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Trump transition live updates: Noem picked for DHS secretary

Noem was on the short-list to be Trump's running mate.

ByMeredith Deliso and Alexandra Hutzler
Last Updated: November 12, 2024, 7:58 PM EST

After a sweeping victory over Vice President Kamala Harris on Nov. 5, President-elect Donald Trump is now set to become just the second ever to serve nonconsecutive terms in office.

Trump has wasted no time in moving to assemble his team for a second term in the White House -- naming Susie Wiles as his chief of staff, Florida Rep. Mike Waltz as his national security adviser and Tom Homan as his "border czar," among other positions.

Inauguration Day is Jan. 20.

Key Headlines

Here's how the news is developing.
Nov 12, 3:45 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.

Nov 12, 2024, 5:52 PM EST

Trump names attorney Bill McGinley as his White House counsel

Trump has named attorney Bill McGinley as his White House counsel, his transition team announced.

McGinley served as the White House Cabinet secretary during Trump's first term and has served as general counsel at the National Republican Senatorial Committee.

"Bill is a smart and tenacious lawyer who will help me advance our America First agenda while fighting for election integrity and against the weaponization of law enforcement," Trump said in a statement.

The White House counsel is appointed by the president.

Nov 12, 2024, 5:26 PM EST

Trump taps friend and donor Steve Witkoff as special envoy to the Middle East

Trump has tapped his longtime friend and donor Steve Witkoff as his special envoy to the Middle East, the president-elect's transition team announced.

Businessman Steve Witkoff stands onstage with Republican presidential nominee and former President Donald Trump during a campaign rally in Macon, Georgia, Nov. 3, 2024.
Brian Snyder/Reuters

Witkoff, along with former Sen. Kelly Loeffler, has been leading the inauguration efforts.

Witkoff has held multiple fundraisers for Trump throughout the election cycle and accompanied him to numerous campaign rallies. He was also golfing with Trump during the alleged second assassination attempt in West Palm Beach earlier this year.

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

Nov 12, 2024, 4:42 PM EST

Trump expected to tap Kristi Noem for DHS secretary: Sources

Trump is expected to soon announce he has chosen South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem as his next secretary for the Department of Homeland Security, according to sources.

The role requires Senate confirmation.

Noem was on the short-list to be Trump's running mate, but her chances dimmed as she fended off controversy over accounts in her book about killing her dog that she claimed was showing aggressive behavior.

Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump stands next to South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem during a town hall campaign event in Oaks, Pennsylvania, Oct. 14, 2024.
David Muse/Reuters

She also faced backlash after her spokesperson said a claim she made about meeting North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and an account of an interaction with former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley were "errors."

She is a loyal Trump ally who will work closely with Trump's new border czar Tom Homan and new deputy chief of staff for policy, Stephen Miller. CNN was first to report the news of Noem as the secretary pick.

-ABC News' Jonathan Karl. Rachel Scott, Katherine Faulders and Luke Barr

Nov 12, 2024, 3:25 PM EST

DeSantis must call for special elections to fill Waltz's impending vacancy

To replace Florida Rep. Mike Waltz in the U.S. House following his selection to serve as Trump's national security adviser, state statute requires Gov. Ron DeSantis to call for a special primary and then a special election in Florida.

The special elections to fill the House seat differ from Florida's way of filling Senate seats. State law mandates that DeSantis appoint an individual to fill any Senate vacancy.

Waltz currently represents Florida's solidly red 6th Congressional District, one that hasn't been represented by a Democrat since 1989. DeSantis himself was the congressmember for the northeastern Florida seat ahead of Waltz.

ABC News has not yet reported a projection for who will have control of the House, but Waltz's impending vacancy could impact Republicans' numbers as they head toward a GOP "trifecta" in Washington.

-ABC News' Isabella Murray