Latest Government appointments and nominations News

Trump's picks for key positions in his second administration

Dec. 17, 2024 22:04 PM EST

President-elect Donald Trump has filled the key posts for his second term in office, prioritizing loyalty after feeling bruised and hampered by internal squabbling during his first term. His first pick happened during the campaign: JD Vance as his vice presidential running mate,...

Democrats pick Gerry Connolly for Oversight post, rejecting Ocasio-Cortez bid

Dec. 17, 2024 21:28 PM EST

WASHINGTON (AP) — House Democrats on Tuesday picked 74-year-old Rep. Gerry Connolly to lead the party next year atop an influential congressional committee, pushing aside growing calls for generational change in leadership ahead of a second term for Donald Trump. In a closed-door...

Trump appoints longtime foreign policy adviser Richard Grenell to serve as special missions envoy

Dec. 14, 2024 21:07 PM EST

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (AP) — President-elect Donald Trump announced Saturday that he's picked longtime foreign policy adviser Richard Grenell to serve as an envoy for special missions, tasking him with helping the incoming administration deal with some of the toughest foreign policy challenges. ...

Trump's return may be a boon for Netanyahu, but challenges abound in a changed Middle East

Dec. 08, 2024 00:21 AM EST

TEL AVIV, Israel (AP) — Shortly after Donald Trump’s win in last month’s U.S. election, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu rushed to congratulate the president-elect: “History’s greatest comeback!” he gushed. If Trump’s staunchly pro-Israel first term and his...

Rep. Ocasio-Cortez announces bid for top Oversight job as Democrats push for generational change

Dec. 06, 2024 16:25 PM EST

WASHINGTON (AP) — Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez announced a bid Friday to become the top Democrat on the House Oversight Committee, the latest example of generational shakeup that is beginning to ripple across the Democratic Party in the wake of their election losses this year. ...

With 13 newcomers, South Carolina Senate may tackle tough issues

Dec. 04, 2024 17:05 PM EST

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — With the largest number of newly elected members at least since World War II, Republican South Carolina Senate leaders are thinking about tackling some issues like tax reform that have long been too tough to handle. The 13 new senators — nine Republicans and...

Hamas and Fatah are near an agreement on who will oversee postwar Gaza

Dec. 04, 2024 03:02 AM EST

CAIRO (AP) — Palestinian officials say Fatah and Hamas are closing in on an agreement to appoint a committee of politically independent technocrats to administer the Gaza Strip after the war. It would effectively end Hamas' rule and could help advance ceasefire talks with Israel. ...

Democrats stick with Schumer as leader. Their strategy for countering Trump is far less certain

Dec. 03, 2024 17:20 PM EST

WASHINGTON (AP) — Senate Democrats reelected Chuck Schumer as party leader on Tuesday as the party moves into a deeply uncertain time, with no real consensus on a strategy as President-elect Donald Trump prepares to take office. Schumer faced no opposition in the party leadership...

Recess appointments could put Trump at odds with conservatives on the Supreme Court

Dec. 01, 2024 07:43 AM EST

WASHINGTON (AP) — Republicans will control the White House and both houses of Congress come January. But President-elect Donald Trump's intent to nominate loyalists to fill key Cabinet posts has set up a possible confrontation with the Senate, which has the constitutional responsibility for...

Trump fills out his economic team with two veterans of his first administration

Nov. 26, 2024 23:25 PM EST

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (AP) — President-elect Donald Trump is turning to two officials with experience navigating not only Washington but the key issues of income taxes and tariffs as he fills out his economic team. Trump on Tuesday announced he has chosen international trade...