WASHINGTON, DC–For the last several days President-elect Trump has been publicly pondering various names to head his Justice and Defense and State Departments. Now he is turning his attention to the Department of Housing and Urban Development and the name he has floated is a familiar one — erstwhile Republican presidential candidate and retired neurosurgeon Ben Carson.

On Tuesday Trump tweeted he was “seriously considering” Carson for the position.

I am seriously considering Dr. Ben Carson as the head of HUD. I've gotten to know him well–he's a greatly talented person who loves people!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 22, 2016

And, according to a news report by The Associated Press, Trump has in fact formally offered Carson the position. The AP cited unnamed sources for its report. Indeed Carson all but said the offer had been made while interviewed on Fox News's “Your World with Neil Cavuto.”

“I would say that was one of the offers that is on the table,” Carson said.

Carson's name has surfaced in discussions about Cabinet contenders in recent days, albeit for different Departments. There were reports that Trump was considering him as Secretary of Health and Human Services — a seemingly natural fit given his medical background — or Education Secretary. At that point Carson indicated he was not interested in serving in the federal government, writing in a Facebook post that

I believe it is vitally important for the Trump administration to have many outspoken friends and advisers who are outside of the Washington bubble. It is vital to have independent voices of reason and reconciliation if our nation is to heal and regain its greatness. I will continue to work with the transition team and beyond as we build a dynamite executive branch of government.

Carson appears to be more enthusiastic about the role of HUD Secretary, according to various comments by friends and associates reported in the media. Armstrong Williams, Carson's close friend and business adviser, told The Hill that Carson was seriously interested in the role. “One thing for sure – Dr. Carson cares greatly about the inner cities and what has happened to minorities across the country and there is no better position within the administration to help revitalize the inner cities,” Williams told The Hill.

Carson will reportedly consider the offer over the Thanksgiving Day holiday.

Instant Insights /

Trump Asks Ben Carson to be HUD Secretary

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