Trump picks Flynn as NSA, Pompeo to head CIA

US President-elect Donald Trump today announced key Cabinet picks with the influential post of National Security Adviser going to his trusted military adviser Lt Gen (rtd) Michael Flynn.

Washington, Nov 18: US President-elect Donald Trump today announced key Cabinet picks with the influential post of National Security Adviser going to his trusted military adviser Lt Gen (rtd) Michael Flynn while Congressman Mike Pompeo was selected to head the powerful CIA.

Trump also announced that he intends to nominate Senator Jeff Sessions to serve as Attorney General. "It is an honour to nominate US Senator Jeff Sessions to serve as Attorney General of the United States," Trump said.

Sessions has a distinguished legal career and has served as both the US Attorney for the Southern District of Alabama and Alabama Attorney General prior to his service in the US Senate.

He has been one of President-elect Trump's trusted advisors on the campaign and will now continue his service as nation's chief law enforcement officer, Trump's transition team said.

"Jeff has been a highly respected member of the US Senate for 20 years. He is a world-class legal mind and considered a truly great Attorney General and US Attorney in the state of Alabama.

Jeff is greatly admired by legal scholars and virtually everyone who knows him," Trump said. "I am humbled to have been asked by President-elect Trump to serve as Attorney General of the United States," Sessions said.

"My previous 15 years working in the Department of Justice were extraordinarily fulfilling. I love the Department, its people and its mission. I can think of no greater honour than to lead them. With the support of my Senate colleagues, I will give all my strength to advance the Department's highest ideals," Sessions said.

"I enthusiastically embrace President-elect Trump's vision for 'one America', and his commitment to equal justice under law. I look forward to fulfilling my duties with an unwavering dedication to fairness and impartiality," he said.

Flynn, a retired United States Army Lieutenant General and former director of the Defence Intelligence Agency, assumes the position of National Security Advisor with a decorated career of more than 35 years in service.

He served as Trump's top military advisor during the campaign and will now continue to provide expert advice and support to the President-elect as his National Security Advisor, a statement said.

PTI