How will Donald Trump govern? Battlelines drawn between conventional Republicans and more radical supporters
Appointment of chief-of-staff may provide a clue to which way President-elect Trump will lean as he seeks to balance competing impulses
Fresh from a successful battle against a Democratic opponent, Donald Trump’s attention must now turn to defining his presidency.
His campaign offered two divergent approaches. He was a disruptive bomb-thrower when it came to general demeanour and his immigration and national security stances. He was a more conventional Republican when it came to his social-issue positions and economic concerns. His competing impulses are already on display as president-elect.
Responding to protests around the country on Thursday night, Trump first issued a tweet in keeping with the defiant tone of his campaign that “professional protesters, incited by the media, are protesting. Very unfair!”
Love the fact that the small groups of protesters last night have passion for our great country. We will all come together and be proud
“Love the fact that the small groups of protesters last night have passion for our great country. We will all come together and be proud,” he said.
The early discussions about key positions in his administration included similarly opposed sentiments, suggesting that Trump has yet to lock down precisely how he will approach governing the nation.
Among those being considered for presidential chief of staff – the figure who more than any other determines how well a White House works, and at what – was Stephen Bannon, who took a leave as chairman of Breitbart News to serve as Trump’s campaign CEO.