By Associated Press Sources

Donald Trump has chosen former campaign 2016 rival Ben Carson to become secretary of the Department of Housing and Urban Development.

Trump’s decision, announced early Monday by his transition office, comes as the real estate mogul continues a series of interviews, meetings with aides and other deliberations aimed at forming his administration.

In a statement, Trump says he’s “thrilled to nominate” Carson, saying he “has a brilliant mind and is passionate about strengthening communities and families within those communities.”

Carson has been coy about joining the new administration, saying shortly after Trump’s election victory that he wasn’t certain he’d fit into a Cabinet-style role. The discussion at that time centered on speculation that Carson might be selected to head the sprawling Department of Health and Human Services.

Trump’s statement Monday says, “Ben shares my optimism about the future of our country and is part of ensuring that this is a presidency representing all Americans.”

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell says he is appreciative that Ben Carson is willing to take on the “challenging task” of leading the Department of Housing and Urban Development.

In a statement released Monday, the Republican said the agency is in need of reform to “better serve all Americans.”

McConnell, a Kentucky Republican, said of Carson: “I’m confident his lifelong career of selfless service will be a positive addition to the incoming administration.”

The Rev. Jesse Jackson says it’s hard to know what Ben Carson’s nomination as Housing and Urban Development secretary means for the nation’s inner cities because Carson’s background as a surgeon is unrelated.

President-elect Donald Trump says Carson is his pick to run the agency tasked with providing mortgage and loan insurance as well as state and local housing grants. If confirmed, the retired neurosurgeon would be in charge of federal programs for rental assistance and public housing to low-income families, the elderly and disabled.

Jackson met with civil rights groups at the National Council of Negro Women building. They want Trump to meet with them to discuss urban policies, and to hold a White House conference on violence.