Trump gets to work, meets Obama
US President-elect Donald Trump began putting together his administration with a series of meetings in Washington DC on Thursday, starting with one with President Barack Obama at the White House, which is a tradition symbolising smooth transfer of power.
Trump will have a luncheon meeting with the Republican leadership in Capitol Hill, home to US legislature, which will be instrumental in delivering on many of his elections promises, such as repealing Obamacare and overhauling the tax code. His transition team, headed by New Jersey governor Chris Christie will be sifting through mountains of applications for the 4,000 political appointments the new administration will make across the federal government.
Casting a shadow over all of these is speculation about Trump’s cabinet; specially the most important positions of chief of staff, secretary of state, defence secretary, attorney general, national security adviser and treasury secretary. Speculation is underway about Trump’s cabinet, with former Speaker Newt Gingrich among those reportedly being eyed as secretary of state and former New York mayor leading the race for attorney general, the country’s top prosecutor. Trump has himself not said anything yet and according to his campaign he hadn’t had the time or inclination think about it during campaigning. But leaks from his campaign do point to some of those being considered. Gingrich, who has spoken glowingly of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and calling him and Trump a “natural fit”, is reportedly leading the secretary of state guessing game, with Senator Bob Corker. Senator Jeff Sessions, an early supporter, retired general Michael Flynn and former National Security Adviser Stephen Hadley and former Senator Jim Talent are apparently among those being looked at for the secretary of defence slot. A long time Trump-friend and a Goldman Sachs veteran Steven Mnuchin is the only name that has been heard for the position of treasury secretary, that practically makes him a shoo-in. Trump himself has indicated he wants to give him that job.
Former New York mayor Rudy Giuliani is a leading contender for the position of attorney general, and he has not been coy about it, saying in a TV interview on Thursday he is eminently qualified for it, given his long experience.
Trump will be inaugurated on January 20.