President-elect Donald Trump selected just before the Thanksgiving holiday two prominent Republican women to join his cabinet, adding diversity to his administration.
On Wednesday morning, Trump announced he would nominate South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley for US ambassador to the United Nations and charter school Betsy DeVos for Secretary of Education. Both are the first two women nominated for prominent roles in his administration.
Haley was an outspoken Trump critic during the Republican primary, but tepidly supported the GOP nominee during the general election and announcing a week before Election Day that she will be casting a vote for Trump. She became the first woman and the first non-white pick by the president-elect to serve in a cabinet-level position
“Governor Haley has a proven track record of bringing people together regardless of background or party affiliation to move critical polices forward for the betterment of her state and our country,” Trump said in a statement. “[Haley] is also a proven dealmaker, and we look to be making plenty of deals. She will be a great leader representing us on the world stage.”
According to Trump spokesperson, Trump and Haley had “natural chemistry” when they met last week and was an easy choice for Trump to select her as UN ambassador.
Haley accepted Trump offer shortly after it was announced she was picked for the role, calling it a “sense of duty” in accepting the offer.
“When the President believes you have major contribution to make to the welfare of our nation, and to our nation’s standing in the world, that is a calling that is important to heed,” Haley said in a statement. “Our country faces enormous challenges here at home and internationally, and I am honored that the President-elect has asked me to join his team and serve the country we love as the next Ambassador to the United Nations.”
Haley added that she will keep serving as governor until the Senate confirms her nomination.
“Betsy DeVos is a brilliant and passionate education advocate,” Trump said in a statement after offering DeVos the position. “Under her leadership we will reform the US education system and break the bureaucracy that is holding our children back so that we can deliver world-class education and school choice to all families.”
Within minutes of being offered the choice for the role as education secretary, DeVos called it an “honor” and pledged to oversee a “transformational change” in education.
“I am honored to work with the president-elect on his vision to make American education great again,” DeVos said in a statement. “Together, we can work to make transformational change that ensures every student in America has the opportunity to fulfill his or her highest potential.”
Both cabinet positions require Senate confirmation before they become official.
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