Donald Trump picks lawyer Alina Habba as counsellor to US president

US President-elect Donald Trump has nominated

Alina Habba

as counsellor to the president. Habba served as one of Trump’s defense attorneys in his New York

hush money case

and also acted as his legal spokesperson. The appointment was announced Sunday on Trump’s social media platform,

Truth Social

.
Trump praised Habba's loyalty. “She has been unwavering in her loyalty and unmatched in her resolve — standing with me through numerous ‘trials,’ battles and countless days in Court,” Trump posted. “Few understand the Weaponization of the ‘Injustice’ System better than Alina.”

A New York jury found Trump guilty on 34 felony charges related to a hush money payment made during the 2016 election. Habba frequently appeared alongside Trump during his recent campaign, including a rally at Madison Square Garden.
Trump also announced two

State department appointments

.

Michael Anton

, a former national security council spokesman, is set ti be director of policy planning.

Michael Needham

, previously chief of staff for Senator Marco Rubio, is set to serve as counselor. Rubio is Trump’s pick for secretary of state.