On Politics

Thu Nov 14 2024

Rebecca Morin | Senior National News Reporter

@RebeccaMorin_

Hello all! It's Rebecca Morin, senior national news reporter at USA TODAY. I'm in Miami, Florida, (it's 80 degrees!) where I'm reporting on Latino voters.

5 takeaways from Donald Trump's surprise pick of Matt Gaetz for attorney general

President-elect Donald Trump threw Washington, D.C., into a frenzy on Wednesday evening after he announced his unexpected choice for attorney general: Matt Gaetz. Trump received criticism over picking Gaetz for the position. Shortly after being nominated, Gaetz, who previously was under criminal investigation, resigned from the House of Representatives. Read more.

•	Is Matt Gaetz a lawyer? What to know about the attorney general pick's resume
•	Watch: Trump's nominee for attorney general, Matt Gaetz, draws controversy and surprise

Tension over Gaetz is also already brewing on Capitol Hill. Democrats and Republicans are clashing over whether a House Ethics Committee report will be released before the Senate considers Gaetz's nomination.

The probe on Gaetz ended after he resigned from Congress on Wednesday. The House Ethics Committee was looking into a variety of claims that Gaetz engaged in sexual misconduct and illegal drug use, accepted "improper gifts" and gave out special favors. Gaetz denied the allegations.

A politics pit stop

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•	Dick Van Dyke says he 'fortunately' won't be around for Trump's second presidency
•	Watch: What is DOGE, the proposed agency led by Elon Musk under Trump?
•	Meet Kai Trump. What to know about Donald Trump's oldest granddaughter
•	You're fired, soon: Trump's team drawing up list of Pentagon officers to axe, sources say
•	Musk and Ramaswamy won't be paid to lead new Department of Government Efficiency, Musk says

Republicans and Democrats are gearing up for a new status quo in Congress

Republicans have the trifecta in D.C. come January: control over the White House, Senate and the House. And GOP lawmakers on Capitol Hill are already gearing up to pass Donald Trump's priorities, while Democrats are reflecting on their losses. House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., vowed to quickly enact major policy changes next year. Read more.

Got a burning question, or comment, for On Politics? You can submit them here or send me an email at rdmorin@usatoday.com.

Military suicides still on the rise, but Army gets good news after recent surge

Airmen First Class Nathan Ramos, left, stands as Staff Sgt. Evelyn Davy holds the American flag at a practice for a military funeral at Pope Air Force Base.

After an overall increase in military suicides, Army suicides are down. It is linked to a focus on safe storage of guns and drugs, and an effort to limit stress.

READ MORE