**Trump Sets Modern Record with Swift Cabinet Appointments**

President-elect Donald Trump has swiftly moved to assemble his government, setting a modern historical record with his brisk pace of 12 Cabinet-level appointments in just 12 days since the election. This rapid progress is either a sign of an incredibly efficient transition or a process fraught with rushed decisions lacking proper vetting, suggested David Marchick, a transition expert.

President Trump’s pace stands in stark contrast to his predecessors. It took both President Joe Biden and President Barack Obama nearly 40 days to make a similar number of appointments. President George W. Bush, hindered by the lengthy Bush-Gore litigation, took over 50 days to make his initial Cabinet selections.

In his latest move, Trump has named fracking executive Chris Wright as the Secretary of Energy, and Will Scharf will take the powerful role of White House staff secretary, managing the flow of information to the president.

From a makeshift Situation Room at Mar-a-Lago, Trump is methodically reviewing approximately 40 top cabinet, agency, and White House roles. The setup, which includes numerous TV monitors displaying profiles of potential picks, is central to his rapid decision-making process.

Trump’s selection process is distinguished by its inclusion of campaign staff, congressional and gubernatorial allies, and loyalists from his first administration. His current team appears to be more aligned with his "Make America Great Again" (MAGA) platform than the initial team he assembled in 2016.

Chris Wright's nomination as Secretary of Energy is particularly significant. If confirmed, Wright will play a crucial role in influencing the allocation of billions in climate and energy-related funds from the Inflation Reduction Act. This appointment highlights the strong alignment with Trump's energy policy perspectives and the strategic direction of his administration.

As the 45th president prepares to assume office as the 47th, the assembly of his Cabinet and West Wing teams reflects a blend of efficiency and loyalty, signaling the trajectory of his upcoming term.