Roger Stone, the former adviser to President-elect Trump, on Monday questioned whether Dr. Ben Carson is the right choice to serve as secretary of the Department of Housing and Urban Development.
In a television interview, Stone said he applauds Carson’s conservative bonafides but he has “no management experience whatsoever.” Stone, a longtime political consultant, also said that Carson would have been a better fit as secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services or as surgeon general.
“I’m a great fan of Ben Carson. I think he’s a great conservative and he’s a great guy. He has no management experience whatsoever. He’s a surgeon. I don’t think this is the right job for him,” Stone told NewsmaxTV’s Steve Malzberg.
“I understand the sentiments of it. I think appointing an African-American at HUD is very valuable and the housing crisis in this country does disproportionately affect African-Americans, but there are other people who could have taken this appointment who would do an excellent job,” Stone continued. “I’m a little disappointed that Ben Carson is not the surgeon general or not even at … HHS, where his experience and talents might be more appropriate.”
Stone also pointed to claims that Carson was hesitant to take over as head of the Department of Health and Human Services due to his lack of experience working in a bureaucracy.
“That’s why one wonders how he could end up in a job that requires enormous management experience,” Stone said, pointing to “substantial corruption” at HUD in recent times. “This is a sensitive position, and it’s an important one.”
“I’m not going to second guess the president-elect, but I’m not sure he was the best choice for this job,” Stone said, adding, “I just think he is a good choice for the job.”
Trump made the announcement Monday morning, proclaiming that Carson has a “brilliant mind” and is “passionate about strengthening communities.”
