Trump transition updates: Trump taps America First think tank CEO as agriculture secretary

Brooke Rollins previously served in Trump's first administration.

Last Updated: November 24, 2024, 6:02 PM EST

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.

Nov 12, 2024, 3:45 pm

Tracking those Trump has named to serve in his Cabinet, administration

Ahead of his return to power in January, Trump is announcing who he wants to fill Cabinet positions and other key roles inside his administration.

They include some of his staunchest allies on Capitol Hill and key advisers to his 2024 campaign.

Here is a running list of the people Trump has selected, or is expected to select, to serve in his administration.

Nov 20, 2024, 1:25 PM EST

Trump says 'WE WILL WIN' amid uncertainty about confirmation of some cabinet picks

As Vice President-elect JD Vance takes some of Trump's cabinet picks around the Hill to shore up support, including Rep. Matt Gaetz, Trump attempts to blame Democrats for the allegations launched against some of his controversial picks.

"They dirty them up, they destroy them, and then they spit them out. They are trying that right now with some great American Patriots who are only trying to fix the mess that the Democrats have made of our Country," Trump posted on his social media platform.

-ABC News' Lalee Ibssa, Soo Rin Kim and Kelsey Walsh

Nov 20, 2024, 1:17 PM EST

Wednesday's House Ethics Committee meeting includes vote on Gaetz report: Ranking member

Pennsylvania Rep. Susan Wild, the ranking member on the House Ethics Committee, confirmed to ABC News that a vote on whether to release the Gaetz ethics report is on the agenda for Wednesday's meeting.

Wild wouldn’t comment further on what to expect Wednesday.

Several senators have called for the House Ethics Committee to release its report into Gaetz over allegations of sexual misconduct and illicit drug use before they consider his confirmation for attorney general.

All 10 members of the bipartisan House Ethics Committee have arrived at their meeting in Longworth.

Committee Chairman Michael Guest of Mississippi said he "can't discuss anything we may or may not be taking up today" as he entered the room.

-ABC News' John Parkinson, Jay O'Brien, Chris Boccia and Lauren Peller

Nov 20, 2024, 10:47 AM EST

Trump announces Matt Whitaker as NATO ambassador

In a statement Wednesday, President-elect Trump announced former acting attorney general Matt Whitaker as ambassador to NATO.

Whitaker was an active member of Trump's 2024 campaign.

"Matt is a strong warrior and loyal Patriot, who will ensure the United States' interests are advanced and defended," Trump said.

Nov 20, 2024, 10:37 AM EST

Gaetz, Vance meet with senators on Capitol Hill ahead of House Ethics Committee meeting

Former Rep. Matt Gaetz, President-elect Trump's nominee to be attorney general, is meeting with senators on Capitol Hill Wednesday morning alongside Vice President-elect JD Vance -- hours before the House Ethics Committee is set to discuss its report on Gaetz.

The fate of the Gaetz report is in the hands of the committee, which has a reputation for being tight-lipped. It's not clear if the committee will vote on whether to release the report.

Former Rep. Matt Gaetz, the President-elect Donald Trump's nominee to be Attorney General walks alongside Vice President-elect JD Vance as they arrive for meetings with Senators at the U.S. Capitol, Nov. 20, 2024, in Washington.
Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images

GOP Sens. Josh Hawley and Lindsey Graham met with Vance and Gaetz Wednesday morning.

Graham told reporters that the meeting went well and that Gaetz deserves a fair nomination process.

"Here's what I told him, no rubber stamps and no lynch mob. I'm not going to be part of a process that leaks information that shouldn't be leaked," Graham told reporters. "I'm not going to legitimize the process to destroy the man because people don't like his politics. He will be held to account in the confirmation process. He deserves a chance to make his argument why he should be attorney general."

Hawley was walking into the meeting when he told reporters that in his view, Congress should move forward with Gaetz's confirmation process and respond to the allegations against him.

Former Rep. Matt Gaetz, the President-elect Donald Trump's nominee to be Attorney General walks alongside Vice President-elect JD Vance as they arrive for meetings with Senators at the U.S. Capitol, Nov. 20, 2024, in Washington.
Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images

"Do the hearing and let him respond to everything under oath in public," Hawley told reporters before entering the meeting.

Read more about the House Ethics Committee meeting here.

-Allison Pecorin, Julia Cherner, Hannah Demissie

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