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President-Elect Donald Trump has announced a series of key Pentagon appointments, many of whom come from outside the Pentagon.
Stephen Feinberg: In an announcement, Trump nominated Stephen Feinberg to serve as Deputy Secretary of Defense. Feinberg is a billionaire investor and co-founder of Cerberus Capital Management, a private equity firm with significant investments in defense technologies, including hypersonic missiles. A Princeton graduate, Feinberg was a major supporter of Trump’s presidential campaigns and previously served as head of the President’s Intelligence Advisory Board during Trump’s first term.
Elbridge Colby: In an announcement, Trump named Elbridge Colby as his pick for Undersecretary of Defense for Policy. Colby is a Harvard and Yale Law School graduate who previously served as the Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Strategy and Force Development. He is widely recognized as a key architect of the 2018 National Defense Strategy, which refocused US military priorities toward countering China’s influence. Known for his “realist” approach to national security, Colby has been vocal about the need for Taiwan to bolster its defenses and has expressed reservations about Ukraine joining NATO.
Michael Duffey: In an announcement, Trump selected Michael Duffey for Undersecretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment. Duffey, a former official in the Office of Management and Budget during Trump’s first term, played a central role in freezing military aid to Ukraine, an action that contributed to Trump’s first impeachment. Duffey will oversee military procurement.
Emil Michael: In an announcement, Trump nominated Emil Michael for Undersecretary of Defense for Research and Engineering. Michael, a Harvard and Stanford Law School alumnus, gained prominence as a top executive at Uber, where he led the company’s global expansion and raised billions in investments. His tenure at Uber was marred by controversy, including accusations of hiring investigators to target journalists critical of the company.
Keith Bass: In an announcement, Trump tapped retired Navy Commander Keith Bass for Assistant Secretary of Defense for Health Affairs. Bass brings over three decades of experience in healthcare administration, having worked with the Department of Defense, CIA, and the White House. Most recently, he served as director of the West Texas VA Health Care System. In this role, Bass will focus on providing medical care to US troops and addressing healthcare challenges across the armed forces.
Joe Kasper: In an announcement, Trump nominated Joe Kasper as Chief of Staff to the Secretary of Defense. Kasper, a longtime government aide, previously served in the Department of Defense and the Department of Homeland Security during Trump’s first term. He began his career working for Rep. Duncan Hunter and is currently a managing director at a defense consulting firm.
