Sohn: Early messages from Trump prompt concern

It’s true that Donald Trump’s words and tone have become more civil and calming since Nov. 8 when he won the electoral tallies but not the popular vote.

But what have not been more calming – and in fact seem to loom even harsher – are his choices for Cabinet picks and his apparent disinterest in avoiding conflicts of interests between decisions he’ll have to make in office and his own family business.

It was bad enough that he refused to release his income tax returns during the campaign, and that he, his wife and daughter hawked their products during appearances both before and after the election.

Now he and his son-in-law are exploring ways to bring nepotism to the White House and Trump and his children apparently have no intention of forming a true blind trust or divesting themselves of the family business that has tentacles all over the world.

On the one hand, it’s good to hear the name of our own former mayor and current U.S. senator mentioned as a possible secretary of state in the Trump administration. On the other hand, even Sen. Bob Corker – a smart and far better choice than others so far mentioned – would more than have his hands full just trying to maneuver the pitfalls of handling foreign relations in the countries where we already know there are Trump business interests. Turkey, for instance, has not one but two Trump towers.