Trump nominates top aides to serve in SBA, EPA, Energy and VA just days before inauguration

In addition to Saturday’s early announcements, Trump named and discussed several others who he is planning to have in his administration in various agencies.

Published: January 12, 2025 2:22pm

President-elect Donald Trump continued nominating people to fill important positions at key federal agencies prior to his inauguration on January 20. 

In addition to Saturday’s announcements of Steven Gill Bradbury as the next deputy secretary of Transportation and Katharine MacGregor as the next deputy secretary of the interior, Trump named and discussed several others who he is planning to have in his administration, according to The Hill

Of James P. Danly, who is set to serve as the next deputy secretary of energy, Trump wrote online that “James is a retired U.S. Army Officer, who served for two tours in Iraq, where he earned the Bronze Star and Purple Heart.” 

“He served in my First Term as General Counsel, Commissioner, and Chairman of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, where he won countless cases before the Federal Courts, and drove regulatory reform to ensure abundant and affordable energy for the American People.”

Trump announced that Casey B. Mulligan, an economist, would serve as the Chief Counsel for Advocacy at the Small Business Administration. He said that Mulligan is “a highly respected expert on the regulations that are crushing our Small Businesses.”

He nominated Paul R. Lawrence to serve as the next deputy secretary of Veterans Affairs.

“Paul was a great VA Under Secretary of Benefits in my First Term, implementing Legislation I signed to improve the GI Bill and Appeals Modernization,” Trump wrote of the former official.

“Paul also helped us drive the claims backlog to its LOWEST LEVEL in VA History.”

David Fotouhi was named as Trump’s pick for deputy administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency. He said Fotouhi will “prioritize Clean Air, Clean Water, and Clean Soil for ALL Americans” in his new role.

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