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Trump administration taking shape; Romney, Giuliani, Palin possible picks for key roles

Dozens of names have been mentioned to fill cabinet and key administration posts.

By Doug G. Ware
Mitt Romney (L) leaves after meeting with President-elect Donald Trump (R) and Vice President-elect Mike Pence (unseen) at the clubhouse at Trump International Golf Club, November 19, 2016 in Bedminster Township, New Jersey. Donald Trump is yelling to the press that the meeting went great. Pool photo by Aude Guerrucc/UPI
1 of 6 | Mitt Romney (L) leaves after meeting with President-elect Donald Trump (R) and Vice President-elect Mike Pence (unseen) at the clubhouse at Trump International Golf Club, November 19, 2016 in Bedminster Township, New Jersey. Donald Trump is yelling to the press that the meeting went great. Pool photo by Aude Guerrucc/UPI | License Photo

WASHINGTON, Nov. 18 (UPI) -- President-elect Donald Trump continues to fill out his administration before his Jan. 20 inauguration.

The following is a list of cabinet and administrative appointments he has made so far and potential candidates for other vacancies:

President-elect Donald Trump (L) and Vice President-elect Mike Pence (R) pose at the clubhouse of Trump International Golf Club, in Bedminster, New Jersey, on November 20, 2016. Pool Photo by Peter Foley/UPI
Vice President: Mike Pence
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Age: 57

Prior service: Governor of Indiana (2013-2017), U.S. House of Representatives (2001-2013)

Trump chose Pence to be his vice presidential running mate this summer, prior to the Republican National Convention.

The 50th governor of Indiana will serve as Trump's second-in-command and president of the Senate. He is also first in the presidential line of succession. A former attorney, Pence was a supporter of Indiana's controversial legislative efforts to pass a religious freedom bill.

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Reince Priebus, Chairmen of the RNC, speaks during President-elect Donald Trump's acceptance speech on November 8, 2016 in New York City. Priebus was named by Trump as his White House chief of staff. Photo by Dennis Van Tine/UPI
Chief of Staff: Reince Priebus

Age: 44

Prior service: Republican National Committee chairman (2011-2017), Wisconsin Republican Party chairman (2007-2011)

Born in New Jersey, Priebus moved to Wisconsin at an early age and got involved in politics as a teenager. He became leader of the state's Republican party after an unsuccessful bid for state senate.

As party chief, he corroborated on issues with Gov. Scott Walker and House Speaker Paul Ryan. After his ascension to RNC chair, Priebus spearheaded efforts to unify the party and supported Trump through controversies during his campaign this year.


Senator Jeff Sessions of Alabama nominates Donald Trump for President during the Republican National Convention in Cleveland, Ohio on July 19, 2016. Sessions has been named by President-elect Donald Trump as the next U.S. Attorney General. Photo by Pete Marovich/UPI
Attorney General: Jeff Sessions
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Age: 69

Prior service: U.S. Senator from Alabama (1997-2017), Alabama attorney general (1995-1997)

Before entering politics, Sessions served in the U.S. Attorney's Office for 12 years. Before that, he was an attorney in private practice and was a captain in the U.S. Army for four years.

Sessions is considered by many as one of the most conservative lawmakers in the Senate. He supported many of President George W. Bush's policies, including the decision to invade Iraq in 2003.


Retired United States Army lieutenant general Mike Flynn leaves Trump Tower in Trump Tower in Manhattan, New York, on Friday, November 18, 2016. Pool photo by John Taggart/UPI
National Security Advisor: Michael Flynn

Age: 57

Prior service: Defense Intelligence Agency director (2012-14), U.S. Army (1981-2014)

Flynn's appointment is unique in that he is the only Democrat Trump has named to his administration team so far.

He reached the rank of Lieutenant General in 33 years of Army service and earned many of the medals available to servicemen in the branch. Earlier this year, he was named as a possible running mate for Trump.

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He retired from his post as President Barack Obama's Defense Intelligence Agency director in 2014, but some sources said he was forced out at the Pentagon due to his "chaotic" management style and clashes with other high-ranking Defense officials.


White House Chief Strategist: Steve Bannon

Age: 62

Prior service: Breitbart News (2012-2016), U.S. Navy (1976-83)

Bannon has been by far Trump's most controversial appointment to date. The former entertainment executive took over leadership of the right-leaning Breitbart News after the death of founder Andrew Breitbart in 2012, and helped grow the site to nearly 40 million unique visitors last month.

Some prominent Democrats, including Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid, have called for Trump to rescind the appointment of Bannon, saying Breitbart is an "alt-right" site and that Bannon is anti-Semitic, claims that Breitbart editors and others who know Bannon have vigorously refuted.


Kansas Rep. Mike Pompeo was announced as President-elect Donald Trump's CIA director on Friday. Pompeo also served in the U.S. Army between 1986 and 1991. Photo by Sgt. Debrah Sanders/U.S. Army/UPI
Director of Central Intelligence: Mike Pompeo
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Age: 52

Prior service: U.S. House of Representatives (2011-2017), U.S. Army (1986-91)

Pompeo received a law degree from Harvard University before founding Thayer Aerospace and leading an oilfield equipment company.

Pompeo was elected to the House, representing Kansas, in 2010 and was a member of the House Select Committee on Intelligence.


Other potential cabinet/administration members

President-elect Donald Trump greets former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani at the clubhouse of Trump International Golf Club, in Bedminster, New Jersey, on November 20, 2016. Pool Photo by Peter Foley/UPI
Secretary of State - Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney, former New York Mayor Rudolph Giuliani, former ambassador John Bolton, South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley.

Secretary of Defense - Former defense and intelligence official Duncan Hunter, former National Security Advisor Stephen Hadley, former New Hampshire Sen. Kelly Ayotte, former CIA Director Jim Woolsey.

Secretary of the Treasury - JPMorgan CEO Jamie Dimon, Texas Rep. Jeb Hensarling, financial analyst and film producer Steven Mnuchin, former Federal Reserve governor Kevin Warsh.

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Homeland Security - New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, Arizona sheriff Joe Arpaio, Milwaukee County Sheriff David Clarke, New York Rep. John Katko.

Director of National Intelligence - Former Homeland Security adviser Frances Townsend, former House Intelligence Committee chairman Peter Hoekstra.

Secretary of Transportation - New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, former N.J. transportation commissioner Jim Simpson, House Transportation Committee chairman John Mica.

New Jersey Governor Chris Christie arrives for a meeting with US President-elect Donald Trump at the clubhouse of Trump International Golf Club, in Bedminster Township, New Jersey, USA, 20 November 2016.
Health and Human Services - Former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee, former Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal, Florida Gov. Rick Scott, Trump transition executive Rich Bagger.

Commerce Secretary - New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, former Fed chairman Herman Cain, Georgia Sen. David Perdue, pro wrestling magnate Linda McMahon.

Interior Secretary - Oklahoma Gov. Mary Fallin, 2008 VP candidate Sarah Palin, former Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer, Lucas Oil CEO Forrest Lucas, investor Robert Grady.

Oklahoma Governor Mary Fallin speaks to journalists after meeting with President-elect Donald Trump at the Trump Tower in New York on November 21, 2016. Pool Photo by Aude Guerrucci /UPI
Labor Secretary - Restaurant businessman Andy Puzder, former Labor executive Victoria Lipnic.
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NASA Administrator - Former astronaut Eileen Collins, administrator Mike Griffin, Oklahoma Rep. Jim Bridenstine, former Space Council executive Mark Albrecht.

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