President-elect Donald Trump has made a significant announcement regarding the appointment of a key figure to his administration. Alina Habba, a defense attorney who previously represented Trump in the New York hush money case, has been named as counselor to the president. Habba, 40, not only defended Trump earlier this year but also served as his legal spokesperson. Her close relationship with the president-elect has been evident since the election, with reports of her spending time with Trump at his Florida club, Mar-a-Lago.
In a statement shared on his social network Truth Social, Trump praised Habba for her loyalty and resolve, highlighting her unwavering support throughout various legal challenges. Trump emphasized Habba's understanding of the 'Weaponization of the Injustice System,' underscoring her expertise in navigating complex legal matters.
This appointment marks a significant development in Trump's administration, as Habba becomes the counselor to the president, a role previously held by Republican strategist Kellyanne Conway. Notably, Habba has Iraqi ancestry and belongs to the Chaldean community, Iraq's largest Christian denomination and a significant Eastern rite within the Catholic Church.
During Trump's first term, Habba frequently accompanied him on the campaign trail and was a featured speaker at a rally in New York's Madison Square Garden in late October. In addition to Habba's appointment, Trump also announced the return of former staffer Michael Anton to serve as director of policy planning at the State Department. Anton previously served as the National Security Council spokesman from 2017 to 2018.
Furthermore, Trump revealed his intention to appoint Michael Needham, a former chief of staff for Sen. Marco Rubio, as counselor of the State Department. This move comes as Trump prepares for the transition to his next term, with Sen. Rubio selected to be the next secretary of state in Trump's administration.
