As the State Department carousel finally stops spinning and Presidnet-elect Donald Trump prepares to name his pick for the coveted top American diplomatic position, other names are popping up seemingly at random as the transition team attempts to fill numerous positions at the nation’s capital following the election.
Even former Boston Red Sox skipper Bobby Valentine is in the mix to drain the swamp.
Trump’s first 100 days are expected to move at a blistering pace — at least for Washington — as the businessman attempts to make good on his promises to kill off some of President Obama’s signature proposals and start making moves for the United States to become more competitive with the other countries that are “eating our lunch.”
Here are three things to know about what’s shaping up for the week of Dec. 12:
Investigations over Russian interference in U.S. elections heating up
On Monday morning, Washington became abuzz over the CIA investigation into the apparent Russian hacking of political groups allied to Hillary Clinton. GOP senators John McCain and Lindsey Graham joined a growing chorus of politicians demanding information be declassified over the state-sponsored meddling.
Meanwhile, some electors have demanded their own briefing on the extent of the operation and how it may have influenced the outcome. In an early morning tweet, Trump said, “Can you imagine if the election results were the opposite and WE tried to play the Russia/CIA card. It would be called conspiracy theory!”
Sen. Rand Paul, the disruptor?
The Senate Foreign Relations committee must clear the future deputy secretary of state to assume the position, and that’s something Sen. Rand Paul says won’t happen if the nominee becomes John Bolton. With 10 Republicans and nine Democrats, his vote must be secured in order for Trump to have his choice of nominees.
But Bolton? “That’s an automatic ‘no’,” Paul said. “John Bolton doesn’t get it. He still believes in regime change. He’s still a big cheerleader for the Iraq War.”
Rumored Trump Cabinet picks include some Democrats
Sen. Heidi Heitkamp, D-N.D., arrives for a meeting with President-elect Donald Trump at Trump Tower, Friday, Dec. 2, 2016, in New York. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)
In addition to the expected announcement that ExxonMobil CEO Rex Tillerson will assume the nation’s top diplomatic role as the State Department’s secretary of state, it appears as if Wall Street insider Gary Cohn will lead the National Economic Council as Trump’s no. 1 guy for economic policy.
Democratic Sen. Heidi Heitkamp is rumored to be the front-runner as the nation’s next Agriculture secretary, while Democratic senator Joe Manchin was also spotted at Trump Tower for a meeting about a cabinet position. Gov. Rick Perry, who famously forgot that he wanted to eliminate the Energy Department in a 2012 election gaffe, is now considered a top candidate to lead that department.