Marco Rubio

Rep. Byron Donalds of Florida has shared with potential donors and political big-wigs in the state that he intends to run for governor, making him the second MAGA loyalist to consider throwing his hat in the ring. “He was in town [Tallahassee] meeting with all the folks you need to meet with. He told them he is in,” a source who met with Donalds told NBC News. “It’s the steps any candidate takes as they prepare to run for governor.”Donalds reportedly made similar remarks at a GOP meeting in Orlando this past weekend, according to the outlet.NBC News said it spoke with five sources familiar with Donalds’ thinking and upcoming plans. While there have long been rumors that the Florida representative is angling to replace Gov. Ron DeSantis, who is term-limited and will leave office in January 2027, this is the biggest sign yet that the Trump loyalist will likely leave his plum congressional seat in an attempt to be the Sunshine State’s next top executive.When asked for comment, Donalds didn’t deny the rumors but told NBC News he’s focused on “helping President Trump pass his America First Agenda.” A spokesperson for Donalds did not immediately respond to Daily Kos’ request for comment.Former Rep. Matt GaetzShould Donalds run, he might face some intriguing competition. Disgraced former Rep. Matt Gaetz is also toying with whether to run for the gubernatorial seat. In a statement to NBC News, Gaetz reiterated that he and his wife are still considering his next steps.Notably, this is not the first sign of Donalds’ increased interest in running for Florida’s governorship. Earlier this month, he hired one alum of President-elect Donald Trump’s 2016 campaign: Fabrizio, Lee & Associates. This company is led by Tony Fabrizio, who was Trump’s lead pollster during his first campaign for the White House and has conducted polling for MAGA Inc., a pro-Trump super PAC. NBC News also reports that Donalds is working with Brad Herold, who served as an advisor to DeSantis during his 2018 run, among others who have long worked to help boost MAGA-type Republicans.Trump will almost certainly try to sway the fast-approaching GOP primary for Florida’s governor race. Last year, at a high-dollar fundraiser in New York, Trump asked Donalds point-blank whether he was planning to succeed DeSantis, whom Trump has had a rather stormy professional relationship with.And let’s not forget, Trump’s influence can mean a lot in this race. After all, Trump’s endorsement of DeSantis in 2018 helped propel his candidacy. DeSantis won that year’s Republican primary with 57% of the vote; his closest competitor, Adam Putnam, the state’s former agriculture commissioner, received 37%. There’s no sign, either, that Trump’s grip on the party is slipping. Any Republican hoping to succeed in Florida politics likely needs to kiss the ring and earn Trump’s approval; at the very least, they need to avoid getting on his bad side. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantisDonalds, who is 46, rose to prominence during the tea party movement. He was elected to Florida’s House of Representatives in 2016. Then, in 2020, he won a seat in the U.S. House, representing Florida’s 19th Congressional District. In his relatively short time in Congress, Donalds has become a close ally of Trump’s. He was among the group of Republicans who voted to overturn the 2020 election results after Trump lost to Joe Biden, and was endorsed for the House speakership by far-right lawmakers who refused to back then-Rep. Kevin McCarthy’s bid in early 2023. Last year, it was rumored that Trump might tap Donalds as a running mate.That’s not to say Donalds is a shoo-in to be Florida’s next governor, should he decide to run. Beyond Gaetz, Agriculture Commissioner Wilton Simpson could jump in the race. At one point, it looked like the race to replace DeSantis might attract more candidates, but the field has narrowed. State Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis is running to replace Gaetz in Congress (with Trump’s blessing, of course), and state Attorney General Ashley Moody has just been appointed to fill the Senate seat that Marco Rubio will vacate if he is confirmed as Trump’s secretary of state, as is expected.There’s no timeline set for Donalds’ next steps. While he could, of course, leave Washington, D.C., early to start his bid, concerns about Republicans’ slim margins in the House make that tricky to navigate. As NBC News pointed out, Donalds may make his next move more clear following the conclusion of Florida’s two scheduled special elections, one of which reveals who Gaetz’s replacement will be. Both elections will take place on April 1. Campaign Action

Burgum said the U.S. can leverage development of fossil fuels and other energy sources to promote world peace and lower costs.

Gov. Ron DeSantis praised Moody, who has served as Florida's attorney general since 2019, for fighting against policies he described as part of the Democratic Party's "woke agenda."

Even before Biden’s speech, the rising wealth gap in the U.S. and China raised concerns about whether the world’s two largest economies were becoming oligarchies.

Senate Republicans are urging President-elect Trump’s Cabinet nominees to resist taking the bait from Democrats when their high-stakes confirmation hearings kick off next week, marking a make-or-break moment for some of his choices. Headlined by Pete Hegseth, Trump’s pick to run the Pentagon, numerous hearings will take place next week with the goal of confirming [...]

Three of President-elect Trump's most provocative Cabinet picks have reversed key positions ahead of next week's confirmation hearings, softening their edges for an establishment they've been charged with tearing down.Why it matters: For as powerful as MAGA has become, the Senate's confirmation process remains a significant obstacle — at least nominally — to injecting fringe beliefs directly into the heart of government.The big picture: In the initial weeks after Trump unveiled his Cabinet picks, some establishment-minded Republicans raised red flags in the records of three picks:Tulsi Gabbard, tapped to lead the U.S. intelligence community, was deeply suspicious of the national security apparatus and publicly opposed Section 702 foreign surveillance authorities as a member of Congress.Robert F. Kennedy Jr., chosen to be secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services, falsely claimed in 2023 that the polio vaccine caused cancer that killed "many more people than polio ever did."Pete Hegseth, an anti-DEI stalwart picked to be defense secretary, bluntly opposed women serving in combat roles in the military.Flash forward: All three lightning-rod picks have spent weeks meeting with senators on Capitol Hill in an effort to secure 50 votes. The results are head-spinning:Gabbard told Punchbowl News on Friday that she now supports the Section 702 surveillance program thanks to updated whistleblower and civil liberty protections. Just days earlier, Sen. James Lankford (R-Okla.) suggested reversing that one policy position could help her get confirmed.RFK Jr. told reporters on Capitol Hill last month: "I'm all for the polio vaccine." He also assured conservative senators that he will pursue anti-abortion policies at HHS, despite his past support for reproductive rights.Hegseth, after an early clash with Army veteran Sen. Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), said he supports "all women serving in our military today," including in combat roles. Hegseth also promised to stop drinking if confirmed, amid sordid allegations about his history with alcohol.Reality check: Their maximalist impulses may have been tamed, but that doesn't mean Gabbard, Kennedy and Hegseth won't be able to radically transform their agencies in the way MAGA envisions.There's also been no indication yet that Trump's most controversial choice, Kash Patel for FBI director, will walk away from his incendiary promises to exact revenge on the president-elect's enemies.Between the lines: Today's Republican coalition is diverse and unwieldy, and Trump's Cabinet reflects that reality.While some have been playing nice with senators to win confirmation, others have had to harmonize with Trump himself.Secretary of State pick Marco Rubio, for example, has long been a fierce critic of TikTok — but now appears to be deferring to Trump's interest in preserving the Chinese-owned app, according to Punchbowl.Treasury Secretary pick Scott Bessent — a former George Soros adviser who warned against the inflationary effects of tariffs just last year — will now be a key member of the economic team tasked with carrying out Trump's protectionist agenda.What to watch: Senate Democrats are salivating at the chance to create fireworks and exploit divisions at the blockbuster confirmation hearings, which begin with Hegseth on Jan. 14.

Senate hearings are scheduled this coming week for several of Trump’s picks for the Cabinet. Many have met with senators individually. Now, they will go before the committees overseeing the agencies that Trump wants them to run.

The back-to-back hearings are likely to prove the first major test of Trump’s second term in office as Republicans grapple with a slim majority in the Senate.

The Americans’ detentions add another complication to the many Venezuela challenges that await President-elect Donald Trump when he returns to the White House on Jan. 20.

As many as 10 Americans are behind bars in Venezuela as President Nicolas Maduro prepares to be sworn in for a third term.

Republican Mike Johnson has won re-election to House speakership on first-round voting. He pushed past GOP holdout and got a boost from President-elect Donald Trump.

President-elect Trump announced on Friday that he is appointing Morgan Ortagus, who served as State Department spokesperson in his first term, as deputy special presidential envoy for Middle East peace. The intrigue: The appointment came with a rebuke. Trump noted that Ortagus came highly recommended but had criticized him in the past. "Early on Morgan fought me for three years, but hopefully has learned her lesson," Trump wrote.Why it matters: Ortagus is a highly experienced national security and foreign policy expert and will be a significant reinforcement to the White House "Peace Team" that will face a turbulent region with an ongoing war in Gaza. Driving the news: Ortagus will join a team led by Trump's close friend and confidant Steve Witkoff. During Trump's first term in office Ortagus served as the State Department spokeswoman under then Secretary Mike Pompeo.Before serving as spokesperson to then-Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, Ortagus worked for the Department of the Treasury as a financial intelligence analyst and also served as deputy U.S. treasury attaché to Saudi Arabia.She is an active U.S. Navy Reserve Intelligence Officer.Behind the scenes: Ortagus is close to many senior Republicans like incoming Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), incoming national security adviser Mike Waltz and Trump's envoy for special missions, Ric Grenell. She also worked closely with Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner during Trump's first term in office, and they remain close.Tension point: During the Republican presidential primary before the 2016 elections, Ortagus criticized Trump's "isolationist" foreign policy and his personal behavior. After noting that past criticism, Trump added that he decided to appoint Ortagus regardless of their differences because "she has strong Republican support.""I'm not doing this for me, I'm doing it for them. Let's see what happens," he added. What to watch: The first priority for Trump's "peace team" will be to get a Gaza hostage and ceasefire deal if one isn't concluded by Jan. 20.They will have to work on ending the Gaza war and laying out a "day-after" plan that will include a massive reconstruction effort.Witkoff and Ortagus are also expected to work on one of Trump's main foreign policy goals — reaching a historic peace agreement between Israel and Saudi Arabia. Trump said he wants Witkoff and Ortagus to work on bringing "calm and prosperity" to the Middle East. "I expect great results, and soon!" he wrote.

Republican Mike Johnson has won re-election to House speakership on first-round voting. He pushed past GOP holdout and got a boost from President-elect Donald Trump.

One of the first priorities for Senate Majority Leader John Thune is the confirmation of President-elect Donald Trump's expected nominees.

President-elect Donald Trump gave a New Year's Eve message to Republican senators, urging them to not let Democrats block his Cabinet nominees.

If Democrats want to understand why President-elect Donald Trump is returning to the White House, a good place to start might be the “Know Your Enemy” podcast, hosted by two self-described leftist bros who, without mockery or tongue-in-cheek elitism, explore the complicated past and feverish present of the American conservative movement.

Guatemala is preparing to receive deported migrants from the U.S. ahead of President-elect Trump's return to office next year, when he's promised to begin mass deportations.

America’s time-keeping took a few steps backward in the 20th century.

First it was Canada, then the Panama Canal. Now, Donald Trump again wants Greenland.

Lara Trump announced on social media Saturday that she’s taking her name out of consideration for Florida’s soon-to-be vacant Senate seat. It’s a smart move by the president-elect’s daughter-in-law—since she probably wasn’t going to get the seat anyway.“After an incredible amount of thought, contemplation, and encouragement from so many, I have decided to remove my name from consideration for the United States Senate,” Trump wrote in a post on X, formerly Twitter.xAfter an incredible amount of thought, contemplation, and encouragement from so many, I have decided to remove my name from consideration for the United States Senate. I could not have been more honored to serve as RNC co-chair during the most high-stakes election of our... https://t.co/ARdvTQki9N— Lara Trump (@LaraLeaTrump) December 21, 2024One of Florida’s Senate seats will be up for grabs soon because Donald Trump tapped Sen. Marco Rubio to be the next secretary of state. Rubio’s replacement will be selected by Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, who has a hot-and-cold professional relationship with the incoming president.Whoever DeSantis appoints for the role will fill the seat until 2026. Then there will be a special election to decide who will serve the last two years of Rubio’s term.Lara, who is married to Trump’s son, Eric, announced earlier this month that she would step down as co-chair of the Republican National Committee, which signaled to some that she was being considered for the Senate role. The nepo hire also received several early endorsements from other Republicans including Elon Musk’s mother, who said that Lara would be a great addition to the political theatre commonly known as Capitol Hill.But it doesn’t seem that DeSantis was inclined to give Lara a slot in the Senate. In November, he said that he would appoint Rubio’s replacement in early 2025 and promised to do “extensive vetting and candidate interviews” before settling on a pick. The GOP governor has not talked publicly about who he is considering, but several people are reportedly in the mix, including Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody, Lt. Gov. Jeanette Núñez, and former Florida House Speaker Jose Oliva.In other words, despite his many personal flaws, DeSantis seems to want someone with at least an ounce of government experience for the role. That would exclude Lara, who launched a new activewear line in November and is hilariously trying to be a singer.Even Trump, who installed Lara as head of the Republican National Committee, seemed doubtful his daughter-in-law would get picked for the Senate seat. When asked last Monday whether DeSantis would appoint her, Trump suggested that he wasn’t expecting any favors from his onetime political nemesis, whom Trump once called “Meatball Ron” and “Ron DeSanctimonious.”“I don’t. I probably don’t, but I don’t know,” Trump said when asked if thought DeSantis would tap Lara for the role. “Ron is doing a good job. It is his choice, nothing to do with me.”But don’t get too excited yet, as this won’t be the last we hear of Lara.“I do have a big announcement that I’m excited to share in January, so, stay tuned,” she wrote. “I remain incredibly passionate about public service and look forward to serving our country again sometime in the future. In the meantime, I wish Governor DeSantis the best of luck with this appointment.”Lara isn’t alone among daughters-in-law recently snubbed for government roles that their fathers-in-law wanted them to have. At least this nepo hire has her music career to fall back on.xRNC Chair Lara Trump releases her new music video. pic.twitter.com/iRplU6VIDy— Ron Filipkowski (@RonFilipkowski) September 2, 2024If you value having free and reliable access to the information and resources we provide, we’re asking for your help today. Will you make a donation of $5, $25, or whatever you can afford to help us reach our year-end goal?

As President-elect Donald Trump stands poised return to the presidency, what will his foreign policy entail? Sen. Mitch McConnell says Trump should base his foreign policy on "hard power."

Welcome to At the Races! Each week we bring you news and analysis from the CQ Roll Call campaign team. Know someone who’d like to get this newsletter? They can subscribe here. By Mary Ellen McIntire, Daniela Altimari and Niels Lesniewki The 118th Congress has been chaotic in many ways, so perhaps it’s unsurprising that Congress [...]The post Deck the House with boughs of chaos appeared first on Roll Call.

Once again, political leaders want to eliminate twice a year time shifting. Here are the pros and cons.

One of Secretary of State-designate Marco Rubio's most challenging tasks won't be abroad but at home: Navigating a network of envoys nominated by President-elect Trump to manage key foreign policy issues directly out of the White House.Why it matters: Rubio has extensive foreign policy and national security experience from his years in the Senate, but he isn't a member of Trump's inner circle. He'll have to fight for influence and for Trump's ear as the U.S. decides how to handle a range of conflicts and alliances around the world.Some key foreign policy issues are run from the White House in most administrations, but Trump has appointed numerous presidential envoys and given them many of the State Department's responsibilities.They've already started meeting with foreign diplomats and traveling to the regions they're assigned to work on.Rubio on the other hand has declined all requests by foreign diplomats and ministers to meet with him, saying he is focused on his confirmation process and staffing the State Department, three sources with direct knowledge told Axios.Where it stands: Trump named his closest friend businessman Steve Witkoff to be the White House envoy for the Middle East. He'll focus on ending the war in Gaza, pushing for a historic U.S.-Israeli-Saudi "mega deal" and making progress on ending the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The president-elect appointed his in-law businessman Massad Boulus as his Arab world adviser. He is expected to work with Witkoff as the point of contact for the Palestinians and many other Arab countries.Trump's point-person on Russia-Ukraine diplomacy will be retired Lt. Gen. Keith Kellog, who worked in the first Trump administration. Adam Boehler was appointed to be the presidential special envoy for hostage affairs. He is also going to work out of the White House and focus initially on Gaza. Previous hostage affairs envoys worked out of the State Department. The intrigue: Trump appointed former U.S. Ambassador to Germany Ric Grenell as his presidential envoy for special missions. The president-elect said Grenell is going to focus on the "hottest spots around the world," including Venezuela and North Korea. Grenell was reportedly a top candidate for secretary of State.His broad job description could allow him to get involved in many other foreign policy files and step on the State Department's turf. A source with knowledge of the situation said Grenell would be best positioned to succeed Rubio if he leaves the administration in a year or two as many Trump administration insiders expect.Behind the scenes: A source who spoke to Rubio recently said the incoming secretary of State isn't concerned about the numerous presidential envoys and thinks he has several advantages.Unlike the White House envoys, he'll have to be confirmed by the Senate, arguably giving him more authority.And, he will be leading a huge department with tens of thousands of people in hundreds of places around the world.Used right, it could give him power and influence.Between the lines: Rubio wants to operate less like Rex Tillerson, Trump's first secretary of State, and more like Mike Pompeo.Tillerson was part of a faction inside the administration that feuded with some of the president's senior advisers. Pompeo, Trump's second secretary of State, successfully navigated Trump world and was seen as more of a team player, the source said.The source said the incoming secretary of State has a good personal relationship with Witkoff, who he has known for several years, and that Rubio wants to have a good relationship with Grenell as well, despite them vying for the same job.What they're saying: "The world is on fire, and it will take a full court press to restore order. President Trump and Senator Rubio are working together to build out an all-star team to deliver on the America First agenda the country demanded in November," a Rubio spokesperson told Axios.The Trump transition team didn't respond to questions about the issue.What to watch: Two sources with knowledge of Rubio's plans said he wants to focus on China and Latin America — two issues he is knowledgeable about and that have huge implications for domestic policies that will shape the economy and immigration.Trump hasn't appointed a presidential envoy for Iran, which is expected to be a key foreign policy issue in the coming year.Rubio is an Iran hawk and would likely want to play a major role.

Speaking to Iowa reporters Wednesday by conference call, Iowa U.S. Sen. Chuck Grassley said he is not telling candidates in advance whether he will support their nominations.

Trump is tapping loyal allies for plum federal government jobs after they lost races to Democrats in recent years partly due to their ties to Trump himself.

President-elect Donald Trump, who has long mocked “haters and losers,” seems to have no issue with filling his incoming administration with them. More than a dozen of his appointees ran for political office at least once and were often soundly rejected by voters. Late Tuesday, Trump announced his nomination of Herschel Walker to be the U.S. ambassador to the Bahamas, turning to a longtime ally and former National Football League star for the role. Walker first gained national political attention in 2022, when he tried and failed to unseat Democratic Sen. Raphael Warnock of Georgia. Georgia, in particular, seems to be a ripe hunting ground for finding political losers. In addition to Walker, Trump tapped former Sen. Kelly Loeffler (who was unseated by Warnock in 2021) to run the Small Business Administration. And former Sen. David Purdue (who lost his seat to Sen. Jon Ossoff that same year) was nominated to be ambassador to China under Trump’s incoming administration. In some instances, the president-elect even turned to Georgians who were rejected by their own party’s voters. In November, for instance, he asked former Rep. Doug Collins of Georgia, who tried and failed to unseat Loeffler in the crowded 2020 Senate race, to lead the Veterans Affairs Department. (In the 2020 Senate race, Collins came in third. His defeat made it so Loeffler and Warnock ended up going head-to-head in a subsequent runoff.)Many—if not all—of these folks ran for office with Trump’s stamp of approval. Now that they lost, they seem to be receiving the ultimate consolation prize from the president-elect.Beyond those from the Peach State, Trump also selected perennial loser Kari Lake, a former local TV anchor who lost two statewide races in Arizona, to lead Voice of America. It’s unclear whether Lake will have any power here, but the MAGA politician who seemingly has a bone to pick with journalists might now be in charge of the government-funded international broadcaster. Lake is a particularly interesting addition to Trump’s administration since she’s shown her unique brand of fealty to the president-elect. She literally vacuumed the red carpet Trump was about to walk on, and told audiences on the same night that Trump has “BDE.” (Google this acronym if you’re unfamiliar with it, but be warned: This might not be safe to do at work!) Kari Lake, who has twice lost statewide races in ArizonaTrump also picked Mehmet Oz, the former heart surgeon turned TV host commonly known as Dr. Oz, for his second administration. Oz lost a 2022 Senate race in Pennsylvania, in which he had Trump’s backing, to Democrat John Fetterman by 5 percentage points. But come next year, the Republican will likely lead the hugely important agency that oversees health insurance programs for tens of millions of Americans.Other notable losers who might join the federal government next year include some who attempted to challenge Trump for the presidency or Republican nomination.Robert F. Kennedy Jr. (who was chosen to lead the Department of Health and Human Services) and former Rep. Tulsi Gabbard (tapped to be the next director of national intelligence) are former U.S. presidential candidates. Gabbard ran for the Democratic nomination in 2020, and Kennedy for the same nomination last year before switching to an independent bid. He later ended that bid as well and endorsed Trump.Then there’s Sen. Marco Rubio of Florida, a two-time loser by Trump’s standards. Not only did Rubio drop out of the 2016 presidential primary after losing his home state to Trump, but also during the throes of that year’s presidential competition, Trump not-so-affectionally referred to the senator as “Little Marco” and called him a “choker.” Now he’s not only a “Highly Respected Leader,” according to Trump; he’s also the president-elect’s pick to be the next secretary of state.Some lesser-known losers asked to fill Trump’s administration include outgoing Rep. Dan Bishop of North Carolina, to be deputy budget director; one-term Rep. Lori Chavez-DeRemer of Oregon, to be secretary of labor; and former Rep. Pete Hoekstra of Michigan, to be the next U.S. ambassador to Canada.This list is not exhaustive, and it may grow from here. In early December, Trump met with Blake Masters about leading the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives. Masters lost both the 2022 Senate race in Arizona as well as a Republican primary for the state’s 8th District this year.In some respects, it’s not all that unusual for a president to appoint people who haven’t been successful in electoral politics to their administration. After all, former President Barack Obama appointed Hillary Clinton to be his secretary of state after he beat her in the 2008 Democratic primary. President Joe Biden, too, made Pete Buttigieg, whom Biden faced in the 2020 Democratic primary, his secretary of transportation. But the sheer number of incoming Trump appointments who have a history of losing at the ballot box is eye-popping, particularly since they’ll now be working for a guy who claims to love winning. It’s probably not a coincidence that Trump plans to surround himself with a bunch of literal losers, though. No one will be more loyal to the president-elect than those about to fade into obscurity.Campaign Action

During the transition period between President Joe Biden and President-elect Donald Trump, there has been at least some coordination on West Wing affairs

New polling shows Republicans hold a positive view of Robert F. Kennedy Jr., but recent polling shows Americans overall are less positive. Also, there isn’t broad support for some of his views.

The United States need to impose real costs on foreign bad actors, said Rep. Mike Waltz, the incoming national security adviser.

Republican senators are gearing up for the possibility of primary challenges ahead of the 2026 midterms as they seek to navigate the new political environment of a second Trump administration. Taking out a sitting senator in a primary would be no easy task, but some in the right flank of the party have flirted with [...]

Nunes, chief executive of Trump-owned Truth Social, was announced as the president-elect's nominee for chairman of the President’s Intelligence Advisory Board.

As Donald Trump’s Cabinet takes shape, the nominees offer a preview of how his administration might handle abortion after he repeatedly flip-flopped on the issue on the campaign trail.

The announcement comes a week and a half after President-elect Donald Trump announced his intention to nominate loyalist Kash Patel for the position.

A post shared on social media purports President-elect Donald Trump posted on social media that his wife and son attended a Bruce Springsteen concert. Wow! Did the model conman dad really misspell his son’s name, or am I seeing things? How can you make that mistake? That’s hilarious! Classic...👀 pic.twitter.com/gYKOtDwcsz — Popular Liberal 🇺🇸 (@PopularLiberal) December 9, [...]

The former Fox News host, Army National Guard major and combat veteran spent much of the week trying to salvage his Cabinet nomination.

Matt Gaetz has withdrawn from consideration as attorney general and was replaced by Pam Bondi, as Trump names RFK Jr., Pete Hegseth, Tulsi Gabbard and Kristi Noem to key posts.

It will let Trump transition aides and future administration staffers obtain security clearances to access classified government information.

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'Speak Their Language': Insiders Explain How Trump Can Use 'NeoCon' Cabinet Picks To Advance MAGA Agenda

Monday's court filing cites longstanding Justice Department policy shielding presidents from prosecution while in office.

WASHINGTON — President-elect Donald Trump on Friday named Oregon Rep. Lori Chavez-DeRemer to lead the Department of Labor in his second administration, elevating a Republican congresswoman who has strong support from unions in her district but lost reelection in November. Chavez-DeRemer will have to be confirmed by the Senate, which will be under Republican control [...]The post What to Know About the Fresno State Grad Who Is Trump’s Pick for Labor Secretary appeared first on GV Wire.

A former chief of staff to former Vice President Mike Pence attacked one of Donald Trump's picks for his Cabinet as being the dream candidate for authoritarian leaders. Marc Short told MSNBC that there are several Cabinet appointees that conservatives are excited about, but former Democratic Rep. Tulsi Gabbard (HI), who became an independent in 2022, isn't one of them. Trump named Gabbard as his pick for Director of National Intelligence, prompting outrage among national security experts. Also Read: Trump's Cabinet of horrors exposes his totalitarian drift"I think there are several picks that conservatives can celebrate," said Short. "At OMB, Doug Burgum, Chris Wright at Energy, [Sen. Marco] Rubio (R-FL) as secretary of state, those are things conservatives get excited about."Then there are the others."I think that [Russian President Vladimir] Putin and [Syrian President Bashar] al-Assad got their pick at DNI."Gabbard has been accused of parroting Russian propaganda and having troubling connections to the Kremlin. She met with al-Assad, who is backed by Russia, and has expressed skepticism about Russian interference in U.S. elections. See the conversation below or at the link here. - YouTubeyoutu.be

“His future is not as bright as it once was,” said Aubrey Jewett, a political science professor at the University of Central Florida.