Trump asks Peter Navarro to return as trade adviser; Pete Hegseth to ‘keep fighting’ amid controversies: Live
President-elect’s pick for defense secretary dogged by allegations of sexual assault, drunkenness, Islamophobia and mismanagement of a non-profit, as Ron DeSantis floated as possible alternative
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Your support makes all the difference.Donald Trump’s nominee for secretary of defense, former Fox News weekend anchor Pete Hegseth, continues to be dogged by allegations about his past, potentially making his confirmation less likely and splitting right-wing media on his prospects as his candidacy faces an “absolutely critical day” on Wednesday.
Hegseth took questions from the House Republican Study Committee today as well as from Megyn Kelly on her podcast.
His mother Penelope appeared on the network earlier to defend him, having previously criticized her son’s behavior towards women in a letter. The Trump transition team is reportedly considering alternatives to lead the Pentagon — surprisingly including Florida Governor Ron DeSantis.
On Tuesday, Trump’s pick to serve as administrator of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Sheriff Chad Chronister, withdrew from consideration, posting on X that he would be declining the “honor of a lifetime” after “the gravity of this very important responsibility set in”.
In a slew of appointments on Wednesday morning, the president-elect asked his former trade adviser Peter Navarro to return in a similar role for his new administration. Trump also picked a NASA administrator, a secretary of the army, and an ambassador for hostage affairs.
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Full story: Trump hires Pete Navarro, who just served a four-month prison stint for contempt of Congress, as senior counselor
President-elect Donald Trump on Wednesday said he is bringing a convicted criminal who helped plan his futile attempt to overturn the 2020 election to the White House as a senior member of his administration working on trade issues.
In a statement first posted to Truth Social, Trump said he was bringing on Peter Navarro, the former head of the National Trade Council during his first term, as a “Senior Counselor for Trade and Manufacturing.”
Andrew Feinberg reports from Washington, DC.
Trump hires Peter Navarro as ‘senior counselor’ months after prison release
Navarro served four months in a federal prison for refusing to give evidence before the House January 6 committee
Full story: Ken Chesebro tries to invalidate his guilty plea in Georgia election case
Former Trump campaign lawyer Kenneth Chesebro, who pleaded guilty to a conspiracy charge in the Georgia 2020 election meddling case against the president-elect and others, is trying to invalidate that plea.
Chesebro was charged in August 2023, alongside Trump and 17 others, in a sprawling indictment accusing them of participating in a wide-ranging scheme to overturn Trump’s loss in the 2020 presidential election in Georgia. He pleaded guilty to a single conspiracy count a few months later after reaching a deal with prosecutors just before he was to go to trial.
His lawyer on Wednesday asked Fulton County Superior Court Judge Scott McAfee to invalidate the plea after McAfee in September tossed out the charge to which he had pleaded guilty.
Continue reading...
Former Trump campaign lawyer tries to invalidate his guilty plea in Georgia election case
Former Trump campaign lawyer Kenneth Chesebro, who pleaded guilty to a conspiracy charge in the Georgia 2020 election meddling case against the president-elect and others, is trying to invalidate that plea
Watch: Blumenthal says up to 10 GOP senators would say no to Hegseth
Democratic Senator Richard Blumenthal says he has talked to between five and ten Republican who have told him they are just waiting for the right moment to say no to Pete Hegseth as secretary of defense.
Perhaps his mother can turn that tide?
Trump names White House counsel and DOGE counsel
Donald Trump has tapped David Warrington to serve as the White House’s top attorney and William McGinley to serve as counsel to the Department of Government Efficiency.
The president-elect made both announcements on Truth Social:
I am proud to announce the appointment of David A. Warrington to serve as Assistant to the President and Counsel to the President. Dave will lead the Office of White House Counsel, and serve as the top attorney in the White House. Dave has represented me well as my personal attorney, and as General Counsel for my Presidential Campaign. He is an esteemed lawyer and Conservative leader. Dave is currently a Partner at the Dhillon Law Group, and a former President of the Republican National Lawyers Association. Dave is a Veteran of the United States Marine Corps, and a Magna Cum Laude Graduate of Georgetown University, and the George Mason University School of Law…
…Additionally, I have asked William Joseph McGinley to serve as Counsel to the Department of Government Efficiency (“DOGE”), something he is very passionate about. Bill will work with Elon Musk, Vivek Ramaswamy, and their team of incredible pioneers at DOGE, to rebuild a U.S. Government that truly serves the People. Bill will play a crucial role in liberating our Economy from burdensome Regulations, excess spending, and Government waste. He will partner with the White House and the Office of Management and Budget to provide advice and guidance to end the bloated Federal Bureaucracy. Bill is a great addition to a stellar team that is focused on making life better for all Americans. He will be at the forefront of my Administration's efforts to make our Government more efficient and more accountable.
Congratulations to Dave and Bill!
Watch: Hegseth tells Megyn Kelly he has never had a drinking problem
Donald Trump’s nominee for secretary of defense sat down for an interview with Megyn Kelly today to address the questions about his alleged drinking problem.
Kelly also asked if he was being “Kavanaugh’d”, referring to the aggressive questioning of Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh during his confirmation hearing regarding his drinking and allegations of sexual assault.
Hegseth dismissed allegations against him as “all anonymous, all innuendo, all rumor, nothing sourced, no verification ... because you're a threat to them.”
He described the allegations against him as the “classic art of the smear.”
“Take whatever tiny kernels of truth and there are tiny, tiny ones in there, and blow them up into a masquerade of a narrative about somebody that I am definitely not.”
Hegseth then committed to not drinking if confirmed.
Joe Rogan reveals the one person who pushed him to get involved in the election
Podcaster Joe Rogan said he publicly endorsed Donald Trump in the 2024 presidential election because he strongly opposed Michigan Governor Tim Walz, branding the Democratic vice presidential nominee a “liar”.
Ariana Baio has the story.
Joe Rogan reveals the single person who drove him to get involved in the election
Rogan, who hosts the most popular podcast, endorsed Donald Trump one day before polls closed
Watch: Hegseth directs reporters' questions to Megyn Kelly interview
Hegseth cancels Thursday meeting with Sen Hawley
Trump defense secretary pick Pete Hegseth has canceled a meeting with Senator Josh Hawley tomorrow, according to reporting by Lisa Dejardins of PBS Newshour.
Former Treasury spox and Fox News contributor nominated as chief of protocol
Another comeback from the first Trump administration, and another Fox News connection, as Monica Crowley is nominated by Donald Trump to serve as Ambassador, Assistant Secretary of State, and Chief of Protocol. This could be high profile role in the coming four years with the 250th Anniversary of US independence, the FIFA World Cup, and the Los Angeles Olympics all lined up.
The president-elect wrote:
I am honored to nominate Monica Elizabeth Crowley, Ph.D. to serve as Ambassador, Assistant Secretary of State, and Chief of Protocol of the United States of America. Monica will be the Administration Representative for major U.S. hosted events, including America’s 250th Birthday in 2026, the FIFA World Cup in 2026, and the Olympic Games in Los Angeles in 2028.
During my First Term, Monica did an incredible job as Assistant Secretary of the Treasury for Public Affairs. For her exceptional service, she received the Alexander Hamilton Award, the highest honor bestowed by the Department. Monica is a New York Times bestselling author, and has been a popular anchor, and political and foreign affairs analyst, for the Fox News Channel and Fox Business Network, among others. A graduate of Colgate University, she holds two Master's degrees, and a Doctorate in International Relations, from Columbia University.
She will be an extraordinary Representative of our Country. Congratulations Monica!
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