WASHINGTON _ Former Republican presidential hopeful and retired neurosurgeon Ben Carson appears poised to accept an offer by President-elect Donald Trump to be his secretary of Housing and Urban Development.
The position requires Senate confirmation, with consideration coming through the Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs Committee.
Carson had initially signaled that he was not particularly interested in a Cabinet post, but posted on Facebook Wednesday that he had reconsidered. Multiple reports Tuesday evening indicated Carson was being offered the HUD secretary position, something Carson essentially confirmed on Fox News.
"After serious discussions with the Trump transition team, I feel that I can make a significant contribution particularly to making our inner cities great for everyone," Carson wrote on Facebook. "We have much work to do in strengthening every aspect of our nation and ensuring that both our physical infrastructure and our spiritual infrastructure is solid.
"An announcement is forthcoming about my role in helping to make America great again," Carson said.
Senior presidential transition aides said Wednesday morning that another Cabinet announcement was possible later in the day, before Trump and his family take brief break in Florida for Thanksgiving.
Trump had said Tuesday that he was "seriously considering" Carson for housing secretary. The two men became close after Carson's departure from the 2016 race, and Carson is a favorite of conservatives.
Carson's medical career at Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore spanned decades. At the age of 33, he became director of pediatric neurosurgery _ the youngest doctor in the medical facility's history to be in charge of a major division there, according to the hospital. He gained world recognition as the first surgeon to successfully separate conjoined twins. Carson is a native of Detroit, and the president-elect visited Carson's childhood neighborhood in early September while on the campaign trail.
