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Today's recap
Donald Trump’s transition team belated signed a memorandum of understanding with the US Department of Justice, which will allow the FBI to conduct background checks on the president-elect’s nominees. But it remains unclear whether Trump will send all his picks for vetting, given that his team had indicated it would avoid or delay complete background checks, relying instead on internal vetting.
Meanwhile, Trump’s lawyers have asked for a dismissal of the hush-money case, in which he was convicted on 34 felony counts, invoking Joe Biden’s decision to pardon his son, Hunter, in their argument
Here’s more:
Trump has reportedly offered the job of deputy secretary of defense to Stephen Feinberg, a billionaire investor whose firm has taken stakes in companies that do business with the Pentagon.
Pete Hegseth, Trump’s pick to lead the defense department, had multiple affairs while married to his first wife, Vanity Fair reported. Such behavior could have violated military rules governing Hegseth, who served in the army national guard, and also strike another blow to his reputation as Republican senators consider whether he should lead the Pentagon.
Hegseth is also facing sexual misconduct allegations, as well as allegations of financial mismanagement and aggressive drunkeness at previous workplaces. Republican senator Lindsay Graham said these allegations were “disturbing” and would be hard to defend.
Trump’s pick to lead the Drug Enforcement Administration, Florida sheriff Chad Chronister, has withdrawn from consideration just two days after being nominated. The sheriff had three decades of experience in law enforcement but was little known outside Florida.
Fallout from Biden’s pardon of his son Hunter Biden continues. A Delaware federal judge cited the pardon in ending Hunter Biden’s prosecution on charges related to lying to buy a gun, while a top Trump adviser refused to say if the incoming president would opt to pardon himself of recently dismissed charges over allegedly hiding classified documents and plotting to overturn the 2020 election.
Chuck Schumer will continue to lead Democrats in the Senate after a closed-door election by his colleagues. He will be the minority leader starting next year, when Republicans take control of the chamber.
Traveling in Angola, Biden was asked about his decision to pardon his son. He refused to answer, and has not said anything else about the decision since making it public on Sunday evening.
Democrats who might seek the presidency in 2028 did not want to share with Politico their views on Hunter Biden’s pardon. Party officials seeking to lead the Democratic National Committee were more talkative.
Updated
