Trump son-in-law Jared Kushner to lead US federal overhaul
- Published
President Donald Trump is expected to unveil a new unit aimed at overhauling the US federal bureaucracy, and headed by his son-in-law Jared Kushner.
The Washington Post, external, which has reported the move, describes the Office of Innovation as a "Swat team" of former private-sector executives.
It will have sweeping powers to reform government procedures, the report says.
Mr Kushner told the newspaper that the "government should be run like a great American company".
"Our hope is that we can achieve successes and efficiencies for our customers, who are the citizens," he added.
Technology and data are expected to be a key area, with Apple CEO Tim Cook and Microsoft founder Bill Gates said to be working with the White House.
In a statement to the Washington Post, President Trump said the new unit would fulfil key campaign promises.
"Government stagnation has hindered our ability to properly function, often creating widespread congestion and leading to cost overruns and delays," Mr Trump said.
He said the new office would allow him to apply his "ahead of schedule, under budget mentality" to his government.
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Mr Kushner, 36, is a property investor and media executive who is married to Mr Trump's daughter Ivanka.
He already advises the president on foreign relations, and is said to have been influential in helping President Trump choose staff for his campaign and in government.
Top White House strategist Steve Bannon is expected to have no formal role within the new group.
Mr Bannon's previous calls for the "deconstruction of the administrative state" drew considerable attention.
After the failure last Friday by Republicans in Congress to pass a healthcare bill, Mr Trump has said he will now turn his efforts to passing a tax reform plan.
Republicans did not secure the requisite votes, so did not put a vote to the House floor.
A group of conservative lawmakers, the Freedom Caucus, was among those who opposed their own party's bill. They said that it did not reverse enough Obamacare regulations.
The BBC's Anthony Zurcher says the misstep may have dented Mr Trump's reputation as a dealmaker and leaves Republican leaders looking weak in the face of a rebellious party.
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