PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP’S TEAM SO FAR

Defence Secretary James Mattis: A retired Marine Corps general, who is known for his tough talk, distrust of Iran and battlefield experience in Iraq and Afghanistan. A former leader of Central Command, which oversees US military operations in the Middle East and South Asia, Mattis, 66, known by many in the US forces by his nickname Mad Dog.

Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin: Mnuchin, 53, is a relatively little-known but successful private equity investor, hedge fund manager and Hollywood financier, who spent 17 years at Goldman Sachs before leaving in 2002.

Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross: Ross, 78, heads the private equity firm WL Ross & Co. His net worth was pegged by Forbes at about $2.9 billion. A staunch supporter of Trump and an economic advisor, Ross has helped shape the Trump campaign’s views on trade policy.

Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao: Chao, 63, was labour secretary under president George W Bush for eight years and the first Asian-American woman to hold a Cabinet position.

Health and Human Services Secretary US representative Tom Price : Price, 62, is an orthopaedic surgeon, who heads the House of Representatives’ Budget Committee. Price has criticised Obamacare and championed a plan of tax credits, expanded health savings accounts and lawsuit reforms to replace it. He is opposed to abortion.

US Ambassador to the United Nations Governor Nikki Haley: A 44-year-old Republican, she has been governor of South Carolina since 2011 and has little experience in foreign policy or the federal government.

Education Secretary Betsy DeVos: DeVos, 58, is a billionaire Republican donor, a former chair of the Michigan Republican Party and an advocate for the privatisation of education.