Trump taps Brooke Rollins for agriculture; Pam Bondi for attorney general: Live

Gustaf Kilander reports from Washington, DC.

The outgoing and incoming national security advisors for the Biden and Trump administrations met earlier this week, two people familiar with the meeting told Axios.

It was the first meeting between Biden National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan and Trump’s appointee to the role, Florida Rep. Mike Waltz.

Waltz is set to take over the White House advisory role amidst several global crises. The meeting occurred despite the Trump transition team not having signed a memorandum of understanding to allow the transition process to start.

The meeting went ahead after Sullivan returned from Biden’s trip to South America, and several global issues were discussed, such as the war in Gaza and the hostages still being held by Hamas, according to Axios.

Sullivan noted last week that he had met Waltz previously during his time as a member of the House.

“He and I obviously don’t see eye to eye on every issue, but I am very much looking forward to engaging him over these next 60 days, as I said, so that we can have this smooth handoff,” Sullivan noted.

President-elect Donald Trump is filling key posts in his second administration, rewarding longtime loyalists, aides and allies who were his strongest backers during the 2024 campaign and in his legal battles.

In the weeks since winning the election, Trump has named dozens of appointments to major government roles including some highly controversial picks. A week after he was nominated, Trump’s first pick for attorney general — now-former congressman Matt Gaetz — withdrew his name from consideration amid a looming congressional report into allegations of sexual misconduct.

Here’s a look at who Trump has selected for Cabinet positions and key roles so far.

Gaetz dropped out of the process on Thursday saying his candidacy was “becoming a distraction” after the House Ethics Committee came under pressure to release the findings of its investigation into allegations he had sex with a minor – accusations he has consistently denied.

Bondi, 59, served as the Sunshine State’s attorney general from 2011 to 2019 and represented Trump in his first impeachment trial before the Senate.

But she is not entirely free from controversy herself.

Joe Sommerlad reports.

Gustaf Kilander reports from Washington, DC.

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“Matt Gaetz is out? But his nomination was only eight days old,’ Meyers said.

“Once again, he can’t even make it to 18,” he quipped.

Rhian Lubin has the story.

Bondi, 59, who served as Florida’s attorney general from 2011 to 2019 and represented the president-elect at his first impeachment trial in the Senate, is both an experienced public official and a long-time Trump ally.

Gaetz reacted to the choice on X by calling her “a stellar selection” as well as “a proven litigator, an inspiring leader and a champion for all Americans”.

South Carolina Republican senator Lindsey Graham was even more effusive, posting: “Well done, Mr President. Picking Pam Bondi for Attorney General is a grand slam, touchdown, hole in one, ace, hat trick, slam dunk, Olympic gold medal pick. She will be confirmed quickly because she deserves to be confirmed quickly.”

Here’s what you need to know about her.

Jerome Adams, who served as surgeon general in the first Trump administration is sounding the alarm about alarming trends in infectious diseases.

He says he hopes the incoming administration has a strong response plan and can ensure vaccine confidence stays high “or they’ll be distracted with outbreaks for 4 years this time instead of 1.”

Attorneys for election workers that Rudy Giuliani defamed wrote a scathing letter accusing the former New York City mayor of launching a crusade meant to “to obstruct and intimidate” them as they try to recover his assets.

Kelly Rissman reports.