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President-elect Donald Trump plans to fire special counsel Jack Smith's entire team when he takes office, sources told the Washington Post. Smith, who is responsible for two federal cases against Trump, is reportedly already planning to step down before the inauguration. Trump had publicly promised to to fire Smith within "two seconds" of being sworn in, but the Post reveals that he wants a clean sweep of the office, including career attorneys who typically avoid being targeted for political retribution. Trump is also planning to use the Justice Department to hunt for evidence of fraud in the 2020 election, sources told the Post. When asked about the plans, Trump press secretary Karoline Leavitt said: "President Trump campaigned on firing rogue bureaucrats who have engaged in the illegal weaponization of our American justice system, and the American people can expect he will deliver on that promise."
Newsweek's live blog is closed.
Nov 22, 2024 at 06:13 PM EST
Trump’s ‘disaster’ appointments are coming, RFK Jr.’s running mate warns
Nicole Shanahan, Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s former presidential running mate, has raised concerns about potential appointees for the incoming Trump administration, calling them a potential "disaster."
In a recent social media post, Shanahan urged vigilance and action, highlighting her behind-the-scenes efforts to block the controversial picks.
"There are two potential appointments that could be coming down the pike that would be a disaster for the people, our health, and the integrity of this administration," Shanahan said. "I am working very hard behind the scenes to make sure they don't come to fruition."
Read in full from Jesus Mesa on Newsweek.
Nov 22, 2024 at 06:02 PM EST
Don Jr. defends Pam Bondi campaigning for Jeb Bush in 2016 primaries
Donald Trump Jr. has defended Pam Bondi campaigning for Jeb Bush in 2016 primaries.
"In all fairness I think my family and I may have been some of the only people who supported @realDonaldTrump in the 2016 GOP primary," he wrote on X.
"Once he broke through the lies and stereotypes and proved to be a populist leader that all changed.@PamBondi was one of his earliest supporters!"
Nov 22, 2024 at 05:46 PM EST
Donald Trump got ‘loud and clear’ message from Senate GOP
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Senate Republicans sent Donald Trump a "loud and clear" message by rejecting his nomination of former Representative Matt Gaetz as attorney general, according to legal analyst Glenn Kirschner.
Gaetz announced on Thursday that he was withdrawing from consideration as Trump's nominee because he believed that "a needlessly protracted Washington scuffle" over his confirmation by the Senate "was unfairly becoming a distraction to the critical work" of the incoming administration.
While Trump quickly named former Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi to take the job instead, the failure of his initial nomination was a clear setback. The president-elect had called reluctant senators in an attempt to win them over, but at least four GOP senators remained opposed to Gaetz before he dropped out, The New York Times reported.
On Thursday night, Kirschner, a former federal prosecutor and a frequent Trump critic, said during an episode of his Justice Matters podcast that Senate Republicans' rejection of Gaetz indicated they might not always give Trump what he wants.
Read in full from Aila Slisco on Newsweek.
Nov 22, 2024 at 05:34 PM EST
DeSantis sets dates for Gaetz seat special election in blow to Johnson and Trump
Gov. Ron DeSantis has set the dates for the special election to fill Matt Gaetz's seat in the House after his resignation last week.
A primary will be held January 28, followed by the general election on April 1.
The dates will be a blow to House Speaker Mike Johnson who was hoping to fill Gaetz' seat before next Congress began in January.
With such a narrow majority, the GOP will feel the loss of the Republican seat in almost every vote until April - something that could impact Donald Trump's first 100 days in office.
Nov 22, 2024 at 05:19 PM EST
Trump’s intelligence pick was ‘placed on TSA watchlist over foreign connections and travel’
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Tulsi Gabbard, who has been named as President-elect Donald Trump's director of national intelligence, was previously placed on TSA watchlist after her overseas travel and foreign connections triggered an algorithm, sources told CNN.
Gabbard previously claimed she was added to list, which prompts additional security screening before flights, because she had criticized Vice President Kamala Harris.
But sources at CNN strongly denied her allegations.
Gabbard was quickly removed from the list, referred to as 'Quiet Skies', after going public with the claims.
Nov 22, 2024 at 05:09 PM EST
Pam Bondi ‘exceeds’ Matt Gaetz ‘on every level’ as AG pick
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Former federal prosecutor and senior CNN legal analyst Elie Honig said on Friday that President-elect Donald Trump's next pick for U.S. attorney general, Pam Bondi, is "without a question" more qualified to serve in the role than former Representative Matt Gaetz.
Gaetz, a Florida Republican, on Thursday announced he was withdrawing his name from consideration to serve as the president-elect's attorney general.
The former congressman posted to X, formerly known as Twitter, that he withdrew his name because it is "clear that my confirmation was unfairly becoming a distraction to the critical work of the Trump/Vance Transition." Gaetz has been the center of a probe into his alleged sexual allegations and previously was on Capitol Hill meeting with senators to urge them to confirm him.
The probe stems from accusations that Gaetz was involved in recruiting women online for sex, including a 17-year-old girl. The Department of Justice (DOJ) last year told Gaetz that he would not face federal sex-trafficking charges.
Read in full from Sonam Sheth on Newsweek.
Nov 22, 2024 at 04:58 PM EST
Ramaswamy appear to confirm plans to defund Planned Parenthood
Vivek Ramaswamy appeared to confirm that the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) plans to try to defund Planned Parenthood.
"The federal government shouldn't be in the business of giving away free money to non-governmental organizations. That should be obvious," the co-lead of DOGE wrote on X.
He shared the comment along with a Life News story with the headline "Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy Call for Defunding Planned Parenthood Via DOGE".
Nov 22, 2024 at 04:51 PM EST
Gaetz joins Cameo
Matt Gaetz has joined Cameo, a video platform that allows fans to buy customized videos from their favorite celebrity, sports star or even, politician.
Personalized videos from the former Florida representative start at $500.
Options for the videos can include asking Gaetz a question, or giving advice or a pep talk, and even wishing someone happy birthday.
Gaetz joined Cameo Friday - one day after withdrawing as President-elect Donald Trump's attorney general nominee. Gaetz had resigned from the House last week after Trump had nominated him to lead the Department of Justice.
In a brief bio on Cameo, Gaetz said, "I served in Congress. Trump nominated me to be US Attorney General (that didn't work out). Once I fired the House Speaker."
Nov 22, 2024 at 04:34 PM EST
Fact Check: Did RFK Jr. call Trump fans ‘belligerent idiots?’
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Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s defection to Donald Trump and the Republicans comes after years of criticism the former Democrat laid at Trump's feet.
Kennedy, whom Trump has nominated to be the next U.S. health secretary, has previously called the president-elect a "bully" and a "terrible president" and described his early political rise as "scary."
In a video that was widely shared online this week, amid widespread discussion of Trump's cabinet picks, commentators claimed that Kennedy had disparaged Trump's supporters too, saying he called them "belligerent idiots," "outright Nazis," and "bootlickers."
Read in full from Tom Norton on Newsweek.
Nov 22, 2024 at 04:17 PM EST
Senate Judiciary Chair Durbin calls for FBI background check for Bondi
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Senate Judiciary Chair Dick Durbin is demanding an FBI background check for President-elect Donald Trump's new pick for attorney general, Pam Bondi.
Durbin said in a statement that "serious questions have been raised about Ms. Bondi's conduct as Florida's Attorney General and President-elect Trump's personal attorney."
He added that after the "awkward" withdrawal of Gaetz, who was not screened by the FBI, the Senate and its Judiciary Committee "should insist that President-elect Trump, like prior Presidents-elect of both parties, follow the rules."
Nov 22, 2024 at 03:58 PM EST
Matt Gaetz X handle changed to reflect he is no longer congressman
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The official X account for Matt Gaetz as congressman has had its handle changed to reflect that he is no longer in Congress.
His username is now @FmrRepMattGaetz.
Nov 22, 2024 at 03:49 PM EST
Lara Trump’s message to Americans afraid of Donald Trump’s ‘retribution’
Lara Trump, co-chair of the Republican National Committee and Donald Trump's daughter-in-law, sought to reassure Americans skeptical or fearful of Trump's second term, saying he is not "hell-bent on revenge or retribution."
Lara Trump vocally supported Trump's three presidential campaigns and appeared at some campaign rallies alongside her husband, Eric Trump, this year.
She has been applauded for helping the GOP achieve a trifecta victory, gaining control of the White House, Senate and House of Representatives for the first time since 2018. She is likely to remain a key figure in politics, possibly in the next administration or, as some conservatives have urged, to fill Florida Senator Marco Rubio's seat after he is confirmed as Trump's secretary of state.
Donald Trump has called out his enemies and issued various threats against them, such as Justice Department special counsel Jack Smith and former GOP Representative Liz Cheney, and has indicated that he wants to prosecute his critics. In October, NPR found that "Trump has issued more than 100 threats to investigate, prosecute, imprison or otherwise punish his perceived opponents."
On Thursday evening, when asked by Washington Post investigative reporter Carol Leonnig how the president-elect plans to unify the country, Lara Trump responded, "Anyone who is afraid right now, you should not be afraid."
She said these concerns stem from "fearmongering" during the campaign, which she described as "completely unwarranted and unfair" toward Trump, then the GOP nominee.
After Leonnig later pushed back about how some of the president-elect's statements and actions may have instilled that fear, Lara Trump said, "I think oftentimes things get misplaced often with Donald Trump."
Read the full story by Mandy Teheri on Newsweek.
Nov 22, 2024 at 03:39 PM EST
Megyn Kelly on allege Pete Hegseth victim: ‘This story smells’
Commentator Megyn Kelly appeared on conservative political activist Charlie Kirk's podcast to go "point-by-point shutting down the left's smear campaign against" Pete Hegseth, President-elect Donald Trump's pick for defense secretary.
A police report reveals graphic details about how a woman accused Hegseth of sexual assault. The 22-page report includes explicit information about the woman's claims against Hegseth during a night in a California hotel room in 2017, which he has admitted entailed them having sex barely two months after his mistress gave birth to their child. The alleged rape, as described by police in the report, was initially relayed to Trump transition officials last week by a woman's friend.
Kirk questioned Kelly about the claims and Hegseth as a whole, and she said in his defense, "This woman's story smells terribly. Now, I went through that police report line by line... This woman's story smells and if you read the media coverage about this allegation, let me tell you, you will not learn the facts."
Nov 22, 2024 at 03:14 PM EST
Map shows where Trump nominees are from
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The majority of President-elect Donald Trump's nominations to join his administration are from his two states of residence, Florida and New York.
Following Trump's nomination of Pam Bondi to become the next U.S. Attorney General, jokes of "Make America Florida Again," mocking Trump's "Make America Great Again" slogan, have been circulating social media.
Trump has now announced he wants nine people from Florida to take on positions close to him in the White House. An additional six people are nominated in New York.
Read the full story by Monica Sager on Newsweek.
Nov 22, 2024 at 02:51 PM EST
Chuck Grassley: Pam Bondi is ‘well regarded& experienced’
Sen. Chuck Grassley praised Pam Bondi after she was tapped to be the next U.S. attorney general.
Nov 22, 2024 at 02:40 PM EST
Pam Bondi once rescheduled an execution to attend fundraiser
Pam Bondi, the nominee to become the next U.S. attorney general, once postponed an execution so she could attend a campaign fundraiser.
On Thursday, President-elect Donald Trump named Bondi, who served as Florida's attorney general from 2011 to 2019, as his pick for U.S. attorney general after former Florida Representative Matt Gaetz withdrew from consideration.
In 2013, the Tampa Bay Times reported that Bondi had persuaded then-Governor Rick Scott to postpone an execution scheduled for September 10 so she could attend her "hometown campaign kickoff" in South Tampa.
Newsweek reached out to Bondi for comment through the America First Policy Institute.
Read the full story by Monica Sager on Newsweek.
Nov 22, 2024 at 02:27 PM EST
Former congressman says Elon Musk asked him to advise DOGE
Former Texas Congressman Ron Paul said today on X that Elon Musk reached out to him to "advise the new Dept. of Government Efficiency."
Nov 22, 2024 at 02:12 PM EST
Melania Trump’s office announces chief of staff
First Lady Melania Trump's office has announced that Hayley Harrison was appointed as her chief of staff.
Nov 22, 2024 at 02:06 PM EST
John Cornyn on Pam Bondi’s nomination: ‘I look forward to working with her’
Sen. John Cornyn has reacted to President-elect Donald Trump nominating Pam Bondi to be U.S. attorney general.
He said that he looks "forward to working with her" and lauded her experience.
Nov 22, 2024 at 01:51 PM EST
Kelly Loeffler might be up for secretary of Agriculture
Two sources familiar with the situation told CNN that President-elect Donald Trump is set to give Kelly Loeffler the position of Secretary of Agriculture.
He plans to meet with her at his Mar-a-Lago Club this afternoon.
Nov 22, 2024 at 01:35 PM EST
Steven Cheung on Trump’s case delay: ‘All of the sham lawfare attacks against President Trump are now destroyed’
The Trump-Vance Transition Team shared a statement from Trump Communications Director Steven Cheung about the president-elect's New York sentencing being canceled indefinitely.
The statement reads:
"In a decisive win for President Trump, the hoax Manhattan Case is now fully stayed and sentencing is adjourned. President Trump won a landslide victory as the American People have issued a mandate to return him to office and dispose of all remnants of the Witch Hunt cases. All of the sham lawfare attacks against President Trump are now destroyed and we are focused on Making America Great Again." - Steven Cheung, Trump Communications Director
Nov 22, 2024 at 01:21 PM EST
Pete Hegseth: ‘If we gather as a group, we’re condemned’
Pete Hegseth spoke about those who stormed the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, saying, "If we gather as a group, we're condemned for being a bunch of conspiracy theorists who are not patriotic."
Nov 22, 2024 at 01:15 PM EST
Matthew Whitaker’s views on NATO, Ukraine unclear amid Trump appointment
Matthew Whitaker, who has been chosen by Donald Trump to be the U.S. ambassador to NATO, has not said much about the alliance or foreign policy.
Whitaker, who was selected by the president-elect on Wednesday, has no background in foreign policy or national security. Instead, his background is in law enforcement, having served as a U.S. attorney in Iowa from 2004 to 2009 and as acting U.S. attorney general between November 2018 and February 2019.
While he has not directly spoken about foreign policy, he has made clear his America-First position, a trait that was praised by Trump when he posted about Whitaker's selection on Truth Social.
"Matt is a strong warrior and a loyal Patriot, who will ensure the United States' interests are advanced and defended," Trump said. "Matt will strengthen relationships without NATO Allies, and stand firm in the face of threats to Peace and Stability."
Read the full story by Jordan King on Newsweek.
Nov 22, 2024 at 01:14 PM EST
Vance undertakes more public transition role as he seeks to support Trump’s nominees
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Vice President-elect JD Vance returned to Capitol Hill this week after several weeks spent mostly behind closed doors in a new, more visible role: assisting President-elect Donald Trump in getting his most contentious Cabinet picks confirmed in the Senate, where Vance has served for the past two years.
Vance came to the Capitol on Wednesday with former Rep. Matt Gaetz and spent the morning attending talks with Trump's nominee for attorney general and key Republicans, including Senate Judiciary Committee members. The effort was for naught: Gaetz declared a day later that he was withdrawing his name due to sex trafficking charges and the likelihood that he would not be confirmed.
Vance returned Thursday morning, this time with Pete Hegseth, the "Fox & Friends Weekend" anchor whom Trump has nominated to be the next secretary of defense. Hegseth has also faced claims of sexual assault, which he rejects.
Vance is anticipated to join other nominees to meetings in the coming weeks, attempting to use his two years in the Senate to help push through Trump's nominations.
Nov 22, 2024 at 01:09 PM EST
Pam Bondi’s lobbying for Qatar explained
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President-elect Donald Trump's new pick for Attorney General once earned $115,000 a month as a registered foreign lobbyist for the Qatari government, which has often been accused of human rights abuses.
She worked for Qatar in 2020 during the run-up to the 2022 soccer World Cup, when the state introduced new laws to end one of the most abusive elements of the country's labor system.
The highly successful executive and former Florida Attorney General faces intense scrutiny after stepping in when former Florida Republican rep Matt Gaetz stepped down from the nomination as U.S. Attorney General on Thursday, amid a storm of controversy and allegations of sexual misconduct, which he denied.
"Pam will refocus the DOJ to its intended purpose of fighting Crime, and Making America Safe Again," Donald Trump said in a statement following the announcement. "I have known Pam for many years—She is smart and tough, and is an AMERICA FIRST Fighter, who will do a terrific job as Attorney General!"
Read in full from Martha McHardy on Newsweek.
Nov 22, 2024 at 01:09 PM EST
Musk says DOGE ‘will improve efficiency of defense spending’
Elon Musk has said that his new Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) "will improve the efficiency of Defense spending."
Former National Security Advisor John Bolton has called for any government savings to be reinvested in the defense budget, which he said yesterday, "desperately needs an increase."
But it appears that Tesla CEO Musk and DOGE co-lead Vivek Ramaswamy don't have any plans to increase defense funding.
"We need to strengthen our military by focusing on the *effectiveness* of our defense spending, rather than just reflexively increasing the magnitude," Ramaswamy said on X.
Musk added: "DOGE will improve the efficiency of Defense spending."
Nov 22, 2024 at 12:56 PM EST
Pete Hegseth’s comments calling for an ‘educational insurgency’ have gone viral
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President-elect Donald Trump's defense secretary nominee, Pete Hegseth, has gone viral for comments calling for establishing Christian schools to build an "educational insurgency."
Hegseth made the comments on Monday's episode of CrossPolitic, a Christian political podcast that aims "to see our fallen and broken nation recognize Jesus as our redeemer."
Hegseth was discussing his book Battle for the American Mind. He mentioned the need for "an educational insurgency" to combat progressive ideas in American schools.
"We draw out in the last part of the book what an educational insurgency would look like," he said. "We're in middle phase one right now, which is effectively a tactical retreat where you regroup, consolidate and reorganize."
Read in full from Flynn Nicholls on Newsweek.
Nov 22, 2024 at 12:54 PM EST
Incoming Senate Judiciary Chair Chuck Grassley praises Pam Bondi as AG
Incoming Senate Judiciary Chair Chuck Grassley has praised Pam Bondi as "well regarded" and "experienced" after Donald Trump nominated her as his next attorney general.
"Pam Bondi is a longtime prosecutor & effectively led FL large AttyGeneral's office for 8yrs" wrote Grassley.
"She is well regarded& experienced I got to know her during 1st Trump term."
Nov 22, 2024 at 12:05 PM EST
How Trump could skirt Congress to get his Cabinet picks through
President-elect Donald Trump will likely get away with recess appointments if he pursues them, although such a move would require a Congress willing to undermine its own power, constitutional law experts told Newsweek.
Trump has faced considerable pushback on several of his more controversial nominees for top Cabinet positions, with former Florida Representative Matt Gaetz already withdrawing his name from consideration for Attorney General after it became clear his colleagues in the Senate would not confirm him.
Gaetz has been the center of a probe into alleged sexual misconduct such as recruiting women online for sex, including at least one 17-year-old girl.
Other nominees, such as Pete Hegseth, Trump's pick for secretary of defense, and Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Trump's pick for secretary of health and human services, each have faced backlash over their own controversies, ranging from sexual assault allegations against Hegseth to RFK's platforming of vaccine conspiracy theories.
To sidestep these issues, Trump has looked to exploit the power of the presidency to make recess appointments, which the Constitution allows for when Congress is not in session, effectively bypassing any confirmation process.
Read the full story by Peter Aitken on Newsweek.
Nov 22, 2024 at 11:55 AM EST
Elon Musk gives an update on what DOGE will do
Elon Musk commented on what the Department of Governmental Efficiency will do in response to a tweet by Vivek Ramaswamy on the topic.
Ramaswamy reacted to a CNN interview with Former U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations John Bolton saying that the military's budget can be spent "on the defense budget, which desperately needs an increase."
"We need to strengthen our military by focusing on the *effectiveness* of our defense spending, rather than just reflexively increasing the magnitude," Ramaswamy tweeted.
In response, Musk said, "@DOGE will improve the efficiency of Defense spending."
Nov 22, 2024 at 11:50 AM EST
Matt Gaetz will not ‘join the 119th Congress’
Former Florida Rep. Matt Gaetz will not return to Congress after withdrawing his name as President-elect Donald Trump's attorney general nominee, he said via CNN.
Gaetz said that he will serve Trump in a new role, which he did not identify.
"I'm still going to be in the fight, but it's going to be from a new perch," he told president of the conservative group Turning Point Action Charlie Kirk in an interview, per CNN. "I do not intend to join the 119th Congress, there are a number of fantastic Floridians who've stepped up to run for my seat, people who have inspired with their heroism, with their public service. And I'm actually excited to see Northwest Florida go to new heights and have great representation."
Nov 22, 2024 at 11:39 AM EST
Donald Trump’s picks so far
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President-elect Donald Trump is filling important positions in his second administration, which is shaping up very differently than his first. He prioritizes loyalists for senior positions.
Here are his picks so far:
- Marco Rubio, Secretary of State
- Tulsi Gabbard, Director of National Intelligence
- Pete Hegseth. Secretary of Defense
- Pam Bondi, Attorney General
- Howard Lutnick, Secretary of Commerce
- Kristi Noem, Secretary of Homeland Security
- John Ratcliffe, CIA Director
- Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Secretary of Health and Human Services
- Sean Duffy, Secretary of Transportation
- Doug Burgum, Interior Secretary
- Doug Collins, Secretary of Veteran Affairs
- Chris Wright, Secretary of Energy
- Linda McMahon, Secretary of Education
- Lee Zeldin, Environmental Protection Agency Administrator
- Susie Wiles, Chief of Staff
- Mike Waltz, National Security Adviser
- Tom Homan, Border Czar
- Stephen Miller, Deputy Chief of Staff for Policy
- Dan Scavino, Deputy Chief of Staff
- James Blair, Deputy Chief of Staff
- Taylor Budowich, Deputy Chief of Staff
- Karoline Leavitt, White House Press Secretary
- William McGinley, White House Counsel
- Steven Witkoff, Special Envoy to the Middle East
- Mike Huckabee, Ambassador to Israel
- Elise Stefanik, Ambassador to the United Nations
- Matthew Whitaker, Ambassador to NATO
- Pete Hoekstra, Ambassador to Canada
- Dr. Mehmet Oz, Centers for Medicaid and Medicare Services
Nov 22, 2024 at 11:21 AM EST
Ginger Gaetz: ‘Unemployment has never looked so good’
Ginger Gaetz, Matt Gaetz's wife, shared a photo of the former U.S. representative, writing, "Unemployment has never looked so good."
Nov 22, 2024 at 11:17 AM EST
‘No part of FBI is safe’: Trump’s possible pick alarms former official
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Former FBI Deputy Director Andrew McCabe expressed concern about Kash Patel, who is reportedly being considered for FBI leadership in Donald Trump's upcoming administration.
Speaking on CNN's The Source on Thursday, McCabe said: "No part of the FBI's mission is safe with Kash Patel in any position of leadership in the FBI and certainly not in the deputy director's job.
"If you enter into that position with nothing more than a desire to disrupt and destroy the organization, there is a lot of damage someone like Kash Patel could do in a position like deputy director at the FBI."
McCabe, who served as deputy director of the FBI under Barack Obama and Trump from 2016 to 2018, said that the job manages the FBI's daily operations, a role typically requiring extensive experience in both criminal and national security investigations.
Read the full story by Flynn Nicholls on Newsweek.
Nov 22, 2024 at 11:06 AM EST
Pam Bondi made history as Florida’s first female attorney general in 2010
President-elect Donald Trump's recent pick for the White House Pam Bondi made history in 2010 when she was elected Florida's first female attorney general. Despite spending more than 18 years as a prosecutor in the Hillsborough County State Attorney's Office, the Tampa native was a political unknown when she became the state's top law enforcement official.
Bondi advanced in the primary after being sponsored by former Alaska governor and vice presidential contender Sarah Palin.
She campaigned on a promise to utilize the state's highest legal position aggressively, attacking then-President Barack Obama's centerpiece health care program. She also urged her state to adopt Arizona's "show me your papers" immigration statute, which generated a nationwide discussion.
She held the position from 2011 until 2019.
Nov 22, 2024 at 10:48 AM EST
Trump’s hush money sentencing postponed indefinitely
The judge in President-elect Donald Trump's criminal hush money trial has adjourned his sentencing - which was set to take place next week.
Judge Juan Merchan also granted Trump's request to file a motion to dismiss the case, ordering his team to submit their papers by December 2.
Prosecutors have until December 9 to respond.
Nov 22, 2024 at 10:44 AM EST
Robert F. Kennedy Jr. running mate says two Trump appointments could be a ‘disaster’
Former running mate to Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Nicole Shanahan shared a tweet weighing in on Trump's administration picks.
Nov 22, 2024 at 10:26 AM EST
Know more about Pam Bondi: She has been loyal to Trump
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Pam Bondi, the former Florida attorney general, was picked by Donald Trump to be the U.S. attorney general hours after his initial candidate, Matt Gaetz, withdrew from consideration due to a federal sex trafficking investigation and ethics investigations that cast doubt on his ability to be confirmed.
Bondi has been a long-time and early supporter. Bondi backed Trump during a rally in March 2016, on the day of the Republican primary in Florida, choosing him over her own state's nominee, Florida Sen. Marco Rubio.
She rose to national prominence after appearing on Fox News as a Trump supporter, and she gave a significant speech at the 2016 Republican National Convention when Trump emerged as the party's surprise nominee. During Trump's statements, some in the audience began screaming "Lock her up" in reference to Democratic competitor Hillary Clinton.
Bondi said, "'Lock her up,' I love that."
She was part of Trump's first transition team as he prepared to move into the White House.
When Trump's first attorney general, Jeff Sessions, was fired in 2018, Bondi was mentioned as a prospective contender for the position. Trump at the time stated that he would "love" Bondi to join the government. He ultimately chose William Barr.
She remained in Trump's sphere for the rest of his presidency and beyond. She was the chairperson of the America First Policy Institute, a think group founded by former Trump administration aides to lay the framework for his second term.
Nov 22, 2024 at 10:14 AM EST
Florida Rep says Trump has put the Sunshine State ‘at the heart of his administration’
Florida Rep. Carlos Gimenez is celebrating President-elect Donald Trump putting "at the heart of his administration."
The Republican Congressman was speaking after Florida attorney general, Pam Bondi, was chosen as Trump's next U.S. attorney general.
In a post on X, Gimenez shared many of the key cabinet positions that had been filled by his fellow Floridians including; secretary of state, chief of staff, and attorney general.
"President Trump has put our sunshine state at the heart of his administration & we are all so proud!" he added.
Nov 22, 2024 at 10:08 AM EST
Gaetz says it’s ‘poetic’ he’s been replaced as AG by another Florida lawmaker
Former Florida representative Matt Gaetz said it was "rather poetic" that he was being replaced as U.S. attorney general by a fellow Floridian.
Florida attorney general Pam Bondi was named as Donald Trump's pick for attorney general yesterday, after Gaetz withdrew as nominee.
Today, Gaetz shared a post on X, which pointed out that not only was he being replaced by another Florida lawyer, but that much of Trump's cabinet was from the Sunshine State.
"Rather poetic, I'd say!" he added.
Nov 22, 2024 at 10:04 AM EST
AOC compares Marjorie Taylor Greene’s DOGE role to ‘unplugged controller’
Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez has mocked Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene's new job working with the so-called Department of Government Efficiency as like "giving someone an unplugged controller."
Greene, a far-right Georgia Republican, has been tapped to lead a new House subcommittee that will work alongside the new department—which is actually an outside advisory committee—led by Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy, CNBC reported this week.
Ocasio-Cortez, a New York Democrat who has clashed with Greene, said on social media that appointing her to the role "is good, actually."
"She barely shows up and doesn't do the reading," the congresswoman wrote on X, formerly Twitter. "To borrow a phrase I saw elsewhere, it's like giving someone an unplugged controller."
Read the full story by Khaleda Rahman on Newsweek.
Nov 22, 2024 at 09:54 AM EST
Mike Rogers for FBI chief of staff ‘not happening’: Dan Scavino Jr.
President-elect Donald Trump's Senior Adviser Dan Scavino says that he spoke to Trump about Mike Rogers being considered for the position of FBI chief of staff.
Trump said, "I have never even given it a thought."
Nov 22, 2024 at 09:32 AM EST
MAGA targets GOP senators who sunk Matt Gaetz’s nomination
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Prominent Donald Trump supporters have reacted with anger to reports a number of Republican Senators had planned to oppose Matt Gaetz's confirmation as attorney general, leading the Florida politician to withdraw himself from consideration for the post on Thursday.
Defeated Arizona Republican Senate candidate Kari Lake said there are "far too many politicians" who "seem to think their job is to obstruct their own party's agenda," while prominent pro-Trump X account Catturd labeled Gaetz's reported opponents in Congress "POS [piece of s***] Losers."
Donald Trump's nomination of Gaetz on November 13 was immediately controversial within the Congressional GOP. Critics focused on the Florida Republican's role in unseating former House speaker Kevin McCarthy and an ongoing ethics investigation into sexual misconduct allegations, denied by Gaetz. On Thursday Gaetz said he was withdrawing his name as it is "clear that my confirmation was unfairly becoming a distraction to the critical work of the Trump/Vance Transition."
Alluding to potential opposition in the Senate Gaetz wrote: "I had excellent meetings with Senators yesterday. I appreciate their thoughtful feedback—and the incredible support of so many."
Read in full from James Bickerton on Newsweek.
Nov 22, 2024 at 09:32 AM EST
Kevin McCarthy ex-staffer on Matt Gaetz: ‘Justice has been served’
An ex-staffer to former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy said "justice has been served" following former Florida Representative Matt Gaetz's withdrawal from consideration for U.S. attorney general.
Gaetz announced his withdrawal on Thursday, writing that it was "clear that my confirmation was unfairly becoming a distraction to the critical work of the Trump/Vance Transition." Gaetz has been the center of a probe into sexual allegations. He denies wrongdoing.
Gaetz was at the forefront of a mutiny that led to McCarthy being ousted as House speaker after less than nine months in the role. McCarthy had harsh words for Gaetz after his removal.
"I think justice has been served today," said Brittany Martinez, a political strategist and former staffer for McCarthy, following Gaetz' withdrawal this week, as reported by KBAC.
Read the full story by Joe Edwards on Newsweek.
Nov 22, 2024 at 09:28 AM EST
Georgia election results certify Trump as winner
Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger shared that the presidential election results have been certified, making President-elect Donald Trump the winner.
Nov 22, 2024 at 09:25 AM EST
Mike Rogers comments on Bondi pick: ‘She will be a tremendous Attorney General for the American people’
Sen. Mike Rogers reacted to Pam Bondi being nominated for attorney general, replacing former Rep. Mike Gaetz as the nominee.
"Congratulations, Attorney General Bondi, another fantastic addition to the administration by President Trump," Rogers wrote.
Nov 22, 2024 at 09:15 AM EST
Donald Trump’s week has not gone to plan
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President-elect Donald Trump has faced a difficult few days regarding his contentious Cabinet nominations.
This week, he encountered ongoing issues over his choices of Matt Gaetz for attorney general and Pete Hegseth for defense secretary.
One of the issues resolved itself when Gaetz withdrew his nomination for the next attorney general. Gaetz cited concerns that he was "unfairly becoming a distraction" amid an ongoing debate about whether Congress should release a House Ethics Committee report related to him. Trump selected Pam Bondi, the former attorney general of Florida, as his next pick to lead the Department of Justice just hours later.
Hegseth, like Gaetz, has been criticized for his lack of experience in the Cabinet position to which Trump nominated him.
Concerns about Hegseth's suitability for the role were raised further this week after a police report detailing a 2017 sexual assault allegation against him was published by Mediaite. Hegseth has denied the claims and he was never charged in connection with the alleged incident.
Hegseth's attorney, Timothy Parlatore, told Newsweek on Thursday: "This police report confirms what I have said all along: that the incident was fully investigated and police found the allegations to be false, which is why no charges were filed."
Newsweek has contacted the Trump-Vance transition team, a spokesperson for Gaetz and Parlatore for comment via email.
Read the full story by Ewan Palmer on Newsweek.
Nov 22, 2024 at 09:07 AM EST
The 1600 newsletter: Gaetz reacts to Bondi pick
Writer of The 1600 newsletter Newsweek White House correspondent Daniel Bush said about former Rep. Matt Gaetz reacting to President-elect Donald Trump picking Pam Bondi as his nominee for attorney general following Gaetz's withdrawal:
That didn't take long.
Former Rep. Matt Gaetz withdrew from consideration as President-elect Donald Trump's pick for attorney general on Thursday–just eight days after Trump nominated him to serve as the nation's top law enforcement official. After Gaetz's withdrawal, Trump announced former Florida attorney general Pam Bondi as his new pick to lead the Justice Department.
Gaetz cited the controversy around his alleged sexual misconduct as his reason for stepping aside, saying it had become a "distraction" for the Trump transition team. His brief week-long nomination period was one of the shortest in recent memory for a top Cabinet pick and was the first major setback for Trump as he fills out posts in the coming administration.
But it may not be the last.
Senate Republicans are also privately worried about the confirmation chances of former Fox News host Pete Hegseth, Trump's pick for defense secretary. Hegseth is under scrutiny after new details surfaced this week about a sexual assault allegation against him in 2017. Like Gaetz, Hegseth has denied any wrongdoing.
Some Republicans are rallying around Hegseth, but it remains to be seen if he has enough support in the Senate to get confirmed.
Read on for news on a busy week in Washington and Trump transition world.
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Nov 22, 2024 at 09:03 AM EST
Josh Hawley: ‘I think Pam Bondi is going to be great’
In a Fox News interview, Sen. Josh Hawley (R-MO) endorsed President-elect Donald Trump's new pick for attorney general, Pam Bondi, saying, "I think Pam Bondi is going to be great. I worked with her when I was the Attorney General of Missouri, and here's what I think we need..We need a new Church Committee like we had way back in the 70s that looked into the abuses of the CIA and the IRS."
Nov 22, 2024 at 08:40 AM EST
Pam Bondi’s ties to Scientology explained
Donald Trump's nominee for Attorney General Pam Bondi has held ties to the Church of Scientology at various points throughout her career.
Bondi made history in 2010 when she was elected as Florida's first female attorney general, a job she held until 2019.
During her tenure, she accepted campaign contributions from Scientologists and attended multiple fundraisers organized by prominent members of the church.
A fundraiser for Bondi's reelection campaign in 2014 in Clearwater, Florida, was organized by six prominent Scientologists, the Tampa Bay Times reported at the time. Christina Johnson, Bondi's campaign spokeswoman, told the newspaper that Bondi was aware that Scientologists were staging the event.
Read the full story by Khaleda Rahman on Newsweek.
Nov 22, 2024 at 08:30 AM EST
Pete Hegseth thanks JD Vance for ‘his support’
Defense secretary nominee Pete Hegseth shared a series of photo yesterday, captioning his tweet with a thank you message to Vice President-elect JD Vance for "his support."
Nov 22, 2024 at 08:22 AM EST
RNC ex-chair weighs in on sexual assault ‘thread’ in Trump picks
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CNN anchor Dana Bash asked former Republican National Committee (RNC) Chair Ronna McDaniel on Thursday to weigh in on the "common thread" of sexual assault allegations made against President-elect Donald Trump's nominees Matt Gaetz, Pete Hegseth, Elon Musk and Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
Bash asked McDaniel the question following the news that Matt Gaetz had dropped out as Trump's nominee to be the next attorney general.
McDaniel served as RNC chair from 2017 to 2024. The position is now held by Lara Trump and Michael Whatley.
Read the full story by Marni Rose McFall on Newsweek.
Nov 22, 2024 at 08:15 AM EST
Marjorie Taylor Greene lays out DOGE plan to fire government employees
Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene has laid out plans to fire government employees after she was picked to lead a subcommittee of the newly created Department of Government Efficiency.
"I come from a business background and have successfully run a construction company my entire adult life. In the private sector, if you're not doing a good job, you get fired," she wrote in a post on X on Thursday.
"But for some reason, in government, bad employees—whether they're failing to do the job they were hired to do or working in roles that are no longer needed—never get fired. This is incredibly unfair to the hard-working taxpayers of our country, and it's about to change. I can't wait to get to work!!" she added.
Greene, a vocal MAGA advocate and ally of the president-elect, was selected to lead the DOGE subcommittee on Thursday after an announcement by House Oversight Committee Chair James Comer.
Read the full story by Martha McHardy on Newsweek.
Nov 22, 2024 at 08:07 AM EST
‘That should be obvious’: Vivek Ramaswamy on defunding Planned Parenthood
Following reports of Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy planning to defund Planned Parenthood through the newly created Department of Governmental Efficiency, Ramaswamy responded on X.
"The federal government shouldn't be in the business of giving away free money to non-governmental organizations," he wrote. "That should be obvious."
Nov 22, 2024 at 08:00 AM EST
Linda McMahon lying about education degree ‘disqualifying’: Attorney
Linda McMahon, President-elect Donald Trump's pick for education secretary, falsely claiming that she had a degree in education is "disqualifying," according to former federal prosecutor Joyce Vance.
McMahon's limited experience was immediately seized on after Trump announced he had chosen her to lead the Department of Education on Tuesday, with educators decrying her as "unqualified."
The billionaire professional wrestling mogul served on the Connecticut Board of Education for a year starting in 2009 and has spent years on the board of trustees for Sacred Heart University in Connecticut. Newsweek has contacted McMahon for comment through an email to the America First Policy Institute, which she co-founded. The Trump transition has also been emailed for comment.
McMahon is now facing fresh scrutiny for incorrectly claiming in a vetting questionnaire before being nominated to serve on the state Board of Education in early 2009 that she had earned a degree in education from East Carolina University in 1969; it was actually in French. The Hartford Courant first reported on the error in 2010 during McMahon's unsuccessful bid for U.S. Senate.
McMahon told the Courant in a 2010 interview that she wrote to Jodi Rell, the governor who appointed her to the board, to correct the error after a reporter with the Stamford Advocate noted the discrepancy. She said she had believed her degree was in education because she did a semester of student teaching and, after state testing, had a certificate to teach.
Joyce Vance, the former U.S. attorney in Alabama and a frequent Trump critic, said that McMahon's "lie" should disqualify her from serving in the president-elect's cabinet.
"There were social media posts claiming Trump's nominee to lead the Department of Education, Linda McMahon, lied about having a college degree in education when seeking a position on the Connection Board of Education," Vance wrote in her Civil Discourse newsletter on Friday.
"She reportedly resigned a day before she was going to be exposed in the press. If this is true, it's disqualifying and will be yet another test for the Senate," Vance added.
Read the full story by Khaleda Rahman on Newsweek.
Nov 22, 2024 at 07:56 AM EST
McConnell announces his new positions in 119th Congress
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Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell has announced that he would lead the Senate Rules Committee as well as the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense in the 119th Congress.
"America's national security interests face the gravest array of threats since the Second World War. At this critical moment, a new Senate Republican majority has a responsibility to secure the future of U.S. leadership and primacy," McConnell said in a statement. "I intend to play an active role in this urgent mission as Chairman of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense, and I look forward to working closely with incoming Chair Susan Collins to accomplish our shared goal."
"The Senate Rules Committee will also have important work to accomplish in the 119th Congress, and I look forward to leading it as Chairman," McConnell added.
"Defending the Senate as an institution and protecting the right to political speech in our elections remain among my longest-standing priorities," he continued. "Ranking Member Deb Fischer has done an outstanding job advancing these causes, and I know she will remain a key partner in the committee's ongoing work."
Nov 22, 2024 at 07:53 AM EST
Trump reportedly considers Kevin Warsh as Treasury secretary
U.S. President-elect Donald Trump is allegedly considering former Member of the Federal Reserve Board of Governors of the U.S. Kevin Warsh as his Treasury secretary, according to The Wall Street Journal.
This decision comes with the knowledge that Warsh may subsequently be chosen to succeed Federal Reserve Chair Powell in 2026.
Nov 22, 2024 at 07:49 AM EST
How Matt Gaetz derailed Trump and bitterly divided Republicans
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President-elect Donald Trump's nomination of Florida House Republican Matt Gaetz to be the next U.S. attorney general sent shock waves through Washington, D.C, and bitterly divided Republicans.
The choice of a man mired controversy sparked a mixed reaction from prominent GOP figures both inside and outside Congress. House Speaker Mike Johnson described Gaetz as "one of the most intelligent" members of Congress while former White House national security adviser John Bolton called his selection "the worst nomination for a Cabinet secretary in American history."
The withdrawal of Gaetz's nomination Thursday was the first real derailment suffered by Trump's incoming administration following his decisive November 5 election victory when, as well as winning the Senate, the Republican candidate also won seven key battleground states, along with the popular vote.
Gaetz announced he was dropping out of the running for attorney general, saying it had become "clear that my confirmation was unfairly becoming a distraction to the critical work of the Trump/Vance Transition."
The move had followed a meeting with Republican Senators on Wednesday. According to The New York Times, Gaetz had told friends he believed four GOP Senators opposed his nomination, and would vote with the Democrats against his confirmation. He said these were: Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, Senators Lisa Murkowski of Alaska and Susan Collins of Maine, and Senator-elect John Curtis of Utah.
Newsweek reached out for comment to the offices of McConnell, Murkowski, Collins, and Curtis via email on Thursday.
To be confirmed as attorney general by Congress, Gaetz would have needed the approval of a majority of the full Senate. After the November 5 elections, the Republicans have 53 Senators, according to The Associated Press, versus 47 affiliated with the Democrats.
Read the full story by James Bickerton on Newsweek.
Nov 22, 2024 at 07:46 AM EST
Kellyanne Conway reacts to Pam Bondi pick
Former Senior Counselor to the President in the first Trump Administration, Kellyanne Conway, has shared her thoughts on the president-elect's pick for attorney general, calling her "tough, smart, principled."
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