Trump's transition effort kicks into high gear

Next up, national security and economic positions are expected to be the focus

- Brian Schwartz

Donald Trump's transition team has assembled digital presentations for the president-elect that feature headshots of potential contenders for key cabinet positions, according to people familiar with the process. Aides are reviewing candidates' television interviews to gauge whether they are adept at selling Trump's agenda, some of the people said.

The efforts reflect the priorities of the incoming commander in chief, who expects that his cabinet secretaries look the part and keeps track of what allies and adversaries say about him on cable news. And it signals that the transition team that has been working in obscurity for months is kicking into high gear as Trump and his advisers shift from campaigning to governing.

Late on Sunday, Trump said he was naming Tom Homan to oversee a planned mass deportation effort, describing it on social media as "in charge of all Deportation of Illegal Aliens back to their Country of Origin."

Trump said the position would be akin to a "border czar," overseeing the southern and northern border plus maritime and aviation security. Homan served as acting director of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement during Trump's first term.

More broadly, Trump transition officials have had informal discussions with the president-elect, and they are planning to present a range of options for hires in the federal government he will soon lead, according to the people familiar with the process. The digital presentations, on a screen instead of in briefing books, will feature details of candidates' resumes and are intended to give the president-elect an easy way to pore over his options, the people said.

The Republican's decisive victory in Tuesday's election sets off a roughly 10-week scramble to vet and sign off on top staffing picks before Inauguration Day, after which the soon-to-be GOP-controlled Senate can consider nominations.