Jan 29 WATCH: Howard Lutnick testifies at Senate confirmation hearing for commerce secretary By Paul Wiseman, Associated Press Billionaire financier Howard Lutnick has emerged as an outspoken supporter of Trump's hardline trade policies. Continue reading
Jan 28 WATCH: Trump White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt holds first news briefing By Chris Megerian, Associated Press The grant pause is perhaps most similar to a federal government shutdown, when a congressional impasse on spending legislation delays federal payments for some state and local services. Continue reading
Jan 27 Senate confirms Scott Bessent as treasury secretary By Fatima Hussein, Associated Press Bessent will now have the delicate balancing act of cutting taxes and curbing deficits while putting forward a plan on tariffs that doesn't jeopardize growth. Continue reading
Jan 25 Watch 2:15 News Wrap: Pete Hegseth sworn in as Trump’s defense secretary In our news wrap Saturday, Pete Hegseth was sworn in as defense secretary, the Senate confirmed Kristi Noem as homeland security secretary, Trump reportedly fired more than a dozen inspectors general at nearly every Cabinet-level agency, and American tennis player… Continue watching
Jan 25 WATCH: Pete Hegseth delivers remarks after being sworn in as defense secretary By Thomas Beaumont, Associated Press In brief remarks, Hegseth outlined what he said were his guiding principles: “Restore the warrior ethos in everything that we do, rebuild our military and reestablish deterrence.”… Continue reading
Jan 25 Senate confirms Kristi Noem as Trump’s homeland security secretary By Stephen Groves, Associated Press The Senate confirmed Kristi Noem as homeland security secretary on Saturday, putting the South Dakota governor in charge of a sprawling agency that is essential to national security and President Donald Trump's plans to clamp down on illegal immigration. Continue reading
Jan 24 WATCH: Senate narrowly confirms Pete Hegseth as Trump’s defense secretary By Lisa Mascaro, Mary Clare Jalonick, Farnoush Amiri, Associated Press The Senate confirmed Pete Hegseth as the nation's defense secretary late Friday in a dramatic tie-breaking vote, swatting back questions about his qualifications to lead the Pentagon amid allegations of heavy drinking and aggressive behavior toward women. Continue reading
Jan 23 Senate advances Hegseth as Trump’s defense secretary despite misconduct allegations By Lisa Mascaro, Mary Clare Jalonick, Associated Press The Senate advanced the nomination of Pete Hegseth as President Donald Trump's defense secretary Thursday on a largely party-line vote, despite grave objections from Democrats and stirring unease among Republicans over his behavior and qualifications to lead the U.S. military. Continue reading
Jan 23 Senate confirms John Ratcliffe as CIA director, giving Trump his 2nd Cabinet member By David Klepper, Associated Press Ratcliffe said that if confirmed, he would push the CIA to do more to harness technologies such as AI and quantum computing while expanding use of human intelligence collection. Democrats raised questions about Ratcliffe’s objectivity and whether his loyalty to… Continue reading
Jan 21 Pete Hegseth’s former sister-in-law alleges in affidavit he was abusive to second wife By Farnoush Amiri, Tara Copp, Associated Press The affidavit describes Hegseth’s treatment of his second wife, Samantha, and alleges repeat drunkenness and a domestic situation where Samantha Hegseth had a safe word to indicate if she was in danger at home. Danielle Hegseth said Samantha texted that… Continue reading