Trump transition live updates: Latest news as election winner makes moves
Donald Trump, the president-elect, is selecting key figures for his upcoming administration, including Stephen Miller, a long-term advisor on immigration, who will serve as deputy chief of staff for policy.
This swift appointment of the staunch conservative indicates Trump’s intention to vigorously advance the “America First” agenda he championed during his campaign. Miller’s selection comes even before traditional national security roles like attorney general, and secretaries of State and Defense have been appointed.
- Tom Homan, the former head of Immigration and Customs Enforcement, will take on the role of “border czar,” focusing on deportation policies.
- Additionally, Trump has appointed Rep. Elise Stefanik, a Republican from New York, as the next ambassador to the United Nations.
- The selections are happening as Republicans maintain a strong position to keep control of the House, with 213 seats secured compared to 203 seats held by Democrats, out of the 218 necessary for a majority.
Stay tuned for live updates from the YSL News Network.
Emboldened by Donald Trump’s victory, Rick Scott shakes up US Senate leadership race
Senator Rick Scott from Florida is making notable moves as he aims to become the Senate majority leader, despite facing competition from rivals who might have better positioning due to the traditional preferences in such selections.
On Sunday, tech entrepreneur Elon Musk endorsed Scott, who has also responded positively to Trump’s request to expedite appointments while the Senate is in recess and is actively seeking support from Trump’s loyal followers within the Republican Party.
Scott will compete against Senators John Thune of South Dakota and John Cornyn of Texas for this leadership role, which will be crucial for advancing Trump’s legislative proposals and facilitating his appointments through the Senate confirmation process.
−Gray Rohrer
Who will Donald Trump choose as attorney general?
As Donald Trump forms his administration, a significant decision involves selecting an attorney general to lead a Department of Justice that he and his supporters claim has been overly politicized by the Biden administration.
Trump’s history with the Justice Department has been rocky.
During his previous term, he sought to halt investigations into Russian interference in the 2016 election and called for inquiries into unsubstantiated claims of election fraud in the 2020 election. Following his presidency, he faces legal challenges related to alleged election interference and mishandling classified information.
Below are some potential candidates, including lawmakers and former administration officials, who are reportedly under consideration:
− Bart Jansen
Former Kamala Harris aide suggests Biden should resign to allow Harris to become president
Jamal Simmons, a former communications director for Kamala Harris, presented an unusual idea on how the vice president could still achieve the presidency by suggesting that Joe Biden might resign.
During a discussion on CNN’s “State of the Union,” panelists discussed key upcoming events in the 71 days leading to Trump’s inauguration, mentioning the potential release of hostages in Gaza and Trump’s transition actions as important factors.
Simmons took a different approach, stating that Biden could resign within 30 days, making Kamala Harris the president.
“Biden has been an exceptional president,” Simmons noted, adding that he has fulfilled many campaign promises, with one left unfulfilled: to transition to a new leader.
– George Fabe Russell
Missouri Sen. Eric Schmitt withdraws from attorney general race
As transitions for the next Trump administration gain momentum, some individuals are also stepping back from certain roles.
Senator Eric Schmitt, a Republican from Missouri, announced on Monday that he has requested not to be considered for the attorney general position.
“I sought a Senate seat to represent the people of Missouri, and I’m only getting started,” Schmitt shared in a post on X.
Among those still in the running for the Justice Department post are Senator Mike Lee from Utah, former Director of National Intelligence John Ratcliffe, and Jeffrey Clark, a former assistant attorney general.
– David Jackson
Trump advises Putin to avoid escalating the Ukraine conflict
President-elect Donald Trump advised Russian President Vladimir Putin against escalating the war in Ukraine during a recent conversation, according to a source familiar with the discussion. This comes as President Joe Biden intends to remind Trump of the importance of supporting Kyiv.
Trump and Putin spoke in the past few days, and Trump also had a conversation with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Wednesday. Trump has been critical of the extent of U.S. military and financial aid to Ukraine, pledging to end the conflict swiftly, although he has not specified how he intends to do that.
– Reuters
Stephen Miller appointed as Donald Trump’s deputy chief of staff for policy
Stephen Miller, a key immigration adviser and long-time ally of Donald Trump, has been appointed as deputy chief of staff for policy in the upcoming administration.
Vice President-elect JD Vance extended his congratulations to Miller on his new position through a post on X, following CNN’s initial report. Vance remarked, “This is another excellent choice by the president.”
Miller’s selection arrives as Trump campaigns for the 2024 presidential election, focusing on the mass deportation of those undocumented immigrants residing illegally in the U.S.
At the age of 39, Miller previously held the roles of senior advisor to Trump and director of speechwriting during the Republican’s initial term in office. He is recognized for influencing Trump’s approach to immigration, which entailed measures like separating migrant children from their parents and implementing a travel ban affecting primarily Muslim countries. Miller was a key figure in Trump’s 2024 campaign efforts.
– Joey Garrison
Who will have control of the House and Senate next year?
In 2025, Republicans are anticipated to take over the Senate from the Democrats, with a projected majority of 53-47, although one Senate contest in Arizona is still pending a formal declaration.
For control of the House, a party needs 218 seats. Republicans are on track to achieve that vital number, having secured 213 of the 435 available seats so far compared to the Democrats’ 203.
– Marina Pitofsky
Donald Trump appoints Tom Homan, ex-ICE chief, as ‘border czar’
President-elect Donald Trump has revealed that Tom Homan, the former leader of Immigration and Customs Enforcement, will step into the role of “border czar,” tasked with managing deportation plans for undocumented immigrants and overseeing aviation security.
During Trump’s first term, Homan garnered controversy for implementing the “zero tolerance” policy, which resulted in family separations among undocumented immigrants.
Despite this, he has ardently supported strict immigration policies for Trump, who has promised that the mass deportation of approximately 11 million undocumented immigrants will commence on his first day in office, January 20.
– Bart Jansen
Who is Elise Stefanik? Trump chooses key House ally as the next UN ambassador
Donald Trump has selected Representative Elise Stefanik from New York to serve as the new ambassador to the United Nations, as confirmed by multiple sources. The lawmaker has accepted the position.
This nomination marks Trump’s first cabinet selection after his recent reelection for a second, nonconsecutive term in the White House.
Stefanik gained significant recognition last year when questioning college presidents from prominent institutions like Harvard University, the University of Pennsylvania, and MIT during a congressional hearing. She pressed them on whether calls for the genocide of Jews should prompt disciplinary actions.
The responses from the presidents were evasive, as they provided legal explanations without directly condemning the calls for genocide. Subsequently, two of the leaders, Liz Magill (former Penn president) and Claudine Gay (former Harvard president), have vacated their positions.
– Savannah Kuchar