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Trump transition live updates: Trump announces pick for energy secretary

Chris Wright has expressed strong opposition to climate change action.

ByMeredith Deliso, Alexandra Hutzler, Ivan Pereira, and Julia Reinstein
Last Updated: November 17, 2024, 6:57 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 13, 2024, 3:31 PM EST

Trump nominates Matt Gaetz as attorney general

Trump has nominated Florida Rep. Matt Gaetz to be his attorney general, he posted on his social media.

Gaetz was seen traveling with Trump in the motorcade Wednesday during the president-elect's visit to Washington, D.C.

The role is a Senate-confirmed appointment.

Rep. Matt Gaetz departs after speaking during the Conservative Political Action Conference, CPAC 2024, at the National Harbor, in Oxon Hill, Md., Feb. 23, 2024.
Alex Brandon/AP

Trump called Gaetz a "deeply gifted and tenacious attorney" who will "end Weaponized Government, protect our Borders, dismantle Criminal Organizations and restore Americans’ badly-shattered Faith and Confidence in the Justice Department."

Gaetz is an explosive selection by Trump to be the chief law enforcement officer of the federal government, leading the very same executive branch of government that spent years investigating allegations regarding the Florida congressman. Gaetz was informed that the DOJ would not seek charges just last year. He has long denied any wrongdoing.

Gaetz faces an ongoing probe by the House Ethics Committee for the same allegations, related to sex trafficking and obstruction of justice.

Gaetz has been down in Mar-a-Lago almost daily since Election Day, helping make suggestions and input on other administration selections, sources told ABC News.

-ABC News' Will Steakin

Nov 13, 2024, 3:20 PM EST

Tulsi Gabbard tapped as director of national intelligence

Trump announced that former Rep. Tulsi Gabbard is his pick for director of national intelligence.

"I know Tulsi will bring the fearless spirit that has defined her illustrious career to our Intelligence Community, championing our Constitutional Rights, and securing Peace through Strength," Trump said in a statement.

The role is a Senate-confirmed appointment.

Gabbard, who once ran for president as a Democrat, had a prominent role as part of Trump's 2024 campaign team.

Former Rep. Tulsi Gabbard speaks at a campaign rally for Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump in Greensboro, North Carolina, Oct. 22, 2024.
Erik S Lesser/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock

Nov 13, 2024, 3:06 PM EST

Marco Rubio announced as secretary of state pick

Trump has officially announced Florida Sen. Marco Rubio as his nomination for secretary of state.

"Marco is a Highly Respected Leader, and a very powerful Voice for Freedom," Trump said in a statement. "He will be a strong Advocate for our Nation, a true friend to our Allies, and a fearless Warrior who will never back down to our adversaries."

The role must be confirmed by the Senate.

Florida Senator Marco Rubio speaks during the second day of the 2024 Republican National Convention in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, July 16, 2024.
Patrick T. Fallon/AFP via Getty Images

Nov 13, 2024, 2:23 PM EST

Biden, Trump had 'substantive meeting and exchange of views': White House

President Joe Biden and Trump had a "substantive meeting and exchange of views" during their nearly two-hour Oval Office meeting on Tuesday, according to the White House press secretary.

"They discussed important national security and domestic policy issues facing the nation and the world," Karine Jean-Pierre told reporters during a briefing following the meeting. "President Biden also raised important items on Congress's to-do list for the lame duck session, including funding the government and providing the disaster supplemental funding the president requested."

Biden also reiterated that "we will have an orderly transition and a peaceful transition of power," she added.

President Joe Biden meets with President-elect Donald Trump in the Oval Office of the White House, Nov. 13, 2024, in Washington.
Evan Vucci/AP

On the national security discussion, ABC News Chief White House Correspondent Mary Bruce asked White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan if Biden made the case for the U.S. not to walk away from Ukraine, and how the message was received.

"I will only note that President Biden reinforced his view that the United States, standing with Ukraine on an ongoing basis, is in our national security interest," Sullivan responded, adding that "standing up to aggressors and dictators and pushing back against their aggression is vital to ensuring that we don't end up getting dragged directly into a war."

-ABC News' Molly Nagle