President-elect Donald Trump on Friday released the names of members of his presidential transition team – and it is bristling with conservative names such as Flynn, Giuliani, Sessions, Blackburn, Collins, Mercer and Bannon.
The team will address the thousands of decisions that need to be made as Trump prepares to be sworn into the office of president on Jan. 20, from the thousands of appointments to legislative priorities.
Vice President-elect Mike Pence was named chairman, and Dr. Ben Carson, New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich, Lt. Gen. Michael Flynn, former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani and Sen. Jeff Sessions will be vice chairs.
The executive committee:
- Congressman Lou Barletta
- Congresswoman Marsha Blackburn
- Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi
- Congressman Chris Collins
- Jared Kushner
- Congressman Tom Marino
- Rebekah Mercer
- Steven Mnuchin
- Congressman Devin Nunes
- Anthony Scaramucci
- Peter Thiel
- Donald Trump Jr.
- Eric Trump
- Ivanka Trump
- RNC Chairman Reince Priebus
- Trump Campaign CEO Stephen K. Bannon
Trump explained, “Together this outstanding group of advisers, led by Vice President-elect Mike Pence, will build on the initial work done under the leadership of New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie to help prepare a transformative government ready to lead from day one.
“The mission of our team will be clear: put together the most highly qualified group of successful leaders who will be able to implement our change agenda in Washington. Together, we will begin the urgent task of rebuilding this nation – specifically jobs, security and opportunity. This team is going to get to work immediately to Make America Great Again.”
Also confirmed was the appointment of Rick Dearborn, chief of staff to Sessions, as the executive director of the team.
And Richard Bagger, executive director during the preparation phase, will return to the private sector but will remain with the team as an adviser, as will preparation-phase general counsel Bill Palatucci.
Other appointments include Kellyanne Conway as senior adviser, David Bossie as deputy executive director, Stephen Miller as national policy director, Jason Miller as communications director, Hope Hicks as national press secretary, Dan Scavino as director of social media, Don McGahn as general counsel and Katie Walsh as senior adviser.
Advising Pence will be Nick Ayers, Josh Pitcock and Marc Short.
“President-elect Trump will bring about fundamental change in Washington, and these are the right people to make that happen,” Pence added.
“This team of experienced leaders will form the building blocks of our Presidential Transition Team staff leadership roster, and will work with elected officials and tireless volunteers to prepare our government for the transfer of power on January 20th.”