Mad Dog' general James Mattis considered for Trump administration

Donald Trump and Mike Pence are having further discussions at the President-elect's New Jersey golf club over who should be in their cabinet.

Several senior posts in the administration have already been filled including US attorney general, CIA director, national security adviser, White House chief of staff and chief strategist.

But there are a number of top jobs still up for grabs and among those seeing Mr Trump have been former New York mayor Rudy Giuliani and New Jersey Governor Chris Christie.

"Numerous patriots will be coming to Bedminster," Mr Trump tweeted, adding that he is continuing to "fill out the various positions necessary to MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!"

Speaking to Fox News, Vice President-elect Mr Pence refused to be drawn on whether retired Marine Corps General James Mattis would become defence secretary.

Mr Trump had earlier tweeted that the four-star General had been shortlisted for the job of leading the Pentagon, referring to him by the nickname he was given by troops when serving as a marine for 44 years.

"General James "Mad Dog" Mattis, who is being considered for Secretary of Defense, was very impressive yesterday. A true General's General!" he tweeted.

His targets also include incoming Senate Democratic Leader Charles Schumer, a media-savvy New Yorker, who Mr Trump said was "far smarter" than retiring Democratic Leader Harry Reid.

Mr Pence told Fox that the transition team under his control were continuing to vet candidates for the new administration, but he refused to confirm whether there was a role for General Mattis.

He also denied being offended when the multiracial cast of the Broadway hit Hamiltonconfronted him after a show declaring they were "alarmed and anxious" at the impending Trump administration.

His reaction contrasted with tweets sent by Mr Trump in which he called on the cast to apologise for its sudden announcement as Mr Pence was preparing to leave the show with his daughter.

"The Theater must always be a safe and special place. The cast of Hamilton was very rude last night to a very good man, Mike Pence. Apologize!" he tweeted, in an apparent swipe at the safe-space political culture against which he campaigned.

On Saturday, the President-elect met 2012 Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney, one of his most vocal Republican Party critics, amid speculation he could be offered a top job in his new cabinet.

The two men had aimed stinging rebukes at each other during the campaign, with Mr Romney lambasting the billionaire as a "conman" and "fraud".