Trump appoints Mattis as Secretary of Defense
A source in Trump’s transition team says Trump has appointed Mattis as Secretary of Defense. Mattis joins a Trump national security team that already includes retired Army Lt. Gen. Michael Flynn as national security adviser and Rep. Mike Pompeo as CIA director. The official announcement is expected early next week. Mattis will need a waiver from Congress in order to be confirmed, as a legal statute bars service members from quickly entering civilian positions.
Trump appoints Carson head of HUD
Trump appoints Carson as Secretary for the Dept. of Housing and Urban Development. Trump:
I am thrilled to nominate Dr. Ben Carson as our next Secretary of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. Ben Carson has a brilliant mind and is passionate about strengthening communities and families within those communities. We have talked at length about my urban renewal agenda and our message of economic revival, very much including our inner cities. Ben shares my optimism about the future of our country and is part of ensuring that this is a Presidency representing all Americans. He is a tough competitor and never gives up.
Carson:
I am honored to accept the opportunity to serve our country in the Trump administration. I feel that I can make a significant contribution particularly by strengthening communities that are most in need. We have much work to do in enhancing every aspect of our nation and ensuring that our nation’s housing needs are met.
Trump nominates McMahon to lead SBA
Trump nominates WWE co-founder McMahon to run the Small Business Administration. Trump said McMahon had helped the WWE grow from a 13-person operation to a publicly traded global enterprise with more than 800 employees worldwide. Trump:
Linda has a tremendous background and is widely recognized as one of the country’s top female executives advising businesses around the globe.
McMahon:
Our small businesses are the largest source of job creation in our country. I am honored to join the incredibly impressive economic team that President-elect Trump has assembled to ensure that we promote our country’s small businesses and help them grow and thrive.
Trump to nominate Pruitt to head of EPA
Sources report that Trump will nominate Pruitt to head the Environmental Protection Agency.
Trump nominates Kelly to lead DHS
Trump nominates Kelly to head the Department of Homeland Security. If confirmed by the Senate, Kelly would be the fifth person to lead the department. An official announcement is pending.
Trump selects Tillerson as Secretary of State
Trump’s transition team announces that Tillerson will be the secretary of state. Tillerson had reportedly jumped to the front of the pack of candidates in recent days, despite not being mentioned on shortlists as recently as last week.
This story will be updated as news develops…
Trump names Cohn top economic advisor
Trump nominates Goldman Sachs president & COO Cohn as the Director of his National Economic Council. Trump:
As my top economic advisor, Gary Cohn is going to put his talents as a highly successful businessman to work for the American people. He fully understands the economy and will use all of his vast knowledge and experience to make sure the American people start winning again.
Cohn:
I share President-elect Trump’s vision of making sure every American worker has a secure place in a thriving economy, and we will be completely committed to building a nation of strength, growth and prosperity.
Trump picks Perry to head Energy Dept
Multiple news outlets report that Perry is Trump’s pick to head the Department of Energy.
Trump picks Gorsuch for Supreme Court
At an event at the White House, Trump selects Gorush as his candidate to replace Judge Antonin Scalia on tIf confirmed by the Senate, the 49-year-old would restore the court’s conservative majority, lost with the death of Justice Antonin Scalia. If successful, his nomination will restore the five-four conservative majority on the nine-seat high court.Trump:
[Gorsuch has] a superb intellect, an unparalleled legal education, and a commitment to interpreting the Constitution according to text. Judge Gorsuch has outstanding legal skills, a brilliant mind, tremendous discipline, and has earned bipartisan support…It is an extraordinary resume. As good as it gets. The qualifications of Judge Gorsuch are beyond dispute. I only hope that Democrats and Republicans can come together for one, for the good of the country.
Gorush:
The towering judges that have served in this particular seat of the Supreme Court, including Antonin Scalia and Robert Jackson, are much in my mind at this moment. Justice Scalia was a lion of the law. Agree or disagree with him, all of his colleagues on the bench shared his wisdom and his humor. And like them, I miss him.