Trump transition live updates: Johnson says he, Trump didn't discuss Gaetz Ethics Committee report

Trump's picks include RFK Jr., Marco Rubio, Elon Musk, Matt Gaetz and more.

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Last updated: Tuesday, November 19, 2024 11:30AM GMT
Trump energy pick, Biden SA visit show opposing climate change views
President-elect Donald Trump's energy secretary pick and President Joe Biden's visit to South America show their opposing views on climate change.

After a sweeping victory over Vice President Kamala Harris on Nov. 5, President-elect Donald Trump is now set to become just the second ever to serve nonconsecutive terms in office.

Trump has wasted no time in moving to assemble his team for a second term in the White House -- naming Susie Wiles as his chief of staff, Florida Rep. Mike Waltz as his national security adviser and Tom Homan as his "border czar," among other positions.

Inauguration Day is Jan. 20.

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Nov 18, 2024, 4:23 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 split image shows Robert F. Kennedy Jr., left, Sen. Marco Rubio, middle, and former Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla, right.
This split image shows Robert F. Kennedy Jr., left, Sen. Marco Rubio, middle, and former Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla, right.
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Nov 14, 2024, 10:00 PM GMT

Trump nominates RFK Jr. for HHS secretary

Trump officially announced he has selected Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as the Health and Human Services secretary.

Robert F. Kennedy Jr., speaks before Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump at a campaign event Friday, Nov. 1, 2024, in Milwaukee.
Robert F. Kennedy Jr., speaks before Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump at a campaign event Friday, Nov. 1, 2024, in Milwaukee.

"For too long, Americans have been crushed by the industrial food complex and drug companies who have engaged in deception, misinformation, and disinformation when it comes to Public Health," he said in a statement, adding that Kennedy will "restore these Agencies to the traditions of Gold Standard Scientific Research, and beacons of Transparency."

The position requires Senate confirmation.

Kennedy is an anti-vaccine activist who founded the Children's Health Defense, a prominent anti-vaccine nonprofit that has campaigned against immunizations and other public health measures like water fluoridation.

MORE | Trump picks Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to lead Health and Human Services

ByHannah Demissie, Isabella Murray, Lauren Peller, Arthur Jones II and Mariam Khan ABCNews logo
Nov 14, 2024, 7:36 PM GMT

Thune says he doesn't know if Gaetz will be confirmed until they start the process

When asked if he believes Matt Gaetz could be confirmed as attorney general, the incoming Senate majority leader told ABC News he doesn't know until they start the Senate confirmation process.

"I don't know until we start the process, and that's what we intend to do with him and all the other potential nominees," Sen. John Thune said. "None of this stuff's formal yet, but you know, when it is, we expect our committees to do their jobs and provide the advice and consent that is required under the Constitution."

Gaetz, who had been under a House ethics investigation over allegations of sexual misconduct and illicit drug use, resigned from Congress on Wednesday following his nomination for attorney general by Trump. Sources told ABC News the committee was preparing to meet this week to deliberate over whether to release a final report on the matter.

Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill., who currently chairs the Senate Judiciary Committee, has called for the report's release, saying Gaetz's resignation raises "serious questions" about its contents.

"We cannot allow this valuable information from a bipartisan investigation to be hidden from the American people," Durbin said in a statement Thursday.

House Ethics Committee Chairman Rep. Michael Guest, R-Miss., refused to discuss the confidentiality of the investigation into Gaetz.

"What happens in ethics is confidential," Guest told reporters Thursday.

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Nov 14, 2024, 12:24 AM GMT

Gaetz already resigned from Congress, Speaker Johnson says

Florida Rep. Matt Gaetz, Trump's pick for attorney general, offered his resignation from Congress earlier Wednesday -- effective immediately, House Speaker Mike Johnson announced.

Johnson said the resignation took him by "surprise" but that the Florida congressman did so to "start the clock" on the process for Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis to call a special election to fill his vacancy.

Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., speaks during the Conservative Political Action Conference, CPAC 2024, at the National Harbor, in Oxon Hill, Md., Feb. 23, 2024.
Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., speaks during the Conservative Political Action Conference, CPAC 2024, at the National Harbor, in Oxon Hill, Md., Feb. 23, 2024.

"We're grateful for that so we move forward," Johnson said.

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Nov 13, 2024, 8:35 PM GMT

Trump nominates Matt Gaetz as attorney general

Trump has nominated Florida Rep. Matt Gaetz to be his attorney general, he posted on his social media.

Gaetz was seen traveling with Trump in the motorcade Wednesday during the president-elect's visit to Washington, D.C.

Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., speaks before Republican vice presidential nominee Sen. JD Vance, R-Ohio, at a campaign event Monday, Nov. 4, 2024, in Atlanta.
Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., speaks before Republican vice presidential nominee Sen. JD Vance, R-Ohio, at a campaign event Monday, Nov. 4, 2024, in Atlanta.

The role is a Senate-confirmed appointment.