Donald Trump chooses former campaign rival Ben Carson as Housing Secretary
Updated
President-elect Donald Trump has chosen former campaign rival Ben Carson to become Secretary of the Department of Housing and Urban Development.
Key points:
- Trump releases statement praising Carson's "brilliant mind"
- Carson briefly led Trump, other rivals in polls during Republican primary
- Carson was famed for becoming the first person to separate twins conjoined at the head
Mr Trump's decision, announced on Monday by his transition office, comes as the real estate mogul continues a series of interviews, meetings with aides and other deliberations aimed at forming his administration.
In a statement, Mr Trump said he was "thrilled to nominate" Dr Carson, saying he "has a brilliant mind and is passionate about strengthening communities and families within those communities".
Dr Carson said he was honoured to accept the post, which requires confirmation by the US Senate.
"I feel that I can make a significant contribution particularly by strengthening communities that are most in need," he said in the statement.
Dr Carson had previously been coy about joining the new administration, saying shortly after Mr Trump's election victory that he was not certain he would fit into a cabinet-style role.
The discussion at that time centred on speculation that Dr Carson might be selected to head the sprawling Department of Health and Human Services.
Mr Trump's statement said: "Ben shares my optimism about the future of our country and is part of ensuring that this is a presidency representing all Americans."
Dr Carson was among the 16 Republican candidates who challenged Mr Trump for the Republican nomination.
During the primary, Dr Carson's inspirational life story, Christian faith and anti-establishment message briefly catapulted him last year ahead of Mr Trump and other rivals in opinion polls.
He was a favourite of religious conservatives and a strong fundraiser, but his team burned through money quickly and he failed to win any of the early primary contests.
Dr Carson was the first African-American named as the head of paediatric neurosurgery at Johns Hopkins Children's Centre in Baltimore.
There he garnered national acclaim for directing the first surgery to separate twins connected at the back of the head.
Trump settles on man with a 'pathological temper'
Mr Trump treated Dr Carson harshly during the primary, saying he had a "pathological temper".
Still, Dr Carson quickly endorsed Mr Trump after he dropped out of the contest.
As a Trump supporter, Dr Carson was both loyal and critical.
He conceded that Mr Trump had "major defects" and said at one point he would have preferred a scenario other than Mr Trump winning the Republican primary.
Last week, Mr Trump announced he planned to nominate former Goldman Sachs executive Steven Mnuchin as his Treasury Secretary and billionaire investor Wilbur Ross to lead the Commerce Department.
He chose Betsy DeVos to be Secretary of Education and Elaine Chao, the wife of Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell, to be Transportation Secretary.
Mr Trump also has turned to retired Marine General James Mattis to be Secretary of Defence.
AP/Reuters
Topics: us-elections, government-and-politics, world-politics, united-states
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