What Trump’s New Cabinet and Administration Picks Have in Common

Numerous patterns have emerged among the many folks President-elect Donald J. Trump has indicated he needs to fill his cupboard and different senior-level positions in his administration.

Some factors of commonality are traditionally typical amongst senior White Home and cupboard officers — Harvard, Yale and Princeton are nicely represented amongst his alternatives’ alma maters, as an example. Different uniting elements are unprecedented: Many on the record have denied or questioned the outcomes of the 2020 presidential election, usually a prerequisite for gaining Mr. Trump’s favor. And a few lack the traditional qualifications shared by their predecessors.

Certainly, it seems that a very powerful qualifier in Mr. Trump’s thoughts has been fealty to him, which a lot of his picks have demonstrated in numerous ways over the previous few years.

See a few of the hyperlinks between greater than 60 potential members (in some instances pending affirmation) of the incoming administration, beneath.

Mr. Trump has picked two billionaires to guide key financial departments, elevating questions on whether or not his administration will comply with via on guarantees to spice up the working class.

Scott Bessent, his selection for treasury secretary, is a hedge fund supervisor who invested cash for George Soros, a liberal philanthropist, for greater than a decade. Howard Lutnick, his choose for commerce secretary, is a Wall Avenue govt. Each Mr. Bessent and Mr. Lutnick have been vocal of their help for Mr. Trump’s plan to impose tariffs on imports, though they might choose a extra focused strategy.

Billionaire entrepreneurs Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy will lead what Mr. Trump is looking the Division of Authorities Effectivity. Mr. Trump has mentioned the brand new initiative would operate outdoors of the federal government and supply enter to federal officers.

The president-elect has additionally chosen main marketing campaign donors for key positions, together with 4 to guide cupboard businesses: Mr. Lutnick and Mr. Bessent, in addition to Chris Wright to guide the Vitality Division and Linda McMahon to guide the Schooling Division. (Ms. McMahon and Mr. Lutnick are additionally co-chairs of the Trump transition.) As of the final federal submitting, their contributions to help Mr. Trump in the course of the 2024 election cycle ranged from $350,000 to $20 million.

John Phelan, Mr. Trump’s choose for Navy secretary, and his spouse, Amy, donated greater than $1 million to Mr. Trump’s joint fund-raising marketing campaign committee.

Steven Witkoff, a billionaire actual property mogul who has given nearly $2 million to Mr. Trump’s political causes over the previous decade, was named particular envoy to the Center East. He was on the golf course with Mr. Trump in September throughout a second assassination try.

Mr. Musk poured at the very least $75 million into a brand new pro-Trump tremendous PAC and promised on Oct. 19 to award one voter $1 million each day via Election Day. The Justice Division warned Mr. Musk that the giveaway may be unlawful, however a decide in Philadelphia refused to halt the sweepstakes.

Charles Kushner, Mr. Trump’s choose for ambassador to France, is an actual property govt who gave at the very least $2 million to help Mr. Trump.

After Mr. Trump left the White Home, Mar-a-Lago became the headquarters of the MAGA motion. Occasions hosted by right-wing organizations and politicians there largely changed conventional Palm Seaside society galas on the resort’s calendar, as a go to turned an important ceremony for a lot of Republican candidates.

A lot of Mr. Trump’s current picks had been common fixtures at Mar-a-Lago throughout this time. Some did greater than go to, selecting to host costly receptions on the property. As Mar-a-Lago’s proprietor, Mr. Trump is the beneficiary of its earnings.

Several of the proposed officials have held campaign fund-raisers or served on the host committee to support one other candidate’s occasion. Others hosted or co-hosted bigger events for organizations they lead or champion.

Mr. Trump’s felony trial in Manhattan was a staging ground for allies to prove their loyalty. A number of of his current picks traveled to New York within the spring to indicate help. Some had been there in knowledgeable context. Todd Blanche, Mr. Trump’s selection for deputy legal professional normal, was considered one of his trial attorneys, and Susie Wiles, Mr. Trump’s incoming chief of staff, was co-chair of his 2024 presidential marketing campaign.

Others, like Vice President-elect JD Vance and Doug Burgum, Mr. Trump’s choose for inside secretary, attended the trial as spectators and attacked members of the presiding decide’s household on behalf of Mr. Trump, who was underneath a rule of silence. Each had been thought-about potential working mates on the time.

Mr. Trump spent a lot of the marketing campaign distancing himself from Project 2025, a sprawling initiative spearheaded by the Heritage Basis that included a “blueprint” doc for a brand new conservative administration that was authored in part by former Trump staffers. However since successful the election, Mr. Trump has picked at the very least seven folks with ties to the controversial conservative coverage initiative to serve in his administration.

Venture 2025 additionally features a database of Heritage-vetted personnel supposed to assist a Republican president construct rank-and-file employees. It stays to be seen to what extent these candidates will likely be employed within the new administration.

The America First Coverage Institute, which just like the Heritage Basis is a pro-Trump think tank, can also be closely represented in his picks to date. No less than 11 of the folks amongst his picks have ties to the upstart coverage group. Very similar to Venture 2025, the suppose tank has ready staffing plans and a coverage agenda, and it reportedly has drafted practically 300 govt orders prepared for Mr. Trump’s signature.

A few of Mr. Trump’s appointees are closely linked to Fox as both hosts, former hosts or contributors. Pete Hegseth was a number on “Fox & Pals” till he turned Mr. Trump’s choose for protection secretary. Mr. Hegseth’s co-host was Rachel Campos-Duffy, who’s married to Sean Duffy, Mr. Trump’s cupboard choose for transportation secretary. Mr. Duffy additionally co-hosted a present on Fox Enterprise.

Mr. Trump’s selection for ambassador to Israel, Mike Huckabee, hosted a present on Fox for seven years. Extra lately, Mr. Ramaswamy was tapped to host a five-part collection on Fox Nation.

Many extra figures in Mr. Trump’s orbit are frequent visitors on Fox Information, and several other not counted right here have contributed digital columns to the Fox Information web site. Mr. Wright caught Mr. Trump’s attention partly via his appearances on Fox Information.

The revolving door between lobbying and authorities is a convention in Washington — and one of many practices Mr. Trump pledged to remove when he mentioned he would “drain the swamp.” However a few of the folks Mr. Trump has tapped for his administration have deep ties to that very swamp.

Ms. Wiles was registered as a lobbyist till early this 12 months. Pam Bondi, Mr. Trump’s selection for legal professional normal, joined a lobbying agency run by a outstanding Florida fund-raiser after she completed her second time period as Florida legal professional normal. Mr. Duffy lobbied for a coalition of airways in 2020.

A few of Mr. Trump’s alternatives not proven right here have acted as lobbyists with out formally registering — one other longstanding customized within the nation’s capital. Russell T. Vought, Mr. Trump’s selection to guide the Workplace of Administration and Price range, famous in paperwork for his 2017 Senate affirmation listening to that he had “engaged in grassroots lobbying.”

Greater than two dozen of Mr. Trump’s cupboard and different senior-level picks additionally served in some capability in his first administration.

Some have been chosen for roles associated to their earlier jobs. Thomas Homan was the performing director of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement throughout Mr. Trump’s first time period and has been named the border czar, a place that doesn’t require Senate affirmation, for the approaching time period.

Others have been tapped for roles much less associated to their earlier positions. Ms. McMahon was the administrator of the Small Enterprise Administration from 2017 to 2019, and he or she is now Mr. Trump’s selection for schooling secretary.

A number of on this record didn’t have official, full-time jobs throughout Mr. Trump’s final time period, however they had been chosen by him to take a seat on advisory boards. These folks embrace Mr. Witkoff, Mr. Huckabee and Mr. Musk.

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Discover the members of Mr. Trump’s proposed senior employees beneath.

Scott Bessent	Potential function Treasury secretary	Position in first time period —	Billionare Sure	Main donor Sure	Occasions at Mar-a-Lago —	Attended N.Y. trial —	Ties to Proj. 2025 or AFPI —	Ties to Fox —	Lobbyist —
Jay Bhattacharya	Potential function Nationwide Institutes of Well being director	Position in first time period —	Billionare —	Main donor —	Occasions at Mar-a-Lago —	Attended N.Y. trial —	Ties to Proj. 2025 or AFPI —	Ties to Fox —	Lobbyist —
James Blair	Potential function White Home deputy chief of employees	Position in first time period —	Billionare —	Main donor —	Occasions at Mar-a-Lago —	Attended N.Y. trial —	Ties to Proj. 2025 or AFPI —	Ties to Fox —	Lobbyist —
Todd Blanche	Potential function Deputy legal professional normal	Position in first time period —	Billionare —	Main donor —	Occasions at Mar-a-Lago —	Attended N.Y. trial Sure	Ties to Proj. 2025 or AFPI —	Ties to Fox —	Lobbyist —
Pam Bondi	Potential function Legal professional normal	Position in first time period Member of board of trustees of the John F. Kennedy Middle for the Performing Arts	Billionare —	Main donor —	Occasions at Mar-a-Lago —	Attended N.Y. trial Sure	Ties to Proj. 2025 or AFPI Sure	Ties to Fox —	Lobbyist Sure
Massad Boulos	Potential function Senior adviser for Arab and Center Jap affairs	Position in first time period —	Billionare —	Main donor —	Occasions at Mar-a-Lago —	Attended N.Y. trial —	Ties to Proj. 2025 or AFPI —	Ties to Fox —	Lobbyist —
James Braid	Potential function White Home legislative affairs director	Position in first time period Deputy to the affiliate director for legislative affairs	Billionare —	Main donor —	Occasions at Mar-a-Lago —	Attended N.Y. trial —	Ties to Proj. 2025 or AFPI Sure	Ties to Fox —	Lobbyist Sure
Taylor Budowich	Potential function White Home deputy chief of employees	Position in first time period —	Billionare —	Main donor —	Occasions at Mar-a-Lago —	Attended N.Y. trial —	Ties to Proj. 2025 or AFPI —	Ties to Fox —	Lobbyist —
Doug Burgum	Potential function Inside secretary	Position in first time period —	Billionare —	Main donor —	Occasions at Mar-a-Lago —	Attended N.Y. trial Sure	Ties to Proj. 2025 or AFPI —	Ties to Fox —	Lobbyist —
Brendan Carr	Potential function F.C.C. chairman	Position in first time period F.C.C. commissioner	Billionare —	Main donor —	Occasions at Mar-a-Lago —	Attended N.Y. trial —	Ties to Proj. 2025 or AFPI Sure	Ties to Fox —	Lobbyist —
Lori Chavez-DeRemer	Potential function Labor secretary	Position in first time period —	Billionare —	Main donor —	Occasions at Mar-a-Lago —	Attended N.Y. trial —	Ties to Proj. 2025 or AFPI —	Ties to Fox —	Lobbyist —
Steven Cheung	Potential function White Home communications director	Position in first time period White Home director of strategic response	Billionare —	Main donor —	Occasions at Mar-a-Lago —	Attended N.Y. trial Sure	Ties to Proj. 2025 or AFPI —	Ties to Fox —	Lobbyist —
Doug Collins	Potential function Veterans affairs secretary	Position in first time period —	Billionare —	Main donor —	Occasions at Mar-a-Lago Sure	Attended N.Y. trial —	Ties to Proj. 2025 or AFPI Sure	Ties to Fox —	Lobbyist Sure
Sean Duffy	Potential function Transportation secretary	Position in first time period —	Billionare —	Main donor —	Occasions at Mar-a-Lago —	Attended N.Y. trial —	Ties to Proj. 2025 or AFPI —	Ties to Fox Sure	Lobbyist Sure
Tulsi Gabbard	Potential function Director of nationwide intelligence	Position in first time period —	Billionare —	Main donor —	Occasions at Mar-a-Lago —	Attended N.Y. trial —	Ties to Proj. 2025 or AFPI —	Ties to Fox Sure	Lobbyist —
Sergio Gor	Potential function White Home director of personnel	Position in first time period —	Billionare —	Main donor —	Occasions at Mar-a-Lago —	Attended N.Y. trial —	Ties to Proj. 2025 or AFPI —	Ties to Fox —	Lobbyist —
Sebastian Gorka	Potential function Deputy assistant to the president and senior director for counterterrorism	Position in first time period Deputy assistant to the president and strategist	Billionare —	Main donor —	Occasions at Mar-a-Lago Sure	Attended N.Y. trial Sure	Ties to Proj. 2025 or AFPI —	Ties to Fox Sure	Lobbyist —
Jamieson Greer	Potential function U.S. commerce consultant	Position in first time period Chief of employees to commerce consultant	Billionare —	Main donor —	Occasions at Mar-a-Lago —	Attended N.Y. trial —	Ties to Proj. 2025 or AFPI —	Ties to Fox —	Lobbyist —
Vince Haley	Potential function Director of the Home Coverage Council	Position in first time period Deputy assistant to the president	Billionare —	Main donor —	Occasions at Mar-a-Lago —	Attended N.Y. trial —	Ties to Proj. 2025 or AFPI —	Ties to Fox —	Lobbyist —
Kevin Hassett	Potential function Director of White Home Nationwide Financial Council	Position in first time period Chair of the Council of Financial Advisers	Billionare —	Main donor —	Occasions at Mar-a-Lago —	Attended N.Y. trial —	Ties to Proj. 2025 or AFPI Sure	Ties to Fox —	Lobbyist —
Pete Hegseth	Potential function Protection secretary	Position in first time period —	Billionare —	Main donor —	Occasions at Mar-a-Lago —	Attended N.Y. trial —	Ties to Proj. 2025 or AFPI —	Ties to Fox Sure	Lobbyist —
Pete Hoekstra	Potential function Ambassador to Canada	Position in first time period Ambassador to the Netherlands	Billionare —	Main donor —	Occasions at Mar-a-Lago —	Attended N.Y. trial —	Ties to Proj. 2025 or AFPI Sure	Ties to Fox —	Lobbyist Sure
Thomas Homan	Potential function Border czar	Position in first time period Appearing director of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement	Billionare —	Main donor —	Occasions at Mar-a-Lago Sure	Attended N.Y. trial —	Ties to Proj. 2025 or AFPI Sure	Ties to Fox Sure	Lobbyist —
Mike Huckabee	Potential function Ambassador to Israel	Position in first time period Member of board of trustees of the John F. Kennedy Middle for the Performing Arts	Billionare —	Main donor —	Occasions at Mar-a-Lago —	Attended N.Y. trial —	Ties to Proj. 2025 or AFPI —	Ties to Fox Sure	Lobbyist —
Keith Kellogg	Potential function Particular envoy to Ukraine and Russia	Position in first time period Nationwide safety adviser to the vp	Billionare —	Main donor —	Occasions at Mar-a-Lago —	Attended N.Y. trial —	Ties to Proj. 2025 or AFPI Sure	Ties to Fox Sure	Lobbyist —
Robert F. Kennedy Jr.	Potential function Well being and human companies secretary	Position in first time period —	Billionare —	Main donor —	Occasions at Mar-a-Lago —	Attended N.Y. trial —	Ties to Proj. 2025 or AFPI —	Ties to Fox —	Lobbyist —
Charles Kushner	Potential function Ambassador to France	Position in first time period —	Billionare —	Main donor Sure	Occasions at Mar-a-Lago —	Attended N.Y. trial —	Ties to Proj. 2025 or AFPI —	Ties to Fox —	Lobbyist —
Alex Latcham	Potential function White Home public liaison director	Position in first time period Particular assistant to the president	Billionare —	Main donor —	Occasions at Mar-a-Lago —	Attended N.Y. trial —	Ties to Proj. 2025 or AFPI —	Ties to Fox —	Lobbyist —
Karoline Leavitt	Potential function White Home press secretary	Position in first time period Assistant White Home press secretary	Billionare —	Main donor —	Occasions at Mar-a-Lago —	Attended N.Y. trial Sure	Ties to Proj. 2025 or AFPI Sure	Ties to Fox —	Lobbyist —
Howard Lutnick	Potential function Commerce secretary	Position in first time period —	Billionare Sure	Main donor Sure	Occasions at Mar-a-Lago —	Attended N.Y. trial —	Ties to Proj. 2025 or AFPI —	Ties to Fox —	Lobbyist —
Martin A. Makary	Potential function F.D.A. commissioner	Position in first time period —	Billionare —	Main donor —	Occasions at Mar-a-Lago —	Attended N.Y. trial —	Ties to Proj. 2025 or AFPI —	Ties to Fox Sure	Lobbyist —
Invoice McGinley	Potential function White Home counsel	Position in first time period White Home cupboard secretary	Billionare —	Main donor —	Occasions at Mar-a-Lago —	Attended N.Y. trial —	Ties to Proj. 2025 or AFPI —	Ties to Fox —	Lobbyist Sure
Linda McMahon	Potential function Schooling secretary	Position in first time period Small enterprise administrator	Billionare —	Main donor Sure	Occasions at Mar-a-Lago Sure	Attended N.Y. trial —	Ties to Proj. 2025 or AFPI Sure	Ties to Fox —	Lobbyist —
Stephen Miller	Potential function White Home deputy chief of employees	Position in first time period Senior adviser	Billionare —	Main donor —	Occasions at Mar-a-Lago —	Attended N.Y. trial —	Ties to Proj. 2025 or AFPI —	Ties to Fox —	Lobbyist —
Elon Musk	Potential function Co-lead, authorities effectivity	Position in first time period Member of Nice American Financial Revival trade group	Billionare Sure	Main donor Sure	Occasions at Mar-a-Lago —	Attended N.Y. trial —	Ties to Proj. 2025 or AFPI —	Ties to Fox —	Lobbyist —
Janette Nesheiwat	Potential function U.S. surgeon normal	Position in first time period —	Billionare —	Main donor —	Occasions at Mar-a-Lago —	Attended N.Y. trial —	Ties to Proj. 2025 or AFPI —	Ties to Fox Sure	Lobbyist —
Kristi Noem	Potential function Homeland safety secretary	Position in first time period —	Billionare —	Main donor —	Occasions at Mar-a-Lago Sure	Attended N.Y. trial —	Ties to Proj. 2025 or AFPI —	Ties to Fox —	Lobbyist —
Jim O’Neill	Potential function Deputy secretary of well being and human companies	Position in first time period —	Billionare —	Main donor —	Occasions at Mar-a-Lago —	Attended N.Y. trial —	Ties to Proj. 2025 or AFPI —	Ties to Fox —	Lobbyist —
Mehmet Oz	Potential function Medicare and Medicaid administrator	Position in first time period Member of president’s council on sports activities, health and vitamin	Billionare —	Main donor —	Occasions at Mar-a-Lago —	Attended N.Y. trial —	Ties to Proj. 2025 or AFPI —	Ties to Fox —	Lobbyist —
Kash Patel	Potential function F.B.I. director	Position in first time period Chief of employees to performing protection secretary	Billionare —	Main donor —	Occasions at Mar-a-Lago —	Attended N.Y. trial Sure	Ties to Proj. 2025 or AFPI Sure	Ties to Fox —	Lobbyist —
John Phelan	Potential function Navy secretary	Position in first time period —	Billionare —	Main donor Sure	Occasions at Mar-a-Lago —	Attended N.Y. trial —	Ties to Proj. 2025 or AFPI —	Ties to Fox —	Lobbyist —
Matt Brasseaux	Potential function White Home political affairs director	Position in first time period —	Billionare —	Main donor —	Occasions at Mar-a-Lago —	Attended N.Y. trial —	Ties to Proj. 2025 or AFPI —	Ties to Fox —	Lobbyist —
Vivek Ramaswamy	Potential function Co-lead, authorities effectivity	Position in first time period —	Billionare Sure	Main donor —	Occasions at Mar-a-Lago Sure	Attended N.Y. trial Sure	Ties to Proj. 2025 or AFPI —	Ties to Fox Sure	Lobbyist —
John Ratcliffe	Potential function C.I.A. director	Position in first time period Director of nationwide intelligence	Billionare —	Main donor —	Occasions at Mar-a-Lago —	Attended N.Y. trial —	Ties to Proj. 2025 or AFPI Sure	Ties to Fox —	Lobbyist —
Brooke Rollins	Potential function Agriculture secretary	Position in first time period Appearing home coverage adviser	Billionare —	Main donor —	Occasions at Mar-a-Lago Sure	Attended N.Y. trial —	Ties to Proj. 2025 or AFPI Sure	Ties to Fox —	Lobbyist —
Marco Rubio	Potential function Secretary of state	Position in first time period —	Billionare —	Main donor —	Occasions at Mar-a-Lago Sure	Attended N.Y. trial —	Ties to Proj. 2025 or AFPI —	Ties to Fox —	Lobbyist —
D. John Sauer	Potential function U.S. solicitor normal	Position in first time period —	Billionare —	Main donor —	Occasions at Mar-a-Lago —	Attended N.Y. trial —	Ties to Proj. 2025 or AFPI —	Ties to Fox —	Lobbyist —
Dan Scavino	Potential function White Home deputy chief of employees	Position in first time period White Home deputy chief of employees	Billionare —	Main donor —	Occasions at Mar-a-Lago —	Attended N.Y. trial Sure	Ties to Proj. 2025 or AFPI —	Ties to Fox —	Lobbyist —
Will Scharf	Potential function White Home employees secretary	Position in first time period —	Billionare —	Main donor —	Occasions at Mar-a-Lago —	Attended N.Y. trial —	Ties to Proj. 2025 or AFPI —	Ties to Fox —	Lobbyist —
Elise Stefanik	Potential function U.N. ambassador	Position in first time period —	Billionare —	Main donor —	Occasions at Mar-a-Lago Sure	Attended N.Y. trial —	Ties to Proj. 2025 or AFPI —	Ties to Fox —	Lobbyist —
Scott Turner	Potential function Housing and concrete improvement secretary	Position in first time period Government director of White Home alternative and revitalization council	Billionare —	Main donor —	Occasions at Mar-a-Lago —	Attended N.Y. trial —	Ties to Proj. 2025 or AFPI Sure	Ties to Fox —	Lobbyist —
JD Vance	Potential function Vp	Position in first time period —	Billionare —	Main donor —	Occasions at Mar-a-Lago —	Attended N.Y. trial Sure	Ties to Proj. 2025 or AFPI —	Ties to Fox —	Lobbyist —
Russell T. Vought	Potential function Workplace of Administration and Price range director	Position in first time period Workplace of Administration and Price range director	Billionare —	Main donor —	Occasions at Mar-a-Lago —	Attended N.Y. trial —	Ties to Proj. 2025 or AFPI Sure	Ties to Fox —	Lobbyist —
Michael Waltz	Potential function Nationwide safety adviser	Position in first time period —	Billionare —	Main donor —	Occasions at Mar-a-Lago Sure	Attended N.Y. trial Sure	Ties to Proj. 2025 or AFPI —	Ties to Fox Sure	Lobbyist —
Dave Weldon	Potential function C.D.C. director	Position in first time period —	Billionare —	Main donor —	Occasions at Mar-a-Lago —	Attended N.Y. trial —	Ties to Proj. 2025 or AFPI —	Ties to Fox —	Lobbyist —
Matthew Whitaker	Potential function NATO ambassador	Position in first time period Appearing legal professional normal	Billionare —	Main donor —	Occasions at Mar-a-Lago Sure	Attended N.Y. trial Sure	Ties to Proj. 2025 or AFPI Sure	Ties to Fox —	Lobbyist Sure
Susie Wiles	Potential function White Home chief of employees	Position in first time period —	Billionare —	Main donor —	Occasions at Mar-a-Lago —	Attended N.Y. trial Sure	Ties to Proj. 2025 or AFPI —	Ties to Fox —	Lobbyist Sure
Steven Witkoff	Potential function Center East envoy	Position in first time period Member of Nice American Financial Revival trade group	Billionare Sure	Main donor Sure	Occasions at Mar-a-Lago —	Attended N.Y. trial —	Ties to Proj. 2025 or AFPI —	Ties to Fox —	Lobbyist —
Alex Wong	Potential function Assistant to the president and principal deputy nationwide safety adviser	Position in first time period Deputy particular consultant for North Korea	Billionare —	Main donor —	Occasions at Mar-a-Lago —	Attended N.Y. trial —	Ties to Proj. 2025 or AFPI —	Ties to Fox —	Lobbyist Sure
Chris Wright	Potential function Vitality secretary	Position in first time period —	Billionare —	Main donor Sure	Occasions at Mar-a-Lago —	Attended N.Y. trial —	Ties to Proj. 2025 or AFPI —	Ties to Fox —	Lobbyist —
Lee Zeldin	Potential function E.P.A. administrator	Position in first time period —	Billionare —	Main donor —	Occasions at Mar-a-Lago Sure	Attended N.Y. trial —	Ties to Proj. 2025 or AFPI Sure	Ties to Fox —	Lobbyist —