Tuesday, January 10, 2017

Trump's son-in-law to deal with Middle East issues

U.S. President-elect Donald Trump's son-in-law, Jared Kushner, will deal with the Middle East and with trade deals as part of his new role as a senior White House adviser, transition officials told Reuters on Monday.

Trump’s transition team made the news of Kushner’s appointment official in a statement released around 6:00 p.m. Eastern Time on Monday.

“Jared has been a tremendous asset and trusted advisor throughout the campaign and transition and I am proud to have him in a key leadership role in my administration,” Trump said in the statement.

“He has been incredibly successful, in both business and now politics. He will be an invaluable member of my team as I set and execute an ambitious agenda, putting the American people first.”

Kushner, who is an Orthodox Jew, is married to Trump's daughter, Ivanka. He served as a close adviser to the President-elect during the presidential campaign. Trump, who thinks highly of his son-in-law, recently said he “would love” to have him involved in his new administration and would particularly like Kushner's help in dealing with other nations and Middle East peace.

Kushner is taking the new job after receiving legal counsel he would not be violating a U.S. anti-nepotism law, based on court rulings the statute does not apply to the White House, the officials told Reuters. READ MORE