Trump announces next batch of presidential appointments in second administration

President-elect Donald Trump on Tuesday night announced the next batch of presidential appointments, including his nominee for director of the National Institute of Health (NIH), Naval secretary, and head of the White House National Economic Council (NEC).

Trump has been spending the first few weeks after winning reelection earlier this month by nominating people for his incoming Cabinet, and making other critical appointments, including his White House staff.

The former president nominated Jamieson Greer to serve as his United States Trade Representative (USTR). Greer previously played a major role in Trump's tariffs on China in his first administration.

"His efforts under the former USTR, Bob Lighthizer, a spectacular leader and person, helped spur the return of Manufacturing jobs to America, and reverse decades of disastrous Trade policies," Trump posted to Truth Social. 

"Jamieson will focus the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative on reining in the Country’s massive Trade Deficit, defending American Manufacturing, Agriculture, and Services, and opening up Export Markets everywhere," he added.

The former president also announced his former chair of the Council of Economic Advisers Dr. Kevin A. Hassett will serve his new administration as director of the NEC. 

"He will play an important role in helping American families recover from the Inflation that was unleashed by the Biden Administration," Trump said of Hassett. "Together, we will renew and improve our record Tax Cuts, and ensure that we have Fair Trade with Countries that have taken advantage of the United States in the past.

"Kevin will also play a key role in strengthening our Economic relationships with Allies, new and old, while also securing Prosperity for the American People," he added.

Greer's nomination and Hassett's appointment come after Trump vowed to impose high tariffs on imports from Canada, China, and Mexico on the first day of his new administration.

Trump also announced that he has nominated Dr. Jay Bhattacharya to lead the NIH, and that Bhattacharya will work alongside his Health and Human Services Secretary nominee Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Both Kennedy and Bhattacharya will still need to be confirmed by the Senate.

"Together, Jay and RFK Jr. will restore the NIH to a Gold Standard of Medical Research as they examine the underlying causes of, and solutions to, America’s biggest Health challenges, including our Crisis of Chronic Illness and Disease," Trump said in a post on Truth Social. "Together, they will work hard to Make America Healthy Again!"

Jim O’Neill, an HHS veteran, was nominated to serve as Kennedy's Deputy Secretary of Health and Human Services, Trump said.

The former president additionally nominated John Phelan as secretary of the Navy, stating that Phelan "has excelled in every endeavor," that he has taken on, and that he was a "true Champion of American Enterprise and Ingenuity."

"John will be a tremendous force for our Naval Servicemembers, and a steadfast leader in advancing my America First vision," Trump said on Truth Social. "He will put the business of the U.S. Navy above all else ... His incredible knowledge and experience will elevate the lives of the brave Americans who serve our Nation. John will deliver real results for our Navy and our Country. I look forward to working with him."

Misty Severi is an evening news reporter for Just The News. You can follow her on X for more coverage.