Race Theory."

Scandals:
A controversial donation of $25,000 from the Trump Foundation to her campaign organization in 2013 shortly after Bondi's office dropped investigations into Trump University. This raised ethical questions. Her role at the 2020 Republican National Convention, where she made unsubstantiated claims against Joe Biden, also drew criticism.

Doug Burgum
Position: Secretary of the Interior

Biography:
Entrepreneur, multimillionaire, and former governor of North Dakota. Made a name in the tech industry, selling his software company to Microsoft for over $1 billion. Ran unsuccessfully for the 2024 GOP nomination before joining Trump’s cabinet.

Views:
Advocates free-market policies, tax cuts for corporations, deregulation, and weakening the Federal Reserve. Opposes social programs and redistribution. Focused on aggressive reindustrialization with investments in “patriotic” projects.

Scandals:
Criticized during his 2023 campaign for offering $20 gift cards in exchange for $1 donations to meet fundraising thresholds. Also criticized in North Dakota for close ties to the oil industry and environmental neglect.

Lori Chavez-DeRemer
Position: Secretary of Labor

Biography:
Republican from Oregon, former mayor of Happy Valley, elected to Congress in 2022. First Republican woman from Oregon in the U.S. House. Considered a rising star in the GOP.

Views:
Economically aligned with Trump, supports conservative security policies. Advocates for privatization of veterans’ services, reduction of bureaucracy, and prioritizing veterans over immigrants and marginalized groups.

Scandals:
Faced scrutiny for lack of transparency in campaign financing and ties to right-wing PACs. Veterans’ groups criticized her appointment due to lack of experience. Accused of politically exploiting the VA.

Doug Collins
Position: Secretary of Veterans Affairs

Biography:
Former Congressman from Georgia and pastor. Key Trump ally during his first term, especially during both impeachments. Became a Fox News commentator after leaving Congress.

Views:
Strongly economically liberal and anti-labor. Advocates weakening unions, opposes minimum wage increases, supports deregulation.

Scandals:
Accepted donations from companies under investigation by committees he served on. Accused in 2020 of leaking classified Ukraine hearing info to pro-Trump media. Repeatedly criticized for anti-LGBTQ+ remarks.

Sean Duffy
Position: Secretary of Transportation

Biography:
Former Congressman from Wisconsin and reality TV star (“The Real World: Boston”). Fox News commentator and member of the House Financial Services Committee before stepping down in 2019.

Views:
Supports heavy investment in highways, trucking, deregulation. Opposes emissions-based regulations and favors rolling back environmental standards for industrial transport.

Scandals:
Criticized for ties to pipeline and logistics lobby groups. Lacked experience in transportation planning. Resigned citing family reasons, but ethical concerns were also raised.

Tulsi Gabbard
Position: Director of National Intelligence

Biography:
Former Democratic Congresswoman from Hawaii, Army National Guard veteran. Originally a progressive, she drifted right after 2020 and now supports Trump’s agenda.

Views:
Emphasizes national sovereignty and warns against the "deep state" and abuses by intelligence agencies. Calls for reforms of the U.S. intelligence apparatus, more transparency, and a focus on “real threats,” particularly domestic ones. Opposes “ideological security policy” and DEI programs within the intelligence community. Supports law-and-order rhetoric, but also criticizes mass surveillance.

Scandals:
Her positions on Russia and Syria have drawn repeated criticism — notably her meeting with Bashar al-Assad in 2017. She has often been accused of echoing authoritarian regimes’ narratives. Her proximity to conspiracy theorists and far-right circles, as well as her sudden break with progressive positions, earned her a reputation as an opportunist. According to insiders, there is significant skepticism within the intelligence community over her appointment.

Jamieson Greer
Position: United States Trade Representative

Biography:
Attorney and former Chief of Staff to U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer during Trump’s first term. Previously worked as a corporate trade lawyer and served the Department of Defense. A graduate of George Washington University Law School, he is well-connected within the Republican establishment.

Views:
Advocates a tough, protectionist trade policy in line with “America First.” Supports bilateral over multilateral trade deals. Criticizes the WTO as “ineffective,” and promotes aggressive tariffs to fight “economic coercion” by nations like China. Calls for reshoring supply chains back to the U.S.

Scandals:
While working under Lighthizer, Greer was involved in implementing tariffs that angered key U.S. allies like Canada, the EU, and China. Critics accuse him of damaging trade relations and fueling a “tariff spiral.” Insiders have flagged potential conflicts of interest from his time at law firms representing multinational corporations.

Pete Hegseth
Position: Secretary of Defense

Biography:
Fox News host and former National Guard officer. Ultra-conservative media figure with political ambitions.

Views:
Extreme nationalist. Calls for a “patriotic” military free of DEI regulations. Supports foreign interventions to assert U.S. power. Believes America is a Christian nation threatened by secularism, feminism, LGBTQ rights, and “godless government.” Sees the Bible as superior to the Constitution. Regards democracy as obsolete.

Scandals:
Criticized for lack of defense credentials. Downplayed white supremacy in the military. Accused of sexual assault (“Signalgate”) — a journalist was accidentally added to a classified Signal group. In December 2024, The New Yorker reported on a sexual assault lawsuit from 2017, reportedly settled out of court.

Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
Position: Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS)

Biography:
Son of Senator Robert F. Kennedy, nephew of President John F. Kennedy. Lawyer, environmental activist, and prominent vaccine skeptic. Ran as an independent in 2024 before endorsing Trump and joining his cabinet.

Views:
Critic of vaccine programs, speaks of "pharma cartels," and calls for a radical overhaul of the U.S. healthcare system. Supports alternative medicine and opposes government regulation of personal health decisions.

Scandals:
Spread widely debunked claims about vaccines and COVID. Close to conspiracy theorists like Alex Jones. His appointment drew strong backlash from human rights groups and medical associations.

Kelly Loeffler
Position: Administrator of the Small Business Administration (SBA)

Biography:
Former U.S. Senator from Georgia and co-owner of financial firm Intercontinental Exchange, parent company of the New York Stock Exchange. Appointed to the Senate in 2019, lost her seat in 2021. Key Trump ally on economic issues

Views:
Pro-business, market-driven ideology. Opposes minimum wage laws and supports tax breaks for entrepreneurs. Rejects any form of government-directed diversity programs. Promotes “ideology-free capital access.”

Scandals:
Accused of insider trading in 2020 after dumping millions in stocks following a classified COVID briefing. Though not charged, the incident seriously harmed her reputation. Criticized for ties to conspiracy groups and appearances at far-right events.

Howard Lutnick
Position: Secretary of Commerce

Biography:
CEO of Cantor Fitzgerald, which became widely known after 9/11. Under his leadership, the company transitioned into a major financial and tech trading player. Long-time GOP donor and Trump supporter.

Views:
Hardline free-market advocate — but only in a heavily deregulated, business-first framework. Opposes consumer protections, climate rules, and labor rights. Supports aggressive diplomacy to benefit U.S. corporations.

Scandals:
Criticized for rapidly rebooting his company after 9/11 while personally boosting his public profile. Accused of lacking empathy for the firm’s victims. Later criticized for his pro-speculation stance and anti-regulatory rhetoric.

Linda McMahon
Position: Secretary of Education

Biography:
Former CEO of WWE, two-time failed Senate candidate. Led the SBA during Trump’s first term. Active in conservative think tanks and a major GOP donor.

Views:
Supports privatization of public education, school choice, and charter schools. Opposes federal education standards and favors dissolving the Department of Education in its current form. Critical of unions and inclusive education.

Scandals:
Criticized for WWE’s labor practices and sexism. Her educational qualifications have been repeatedly questioned.

Kristi Noem
Position: Secretary of Homeland Security

Biography:
Governor of South Dakota, former congresswoman. Rose to national prominence by rejecting COVID restrictions and embracing hardline immigration rhetoric. Loyal Trump ally, aligned with post-truth right-wing movements.

Views:
Extremely tough immigration stance. Calls for border militarization, militia deployment, and mass deportations. Opposes BLM, LGBTQ rights, and progressive activism. Supports mass surveillance.

Scandals:
Accused of nepotism for influencing a state decision involving her daughter. Criticized for misleading COVID messaging and inflammatory populism.

John Ratcliffe
Position: Director of the CIA

Biography:
Former congressman from Texas, briefly served as Director of National Intelligence under Trump 1.0. Attorney known for staunch loyalty to Trump.

Views:
Believes intelligence agencies should be political tools. Pushes for national security via isolationism. Opposes international cooperation. Advocates for expanded domestic spying powers.

Scandals:
Notorious for withholding and manipulating intelligence to benefit Trump. His DNI nomination was once withdrawn due to credential concerns. “Signalgate”: accidentally added a journalist to an encrypted Signal group.

Brooke L. Rollins
Position: Secretary of Agriculture

Biography:
Lawyer and conservative policy strategist. Former Trump White House adviser. Founded the Texas Public Policy Foundation. Long-time advocate for free-market rural reforms.

Views:
Pushes deregulation in agriculture, opposes subsidies and environmental rules. Prioritizes agribusiness over small farmers. Dismisses climate policy as ideological burden.

Scandals:
Criticized for close ties to agribusiness lobbies and failure to support small farms. Also questioned over transparency in previous public funding roles.

Marco Rubio
Position: Secretary of State

Biography:
Senator from Florida, 2016 presidential contender. Once a vocal Trump critic, later a loyal ally. Of Cuban-American heritage.

Views:
Hawkish foreign policy, especially toward China, Cuba, Venezuela, and Iran. Supports nationalist diplomacy and rejects multilateralism (e.g. WHO, Paris Accord).

Scandals:
Used GOP credit cards for personal expenses while House Speaker in Florida (e.g. hotel bills, car repairs). Repaid most, but the scandal lingered.

Scott Turner
Position: Secretary of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)

Biography:
Former NFL player and Texas state legislator. Trump adviser on “Opportunity Zones” during first term.

Views:
Favors market-based housing policy. Opposes rent control and public housing. Sees welfare programs as creating dependency.

Scandals:
Criticized for lack of expertise in housing. Questioned over potential conflicts in Opportunity Zones dealings.

Russell Vought
Position: Director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB)

Biography:
OMB Director under Trump 1.0. Founded the far-right think tank Center for Renewing America.

Views:
Hardline budget hawk. Pushes deep cuts to social programs. Opposes federal funding for climate action and gender equity.

Scandals:
Condemned for anti-Muslim remarks. Accused of pushing ideologically driven budget slashes.

Chris Wright
Position: Secretary of Energy

Biography:
CEO of Liberty Energy, a fracking company. Vocal opponent of the energy transition. Fossil fuel industry lobbyist.

Views:
Denies climate change. Champions oil, gas, coal. Rejects all environmental regulation. Supports fossil expansion on public lands; wants 1970s energy policy back.

Scandals:
Criticized for industry conflicts and carbon-heavy ties. Refused to curb methane emissions despite scientific warnings.

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Matt Gaetz
Position (Withdrawn): Attorney General
Biography:
Congressman from Florida and one of the most vocal defenders of Donald Trump in the U.S. House of Representatives. Known for his aggressive rhetoric and media-savvy appearances. Considered a close ideological ally of Trump, especially on issues related to justice, immigration, and law enforcement.

Views:
Ultra-conservative. Advocates harsh penalties for BLM activists, left-wing NGOs, and so-called “Deep State” operatives. Opposes all forms of gun control, categorically rejects LGBTQ rights and abortion. Supports full immunity for law enforcement officers and expanded federal intervention against “leftist extremism.”

Scandals:
Has been the subject of multiple criminal investigations — including allegations of sex trafficking, sexual relationships with minors, and illegal use of funds. Though never formally charged, he remains heavily burdened by these accusations. His nomination for Attorney General was withdrawn in February 2025 under intense pressure from within the legal community and public backlash.

Elise Stefanik
Position (Withdrawn): United States Ambassador to the United Nations

Biography:
Congresswoman from New York. Since Trump’s first presidency, she has risen to prominence as a leading figure among the so-called “MAGA Women.” In 2021, she became Chair of the House Republican Conference and one of Donald Trump’s most loyal allies.

Views:
Advocates a nationalist-isolationist foreign policy. Calls for the U.S. to withdraw from UN bodies, rejects international climate agreements, and supports deep cuts to UN programs. Embraces the “America First” doctrine, including in humanitarian aid and global development cooperation.

Scandals:
Criticized for her lack of foreign policy experience, repeated factual misstatements about the role of the UN, and ties to extremist online communities. According to internal reports, she was deemed “unfit” by the diplomatic corps. Her nomination was officially withdrawn by the White House in March 2025 with a vague explanation.