President-elect Donald Trump on Sunday identified retired Marine Corps General James Mattis as a strong candidate for US defence secretary, while Mitt Romney, previously a Trump critic, was under serious consideration as secretary of state.
Trump wrote on Twitter that “General James ‘Mad Dog’ Mattis, who is being considered for Secretary of Defence, was very impressive yesterday.
A true General’s General!” Trump met with Mattis, who previously headed the US military’s Central Command, on Saturday in New Jersey.
Trump also met on Saturday with Romney, who is a possible selection as the top US diplomat.
The president-elect told reporters that he would likely have some announcements on top administration positions on Sunday but did not say which ones.
On Sunday, Trump was to meet with several more contenders for senior jobs, including former New York mayor Rudy Giuliani, who also is in the running for secretary of state, and billionaire investor Wilbur Ross, who is being considered for commerce secretary.
Trump was also scheduled to meet with New Jersey Governor Chris Christie, who was a close adviser during his campaign but was removed as the head of his transition team. Speaking on “Fox News Sunday, Vice President-elect Mike Pence, who now heads Trump’s transition team,” said Mattis has had “a legendary military career.”
Pence also said Trump and Romney “had a good meeting. It was a warm and a substantive exchange, and I know he is under active consideration to be secretary of state.”