Trump cabinet latest updates: Congress still stunned after pick of Matt Gaetz for attorney general
Donald Trump has picked his controversial MAGA ally to oversee the nation’s Justice Department
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.President-elect Donald Trump’s pick of former Florida Representative Matt Gaetz to be his attorney general continues to stun Congress following the announcement.
Gaetz, whose nomination requires Senate approval, 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.
Republicans and Democrats are shocked by his nomination and there were audible gasps by House Republicans at a conference meeting on Wednesday when the news about Gaetz broke, according to Axios.
“I don’t think it’s a serious nomination for the attorney general,” Alaska Republican Senator Lisa Murkowski said.
Senator Peter Welch, a Vermont Democrat, told The Independent the announcement sounded like a headline in a satire publication. “That was in The Onion,” he said.
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 have gained control of the House, completing their trifecta.
Trump nominates MAGA congressman Matt Gaetz as surprise attorney general pick
Pence says he doesn’t want Trump to pardon Jan 6 rioters and prays for president-elect to ‘stand on his oath’
Republicans insist Trump was ‘joking’ about unconstitutional third term. A Democrat wants to make sure he won’t try
Trump’s win has been described as resounding. It was closer than you think
Trump nominates MAGA congressman Matt Gaetz as surprise attorney general pick
Donald Trump has nominated Republican congressman Matt Gaetz to serve as US attorney general, the nation’s top law enforcement officer, overseeing an agency that could be used to target the president-elect’s rivals while he faces several criminal investigations of his own.
The 42-year-old GOP lawmaker from Florida “has distinguished himself in Congress through his focus on achieving desperately needed reform at the Department of Justice,” Trump said in a statement on Wednesday.
“It will be an honor to serve as President Trump’s Attorney General!” Gaetz wrote on X.
Trump nominates MAGA congressman Matt Gaetz as surprise attorney general pick
Trump picks the Florida congressman to lead the Department of Justice
Trump will nominate ex-Democratic congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard as Director of National Intelligence
President-elect Donald Trump will nominate a former Democratic congresswoman who has promoted conspiracy theories about US involvement in Ukraine to be the next head of the US intelligence community.
In a statement, Trump announced that he is tapping former Hawaii representative Tulsi Gabbard to be his Director of National Intelligence, a position from which Gabbard will be in charge of an office that was created in the wake of the September 11, 2001 terror attacks and tasked with leading and synthesizing intelligence collected from around the world.
The president-elect said Gabbard, who holds the rank of Lieutenant Colonel in the Army National Guard, “has fought for our Country and the Freedoms of all Americans” for “over two decades.”
Trump will nominate ex-Democrat Tulsi Gabbard as Director of National Intelligence
Former Hawaii congresswoman has falsely claimed that the US has funded ‘biolabs’ in Ukraine
Republicans gain control of both houses of Congress
Republicans will control both houses of Congress next year.
The GOP held onto their narrow majority, giving them the opportunity to pass much of President-elect Donald Trump’s agenda.
The victory means that House Speaker Mike Johnson will almost certainly stay in his position. It also came as Senate Republicans flipped the upper chamber.
Democrats flipped a number of seats, including in California and New York. But they didn’t win enough to make up for losses of incumbent Democrats like Yadira Caraveo in Colorado or Republicans flipping Michigan’s open 7th district seat that was vacated when Elissa Slotkin won her senate race. Democratic Representatives Susan Wild and Matt Cartwright of Pennsylvania both fell short.
Many races remain uncalled, but Republicans earned the required 218 votes to keep the lower chamber.
Republicans win control of both Houses of Congress
The unified government gives Trump fewer checks on his power
Trump officially announces Marco Rubio as Secretary of State nominee
Trump issued a statement on Wednesday officially nominating Florida Senator Marco Rubio to be his Secretary of State.
It is my Great Honor to announce that Senator Marco Rubio, of Florida, is hereby nominated to be The United States Secretary of State.
Marco is a Highly Respected Leader, and a very powerful Voice for Freedom.
He will be a strong Advocate for our Nation, a true friend to our Allies, and a fearless Warrior who will never back down to our adversaries.
I look forward to working with Marco to Make America, and the World, Safe and Great Again!
Trump is struggling to find an attorney general candidate who ‘ticks all the boxes’
President-elect Donald Trump is struggling to find a candidate for attorney general who checks all his boxes even after taking on the opinions of his closest advisors and aides.
The former president has already met with several candidates for the post, including at least one on Tuesday, according to CNN. Trump currently has no favorites for the post, the network noted.
While Trump’s relationships with many of his cabinet secretaries in his first administration ended badly, few were as chaotic as his failed connections with his attorneys general – Jeff Sessions and Bill Barr. Trump fired Sessions after he recused himself from the Russia investigation and Barr eventually resigned after the 2020 election amid Trump’s false claims of election fraud.
Trump is struggling to find an attorney general candidate who ‘ticks all the boxes’
Justice Department official says ‘handcuffs are going to be off’ ahead of Trump’s second term
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments