US: Trump taps Priebus for chief of staff post

By Esra Kaymak Avci

WASHINGTON

Donald Trump on Sunday named Reince Priebus as his Chief of Staff, according to a statement.

Trump’s campaign chairman and former head of Breitbart news, Steve Bannon, will also be on the White House leadership team as chief strategist and senior counselor.

"I am thrilled to have my very successful team continue with me in leading our country," Trump said.

"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."

Described as "equal partners", both men will continue the "effective leadership" team they formed during the campaign, according to the statement by the Republican campaign.

Priebus, the head of the Republican National Committee, is one of the party’s longest-serving chairmen and his ideas were mostly well received by the party.

Also, Trump told the 60 Minutes television news magazine he will deport or incarcerate "2 to 3 million" undocumented immigrants "that are criminal", when he takes office next year.

The president-elect said he would build segments of a fence in some areas along the U.S.-Mexico border. The border wall was a campaign promise Trump pledged to fulfill, if elected, to prevent illegal immigration.

House Speaker Paul Ryan, who has had differences with Trump but vowed to work "hand in hand" with the new president, told CNN that mass deportation was not the current focus of the Republican Party.

The CBS 60 Minutes episode will air later Sunday but the network released portions of the interview on its website.

Trump will take the oath of office Jan. 20 as the 45th President of the United States.