Trump cabinet latest updates: Pam Bondi nominated as new AG pick after Matt Gaetz steps down
Former Florida congressman withdrew from consideration as more details of ethics investigation leaked
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.Former Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi is Donald Trump’s new pick to lead the Department of Justice following the departure of former Florida Congressman Matt Gaetz.
“For too long, the partisan Department of Justice has been weaponized against me and other Republicans - Not anymore. Pam will refocus the DOJ to its intended purpose of fighting Crime, and Making America Safe Again,” Trump wrote in a statement on Thursday evening.
Gaetz withdrew his name from consideration for the role on Thursday.
In a statement on X, he said: “While the momentum was strong, it is clear that my confirmation was unfairly becoming a distraction to the critical work of the Trump/Vance Transition.”
He was the subject of investigations into drug use and sex with a minor, allegations which he has always denied.
Meanwhile, police have released a detailed investigative report into Pete Hegseth, the Fox News personality and military veteran Donald Trump has nominated to be America’s next defense secretary, after he was accused of sexual assault by a woman he met at a conservative conference in Monterey, California, in 2017, the latest resurfaced scandal to dog the incoming administration.
Top Democrat on Ethics panel accuses Republican chair of ‘betraying the process’ on Matt Gaetz report
Trump looking at naming right-wing radio host Dan Bongino to head the Secret Service: Report
Trump’s cabinet is filling up with Project 2025 authors despite him saying he has ‘no idea’ what it is
Inside Trump and Musk’s controversial bromance: ‘They are having a blast’
Trump names Pam Bondi as new AG pick after controversial first choice Matt Gaetz withdraws
Trump told Gaetz his AG confirmation was not going to happen, report says
PerThe Bulwark:
Eight days after making the snap decision to nominate Matt Gaetz to be the nation’s next attorney general, Trump phoned him Thursday morning to tell him he wouldn’t get confirmed, according to a source briefed on the conversation. The president-elect explained that Republican senators were too troubled by the sex scandals and investigations surrounding Gaetz and that the constant and salacious distractions had doomed him.
“You don’t have the votes,” Trump said, according to the source. “These senators aren’t moving.”
Another source familiar with the conversation between Trump and Gaetz said Gaetz had acknowledged he had between four and six Republican votes against him. He could only lose three.
Watch: Trans activist confronts Nancy Mace
Trans activist confronts Nancy Mace at Georgetown conference
A trans rights activist was forcefully removed from a Georgetown University event featuring Nancy Mace after confronting the congresswoman over her Congress anti-trans bathroom campaign. The incident comes after Mace introduced a resolution that prohibits people from “using single-sex facilities other than those corresponding to their biological sex.”, targeting her new colleague Sarah McBride, the first transgender member of Congress. Evan Greer was attending the "Summit on the Future of the Internet" event hosted by Project Liberty was held on November 21st, 2024, directly following Trans Day of Remembrance. Mace began to complain about the backlash she had received when Greer stood up and stated, "We’ve had dozens of trans people die this year because of the lies you’re spreading. Is this the future of the Internet we want?" After Greer was removed, Mace doubled down on her comments and was then booed by the crowd.
Democrats are breaking with Biden over Israel and Gaza
In the Senate on Wednesday evening, three resolutions to block arms sales to Israel were defeated on the floor — one sponsored by Bernie Sanders, the chamber’s only avowed socialist member, and two others were sponsored by Jeff Merkley and Peter Welch. The outcome was all but preordained. What was notable instead was the number of members from Biden’s party who joined them — in direct defiance of both Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and the White House, which lobbied against the resolution and accused its supporters of aiding Hamas.
Nineteen senators in the Democratic caucus voted in support of ending or halting aid to Israel, a number that represents nearly a third of the caucus. Many were outspoken in their rebukes of both Israeli policy and US complicity in the tactics utilized by Israeli forces on the ground, as well as the conditions perpetuated by the war.
The message was clear: Joe Biden’s hold on his party is gone, and there is significant doubt among elected Democrats about his handling of the US-Israeli relationship since October 7, 2023.
John Bowden and Eric Garcia report from Washington, D.C.
‘The president’s Middle East policy has failed’: Democrats break with Biden on Israel
Nearly a third of Senate Democratic caucus voted to halt arms sales on Wednesday, in direct defiance of the White House. This large number represents trouble for Biden’s legacy
Sex scandal claims swirl around Trump’s cabinet
President-elect Donald Trump’s cabinet is proving to be one of the most controversial in recent memory, including a number of people who face sexual misconduct allegations.
Trump himself has been accused of sexual misconduct by more than two dozen women. He has bragged about grabbing women “by the p***y.” A jury found him liable for sex abuse against former Elle columnist E. Jean Carroll.
Still, he has been elected twice to serve as president. He has denied all the accusations against him.
“This is not a good time for survivors or victims. People are not going to speak up because, look, it’s falling on deaf ears. No one cares,” one of Trump’s accusers previously told The Independent after he was re-elected.
Now, he’s nominated a number of individuals who also face claims of engaging in or tolerating sexual misconduct.
Karoline Leavitt, Trump-Vance transition spokeswoman said: “The American people re-elected President Trump by a resounding margin giving him a mandate to implement the promises he made on the campaign trail — and his Cabinet picks reflect his priority to put America First. President Trump will continue to appoint highly-qualified men and women who have the talent, experience, and necessary skill sets to Make America Great Again.”
Kelly Rissman looks at some of the contentious picks Trump has made for his inner circle.
Who is now in the running to be Trump’s attorney general
Donald Trump’s selection for the nation’s next top law enforcement official is expected to execute the “retribution” and “vengeance” he has promised against his political enemies.
Now-former congressman Matt Gaetz — a Trump loyalist who spearheaded legal threats among House Republicans against the prosecutors and judges overseeing the criminal investigations against the former president — has withdrawn his name from consideration one week after Trump picked him for attorney general.
A list of names in consideration for the role that circulated in the weeks leading up to Election Day did not include Gaetz, whose selection surprised members of Congress, where he remains under investigation for allegations of sexual misconduct.
The job now appears up for grabs.
Alex Woodward takes a look at the contenders.
Who will Trump pick for attorney general? Potential candidates after Gaetz drops out
Trump advisers and allies have floated a long list of contenders for the nation’s top law enforcement job after Plan A quit
Number of Senate ‘no’ votes on Gaetz grew to five, report says
Marjorie Taylor Greene tapped to work alongside Musk and Ramaswamy on DOGE panel
Far-right congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene will lead a new congressional panel to work with Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy on their plans to slash the federal budget and fire workers across the government.
Greene has been tapped to chair a House subcommittee that will work in tandem with Donald Trump’s newly created Department of Government Efficiency, an advisory board that the president-elect appointed the billionaire and wealthy entrepreneur to lead.
The “Subcommittee on Delivering on Government Efficiency” is “designed to work hand in hand with President Trump, Elon Musk, Vivek Ramaswamy, and the entire DOGE team,” the congresswoman from Georgia said in a statement to CNBC.
The panel, first reported by Fox News Digital, will recommend firing government “bureaucrats” and will provide “transparency and truth to the American people through hearings,” according to Greene.
“No topic will be off the table,” she said.
Alex Woodward has the full story.
Marjorie Taylor Greene to work with Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy on House DOGE panel
The far-right firebrand will chair a House subcommittee to recommend mass firings and government cuts
Sen. Cornyn weighs in on possible Gaetz replacement
Politico’s defense reporter in Congress, Connor O’Brien, asked Senator John Cornyn what Matt Gaetz dropping out of the nomination process for attorney general might mean for Donald Trump’s defense secretary pick, Pete Hegseth, who also faces allegations of misconduct.
“You know, somebody suggested that maybe Ted Cruz should be the next attorney general,” he replied.
“He’s an outstanding lawyer. I mean, very talented guy.”
Report: Gaetz had second sexual encounter at party with girl, 17, that included another woman
A woman who claims she had sex with Matt Gaetz when she was a minor reportedly told the House Ethics Committee that she also had two sexual encounters with him at one party in 2017, and that one had involved another woman.
The woman, who was 17 years old at the time, also testified to both sexual encounters in a civil deposition as part of a related lawsuit, sources familiar with the testimony said.
Mike Bedigan reports.
Ethics panel hears Gaetz had second sexual encounter at party with girl, 17: report
The controversial former congressman has withdrawn from consideration as Attorney General amid mounting pressure
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments