Trump transition live updates: Trump names longtime ally Brooke Rollins as secretary of agriculture

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Last updated: Sunday, November 24, 2024 1:57AM GMT
In a flurry of nominations, Trump announces 7 picks
President-elect Donald Trump continues to announce his picks for top jobs inside his administration.

Former Rep. Matt Gaetz, President-elect Donald Trump's pick for attorney general, said Thursday he is withdrawing his name for the role -- just a day after Gaetz spoke with Republican senators on Capitol Hill about the nomination process.

Trump has named Pam Bondi, the former attorney general of Florida, as his new pick for the role.

Another controversial Cabinet pick, Pete Hegseth, is on the Hill on Thursday with Vice President-elect JD Vance to make his case for the secretary of the Department of Defense job.

Meanwhile, Trump continues to announce his picks for top jobs inside his administration.

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Nov 22, 2024, 3:24 PM

List: Trump's picks for cabinet, key roles in next administration

President-elect Donald Trump is naming cabinet members and adding other key positions to his administration.

These team members will have a direct impact on implementing Trump's policies in his second term.

MORE | Here's a look at the president-elect's other appointees so far.

This combo image shows from left: Pete Hegseth, Kristi Noem and John Ratcliffe.
This combo image shows from left: Pete Hegseth, Kristi Noem and John Ratcliffe.
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Nov 21, 2024, 11:44 PM GMT

After Gaetz withdraws, Pam Bondi nominated as Trump AG pick

After Matt Gaetz's withdrawal of his name for consideration as President-elect Donald Trump's attorney general Thursday, another name has been put forth.

Trump said on his social network Truth Social Thursday night that Pam Bondi has been nominated.

Bondi was Florida's first female attorney general and was a prosecutor for nearly 20 years, Trump said.

Bondi is a longtime Trump ally and was one of his lawyers during his first impeachment trial when he was accused - but not convicted - of abusing his power as he tried to condition U.S. military assistance to Ukraine on that country investigating then-former Vice President Joe Biden.

She has been a chair at the America First Policy Institute, a think tank set up by former Trump administration staffers.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Nov 21, 2024, 7:19 PM GMT

Trump says he 'greatly' appreciates Gaetz's efforts as AG pick

President-elect Trump said he "greatly appreciate(s) the recent efforts of Matt Gaetz in seeking approval to be Attorney General" in a social media post shortly after Gaetz announced his withdrawal from the role.

"He was doing very well but, at the same time, did not want to be a distraction for the Administration, for which he has much respect. Matt has a wonderful future, and I look forward to watching all of the great things he will do!" Trump posted.

Gaetz informed Trump late Thursday morning he'd be withdrawing, sources told ABC News.

Sources told ABC News in the last few days it became clear to the Trump team that Gaetz was not going to have enough votes for a Senate confirmation -- with sources close to the president-elect telling ABC News that there was "no path to 50" senators.

-ABC News' Jonathan Karl, John Santucci, Katherine Faulders and Lalee Ibssa

Nov 21, 2024, 5:47 PM GMT

Matt Gaetz withdraws his name from Attorney General

Former GOP Rep. Matt Gaetz announced Thursday he is withdrawing his name from consideration to be President-elect Donald Trump's attorney general.

"I had excellent meetings with Senators yesterday," Gaetz wrote in a post on X. "I appreciate their thoughtful feedback - and the incredible support of so many. While the momentum was strong, it is clear that my confirmation was unfairly becoming a distraction to the critical work of the Trump/Vance Transition. There is no time to waste on a needlessly protracted Washington scuffle, thus I'll be withdrawing my name from consideration to serve as Attorney General. Trump's DOJ must be in place and ready on Day 1."

"I remain fully committed to see that Donald J. Trump is the most successful President in history," Gaetz added. "I will forever be honored that President Trump nominated me to lead the Department of Justice and I'm certain he will Save America."

Gaetz informed Trump late Thursday morning that he'd be withdrawing, sources familiar with the matter told ABC News.

Nov 21, 2024, 3:00 PM GMT

New details of Hegseth sexual assault claim documented in police report

The woman who accused Pete Hegseth of sexual assault in 2017 told police at the time that he took her phone and blocked her from leaving his hotel room on the night of the incident, according to a 22-page police report obtained by ABC News.

The report, compiled in Oct. 2017 by the Monterey Police Department, provides graphic new details of an alleged altercation that now threatens to derail Hegseth's bid to become President-elect Donald Trump's Defense Secretary.

The report documents a police investigation that did not result in charges against the former Fox News star. It includes interviews with the woman, who is identified only as Jane Doe, and Hegseth, who told police that the encounter was consensual.