there is a lot of overlap between nikki halle and a roll nee. they are in the same box which are people who were very, very explicitly crit-- ctical and frequently critical of donald trump during the campaign. and this telegraphed in trump a generosity of spirit we didn't see. >> rose: and telegraphed the notion that he is aware that he can't just be-- he can't just be bringing too government talented white men. >> well, more pornly, he can't just be bringing into government lap dogs. people who just are going to tell him how wonderful he is. he is now brought someone in shall-- . >> rose: which mitt romney clearly represents if he is chosen. >> i think it's possible. we don't know but i think right now, it is within the realm of possibility. >> rose: did he talk about infrastructure-- infrastructure to the times. >> he did. >> rose: that is an interesting idea that seems to have-- it seems to have found its right and appropriate time. >> he did talk about it. and as he has at other times. and i think there's some hope there. i mean he may be ab

south carolina nikki haley is being floated for the post this as rudy guiliani's history is under more scrutiny. halle jackson reports. >> through trump towers, a revolving door, a countdown to cabinet selection. another name now in the mix for secretary of state. sources citing south clan governor nikki haley, who begrudgingly backed trump, even after she said her constituents are embarrassed by trump. so far fork response from the governor's office. eight days in, president-elect trump looking a lot like candidate trump did, inside his transition, much of what happened during his campaign, internal jockeying, leadership changes, complaints privately and publicly, no one really know who's is in charge. confusion going on about a chain of command coming out of new york. >> reporter: mike pence the new transition team leader, touring his soon to be home with vice president joe biden. the trustee blames the griping on sour grapes of people forced out as they purge lobbyist zpls we are doing great. i was if d.c. yesterday, both transition offices are engaged full of energy. >> reporter: while both bushes

south carolina nikki haley is being floated for the post this as rudy guiliani's history is under more scrutiny. halle jackson reports. >> through trump towers, a revolving door, a countdown to cabinet selection. another name now in the mix for secretary of state. sources citing south clan governor nikki begrudgingly backed trump, even after she said her constituents are embarrassed by trump. so far fork response from the governor's office. eight days in, president-elect trump looking a lot like candidate trump did, inside his transition, much of what happened during his campaign, internal jockeying, leadership changes, complaints privately and publicly, no one really know who's is in charge. of command coming out of new york. >> reporter: mike pence the new transition team leader, touring his soon to be home with vice president joe biden. the trustee blames the griping on sour grapes of people forced out as they purge lobbyist zpls we are doing great. i was if d.c. yesterday, both transition offices are engaged full of energy. >> reporter: while both bushes made their nominations within a 2002 weeks

th"t >> we're back at news reporting that south carolina give hail hall -- nikki haley has accepted trump's offer to be the ambassador to the united nations. hailey is the first woman the president-elect has chosen to become part of his administration thus far. much more on the "today show" coming up in 20 minutes. >> kris: famous faces showing up at the white house, receiving the medal of freedom. president obama handed out 21 of those awards. >> christa: what a group this there were some tears shed. will rest go to 7's nancy chen with more. >> nancy: this is america's highest civilian honor. of the 21 recipient, many are very well-known. each person was honored for leaving lasting legacy on the nation. recipients include kareem abdul-jabbar, top hanks diana ross and ellen degeneres. degeneres got emotional as she received the medal. president obama says all the honorees have helped push america forward. >> these are folks who have helped make me who i am and think about my presidency. and what also makes it special is this is america. >> nancy: now, as we mentioned, very emotional for ell

hall. thanks so much for joining us. we begin with the latest on the transition to the white house. nikkiaccepting the role as u.s. ambassador to the united nations. she made headlines last summer when she led the charge for the confederate flag to be taken down from the south carolina statehouse. she endorsed florida senator marco rubio during the primary. and was an outspoken opponent of donald trump. >> i will not stop until we fight a man that chooses not to disavow the kkk. >> and that was just one remark. now haley plans to remain on as governor until she's confirmed by the senate. saying she's now honored by the

hall. thanks so much for joining us. we begin with the latest on the transition to the white house. nikki haley officially accepting the role as u.s. ambassador to the united nations. she made headlines last summer when she led the charge for the confederate flag to be taken down from the south carolina statehouse. she endorsed florida senator marco rubio during the primary. and was an outspoken opponent of donald trump. >> i will not stop until we fight a man that chooses not to disavow the kkk. >> and that was just one remark. now haley plans to remain on as governor until she's confirmed by the senate. saying she's now honored by the opportunity to join president-elect's trump's team. kristen welker broke the story on governor haley. she joined us from trump estate where he is spending the holiday. looking at a relationship where it wasn't just a ciis criticism policy, it was temperament. you heard haley talk about the kkk. and now she's prepared to be a part of the trump team. what else are we hearing from her? >> well, you're right. she was one of his shar pest critics during the pri

nikki haley who we talked about yesterday. general david petraeus. rudy had been mentioneds a contender, but ed, you brought up a good point. he's got some confirmation problems because since he's left the city halla lot of business dealings. >> when we asked sean spicer about that last hour, he seemed to suggest, he didn't confirm it either way. look, it doesn't matter whether rudy giuliani is in the cabinet or not. he's going to be a whisperer to the president, a key advisers. look, that's what's going on with lieutenant general michael flynn. he might have had confirmation problems as well. >> he got fired. >> by obama. democrats wanted a pound of flesh, would have tried hard to block that nomination. you make him the national security adviser, there's no senate confirmation. this whole concept of a team of rivals, think of barack obama doing that 2008 bringing in hillary clinton as secretary of state. mitt romney. ted cruz. >> it's his attitude and vision to say if you want to get on board to enact an agenda that will move this country forward and have real change, i'll take you and i don't care where you were prior to this, whether you supported me or not, if you are the best person, if you'