Trump meets with Biden for a traditional White House sit down
What you need to know
• Trump and Biden meet: President Joe Biden told President-elect Donald Trump he’s looking to a “smooth transition” of Power. Trump is at the White House today for the first time since leaving office.
• Senate GOP to pick a leader: A secret ballots election for Senate GOP leader will get underway soon as Sens. John Thune, John Cornyn and Rick Scott vie for the job. Meanwhile, the balance of power in the housel
• Trump’s new administration: Trump is tapping loyalists for key positions, including Fox News host and veteran Pete Hegseth as defense secretary. He also said Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy would lead the new “Department of Government Efficiency.” Here’s what we know about his Cabinet.
• Special counsel: Jack Smith continues to discuss with Justice Department leadership the mechanics of winding down the federal prosecutions of Trump, with the intention of stepping down before the former president returns to the White House, according to a DOJ source.
Senate leadership vote has begun
Voting has begun in the Senate GOP’s leadership election, Sen. Jerry Moran said
Florida Sen. Rick Scott is out. It is now between Sens. John Thune of South Dakota and John Cornyn of Texas.
What we know about the first ballot: Thune got 23 votes, Cornyn got 15 and Scott received 13. There were two write-in votes.
Current and incoming White House chiefs of staff are currently meeting, official says
White House Chief of Staff Jeff Zients and incoming White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles are currently in the meeting with President Joe Biden and President-elect Donald Trump, according to an official.
Senate leadership vote has begun
Voting has begun in the Senate GOP’s leadership election, Sen. Jerry Moran said.
A source in the room confirmed it is beginning.
Florida Sen. Rick Scott, GOP Whip John Thune of South Dakota and Texas Sen. John Cornyn are all vying for the role.
Trump announces top campaign advisers will serve as White House senior staff
Alex Brandon/AP
President-elect Donald Trump announced Wednesday that four of his top campaign advisers will serve as White House senior staff in his second administration. They are Dan Scavino, Stephen Miller, James Blair and Taylor Budowich.
Miller will serve as assistant to the president, as well as deputy chief of staff for policy and homeland security adviser.
Blair, the Trump campaign and Republican National Committee political director, will serve as assistant to the president and deputy chief of staff for legislative, political and public affairs.
Scavino will serve as assistant to the president and deputy chief of staff.
Budowich has been named assistant to the president and deputy chief of staff for communications and personnel.
“Dan, Stephen, James, and Taylor were ‘best in class’ advisors on my winning campaign, and I know they will honorably serve the American people in the White House,” Trump said in a statement. “They will continue to work hard to Make America Great Again in their respective new roles.”
Source: CNN