Trump names first cabinet pick, Eyes Putin talks

U.S. President-elect Donald Trump has made his first official cabinet appointment following his landslide victory in the presidential election.

The appointment of Susie Wiles as White House chief of staff marks both the beginning of his transition to office and the first step in reshaping the administration’s approach to key domestic and international issues.

Wiles, who served as Trump’s campaign manager, will become the first woman to hold the prestigious position of White House chief of staff. Her appointment was announced on Thursday, just two days after Trump’s decisive win over Democrat Kamala Harris, signaling a shift in leadership and policy priorities from the outgoing administration.

Trump’s overwhelming victory has already sent shockwaves through both U.S. and international politics.

The president-elect has indicated his intent to move away from the policies of President Joe Biden, including his approach to foreign relations, particularly with Russia. Trump has expressed his desire to open talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin, continuing the favorable stance he has previously taken toward the Russian leader.

In a statement following his victory, Trump indicated he had not yet spoken with Putin but expected the two would converse soon. The outreach contrasts sharply with the frosty relations between President Biden and Putin, particularly after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022.

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Trump has repeatedly criticized U.S. support for Ukraine and has suggested he would seek a peace deal to end the ongoing conflict. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, however, warned that calls for a ceasefire could be “dangerous.”

Putin himself congratulated Trump on his victory, praising the president-elect for his response to an assassination attempt at a campaign rally in July. The Russian leader expressed a willingness to engage in talks with Trump once he assumes office.

Meanwhile, Chinese President Xi Jinping also congratulated Trump, signaling continued international recognition for the president-elect. Trump’s friendly ties with autocratic leaders like Putin and Xi had been a point of contention during his election campaign, with Kamala Harris accusing him of emboldening authoritarian regimes.

On the domestic front, Trump reaffirmed his hardline stance on immigration, pledging to follow through on his plans for mass deportations of undocumented migrants.

In an interview with NBC News, he insisted that there was “no price tag” too high to enforce stricter immigration policies.

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Trump’s first cabinet pick, Wiles, is well-regarded within his team. During his victory speech, Trump called Wiles “tough, smart, and innovative” and emphasized that she would play a key role in his administration’s goals to “Make America Great Again.”

Trump’s victory comes in the face of numerous challenges, including a criminal conviction for fraud and two impeachments, as well as his status as the oldest-ever elected president at 78 years old.

Despite these hurdles, voter concerns over the economy and immigration appear to have driven his success in the election.

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As Trump begins working at his Florida resort on the transition, President Biden has pledged a peaceful and “orderly” transfer of power, calling for unity and urging Americans to “bring down the temperature.” In a televised address from the White House Rose Garden, Biden emphasized that “a defeat does not mean we are defeated,” while acknowledging the difficult political climate.

However, internal party tensions are already emerging over Biden’s handling of the election, particularly his initial decision to run for a second term before stepping aside in favor of Harris.

The White House has denied any regrets regarding Biden’s actions, with Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre stating that the president believed it was the “right decision.”

Trump’s appointment of Wiles is seen as a signal of the disruptive nature of his incoming administration.

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The president-elect is expected to take aim at many of Biden’s key policies, particularly in areas such as climate change, healthcare, and immigration.

Trump has previously voiced his intention to dismantle Biden’s green policies, vowing to prioritize oil drilling, and he has promised to overhaul the U.S. healthcare system with the help of figures like Robert F. Kennedy Jr., a vocal critic of vaccines.

In another potential shake-up, tech mogul Elon Musk, a vocal supporter of Trump, is rumored to be in line for a position auditing government waste. Musk’s backing of Trump and his companies, including SpaceX, Tesla, and X, could bring a new wave of business-oriented leadership to the administration.

Trump’s return to the White House also raises questions about how he will address Biden’s signature investment legislation, which has pumped billions into local economies. While Trump may seek to roll back certain measures, such as those aimed at combating climate change, he could face resistance from lawmakers in districts that stand to lose funding.

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As Trump moves forward with his transition, all eyes will be on his next steps as he prepares to return to the White House, reshape U.S. foreign policy, and deliver on his promises to his supporters.