Trump transitions to power, meets Obama in Washington
WASHINGTON (KTVU/BCN) - President Obama and President-elect Trump sat side by side in the White House following their first meeting on Thursday.
It was a meeting between two men who had each called the other "unfit" for the nation's highest office. They were cordial and civil.
"We now are going to want to do everything we can to help you succeed, because if you succeed, then the country succeeds," President Obama said.
"We discussed a lot of different situations, some wonderful and some difficulties," said President-Elect Donald Trump, "So Mr. President it was a great honor being with you and I look forward to being with you many, many more times."
There was unexpected praise and no bluster from Mr. Trump, who has promised to undo much of President Obama's work, such as his signature health care act and the landmark nuclear accord with Iran. Trump also spent years promoting the false notion that President Obama was born outside the United States and unqualified to run.
Their first meeting in the White House Oval Office lasted 90 minutes and was longer than anticipated. Click here for a link to their entire news conference: https://youtu.be/rCf8j4QgSHw
The day after the meeting with President Obama, Mr. Trump tweeted about a "busy day" planned.
Mr. Trump has just two months to prepare for his new job as President. His team will need to fill more than 4,000 positions before he takes office January 21st.
Vice-President-Elect Mike Pence had his own meeting with Vice-President Joe Biden.
Then it was up to Capitol Hill for lunch with Republican House Speaker Paul Ryan. From the speaker's balcony they viewed the inauguration site. Ryan's past criticism of Trump the candidate, was replaced by enthusiasm for the potential of an unfettered Republican agenda.
"Donald Trump had one of the most impressive victories we have ever seen and we're going to turn that victory into progress for the American people," Ryan said.
"We're going to lower taxes, as you know. And we're going to fix health care and make it more affordable and better," Mr. Trump said.
He and Melania Trump also met with Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, who has indicated he will support some but not all of Mr. Trump's proposals.
"We're looking at jobs. Big league jobs," Trump said.
One of the big jobs facing the president-elect is appointing his cabinet. Sources say the tentative list includes his campaign's loyal inner circle:
Former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani apparently is being considered for Attorney General.
New Jersey Governor Chris Christie - also considered for Attorney General or Homeland Security
Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich - possible Secretary Of State
Alabama Senator Jeff Sessions - possible Secretary Of Defense
Businessman Steve Munchin...possible Treasury Secretary
Ben Carson - Health and Human Services
Florida Governor Rick Scott - Health and Human Services
Former Alaska Governor Sarah Palin - Department of the Interior
Former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee
Under consideration for possible White House posts:
Campaign Manager Kellyanne Conway, conservative Breitbart Head Steve Bannon and Chief Policy Adviser Steve Miller, along with campaign adviser Jason Miller, Republican National Committee Chairman Reince Priebus and RNC strategist Sean Spicer.
Mr. Trump returned to New York Thursday night on his private jet. He broke with protocol and tradition by not allowing journalists or a pool camera on board the plane or in his motorcade to document the visit.
Mr. Trump has in the past, vilified journalists and banned certain reporters from his events, because he does not like their reports.
First lady Michelle Obama also meet privately in the White House residence with Trump's wife, Melania, while Vice President Joe Biden prepared to see Vice President-elect Mike Pence later Thursday.
As scores of journalists waited to be admitted to the Oval Office to see Obama and Trump together, they saw White House chief of staff Denis McDonough walking along the South Lawn driveway with Jared Kushner, Trump's son-in-law. A handful of Trump aides trailed them.
The anticipated show of civility at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue contrasted with postelection scenes of protests across a politically divided country. Demonstrators from New England to the heartland and the West Coast vented against the election winner on Wednesday, chanting "Not my president," burning a papier-mache Trump head, beating a Trump pinata and carrying signs that said "Impeach Trump."
In Washington, Trump's scant transition team sprang into action, culling through personnel lists for top jobs and working through handover plans for government agencies. A person familiar with the transition operations said the personnel process was still in its early stages, but Trump's team was putting a premium on quickly filling key national security posts. The person was not authorized to discuss details by name and spoke on condition of anonymity.
According to an organizational chart for the transition obtained by The Associated Press, Trump was relying on experienced hands to help form his administration. National security planning was being led by former Michigan Rep. Mike Rogers, who previously worked for the FBI. Domestic issues were being handled by Ken Blackwell, a former Cincinnati mayor and Ohio secretary of state.
If Trump makes good on his campaign promises, the nation stands on the brink of sweeping change in domestic and foreign policy. He's pledged to repeal Obama's health care law and pull out of the landmark nuclear accord with Iran. He's vowed to build a wall along the U.S.-Mexico border and temporarily ban immigration from nations with terror ties.