Trump's latest admin picks include Devin Nunes, IBM's Troy Edgar

President-elect Trump announced a new round of picks for his incoming administration on Saturday ahead of his inauguration in January. He announced Trump Media CEO Devin Nunes to be chairman of the President's Intelligence Advisory Board, IBM executive Troy Edgar to be deputy secretary of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), businessman Bill White to...

Dec 14, 2024 - 23:00
Trump's latest admin picks include Devin Nunes, IBM's Troy Edgar

President-elect Trump announced a new round of picks for his incoming administration on Saturday ahead of his inauguration in January.

He announced Trump Media CEO Devin Nunes to be chairman of the President's Intelligence Advisory Board, IBM executive Troy Edgar to be deputy secretary of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), businessman Bill White to serve as ambassador to Belgium, former acting director of National Intelligence Richard Grenell as Presidential Envoy for Special Missions, and Edward Sharp Welsh as ambassador to Ireland.

“While continuing his leadership of Trump Media & Technology Group, Devin will draw on his experience as former Chairman of the House Intelligence Committee, and his key role in exposing the Russia, Russia, Russia Hoax, to provide me with independent assessments of the effectiveness and propriety of the U.S. Intelligence Community’s activities,” Trump wrote in a statement posted to Truth Social.

Nunes, a Republican, previously served as a congressman for the state of California. He also chaired the House Intelligence Committee from 2015 to 2019, where he oversaw the 2016 investigation into Russian election interference. 

In 2022, the former congressman resigned from office to run Trump's media and technology company, which underscored Trump's looming presence in Washington, even after his 2020 election defeat.

This announcement comes after allegations emerged earlier this fall that Nunes mismanaged finances at the company, as reported by ProPublica

Edgar’s nomination comes after a stint as the chief financial officer and associate deputy under secretary of the DHS, where he oversaw a $90 billion budget and managed 240,000 employees. 

“He was previously the Mayor of Los Alamitos, California, where he helped me lead the City and County revolt against Sanctuary Cities in 2018,” the former president wrote in a post on Truth Social. "I am very excited to have Troy on our team, as he will help us Make America Great Again!”

Trump added to the extensive list of businessmen in his administration with White's appointment, who was a large donor throughout the 2024 presidential election cycle.

"He is the CEO of Constellations Group, and former President of the Intrepid Sea-Air-Space Museum," Trump wrote in a post on Truth Social.

"Bill has worked tirelessly to support Great American Patriots who have given everything for our Country by raising over $1.5 Billion Dollars for our fallen heroes, catastrophically wounded, and severely burned Service Members," he added.

White was previously accused of being involved in a state pension scandal while leading Intrepid in New York. He stepped down ahead of a pending investigation from Andrew Cuomo, who was serving as the New York attorney general at the time.

Another pick Trump announced on Saturday is Richard Grenell, who served in the past Trump administration as former acting director of National Intelligence of the United States.

Trump announced that Richard Grenell would serve as the Presidential Envoy for Special Missions in a Saturday statement.

“I am pleased to announce Richard Allen Grenell as our Presidential Envoy for Special Missions,” Trump wrote on Truth Social. “Ric will work in some of the hottest spots around the World, including Venezuela and North Korea,” he added.

Grenell also previously served as Presidential Envoy for Kosovo-Serbia Negotiations and the United States Ambassador to Germany during Trump’s first term in office.

He also worked for the United Nations Security Council.

“Ric will continue to fight for Peace through Strength, and always put AMERICA FIRST. Congratulations Ric,” Trump concluded in the post.

Trump also announced Edward Sharp Welsh, president of the construction services company the Walsh Company, to serve as Ambassador to Ireland.

"Edward is the President of the Walsh Company, a very successful nationwide construction and real estate firm,” Trump wrote in a Saturday post on Truth Social. “He is a great philanthropist in his local community, and previously served as the Chairman of the New Jersey Schools Development Authority Board,” he added.

The president commended Sharp on his golfing skills and called him an “asset” for the ambassador role.

“Do well Ed,” Trump concluded in his post.

Updated at 8:33 p.m. EST.