Trump keeps US guessing as candidates line up

AFP /Former Texas Governor Rick Perry arrives at Trump Tower on November 21, 2016 in New York

Donald Trump met a Democratic critic of US Syrian policy, a forgetful former Texas governor and a raft of media executives Monday as he built a team to implement his vision for America.



The US president-elect's motley crew of advisors were gathered at his Trump Tower offices in New York, and talk was of retired general James "Mad Dog" Mattis being nominated as secretary of defense.

Trump's camp said no nomination announcements were imminent, but a stream of would-be appointees made the pilgrimage through the gilded elevator doors to the Republican's elevated sanctum.

AFP / Donald Trump choosing a cabinet

"It could come this week. It could come today but we're not in a rush to publish names just because everybody is looking for the next story," campaign manager Kellyanne Conway said.

Reporters had hoped for confirmation that Mattis, at least, would be confirmed as a nominee.
Despite the 66-year-old Marine's renowned frankness -- "Be polite, be professional, but have a plan to kill everyone you meet" -- he enjoys warm support in Washington and should sail through confirmation.

Getty/AFP/Donald Trump (L) shakes hands with retired United States Marine Corps general James Mattis after their meeting at Trump International Golf Club, November 19, 2016 in Bedminster Township, New Jersey

After Mattis, Trump's other choices may prove more complicated, such as that for secretary of state, reportedly between former Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney and former New York mayor Rudy Giuliani.

Both met Trump over the weekend at the Trump International Golf Club in New Jersey, but there was no steer as to which -- if either -- has the inside track to become Washington's top diplomat.

Another possible pick for a foreign policy post is Hawaii congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard, a Democrat but -- like Trump -- an opponent of moves to drive Syrian strongman Bashar al-Assad from office.

- 'Reset button' -

Gabbard backed defeated Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton's rival Bernie Sanders in their party primary, and met Trump amid reports she could become US ambassador to the United Nations.

AFP / Kellyanne Conway, (C) senior advisor to US President-elect Donald Trump's transition team, is surrounded by Trump supporters after talking with the media at Trump Tower on November 21, 2016 in New York

Afterwards, she said she wanted a chance to speak to Trump before "the drumbeats of war that neocons have been beating drag us into an escalation of the war to overthrow the Syrian government."

There was no immediate word on whether she had sought or been offered a post in the administration.

Former Texas Governor Rick Perry, whom Trump defeated in the Republican primary and who famously fumbled a 2011 debate when he forgot the name of the Department of Energy, also visited.

He did not speak to reporters after the talks, but he has been variously rumored as a candidate for defense, agriculture or... energy.

After meeting potential hires, Trump hosted private talks with news anchors and top executives from the six top TV networks and cable news providers.

AFP /Ivanka Trump arrives at Trump Tower on November 21, 2016 in New York

Conway denied that Trump was mending fences after having criticized coverage of his campaign, but added that from her point of view "it's great to hit the reset button."

Trump has been no slower than his predecessors to name a cabinet. President Barack Obama, after his 2008 victory, waited until December before naming foreign policy and national security officials.

But the 70-year-old property tycoon is a Washington outsider who vowed to shake up the ruling elite, so some of his choices may find it hard to get past the Senate -- or to obtain a security clearance.

Time may thus become a factor as the United States counts down to the January 20 transfer of power.

Trump's pick for National Security Adviser, former head of the Defense Intelligence Agency Mike Flynn, enjoyed high-level clearance until Obama forced the general's early retirement in 2014.

AFP / Oklahoma Governor Mary Fallin arrives at Trump Tower 

But he has since accepted hospitality from Russia's President Vladimir Putin and taken lobbying work from a firm reportedly close to Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, so he may face new questions.

The National Security Advisor role does not need Senate approval but Flynn will need to pass an FBI background check to restore his security clearance.

As a serving senator, Trump's choice to lead the CIA, Mike Pompeo, might expect an easy ride at the hands of his former colleagues, tasked with vetting his suitability for the sensitive post.

But he has argued that US spy agencies need unrestricted powers to collect data online from both US citizens and foreigners and has defended the CIA's former use of torture on detainees.

AFP / Donald Trump hosted private talks with news anchors and top executives from the six top TV networks and cable news providers, including CNN Anchor Wolf Blitzer

Republican Senator John McCain opposes torture and his colleague Rand Paul is concerned about mass surveillance, so he may face tough questions.

Trump's pick for attorney general, Senator Jeff Sessions, ought not to face stiff resistance from his Republican colleagues, but his record on race and civil rights has stirred a political storm.

Conway dismissed allegations that Sessions is a racist, pointing to his record as a prosecutor in Alabama and 20-year term as a senator.

But she would not be drawn on whether Giuliani or Romney will be secretary of state: "They both have been very distinguished public servants."

- Meets a Democrat -

Giuliani is Trump's most loyal champion, the first on air to defend him after footage emerged of the tycoon boasting that he groped women with impunity.

In contrast, Romney was Trump's most outspoken Republican critic during the race, branding him a "phony" and a "conman" who would destroy his party and bring shame on his country.

Late on Tuesday or early on Wednesday, Trump is to fly to his Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida to take a "brief" Thanksgiving holiday Break with his family

AFP