It’s no secret that we had an election this week, and Donald Trump became president. That much is clear. It created a lot of noise on social media, protesters took to the streets, and the world looked upon America in disbelief.
Then, there is the sober reality of what was happening behind the scenes.
Here are five things that occurred to help the transition take place between President Obama and President-elect Trump:
Kellyanne Conway becomes first woman campaign manger for a president
AP Photo/ Evan Vucci
Much was made of Hillary Clinton’s shattering of the glass ceiling during the DNC, however another name has emerged over recent days in regards to historic female leadership: Trump campaign manager Kellyanne Conway.
Conway became the first woman to ever manage the political campaign of the winner in U.S. presidential elections, and she is expected to help play some role in the president-elect’s administration following his inauguration on Jan. 20.
Trump’s cabinet begins taking shape
AP Photo/John Locher
On Friday, President-elect Trump tweeted, “Busy day planned in New York. Will soon be making some very important decisions on the people who will be running our government.” As the days dwindle between now and Inauguration Day, political reporters will be studious in their attempts to figure out Trump’s guessing game as to who he will hire in the roles of prominent government positions.
On the campaign trail, he often touted the support of the 200 admirals and generals from the military, and Sen. Jeff Sessions of Alabama and Gov. Chris Christie of New York have been close advisors to the president-elect along with former Mayor Rudy Giuliani of New York.
Elizabeth Warren and Bernie Sanders vow to work with Trump
In addition to Sen. Bernie Sanders promising to help put legislation in front of Trump that will help working families, another member of the progressive wing of governance offered up a change in rhetoric from campaign politics as well: Elizabeth Warren. She cited democracy as being more important than the election of Trump, who had exchanged incendiary language with her over the course of his presidential campaign on Twitter.
Trump calls President Obama ‘a very good man’
AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais
In a 90-minute session on Thursday that served as the first of many times Obama and Trump will cross paths, the president-elect came away with a newfound respect for the president in a departure from the heated rhetoric he has hurled at Obama for many years.
“Mr. President, it was a great honor being with you and I look forward to being with you many, many more times,” he said, adding that the president spoke with him over some of America’s “some high-flying assets.”
Vice President-elect Mike Pence to head transition team
Screen grab, greatagain.gov
On Friday, Trump announced a shakeup in his approach to appointing government leaders. Dr. Ben Carson and other members of his former search committee will be vice chair on a new team headed by Trump’s VP pick, Gov. Mike Pence of Indiana.
“Together this outstanding group of advisors, 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,” stated President-elect Donald J. Trump.
“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.”