Rick Perry meets with Trump about a possible Cabinet post.
AUSTIN — Former Texas Gov. Rick Perry, reported to be on Donald Trump’s shortlist for a Cabinet post, met with the president-elect Monday as part of a continuing parade of high-profile Washington hopefuls.
Perry, 66, an Air Force veteran and early Trump supporter among the GOP presidential primary contenders whom Trump vanquished, had earlier suggested he’d be interested in serving as secretary of veterans affairs — even though Kellyanne Conway, a senior adviser to Trump, told Fox News that Perry was under consideration for defense or energy secretary.
Perry, who called Trump a “cancer on conservatism” as he dropped his presidential bid in September 2015, has since warmed up to Trump. He posted a photo on Instagram a week ago that he “just got a call to #makeamericagreatagain” in what fueled new speculation that be might get a Trump job.
Despite his early, harsh criticism of Trump, Perry later moderated his views and was part of a coalition of conservative and establishment Republicans to support Trump publicly once he became the GOP nominee. He campaigned for Trump in several states.
According to a press pool report, Perry entered Trump Tower in New York City just after 10 a.m. CST and rode an elevator up to meet with Trump. He left the building at 11:30 a.m.
Perry offered no comment to reporters at Trump Tower.
Trump also met on Monday with Oklahoma Gov. Mary Fallin, who is reported to be under consideration as interior secretary; former Massachusetts U.S. Sen. Scott Brown, who confirmed to reporters that he is being considered as veteran affairs secretary, and Hawaii U.S. Rep. Tulsi Gabbard, a Democrat who said she urged Trump to avoid any escalation of action or rhetoric that could lead the nation into war.
In recent days, Perry’s supporters in Texas have been excited about the prospect that he might return to a public role in a Trump administration, after a retirement to his small-town home in Round Top that was interrupted only by a short appearance on “Dancing With the Stars.”
Perry is among several Texans who have met with Trump in recent days, including his former bitter primary rival, U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz.
Other Texans who have been mentioned for possible Washington jobs: U.S. Rep. Jeb Hensarling, R-Dallas, is reportedly being considered as treasury secretary; U.S. Rep. Michael McCaul, R-Austin, is a prospect for homeland security secretary; and Dallas investor Ray Washburne, a key fundraiser for Trump in Texas, has been mentioned in news reports as a possible commerce secretary.