Trump's son-in-law, Jared Kushner, is named a White House senior advisor
President-elect Donald Trump
appointed his influential son-in-law Jared Kushner as a White House senior
advisor Monday, putting the young real estate executive in a position to exert
broad sway over both domestic and foreign policy, particularly Middle East
issues and trade negotiations.
Trump has come to rely heavily on
Kushner, who is married to the president-elect's daughter Ivanka. Since the
election, the political novice has been one of the transition team's main
liaisons to foreign governments, communicating with Israeli officials and
meeting Sunday with Britain's foreign minister. He's also huddled with
congressional leaders and helped interview Cabinet candidates. Ivanka Trump,
who also played a significant role advising her father during the presidential
campaign, will not be taking a formal White House position. Transition officials
said the mother of three young children wanted to focus on moving her family
from New York to Washington. Kushner's eligibility for the White House could be
challenged, given a 1967 law meant to bar government officials from hiring
relatives. Kushner lawyer Jamie Gorelick argued Monday that the law does not
apply to the West Wing. She cited a later congressional measure to allow the
president "unfettered" and "sweeping" authority in hiring
staff. In a statement, Trump said Kushner will be an "invaluable member of
my team as I set and execute an ambitious agenda."
Kushner will resign as CEO of his
family's real estate company and as publisher of the New York Observer. He will
also divest "substantial assets," Gorelick said. The lawyer said
Kushner would not be taking a salary. Ivanka Trump will also be leaving her
executive roles at the Trump Organization — her father's real estate company —
and her own fashion brands.
Kushner, who turns 36 Tuesday,
emerged as one of Trump's most powerful campaign advisors during his
father-in-law's often unorthodox presidential bid — a calming presence in an
otherwise chaotic campaign. Soft-spoken and press-shy, he was deeply involved
in the campaign's digital efforts and was usually at Trump's side during the
election's closing weeks. He has continued to be a commanding presence during
the transition, working alongside incoming White House Chief of Staff Reince
Priebus and senior advisor Steve Bannon. He's played a key role in coordinating
Trump's contacts with foreign leaders and has been talking with foreign
government officials himself, according to a person with knowledge of the
conversations.
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