Trump faucets Brooke Rollins for agriculture secretary; Pam Bondi chosen for lawyer basic after Gaetz withdraws: Live

Matt Gaetz reveals he will not be returning to Congress

Donald Trump has named Brooke Rollins, founder and CEO of the America First Policy Institute, as his choice to be secretary of Agriculture. Former senator Kelly Loeffler has initially been connected with the role.

The president-elect wasted little time after Matt Gaetz said he was dropping his bid to become attorney general, naming Pam Bondi, former attorney general of Florida, as his choice to lead the Justice Department instead.

Bondi represented the president-elect at his first impeachment trial in the Senate and is both an experienced public official and a long-time Trump ally.

The president-elect has also announced that he wants the job of treasury secretary to go to hedge fund manager Scott Bessent.

In a flurry of announcements on Friday night, Trump revealed his picks to lead the Office of Management and Budget, the Department of Housing and Urban Development, the FDA, the CDC, the Office of the Surgeon General, and the Department of Labor.

He has now named heads for all 15 executive departments.

Trump also met with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte at Mar-a-Lago on Friday to discuss global security issues facing the alliance.

Former Trump surgeon general sounds alarm on infectious diseases

Jerome Adams, who served as surgeon general in the first Trump administration is sounding the alarm about alarming trends in infectious diseases.

He says he hopes the incoming administration has a strong response plan and can ensure vaccine confidence stays high “or they’ll be distracted with outbreaks for 4 years this time instead of 1.”

Oliver O’Connell23 November 2024 22:36

Election workers defamed by Giuliani pen scathing letter accusing him of an ‘obvious attempt to intimidate’

Attorneys for election workers that Rudy Giuliani defamed wrote a scathing letter accusing the former New York City mayor of launching a crusade meant to “to obstruct and intimidate” them as they try to recover his assets.

Kelly Rissman reports.

Oliver O’Connell23 November 2024 22:25

Sen. Ernst of the ‘DOG caucus’ met with Trump and Musk at Mar-a-Lago today

Senator Joni Ernst of Iowa, who is leading the newly formed Senate DOGE Caucus in support of Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy’s Department of Government Efficiency, today met with Donald Trump at Mar-a-Lago.

They were joined at lunch by Musk and Howard Lutnick, who is nominated to be secretary of commerce.

Oliver O’Connell23 November 2024 22:10

Delta CEO: Trump as a ‘breath of fresh air’

The chief executive of Delta Air Lines says the incoming Trump administration will be a “breath of fresh air” for airlines after what he called government “overreach” under President Joe Biden.

The airline industry has chafed under consumer-protection regulations imposed by the Biden administration. And Delta is facing a federal investigation into its slow recovery from a global technology outage this summer.

Delta CEO Ed Bastian made the comment as he and fellow Delta executives prepared to host Wall Street analysts at an investor day Wednesday in Atlanta.

Continue reading…

Oliver O’Connell23 November 2024 22:00

Trump has now named all 15 heads of executive departments

  • Agriculture – Brooke Rollins
  • Commerce – Howard Lutnick
  • Defense – Pete Hegseth
  • Education – Linda McMahon
  • Energy – Chris Wright
  • HHS – RFK Jr.
  • Homeland Security – Kristi Noem
  • HUD – Scott Turner
  • Interior – Doug Burgum
  • Labor – Lori Chavez-DeReme
  • State – Marco Rubio
  • Transportation – Sean Duffy
  • Treasury – Scott Bessent
  • Veterans Affairs – Doug Collins
  • Attorney General – Pam Bondi
Oliver O’Connell23 November 2024 21:35

Hegseth threatens ‘educational insurgency’ in schools

Pete Hegseth, Donald Trump’s pick to be secretary of defense, has called for an “educational insurgency” to take over American schools in an appearance on a right-wing podcast.

During a CrossPolitic discussion about religiously affiliated schools, Hegseth explained his idea for a system of “classical Christian schools” to provide “recruits” for an underground army that could eventually launch an “educational insurgency”.

Read on…

Oliver O’Connell23 November 2024 21:30

Trump names Brooke Rollins as his pick for secretary of agriculture

As first reported by The Wall Street Journal earlier today, Donald Trump has picked Founder and CEO of the America First Policy Institute Brooke Rollins as his choice to be secretary of agriculture.

Brooke Rollins, President and CEO of the America First Policy Institute speaks at Donald Trump’s Madison Square Garden rally on October 27, 2024
Brooke Rollins, President and CEO of the America First Policy Institute speaks at Donald Trump’s Madison Square Garden rally on October 27, 2024 (REUTERS)

The president-elect released the following statement:

It is my Great Honor to nominate Brooke L. Rollins, from the Great State of Texas, to serve as the 33rd United States Secretary of Agriculture.

Brooke was on my 2016 Economic Advisory Council, and did an incredible job during my First Term as the Director of the Domestic Policy Council, Director of the Office of American Innovation, and Assistant to the President for Strategic Initiatives. In these roles, she helped develop and manage the transformational Domestic Policy Agenda of my Administration. Brooke has spent the past four years as the Founder and CEO of the America First Policy Institute (AFPI) and America First Works (AFW), building a team of loyal Patriots, and championing the Policies of our America First Agenda.

Brooke’s commitment to support the American Farmer, defense of American Food Self-Sufficiency, and the restoration of Agriculture-dependent American Small Towns is second to none. A proud Graduate of Texas A&M University, Brooke earned a Bachelor’s of Science Degree in Agriculture Development, and J.D., with Honors. From her upbringing in the small and Agriculture-centered town of Glen Rose, Texas, to her years of leadership involvement with Future Farmers of America and 4H, to her generational Family Farming background, to guiding her four kids in their show cattle careers, Brooke has a practitioner’s experience, along with deep Policy credentials in both Nonprofit and Government leadership at the State and National levels.

As our next Secretary of Agriculture, Brooke will spearhead the effort to protect American Farmers, who are truly the backbone of our Country. Congratulations Brooke!

Earlier reporting indicated that Trump might pick former Georgia senator Kelly Loeffler.

Oliver O’Connell23 November 2024 21:17

Gaetz appears to hint at Florida gubernatorial run

Responding to a post on X that he will be the next governor of the state of Florida with a gif of the state flag, former congressman Matt Gaetz appeared to confirm he is considering a gubernatorial run in 2026.

The current governor Ron DeSantis is term-limited and cannot seek reelection.

Oliver O’Connell23 November 2024 21:15

ANALYSIS: What do Republican doctors really think of RFK Jr? I asked them

Eric Garcia writes:

Senator Bill Cassidy stood up to Donald Trump in 2021 after the January 6 riot — he was one of seven Republicans who voted to convict Trump. And in January, he will become chairman of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pension Committee, making the Republican gastroenterologist from Louisana one of the most influential doctors in America.

Continue reading…

Oliver O’Connell23 November 2024 21:00

Trump endorses Randy Fine for Florida congressional run

Donald Trump has endorsed Florida State Senate member Randy Fine as he considers a run for Congress representing the state’s 6th District.

Current congressman Mike Waltz is joining the Trump administration as national security adviser. The district was also represented by current Florida Governor Ron De Santis from 2013 to 2018.

In a post on Truth Social, the president-elect wrote:

I am hearing that America First Patriot Randy Fine is considering launching his Campaign for Congress in Florida’s 6th Congressional District!

A Harvard Educated, Successful Businessman, and Highly Respected State Legislator, Randy has been an incredible Voice for MAGA, and the Great People of Florida. In Congress, Randy will be an INCREDIBLE Fighter who will work tirelessly with me to Stop Inflation, Grow our Economy, Secure the Border, Champion our Military/Vets, Restore American Energy DOMINANCE, Protect our always under siege Second Amendment, and Restore PEACE THROUGH STRENGTH.

Should he decide to enter this Race, Randy Fine has my Complete and Total Endorsement. RUN, RANDY, RUN!

Fine was a champion of Florida’s “Don’t Say Gay” law and the conflict with Disney.

Oliver O’Connell23 November 2024 20:56

Source: independent.co.uk