US President-elect Donald Trump has received just two classified intelligence briefings since winning the presidency earlier this month, far less than his immediate predecessors, the Washington Post has reported.
The Republican's limited engagement with his team of intelligence analysts has some officials questioning the real estate mogul's commitment to national security or international affairs, arenas in which he has no significant experience.
The Trump transition team has brushed off those concerns, saying the president-elect has simply been busy appointing his administration members.
Vice President-elect Mike Pence, in contrast, has received intelligence briefings nearly every day since the 8 November vote, the paper reported.
Within days of his win Mr Trump received his initial briefing, and met once more with top US intelligence analysts before heading to Florida for the US Thanksgiving holiday.
The billionaire has turned away other opportunities to meet intelligence officials, according to the Post.
Mr Trump's last three predecessors regularly received intelligence briefings during their transitions, often on a daily basis. President Barack Obama took regular briefings as well as scheduled "deep dives" on major security issues such as Iran's nuclear programme.
As a candidate Mr Trump had voiced scepticism of the US intelligence community, and brushed off intelligence findings throughout the campaign.
Prior to his first classified intelligence briefing - a privilege reserved for presidential candidates from the two main political parties - Mr Trump told Fox News he had scant trust in the experts he was slated to meet.
"Not so much from the people that have been doing it for our country. Look what's happened over the last ten years. Look what's happened over the years. It's been catastrophic," he told Fox News.
Following Mr Trump's shock victory, the White House had said in a fact sheet on the transition process that "the president-elect and other senior officials will begin receiving daily intelligence briefings from the intelligence community".
Mr Trump posted a Thanksgiving Day message on Twitter saying that Americans need to "speak with one voice and one heart". He said the country has "a chance to make history together" and it was "time to restore the bonds of trust between citizens".
Let us give thanks for all that we have, and let us boldly face the exciting new frontiers that lie ahead. Happy Thanksgiving. pic.twitter.com/yH6LYdS2ts
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 24, 2016
Trump picks wealthy activist for education secretary
Meanwhile, Mr Trump announced yesterday that he intends to nominate Betsy DeVos, a wealthy Republican campaigner for alternatives to public schools, as his education secretary.
Ms DeVos is the second woman Trump has tapped to fill a cabinet position. He earlier named South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley to be US ambassador to the United Nations.
Ms DeVos is a Republican mega-donor from Michigan who has been active in promoting school choice, a movement that advocates the use of tax credits and vouchers to allow parents to opt out of the public school system.
"Under her leadership we will reform the US education system and break the bureaucracy that is holding our children back so that we can deliver world-class education and school choice to all families," Mr Trump said.
Ms DeVos is chairman of the Windquest Group, an investment group with a clean energy focus; the Dick and Betsy DeVos Family Foundation; and the American Federation for Children, a group that describes itself as dedicated to "breaking down barriers to educational choice," particularly for low income families.
She is the sister of Erik Prince, the founder of Blackwater USA, a security firm whose operations in Iraq aroused controversy. Her father was the founder of an automobile parts supplier.
Her husband's father Richard DeVos was ranked Number 88 on Forbes' list of US billionaires, with an estimated fortune of $5.4bn.
Mr Trump's views on education have been inconsistent, but during the campaign he promised a $20bn federal programme to allow low income students to attend private or charter schools.
"The status quo in education is not acceptable," Ms DeVos said in a statement accepting the offer of the education secretary position.
"Together, we can work to make transformational change that ensures every student in America has the opportunity to fulfil his or her highest potential."
Lily Eskelsen Garcia, president of the National Education Association, voiced distress on her twitter account at Mr Trump's choice.
Nominating Betsy DeVos shows just how out of touch @realdonaldtrump is with what works best for students, parents, educators & communities.
— Lily Eskelsen García (@Lily_NEA) November 23, 2016
#DeVos pushed a corporate agenda to privatize, de-professionalize & undermine #PublicEd for our students. https://t.co/xfeCTqZWjs
— Lily Eskelsen García (@Lily_NEA) November 23, 2016
Trump's Hollywood star is reborn
Separately, Mr Trump's star is back on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, less than a month after being defaced by a man wielding a sledgehammer and a pick-axe.
Workers spent the past couple of weeks getting it ready with Mr Trump's star making its return this week.
His star "sequel" along Hollywood Boulevard seemed to be generating a fair amount of interest among tourists yesterday, with many taking the time to pose and take photos.
The Los Angeles Police Department spokesman dismissed an earlier online media report that stated the additional officers would be assigned to protect the star, adding that it regularly patrols the area.
The Hollywood Chamber of Commerce, which produces and awards the stars, also said there was to be no added security.
A spokesperson said "The police have a regular presence at the Hollywood & Highland location due to heavy tourist traffic. No special requests have been made in regards to security".
Police arrested James Otis, 52, who admitted destroying Mr Trump's star in October. He has pleaded not guilty to a felony vandalism charge.
Mr Trump received his Walk of Fame star in 2007.
