Trump’s transition latest updates: Matt Gaetz resigns from Congress after being picked as Attorney General
Donald Trump has picked his controversial MAGA ally to oversee the nation’s Justice Department
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Your support makes all the difference.President-elect Donald Trump has selected former Florida Representative Matt Gaetz to be his attorney general.
Gaetz resigned from his seat in the US House of Representatives in light of the news, Speaker Mike Johnson confirmed on Wednesday. This will effectively end the House Ethics probe into allegations of sexual misconduct and drug use made against him.
Trump has also chosen former Democratic Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard and Florida Republican Senator Marco Rubio to join his administration. Gabbard is set to serve as the director of national intelligence while Rubio has been nominated to be secretary of state.
Meanwhile, the Republicans are projected to retain control of the House, completing their trifecta.
Trump met with Joe Biden at the White House on Wednesday to discuss a transition schedule, with their opening sitdown warm and cordial in tone. Their remarks lasted about a minute, with Trump observing “Politics is tough” and adding: “And in many cases, it’s not a nice world. But it’s a nice world today.”
The men subsequently met in private without the press pack present, with Trump apparently getting a laugh by joking about bringing an end to term limits.
Trump nominates MAGA congressman Matt Gaetz as surprise attorney general pick
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John Thune elected new Senate GOP leader
South Dakota Senator John Thune has been elected the new Senate GOP leader by a margin of 29 votes to 24 for Texas Senator John Cornyn, according to Punchbowl.
Thune won re-election in 2022, meaning that he’s not up for election again until 2028 when Trump’s second term will be coming to an end.
Thune and Cornyn advance to second ballot – Scott eliminated
Senators John Thune and John Cornyn have advanced to the second ballot in the Senate Republican election for majority leader, according to Politico.
Senator Rick Scott has been eliminated.
The vote total was 23 votes for Thune, 15 for Cornyn, and 13 for Scott.
First lady joins Biden and Trump and presents handwritten letter for Melania
Here’s a grinning Joe Biden at his meeting with Trump just now.
According to the pool report, the two men were joined by First Lady Dr Jill Biden and she gave their guest a handwritten letter of congratulations to pass on to Melania Trump, which also expressed her team’s readiness to assist with the transition.
In pictures: Trump and Biden meet at White House for traditional transition sitdown
Here are the 46th and 47 presidents pictured together in the Oval Office just now in front of a roaring log fire:
Their remarks lasted about a minute, with Trump observing “politics is tough” and adding: “And in many cases it's not a nice world. But it's a nice world today.”
He also thanked Biden for his invitation, who replied simply: “You’re welcome.”
Trump added that the transition between their two administrations would be “as smooth as it can get and I very much appreciate that Joe.”
The men subsequently met in private without the press pack present, with Trump apparently getting a laugh by joking about bringing an end to term limits.
Musk brags he will not need the 530 days Trump has given him to improve government
As we await the president-elect’s arrival at the White House to meet the current commander-in-chief – in what could be a very awkward meeting indeed – here’s his new efficiency czar boasting on X about easy it will be for him to streamline the federal government.
Live: Trump and Biden to meet at the White House
You can watch a livefeed of Donald Trump’s upcoming meeting with Joe Biden in the Oval Office via our YouTube channel below.
Trump announces four more advisers joining White House staff
Here’s the latest HR news out of Mar-a-Lago as the Trump transition team confirms reporting earlier this week that Stephen Miller will join his second administration as assistant to the president, deputy chief of staff for police and homeland security adviser.
In addition, Trump’s former caddy and long-time social media adviser Dan Scavino will return as assistant to the president and deputy chief of staff, James Blair will be an assistant to the president and deputy chief of staff for legislative, political and public affairs and Taylor Budowich will serve as assistant to the president and deputy chief of staff for communications and personnel.
“Dan, Stephen, James and Taylor were ‘best in class’ advisors on my winning campaign, and I know they will honorably serve the American people in the White House,” quoth Trump.
“They will continue to work hard to Make America Great Again in their respective new roles.”
Trump addresses Republicans in DC: ‘It’s always nice to win'
The president-elect is currently addressing the House GOP conference at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in triumphant fashion, basking in the glow of last week’s election results.
His new best friend has a front row seat.
Melania hits out over ‘false, misleading and inaccurate’ reporting about her absence
While still declining to offer an explanation for her not joining her husband today, the past and former first lady hits out at the press and warns: “Be discerning with your source of news.”
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