Trump cabinet latest updates: Matt Gaetz withdraws from attorney general nomination

In the Senate on Wednesday evening, three resolutions to block arms sales to Israel were defeated on the floor — one sponsored by Bernie Sanders, the chamber’s only avowed socialist member, and two others were sponsored by Jeff Merkley and Peter Welch. The outcome was all but preordained. What was notable instead was the number of members from Biden’s party who joined them — in direct defiance of both Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and the White House, which lobbied against the resolution and accused its supporters of aiding Hamas.

Nineteen senators in the Democratic caucus voted in support of ending or halting aid to Israel, a number that represents nearly a third of the caucus. Many were outspoken in their rebukes of both Israeli policy and US complicity in the tactics utilized by Israeli forces on the ground, as well as the conditions perpetuated by the war.

The message was clear: Joe Biden’s hold on his party is gone, and there is significant doubt among elected Democrats about his handling of the US-Israeli relationship since October 7, 2023.

John Bowden and Eric Garcia report from Washington, D.C.

President-elect Donald Trump’s cabinet is proving to be one of the most controversial in recent memory, including a number of people who face sexual misconduct allegations.

“This is not a good time for survivors or victims. People are not going to speak up because, look, it’s falling on deaf ears. No one cares,” one of Trump’s accusers previously told The Independent after he was re-elected.

Now, he’s nominated a number of individuals who also face claims of engaging in or tolerating sexual misconduct.

Karoline Leavitt, Trump-Vance transition spokeswoman said: “The American people re-elected President Trump by a resounding margin giving him a mandate to implement the promises he made on the campaign trail — and his Cabinet picks reflect his priority to put America First. President Trump will continue to appoint highly-qualified men and women who have the talent, experience, and necessary skill sets to Make America Great Again.”

Kelly Rissman looks at some of the contentious picks Trump has made for his inner circle.

A list of names in consideration for the role that circulated in the weeks leading up to Election Day did not include Gaetz, whose selection surprised members of Congress, where he remains under investigation for allegations of sexual misconduct.

The job now appears up for grabs.

Alex Woodward takes a look at the contenders.

Greene has been tapped to chair a House subcommittee that will work in tandem with Donald Trump’s newly created Department of Government Efficiency, an advisory board that the president-elect appointed the billionaire and wealthy entrepreneur to lead.

The “Subcommittee on Delivering on Government Efficiency” is “designed to work hand in hand with President Trump, Elon Musk, Vivek Ramaswamy, and the entire DOGE team,” the congresswoman from Georgia said in a statement to CNBC.

The panel, first reported by Fox News Digital, will recommend firing government “bureaucrats” and will provide “transparency and truth to the American people through hearings,” according to Greene.

“No topic will be off the table,” she said.

Alex Woodward has the full story.

Politico’s defense reporter in Congress, Connor O’Brien, asked Senator John Cornyn what Matt Gaetz dropping out of the nomination process for attorney general might mean for Donald Trump’s defense secretary pick, Pete Hegseth, who also faces allegations of misconduct.

“You know, somebody suggested that maybe Ted Cruz should be the next attorney general,” he replied.

“He’s an outstanding lawyer. I mean, very talented guy.”

A woman who claims she had sex with Matt Gaetz when she was a minor reportedly told the House Ethics Committee that she also had two sexual encounters with him at one party in 2017, and that one had involved another woman.

Among the many changes expected to shake up the government under the new Donald Trump administration, requiring all federal employees to return to the office five days per week could very well occur. But it’s likely to face challenges from unions.

Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy, the billionaire entrepreneurs recently bestowed government advisory jobs, said they have several ideas to drastically cut the federal workforce and budget through their newly formed Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).

One way they could inspire change is by suggesting Trump mandate the approximately 2.28 million employees return to the office five days per week – something they claim will “result in a wave of voluntary terminations”.

Gaetz said in a Thursday statement on X his nomination had become a “needlessly protacted Washington scuffle.”

“I remain fully committed to see that Donald J. Trump is the most successful President in history,” he wrote. “I will forever be honored that President Trump nominated me to lead the Department of Justice and I’m certain he will Save America.”

The decision may eliminate one big question mark hanging over Gaetz — would he get confirmed in the Senate — but it triggers a whole host of other uncertainties. Namely, can he, and will he, return to Congress?

Josh Marcus investigates.