US President-elect Donald Trump stated that he was nominating former Wisconsin representative and Fox Business News host, Sean Duffy, to be Secretary of Transportation as part of a team-building effort, according to Reuters.
If confirmed, Duffy will oversee aviation, roads, rail, transit and other transportation policy in a department with a budget of about $110 billion. Duffy will also supervise continued enhanced oversight of Boeing. In addition, he will be responsible for overseeing companies run by Elon Musk, who is actively involved in Trump’s transition.
Trump pledged to repeal the Biden administration’s vehicle emissions rules. He said he planned to begin the process of undoing the strict emissions rules passed earlier this year as soon as he took office.
Former Uber executive Emil Michael, who was a serious contender for the position, congratulated Duffy. He stated that “it was the honour of a lifetime to even be considered.”
Meanwhile, the search for Treasury Secretary is widening after it stalled over the weekend. Among the names Trump is now considering are Apollo Global Management CEO, Marc Rowan, and Federal Reserve Governor Kevin Warsh.
Billionaire investor John Paulson was initially one of the top contenders, but withdrew from the race last week, citing “complex financial obligations.” Bloomberg reported on Monday that investor Scott Bessent was being considered as a candidate for the White House’s National Economic Council. However, he is holding off on making a decision until the Treasury Secretary nominee is determined.
The role of Treasury Secretary is one of the most prominent positions in the cabinet, overseeing the country’s financial and economic policies. However, two of Trump’s top advisers, Musk and Robert F. Kennedy Jr., whom Trump picked to head the Health and Human Services Department, sided with banker Howard Lutnick over the appointment.
As of Sunday, Trump was considering Lutnick for another economic position, possibly Secretary of Commerce. Trump’s former US trade representative, Robert Lighthizer, is also being considered for the Commerce.
