Trump appoints son-in-law, Jared Kushner as senior white adviser

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U.S. President-elect Donald Trump has appointed his son-in-law, Jared Kushner, as a senior White House adviser.

Trump will be sworn in as the 45th President of the United States on Jan. 20, replacing Barack Obama in the White House.

Chief Justice John Roberts of the U.S. Supreme Court will administer the oath on the steps of the United States Capitol Building.

The 35-year-old Kushner played a key part in the presidential campaign of his father inlaw, his new White House job will therefore cover both domestic and foreign policy.

Mr Kushner, who is married to Ivanka Trump, is a property developer with a wide range of business interests.

Democrats immediately called for a review of the appointment, citing nepotism laws and potential conflicts.

Members of the House Judiciary Committee urged the Department of Justice and the Office of Government Ethics to step in.

Earlier, Mr Trump hailed his son-in-law as a “tremendous asset” and he was proud to give him a “key leadership role” in the administration.

Members of Mr Trump’s team have argued that a law barring officials from giving government jobs to relatives does not apply to White House positions.

There are also federal ethics laws that mean government employees cannot profit from any businesses.

Mr Kushner’s lawyer has said he would step down as boss of his family’s real estate business if he took a White House job, and extricate himself from some of his assets.

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Jamie Gorelick of law firm WilmerHale said Mr Kushner was committed to complying with federal ethics laws and had consulted with the Office of Government Ethics about what steps to take.

Mr Kushner was often seen by his father-in-law’s side during the presidential campaign and was heavily involved in its digital strategy.

 

Posted by Juliet Ekwebelam (Source: NAN)