President-elect Donald Trump announced two major appointments from North Carolina to his administration set to take office in 2025. Among the nominees, Daniel P. Driscoll has been tapped to serve as Secretary of the Army, while former NCGOP Chairman Michael Whatley is poised to return as Chairman of the Republican National Committee (RNC).
From Boone, North Carolina, Driscoll earned his degree from UNC-Chapel Hill before joining the U.S. Army, where he graduated from Ranger School and served in Iraq as a Cavalry Scout Platoon Leader. After his military service, he earned a law degree from Yale, leading to a career in venture capital and political advising. Most recently, he was a senior advisor to Vice President-Elect JD Vance. Trump praised him as a “fearless and relentless fighter” who will advocate for America’s soldiers and the America First agenda.
“I am pleased to nominate Daniel P. Driscoll, from the Great State of North Carolina, to serve as the Secretary of the Army,” Trump announced in a press release. “As a former Soldier, Investor, and Political Advisor, Dan brings a powerful combination of experiences to serve as a disruptor and change agent.”
Meanwhile, Michael Whatley, the former NCGOP chairman, has been asked to continue leading the RNC as its chairman. Trump commended Whatley’s record, highlighting his contributions to election integrity efforts and voter mobilization during the 2024 election. Whatley, alongside Lara Trump, led what Trump described as an “unprecedented” operation that helped secure victories in every battleground state.
“Michael Whatley, from the Great State of North Carolina, has been with me since the beginning, and has done an OUTSTANDING and HISTORIC JOB in running the Republican National Committee with the fantastic Lara Trump!” Trump said in a press release. “I have asked Michael to return as Chairman of the RNC to continue to build our Party, and be a trusted partner as we Make America Great Again, and ensure Free and Fair Elections.”
Additional cabinet positions announced on Wednesday include the nomination of Paul Atkins to be the next chairman of the Securities & Exchange Commission, Jared Isaacman as administrator of NASA, and Peter Navarro, who will serve as Trump’s senior counselor for Trade and Manufacturing.