Originally posted by the Voice of America.
Voice of America content is produced by the Voice of America,
a United States federal government-sponsored entity, and is in
the public domain.


Trump Could Name More Key Officials Sunday

by Ken Bredemeier

   U.S. President-elect Donald Trump is meeting Sunday with more potential
   Cabinet members and says he could make additional key appointments to
   his new government.

   Trump, holding fort at his luxury golf resort in Bedminster, New
   Jersey, is meeting with two of his staunchest defenders during the
   lengthy presidential election campaign, former New York Mayor Rudy
   Giuliani and New Jersey Governor Chris Christie.

   Giuliani, a symbol of American resolve against Islamic terrorism after
   the 2001 terrorist attacks on New York and Washington, has little
   foreign affairs experience but has sought appointment as secretary of
   state, the country's top diplomatic job. Trump aides say he is
   considering other choices as well.

   FILE - Rudy Giuliani, vice chairman of the Trump Presidential
   Transition Team, speaks at the Wall Street Journal CEO Council in
   Washington, Nov. 14, 2016.

   Trump defeated Christie and 15 others for the Republican presidential
   nomination, but the New Jersey leader later endorsed the billionaire
   real estate mogul and campaigned for him. Christie led Trump's
   transition-to-power team until Trump dismissed him in favor of Vice
   President-elect Mike Pence after his stunning upset win two weeks ago
   over Democrat Hillary Clinton.

   FILE - New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie laughs at a question from the
   media after speaking in Trenton, N.J.

   Christie's stock in Republican circles was assumed to have diminished
   in recent weeks after two of his aides were convicted for their role in
   a politically motivated, traffic-clogging scheme over a bridge from New
   Jersey into New York. But Trump said Saturday, "We like Chris a lot."

   Trump tweeted that he is considering naming a 66-year-old retired
   Marine Corps general, James Mattis, whom he characterized as "Mad Dog,"
   to be defense secretary. Trump said he talked with Mattis on Saturday,
   describing him as "very impressive... a true General's General!"

   U.S. President-elect Donald Trump and Vice President-elect Mike Pence
   greet retired Marine General James Mattis for a meeting at the main
   clubhouse at Trump National Golf Club in Bedminster, New Jersey, Nov.
   19, 2016.

   Trump is also meeting Sunday with Kris Kobach, a Kansas official who is
   a hardliner against illegal immigration, one of the key themes of
   Trump's takeover of the government. In addition, the president-elect is
   talking with billionaire investor Wilbur Ross, a possible choice for
   commerce secretary, global investor David McCormick and conservative
   economic theorist, John Gray.

   Mitt Romney, who had been one of Trump's harshest Republican critics
   during early stages of the U.S. political campaign, was one of a parade
   of officials who met with him Saturday.

   President-elect Donald Trump gives the thumbs-up as Mitt Romney leaves
   Trump National Golf Club Bedminster in Bedminster, N.J., Nov. 19, 2016.

   Others traveling to Trump's New Jersey golf course for meetings
   included education activists Michelle Rhee and Betsy DeVos, as well as
   Mattis.

   Trump, outside the Trump National Golf Club, displayed a thumbs-up
   gesture and said, "Went great," as he and Romney exited. But it was not
   immediately clear whether Romney would play any role in the new Trump
   government that takes over January 20 as President Barack Obama leaves
   office. Romney, a business investor and former Massachusetts governor,
   lost the 2012 presidential election to Obama.