Alabama Sen. Jeff Sessions is the leading candidate for defense secretary in the Donald Trump administration, Politico reported, quoting sources close to the process.
The news comes as the Associated Press reported another close Trump ally, former New York Mayor Rudolph Giuliani, tops the list for secretary of state.
Sessions does not agree with Trump on all defense issues. He wants a cap on defense spending that would interfere with Trump's call for an arms and troop building costing at least $55 billion a year.
Sessions was spotted entering Trump Tower in New York on Monday night, but has not said whether he wants the top job at the Pentagon. But Politico's sources said the early Trump backer could have his pick of cabinet positions, including attorney general, an office he served in his native Alabama, or Homeland Security secretary.
Establishment Republicans, already at odds with Trump over defense issues, might not be as warm to Sessions as they would other names being floated for the job. They include former George W. Bush national security adviser Stephen Hadley.
Hadley, unlike many who served in the Bush White House, never criticized Trump, Politico noted, though Hadley does see the Iraq War, which he helped run, as a success. Trump has called it a failure.
Others being considered are said to be Jim Woolsey, former President Bill Clinton's CIA director, and Kelly Ayotte of New Hampshire, who just lost her Senate seat.
Sessions would not be able to bring in lower-level people as would Hadley, who has experience in the Pentagon.