Gov. Doug Burgum (R-ND) said people are “flocking” to seek a role in President-elect Donald Trump’s Cabinet for his second presidential term, a contrast from when he first won in 2016.
The governor praised Trump’s victory over Vice President Kamala Harris as “a historic win” that the Republican Party ought to recognize, adding that everyone in the United States will benefit from Trump’s leadership. Burgum previewed some of the policies voters can expect, including the country being dominant in the field of energy and putting “maximum pressure” on Iran.
“And people are flocking, the talent that is showing up looks very different from 2016 when President Trump won unexpectedly,” Burgum said on Fox News’s Fox & Friends. “Now, every position he has, there’s 20 qualified people banging on the door wanting to get a job, and I know President Trump and his team, fantastic choice with Susie Wiles, they’re going to have the pick of the litter in putting together a fantastic team to help drive our country forward.”
Burgum stressed that increasing the country’s status in the global markets should be a priority, saying this is why Trump will use tariffs as a “powerful” diplomacy tool. He added that Trump recognizes the need to win the “AI arms race” with China and underscored the need to increase the nation’s electricity supply to achieve this.
The North Dakota governor was asked if he had a chance to discuss any role he could have in Trump’s White House. While Burgum confirmed that he did talk with the former president on election night, he did not confirm if their discussions included any position he could have in the next administration.
Burgum hinted he could have a position in Trump’s administration in the past, revealing in July that Trump referred to him as “Mr. Secretary.” The governor was rumored to be on Trump’s short list for vice president, though this role ultimately went to Vice President-elect J.D. Vance.
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Sen. Marco Rubio (R-FL) has also been rumored to have a role in Trump’s White House come 2025, though the senator confirmed Thursday that he had not talked to Trump’s team about this possibility. Like Burgum, Rubio’s name was considered a possibility for Trump’s running mate.
On Thursday, Trump opted to hire Susie Wiles, his 2024 co-campaign manager, as his next White House chief of staff. Wiles previously helmed the 2010 Florida gubernatorial campaign for Sen. Rick Scott (R-FL) and Trump’s own Florida operation during the 2016 general election.