Trump’s transition live: Matt Gaetz’s Attorney General pick shocks Washington

A number of Republicans have spoken of their shock at Trump’s nomination of Matt Gaetz for AG.

Senator Lisa Murkowski of Alaska said she doesn’t think Gaetz is “a serious nomination for the attorney general,” while Senator Susan Collins of Maine told reporters she was “shocked” by the choice.

Ohio Representative Max Miller went as far as to say that Gaetz “has a zero percent shot of getting through the Senate,” Politico reports. 

Another Republican representative told the outlet that the choice is “an obvious throwaway nomination that has no chance in the Senate.”

And North Carolina Senator Thom Tillis said Gaetz has “probably got some work cut out for him.”

Meanwhile, things aren’t looking so good for Trump’s former attorney Rudy Giuliani, whose lawyers have abruptly quit representing him in his defamation case.

They have withdrawn after attorneys for the women Giuliani defamed accused the disgraced former New York City mayor of hiding property he has been ordered to turn over.

Giuliani’s lead counsel Kenneth Caruso and attorney David Labkowski filed a motion in federal court in New York on Wednesday citing several reasons for their withdrawal, pointing to a “fundamental disagreement” with Donald Trump’s former attorney.

Alex Woodward has the story.

Congresswoman Abigail Spanberger of Virginia has weighed in on Tulsi Gabbard’s nomination as Trump’s director of national intelligence.

The Democrat said she is “deeply concerned” about what the appointment means for national security.

Republican Senator Tommy Tuberville has already fired warning shots at any Republicans who might vote against Matt Gaetz becoming Donald Trump’s incoming attorney general.

Speaking to Fox Business on Wednesday after the president-elect announced his controversial decision, the Alabama senator threatened to boot party members from the upper chamber if they oppose the former Florida representative’s nomination.

Alarm bells rang for a swathe of congressional Republicans on Wednesday when Trump announced he had picked Gaetz to become the nation’s top law enforcement officer and head up the Department of Justice.

James Liddell and Alex Woodward report.

So far there is the MAGA ally, the Fox News host, and the ex-Democrat.

President-elect Donald Trump is filling key posts in his second administration, putting an emphasis so far on aides and allies who were his strongest backers during the 2024 campaign.

Thomas Beaumont and Ariana Baio have the rundown of all the nominees so far.

Senator Tammy Duckworth of Illinois has slammed Trump’s choice of Pete Hegseth as his next defense secretary and called out his comments that women shouldn’t serve in combat roles.

Duckworth, who lost both her legs in Iraq in 2004, shared her views with CNN’s Kaitlin Collins.

Donald Trump and Elon Musk performed a bizarre duet of God Bless America at Mar-a-Lago.

The President-elect and his new chief efficiency officer joined opera singer Chris Macchio for a rendition of the American classic at a party on Wednesday evening.

Republicans have won enough seats to control the U.S. House, completing the party’s sweep into power and securing their hold on U.S. government alongside President-elect Donald Trump.

A House Republican victory in Arizona, alongside a win in slow-counting California earlier Wednesday, gave the GOP the 218 House victories that make up the majority. Republicans earlier gained control of the Senate from Democrats.

With hard-fought yet thin majorities, Republican leaders are envisioning a mandate to upend the federal government and swiftly implement Trump’s vision for the country.

Republicans and Democrats are stunned by Trump’s nomination of Matt Gaetz as attorney general.

News of his appointment drew audible gasps from House Republicans at a conference meeting on Wednesday, according to Axios.

A House Republican described the response in the room as “stunned and disgusted,” the outlet reported.

“I’m sure that there will be a lot of questions raised at his hearing,” said Maine Republican Senator Susan Collins.

Alaska Republican Senator Lisa Murkowski said Gaetz’s name “was not on my Bingo card.”

“I don’t think it’s a serious nomination for the attorney general,” she said.

Senator Peter Welch, a Vermont Democrat, told The Independent the announcement sounded like a headline in a satire publication. “That was in The Onion,” Welch said.