WASHINGTON — President-elect Donald Trump announced Wednesday that Peter Navarro, a former White House adviser who served prison time for his involvement in the January 6th Capitol attack, will return as a senior counselor for trade and manufacturing in his second administration.
In a Truth Social post, Trump stated that this role will utilize Navarro’s prior White House experience and his policy analysis and media expertise.
This appointment was one of several announcements Trump made Wednesday, amid controversy surrounding his initial choice for Pentagon chief. The nominee, Hegseth, faces allegations of misconduct, and Trump is considering an alternative.
Trump also named Paul Atkins, a financial industry veteran and cryptocurrency advocate, as his pick for the next chairman of the Securities and Exchange Commission. Trump believes Atkins understands the importance of digital assets and innovation for America’s growth.
Trump also revised his choice for White House counsel. His original selection, William McGinley, will now work with the Department of Government Efficiency, headed by Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy, focusing on reducing federal spending. David Warrington, Trump’s personal and campaign lawyer, will assume the White House counsel role.
Further appointments included Daniel Driscoll, a former senior adviser to Vice President-elect JD Vance, as Army secretary; Jared Isaacman, a tech billionaire, as ; and Adam Boehler, a lead negotiator for the Abraham Accords, as special presidential envoy for hostage affairs.
Navarro served prison time for defying a House committee subpoena related to the January 6th investigation. He described his conviction as politically motivated.
Hours after his release in July, Navarro spoke at the Republican National Convention, stating that he served time so others wouldn’t have to.
Navarro, 75, is a long-standing critic of trade agreements with China. After receiving his economics doctorate from Harvard, he held academic positions and ran unsuccessfully for several political offices.
During Trump’s first term, Navarro aggressively advocated for tariffs, downplaying potential trade war risks. He also focused on counterfeit goods and contributed to an ultimately unrealized infrastructure plan.
Navarro’s outspoken rhetoric sometimes angered U.S. allies. Following a dispute with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in 2018, Navarro issued a strongly worded statement, for which he later apologized.
Issacman, 41, has two more SpaceX flights scheduled, including commanding the first crew to use the Starship mega rocket.
“Having seen our planet from space, I am passionate about America leading in space exploration,” he stated on X.
Trump continued announcing appointments Wednesday afternoon, naming Gail Slater as assistant attorney general for the Justice Department’s antitrust division. Trump stated that Big Tech has unfairly limited competition.
Slater served on Trump’s National Economic Council during his first term and advised Vance.
Trump also selected Michael Faulkender as deputy treasury secretary. Faulkender, a professor and former Treasury official, has also worked at the America First Policy Institute.
Trump also announced that Michael Whatley would continue as chair of the Republican National Committee, working alongside Lara Trump during the election.
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AP Aerospace Writer Marcia Dunn in Cape Canaveral, Fla., Josh Boak in Washington and Rob Gillies in Toronto contributed to this report.