US president-elect Donald Trump has made his first two key appointments.
The appointments came on Sunday.
Trump named GOP chief Reince Priebus as his chief of staff, and right-wing Breitbart news executive Stephen Bannon as chief strategist and senior counselor.
The two men had made up Trump’s chief of staff shortlist, and while Priebus got that job, Bannon’s post is expected to have significant clout.
But the president-elect sent an opposing signal by tapping Bannon, his combative campaign chief and former head of the incendiary Breitbart News, as his chief strategist and senior counsellor.
Bannon, 62, has openly attacked congressional leadership, taking particular aim at House Speaker Paul Ryan, R-Wis. – who recommended Priebus for his new job.
“I am thrilled to have my very successful team continue with me in leading our country,” Trump said in a statement.
“Steve and Reince are highly qualified leaders who worked well together on our campaign and led us to a historic victory. Now I will have them both with me in the White House as we work to make America great again.”