A prominent legal figure in Donald Trump's inner circle secures a top position in his anticipated administration.
According to Fox News, President-elect Trump has appointed Alina Habba, his senior adviser and attorney, as counselor to the President, while simultaneously announcing several key State Department nominations.
Trump praised Habba's unwavering dedication to his campaign and transition team, highlighting her role as a defender of the rule of law. He emphasized her unique understanding of what he terms the weaponization of the justice system, gained through numerous court appearances alongside him.
Habba, a first-generation American of Middle Eastern heritage, has earned recognition as Chaldean Woman of the Year.
Christopher Landau, Trump's former Ambassador to Mexico, has been nominated as Deputy Secretary of State. During his previous tenure, Landau worked extensively with Trump's team to achieve historically low illegal migration levels. His impressive legal background includes clerkships with Supreme Court Justices Antonin Scalia and Clarence Thomas.
The State Department appointments continue with Michael Needham, who will serve as counselor. Needham brings valuable experience from his years of working alongside Secretary of State nominee Marco Rubio.
This appointment strengthens the connection between key administration figures and suggests a coordinated approach to foreign policy implementation.
Trump has also selected Michael Anton for the position of director of policy planning in the State Department. Anton's previous experience includes serving in Trump's National Security Council during his first term. His background spans government service, private sector work, and academia, making him well-suited to explain and implement America First foreign policy principles.
In a related announcement, Trump congratulated Brian Schimming on his re-election as Wisconsin GOP chairman. The president-elect shared his thoughts on Schimming's leadership, praising his long-standing support.
Trump posted on Truth Social:
Brian has been with us from the very beginning and has been key to our many Republican Victories in the Badger State, including our HISTORIC WIN in 2024. Brian is MAGA all the way, and I look forward to continuing working with him to grow our America First Movement in 2026, and beyond!
President-elect Trump has appointed Alina Habba as White House counselor, recognizing her steadfast loyalty and legal expertise demonstrated throughout numerous court battles.
The announcement came alongside several State Department nominations, including Christopher Landau as Deputy Secretary of State, Michael Needham as department counselor, and Michael Anton as director of policy planning.
These appointments reflect Trump's commitment to building an administration focused on implementing his America First agenda, with particular emphasis on foreign policy and legal matters. The nominations suggest a strategic approach to staffing key positions with individuals who have previously served in his administration or demonstrated strong alignment with his policy objectives.
