川普宣布更多引起争议的内阁成员

With a little more than six weeks until his inauguration, U.S. President-elect Donald Trump has accelerated his cabinet selection process. This week, Trump or his transition officials announced his choices to head defense, environment, homeland security and housing, as well as the U.S. ambassador to China. Some of his latest picks have sparked renewed controversy as did his earlier ones.

Scott Pruitt, Oklahoma state attorney general, known as a supporter of the fossil fuel industry, is expected to lead the Environmental Protection Agency. Pruitt has been criticized for expressing skepticism about global warming, despite scientific evidence that human activity is contributing to climate change. He has led a legal battle against President Barack Obama's climate change policies.

Many consider his selection as controversial as the selection of neurosurgeon Ben Carson to head the Department of Housing and Urban Development. But Trump thinks differently, "I believe we are in the process of putting together one of the all-time great cabinets that has ever been assembled in our nation's history."

Retired Marine General John Kelly, a veteran of the Iraq War, is to become new Homeland Security chief. He will be in charge of combating terrorism and implementing Trump's promised crackdown on illegal immigration.

Later Wednesday the president-elect held talks with wrestling executive Linda McMahon, who is expected to be offered the leadership of the Small Business Administration.

Trump is meeting Iowa Governor Terry Branstad on Thursday to offer him the post of next U.S. ambassador to China. The long-serving Republican governor has extensive ties to China and friendship with its president, Xi Jinping. His selection has wider approval than some of Trump's other picks.

The transition team says more cabinet members will be selected next week. Trump has said he has narrowed down the list of candidates for the most important cabinet post - secretary of state - and that a former critic, one-time Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney, remains on it.