President-elect Donald Trump remains to be selecting his nominees for his second time period within the White Home − and making some shocking picks.
Trump on Wednesday introduced that he selected Matt Gaetz, the firebrand who has been a harsh critic of the Justice Division whilst he was investigated by it, as legal professional normal.
He additionally tapped former congresswoman and Military veteran Tulsi Gabbard as his nominee for director of nationwide intelligence, a cabinet-level publish. Gabbard is a former Democrat who has grow to be one in every of Trump’s most vocal supporters.
However there are nonetheless loads of pivotal roles for Trump to fill as he prepares for a second time period. He’ll even have full management of Congress in 2025 after Republicans managed to win sufficient seats to maintain the Home on Wednesday.
Sustain with dwell updates from the USA TODAY Community.
Signal-up for Your Vote: Textual content with the USA TODAY elections group.
Matt Gaetz, Trump’s decide for legal professional normal, resigns from Congress
Matt Gaetz resigned from Congress shortly after President-elect Donald Trump introduced plans to appoint the Florida Republican as legal professional normal.
Gaetz, a firebrand who represented Florida’s 1st congressional district since 2017, submitted his resignation, efficient instantly, on Wednesday following Trump’s determination to make him the nation’s chief legislation enforcement officer.
Gaetz’s resignation got here simply days earlier than the Home Ethics Committee was to resolve whether or not to launch a report on its investigation into allegations he had engaged in sexual misconduct and illicit drug use and had accepted improper presents. Gaetz’s resignation successfully ends that investigation.
Gaetz additionally was investigated by the Justice Division, which Trump has tapped him to steer, on suspicion of getting intercourse with a 17-year-old lady and allegedly paying for her to journey with him. The division ended its investigation final yr with out charging him.
– Michael Collins
Matt Gaetz legal professional normal nomination sparks criticism
Donald Trump’s alternative of Rep. Matt Gaetz for legal professional normal signaled a like-minded method to overhauling the Justice Division after each males had been investigated criminally.
However the alternative additionally sparked a number of the first criticism of Trump’s cupboard alternatives, as senators questioned whether or not Gaetz could be a severe option to grow to be the nation’s prime legislation enforcement official.
After Trump introduced Gaetz’s nomination, the Florida Republican resigned from workplace “efficient instantly,” setting a particular election for the western Florida district in movement.
Try USA TODAY’s 5 takeaways from the shocking announcement.
– Bart Jansen
Trump picks Tulsi Gabbard as his director of nationwide intelligence
Trump on Wednesday picked former congresswoman and Military veteran Tulsi Gabbard as his nominee for director of nationwide intelligence, a cabinet-level publish.
“I do know Tulsi will deliver the fearless spirit that has outlined her illustrious profession to our intelligence neighborhood, championing our constitutional rights, and securing peace via power,” Trump stated in a press release.
Gabbard was a Democrat when she served within the Home of Representatives from Hawaii from 2013 to 2021. She ran for president within the Democratic main in 2020 earlier than leaving the celebration in 2022 and changing into a Republican this yr.
− Tom Vanden Brook and Erin Mansfield
Marco Rubio given nod for Secretary of State
Donald Trump on Wednesday confirmed he is chosen Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., to function Secretary of State in his subsequent administration.
Rubio has deep international coverage expertise and has remodeled from a Trump opponent to a detailed ally who was a finalist to function Trump’s vice chairman.
He’s at the moment the highest Republican on the Senate Intelligence Committee and serves on the Senate International Relations Committee. Rubio, a Cuban American, could be the primary Latino individual to function Secretary of State.
Rubio has expressed help for Ukraine’s conflict effort towards Russia, however voted towards extra help for the nation final yr. He not too long ago stated the conflict in Ukraine goes to finish with “a negotiated settlement,” one thing Trump has additionally supported. He is additionally advocated for a troublesome method to American adversaries like China, Russia, Iran, Cuba and Venezuela.
Trump and Rubio, 53, ran towards one another within the 2016 Republican main, which turned nasty as they lobbed insults at one another. However they patched up their relationship and labored collectively on shared international coverage objectives throughout Trump’s first administration. They grew nearer through the 2024 marketing campaign, when Rubio was on the quick checklist to be Trump’s operating mate and campaigned relentlessly for him.
− Riley Beggin and Zac Anderson
( headline and story edited by our workers and is printed from a syndicated feed.)
