Trump transition updates: Trump taps longtime ally as agriculture secretary

Brooke Rollins previously served in Trump's first administration.

ByTal Axelrod, Alexandra Hutzler, Meredith Deliso, Ivan Pereira, and Julia Reinstein
Last Updated: November 24, 2024, 6:02 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, 2024, 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 22, 2024, 6:32 PM EST

Billionaire Scott Bessent offered treasury secretary job: Sources

President-elect Donald Trump has offered the treasury secretary position to billionaire Scott Bessent, multiple sources told ABC News Friday.

Bessent has advised Trump on economic policy and has been a frequent presence at Trump's Mar-a-Lago club this week and last week.

Key Square Group founder Scott Bessent speaks at a campaign event for Republican presidential nominee and former U.S. President Donald Trump in Asheville, North Carolina, Aug. 14, 2024.
Jonathan Drake/Reuters

The position must be approved by the Senate.

The announcement for the job was supposed to come earlier but had been stalled due to intense infighting among Trump's top advisers — including transition co-chair Howard Lutnick — about who should get the job.

-ABC News' Katherine Faulders and Jonathan Karl

Nov 22, 2024, 4:09 PM EST

Gaetz joins Cameo

Former Rep. Matt Gaetz has joined Cameo, the website where users can purchase a personalized video from celebrity, a day after withdrawing from consideration to be the next attorney general.

A source close to Gaetz confirms the account is real. He is currently charging more than $500 for a personalized video message from the platform.

Former Rep George Santos also joined Cameo when he was ousted from Congress under much different circumstances. Santos, at one point, was selling videos for upwards of $500, but now has dropped his price to $250.

Rep. Matt Gaetz speaks during a House Judiciary Committee hearing on Capitol Hill in Washington, Mar. 12, 2024.
Mandel Ngan/AFP via Getty Images, FILES

-ABC News' Brittany Shepherd and Jay O'Brien

Nov 22, 2024, 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

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