Election Day is still two weeks away, but Donald Trump’s transition team is in advanced talks with high-profile Republicans who are hopeful of serving in a presidential administration.
Among the biggest names is Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), a former finalist to be Trump’s running mate who is being strongly considered for secretary of state, The Post has learned.
“Senator Rubio is respected and known for his expertise in matters of foreign affairs and he has been a strong and loyal supporter of President Trump,” a campaign source told The Post about Rubio’s chances.
Carlos Trujillo, a former Florida legislator who served as US ambassador to the Organization of American States during Trump’s first term, has also backed the three-time senator to be America’s next top diplomat.
“He’s been a great surrogate for the campaign, a strong supporter of the president, and I think they have a very strong personal relationship,” said Trujillo, adding he thinks Rubio would be “absolutely” open to serving in a second Trump cabinet.
“I think he would be the most qualified by far of any candidate they could nominate,” Trujillo added, saying that Trump, 78, has “trust” in the Florida senator, 53, that makes him the “strongest candidate” to help the State Department.
The Post previously reported that Rubio was neck and neck with Sen. JD Vance (R-Ohio) in Trump’s running mate deliberations — and was passed up largely due to the constitutional complications of having two people from the same state on the ticket.
Trump has also spoken positively about the prospect of Sen. Tom Cotton (R-Ark.), former acting Director of National Intelligence Richard Grenell and ex-national security adviser Robert O’Brien serving in a national security capacity should he return to power Nov. 5.
Sen. Bill Hagerty (R-Tenn.) and Rep. Mike Waltz (R-Fla.) could also be in the mix, either to be secretary of state or secretary of defense. Former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo is also widely expected to return to the Trump fold in some form.
Other Trump allies, including Republicans in Congress, have been vocal about their interest in an administration position — with House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) telling The Post in an exclusive interview last week that as many as 10 GOP lawmakers could make the jump to the other end of Pennsylvania Avenue.
“There’s six to 10 who are probably real contenders to be acting or serving at the cabinet level or [as] deputy secretary,” said Johnson, 52, who did not mention any names.
“I think most of them are in pretty safe Republican seats, so we would have another Republican [be elected in their place],” the speaker continued.
“I don’t want to lose all that talent, certainly, but they and I want to do what is best for the country, and so if they get called up, then I know they would have my support.”
House GOP Conference Chair Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-NY), the very first member of Republican leadership to endorse Trump after he announced his White House bid in November 2022, previously told The Post that she “would be proud to serve in a Trump administration in any capacity.”
Stefanik, 40, has served on the House Armed Services Committee for 10 years and is one of the most senior members of the House Intelligence Committee, which one GOP insider suggested makes her a contender for a position such as CIA director or ambassador to the United Nations.
“It is widely known and recognized that Elise is the strongest advocate for President Trump among her elected colleagues — both publicly and privately,” another GOP strategist told The Post. “She was the loudest voice saying Trump on the ballot is a net strength for all Republican House candidates. And Elise has been very aggressive in ensuring her political operation only supports and endorses Trump-supporting candidates to ensure a strong Trump majority.”
The race to get on Trump’s team should he win a second term also includes former primary rival and North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum, who has boasted of the 45th president calling him “Mr. Secretary” on the campaign trail.
Burgum, 68, opted in January not to seek a third term as North Dakota governor, raising his chances of becoming energy secretary in another Trump administration.
Biotech mogul Vivek Ramaswamy, another 2024 GOP primary participant, has also been an ardent advocate for the former president — and a source familiar with the discussions confirmed to The Post in March he was being considered for a cabinet position, with Bloomberg reporting at the time that secretary of homeland security was among the possibilities.
However, Ramaswamy, 39, has also expressed interest in replacing Vance in the Senate — or even running for Ohio governor in 2026, when Republican incumbent Mike DeWine will be barred from seeking a third term.
“Vivek is laser-focused on securing victory in the next two weeks,” a source close to Ramaswamy said. “After Nov. 6, he will be far more interested in the firing of bureaucrats than he is in hiring.”
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Publicly, the campaign is not looking past polling day.
“President Trump announced a Trump-Vance transition leadership group to initiate the process of preparing for what comes after the election,” Trump communications director Steven Cheung said in a statement.
“But formal discussions of who will serve in a second Trump Administration is premature. President Trump will oversee a smooth transition and choose the best people for his Cabinet to undo all the damage dangerously liberal Kamala Harris has done to our country.”
However, transition team co-chair Howard Lutnick, the CEO of Cantor Fitzgerald, said he was excited about the potential prospects.
“It’s incredibly uplifting,” Lutnick told The Post Sept. 10 following Trump’s debate with Vice President Harris in Philadelphia.
“If you saw the talent that comes my way, it would blow you away.”
