Gaetz Named for Attorney General Amid Controversy; Biden Meets Trump at the White House

Former President Donald Trump announced a series of significant cabinet picks, including Matt Gaetz for Attorney General and Tulsi Gabbard as Director of National Intelligence, both of which sparked bipartisan scrutiny. Gaetz’s nomination, clouded by ongoing ethics investigations, led to his resignation from Congress.

Florida Senator Marco Rubio was nominated for Secretary of State, signaling a hardline approach on foreign policy under the Trump administration. Meanwhile, President Joe Biden hosted Trump at the White House, extending a courtesy Trump had denied him in 2020.

In Congress, House Republicans solidified their majority, with Speaker Mike Johnson receiving Trump’s endorsement for another term. Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries acknowledged his party’s minority status, vowing bipartisan efforts.

Senate Republicans chose John Thune to succeed Mitch McConnell as their leader, marking a shift in party leadership. The Pennsylvania Senate race remains unresolved, with a mandatory recount triggered by narrow vote margins.

In other news, a congressional hearing on UFOs yielded claims of injuries to U.S. government employees and secret retrieval programs but lacked substantial evidence.