President-elect Donald Trump said Wednesday that former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney is still in the running to be the next secretary of state and that the announcement for the position could come as early as next week.
“I think fairly close. I think next week will be the time that I announce it, and I have some other big announcements coming up today and actually tomorrow,” Mr. Trump said on NBC’s “Today” program.
Mr. Trump was read a list of potential choices: Mr. Romney, former New York City Mayor Rudolph Giuliani, former CIA Director David Petraeus, Sen. Bob Corker of Tennessee and former U.N. Ambassador John Bolton.
Mr. Trump said he’s crossed some names off in his mind, though he declined to specify which ones.
He also denied that he was stringing Mr. Romney along in order to ultimately humiliate him for revenge, saying the 2012 GOP presidential nominee is indeed still in the running for the job. Mr. Romney was among the highest-profile Republican critics of Mr. Trump during the campaign.
“We’ve come a long way together,” Mr. Trump said. “I’m able to put this stuff behind us.”
Rex Tillerson, the head of ExxonMobile, is also reportedly in the running. Mr. Trump said Mr. Tillerson has built a “tremendous company” over the years.
• David Sherfinski can be reached at dsherfinski@washingtontimes.com.
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