Trump retains 50 senior Obama appointees [DETAILS]
President-elect Donald Trump has asked roughly 50 senior President Barack Obama administration appointees to remain in their posts after his inauguration to ensure continuity in government, according to Sean Spicer, incoming White House press secretary. The officials include the highest-ranking career officials at key national security agencies like the Pentagon and State Department. Deputy Defence Secretary Robert Work and America’s third-ranking diplomat, Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs Thomas Shannon, will serve as acting chiefs of their agencies until successors for the top jobs are confirmed by the Senate, Trump’s spokesman said. Trump’s selection for James Mattis, the Pentagon retired general, is expected to be confirmed on Friday shortly after the inauguration ceremony, along with John Kelly, a retired general, for secretary of Homeland Security. Senate debate on Trump’s choice of Mike Pompeo, for the CIA boss, is expected to start on Friday. It is unclear ...