Trump Makes Two Key Appointments

US President-elect Donald Trump has chosen Reince Priebus, chairman of the Republican National Committee (RNC), as his future chief of staff.

He is said to have good ties with both Trump and House Speaker Paul Ryan, who opposed many of Trump’s policies during the campaign.

As chief of staff, he will set the tone for the new White House and act as a conduit to Congress and the government.

Trump also announced Stephen Bannon would serve as chief strategist.

Bannon stepped down as executive chairman of the conservative ‘Breitbart News Network’ to act as Trump’s campaign chief.

The Republican candidate defeated Democrat Hillary Clinton in Tuesday’s presidential vote, in a result which shocked many, who had expected Mrs Clinton to win following favourable opinion polls.

Trump is due to take over at the White House on January 20, when Barack Obama steps down after two terms in office.

“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.”

Priebus, 44, acted as a bridge between Trump and the Republican party establishment during the campaign, reports the BBC.

He is close to Ryan, a fellow Wisconsinite, who could be instrumental in steering the new administration’s legislative agenda.

Elected chairman of the RNC in 2011, Priebus has acted as the party’s spokesman and chief fundraiser, helping candidates running for re-election.

During the election race, Bannon saw it as his aim to “bolster the business-like approach of Trump’s campaign”.

Breitbart is the most-read conservative news website in the US, set up to challenge the power of mainstream media.

Correspondents say one of the big challenges of the new administration will be reconciling Trump with the mainstream Republican party, where sharp divisions emerged during the primaries.

Both houses of Congress are under Republican control.