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MPR News Staff

Political Junkie: Trump's cabinet picks and meetings with foreign leaders

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Ken Rudin
Ken Rudin, former political editor for NPR News
Courtesy Doby Photography/NPR

Political Junkie Ken Rudin joined MPR News host Marianne Combs to discuss the latest political news.

President-elect Donald Trump nominated Dr. Ben Carson Monday to lead the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. Representatives for Carson have said in the past that he wouldn't seek a cabinet position due to his lack of experience.

"It's interesting about the choices [President-elect Trump] has made because, as you say, no experience ... no knowledge to run the a bureaucracy, but here we are," said Rudin.

Combs and Rudin also discussed the appointment of Marine Corps Gen. James Mattis as defense secretary, as well as Trump's dealings with China and Taiwan.

On Friday, Trump took a phone call from Taiwanese president Tsai Ing-wen. That call is controversial because China does not recognize Taiwan as an independent nation and the U.S. has historically sided with China in that conflict.

To hear Combs' full conversation with Rudin, select the audio player above.