Trump set to make son-in-law Jared Kushner senior adviser

Appointment of property developer could be problematic given federal anti-nepotism law

Donald Trump speaks as his son-in-law Jared Kushner and his daughter Ivanka listen at a campaign event at the Trump National Golf Club Westchester in Briarcliff Manor, New York in June. Photograph: Mike Segar/Reuters
Donald Trump speaks as his son-in-law Jared Kushner and his daughter Ivanka listen at a campaign event at the Trump National Golf Club Westchester in Briarcliff Manor, New York in June. Photograph: Mike Segar/Reuters

US president-elect Donald Trump will name his son-in-law, Jared Kushner, as a senior adviser in his White House, a transition official said on Monday, a potentially thorny choice in the face of anti-nepotism law.

The new position for Mr Kushner had been anticipated, but it was unclear what his role would be. Unlike Cabinet positions, the post would not require Senate confirmation.

Like Mr Trump, Mr Kushner is a New York-based property developer with a wide net of business dealings that could raise potential conflicts of interest.

Mr Kushner, who married Mr Trump's eldest daughter, Ivanka, in 2009, helped guide Mr Trump to victory over Democrat Hillary Clinton in the November 8th presidential election.

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Mr Kushner (35) emerged as an important voice early in Mr Trump’s campaign and was involved in almost every aspect of it, from key personnel decisions to strategy and fundraising.

Mr Kushner spearheads his family's property development company, Kushner Companies, and is the publisher of the New York Observer weekly newspaper, which he acquired at age 25.

It was unclear how any appointment would be affected by a federal anti-nepotism law that prohibits a president from hiring family members to serve in his administration. A transition official said more details would be released later.

China's Anbang Insurance Group is in talks to invest in a project to redevelop a flagship New York City building owned by Kushner Companies, according to the New York Times.

Mr Kushner’s appointment was first reported by NBC.

Reuters