Trump transition live: Pete Hegseth says no alcohol if confirmed after meeting with Republican lawmakers
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. On Wednesday his candidacy faced an “absolutely critical day.”
Hegseth took questions from the House Republican Study Committee, met with senators, and promised incoming Senate Armed Services Chair Roger Wicker that if confirmed he wouldn’t drink.
His mother Penelope appeared on his former 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 — reportedly including Senator Joni Ernst, and surprisingly, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis.
Meanwhile, Trump’s pick to serve as administrator of the Drug Enforcement Administration, Sheriff Chad Chronister withdrew from consideration, although Trump has since said he pulled the nomination over comments he made to pastors.
In another flurry of appointments, 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 a chair of the SEC.
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Trump considers ally-turned-rival DeSantis to replace Hegseth as Pentagon chief
Donald Trump is said to be eying his former friend-turned-staunch rival Ron DeSantis to replace Pete Hegseth as his defense secretary pick, as the former Fox News host’s nomination hangs by a thread.
Sources told the Wall Street Journal that the president-elect is now reconsidering his first choice with Hegseth facing mounting scrutiny over allegations of sexual assault and alcohol abuse.
Trump allies are of the growing belief that the military veteran may not survive the Senate confirmation process, the sources said.
James Liddell filed this report earlier today.
Trump considers ally-turned-rival DeSantis to replace Hegseth as Pentagon chief
Florida governor is tipped to replace Hegseth for cabinet role, as the former Fox News host is plagued by scandals
Trump picks former soldier and Iraq War veteran to serve as Army secretary
President-elect Donald Trump said Wednesday that he has selected a former soldier and Iraq War veteran to serve as secretary of the Army.
Trump said Daniel P. Driscoll had completed Army Ranger school and deployed with the 10th Mountain Division to Iraq. Driscoll, who is from North Carolina, had been recently serving as a senior adviser to Vice President-elect JD Vance.
Read on...
Trump selects a former soldier and Iraq War veteran to serve as Army secretary
Donald Trump says he's selected a former soldier and Iraq War veteran to serve as secretary of the Army
Trump asks Georgia Court of Appeals to dismiss his election subversion case based on lack of jurisdiction
Donald Trump has asked the Georgia Court of Appeals to dismiss his election subversion case based on a lack of jurisdiction — that he is now president-elect and will soon become the 47th President of the United States.
His legal team argues that a sitting president is completely immune from indictment or any criminal process, state or federal, as it hinders their ability to carry out the required constitutional functions.
The continued indictment of a sitting president by a state, they argue, is unconstitutional.
Trump lawyer Steve Sadow concludes: “President Trump respectfully submits that upon reaching that decision, this Court should dismiss his appeal for lack of jurisdiction with directions to the trial court to immediately dismiss the indictment against President Trump.”
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
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