Musk, Ramaswamy to lead ‘Department of Government Efficiency’
Trump announces that Musk and Ramaswamy will lead a new ‘Department of Government Efficiency’ in his second administration.
I am pleased to announce that the Great Elon Musk, working in conjunction with American Patriot Vivek Ramaswamy, will lead the Department of Government Efficiency (“DOGE”). Together, these two wonderful Americans will pave the way for my Administration to dismantle Government Bureaucracy, slash excess regulations, cut wasteful expenditures, and restructure Federal Agencies – Essential to the “Save America” Movement. This will send shockwaves through the system, and anyone involved in Government waste, which is a lot of people!” Musk said.
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) November 13, 2024
Trump picks Gorsuch for Supreme Court
At an event at the White House, Trump selects Gorush as his candidate to replace Judge Antonin Scalia on tIf confirmed by the Senate, the 49-year-old would restore the court’s conservative majority, lost with the death of Justice Antonin Scalia. If successful, his nomination will restore the five-four conservative majority on the nine-seat high court.Trump:
[Gorsuch has] a superb intellect, an unparalleled legal education, and a commitment to interpreting the Constitution according to text. Judge Gorsuch has outstanding legal skills, a brilliant mind, tremendous discipline, and has earned bipartisan support…It is an extraordinary resume. As good as it gets. The qualifications of Judge Gorsuch are beyond dispute. I only hope that Democrats and Republicans can come together for one, for the good of the country.
Gorush:
The towering judges that have served in this particular seat of the Supreme Court, including Antonin Scalia and Robert Jackson, are much in my mind at this moment. Justice Scalia was a lion of the law. Agree or disagree with him, all of his colleagues on the bench shared his wisdom and his humor. And like them, I miss him.
Trump picks Perry to head Energy Dept
Multiple news outlets report that Perry is Trump’s pick to head the Department of Energy.
Trump names Cohn top economic advisor
Trump nominates Goldman Sachs president & COO Cohn as the Director of his National Economic Council. Trump:
As my top economic advisor, Gary Cohn is going to put his talents as a highly successful businessman to work for the American people. He fully understands the economy and will use all of his vast knowledge and experience to make sure the American people start winning again.
Cohn:
I share President-elect Trump’s vision of making sure every American worker has a secure place in a thriving economy, and we will be completely committed to building a nation of strength, growth and prosperity.
Trump selects Tillerson as Secretary of State
Trump’s transition team announces that Tillerson will be the secretary of state. Tillerson had reportedly jumped to the front of the pack of candidates in recent days, despite not being mentioned on shortlists as recently as last week.
This story will be updated as news develops…
Trump nominates Kelly to lead DHS
Trump nominates Kelly to head the Department of Homeland Security. If confirmed by the Senate, Kelly would be the fifth person to lead the department. An official announcement is pending.
Trump to nominate Pruitt to head of EPA
Sources report that Trump will nominate Pruitt to head the Environmental Protection Agency.
Trump nominates McMahon to lead SBA
Trump nominates WWE co-founder McMahon to run the Small Business Administration. Trump said McMahon had helped the WWE grow from a 13-person operation to a publicly traded global enterprise with more than 800 employees worldwide. Trump:
Linda has a tremendous background and is widely recognized as one of the country’s top female executives advising businesses around the globe.
McMahon:
Our small businesses are the largest source of job creation in our country. I am honored to join the incredibly impressive economic team that President-elect Trump has assembled to ensure that we promote our country’s small businesses and help them grow and thrive.
Trump appoints Carson head of HUD
Trump appoints Carson as Secretary for the Dept. of Housing and Urban Development. Trump:
I am thrilled to nominate Dr. Ben Carson as our next Secretary of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. Ben Carson has a brilliant mind and is passionate about strengthening communities and families within those communities. We have talked at length about my urban renewal agenda and our message of economic revival, very much including our inner cities. Ben shares my optimism about the future of our country and is part of ensuring that this is a Presidency representing all Americans. He is a tough competitor and never gives up.
Carson:
I am honored to accept the opportunity to serve our country in the Trump administration. I feel that I can make a significant contribution particularly by strengthening communities that are most in need. We have much work to do in enhancing every aspect of our nation and ensuring that our nation’s housing needs are met.
Trump appoints Mattis as Secretary of Defense
A source in Trump’s transition team says Trump has appointed Mattis as Secretary of Defense. Mattis joins a Trump national security team that already includes retired Army Lt. Gen. Michael Flynn as national security adviser and Rep. Mike Pompeo as CIA director. The official announcement is expected early next week. Mattis will need a waiver from Congress in order to be confirmed, as a legal statute bars service members from quickly entering civilian positions.
Appoints Mnuchin as treasury secretary
Trump selects Mnuchin as his treasury secretary. The treasury secretary is responsible for sanctions, including those for Cuba, Iran, Russia, Ukraine and Syria.
Appoints Chao as Transportation secretary
Trump’s transition team says it plans to name Chao as his Transportation secretary. Please come back to this story for updates.
Appoints McFarland as Deputy National Security Advisor
Trump selects McFarland to be his deputy national security, working for retired Gen. Michael Flynn. Trump:
McFarland has [tremendous experience and innate talent.]
McFarland:
[Donald Trump] has the courage, brilliance and energy to Make America Great Again, and nobody has called foreign policy right more than President-elect Trump, and he gets no credit for it. I’m honored and humbled that he has asked me to be part of his team.
So proud & honored to have KT McFarland as part of our National Security team. She will help us #MAGA
— LTG (R) Mike Flynn (@GenFlynn) November 25, 2016
Appoints DeVos Education Secretary
Four days after meeting with Trump and Pence at Trump’s golf club in Bedminster, New Jersey, Trump appoints DeVos as Education secretary. Trump:
Betsy DeVos is a brilliant and passionate education advocate. Under her leadership we will reform the U.S. education system and break the bureaucracy that is holding our children back so that we can deliver world-class education and school choice to all families.
I am honored to work with the President-elect on his vision to make American education great again. The status quo in ed is not acceptable.
— Betsy DeVos (@BetsyDeVos) November 23, 2016
Appoints Haley as UN ambassador
Trump appoints Haley as United Nations Ambassador, despite her criticism of him during his election campaign. Haley had supported Marco Rubio and Ted Cruz in the primary before saying last month she would vote for Trump despite reservations about his character. Transition team:
Governor Haley has a proven track record of bringing people together regardless of background or party affiliation to move critical policies forward for the betterment of her state and our country. She is also a proven dealmaker, and we look to be making plenty of deals. She will be a great leader representing us on the world stage.
Denies Ambassador to Israel appointment
An official serving with Trump’s transition team says Huckabee will be appointed as America’s ambassador to Israel. The official also says, his first order of business will be to move the U.S. embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. Official:
That’s going to happen. Governor Huckabee is going to see it through.
However, Huckabee denies the appointment:
Media buzz that I was named Amb to Israel is NOT true. Was never discussed with PE Trump; slot probably not picked until State Dept in place
— Gov. Mike Huckabee (@GovMikeHuckabee) November 18, 2016
Appointed to Attorney General
Trump’s transition officials say that Sessions has been appointed to be Attorney General. No official statement has come from Trump at this time. Transition official:
Until Donald Trump says it, it’s not official.
Named as CIA chief
Trump officials say Pompeo has been offered and has accepted the job of CIA director.
President reinstated
Interim President Kafando is formally reinstated a week after the military takeover. Gen Diendere says the guard has return to barracks after signing a deal with the regular army to hand back power. Diendere did not attend the transfer of power ceremony.
[I take] full responsibility [for the coup and I am] not afraid to face justice. I am happy that we avoided confrontation…It had been “the biggest mistake. We knew the people were not in favor of it. That is why we have given up. waste of time and resources… and human lives were lost.
Appointed U.S. ambassador
Cuba appoints Cabanas as U.S. ambassador, the first person to take the position since 1961. He is received by President Obama with 15 other new diplomats from other countries. The U.S. has yet to make an announcement about who will serve as its new ambassador in Havana.
We never had the flagpole in the place where it is now, because it was on the top of the house. And it’s the first time ever, we had the flag pole outside, and the meaning is different….We’re finally recognizing each other as states, as sovereign countries. And for anyone, any citizen in the world, the use of his own flag is very important and meaningful.