DONALD Trump has made the first top appointments of his new administration.
The US President-elect named Reince Priebus as his White House chief of staff, and Stephen Bannon as his chief strategist and senior counsellor.
“I am thrilled to have my very successful team continue with me in leading our country,” Mr Trump said in a statement.
“Steve and Reince are highly qualified leaders who worked well together on our campaign and led us to a historic victory. Now I will have them both with me in the White House as we work to make America great again.”
Mr Priebus, a close ally of House Speaker Paul Ryan and head of the National Republican Committee, called the appointment “an honour” and predicted the billionaire “will be a great president for all Americans.”
The 44-year-old set forth the new administration’s priorities as being “to create an economy that works for everyone, secure our borders, repeal and replace Obamacare and destroy radical Islamic terrorism.”
Donald Trump has elected Reince Priebus his White House chief of staff.Source:AP
The chief of staff is seen as the gatekeeper and agenda-setter for the president, and is regarded as one of the most important jobs for an incoming president.
His position will largely involve steering Mr Trump’s agenda through Congress, and managing the several hundred White House staff members who will report to him.
In selecting Mr Priebus, Trump is turning to a Washington veteran with deep ties to Republican leadership.
As the president has never served in government, this role will be particularly crucial for him.
It will also be beneficial considering the president’s lack of political connections, with Mr Priebus well-known and well-liked by key Republican figures and politicians within Washington.
After all, the man has spent most of his career in politics. He was the youngest person to be elected state party chairman in 2007, and has been the Republican party’s longest-serving chairman.
But the New York Times notes Mr Trump’s choice is likely to anger some of his conservative supporters. They see Mr Priebus as a deal-maker who won’t rail hard enough on issues relating to health, immigration or taxes.
But Mr Trump’s decision appears to reflect the concerns of his children that the job should not be held by someone too controversial, according to inside sources.
The NYT also notes the two men couldn’t be more different: “While Mr. Trump, 70, is known for his brashness and at times his viciousness, the much younger Mr. Priebus, 44, is regarded for his low profile and humility.”
Stephen Bannon led Donald Trump’s presidential campaign in its final months.Source:AFP
Mr Bannon, 62, is a rabble-rousing anti-establishment social media entrepreneur who has previously been linked to white nationalist movements.
Mr Bannon led Mr Trump’s presidential campaign in the final months.
He’s the longtime chairman of conservative news site Breitbart News, known for its extremely conservative social and political coverage.
“We had a very successful partnership on the campaign, one that led to victory. We will have that same partnership in working to help President-elect Trump achieve his agenda,” Mr Bannon said.
Both Mr Priebus and Mr Bannon were expected to play key roles in Mr Trump’s administration.
— with wires