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Trump transition live updates: Scott Bessent offered treasury secretary job

Bessent has been a frequent presence at Trump's Mar-a-Lago club this week.

ByTal Axelrod, Alexandra Hutzler, Meredith Deliso, and Ivan Pereira
Last Updated: November 22, 2024, 6:39 PM EST

Former Rep. Matt Gaetz, President-elect Donald Trump's pick for attorney general, said Thursday he is withdrawing his name for the role -- just a day after Gaetz spoke with Republican senators on Capitol Hill about the nomination process.

Trump has named Pam Bondi, the former attorney general of Florida, as his new pick for the role.

Another controversial Cabinet pick, Pete Hegseth, is on the Hill on Thursday with Vice President-elect JD Vance to make his case for the secretary of the Department of Defense job.

Meanwhile, Trump continues to announce his picks for top jobs inside his administration.

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.

12:20 PM EST

Gaetz says he will not rejoin Congress

Former Florida Rep. Matt Gaetz, who withdrew as President-elect Trump's attorney general pick on Thursday, said in an interview on Friday that he will not rejoin Congress.

Gaetz told conservative media personality Charlie Kirk that he does not intend to run for Congress.

"I’m still going to be in the fight, but it’s going to be from a new perch. I do not intend to join the 119th Congress," he told Kirk on America's Voices.

Republican Representative of Florida Matt Gaetz speaks during the House Judiciary Committee hearing in Washington, Mar. 12, 2024.
Michael Reynolds/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock
Nov 21, 2024, 7:54 PM EST

Sen. Thune currently at Mar-a-Lago meeting with Trump amid Gaetz fallout: Sources

Sen. John Thune, the incoming Republican leader, is currently at Trump's Mar-a-Lago club for a meeting, sources familiar with the matter told ABC News.

The meeting comes as Thune is likely to face massive pressure from Trump and his Senate allies to push through all of Trump's nominees as quickly as possible.

Senator John newly elected Senate Majority Leader for the upcoming 119th Congress, speaks to reporters at the U.S. Capitol, Nov. 13, 2024, in Washington.
Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images

Shortly after the news broke, Thune told ABC News he respected Gaetz's decision to withdraw from consideration for attorney general.

"That's obviously a decision he came to, and I think everybody had to make a decision that’s good for them and their family. And for whatever reason he decided not to pursue it," Thune said.

-ABC News' Katherine Faulders and Allison Pecorin

Nov 21, 2024, 6:37 PM EST

Trump nominates Pam Bondi as new AG pick

Trump has nominated Pam Bondi as his new pick for attorney general, after Matt Gaetz withdrew from consideration earlier Thursday.

Bondi is the former attorney general of Florida, serving from 2011 to 2019 and marking the first woman in that role.

"For too long, the partisan Department of Justice has been weaponized against me and other Republicans - Not anymore. Pam will refocus the DOJ to its intended purpose of fighting Crime, and Making America Safe Again," Trump said in a statement.

The position requires Senate confirmation.

Bondi has remained in Trump’s inner circle for years and has continued to advise him on legal matters. She was also one of the lawyers who defended Trump during his first Senate impeachment trial.

Former Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi speaks during a rally held by Republican presidential nominee and former U.S. President Donald Trump at the Greensboro Complex in Greensboro, North Carolina, Nov. 2, 2024.
Sam Wolfe/Reuters

-ABC News' Lalee Ibssa and Katherine Faulders

Nov 21, 2024, 6:13 PM EST

Ethics Committee chair says Gaetz's withdrawal 'should end the discussion'

House Ethics Committee Chairman Michael Guest of Mississippi told reporters that Matt Gaetz’s withdrawal from attorney general consideration "settles any involvement that the Ethics Committee should have in any matters involving Mr. Gaetz."

He added that the withdrawal "should end the discussion of whether or not the Ethics Committee should continue to move forward in this matter."

-ABC News' Lauren Peller

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