Retired neurosurgeon Ben Carson, a rival-turned-supporter of Donald Trump, overcame his stated qualms about a lack of government experience yesterday to accept the president-elect’s nomination to lead the department of housing and urban development (HUD).
Carson, a popular writer and speaker in conservative circles, has been a close adviser to Trump since dropping out of the 2016 Republican presidential primary contest.
He is the first African-American picked for a Cabinet spot as Trump fills out his administration before his inauguration on January 20.
The position requires confirmation by the US Senate.
Trump’s Cabinet picks so far have been mostly white men, although he has also nominated two women, South Carolina governor Nikki Haley as US ambassador to the United Nations and Republican donor Betsy DeVos to be education secretary.
Trump, who beat Democrat Hillary Clinton in last month’s election, has filled 13 high-level administration posts, with the key position of US secretary of state among jobs remaining to be filled.
He and Carson discussed the HUD position before the Thanksgiving Day holiday late last month, although Carson — despite his presidential run — had indicated reluctance to take a post in the incoming administration because of his lack of federal government experience.
Trump, a real estate magnate and former reality TV star who also has no government experience and has never held public office, expressed confidence Carson could do the job.
“Carson has a brilliant mind and is passionate about strengthening communities and families within those communities,” he said in a statement.
The transition team described Carson as a national leader who overcame a “troubled youth in the inner city of Detroit to become a renowned neurosurgeon.”
Carson said he was honoured to accept the post, saying he believes he can make a “significant contribution particularly by strengthening communities that are most in need.”
Other Trump picks have included retired Marine Corps General James Mattis as defence secretary, US Representative Mike Pompeo as CIA director, senator Jeff Sessions as attorney general, retired General Michael Flynn as national security adviser, Republican National Committee Chairman Reince Priebus as chief of staff and right-wing media executive Steve Bannon as chief White House strategist.
Carson, a highly respected neurosurgeon at Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore for 30 years, had also been considered for US surgeon general and head of health and human services department.
His business manager, Armstrong Williams, said last month Carson had decided not serve in Trump’s administration because “his life has not prepared him to be a Cabinet secretary.” But Carson said after meeting with Trump he believed he could make a contribution.
Ben Carson
