BEDMINSTER,
N.J. (AP) — Mitt Romney is a key contender to become the nation's next
secretary of state and retired Marine Corps Gen. James Mattis was an
"impressive" prospect for defense secretary, President-elect Donald
Trump and his No. 2, Mike Pence, said Sunday.
"Gov.
Romney is under active and serious consideration to serve as secretary
of state of the United States," said Pence, the vice president-elect who
is leading the search for Trump's cabinet members, in an interview on
CBS's "Face the Nation."
On
Sunday, the billionaire interrupted his tweeted criticisms of "Saturday
Night Live," the hit musical "Hamilton," and Democrats to write that,
"General James 'Mad Dog' Mattis, who is being considered for secretary
of defense, was very impressive yesterday. A true General's General!"
The
comments were indications that Trump is looking outside his immediate
circle as he works toward rounding out his foreign policy and national
security teams. On Friday, he named a loyalist, ret. Gen. Michael Flynn,
as his national security adviser.
Romney,
the former Massachusetts governor and 2012 GOP presidential contender,
and Trump exchanged bitter insults during the campaign, and Mattis has
not been considered a Trump confidante. The appointment of more
establishment figures could offer some reassurance to lawmakers and
others concerned about Trump's hard-line positions on immigration and
national security and his lack of foreign policy experience.
But
even as Trump and his team discussed pressing issues facing the country
and how to staff the incoming administration, the president-elect's
Twitter feed suggested other issues too were on his mind.
His
targets Sunday included retiring Democratic Leader Harry Reid. Trump
tweeted that incoming Senate Democratic Leader Charles Schumer, another
media-savvy New Yorker, was "far smarter" than Reid and "has the ability
to get things done."
Trump
also complained that "Saturday Night Live," which thrives on making fun
of politicians, is "biased" and not funny. The night before, actor Alec
Baldwin portrayed Trump as Googling, "What is ISIS?"
Trump
also insisted again that the cast and producers of "Hamilton" should
apologize after the lead actor addressed Pence from the stage Friday
night, telling the vice president-elect that "diverse America" was
"alarmed and anxious" about the incoming administration. Pence said on
CBS's "Face the Nation" that he enjoyed the show and wasn't offended.
Meanwhile,
Trump received more visitors to his golf club in New Jersey Sunday. His
schedule in Bedminster was to include former New York City Mayor Rudy
Giuliani and Kansas Secretary of State Kris Kobach.
Trump's
transition team said former Texas governor and GOP presidential rival
Rick Perry was expected to meet with Trump on Monday.
The
businessman and president-elect also apparently was considering
prospects to lead the Commerce Department, meeting with billionaire
investor Wilbur Ross.
"Time will tell," Ross told reporters when asked if he wanted to the post.
Both
Romney and Trump put on a show of smiles, a public handshake and a
thumbs-up Saturday, a marked shift in tone after a year in which Romney
attacked Trump as a "con man" and Trump labeled him a "loser." But the
two have started to mend fences since Trump's victory over Democrat
Hillary Clinton.
Trump
started filling key administration positions on Friday, picking Alabama
Sen. Jeff Sessions for attorney general and Kansas Rep. Mike Pompeo to
head the CIA, signaling a sharp rightward shift in U.S. security policy
as he begins to form his Cabinet. Trump also named retired Lt. Gen
Michael Flynn as his national security adviser.
Trump's
initial decisions suggest a more aggressive military involvement in
counterterror strategy and a greater emphasis on Islam's role in stoking
extremism. Sessions, who is best known for his hard line immigration
views, has questioned whether terrorist suspects should benefit from the
rights available in U.S. courts. Pompeo has said Muslim leaders are
"potentially complicit" in attacks if they do not denounce violence
carried out in the name of Islam.
Pompeo's
nomination to lead the CIA also opens the prospect of the U.S. resuming
torture of detainees. Trump has backed harsh interrogation techniques
that President Barack Obama and Congress have banned, saying the U.S.
"should go tougher than waterboarding," which simulates drowning. In
2014, Pompeo criticized Obama for "ending our interrogation program" and
said intelligence officials "are not torturers, they are patriots."
Sessions and Pompeo would both require Senate confirmation; Flynn would not.
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