ARCH-RIVALS TRUMP, ROMNEY MEET, TALK ON WORLD AFFAIRS
NO BITTERNESS? Former Republican nominee being considered for secretary of state, Mattis for defence secretary
NEW YORK: Mitt Romney, a moderate Republican, who branded Donald Trump a “con man, phony and fraud” during the election campaign, on Sunday met the President-elect and had a “far-reaching conversation” on world affairs, amid reports that he is being tipped to be the next US Secretary of State.
BEDMINSTER: President-elect Donald Trump on Sunday identified retired Marine Corps General James Mattis as a strong candidate for US defence secretary, while Mitt Romney, previously a Trump critic, was under consideration as secretary of state.
Trump wrote on Twitter that “General James ‘Mad Dog’ Mattis, who is being considered for Secretary of Defense, was very impressive yesterday. A true General’s General!” Trump met with Mattis, who previously headed the US military’s Central Command, on Saturday in New Jersey.
Trump also met on Saturday with Romney, who is a possible selection as the top US diplomat.
The president-elect told reporters that he would likely have some announcements on top administration positions on Sunday but did not say which ones. On Sunday, Trump was to meet with several more contenders for senior jobs, including former New York mayor Rudy Giuliani, who also is in the running for secretary of state, and billionaire investor Wilbur Ross, who is being considered for commerce secretary.
Trump was also scheduled to meet with New Jersey Governor Chris Christie, who was a close adviser during his campaign but was removed as the head of his transition team. Speaking on “Fox News Sunday, vice president-elect Mike Pence, who now heads Trump’s transition team,” said Mattis has had “a legendary military career.”
Pence also said Trump and Romney “had a good meeting. It was a warm and a substantive exchange, and I know he is under active consideration to be secretary of state.”
Pence said Romney was willing to be considered for the job.
Trump takes office on January 20 and has working to fill key positions in his administration.
Trump’s incoming White House chief of staff, Reince Priebus, said on ABC’s “This Week” show Romney and Trump had a “very substantive” conversation in which they discussed foreign hot spots and other issues. Romney, the unsuccessful 2012 Republican presidential nominee, was a leader of the Republican establishment movement that tried to block Trump from becoming the nominee this year.
Conservative radio talk show host Laura Ingraham said on Sunday she is being considered by Trump to serve as White House press secretary.