My Cabinet as President of the United States

By Tiger Shi
Web Content Contributor

The president of the United States is a powerful position in the U.S. government. Many imagine what they would do as president. I have responded to countless prompts with the question: “If I were president, I would…”

President Biden is liked by some and disliked by others. Regardless of what you think of him, he holds that place office. However, I would like to give a politically neutral take on what the country would become if I were the commander-in-chief and more specifically who would work under me. 

Vice President Camille Settegast 

I’d select Settegast as vice president because she has the qualifications of a leader. Settegast can manage her time well and is very organized. I met her at a party two years ago and she eventually became my close ally in politics at Texas State.

The 2020 election was an interesting one as we both supported the same side but had different ways of supporting them. Camille would be a great vice president in my hypothetical administration.  

Secretary of the Treasury Bradley Taylor 

Taylor is the first friend I made at Texas State. As an economics major, he is fit to tackle the economic challenges the U.S. would face. Some say a president’s term and chances of re-election depend on how the economy is doing at the time, and so Taylor’s skill set would be important. 

Secretary of Health and Human Services Kevin Le 

I have known Le since high school. However the last time I spoke to him was pre-COVID.

Le is most qualified to lead the health department as he dreams of working in the medical field. I know he was involved with an EMT program in high school and he wanted to be a medic in the Marine Corps one day. Regardless of which path he pursues, I know he will succeed. 

Secretary of Energy Adam Scardino 

I have also known Scardino since high school. He is currently involved with my podcast show and has a huge interest in sports news.

He is qualified to lead the energy department because of his knowledge in geosciences, Scardino’s major at Texas A&M. Adam is very outspoken every time I make an episode on my show about environmental topics. Therefore, I would nominate Scardino to be secretary of energy.

Secretary of State Matthew Smith 

Smith is one of the many people who helped me get a start in politics at Texas State. Smith’s major is political science and he has a goal of going to law school.

I can see him as secretary of state in my administration as I agree with him regarding foreign policy given the geopolitical atmosphere, specifically concerning the U.S.’ interactions with China. Smith has good insights of American law and international law so he is most fit for this job. 

Secretary of Homeland Security Cristian Cavazos 

Cavazos is one of my roommates and he said before that he wanted to become a border patrol agent. He has since changed his mind and looks forward to joining the Army as an officer. Either way, I can see Cavazos as a homeland security secretary because he does have insight into our country’s immigration system.

Secretary of Defense Kofi Boateng Jr. 

I knew Boateng when we were both in Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) in high school. He went on to join the Marine Corps and is currently a dedicated marine. I am grateful for his service and respect his dream of becoming sergeant major of the Marine Corps, a high-ranking position within the branch.

Boateng would be the most qualified to be defense secretary with his knowledge of the U.S. military. 

Secretary of Education Brittany Forsyth 

I actually do not know Forsyth personally but I did work with her during an internship program for aspiring teachers in high school. She is very committed in becoming a teacher and I respect her persistence. Therefore, she would very much deserve the position as education secretary. 

Attorney General Montana McMahon 

I am involved with McMahon in politics at Texas State. She is one of the many people I know that have a dream of going to law school and possibly running for office one day. I’d nominate her to be the lawyer for the federal government and the nation given her major in political science and knowledge in law.

Presidents usually have one goal that they aim to achieve. From President Obama’s healthcare agenda to President Trump’s border security agenda, policies matter in governance. My goal as “President Shi” would be to call for economic efforts to reduce the national debt.

Becoming president sounds awesome. However in reality it is a very stressful job. I would probably not run in the future unless I had the campaign funds to do so, but it is an interesting rhetorical scenario to think about. 

Featured image by Andie Mau via Canva