Don’t miss the latest developments in business and finance.

Outsiders selected by Trump aim to unnerve Washington

Some of the chosen are among the most radical selections in recent history

US President-elect Donald Trump (Photo: Reuters)
US President-elect Donald Trump. Photo: Reuters
The New York Times
Last Updated : Dec 19 2016 | 1:50 AM IST
Some of the chosen — 17 picks so far for federal agencies and five for the White House — are among the most radical selections in recent history. Other presidents’ nominees, even when controversial, were often veterans of the Washington bureaucracy and generally believed in it. But a number of  Trump’s most important selections have no experience in federal government and a great drive to undo it. Here is a look at the groups:

The Disrupters

The disrupters appear to have been picked in part for their singular ability to shake up the normal course of business at their agencies
 
- Scott Pruitt, the Oklahoma state attorney general,  picked to lead the EPA 
- Betsy DeVos, picked to head the Education Department
- Rick Perry picked as the head of the Energy Department 

More From This Section

- Jeff Sessions will head the Justice Department

The Dealmakers

Trump, who puts a premium on the ability to negotiate in business and finance, has chosen: 

- Wilbur Ross to lead the Commerce Department
- Steven Mnuchin to lead the Treasury Department
- Rex W Tillerson to be secretary of state

The Loyalists

Like most future presidents, Trump has also positioned loyal, trusted aides to be close to him at the White House
 
- Reince Priebus picked as White House chief of staff 
- Stephen K Bannon, chief strategist 
- Michael Flynn becomes national security advisor 
- Linda McMahon chosen for the Small Business Administration

The Establishment

If there was one group Trump repeatedly derided on the campaign trail, it was the establishment
 
- Nikki Haley, the governor of South Carolina, as US envoy to the UN 
- Michael Pompeo,  Kansa Representative for CIA director 
- Elaine Chao to be secretary of transportation

The Generals

Ultimately there may be no more direct expression of Trump’s psyche in his administration picks than the generals
 
- Gen James N Mattis picked as defense secretary 
- Gen John F Kelly picked as  homeland security secretary
- Ryan Zinke to be interior secretary

Also Read

First Published: Dec 19 2016 | 1:40 AM IST

Next Story