ADDS FLYNN INELIGIBILITY
By Michael Hernandez
WASHINGTON (AA) – As he makes the rounds Thursday in Washington, President-elect Donald Trump is combing through a list of political allies to determine who will serve under him in his pending administration.
Many of the names winding their way through various news reports are familiar Trump loyalists: Rudy Giuliani, Chris Christe, Ben Carson and Newt Gingrich, to name a few.
Giuliani is a leading choice for attorney general, or national security advisor. And Christie is also a contender to become America’s next top lawyer.
He is also reportedly being weighed for commerce secretary, but the New Jersey governor’s chances of making his way into the Cabinet in any shape are being imperiled by a looming potential indictment.
Gingrich is in the running to be America’s next top diplomat alongside Sen. Bob Corker who chairs the Senate Foreign Relations committee.
Retired Gen. Mike Flynn, who led the Defense Intelligence Agency from 2012 to 2014, is also reportedly being floated to head the Pentagon.
Flynn, however, is likely ineligible for the civilian post as U.S. law stipulates that the defense chief must have left active duty at least seven years prior to assuming office. He could, however take another national security appointment.
Sen. Jeff Sessions who was the first senator to endorse Trump is also being weighed for the position.
Carson, the former Republican presidential contender and neurosurgeon, is being eyed to lead the Department of Health and Human Services, or to become the next surgeon general.
Other lesser-known names are beginning to emerge as well.
Former U.S. Ambassador to the UN John Bolton who is also reportedly in the running to succeed Secretary of State John Kerry.
Republican National Committee Chairman Reince Priebus, who is meeting with Trump on Capitol Hill with top Republican lawmakers, is the sole name to emerge for the key post of White House Chief of Staff.
Cabinet nominees typically have some level of experience in the area their departments would cover.
Trump’s final selections will likely become clear in the coming weeks, but any Cabinet appointment will require Senate approval.
After losing two seats in the chamber during this week’s elections, narrowing the Republican majority to 51-48, the approval process could prove contentious.
