Trump Taps Attorney Alina Habba as Counselor to the President

The president-elect announced another flurry of appointments for his second term on Dec. 8.
Trump Taps Attorney Alina Habba as Counselor to the President
Alina Habba, attorney for former President Donald Trump, leaves Manhattan Federal Court in New York City on Jan. 18, 2024. Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images
Melanie Sun
Updated:
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President-elect Donald Trump tapped his longtime attorney Alina Habba to serve as counselor to the president in the White House, amid another flurry of late-night appointments on Dec. 8.

“She has been unwavering in her loyalty, and unmatched in her resolve—standing with me through numerous ’trials,‘ battles, and countless days in Court. Few understand the Weaponization of the ’Injustice' System better than Alina, who has fought relentlessly against the full force of Lawfare with courage and an unshakable commitment to Justice,” Trump posted on Truth Social.

“As a first generation American of Middle Eastern Heritage, she has become a role model for women in Law and Politics, most recently being named Chaldean Woman of the Year. Congratulations to Alina, her husband Gregg, and her three beautiful children, Chloe, Luke, and Parker.”

Trump also named his nominees for positions in the State Department, which Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) has been nominated to lead.

Former Trump administration Ambassador to Mexico Christopher Landau was nominated for the position of deputy secretary of state, and Rubio aide Michael Needham has been tapped as counselor of the Department of State.

Trump said in a post on Truth Social that Landau will be strong on the border and for national security, and promote prosperity through “America First” foreign policy. An attorney, Landau served as a clerk for U.S. Supreme Court Justices Antonin Scalia and Clarence Thomas.
In a separate post, Trump described Needham as “a key leader in the America First Movement” who has been “on the front lines of the fight for the Forgotten Men and Women of America for nearly two decades.”
Trump also named his former National Security Council spokesman Michael Anton for the position of director of policy planning at the State Department. Anton was one of the earliest supporters of Trump’s first bid for president. A former BlackRock managing director and speechwriter for officials in the administration of President George W. Bush, Anton left the Trump White House in 2018 to lecture at Hillsdale College.

Meanwhile, Trump offered his congratulations to state GOP Chairman Brian Schimming for his reelection to another term leading the Wisconsin GOP.

Melanie Sun
Melanie Sun
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Melanie is a reporter and editor covering world news. She has a background in environmental research.
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