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Trump Appoints Interim Leaders for Federal Agencies and Initiates First Executive Actions


The president appointed the interim secretaries of defense, state, homeland security, and several other positions.

On Monday, President Donald Trump released a statement that announced acting leaders for various federal agencies and took his first executive actions, including ensuring that the flag is flown at full-staff at all government buildings until the conclusion of Inauguration Day.

The statement lists officials appointed to serve as acting heads of federal agencies, which encompass the Department of Defense, the Department of Labor, the Department of Agriculture, the U.S. Air Force, the U.S. Army, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), the Department of Justice (DOJ), the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), among others.

Trump’s selections for permanent leadership of these agencies—Robert F. Kennedy Jr. for HHS, Pete Hegseth for Defense, Pam Bondi for DOJ, Kristi Noem for DHS, and others—are pending confirmation from the Republican-controlled Senate.

In the interim, Trump designated Robert Salesses as acting secretary of defense, career civil servant Dorothy Fink for HHS, Benjamine Huffman for DHS, James McHenry for attorney general, Lisa Kenna for secretary of state, David Lebryk for Treasury, Caleb Vitello as acting director of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, and over a dozen additional officials to lead various federal departments.

“Pursuant to the Constitution and the laws of the United States, including but not limited to 5 U.S.C. 3345 et seq., I hereby direct the following individuals to perform the functions and duties of the indicated positions in an acting capacity until the position is filled by appointment,” he outlined in a statement on the White House website.

Senate hearings aimed at confirming Trump’s nominations commenced earlier this month.

Additionally, Trump issued an order on Monday that the American flag will be lowered “upon the end of this Inauguration Day” for a 30-day mourning period honoring the late former President Jimmy Carter, who passed away on Dec. 29, 2024. This period will continue until Jan. 28.

“I also direct that, for the same period of time, the flag shall be flown at full-staff at all United States embassies, legations, consular offices, and other facilities abroad, including all military facilities and naval vessels and stations.”

In other news, the CBP One app utilized during the Biden administration is now deactivated. A notice on the app’s website indicates that as of Jan. 20, its capabilities allowing undocumented aliens to submit advance information and schedule appointments at eight southwest border ports of entry are no longer available, and all existing appointments have been canceled.

In his inaugural address earlier that day, Trump remarked that he would promptly issue orders declaring a national emergency at the U.S.-Mexico border regarding illegal immigration, rescind Biden-era policies limiting oil and gas drilling, and terminate diversity programs.

Trump also noted plans to sign an order to rename the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America, and to revert the highest peak in North America, formerly known as Denali in Alaska, back to Mount McKinley, its prior name before being changed in 2015 during the Obama administration.

Last weekend, Trump shared on social media that he intends to issue an order to attempt to restore TikTok, the Chinese-owned social media app that was effectively banned on Jan. 19 under a law passed by Congress last year.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.



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