Romney and Mattis in running for cabinet posts

Trump seen as looking beyond his inner circle

BEDMINSTER, N.J. • Mitt Romney is a key contender to become the next U.S. secretary of state and retired Marine Corps Gen. James Mattis was an “impressive” prospect for defence secretary, president-elect Donald Trump and his No. 2, Mike Pence, said Sunday.

“Gov. Romney is under active and serious consideration to serve as secretary of state of the United States,” said Pence, the vice-president-elect who is leading the search for Trump’s cabinet members, in an interview on CBS’s Face the Nation.

On Sunday, the billionaire interrupted his tweeted criticisms of Saturday Night Live, the hit musical Hamilton, and Democrats to write that, “General James ‘Mad Dog’ Mattis, who is being considered for secretary of defence, was very impressive yesterday. A true General’s General!”

The comments were indications Trump is looking outside his immediate circle as he works toward rounding out his foreign policy and national security teams. On Friday, he named a loyalist, retired Gen. Michael Flynn, as his national security adviser. Trump said Sunday that one of his most loyal and public allies, former New York mayor Rudy Giuliani, was also a prospect for secretary of state “and other things.” Giuliani at one point had been considered for attorney general, but Trump gave that job to Sen. Jeff Sessions of Alabama.

Romney, the former Massachusetts governor and 2012 GOP presidential contender, and Trump exchanged bitter insults during the campaign, and Mattis has not been considered a Trump confidante. The appointment of more establishment figures could offer some reassurance to those concerned about Trump’s hard-line positions on immigration and national security and his lack of foreign-policy experience.

But even as Trump and his team discussed pressing issues facing the country and how to staff the incoming administration, the president-elect’s Twitter feed suggested other issues too were on his mind.

His targets Sunday included retiring Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid. Trump tweeted that incoming Senate Democratic leader Charles Schumer, another mediasavvy New Yorker, was “far smarter” than Reid and “has the ability to get things done.”

Trump received more visitors to his golf club in New Jersey Sunday. Trump’s transition team said former Texas governor Rick Perry was expected to meet with Trump on Monday. He also apparently was considering prospects to lead the Commerce Department, meeting with billionaire investor Wilbur Ross.

Trump also was making plans for transitioning his family. He told reporters Sunday that his wife, Melania, and their 10-year-old son, Barron, would move to Washington when the school year ends.