What to know today
- Pete Hegseth, President-elect Donald Trump's pick for defense secretary, is on Capitol Hill today meeting with lawmakers.
- Hegseth, an Army National Guard veteran and former Fox News host, has been under scrutiny over a sexual assault claim, as well as allegations concerning his drinking.
- NBC News reported yesterday that Hegseth consumed alcohol in ways that concerned his colleagues at Fox News, according to 10 current and former Fox employees. He told Megyn Kelly today that he "never had a drinking problem" and blamed the story on "disgruntled" former employees.
- Trump is considering replacing Hegseth with Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, according to two sources familiar with the decision-making. DeSantis, a Navy veteran, challenged Trump in the 2024 Republican presidential primaries but later endorsed him.
Rep. Anthony D'Esposito says he has expressed interest in DEA administrator role
Rep. Anthony D'Esposito, R-N.Y., said he has reached out to members of Trump's team and expressed interest in the Drug Enforcement Administration administrator role after Trump's previous pick, Chad Chronister, withdrew from consideration.
"I have not spoken to the president directly. I’ve reached out to members of his team, and listen, I’m sure that there are many other qualified candidates that have been putting their name in for this after last night and President Trump removing his nominee," D'Esposito said. "I was contacted by some of the law enforcement unions throughout New York City and New York state, and that’s where we’re at."
D’Esposito said, a former New York City police detective, said he would go to Mar-a-Lago if he were invited.
"It would be an absolute honor to serve as DEA administrator," he said.
Trump picks former Sen. Kelly Loeffler to be small business administrator
Trump announced today that he has chosen former Sen. Kelly Loeffler, R-Ga., to lead the Small Business Administration in his second term.
“I am very pleased to nominate business leader and former U.S. Senator Kelly Loeffler, from the Great State of Georgia, to serve as Administrator of the Small Business Administration (SBA),” Trump wrote on Truth Social.
Trump called Loeffler “a tremendous fighter in the U.S. Senate during the first Trump Administration” and said she will “bring her experience in business and Washington to reduce red tape, and unleash opportunity for our Small Businesses to grow, innovate, and thrive.”
Trump to nominate former Rep. Billy Long for IRS commissioner
Trump announced on Truth Social that he wants former Rep. Billy Long to be the commissioner of the IRS.
"I have known Billy since 2011 — He is an extremely hard worker, and respected by all, especially by those who know him in Congress," Trump wrote. "Taxpayers and the wonderful employees of the IRS will love having Billy at the helm."
Long said on X after Trump’s announcement, “I’m very honored and excited!!!”
Long was a House member from Missouri from 2011 to 2023. He unsuccessfully ran for the Senate in 2022.
The IRS commissioner must be confirmed by the Senate.
Hegseth says he'll meet with Trump 'anytime' as he enters final Senate meeting of the day
Asked whether he will meet with Trump tomorrow, as has been reported, Hegseth told NBC News: “Not right now, but I’ll meet with him anytime he’d like.”
Hegseth, entering into his final meeting of the day to talk with with Sen. Kevin Cramer, R-N.D., told reporters that his meetings have been going well. Earlier, he said his meeting with Sen. Joni Ernst, R-Iowa, was “engaging and constructive.”
Hegseth told reporters he plans to be in the Capitol tomorrow for more meetings.
Trump picks finance professor Michael Faulkender as deputy secretary of the Treasury
Trump said today that he would nominate Michael Faulkender, a professor at the University of Maryland’s Robert H. Smith School of Business, for deputy treasury secretary.
"He will help Treasury Secretary Nominee Scott Bessent usher in a new Golden Age for the United States by delivering a Great Economic Boom for all Americans," Trump wrote on Truth Social.
Faulkender was assistant treasury secretary for economic policy during Trump’s first administration and played a key role in implementing the Paycheck Protection Program, which provided loans for small businesses during the Covid-19 pandemic.
He is also among a group of Trump picks with ties to the America First Policy Institute, a conservative think tank former Trump administration officials launched in 2021. Faulkender is the chief economist and vice chair for the America First Policy Institute’s Center for American Prosperity.
Trump picks Monica Crowley for assistant secretary of state
Trump has chosen Monica Crowley to be ambassador, assistant secretary of state and chief of protocol.
Trump said in his initial announcement on Truth Social that Crowley would be his administration’s representative “for major U.S. hosted events, including America’s 250th Birthday in 2026, the FIFA World Cup in 2026, and the Olympic Games in Los Angeles in 2028.”
Crowley, who was assistant treasury secretary in Trump’s first administration, responded on X that she was "deeply grateful" for the opportunity.
"It was the honor of my life to serve in his first administration — and it will be an even greater honor to represent America in his second," she said. "I am deeply grateful to the President for this extraordinary opportunity to help Make America Great Again, Again — and I look forward to working with him, Vice President-elect @JDVance and Secretary of State-nominee @marcorubio to restore peace through strength."
Crowley will not need to be confirmed by the Senate.
Speaker Johnson says DOGE co-chairs will meet with Republicans for a 'brainstorming session' tomorrow
House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., told Fox News today that Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy will visit Capitol Hill tomorrow for a "brainstorming" session with Republicans in both chambers of Congress.
“We’ll be inviting all the Senate and House Republicans together to a big sort of brainstorming session, because we need to do that early in the process so we can formulate what the actual plans are,” Johnson said.
He was also asked whether he'd support cutting funding to PBS and Planned Parenthood in the name of government efficiency, which Musk and Ramaswamy suggested they would support in a Wall Street Journal op-ed.
"I would like to, that's for sure," Johnson answered.
He also reiterated his support for Pete Hegseth, telling Fox News that he was “feeling pretty positive” about his chance of getting confirmed when he spoke spoke to Hegseth 36 hours ago.
Sen. Joni Ernst says she had a 'frank and thorough conversation' with Hegseth
Sen. Joni Ernst, R-Iowa, a member of the Armed Services Committee, confirmed she spoke today with Trump's defense secretary pick, Pete Hegseth.
"I appreciate Pete Hegseth’s service to our country, something we both share," Ernst wrote on X. "Today, as part of the confirmation process, we had a frank and thorough conversation."
Hegseth reposted her statement and replied, "Thank you @SenJoniErnst -- for your service to our country and commitment to this important process."
Ernst told NBC News before the meeting that she would not commit to backing Hegseth’s nomination.
Ernst, an Iraq war veteran who, as a survivor, has spoken out against sexual assault and domestic violence, is among as six Republicans who are uncomfortable supporting his bid amid allegations of alcohol abuse, sexual assault and financial mismanagement, NBC News has reported.
Trump to sit for an exclusive interview with Kristen Welker
NBC News’ Kristen Welker will conduct an exclusive interview with Trump to air Sunday on “Meet the Press.”
The interview, his first sit-down interview since he won the election, will take place Friday. Highlights will be released before "Meet the Press."
Welker interviewed Trump in September 2023 in his only network interview during the 2024 campaign cycle. “Meet the Press” airs at 10:30 a.m. ET in New York and Washington, D.C., and is available on NBC stations across the country. Check local listings for the program time according to local market.
Rep. Jerry Nadler says he won't seek another term as the top Democrat on the Judiciary Committee
Rep. Jerry Nadler, D-N.Y., will not run for another term as the top Democrat on the Judiciary Committee and will back Rep. Jamie Raskin, D-Md., who launched a bid for the ranking member job this week.
“As our country faces the return of Donald Trump, and the renewed threats to our democracy and our way of life that he represents, I am very confident that Jamie would ably lead the Judiciary Committee as we confront this growing danger,” Nadler wrote to colleagues. “Therefore, I have decided not to run for Ranking Member of the Judiciary Committee in the 119th Congress.”
The New York Times first reported Nadler’s decision.
Nadler said he will be an active member of the committee, adding that he is "eager" to work alongside the panel's new leadership.
Dr. Phil visits the border with incoming Trump border czar Tom Homan
In a video posted to X today, celebrity television host "Dr. Phil" McGraw appeared alongside incoming Trump border czar Tom Homan for a trip to the U.S.-Mexico border in Arizona.
In the video, McGraw said the two were "going to talk to the guys and find out what's going on for real."
Homan said, "We're 47 days out from the inauguration and we're not waiting. Game on today."
He added that he planned to "develop plans today to help the sheriffs make the community safer and secure the border."
Kash Patel once said he would ‘come after’ journalists. It now hangs over his FBI candidacy.
Since Trump announced Kash Patel as his pick for FBI director, a 2023 podcast interview he did with fellow Trump loyalist Steve Bannon has circulated far and wide.
In the recording last year, Patel asserted how he would handle reporters if he were put in power.
“We’re going to come after the people in the media who lied about American citizens, who helped Joe Biden rig presidential elections,” Patel said then. “Whether it’s criminally or civilly, we’ll figure that out.”
Now that Patel is in the running to head one of the most powerful agencies in the U.S. government, the question of whether he will really “come after” journalists is troubling both sides of the aisle, and it is likely to become a central point of contention if he comes up for Senate confirmation, with one senator calling his remarks “vile.” Patel has privately conceded he needs to publicly clean up the remark, according to a Trump ally who has spoken with him.
Trump picks personal lawyer to be White House counsel
In a post on Truth Social today, Trump said that he'll select David Warrington, his longtime personal lawyer and general counsel to the Trump campaign, to be his White House counsel and assistant to the president.
Trump announced last month that William McGinley would take the White House Counsel job, but today appears to have changed his mind. After nominating Warrington to that post, Trump added that McGinley would serve as counsel to the Department of Government Efficiency, or DOGE.
"Bill is a great addition to a stellar team that is focused on making life better for all Americans. He will be at the forefront of my Administration’s efforts to make our Government more efficient and more accountable," Trump wrote on Truth Social.
Hegseth to meet with GOP Sen. Joni Ernst
Pete Hegseth is expected to be departing shortly for his meeting with Sen. Joni Ernst, R-Iowa, a key vote he needs to be able to be confirmed.
Ernst doesn't plan to speak with the media after their meeting, but she has previously been outspoken about reforming the military to better address allegations of sexual assault.
Trump picks billionaire Jared Isaacman to lead NASA
Trump announced today that he plans to nominate billionaire entrepreneur Jared Isaacman to lead NASA.
“Jared will drive NASA’s mission of discovery and inspiration, paving the way for groundbreaking achievements in Space science, technology, and exploration,” Trump said in a post on Truth Social.
Isaacman is the founder and CEO of the payment processing company Shift4. He has flown to space twice on commercial SpaceX missions, but has not worked at NASA or in the federal government. Isaacman funded both of those spaceflights himself, for an undisclosed sum.
Trump says he's asked Michael Whatley to remain on as RNC chair
Trump announced in a statement today that he's asked Michael Whatley to remain on as chairman of the Republican National Committee.
He praised Whatley's job running the RNC with Trump's daughter-in-law, Lara Trump, saying that they "transformed" the organization into "a lean, focused, and powerful machine that will empower the America First Agenda for many years to come."
"I have asked Michael to return as Chairman of the RNC to continue to build our Party, and be a trusted partner as we Make America Great Again, and ensure Free and Fair Elections," Trump said. "Republicans everywhere should support him as he continues his mission at the RNC. Thank you for your hard work, Michael!"
Trump had endorsed Whatley and Lara Trump to lead the RNC in February after he said that it was time for Ronna McDaniel to step aside from the role.
Hegseth in new op-ed: 'I won't back down'
In a newly released Wall Street Journal opinion article, Hegseth made a plea for why he should be confirmed as the next secretary of defense. He dismissed accusations against him, saying it's an effort to "smear me and tear me down."
"Talk to those who served with me in Guantanamo Bay, Iraq, Afghanistan or the National Guard. They support me, and I’m honored by that. I have never backed down from a fight and won’t back down from this one," he wrote. "I am grateful President-elect Trump chose me to lead the Defense Department, and I look forward to an honest confirmation hearing with our distinguished senators."
In the article, he also walked through his experiences serving in Afghanistan and how he said he overcame several hardships from family challenges to combat tours.
Hegseth says he ‘never had a drinking problem’
Hegseth told Megyn Kelly in an interview that he "never had a drinking problem" and called reports concerning his drinking "anonymous nuggets" from "disgruntled people who were fired."
“It’s a couple anonymous nuggets, usually from disgruntled people who are fired for cause, who are jealous or want a little bit of retribution,” Hegseth said, responding to the reporting about his drinking.
“I never had a drinking problem," he added.
Hegseth also said that no one's approached him and said, "'Oh, you, you should really look at getting help for a drink.'"
"Never," he said. "I’ve never sought counseling, never sought help. I respect and appreciate people who do.”
The former Fox News host also called himself "a very different person than I was 10 years ago, than I was 15 years ago.”
Hegseth says he'll give up drinking if he becomes secretary of defense
Asked if he is still drinking, Hegseth told Megyn Kelly that he would not drink as secretary of defense, should he be nominated and confirmed.
“This is the biggest deployment of my life, and there won’t be a drop of alcohol on my lips while I’m doing it," he said.
Hegseth says his goal for the Defense Department is 'lethality, lethality, lethality'
Speaking to reporters at the Capitol, Hegseth praised members of the Senate Armed Services Committee, which performs oversight of the department Hegseth hopes to lead, calling them "passionate."
He added that he hopes to lead the Defense Department and "make sure we’re putting the warfighters first," adding, "That’s what Donald Trump asked me to do."
The former Fox News host added that the focus of the Department of Defense must be "lethality, lethality, lethality" and that "everything else is gone," characterizing those words as the goal of Trump and the Republican members of the Armed Services Committee.
Hegseth also called the advise and consent process "brilliant" and added, "it's been edifying."
Hegseth did not take questions from reporters about the personal issues — like the sexual assault allegations against him or the allegations that he misused alcohol at work — during the brief gaggle, but pointed them to his interview earlier today with Megyn Kelly. He has denied all wrongdoing.
"As far as everything else, I had a chance to sit down with Megyn Kelly for an hour," Hegseth said. "She asked probably all the questions you guys have.”
Pete Hegseth’s mother defends her son as a ‘changed man’
The mother of Pete Hegseth, President-elect Donald Trump’s pick for defense secretary, pleaded her son’s case Wednesday as his future nomination appeared to be in jeopardy in the Senate over allegations involving drinking and sexual assault.
In an interview on Fox News’ “Fox and Friends,” Penelope Hegseth addressed an email that she wrote to her son in 2018, whose details were published by The New York Times last week, that accused him of mistreating women for years.
“I wrote that in haste. I wrote that with deep emotions. I wrote that as a parent,” she told the network, explaining that it was during a time when Pete Hegseth was “going through a very difficult divorce.”
Trump picks Peter Navarro, who went to prison for defying Jan. 6 committee subpoena, as top trade adviser
Trump announced Wednesday that Peter Navarro will serve as “Senior Counselor for Trade and Manufacturing” in his next White House term.
Navarro, 75, will be tasked with helping to “successfully advance and communicate the Trump Manufacturing, Tariff, and Trade Agendas,” Trump wrote in a pair of Truth Social posts revealing the pick.
Navarro was previously a top trade aide for Trump during his first term.
The selection came less than five months after Navarro’s release from prison.
Trump says he pulled DEA pick 'because I did not like what he said to my pastors'
Trump’s pick for DEA administrator, Chad Chronister, posted on X that he was withdrawing his name for consideration.
Trump took to Truth Social today to blast a headline from The Wall Street Journal saying that Chronister didn’t pull out, that Trump had pulled him out because he did “not like what he said to my pastors and other supporters.”
Per NBC reporting, Chronister was criticized for his handling of the pandemic — particularly his decision in 2020 to arrest Ronald Howard-Browne, a Tampa-area pastor, for the decision to flout pandemic-era lockdown orders. The charges were ultimately dropped.
‘Why would I back down?’: Hegseth says Trump told him to keep fighting
Pete Hegseth, President-elect Donald Trump’s embattled pick for Defense secretary, brushed aside suggestions that he would drop out and said he spoke to Trump, who urged him to “keep going, keep fighting.”
“I spoke to the president-elect this morning. He said, ‘Keep going, keep fighting. I’m behind you all the way.’” Hegseth told CBS News in the Capitol Wednesday. “Why would I back down? I’ve always been a fighter. I’m here for the fighters. This is personal and passionate for me.”
Trump considers replacing Pete Hegseth with Ron DeSantis
President-elect Donald Trump is considering replacing embattled defense secretary choice Pete Hegseth with Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, according to two sources familiar with the decision-making.
DeSantis is “very much in contention,” one source said.
Another told NBC News that Trump and DeSantis directly spoke about the issue.