Trump transition updates: Trump taps America First think tank CEO as agriculture secretary

PHOTO: In this July 25, 2022, file photo, Brooke Rollins, president and chief executive officer of the America First Policy Institute, speaks during the America First Policy Institute's America First Agenda summit in Washington, D.C.

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Bloomberg via Getty Images, FILE

Trump announces more picks for key posts

Former Rep. Matt Gaetz, President-elect Donald Trump's pick for attorney general, said Thursday he is withdrawing his name for the role -- just a day after Gaetz spoke with Republican senators on Capitol Hill about the nomination process.

Trump has named Pam Bondi, the former attorney general of Florida, as his new pick for the role.

Another controversial Cabinet pick, Pete Hegseth, is on the Hill on Thursday with Vice President-elect JD Vance to make his case for the secretary of the Department of Defense job.

Meanwhile, Trump continues to announce his picks for top jobs inside his administration.

Pinned

Nov 12, 2024 8:45 PM

Tracking those Trump has named to serve in his Cabinet, administration

Ahead of his return to power in January, Trump is announcing who he wants to fill Cabinet positions and other key roles inside his administration.

They include some of his staunchest allies on Capitol Hill and key advisers to his 2024 campaign.

Here is a running list of the people Trump has selected, or is expected to select, to serve in his administration.

Pinned

Nov 23, 2024 1:54 AM

Marty Makary picked to head the FDA

Trump said he has nominated Marty Makary, a Johns Hopkins surgeon and author who argued against pandemic lockdowns, to lead the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

If confirmed by the Senate, Makary's job would be to oversee the FDA's $7 billion budget and report to the health secretary. The agency oversees $3.6 trillion in food, tobacco and medical products, including some 20,000 prescription drugs on the market.

Noam Galai/Getty Images for HBO, FILE

In this Dec. 12, 2018, file photo, Dr. Marty Makary speaks during a screening of the HBO documentary film 'Bleed Out,' in New York.

The president-elect said Makary "will work under the leadership of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to, among other things, properly evaluate harmful chemicals poisoning our Nation’s food supply and drugs and biologics being given to our Nation’s youth, so that we can finally address the Childhood Chronic Disease Epidemic."

-ABC News' Anne Flaherty and Will McDuffie

Nov 24, 2024 11:02 PM

Trump's national security advisor pick says he's working with Jake Sullivan 'hand in glove'

On "Fox News Sunday," Florida Rep. Mike Waltz -- President-elect Donald Trump’s pick for national security adviser -- confirmed he met with Jake Sullivan, who currently holds the role in President Joe Biden's administration, and said that their teams are working together.

Waltz appeared to defend Biden's weapons policy reversals for Ukraine, though he called the moves "an escalation."

"Look, this is a clear escalation. And the concern has been, where is this escalation going?” Waltz said. "This was in response to, in large part, to North Korea sending troops. We've now responded by allowing these strikes deeper into Russia."

-ABC News' Fritz Farrow

Nov 23, 2024 9:31 PM

Trump names longtime ally Brooke Rollins as secretary of agriculture

President-elect Donald Trump announced Saturday that Brooke Rollins is his pick to lead the Department of Agriculture.

The seat requires Senate approval.

PHOTO: In this July 26, 2022, file photo, Brooke Rollins, AFPI President & CEO, watches as former President Donald Trump makes his way off stage after speaking at the America First Policy Institute Agenda Summit in Washington, D.C.

Mandel Ngan/AFP via Getty Images, FILE

In this July 26, 2022, file photo, Brooke Rollins, AFPI President & CEO, watches as former President Donald Trump makes his way off stage after speaking at the America First Policy Institute Agenda Summit in Washington, D.C.

Rollins served in the first Trump administration, first as the assistant to the president for intergovernmental and technology initiatives and then later as the acting director of the Domestic Policy Council.

After Trump left office, she became the president and CEO of the America First Policy Institute, a conservative right-wing think tank which is made up of former Trump staff members that promotes his agenda.

-ABC News' Kelsey Walsh, Lalee Ibssa and Soo Rin Kim

Nov 23, 2024 9:11 PM

Trump encourages Randy Fine to run for Rep. Waltz's open seat

President-elect Donald Trump is already leveraging his endorsement powers to fill vacated House seats around the country as he pulls members of Congress into his cabinet.

Trump encouraged Florida state Sen. Randy Fine to launch a bid for Florida's 6th District seat. Rep. Mike Waltz currently holds the seat, but Trump has tapped him as national security adviser.

Octavio Jones/Reuters, FILE

In this May 17, 2023, file photo, Florida State House Representative Randy Fine speaks during a press conference in Tampa, Fla.

"Randy Fine has my Complete and Total Endorsement. RUN, RANDY, RUN!" Trump said in a Truth Social post.

-ABC News' Lalee Ibssa, Kelsey Walsh and Soo Rin Kim

Nov 23, 2024 6:48 PM

Incoming NATO secretary general met with Trump

President-elect Donald Trump met with the new NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte Friday night at Mar-a-Lago, a NATO spokesperson said.

"They discussed the range of global security issues facing the Alliance," they said.