VP-Elect Pence Removes Lobbyists From Transition Team: Aide

ByCANDACE SMITH ABCNews logo
Wednesday, November 16, 2016
Vice President-elect Mike Pence waves to the media as he leaves Trump Tower with his wife Karen, Tuesday, Nov. 15, 2016, in New York. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)
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Vice President-elect Mike Pence, the newly minted head of the White House transition, decided that all lobbyists should be removed from his team, effectively dismantling the structure that New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie built, two people familiar with the transition process told ABC News.

The move comes after questions posed to Trump on "60 Minutes" about the influx of lobbyists on his transition team, given that he railed against lobbyists and "Washington insiders" during his campaign.

The move against all lobbyists comes after the ouster of Michigan Rep. Mike Rogers and lobbyist Matthew Freedman from the team's group of national security advisers earlier today.

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