These appointments send a strong message that the U.S. will continue to prioritize Israel’s sovereignty, safety, and diplomatic standing. Let’s look closer at Trump’s nominees, their backgrounds, and what we might expect from their leadership.
By Dr. Tim Orr
As Donald Trump prepares for a new term, he’s made it clear that supporting Israel will remain a cornerstone of his administration. His cabinet and key nominations include individuals who have long championed the U.S.-Israel alliance, stood firmly against antisemitism, and opposed policies that weaken Israel’s security. These appointments send a strong message that the U.S. will continue to prioritize Israel’s sovereignty, safety, and diplomatic standing. Let’s look closer at Trump’s nominees, their backgrounds, and what we might expect from their leadership.
If there’s one thing Marco Rubio is known for, it’s his unwavering support for Israel. Throughout his Senate career, Rubio has been a consistent advocate for the U.S.-Israel relationship and a vocal opponent of the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) movement (Rubio, 2019).
Rubio’s leadership as Secretary of State will focus on strengthening Israel’s diplomatic standing and expanding its regional alliances. During Trump’s first term, the Abraham Accords marked a historic breakthrough as Arab nations like the UAE and Bahrain normalized relations with Israel. Rubio will likely work to expand these accords, bringing in more nations, such as Saudi Arabia, which would further isolate adversaries like Iran (Pompeo, 2020).
Speaking of Iran, Rubio’s staunch criticism of the Iran nuclear deal signals a return to Trump’s "maximum pressure" strategy. This approach includes re-imposing heavy sanctions, cutting off Iran’s financial ability to fund proxies like Hezbollah and Hamas, and rallying international partners to isolate Iran diplomatically. Rubio will also address the role of international organizations like the United Nations, where anti-Israel bias has persisted for decades. He’ll push for wider adoption of the IHRA definition of antisemitism, ensuring that policies masquerading as “anti-Zionist” are called out for what they are (IHRA, 2016).
Pete Hegseth brings a unique mix of military leadership and media advocacy to the role of Secretary of Defense. Having served as an Army National Guard officer deployed in Iraq and Afghanistan, Hegseth understands firsthand the importance of strong alliances in combatting shared threats. For Hegseth, Israel is not just an ally—it’s a key partner in ensuring stability in the Middle East (Hegseth, 2021).
Under Hegseth’s leadership, U.S.-Israel military cooperation is expected to deepen. Programs like Iron Dome, Israel’s missile defense system, will likely receive increased funding and technological upgrades. Hegseth will also prioritize initiatives like David’s Sling and Arrow 3, advanced systems designed to intercept longer-range missile threats from adversaries like Iran (Defense News, 2022).
Another key focus will be joint military training exercises. These drills strengthen both nations’ capabilities to respond to mutual threats, including terror organizations like Hezbollah in Lebanon and Hamas in Gaza. Hegseth’s strong public stance in support of Israel will also be a powerful counter to international criticism, especially when Israel faces tough military decisions in defense of its borders. He’ll make it clear: defending Israel’s security is inseparable from America’s strategic interests (Hegseth, 2021).
Elise Stefanik’s appointment as U.N. Ambassador signals a renewed fight against institutional bias toward Israel. The United Nations, and particularly the U.N. Human Rights Council, has long faced criticism for disproportionately targeting Israel with resolutions while ignoring egregious human rights abuses in other nations (Haley, 2018).
Stefanik has a clear agenda: to push back against Israel's unfair treatment and restore balance to international diplomacy. This may include advocating for the U.S. to withdraw funding from U.N. agencies that perpetuate anti-Israel rhetoric, similar to Trump’s withdrawal from UNESCO during his first term. She will also work to build coalitions that promote fairness, encouraging nations to stand with Israel rather than bowing to pressure from anti-Israel blocs (Haley, 2018).
Additionally, Stefanik is expected to support initiatives that foster peace and stability in the Middle East. This will likely involve championing Trump-era diplomacy like the Abraham Accords while challenging U.N. narratives that delegitimize Israel’s right to exist and defend itself (Pompeo, 2020).
Mike Huckabee’s deep ties to Israel and his evangelical Christian background make him an obvious choice as Ambassador to Israel. For Huckabee, Israel is not only a political ally but also a spiritual priority. His appointment reinforces the U.S. commitment to Israel’s sovereignty, security, and cultural significance (Huckabee, 2018).
Huckabee’s leadership will emphasize several key areas. First, he will ensure that Jerusalem remains Israel's undisputed capital, upholding Trump’s landmark decision to relocate the U.S. embassy there. Second, Huckabee will oppose territorial concessions that could undermine Israel’s security, particularly in Judea and Samaria (West Bank), where Israeli settlements remain a contentious issue (Huckabee, 2019).
In addition to political support, Huckabee will foster deeper religious and cultural ties between the U.S. and Israel. Evangelical Christians in the U.S. have been among Israel’s most vocal advocates, and Huckabee’s role will further cement that bond through tourism, religious exchange, and shared values (Huckabee, 2018).
Michael Waltz, a former Army Green Beret and foreign policy expert, brings a practical, security-driven perspective to the role of National Security Advisor. Waltz understands Israel is a linchpin of U.S. national security interests in the Middle East (Waltz, 2022).
Waltz’s top priority will be countering Iran’s regional aggression and nuclear ambitions. Expect renewed sanctions, increased military deterrence, and stronger intelligence sharing between the U.S. and Israel. Waltz has also highlighted the importance of combatting terrorism, including groups like Hamas and Hezbollah, which pose existential threats to Israel (Waltz, 2022).
Waltz will also focus on cybersecurity. Israel is a global leader in cyber defense, and the U.S.-Israel partnership in this field will expand under his watch. This collaboration will address shared threats, such as Iranian cyberattacks and extremist networks using digital platforms to coordinate attacks (Times of Israel, 2021).
Kristi Noem’s strong track record of supporting Israel makes her an ideal choice to lead the Department of Homeland Security. During her tenure as Governor of South Dakota, Noem signed legislation prohibiting state contracts with companies that boycott Israel, directly countering the BDS movement (Noem, 2021).
At Homeland Security, Noem’s focus will be twofold: combating domestic antisemitism and protecting Jewish communities. She will ensure federal funding for programs that secure synagogues, Jewish schools, and community centers through grants like the Nonprofit Security Grant Program. Additionally, Noem will work with law enforcement to improve tracking, reporting, and prosecution of antisemitic hate crimes (DHS, 2022).
Noem’s leadership will also reinforce policies that prevent federal agencies from engaging with entities that participate in BDS, aligning economic policy with America’s pro-Israel stance. Her approach will send a clear message: antisemitism, in all its forms, will not be tolerated in the United States (Noem, 2021).
Sahar Tartak, a Yale junior who was recently hospitalized after being attacked by an anti-Israel mob, has emerged as a critical voice in holding elite universities accountable for antisemitism. Supported by Trump’s nominee Harmeet Dhillon, Tartak has emphasized legal action as a means to combat university inaction. Dhillon has urged victims like Tartak to “sue every university that refuses to keep students safe based on their religion” (Fox News, 2024).
Tartak’s approach reflects a growing movement to address systemic antisemitism at elite institutions. By advocating for lawsuits, she hopes to force universities like Yale and Harvard to prioritize the safety of Jewish students. Tartak argues that holding these schools financially accountable—by targeting endowments and administrators—will compel them to implement meaningful reforms. Her efforts, amplified by Dhillon’s commitment to defending victims of campus antisemitism, put Ivy League institutions “on notice” that negligence will no longer be tolerated.
Tartak’s bold stance serves as both a warning and a call to action: elite universities must exhibit moral clarity, or they will face legal and public consequences.
Trump’s key appointments highlight a consistent and unified approach to supporting Israel—diplomatically, militarily, and economically. By prioritizing leaders who have demonstrated unwavering support for Israel and a commitment to combatting antisemitism, the administration sends a clear message to allies and adversaries alike. This team is poised to build on the successes of the Abraham Accords, strengthen military cooperation, counter Iran’s aggression, and challenge institutional biases against Israel on the global stage. Domestically, efforts to protect Jewish communities and fight antisemitism will take center stage, reinforcing America’s role as a steadfast ally to Israel. As this administration takes shape, the U.S.-Israel alliance appears set to grow stronger than ever.
Defense News. (2022). U.S.-Israel joint defense systems expand. Retrieved from https://www.defensenews.com
Fox News. (2024). *Ivy League schools should be shaking in their boots at Trump
Haley, N. (2018). With All Due Respect: Defending America with Grit and Grace. New York, NY: St. Martin’s Press.
Hegseth, P. (2021). In the Arena: Good Citizens, a Great Republic, and How One Speech Can Reinvigorate America. New York, NY: Threshold Editions.
Huckabee, M. (2018). God, Guns, Grits, and Gravy. New York, NY: St. Martin’s Press.
International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA). (2016). The Working Definition of Antisemitism. Retrieved from https://www.holocaustremembrance.com/resources/working-definitions-charters/working-definition-antisemitism
Noem, K. (2021). Legislation to Combat BDS Movement Signed into Law. Retrieved from https://www.southdakota.gov
Pompeo, M. (2020). The Abraham Accords: Peace in the Middle East. Retrieved from https://www.state.gov/abraham-accords
Times of Israel. (2021). Israel-U.S. Cybersecurity Partnership Expands. Retrieved from https://www.timesofisrael.com
Waltz, M. (2022). Countering Terrorism and Iran’s Aggression. Retrieved from https://www.michaelwaltz.house.gov
DHS. (2022). Nonprofit Security Grant Program Overview. Retrieved from https://www.dhs.gov/nonprofit-security-grant-program
Tim Orr is a scholar of Islam, Evangelical minister, conference speaker, and interfaith consultant with over 30 years of experience in cross-cultural ministry. He holds six degrees, including a master’s in Islamic studies from the Islamic College in London. Tim taught Religious Studies for 15 years at Indiana University Columbus and is now a Congregations and Polarization Project research associate at the Center for the Study of Religion and American Culture at Indiana University Indianapolis. He has spoken at universities, including Oxford University, Imperial College London, the University of Tehran, Islamic College London, and mosques throughout the U.K. His research focuses on American Evangelicalism, Islamic antisemitism, and Islamic feminism, and he has published widely, including articles in Islamic peer-reviewed journals and three books.