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Latest Politics Headlines

10 minutes ago

Matt Gaetz withdraws from consideration as Donald Trump's attorney general

Gaetz said his confirmation bid was "unfairly becoming a distraction."
10 minutes ago
President-elect Donald Trump's nominee to be attorney general, former Rep. Matt Gaetz closes a door to a private meeting with Vice President-elect JD Vance and Republican Senate Judiciary Committee members, at the Capitol in Washington, Nov. 20, 2024.
32 minutes ago

Matt Gaetz AG nomination: Timeline

Gaetz withdrew his name from consideration eight days after it was announced.
32 minutes ago
Rep. Matt Gaetz attends a House Judiciary Committee hearing on Capitol Hill in Washington, Dec. 4, 2019.
1 hour ago

Texas land commissioner offers 1,402 acres to Trump for 'deportation facilities'

Texas Land Commissioner Dawn Buckingham is offering the incoming Trump administration 1,402 acres it purchased along the Texas-Mexico border.
1 hour ago
Texas land commissioner offers 1,402 acres to Trump for 'deportation facilities'
1 hour ago

Nikki Haley skewers controversial Trump nominees

Haley, a former Trump Cabinet official, railed against his picks for DNI, HHS.
1 hour ago
Former U.S. Rep. Tulsi Gabbard attends a campaign rally of Republican presidential nominee and former U.S. President Donald Trump at PPG Paints Arena, Nov. 4, 2024, in Pittsburgh.
1 hour ago

Can Matt Gaetz return to Congress after withdrawing as AG pick?

A special election to fill the expected vacancy has not yet been scheduled.
1 hour ago
Rep. Matt Gaetz speaks on Capitol Hill in Washington, Mar. 12, 2024.
2 hours ago

Gaetz has withdrawn, But Democrats will keep pushing for release of ethics report

Casten: "No workplace would allow that information to be swept under the rug."
2 hours ago
Representative Sean Casten, a Democrat from Illinois, during a news conference on the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) climate rule in Washington, Mar. 6, 2024.
3 hours ago

Mayorkas, Wray draw fire for declining to testify in public at threats hearing

Lawmakers reacted with anger at the homeland security chief and FBI director.
3 hours ago
Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas  looks on as FBI Director Christopher Wray testifies before the House Committee on Homeland Security hearing about "Worldwide Threats to the Homeland" on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC, on Nov. 15, 2023.
3 hours ago

Rep. Casten continues push for ethics report release following Gaetz withdrawal

Illinois democratic Congressman Sean Casten suggests he's not withdrawing resolution to force release of Matt Gaetz Ethics report following Gaetz withdrawal to be Trump's attorney general.
3 hours ago
VIDEO: Rep. Casten continues push for ethics report release following Gaetz withdrawal
3 hours ago

Republican Senators react to Gaetz withdrawing from AG nomination

GOP Sen. Kevin Cramer said there was "a sense of relief" after Matt Gaetz made his statement resigning from the attorney general nomination.
3 hours ago
GOP Sen. Kevin Cramer said there was "a sense of relief" after Matt Gaetz made his statement resigning from the attorney general nomination.
3 hours ago

Hegseth claims he's 'completely cleared' in sex assault case when he wasn't

Hegseth made the comment while speaking with Senate Republicans on the Hill.
3 hours ago
 Defense secretary nominee Pete Hegseth speaks with the media as he departs a meeting on Capitol Hill in Washington, Nov. 21, 2024.
4 hours ago

Mass deportations should be focused on criminals: former ICE official

Jason Houser, former ICE chief of staff for the Biden administration talks about President-elect Donald Trump's mass deportation plan.
4 hours ago
Mass deportations should be focused on criminals: former ICE official
November 21

Trump team has a message for Republicans who may oppose his Cabinet picks

Trump's recess appointments demand seems to be meeting resistance with senators.
November 21
President-elect Donald Trump attends the America First Policy Institute Gala held at Mar-a-Lago, Nov. 14, 2024, in Palm Beach, Florida.
November 21

Pete Hegseth says he was 'completely cleared' of sexual assault allegations

Hegseth, President-elect Trump's pick for defense secretary, visited Capitol Hill Thursday to meet with GOP senators in hopes of helping his nomination process.
November 21
Hegseth, President-elect Trump's pick for defense secretary, visited Capitol Hill Thursday to meet with GOP senators in hopes of helping his nomination process.
November 21

Tracking Trump's picks to serve in his Cabinet, administration

Trump's choices include RFK Jr., Elon Musk, Matt Gaetz and more.
November 21
Former President and Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump greets Senator Marco Rubio during a campaign rally at the J.S. Dorton Arena in Raleigh, N.C., on Nov. 4, 2024.
November 21

Hegseth meets with GOP senators to fight for nomination

ABC News’ Selina Wang discusses the latest on President-elect Donald Trump's pick for secretary of defense.
November 21
VIDEO: Hegseth meets with GOP senators to fight for nomination, battle for AG heats up
November 21

Matt Gaetz withdraws his name to be Trump's attorney general

"It is clear that my confirmation was unfairly becoming a distraction to the critical work of the Trump/Vance Transition," Gaetz wrote in a post on X.
November 21
VIDEO: Matt Gaetz withdraws his name to be Trump's attorney general
November 21

Tulsi Gabbard, Trump’s pick for top intel role, draws scrutiny over Russia comments

Critics say her echoing of Russian propaganda should be disqualifying.
November 21
Tulsi Gabbard speaks before Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump at a campaign rally at Madison Square Garden, Oct. 27, 2024, in New York City.
November 21

Project 2025 seeps into Trump administration despite attempts to distance himself

Trump has nominated several Project 2025 contributors to his team.
November 21
Former President Donald J. Trump answers question from Pastor Paula White-Cain at the National Faith Advisory Board summit in Powder Springs, Ga., Oct. 28, 2024.
November 21

Transgender bathroom ban is a ‘bigoted attack’: Activist

Transgender activist and author Raquel Willis reacts to the bill to ban transgender women from using women's restrooms at the U.S. Capitol.
November 21
Transgender bathroom ban is a ‘bigoted attack’: Activist
November 21

How Trump could try to break the federal government

ABC News’ Anne Flaherty looks at how President-elect Donald Trump could upend the federal government, including "deleting" agencies and ousting workers he sees as unloyal.
November 21
How Trump could try to break the federal government
November 20

The so-called 'Colored Girls' reflect on VP Kamala Harris' loss

ABC News' Linsey Davis sat down with three influential democratic African American women on how their party moves forward after their electoral defeat.
November 20
The so-called 'Colored Girls' reflect on VP Kamala Harris' loss
November 20

Republican Sen. Eric Schmitt unpacks potential confirmation battle for cabinet noms

ABC News’ Linsey Davis spoke with Missouri Sen. Eric Schmitt to discuss President-elect Trump’s recent cabinet nominees and the potential battle ahead to get them appointed to their positions.
November 20
Republican Sen. Eric Schmitt unpacks potential confirmation battle for cabinet noms
November 20

Democratic Sen. Tammy Duckworth on Trump’s Cabinet picks so far

ABC News’ Linsey Davis spoke with United States Sen. Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) about President-elect Donald Trump’s picks for his Cabinet and key positions in his administration.
November 20
Democratic Sen. Tammy Duckworth on Trump’s Cabinet picks so far
November 20

Who is secretary of defense nominee Pete Hegseth?

ABC News’ Stephanie Ramos has more on presumptive secretary of defense nominee Pete Hegseth and what the Pentagon could look like under Hegseth’s leadership.
November 20
Who is secretary of defense nominee Pete Hegseth?
November 20

Linda McMahon's professional qualifications as Trump's choice for Dept. of Education

Her nomination has come under scrutiny this week.
November 20
Linda McMahon speaks during the last day of the 2024 Republican National Convention at the Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, on July 18, 2024.
November 20

'Kavanaugh on steroids': Gaetz, Vance meet with GOP senators amid questions

Sen. Graham said that Gaetz deserves a fair nomination process.
November 20
Former Rep. Matt Gaetz, the President-elect Donald Trump's nominee to be Attorney General walks alongside Vice President-elect JD Vance as they arrive for meetings with Senators at the U.S. Capitol, Nov. 20, 2024, in Washington.
November 20

Democrats try to force Ethics Committee to release Gaetz report

Ethics Committee Republicans had earlier blocked the release of the report.
November 20
House Ethics Committee Chairman Rep. Michael Guest departs from a House Ethics Committee closed-door meeting in the Longworth House Office Building, Nov. 20, 2024, in Washington.
November 20

Transgender women won't be allowed to use women’s restrooms in Capitol: Johnson

This also applies to changing rooms and locker rooms, Johnson said.
November 20
Republican Speaker of the House Mike Johnson speaks briefly with reporters to clarify his position on Democratic Representative-elect Sarah McBride, who is set to become the first transgender woman in Congress in Washington, Nov. 19, 2024.
November 20

Biden awards Medal of Freedom to former Planned Parenthood President Cecile Richards

The Presidential Medal of Freedom is the nation's highest civilian honor.
November 20
President Joe Biden awarded the Medal of Freedom to former Planned Parenthood president Cecile Richards, pictured here with Kirk Adams and First Lady Jill Biden, in a photo posted to his X account, Nov. 20, 2024.
November 20

Pentagon chief Austin makes impassioned defense of women in combat

The comments follow Trump tapping Pete Hegseth to lead the DOD.
November 20
U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin delivers a speech during a groundbreaking ceremony for the Combined Coordination Center at Camp Aguinaldo military headquarters in Quezon City, Philippines, on Nov. 18, 2024.
November 20

Trump promised to disrupt Washington. His Cabinet picks would do just that: ANALYSIS

He says they'll remake government. Others worry it'll be burned to the ground.
November 20
Donald Trump gestures as he meets with House Republicans on Capitol Hill in Washington, November 13, 2024.
November 20

House Ethics Committee voted against releasing Gaetz report: Source

The House Ethics Committee voted against releasing its report on Matt Gaetz after multiple rounds of votes Wednesday, a source familiar with its meeting told ABC News.
November 20
VIDEO: House Ethics Committee voted against releasing Gaetz report: Source
November 20

How Dr. Oz could change Medicare, Medicaid as head of CMS

President-elect Donald Trump has tapped former surgeon-turned-TV host Dr. Mehmet Oz to lead the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.
November 20
President-elect Donald Trump has tapped former surgeon-turned-TV host Dr. Mehmet Oz to lead the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.
November 20

McMahon pick 'more about politics than actual policy': Jennifer Jenkins

Jennifer Jenkins, chair of Educated We Stand joined ABC News Live to discuss what Linda McMahon heading the Department of Education may mean for schools and students.
November 20
VIDEO: McMahon pick 'more about politics than actual policy': Jennifer Jenkins
November 20

Trump picks Linda McMahon to head Department of Education

President-elect Donald Trump announced Linda McMahon, his transition co-chair and former small business administrator, as his nomination for the next secretary of education.
November 20
VIDEO: Trump picks Linda McMahon to head Department of Education
November 20

Americans want Trump mass deportation plan: Texas congresswoman

Rep. Monica De La Cruz, R-Texas, discusses President-elect Donald Trump’s plan for the mass deportation of undocumented migrants.
November 20
VIDEO: Americans want Trump mass deportation plan: Texas congresswoman
November 20

Transgender women won't be allowed to use women’s restrooms in Capitol: Johnson

House Speaker Mike Johnson said transgender women cannot use women's restrooms in the Capitol and House office buildings.
November 20
House Speaker Mike Johnson said transgender women cannot use women's restrooms in the Capitol and House office buildings.
November 20

House Republicans grill FEMA administrator over alleged political bias

FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell, after being asked to launch an inspector general investigation, said she had formally requested additional assistance on Tuesday.
November 20
FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell, after being asked to launch an inspector general investigation, said she had formally requested additional assistance on Tuesday.
November 20

What will be the US military's role in Trump's mass deportation plan?

The border czar said troops would be a "force multiplier" in deportations.
November 20
In this Jan. 31, 2024, file photo, Texas National Guard troops stop a group of immigrants near the U.S.-Mexico border wall on the El Paso, Texas side of the border.
November 19

Trump picks Linda McMahon to head Department of Education

The announcement comes as the president-elect vows to dismantle the DOE.
November 19
Linda McMahon, former administrator of the US Small Business Administration, during the America First Policy Institute's America First Agenda summit in Washington, D.C., US, on Monday, July 25, 2022. The non-profit think tank was formed last year by former cabinet members and top officials in the Trump administration to create platforms based on his policies. Photographer: Al Drago/Bloomberg via Getty Images
November 19

Former acting DHS secretary on what to expect from Trump’s immigration agenda

ABC News' Linsey Davis spoke with former acting Homeland Security Secretary Chad Wolf on President-elect Trump's priorities for the department and his plan for mass deportations.
November 19
Former acting DHS secretary on what to expect from Trump’s immigration agenda
November 19

House Republicans grill FEMA administrator over alleged political bias

Deanne Criswell was questioned about allegations of bias against Trump backers.
November 19
Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Deanne Criswell testifies during a House Oversight Committee Hearing at the Rayburn House Office Building, Nov. 19, 2024, in Washington, D.C.
November 19

Trump picks Howard Lutnick for commerce secretary job

The role requires Senate confirmation.
November 19
Howard Lutnick, Chairman and CEO of Cantor Fitzgerald and Co-Chair of the Trump 2024 Transition Team speaks at a rally for former US President and Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump at Madison Square Garden in New York, Oct. 27, 2024.
November 19

Senators say there are other ways to vet Gaetz without ethics report

President-elect Donald Trump has been calling senators to push for his nominee.
November 19
Rep. Matt Gaetz, Republican of Florida, speaks during the third day of the 2024 Republican National Convention in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, July 17, 2024.
November 19

Trump picks Lutnick for commerce secretary job

President-elect Donald Trump on Tuesday announced that he has picked Cantor Fitzgerald CEO Howard Lutnick as his secretary of the Department of Commerce.
November 19
Carlos Barria/Reuters
November 19

Congress could go around Ethics Committee if it doesn't release Gaetz report

There are precedents for forcing the release of a committee report.
November 19
The Capitol is pictured at sunset on Capitol Hill in Washington, Nov. 18, 2024.
November 19

In reversals, Trump and Thune look to stop Biden's judicial nominees

Senate Democrats are expected to work to confirm Biden's nominees.
November 19
President-elect Donald Trump speaks at a meeting of the House GOP conference, Nov. 13, 2024, in Washington.
November 19

Dr. Oz picked as Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services administrator

Dr. Mehmet Oz has been selected to serve as the administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, Trump announced.
November 19
Dr. Oz picked as Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services administrator
November 19

Trump defense secretary pick Pete Hegseth draws controversy

Sen. Roger Wicker of Mississippi joins ABC News Live to talk President-elect Trump's nomination of Pete Hegseth for defense secretary.
November 19
VIDEO: Trump defense secretary pick Pete Hegseth draws controversy
November 19

Bill would ban transgender women from using women's restroom at Capitol

Republican Rep. Nancy Mace was asked Tuesday about the bill she introduced to ban transgender women from using women's restrooms at the U.S. Capitol.
November 19
VIDEO: Bill would ban transgender women from using women's restroom at Capitol