As he’s building his team… Trump picks confidants for key posts
US President-elect Donald Trump is moving ahead with selecting his next administration officials, naming close associates to key positions, as he chose a hardline “hawk” on China as national security adviser, on the eve of his meeting with Joe Biden at the White House on Wednesday.
After appointing three of his close associates to the United Nations, the environment and immigration, the president-elect is expected to announce the appointment of powerful Florida Senator Marco Rubio as Secretary of State.
Rubio, (53), is known for his tough approach to China and has called for tougher US sanctions on Iran.
He previously served as co-chair of the Senate Intelligence Committee.
Donald Trump and Marco Rubio haven’t always had a good relationship.
The Florida senator faced the real estate mogul in the 2016 Republican primary, a race in which he publicly mocked the size of Donald Trump’s hands and the color of his skin.
But the two men appear to have since buried the hatchet.
The expected appointment of Rubio, reported by several American media outlets, raises concerns in Kiev, as he considered in early November that it was necessary to end the war in Ukraine, which he said had reached a dead end.
Trump has chosen Michael Waltz, another hawk, a Florida lawmaker and former special forces operative, as national security adviser, one of the key White House positions.
Rubio and Waltz will be among the architects of US foreign policy in the second term of Trump, who promised during his campaign to end the wars in Ukraine and the Middle East and avoid any new US military involvement in armed conflicts.
The US President also announced on Tuesday the selection of former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee as Washington’s ambassador to Israel, and former Representative John Ratcliffe as head of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA).
Beyond the diplomatic aspect, the president-elect is likely to choose South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem to head the Department of Homeland Security, which is responsible for customs and border control.
Noem’s name had been floated as a serious vice-presidential candidate before the election, but she has faced a sharp decline in her popularity since she said she shot and killed her dog because it couldn’t be tamed.
Her statement sparked a wave of resentment in April among the political class and on social media, given that dogs occupy a special place in the lives of many American families.
Trump, who will continue making these appointments throughout the week, was also expected to focus on a court ruling scheduled for Tuesday on the legality of his conviction in a case involving his secret payments to porn star Stormy Daniels in 2016 to keep an affair secret, but the ruling was postponed until November 18.
New York Judge Juan Merchan was expected to issue his written ruling on Tuesday on the defense’s request to strike down the entire measure, after the US Supreme Court in Washington significantly expanded presidential immunity on July 1.
Trump will be in Washington on Wednesday for an upcoming meeting with Joe Biden.
Biden had pledged to ensure a peaceful and orderly transfer of power with the Republican president-elect, who won a landslide victory over Biden’s running mate, Democrat Kamala Harris.
Trump, who will be sworn in on January 20, will also head to Congress to speak with Republican officials.
The 47th president of the United States is likely to have full power in Washington, as his party has won a majority in the Senate and is expected to control the House of Representatives, according to the vote count that is still underway.
“It’s a great morning in Washington, a new day for America,” said Republican Mike Johnson, who will retain his position as House speaker, barring any major surprises.
The Senate presidency will be the subject of a close election among Republicans.
The world’s richest man, Elon Musk, who played a major role in Donald Trump’s campaign, has pushed hard for Florida Senator Rick Scott’s nomination.
