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.
Key Points
- Trump nominates MAGA congressman Matt Gaetz as surprise attorney general pick
- Matt Gaetz resigns from House of Representatives
- Trump announces Tulsi Gabbard as director of national intelligence
- Republicans gain control of both houses of Congress
- Trump officially announces Marco Rubio as Secretary of State nominee
Republicans maintain control of House
03:33 , Katie HawkinsonRepublicans will maintain control of the House of Representatives, reaching the 218-seat majority needed on November 13.
The Republican party now holds majorities in both chambers of Congress, meaning Donald Trump has a clear path to enact his policy agenda when he takes office in January.
Sebastian Coe: Donald Trump will want hugely successful Olympics in Los Angeles
03:30 , Jamie GardnerOlympic presidential candidate Sebastian Coe cannot believe Donald Trump would do anything to harm the Los Angeles Games in 2028.
Trump’s victory in the United States presidential election last week means he is set to occupy his country’s highest office while it stages arguably the world’s two biggest sporting events.
The US will host the men’s football World Cup alongside Canada and Mexico in 2026 and then LA will host the summer Olympics for the second time in 2028, having done so previously in 1984.
The impact of Trump’s presidency on global sport is difficult to predict, but Coe is confident that whatever else might happen, the 78-year-old will be determined for LA to put on a good show.
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Sebastian Coe: Donald Trump will want hugely successful Olympics in Los Angeles
Watch moment Biden and Trump come face-to-face for first time since election
02:45 , Kate GillPresident Joe Biden and Donald Trump came face-to-face for the first time since the country’s November 8 election during a traditional meeting as part of the handoff of power.
The President-elect shook Biden’s hand inside the White House’s Oval Office during Wednesday’s face-to-face meeting — having declined to participate in the ritual four years ago.
“Donald, congratulations,” Biden said, greeting Trump with a handshake.
“Thank you very much,” Trump added.
“Politics is tough, and it is, in many cases, not a very nice world.
“But it is a nice world today, and I appreciate it very much.”
President Biden once again reiterated the Democrat’s wishes for a “smooth transition” of power ahead of Trump’s inauguration in February.
Rudy Giuliani’s lawyers abruptly quit defamation case
02:27 , Alex WoodwardRudy Giuliani’s lawyers have abruptly quit representing him in his defamation case after attorneys for the women he defamed accused the disgraced former New York City mayor of hiding property he has been ordered to turn over.
Giuliani’s lead counsel Kenneth Caruso and attorney David Labkowski filed a motion in federal court in New York on Wednesday citing several reasons for their withdrawal, pointing to a “fundamental disagreement” with Donald Trump’s former attorney.
‘The least qualified nominee in American history’: Why Trump picked Fox News host Pete Hegseth for defense
02:24 , Alex WoodwardThe second in command to the nation’s military could end up being a Fox News pundit who wants to launch a “frontal assault” against top brass, kick women out of combat, and implement Donald Trump’s sweeping agenda for the world’s third-largest standing fighting force.
Read more:
Why Trump nominated a ‘wholly unqualified’ Fox News host for defense secretary
The Guardian leaves X, calling it a ‘toxic media platform’
02:00 , Lynn RuskThe Guardian newspaper has announced it will stop posting on X, formerly Twitter, describing the social media platform as “toxic”.
The news outlet wrote on its website on Wednesday that it had considered the decision for a while due to the “often disturbing content promoted or found on the platform”, but the US election earlier in November “underlined” its decision.
“This is something we have been considering for a while given the often disturbing content promoted or found on the platform, including far-right conspiracy theories and racism,” The Guardian wrote.
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The f-word is having a heyday around the US election. This lexicographer has researched it for decades
01:15 , Sheila FlynnIt’s a word that’s been gleefully co-opted by both sides of the political spectrum for their most basic rallying cries (F*** Joe Biden. F*** Trump), and it’s having a veritable heyday this week in the wake of US presidential election results – as Republicans and Democrats exclaim the expletive with polar-opposite emotion: F*** yes versus F*** no.
In Germany, one weekly newspaper even went so far as to run a Wednesday piece with a one-word headline featuring only the four-letter profanity. “F***,” Die Zeit wrote bluntly.
Luckily, as the world deems the swear word uniquely applicable in various capacities after an emotionally exhausting and far-reaching shift in US politics, there’s a brand-new edition of a book dedicated to the definition, uses and etymology of the f-word.
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Republicans insist Trump was ‘joking’ about unconstitutional third term. A Democrat wants to make sure he won’t try
01:00 , Josh MarcusDonald Trump mused on Wednesday about the prospect of serving a constitutionally barred third term as president, though his Republican colleagues insist he was just joking.
“I suspect I won’t be running again, unless you do something,” Trump reportedly told his GOP colleagues in the House, as they met ahead of congressional leadership elections. “Unless you say, ‘He’s so good, we have to just figure it out.’”
Those in the room later said the president-elect was only kidding. The 22nd Amendment of the Constitution specifies that presidents can only serve up to two full terms.
“That was a joke. It was clearly a joke,” Rep. Tim Burchett of Tennessee told The Hill. “I leaned over to somebody beside me, [Arizona Rep.] Andy Biggs, and I said, that’ll be the headlines tomorrow, ‘Trump trying to thwart the Constitution,’ which — there’s nothing further from the truth.”
Not everyone seemed to feel that way.
READ MORE:
Republicans insists Trump ‘joking’ about unconstitutional third term
Matt Gaetz selection as Attorney General draws quick blowback from halls of Congress and social media
00:45 , Katie Hawkinson, Eric GarciaDonald Trump has tapped GOP Representative Matt Gaetz of Florida for Attorney General, prompting concern and disdain among lawmakers and social media users on both sides of the aisle.
Trump’s nomination of Gaetz comes after the lawmaker and his associates were at the center of a sex trafficking investigation carried out by current Attorney General Merrick Garland. Gaetz was ultimately never charged with a crime but remains the subject of a House ethics committee investigation regarding, among other claims, allegations he had sex with a minor. Gaetz has denied all wrongdoing.
“He is a Champion for the Constitution and the Rule of Law,” Trump wrote in his announcement. “Matt will root out the systemic corruption at DOJ, and return the Department to its true mission of fighting Crime, and upholding our Democracy and Constitution.”
READ MORE:
Matt Gaetz selection as Attorney General nominee draws quick blowback from lawmakers
Dick Van Dyke, 98, makes dark joke about Trump’s second term
00:30 , Inga ParkelLegendary actor Dick Van Dyke has reacted in disdain to Donald Trump’s second-term presidential win after previously endorsing Vice President Kamala Harris.
The Mary Poppins star, who turns 99 next month, was recently out and about with his 52-year-old wife, Arlene Silver, when he was approached by a reporter and asked if he thought the future looked bright for America.
“I hope you’re right,” Dyke can be heard telling the reporter in a clip published by The Daily Mail.
When asked if he thinks Trump is capable of making America great again, the Chitty Chitty Bang Bang actor quipped: “Fortunately, I won’t be around to experience the four years.”
READ MORE:
Dick Van Dyke, 98, makes dark joke about Trump’s second term
Matt Gaetz resigns from House of Representatives
00:30 , Katie HawkinsonRepresentative Matt Gaetz handed his resignation letter to House Speaker Mike Johnson on Wednesday, just after Donald Trump named him the nominee for Attorney General.
Johnson told reporters the Florida lawmaker’s resignation is “effective immediately.” Gaetz’s resignation also ends the House ethics committee investigation into allegations against him of sexual misconduct and drug use, among other claims.
Far-right House members suggest rebellion against Johnson could be on the horizon
00:10 , John BowdenRepublican members of the House of Representatives emerged from their caucus meeting on Wednesday with their moods bolstered by the successful retention of their majority - but with clear signs that a post-election unity period may be short-lived.
There’s clearly no appetite among the GOP’s party elders for another drawn-out leadership fight similar to the one that consumed the party in the fall of 2023, or the more than a dozen votes required to elect Kevin McCarthy as speaker at the beginning of that same year.
But that isn’t likely to stop the party’s rowdy and camera-ready rank and file members, who indicated to reporters on Wednesday that Speaker Mike Johnson had yet to consolidate the kind of support he would need to avert such a conflict in January.
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Far-right House members suggest rebellion against Johnson could be on the horizon
Bull doge! Dogecoin soars as Trump announces a government efficiency group nicknamed DOGE
Wednesday 13 November 2024 23:45 , Stan ChoeWow, much bull market.
Dogecoin, the cryptocurrency whose mascot is a super-cute dog that muses things like “much wow,” has been surging in value since Donald Trump won the presidential election last week. It’s hitting the afterburners now, after Trump named Tesla‘s Elon Musk as one of the heads of a new “Department of Government Efficiency,” which is not a government agency but does have the acronym DOGE.
All this makes sense and is maybe humorous for anyone who’s chronically online. For others, here’s some explanation about what’s going on:
Bull doge! Dogecoin soars as Trump announces a government efficiency group nicknamed DOGE
Lindsey Graham on Gaetz nomination: ‘I’ll think about that one’
Wednesday 13 November 2024 23:30 , Gustaf KilanderLindsey Graham and other top senators on the Senate Judiciary Committee non-committal on Matt Gaetz as AG pic.twitter.com/zmRoqfpdCP
— Manu Raju (@mkraju) November 13, 2024
VOICES: Is Musk’s new megajob for best business buddy Trump too much for even him to handle?
Wednesday 13 November 2024 23:15 , James MooreJust when you thought Elon Musk’s involvement in politics was over after he helped to secure the election of his new BFF, Donald Trump, it was announced that he is going to be a key figure in the running of the US for the foreseeable future.
The Tesla boss has been appointed to head up the newly created Department of Government Efficiency alongside Vivek Ramaswamy, the businessman who briefly competed with Trump for the Republican ticket until the Iowa caucus, in which he finished fourth. He’s also a billionaire – just – albeit a relative pauper when compared to Musk, the world’s richest man.
We’re told that the Doge – coincidentally, also the name of both a meme and a cryptocurrency Musk is fond of promoting – won’t officially be a government agency. Presumably, then, there won’t be any need for things like confirmation hearings before the Senate, at which the opposition has a habit of asking awkward questions. Rather, it will offer “advice and guidance” to the president and work alongside the Office of Management and Budget to drive reforms and create an “entrepreneurial” approach to government.
READ MORE:
Is Musk’s new megajob for best business buddy Trump too much for even him to handle?
Stephen King addresses ‘rumor’ Elon Musk has banned him from X over brutal Trump joke
Wednesday 13 November 2024 22:45 , Jacob StolworthyStephen King has addressed a “rumor” about Elon Musk after claims the author was banned from X/Twitter.
The writer has spoken out against Musk numerous times, making no secret of his dislike for the billionaire.
In the run-up to the 2024 US presidential election, King questioned Musk’s defence of Donald Trump and, in the days after Trump’s victory, has repeatedly poked fun at Tesla and SpaceX founder Musk for his staunch support of the president-elect.
It was claimed this week that King, 77, had made a jibe that angered Musk, 53, so much that he blocked the Shining and ‘Salem’s Lot author from posting on X/Twitter, which Musk owns. According to the rumor, King had jokingly referred to Musk as Trump’s “first lady”.
READ MORE:
Stephen King addresses ‘rumor’ Elon Musk banned him from X over brutal Trump joke
Who is in Trump’s Cabinet so far? The MAGA ally, the Fox News host and the ex-Democrat
Wednesday 13 November 2024 22:30 , Thomas Beaumont, Ariana BaioPresident-elect Donald Trump is filling key posts in his second administration, putting an emphasis so far on aides and allies who were his strongest backers during the 2024 campaign.
Here’s a look at who he’s selected so far.
Who’s in Trump’s Cabinet so far? The MAGA ally, the ice maiden and the Fox News host
Trump made anti-trans themes key to his campaign. Transgender teenagers are scared
Wednesday 13 November 2024 22:15 , Jocelyn Gecker, Sharon LuryeTransgender youth in America have been flooding crisis hotlines since the election of Donald Trump, who made anti-transgender themes central to his campaign.
During his presidential bid, Trump pledged to impose wide-ranging restrictions and roll back civil rights protections for transgender students. And his administration can swiftly start work on one major change: It can exclude transgender students from Title IX protections, which affect school policies on students’ use of pronouns, bathrooms and locker rooms.
One ad that aired over 15,000 times crystallized Trump’s stance on rights for transgender and nonbinary Americans: “Kamala is for they/them. President Trump is for you.”
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Trump made anti-trans themes key to his campaign. Transgender teenagers are scared
Don Lemon highlights alarming change to X’s terms of service as he leaves the platform
Wednesday 13 November 2024 22:00 , Mike BediganDon Lemon has announced that he will be leaving X due to his belief that the platform no longer serves the purpose of being a place for “honest debate and discussion, transparency and free speech” – and because of a specific new rule the platform, formerly known as Twitter, is introducing.
The former CNN anchor, who has clashed with the platform’s ownerElon Musk previously, delivered the news in a video posted on X on Wednesday, while highlighting several concerning changes to the terms of service of the company.
“I have loved connecting with all of you on Twitter and then on X for all of these years, but it’s time for me to leave the platform,” Lemon said.
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Don Lemon highlights changes to X’s terms of service as he leaves the platform
Who is Pete Hegseth? The Fox News anchor turned nominee for Defense secretary
Wednesday 13 November 2024 21:45 , Amber RaikenThe 47th president of the United States, Donald Trump, has announced his pick for Secretary of Defense: Fox News star Pete Hegseth.
Trump issued a statement on Tuesday to nominate Hegseth for the position in the US Department of Defense. “Pete has spent his entire life as a Warrior for the Troops, and for the Country. Pete is tough, smart and a true believer in America First,” the president-elect said. “With Pete at the helm, America’s enemies are on notice – Our Military will be Great Again, and America will Never Back Down.”
The decision to pick the current Fox contributor was met with a mixture of praise, criticism and confusion due to his lack of national security experience.
READ MORE:
Who is Pete Hegseth? The Fox News anchor turned nominee for Defense secretary
Republican Representative’s reaction to Gaetz nomination: ‘Are you sh***** me?'
Wednesday 13 November 2024 21:40 , Gustaf KilanderRepublican Idaho Rep Mike Simpson had a straightforward reaction when asked about Matt Gaetz’s nomination as attorney general.
“Are you sh***** me?” he asked, according to HuffPost.
Mike Johnson wins Republican nomination to serve as House Speaker
Wednesday 13 November 2024 21:22 , Gustaf KilanderRep Mike Johnson has won the Republican nomination to return to his role as US House speaker.
He will face a vote of the full House in January.
Elon Musk wants to gut the federal government under Trump. What could that look like?
Wednesday 13 November 2024 21:15 , Alex WoodwardThe wealthiest man on the planet has pumped tens of millions of dollars into Donald Trump’s successful presidential campaign. He owns an influential social media company where he embraces right-wing influencers and conspiracy theories now dominating the platform. He has business interests with China and Russia’s Vladimir Putin’s regime while his companies receive billions of dollars in US government contracts.
Elon Musk wielded enormous, unprecedented influence in the 2024 presidential election. He has a powerful megaphone to his 203 million followers on X, earns priceless media coverage and backed a Republican nominee who delivered on his promise to put him in charge of gutting federal agencies and cutting trillions of dollars from the federal budget.
On November 12, Trump nominated the Tesla CEO and X owner to steer how the American government spends its money through a newly created Department of Government Efficiency.
READ MORE:
Sen Susan Collins ‘shocked’ at Gaetz nomination
Wednesday 13 November 2024 21:08 , Gustaf KilanderSusan Collins tells reporters she was “shocked” at Gaetz’s nomination
— Eric Michael Garcia (@EricMGarcia) November 13, 2024
Trump nominates MAGA congressman Matt Gaetz as surprise attorney general pick
Wednesday 13 November 2024 20:51 , Alex WoodwardDonald 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.
READ MORE:
Trump nominates MAGA congressman Matt Gaetz as surprise attorney general pick
‘The absurdity is the point’: NYT columnist says cabinet picks are ‘loyalty tests'
Wednesday 13 November 2024 20:49 , Gustaf KilanderNew York Times columnist Ezra Klein noted on X after Matt Gaetz was picked to be attorney general that “Demanding Senate Republicans back Gaetz as attorney general and Hegseth as Defense Secretary is the 2024 version of forcing Sean Spicer to say it was the largest inauguration crowd ever.”
“These aren’t just appointments. They’re loyalty tests. The absurdity is the point,” he added. “It also reflects a difference between Trump in 2020 and Trump in 2024: In 2020, Trump didn’t have the pull with Senate Republicans ... to impose this kind of loyalty test. He didn’t even have it with many of his own appointees. Now, well, we’ll see.”
Republican senator says Gaetz has ‘his work cut out for him’ to become attorney general
Wednesday 13 November 2024 20:46 , Gustaf KilanderSen. Tillis says Gaetz “has his work cut out for him” in terms of the whip count. Also notes Gaetz has vocally criticized a lot of Senate R’s
— Andrew Desiderio (@AndrewDesiderio) November 13, 2024
John Bolton sums up Trump’s ideal cabinet picks in one damning word
Wednesday 13 November 2024 20:45 , Mike BediganDonald Trump’s former National Security Advisor gave a damning assessment of picks for the president-elect’s new cabinet, summing them up in one word.
John Bolton said that rather than having “loyalty” from those selected to serve in his new administration, Trump would prefer “fealty,” referring to a swearing of unwavering allegiance to a feudal lord or leader.
The president-elect has already demonstrated his willingness to appoint his cheerleaders to top positions, including Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy, who were recently named as the joint heads of the new Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).
Other eye-brow-raising picks include Fox News host Pete Hegseth as defense secretary.
READ MORE:
John Bolton sums up Trump’s ideal cabinet picks in one damning word
Trump will nominate ex-Democratic congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard as Director of National Intelligence
Wednesday 13 November 2024 20:38 , Andrew FeinbergPresident-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.”
READ MORE:
Trump will nominate ex-Democrat Tulsi Gabbard as Director of National Intelligence
Trump nominates Matt Gaetz to be attorney general
Wednesday 13 November 2024 20:36 , Gustaf KilanderTrump has announced that Florida Congressman Matt Gaetz will be nominated to serve as his attorney general.
“It will be an honor to serve as President Trump’s Attorney General!” Gaetz wrote on X.
Trump said in a statement on Truth Social: “Matt is a deeply gifted and tenacious attorney, trained at the William & Mary College of Law, who has distinguished himself in Congress through his focus on achieving desperately needed reform at the Department of Justice.”
Republicans name John Thune to be Senate majority leader in Trump’s Washington
Wednesday 13 November 2024 20:15 , Eric GarciaSenate Republicans nominated Senate Minority Whip John Thune of South Dakota to succeed Mitch McConnell as majority leader, setting him up to be the main force to push through president-elect Donald Trump’s agenda.
Thune beat out Florida Senator Rick Scott, a favorite of allies of Trump’s such as Elon Musk, and Senator John Cornyn of Texas, who previously held the job of whip.
First elected in 2004, Thune beat former majority leader Thom Daschle.
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Republicans name John Thune to be Senate majority leader in Trump’s Washington
Trump announces Tulsi Gabbard as director of national intelligence
Wednesday 13 November 2024 20:13 , Gustaf KilanderTrump has announced that former Democratic congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard will be the next director of national intelligence.
I am pleased to announce that former Congresswoman, Lieutenant Colonel Tulsi Gabbard, will serve as Director of National Intelligence (DNI).
For over two decades, Tulsi has fought for our Country and the Freedoms of all Americans.
As a former Candidate for the Democrat Presidential Nomination, she has broad support in both Parties - She is now a proud Republican!
I know Tulsi will bring the fearless spirit that has defined her illustrious career to our Intelligence Community, championing our Constitutional Rights, and securing Peace through Strength.
Tulsi will make us all proud!
WATCH: White House says Trump was 'gracious' in Biden meeting
Wednesday 13 November 2024 20:04 , Gustaf KilanderRepublicans gain control of both houses of Congress
Wednesday 13 November 2024 20:03 , Eric GarciaRepublicans 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.
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Trump officially announces Marco Rubio as Secretary of State nominee
Wednesday 13 November 2024 20:00 , Gustaf KilanderTrump 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’
Wednesday 13 November 2024 19:45 , Gustaf KilanderPresident-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.
READ MORE:
Trump is struggling to find an attorney general candidate who ‘ticks all the boxes’
Trump education secretary hopeful floats national mandate to require Bibles in school classrooms
Wednesday 13 November 2024 19:15 , Joe SommerladDonald Trump’s potential education secretary pick has floated the idea of a national mandate to require Bibles in classrooms.
Oklahoma’s chief school official Ryan Walters, one of the names rumored to be in the running to become the next education secretary, did not reject the idea of rolling out the controversial policy across schools nationwide when it was put to him on Tuesday.
“Look, if you’re teaching American history, the Bible has to be included and we cannot allow left-wing activists to sit here and say we don’t like Christianity,” Walters told Blake Burman on NewsNation’s The Hill.
“We will ensure that history is taught in every class. That means kids will know American exceptionalism. That means kids will know the role that faith played. We will be unapologetic about that here in Oklahoma,” he added, pointing to the policy already in place in his home state.
“We want to make sure that every student knows the role that the Bible played in American history.”
Rhian Lubin has more.
Trump education secretary hopeful floats mandate for Bibles in school classrooms
Live: White House briefing with Karine Jean-Pierre
Wednesday 13 November 2024 18:51 , Gustaf KilanderNew Senate Republican Conference chair Tom Cotton recalls ‘low prices, high wages’ during Trump’s first term
Wednesday 13 November 2024 18:46 , Gustaf KilanderThe newly elected chair of the Senate Republican Conference, Arkansas Senator Tom Cotton said during a press conference on Wednesday afternoon that he’s “looking forward to working with Senator Thune and the rest of this leadership team. I'm very grateful for the confidence that my peers placed in me.”
“We all remember what it was like when President Trump was in office and we had Republicans in charge of the Senate. We had low prices, we had high wages, we had a secure border, we had a strong military, we had a peaceful, stable world,” he claimed. “Starting on January 3, that's what we'll all be working to build again with President Trump, with Mike Johnson, and the rest of the House Republicans on behalf of the American people.”
Joe Rogan lists Harris campaign’s ‘hilarious’ requirements for appearing on his podcast
Wednesday 13 November 2024 18:45 , Kelly RissmanJoe Rogan has divulged a list of what he called “hilarious” requirements that Vice President Kamala Harris had in order to appear on his show.
In Tuesday’s episode, the podcaster revealed that he and the Harris campaign had “multiple conversations” about her potential appearance on the show and that he gave her an “open invitation” to come by.
But, a series of demands from her campaign ultimately blocked the interview from going ahead, Rogan claimed.
“They had requirements on things she didn’t want to talk about,” he said. “She didn’t want to talk about marijuana legalization — which I thought was hilarious.”
READ MORE:
Joe Rogan lists Harris campaign’s ‘hilarious’ requirements for appearing on his show
Watch live: Senate Republicans speak for first time since John Thune elected Senate majority leader
Wednesday 13 November 2024 18:21 , Kate GillWatch live as the Senate Republicans speak for the first time since John Thune was elected to serve as Senate majority leader for the next two years.
Senate Republicans nominated the Senate Minority Whip to succeed Mitch McConnell as majority leader, setting him up to be the main force to push through President-elect Donald Trump’s agenda.
The South Dakotan beat Florida Senator Rick Scott, a favourite of allies of Trump’s such as Elon Musk, and Senator John Cornyn of Texas, who previously held the job of whip.
Trump and Thune have previously clashed, at one point seeing the President-elect encouraging South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem to challenge Thune for his seat.
The two appear to have put their differences aside after the minority whip endorsed Trump.
Watch: Trump ally hints she could serve as his press secretary
Wednesday 13 November 2024 18:15 , Joe SommerladNew Senate majority leader called Trump’s actions ‘inexcusable'
Wednesday 13 November 2024 18:07 , Gustaf KilanderIncoming Senate Majority Leader John Thune of South Dakota blasted Trump after his second impeachment trial, saying that his “vote to acquit should not be viewed as exoneration ... What former President Trump did to undermine faith in our election system and disrupt the peaceful transfer of power is inexcusable.”
FLASHBACK: Thune's statements after each of Donald Trump's impeachment trials.
— Kyle Cheney (@kyledcheney) November 13, 2024
"My vote to acquit should not be viewed as exoneration ... What former President Trump did to undermine faith in our election system and disrupt the peaceful transfer of power is inexcusable." pic.twitter.com/zIsZLZuQZN
Trump and Biden played nice in the Oval Office. Elsewhere at White House, it felt like the circus was back
Wednesday 13 November 2024 17:45 , Andrew FeinbergNearly four years after he left Washington, DC, under a cloud of ignominy rather than attend Joe Biden’s inauguration, President-elect Donald Trump’s bespoke 757 touched down at Joint Base Andrews and taxied to nearly the exact spot from which he departed the same airfield aboard Air Force One.
This time, there was no red carpet there to meet him. There were no salutes rendered upon his arrival, and only a single Air Force officer waiting to greet the man who will, for the second time, become the commander-in-chief of the world’s most powerful military in just a few short months. Roughly 20 miles away at the White House, Trump wasn’t greeted by anything near the pageantry that will await him following his inauguration on January 20, four years to the day after he left without welcoming Biden upon his arrival.
READ MORE:
Trump and Biden played nice in the Oval Office as the circus returned to Washington
WATCH: Trump and Biden shake hands as president-elect visits White House
Wednesday 13 November 2024 17:43 , Gustaf KilanderBarrasso elected majority whip
Wednesday 13 November 2024 17:40 , Gustaf KilanderWyoming Senator John Barrasso has been elected Republican majority whip after running for the role unopposed, according to Politico.
Barrasso, 72, joined the Senate in 2007 and is the current chair of the Senate Republican Conference, the number three spot in the caucus.
Thune says he’s ‘honored to serve’ as majority leader
Wednesday 13 November 2024 17:24 , Gustaf KilanderHonored to serve as the next U.S. Senate majority leader. pic.twitter.com/zq9XLrPDUr
— Senator John Thune (@SenJohnThune) November 13, 2024
Thune elected as first new Senate GOP leader in nearly two decades
Wednesday 13 November 2024 17:22 , Gustaf KilanderJohn Thune was elected in a secret ballot and is set to take over as the new Senate majority leader in January at the beginning of the new Congress.
Thune is the first new Republican Senate leader in 18 years, following the longest-serving Senate leader Mitch McConnell.
The South Dakota Senator will take on the leadership of the Republican Senate caucus as the GOP takes control of both chambers of Congress as well as the White House.
Thune is the current Republican whip, and at 63, he’s seen as relatively young by GOP leadership standards. He succeeds McConnell, 82, and won in the second round of voting against John Cornyn, 72.
Republicans are set to govern with a 53-seat majority in the Senate as they take on cutting taxes, cracking down on immigration, and looking at energy policy.
Watch: Trump’s new defense secretary ‘can’t remember washing hands once over last decade’ in bizarre resurfaced footage
Wednesday 13 November 2024 17:15 , Joe Sommerlad
Trump’s defense secretary ‘can’t remember washing hands once over last decade’
John Thune elected new Senate GOP leader
Wednesday 13 November 2024 17:05 , Gustaf KilanderSouth 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
Wednesday 13 November 2024 16:59 , Gustaf KilanderSenators 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
Wednesday 13 November 2024 16:38 , Joe SommerladHere’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
Wednesday 13 November 2024 16:21 , Joe SommerladHere 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.
Multiple members leaving the meeting said they took President-elect Trump saying this as a joke about being term limited
— Rachel Scott (@rachelvscott) November 13, 2024
“I suspect I won’t be running again unless you say, ‘He’s so good we’ve got to figure something else out.’”
They said people chuckled in the room.
Musk brags he will not need the 530 days Trump has given him to improve government
Wednesday 13 November 2024 16:15 , Joe SommerladAs 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.
It will be done much faster https://t.co/06TdkNZ1Ko
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) November 13, 2024
Live: Trump and Biden to meet at the White House
Wednesday 13 November 2024 15:55 , Joe SommerladYou 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
Wednesday 13 November 2024 15:50 , Joe SommerladHere’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.”
Watch: Trump addresses House Republicans
Wednesday 13 November 2024 15:40 , Joe SommerladPresident-elect Trump meets with @HouseGOP. pic.twitter.com/eyXFMXIx90
— CSPAN (@cspan) November 13, 2024
Trump addresses Republicans in DC: ‘It’s always nice to win'
Wednesday 13 November 2024 15:35 , Joe SommerladThe 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
Wednesday 13 November 2024 15:20 , Joe SommerladWhile 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.”
Mrs. Trump will not be attending today’s meeting at the White House. Her husband’s return to the Oval Office to commence the transition process is encouraging, and she wishes him great success.
— Office of Melania Trump (@OfficeofMelania) November 13, 2024
In this instance, several unnamed sources in the media continue to provide false,…
Trump jets in for White House meeting with Joe Biden
Wednesday 13 November 2024 15:05 , Joe SommerladThe president-elect’s private plane landed in Joint Base Andrews, Maryland, a short while ago to whisk him across to Washington DC.
Elon Musk, his chief of staff-designate Susie Wiles and Florida Congressman Matt Gaetz were among Trump’s fellow passengers.
MAGA congresswoman claims Lara Trump is ‘perfect fit’ to replace Rubio in Senate
Wednesday 13 November 2024 14:40 , Joe SommerladFlorida Congresswoman Anna Paulina Luna believes the RNC co-chair, Donald Trump’s daughter-in-law, should take Senator Marco Rubio’s seat in the upper chamber of Congress now that he is expected to be tapped to serve in Trump’s cabinet.
Kelly Rissman reports.
MAGA congresswoman claims Lara Trump is best fit to replace Marco Rubio in Senate
Musk supports radical change in who controls America’s supply of money
Wednesday 13 November 2024 14:20 , Joe SommerladThe Tesla and SpaceX CEO signaled his support for abolishing the Federal Reserve in a post on X last week, just days before Trump announced the billionaire’s new “efficiency” role under his government.
Musk shared a post by Republican Senator Mike Lee that called for an end to the United States’s central bank.
Musk included a “100” emoji in the caption of his re-post on Friday.
“The Executive Branch should be under the direction of the president,” the Utah senator wrote in his post.
“That’s how the Constitution was designed. The Federal Reserve is one of many examples of how we’ve deviated from the Constitution in that regard. et another reason why we should #EndTheFed.”
Katie Hawkinson has more.
Elon Musk supports radical change in who controls America’s supply of money
Tommy Tuberville says the US military ‘couldn’t beat anyone right now’
Wednesday 13 November 2024 14:00 , Joe SommerladThe Alabama Senator told Fox News host Laura Ingraham last night that her stablemate Pete Hegseth will have his work cut out for him because the US military is a “disaster” and “couldn’t beat anybody right now”.
Tuberville – a former football coach who never served and has no background in military strategy – made the comments while insisting that the nation needs to revamp its armed forces.
“We need to build our military up,” the Republican said.
“Our military right now, Laura, is a disaster. Absolute disaster. We couldn’t beat anybody right now.”
Tuberville said while “we’ve got some good people in the military… [the] structure of it, the things that we’ve done, the Democrats have destroyed it”.
Graig Graziosi has more.
Tommy Tuberville says the military ‘couldn’t beat anyone right now’
Ex-Fox News host slams colleague’s appointment to run Pentagon under Trump
Wednesday 13 November 2024 13:40 , Joe SommerladGretchen Carlson has said she was left “stunned” by Trump’s decision to select her one-time colleague Pete Hegseth as his new secretary of defense.
“From silly diner interviews on Weekend Fox and Friends to Secretary of Defense?” she wrote on X last night.
“I never thought I’d say I’m stunned about any pick after the election but nominating Pete Hegseth for this incredibly important role? Yes he’s a veteran… and?”
James Liddell has more.
Ex-Fox News host slams colleague’s appointment to run Pentagon under Trump
Trump’s defense secretary pick thinks women should not be in combat roles in military
Wednesday 13 November 2024 13:20 , Joe SommerladPete Hegseth said earlier this month that women should not be in combat roles in the military because they are not “as capable” as men.
The 44-year-old Fox and Friends co-host, whose appointment has shocked many in the defense world, dismissed the role of women in combat roles in an appearance on the Shawn Ryan Show, which aired last week on November 7.
“I’m straight up just saying we should not have women in combat roles,” Hegseth said.
“It hasn’t made us more effective, hasn’t made us more lethal, has made fighting more complicated.
“We have all served with women and they’re great. But it’s just our institutions don’t have to incentivize that in places where traditionally... over human history, men in those positions are more capable.”
Rhian Lubin has more.
Trump’s defense secretary pick thinks women should not be in combat roles in military
Revealed: Trump’s push to ‘veto Sir Keir Starmer’s Chagos Islands deal’
Wednesday 13 November 2024 13:00 , Joe SommerladThe future of the Chagos Islands and a secretive UK/US airbase is set to be an early flashpoint between Donald Trump and Sir Keir Starmer as the president-elect seeks to veto the controversial deal signed off by the prime minister and endorsed by Joe Biden, it can be revealed.
The Independent understands that the Trump’s transition team has requested legal advice from the Pentagon over the agreement that handed the Chagos Islands – which is under British control – to Mauritius.
US government sources say Trump is looking to veto the deal, which is set to come into force after his inauguration in January, over global security fears.
Here’s a full report from David Maddox.
Revealed: Donald Trump’s push to veto Starmer’s Chagos Islands deal
