Jennings Comments Trump Nominations
It looks like President-elect Donald Trump’s 2024 Cabinet is shaping up to be a fascinating mix of ideologies, and CNN Republican commentator Scott Jennings thinks it’s a key move that mirrors how Trump clinched victory this year.
During a panel on CNN’s State of the Union, Jennings gave Trump credit for assembling a team that pulls from a wide ideological spectrum, saying it reflects the coalition that powered his win over Vice President Kamala Harris.
Jennings highlighted some notable picks, like Russ Vought returning as the director of the Office of Management and Budget—a strong nod to the conservative base—and Rep. Lori Chavez-DeRemer, tapped for labor secretary, who supports the PRO Act, a labor bill that has earned surprising praise from figures like Randi Weingarten of the American Federation of Teachers.
“When you’ve got everybody from Russ Vought, who’s very conservative, all the way over to the pick for labor secretary… what he has done is put together an ideologically diverse group of people to sit in a room and help run the government,” Jennings observed.
This ideological diversity, Jennings argued, is not just a Cabinet strategy—it’s a mirror of Trump’s winning coalition. In 2024, Trump secured victories across all swing states, broadening his appeal among working-class voters, minorities, and even younger demographics. Meanwhile, Republicans retained the House and regained the Senate, giving Trump a significant governing advantage.
.@ScottJenningsKY: “I think Trump is not getting enough credit here for building an ideologically diverse Cabinet… and that’s kind of how he won. His coalition was kind of ideologically diverse — that elected him.” pic.twitter.com/lgxe57gy8x
— Trump War Room (@TrumpWarRoom) November 24, 2024
Among Trump’s selections are some big-name surprises, especially from former Democrats disenchanted with their old party. Robert F. Kennedy Jr. will lead Health and Human Services, while former Rep. Tulsi Gabbard is set to oversee the nation’s intelligence as Director of National Intelligence. These picks are already stirring chatter, highlighting Trump’s knack for courting figures who have crossed party lines.
Other key names include Sen. Marco Rubio as Secretary of State, former Fox News host and Army National Guard veteran Pete Hegseth as Secretary of Defense, and Pam Bondi, former Florida Attorney General, who takes on the role of Attorney General following Matt Gaetz’s decision to step aside.
This mix of staunch conservatives, crossover Democrats, and pragmatic centrists reflects Trump’s broader approach to leadership: building coalitions that appeal across traditional divides. As Jennings put it, Trump’s ability to bring together a “room full of differing ideologies” may be a recipe not just for governance but also for uniting an often fractious GOP under one banner.