Ben Carson reportedly won't accept position in Trump's cabinet, cites 'no government experience'

Donald Trump has never held a public office, but that hasn't exactly shaken his confidence that he will make a great president. Trump's close allies, though, are apparently feeling a little less sure that their outsider status will make them good at running the country.

Retired neurosurgeon Ben Carson originally had his eyes on the Oval Office, running against Donald Trump in the Republican primary. After that failed to pan out, Carson came on as a close Trump ally and appeared to be in a position to get his pick of an office in the incoming administration. Nevertheless, Carson reportedly won't be joining the new administration, his close friend Armstrong Williams told The Hill.

"Dr. Carson feels he has no government experience, he's never run a federal agency," Williams said. "The last thing he would want to do was take a position that could cripple the presidency."

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Carson had been rumored for secretary of education, and Williams reports the position of health secretary was floated as well. "Dr. Carson was never offered a specific position, but everything was open to him," Williams explained. Carson has already reportedly told Trump that he isn't interested.

That doesn't mean Carson plans to stay uninvolved entirely: Williams said the former neurosurgeon may continue to help out a Trump administration as an unofficial adviser.