Stocking the cabinet: Tracking the Trump nominees with Pennsylvania ties

President Donald Trump began announcing potential nominees and cabinet members soon after his victory in November. And for Pennsylvania, a state that helped carry Trump back to the White House, favorite sons and daughters have been tapped to serve prominent roles in Washington, D.C., and beyond.

Here is a list of all the Pennsylvanians (and Pennsylvania-adjacent folks) who have been nominated and appointed to serve roles in the second Trump administration: 

Appointed:

Sean Parnell

The latest Pennsylvanian to hear their name called by the Trump administration is Sean Parnell. Parnell, a combat veteran who ran unsuccessfully for U.S. Senate and House seats, has been picked to serve as the chief Pentagon spokesperson and assistant to the Secretary of Defense for Public Affairs. 

Parnell was endorsed by Trump in the Republican primary for the U.S. Senate, but withdrew from the race after losing a court battle over the custody of several of his children in 2021. The defeat came a year after Conor Lamb defeated him in a race for the 17th Congressional district seat. 

Christine Jack Toretti

Trump announced via Truth Social on Jan. 9 that he was nominating Republican National Committee member and S&T Bancorp Board of Governors Chair Christine Toretti as his administration’s ambassador to Sweden.

In his post, Trump called Toretti an “incredible businesswoman, philanthropist, public servant, and RNC Committeewoman for the Great Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.”

Alina Habba

On Dec. 8, Trump announced that Alina Habba, his senior advisor and the attorney who represented him in the New York hush money trial, will serve as counselor to the president – a role held by GOP strategist Kellyanne Conway during Trump’s first term. 

Habba, a New Jersey native, is a 2010 graduate of the Widener University Commonwealth Law School in Harrisburg. Habba gained notoriety for defending Trump against charges he paid $130,000 to silence adult film star Stormy Daniels, the trial during which Trump was found guilty of all 34 charges related to the payment scheme. 

Howard Lutnick

Howard Lutnick, head of brokerage and investment bank Cantor Fitzgerald, was among the first official nominations to be announced, with Trump announcing his choice to lead the U.S. Commerce Department on Nov. 19. Lutnick, who is also a co-chair of Trump’s transition team and Haverford College’s largest donor, is a cryptocurrency enthusiast and was Elon Musk’s pick to lead the treasury, according to WHYY. 

Trump called Lutnick “the embodiment of resilience in the face of unspeakable tragedy,” referencing his charitable contributions to 9/11 families after 658 Cantor Fitzgerald employees, including Lutnick’s brother, died in the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, while Lutnick was CEO. 

Lutnick is also a major supporter of Trump’s tariffs plan and said it can be used as a tool to “protect the American worker.” Lutnick had also been considered for the role of treasury secretary, a more high-profile position. 

Mehmet Oz

The heart surgeon-turned-television doctor-turned-Senate candidate now has his sights on a new project: the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. Trump announced on Nov. 19 that he has chosen Dr. Mehmet Oz to work as administrator of CMS, a position overseeing the country’s health care plans and working closely with the HHS Secretary, who is expected to be Robert F. Kennedy Jr.  

In addition to his television fame and unsuccessful Senate run in Pennsylvania, Oz has been accused of espousing questionable medical claims and pushing so-called miracle weight loss products unsupported by scientific research. 

Not only would this be Oz’s first real step into public office, but it would also give him the rare opportunity to be confirmed by two sitting lawmakers he ran against – John Fetterman, who defeated Oz in the 2022 Senate race and Dave McCormick, whom Oz narrowly defeated in the primary race for that 2022 seat.