new york president-elect donald trump early list potential appointments top position appear reward people loyal campaign many republican party leaders keep distance jeff sessions alabama senator one trump fervent supporters u.s. congress say consideration prominent role perhaps defense secretary source familiar transition plan say wednesday retire general michael flynn emerge possible pick trump national security adviser source say flynn former director defense intelligence agency play prominent role campaign often serve introductory speaker campaign rally provide private counsel foreign affairs calm influence trump say source familiar transition plan addition former house representatives newt gingrich u.s. senator bob corker tennessee also consider potential selections secretary state source say corker chair senate foreign relations committee corker gingrich discussion potential vice presidential pick trump position eventually go indiana governor mike pence source say republican national committee reince priebus emerge trust adviser new york businessman talk potential white house chief staff priebus deputy rnc senior strategist sean spic possibility white house press secretary trump campaign manager kellyanne conway help bring discipline approach candidate see potential white house senior adviser retire neurosurgeon ben carson endorse trump drop 2016 republican presidential nomination fight possible education secretary richard grenell former spokesman unite state unite nations potential u.s. ambassador unite nations new york republican representative peter king mike rogers former chairman house permanent select committee intelligence mix cia director source say trump 's transition team set website www.greatagain.gov/ twitter account transition2017 promise keep country post plan politico report trump prolific user twitter campaign sometimes use deliver pithy put-downs critics rival trump likely reward loyalty top appointments