RARELY HAVE AN American President’s cabinet picks made headlines around the world.
But the American President has never been such an outsider to the political system before, so who his advisers are will naturally be watched closely.
So, who’s in for Donald Trump so far? Here’s a look:
Secretary of State: Rex Tillerson
Tillerson, the CEO of oil giant ExxonMobil, could face a difficult confirmation battle due to his close ties to Russia’s Vladimir Putin. His appointment has already caused controversy over Trump’s potential relationship with Russia as President. Tillerson has no government or diplomatic experience, but has spent a career forging business relationships and closing deals.
Treasury: Steven Mnuchin
A Wall Street veteran who was a partner at Goldman Sachs.
Defense: James Mattis
Nicknamed “Mad Dog”, Mattis is a retired four-star Marine general who commanded US forces in the middle east and southwest Asia from 2010 to 2013. A scholar of warfare, he is said to have a particular interest in the challenge posed by Iran.
Attorney General: Jeff Sessions
An Alabama senator who was once denied a judgeship amid concerns over past comments about black people.
Homeland Security: John Kelly
Another retired Marine, Kelly is expected to be very tough on illegal immigration and the illicit drugs trade.
Commerce: Wilbur Ross
The 79-year-old was once known as “the king of bankruptcy” for his skill at buying failing steel and coal industries and selling them for profit.
Education: Betsy DeVos
A wealthy activist and Republican megadonor from Michigan, DeVos is a champion of alternatives to local government schools, backing a movement that advocates the use of tax credits and vouchers to allow parents to opt out of the public school system.
Energy: Rick Perry
During the 2012 Republican Primaries, the former Governor of Texas both forgot that the Department of Energy existed and wanted to abolish it. Now he will head it.
Health and Human Services: Tom Price
Price is an outspoken critic of Obamacare.
Housing and Urban Development: Ben Carson
Carson ran for President, but has no experience of elective office. Carson, who grew up poor in Detroit, will be tasked with turning around America’s troubled inner cities.
Interior: Ryan Zinke
The Montana congressman is a retired Navy SEAL.
Labour: Andrew Puzder
The CEO of CKE which owns fast food chains Carl’s Jr and Hardee’s, is opposed to raising the national minimum wage. He also backs the increasing use of automated technology to keep labour costs down.
Transportation: Elaine Chao
The Taiwan-born former US labour secretary under president George W. Bush also served as the deputy secretary of transportation in his administration. She was the first Asian-American woman to serve in the cabinet and is the wife of Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell.
Trump has also appointed a number of people to cabinet-rank positions including his Chief of Staff Reince Priebus, climate change skeptic Scott Pruitt as head of the Environmental Protection Agency and South Carolina governor Nikki Haley as UN Ambassador.
He also added Linda McMahon, of World Wrestling Entertainment, as head of the Small Business Administration.
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