Now that he is President-elect, Donald Trump is beginning the process of filling out his administration.
Many names have been bandied about in the press, but little action had occurred.
That all changed when Trump rolled out three big appointments.
Trump nominated Alabama Senator Jeff Sessions to be his Attorney General, Congressman Mike Pompeo (R-KS) to be CIA Director and offered the position of National Security Advisor to Retired Lieutenant General Michael Flynn.
Politico reports:
Trump’s transition team announced Friday that the real estate mogul has offered the job of Attorney General to Sen. Jeff Sessions (R-Ala.), an early and prominent Trump supporter whose hardline stances and history of racial controversy could provide headaches during the confirmation process. The team also rolled out retired Lt. Gen Michael Flynn, who has made disparaging comments about Islam, as Trump’s pick for White House national security advisor.
“It is an honor to nominate U.S. Senator Jeff Sessions to serve as Attorney General of the United States,” Trump said in a statement announcing the picks. “Jeff has been a highly respected member of the U.S. Senate for 20 years. He is a world-class legal mind and considered a truly great Attorney General and U.S. Attorney in the state of Alabama. Jeff is greatly admired by legal scholars and virtually everyone who knows him.”
Rep. Mike Pompeo (R-Kan.), a member of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, has been offered the position of CIA Director. Trump said the Kansas Congressman “will be a brilliant and unrelenting leader for our intelligence community to ensure the safety of Americans and our allies.” Pompeo said he looks forward “to working with America’s intelligence warriors, who do so much to protect Americans each and every day…The team also rolled out retired Lt. Gen. Michael Flynn, who has made disparaging comments about Islam, as Trump’s pick for White House national security advisor…
The Sessions pick was widely celebrated by conservatives.
Sessions as Attorney General would be a strong voice for enforcing our nation’s immigration laws.
The Pompeo pick was more problematic.
As a Congressman, Pompeo was a strong supporter of the so-called “PATRIOT Act” allowing for warrantless domestic spying.
His appointment troubled many conservatives.
However, Congressman Justin Amash (R-MI) who is one of the leading voices for constitutional conservatism in the House of Representatives – and also someone who did not endorse Trump in the election – sounded a hopeful note about the pick.
I know @RepMikePompeo. He’s a great pick. Yes, we have our disagreements, but Mike will listen to our concerns and serve with integrity. https://t.co/DD9HOqyr7C
— Justin Amash (@justinamash) November 18, 2016
Many conservatives argue the grassroots will have to keep an eye on Pompeo as he has not been a strong defender of the Constitution during his time in Congress.
The final appointment was Retired Lt. General Michael Flynn as National Security Advisor.
Lt. General Flynn was an early supporter of President-elect Trump, and largely shares the President-elect’s views of a somewhat more restrained American foreign policy.
He has criticized the Iraq War as a mistake and blamed both it – and Obama’s conduct in office – for creating ISIS.
His selection represents a chance for our country to move past the failed policies of the last 15 years that the American people rejected when they elected Donald Trump President.
As President-elect Trump continues to roll out key administration appointments, The Trump Address will keep you updated on the latest news.
