Biden’s judicial nominees roll onward in the Senate

Senate Democrats confirmed the Biden administration’s 220th lifetime appointment to the federal judiciary on Wednesday — and are poised to add to that total as they wind down their time in Washington before Thanksgiving. Lawmakers voted beyond midnight to end debate on a handful of other nominees. On Thursday, they’ll vote to confirm Sharad Desai […]

What we’re watching: Hegseth heads to the Hill

Here’s what we’re watching in transition world today:  🗓️ What we’re watching At least three of Donald Trump’s nominees will test whether the president-elect’s ability to withstand sexual misconduct allegations is transferable. The current moment has been shaped by #MeToo but in some of the exact opposite ways that movement could have imagined roughly seven […]

Republican Begich unseats Peltola in Alaska House race

Alaska Democratic Rep. Mary Peltola lost her reelection campaign Wednesday, a little more than two years after she unexpectedly flipped the Republican-held seat. Peltola lost to Republican challenger Nick Begich III, a business owner and grandson of former Sen. Nick Begich (D). The winner ended up with 51 percent of the vote after more ballots […]

Here Are the GOP Senators Who Could Take Down Trump’s Cabinet Picks

President-elect Donald Trump’s rapid-fire cabinet appointments have made clear what he values: loyalty to Donald Trump and a demonstrated ability to articulate that loyalty on television. The response to The Trump Show’s casting call will be even more clarifying. In short: Will the Senate remain the Senate? While much of the GOP has become a […]

TSA administrator makes bid to stay on under Trump

Transportation Security Administration chief David Pekoske is signaling that he’d like to stay on in his current role as President-elect Donald Trump begins his second term. During a segment about Thanksgiving travel with CBS on Tuesday, Pekoske was clear that he’s hoping to stay until his term ends in 2027, saying that he “loves” the […]

Trump picks Pete Hoekstra to be US ambassador to Canada

Donald Trump wants to give former Rep. Pete Hoekstra another turn as a diplomat. Trump announced Wednesday that Hoekstra, who served as ambassador to the Netherlands during his first administration, is his pick for ambassador to Canada for his second. “In my Second Term, Pete will once again help me put AMERICA FIRST,” Trump said […]

‘Black mark’: Lawmakers seethe over Ethics’ Gaetz report imbroglio

Matt Gaetz is plunging the House into chaos, again. Members of the House Ethics Committee deadlocked over whether to release the findings of an investigation into the former Florida lawmaker, who is Donald Trump’s pick for attorney general. The inaction is triggering outrage among Democrats, who argue the committee is dragging out the process, while […]

Mark Milley disagrees with Trump pick on women in combat

Retired Army Gen. Mark Milley, the former chair of the joint chiefs of staff, is defending the role of women in combat — clashing with the views of Donald Trump’s choice to lead the Pentagon. Milley, who served as the top U.S. military officer under Trump and President Joe Biden until his retirement in 2023, […]

Nikki Haley has thoughts on RFK Jr. and Tulsi Gabbard

Nikki Haley has a blunt assessment of Donald Trump’s choices of Tulsi Gabbard and Robert F. Kennedy Jr. for high-profile roles in his administration. Haley, who was Trump’s most significant Republican primary opponent, argued Wednesday on her radio show against confirming Gabbard as director of national intelligence and Kennedy to lead Health and Human Services. […]