Trump names first cabinet member, hints about talks with Putin

Trump names first cabinet member, hints about talks with Putin

President-elect Donald Trump has made his first cabinet appointment, selecting campaign manager Susie Wiles as White House chief of staff. This move not only marks Trump’s initial pick for his new administration but also introduces the first woman to hold this high-profile role under his leadership.

In the wake of his resounding victory over Democrat Kamala Harris, Trump’s election win is already causing ripples across both national and global political landscapes. Russian President Vladimir Putin, in a statement, commended Trump as “courageous” for his conduct following an attempted assassination at a rally in July and expressed his readiness to engage in discussions with him.

During an interview with NBC News, Trump noted that he had not yet spoken with Putin post-election but added, “I think we’ll speak.” This comment reflects a potential thaw in relations, contrasting sharply with the strained silence that characterized interactions between President Biden and Putin following Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine. Trump has frequently criticized U.S. support for Kyiv, previously indicating his intent to broker a peace deal in the conflict. However, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who spoke with Trump on Wednesday, responded to calls for a ceasefire, warning they could be “dangerous.”

Chinese President Xi Jinping also congratulated Trump, joining other foreign leaders who have extended their well-wishes. Harris had criticized Trump during the campaign for his perceived friendliness toward authoritarian leaders.

Reaffirming his position on immigration, Trump told NBC he plans mass deportations of undocumented migrants, stating that there would be “no price tag” too high to carry out these actions.

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– Commitment to ‘Orderly’ Transition –

As Trump began his transition work from Florida, outgoing President Joe Biden vowed a “peaceful and orderly” transfer of power. In a televised address, the 81-year-old Biden urged Americans to “bring down the temperature,” presenting a marked contrast to Trump’s reaction to his 2020 election loss.

Biden extended an invitation to Trump to visit the White House for talks. However, Biden’s spokesperson indicated that Trump’s team had yet to sign essential documents to formally initiate the transition.

In his address from the White House Rose Garden, Biden encouraged unity, asking Democrats not to lose hope and reflecting on defeat, saying, “Remember, a defeat does not mean we are defeated.” Nevertheless, the party faces internal debate over Biden’s decision to run for a second term, which he ultimately stepped back from in July, allowing Harris to lead the Democratic ticket.

White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre emphasized that Biden stands by his decision, saying, “He believed it was the right decision to make at that time.”

Trump’s victory, despite legal controversies and his age as the oldest elected president at 78, underscores a call from voters for a shift from the Biden era. Economic and migration issues were significant drivers of his support.

– The Shape of Trump 2.0 –

Trump’s choice of Wiles, a respected figure within his team, underscores the direction his administration is set to take. “Susie is tough, smart, innovative, and is universally admired and respected. Susie will continue to work tirelessly to Make America Great Again,” Trump said about the Florida native.

Potential appointees for other roles in the administration also point to a transformative agenda. Anti-vaccine activist Robert F. Kennedy Jr., whom Trump plans to involve in health policy, confirmed he would not mandate vaccine restrictions but suggested the removal of fluoride from public water supplies.

Additionally, billionaire Elon Musk could be positioned to oversee government spending, having enthusiastically endorsed Trump. Known for his right-leaning views, Musk is seen as a potential agent of reform within Trump’s administration.

Trump is poised to dismantle many of Biden’s policies, particularly on climate change. His stance as a climate change skeptic signals a likely rollback of environmental policies in favor of “drill, baby, drill” oil production plans. Nonetheless, he may face challenges in reversing parts of Biden’s economic legislation, which has garnered bipartisan support at the local level due to investment in various Congressional districts.

 

Trump names first cabinet member, hints about talks with Putin