Latest Government appointments and nominations News

Walz urges lawmakers to end a power struggle upending the Minnesota Legislature

Jan. 17, 2025 14:09 PM EST

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — Gov. Tim Walz urged lawmakers Thursday to end a power struggle that has disrupted the first week of Minnesota's 2025 legislative session, but expressed support for House Democrats' boycott of the chamber to block Republicans from wielding power. House...

Speaker Johnson appoints new Intelligence chairman after surprise shakeup

Jan. 16, 2025 17:31 PM EST

WASHINGTON (AP) — House Speaker Mike Johnson appointed Rep. Rick Crawford, R-Ark., as the new chairman of the House Intelligence Committee on Thursday after asserting that the panel needed a fresh start. “He has earned the respect of his colleagues through his years of faithful...

A South Dakota tribe lifts its ban on Gov. Kristi Noem ahead of her hearing to join Trump's cabinet

Jan. 16, 2025 13:16 PM EST

FLANDREAU, S.D. (AP) — One tribe in South Dakota lifted its order banning Gov. Kristi Noem from its territories just days before the Republican was set to appear before a U.S. Senate committee on her nomination to head one of the federal government's largest agencies. Noem was cut...

Trump's outsider Cabinet picks are rapidly gaining support for confirmation

Jan. 15, 2025 19:51 PM EST

WASHINGTON (AP) — One by one, all the president-elect’ s men, and women, are falling into place in his Cabinet. While Defense Secretary pick Pete Hegseth's nomination was teetering toward collapse just weeks ago, he now appears on track for confirmation after a fiery Senate...

Key takeaways from Trump's energy secretary pick's confirmation hearing

Jan. 15, 2025 15:13 PM EST

Chris Wright, President-elect Donald Trump’s pick for energy secretary, told senators during his confirmation hearing Wednesday that he would promote all sources of American energy, while also acknowledging the burning of fossil fuels causes climate change. Wright, a fossil fuel...

The Latest: Rubio, Bondi, Ratcliffe and Duffy appear for Senate confirmation hearings

Jan. 15, 2025 15:09 PM EST

Senate hearings are scheduled this week for several of Trump’s cabinet picks including Sen. Marco Rubio for secretary of state and Pam Bondi for attorney general. Many nominees have met with senators individually. Now, they’ll go before the committees overseeing the agencies Trump wants them to...

Key takeaways from Pete Hegseth's fiery confirmation hearing

Jan. 15, 2025 08:18 AM EST

WASHINGTON (AP) — Pete Hegseth, President-elect Donald Trump’s pick for defense secretary, publicly faced senators for the first time after weeks of questions from Democrats — and praise from Republicans — about his “unconventional” resume. Hegseth, a combat veteran and...

Inside the Gaetz ethics report, a trove of new details alleging payments for sex and drug use

Dec. 23, 2024 20:23 PM EST

WASHINGTON (AP) — The House Ethics Committee's long-awaited report on Matt Gaetz documents a trove of salacious allegations, including sex with an underage girl, that tanked the Florida Republican's bid to lead the Justice Department. Citing text messages, travel receipts, online...

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...