Trump poised to unveil more cabinet picks

US President-elect Donald Trump yesterday prepared to announce a new slate of cabinet picks some time soon, following a busy weekend of meetings with hopefuls at his golf club retreat outside New York.

The Republican billionaire-turned-world leader heaped praise on tough-talking retired Marine Corps general James "Mad Dog" Mattis, signaling he is seriously considering him as Pentagon chief.

When asked before dinner at his Trump National Golf Club in Bedminster, New Jersey if he would soon reveal new nominations, Trump told reporters: "Pretty true," confirming he had "made a couple of deals."

But Trump made the 90-minute drive back to Manhattan late Sunday after two days in Bedminster, and no new picks were revealed.

Beyond Mattis, the top names on the guest list Sunday were Republican New Jersey Governor Chris Christie, who was recently ousted as the leader of Trump's transition team, former New York mayor Rudy Giuliani and immigration hardliner Kris Kobach.

The president-elect was clearly seeking to sound out people from a wide range of backgrounds, from party stalwarts to business moguls and former rivals.

Trump's picks so far include ultra-conservative Senator Jeff Sessions as attorney general, hawkish congressman Mike Pompeo as CIA director and retired lieutenant general Michael Flynn as his national security adviser.

His choice of Steve Bannon, seen as an ideologue of the ultra-conservative alt-right movement, as chief strategist has also drawn fire.

But he has also moved to mend fences with moderate Republicans as he goes about building a new administration before his January 20 inauguration.

The campaign said Cristie and Trump had a "productive discussion" Sunday on law enforcement and domestic security. Others meeting Trump on Sunday included Wilbur Ross, under consideration for commerce secretary, global investor David McCormick, real estate investor Jonathan Gray and Bob Johnson, the founder of Black Entertainment Television (BET).

Meanwhile, the New York Post reported that Melania Trump and son Barron will remain in New York, rather than live in the White House, at least for the time being.

And in Peru, US President Barack Obama offered his successor some unsolicited counsel.

"The main advice that I give to the incoming president is the United States really is an indispensable nation in our world order," Obama said as he wrapped up his final foreign trip.

Obama however said he does not intend to become his successor's constant critic — but reserved the right to speak out if president-elect Donald Trump or his policies breach certain "values or ideals."

"As an American citizen who cares deeply about our country, if there are issues that have less to do with the specifics of some legislative proposal or battle or go to core questions about our values and ideals, and if I think that it's necessary or helpful for me to defend those ideals, I'll examine it when it comes," Obama said.

Meanwhile, Trump's incoming White House chief of staff has refused to rule out a registry system as part of his administration's anti-terrorist strategy.

Reince Priebus said the President-elect is not planning to create a Muslim registry, despite his repeated and flippant promises throughout the campaign. But Priebus, an American attorney and Republican National Committee chairman, left the door open for some kind of vetting process.