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Heat's Butler: 'Actually like it' as rumor mill spinsOilers Reporter Claims Evan Bouchard Is In His Own Head After Being Chewed Out by Coach Paul CoffeyFrance: Macron has strengthened the fascists, but the fall of Barnier opens more space for fightbacks
Former Tulane quarterback Darian Mensah has already found a new program in Duke, while Mississippi State's Michael Van Buren Jr., Wisconsin's Braedyn Locke and Cal’s Fernando Mendoza are exploring changes of their own in the transfer portal . Mensah, a redshirt freshman with three years of eligibility remaining, told ESPN on Wednesday he has transferred to Duke. He attended the Blue Devils men's basketball game against Incarnate Word on Tuesday night. The Blue Devils (9-3) will face Mississippi in the Gator Bowl, but without 2024 starting quarterback Maalik Murphy and backup Grayson Loftis, who also entered the portal. Mensah, viewed as one of the top players in the portal, threw for 2,723 yards and 22 touchdowns and completed 65.9% of his passes. He led the Green Wave to a 9-4 record and the American Athletic Conference championship game, where they lost 35-14 to Army. Tulane will play Florida in the Gasparilla Bowl on Sunday. Van Buren, Mendoza and Locke announced on social media they had entered the portal. Van Buren started eight games as a true freshmen for the Bulldogs. He threw for 1,886 yards on 55% passing with 16 total touchdowns and seven interceptions for the Bulldogs (2-10, 0-8 Southeastern Conference). He took over as the starter when Blake Shapen suffered a season-ending shoulder injury in a 45-28 loss to Florida on Sept. 21. Shapen has said he plans to return next season. Van Buren, a 6-foot-1, 200-pound passer from St. Frances Academy in Maryland, had two 300-yard performances for the Bulldogs, including 306 yards and three touchdown passes in a 41-31 road loss against Georgia. Mendoza threw for 3,004 yards in 2024 with 16 TDs, six interceptions and a 68.7 completion percentage. “For the sake of my football future this is the decision I have reached,” he posted. Locke passed for 1,936 yards with 13 touchdowns and 10 interceptions for Wisconsin this season. He said he will have two years of eligibility remaining at his next school. Get poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 throughout the season. Sign up here . AP college football: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-football-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/college-footballThe State Board of Education has the use of lessons in public elementary schools. Officials voted 8-7 on the measure during a hearing in Austin on Friday. The new curriculum, developed by Bluebonnet Learning and the Texas Education Agency, pertains to reading and language arts lessons for kids in grades K-5 and math lessons for kids in grades K-8. The teachings call into question the constitutionally of such tax-payer-funded instruction. It remains unclear if the curriculum would violate the Establishment Clause in the First Amendment, which prohibits the government from establishing a or providing official support for a religion. The instruction includes lessons on Biblical beliefs, including the stories of Moses, the Good Samaritan, the Golden Rule and readings from the Book of Genesis. The curriculum is optional but schools could get additional funding if they implement the teachings, set to be available to educators in August 2025. Its approval is the latest development in a series of GOP efforts to bring Christianity into public school systems across the country. In Oklahoma, the state’s top educator, Ryan Walters, has ordered teachers to keep a copy of the Bible in classrooms. In Louisiana, officials hope to post the Ten Commandments in classrooms starting next year. Critics of the new Texas instruction raised concerns about how the lessons could inappropriately promote the Christian faith in classrooms, whether the materials are age-appropriate or will be effective. Those who support it, say the lessons could help develop students’ writing and reading skills. Following the vote, the Texas American Federation of Teachers said in a that the new teachings violate the state’s Code of Ethics by “infusing lessons with Bible-based references more appropriate for Sunday Schools than public schools.” The group argues the new teachings come from idealogues instead of educational experts and is asking districts not to use them. “At a moment of profound political division, this curriculum is a concerted effort to ‘other’ and exclude students of differing cultures and religions through state-sponsored instructional materials. “It is the latest evidence that Christian nationalists have bought their way into every governing body of the state, including the state Board of Education... We can anticipate what will come next, whether that’s the erasure of contributions of marginalized populations in social studies or the minimalization of climate change in science.” President-elect has called for the disbandment of the federal Department of Education, for a more conservative agenda in public schools and for banning educators from teaching on critical race theory. In 2023, Governor Greg Abbott asked the Texas Education Agency to develop a new curriculum pending approval from the state Board of Education. Abbott has praised the materials and they would help students “better understand the connection of history, art, community, literature, and religion on pivotal events like the signing of the US Constitution, the Civil Rights Movement, and the American Revolution.”Mackey Arena continues to be a house of horrors for Maryland men’s basketball. The Terps dropped their seventh consecutive game at the home of No. 8 Purdue, which overcame a five-point deficit midway through the second half with a 26-16 outburst to emerge with a 83-78 victory Sunday afternoon in West Lafayette, Indiana. Maryland (8-2, 1-1 Big Ten) has not experienced a triumph at Mackey Arena since Jan. 10, 2015, when that squad won 69-60. Perhaps more relevantly, the team was denied its sixth straight win and lost for the first time since a 78-74 setback to then-No. 15 Marquette on Nov. 15. Freshman center Derik Queen scored a career-high 26 points for the Terps, grabbed 12 rebounds for the fourth double-double of his fledgling year, and blocked two shots. Junior point guard Ja’Kobi Gillespie compiled 18 points and four assists, and graduate student small forward Selton Miguel and sophomore shooting guard Rodney Rice each scored 13 points. Maryland owned a 62-57 lead with 8:25 to go in the second half, but the Boilermakers responded with a 10-0 run and then added a 10-5 spurt for a 10-point advantage — the only double-digit lead of the game — to pull away and keep the Terps at bay. As disheartening as the defeat was, Big Ten Network analyst and former Purdue forward Robbie Hummel came away with positive thoughts on Maryland. “I don’t care about the result today,” he said during the network’s broadcast. “Just from the eye test of the talent and seeing them up close in the last two games against Ohio State and here today, This is as tough a building in college basketball to win as anywhere. The schedule kind of lightens up before they get back into Big Ten play, but I think very highly of the Maryland Terrapins. I think Kevin Willard is going to have an opportunity for this team to really compete this year.” Meanwhile, the Boilermakers (8-2, 1-1) produced four double-figure scorers, a group led by junior point guard Braden Smith (personal-best 24 points) and junior power forward Trey Kaufman-Renn (21). They also bounced back from Thursday night’s 81-70 upset loss at Penn State and avoided their first 0-2 start in the Big Ten since the 2013-14 seasons. Here are three observations from the outcome. Hardly anyone would have faulted the precocious youngster from Baltimore for feeling a little heat in his first true road game of the season in a hostile environment like the one created by the crowd at Mackey Arena. Queen, however, continues to prove that he is no ordinary freshman. He scored 18 points in the second half, which included back-to-back 3-pointers after missing his first 11 attempts from beyond the arc in his career. Queen nearly scored as many points as his teammates did (24) in that second half. In the first half, Queen scored eight points to trail Gillespie’s and Rice’s 10 points, but he refused to cave in to the announced 14,876 in West Lafayette. After drawing a foul with 72 seconds left before halftime, he jawed with the student section behind one corner of the court, inviting a chorus of boos. Despite the reception, Queen calmly sank both free throws. In the first two Big Ten games of his career, Queen has totaled 43 points, 23 rebounds, three steals and two blocks. And it doesn’t appear that he is showing many signs of playing like he should be intimidated about playing at the Division I level. In Wednesday’s 83-59 rout of Ohio State, the Terps locked down on the Buckeyes standout junior point guard Bruce Thorton, who finished with a quiet nine points, four rebounds and two assists. The defense could not repeat that performance against the Boilermakers. Smith and Kaufman-Renn each scored 15 points in the second half. Smith, the Big Ten’s preseason Player of the Year, added a game-high 10 assists, four rebounds and two steals to his day and demonstrated that his six-point, five-assist, three-rebound outing at Penn State was perhaps more of an anomaly than a concern. The 6-foot-9, 230-pound Kaufman-Renn, who turned the ball over seven times to offset the 15 points he scored against the Nittany Lions, found success in the lane against both the 6-10, 245-pound Queen and 6-9, 230-pound senior power forward Julian Reese, who fouled out with 12:32 left in the second half. Kaufman-Renn and 6-7, 205-pound sophomore small forward Camden Heide (15 points and three rebounds) helped Purdue outscore Maryland, 42-32, in the paint – a first by any opponent against the Terps. Throw in 12 points and seven rebounds by junior shooting guard Fletcher Loyer, and the Terps failed to craft the answers that could limit the damage done by the Boilermakers’ top players. One of the team’s top storylines so far had been a growing comfort and confidence coach Kevin Willard had in going to the bench to give the starters some much-needed rest and continue to carry out the offensive and defensive strategies employed by the coaching staff. But when push came to shove against Purdue, the Terps showed how dependent they are on the starters. The first five of Queen, Gillespie, Rice, Miguel and Reese accounted for 75 of the team’s points (96.2%), 26 of its 36 rebounds (72.2%), 11 of its 15 assists (73.3%), and all four of its steals. And with the exception of Reese due to his foul trouble, the other four played at least 32 minutes each. Sophomore shooting guard DeShawn Harris-Smith had two points, two rebounds and two assists, but junior power forward Tafara Gapare finished with more turnovers (two) than points (one). In his three previous games, the Georgia Tech transfer had averaged 13.3 points and 5.7 rebounds. Considering how potent the Boilermakers were on offense, perhaps it shouldn’t be startling that Willard was forced to shorten his bench on Sunday. But Maryland would surely welcome greater contributions from its reserves to alleviate some of the pressure on the starters and convert some of these negative results into positive ones. This article will be updated. Have a news tip? Contact Edward Lee at eklee@baltsun.com , 410-332-6200 and x.com/EdwardLeeSun . UP NEXT Saint Francis at Maryland Tuesday, 7:30 p.m. TV: Big Ten Network Radio: 105.7 FM
D-Wave Quantum Inc. QBTS shares are trading higher Friday in sympathy with Alphabet Inc. 's GOOGL GOOG Google, which announced the launch of its new quantum computing chip, Willow, earlier this week. Here’s what you need to know. What To Know: Google Quantum AI's Willow chip demonstrated progress in quantum computing by performing a task in under five minutes that would take one of the fastest supercomputers an estimated 10 septillion years to complete. Willow incorporates advanced error correction techniques that reduce errors as the number of qubits increases. This innovation addresses one of quantum computing's long-standing challenges: error rates associated with scaling up qubits. Why It Matters: D-Wave, which operates within the quantum computing space, may be benefiting from investor speculation that advancements such as Google's Willow could bolster interest and investment across the quantum sector. The announcement also highlights ongoing collaborations between quantum computing firms and established technology leaders like Nvidia, which recently partnered with Google Quantum AI to advance quantum hardware development. The significance of Willow's launch lies in its potential to accelerate quantum computing's commercial viability. With demonstrated breakthroughs in error correction and computational speed, the technology could disrupt industries ranging from finance to materials science, while influencing the competitive dynamics of quantum computing firms like D-Wave. D-Wave Price Action: D-Wave Quantum shares were up 27.88% at $5 at publication Friday, according to Benzinga Pro. Read Next: Is U.S. Health Insurance Failing The Sickest And Poorest? New Study Reveals 49 Million Americans Lack Proper Health Coverage Photo: Shutterstock. © 2024 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.Toronto agency launches court challenge against new law that would shutter some supervised consumption sitesA judge has once again rejected Musk's multi-billion-dollar Tesla pay package. Now what?The EU's scrutiny of Google and Meta's advertising partnership comes at a time when tech companies are facing increasing regulatory pressure globally. With the digital advertising industry being a critical component of the online economy, ensuring fair competition and data privacy safeguards is essential to protect consumers and foster innovation.
Up front, alongside Mbappe and Haaland, we see the likes of Neymar and Mohamed Salah. These players have consistently been a threat to opposing defenses, using their skills and intelligence to create scoring opportunities for themselves and their teammates.
The financial fair play regulations were implemented by UEFA to ensure that clubs operate within their means and prevent financial doping in football. These rules aim to create a level playing field for all clubs and promote sustainable financial practices in the sport. When clubs like Manchester City are found to have breached these regulations, it raises serious concerns about the integrity of the game and the need for accountability.Furthermore, Israel points to the historical significance of the Golan Heights in Jewish history, including its mention in the Bible and its association with ancient Jewish communities. They argue that the region has always been an integral part of the Jewish homeland and that Israel has a rightful claim to sovereignty over the area.
Khloé Kardashian stuns in risqué lingerie as she talks 'shedding' insecurities at 40As Keita settles into his new surroundings in Hungary, all eyes will be on how he adapts to the challenges of a new league and a new team. The Guinean midfielder will be hoping to make a positive impact at Ferencvaros and show that he still has plenty to offer at the highest level of the game. Only time will tell whether this loan move will prove to be a turning point in Keita's career, but one thing is for certain - it has certainly stirred up excitement and anticipation in the world of football.
EMMA Willis and husband Matt clashed during a tense moment in their new Channel 4 show. The couple are taking part in an experiment which looks at the damage smartphones can cause young people. Emma, 48, and Matt , 41, recently shared their concerns over what their children have access to online . In a clip from from the show they are seen discussing the safety features on devices belonging to their three kids, Isabelle, Ace and Trixie . Emma is seen looking slightly annoyed as Matt confesses he wouldn't know how to install the software onto the devices. She says to him: "I thought you'd done it?" Matt replies: "No, I didn't know how to do it." Emma quips: "You said you were putting them on their devices?" A confused looking Matt says: "Did I?" Emma and Matt's experiment will see students in one school have their smartphones taken away for 21 days. And they've confessed their eldest "begged for a long time" before they allowed her to have social media. Matt said: “For me and Emma, being on our smart phones is part of our job. But it’s how much time our kids spend on their smart phones that has got us worried. “We’re going through it with our kids and we have no idea how to navigate this. “We’re worried, we’re scared, everything we’re seeing is negative, but we don’t know how to stop it. “Our daughter was 11 when she got a smart phone, it’s been the biggest disruptor between us and her, I feel like I lose her to it quite a bit. I miss her. “The only reason that we ever have any kind of bickering in our house is because of that.” Emma added: “We never allow them to have social media. Then when she was 14 she had been begging for a long time and we were like, ‘you can have snap chat’. And she’s literally on it all the time."
Russia shares lower at close of trade; MOEX Russia Index down 1.90%Miss something this week? Don't panic. CBC's Marketplace rounds up the consumer and health news you need. Want this in your inbox? Get the Marketplace newsletter every Friday . 1 in 7 ER visits in Canada are for conditions that could have been managed in primary care: report ERs under pressure from staffing shortages, respiratory illnesses 11 months ago Duration 1:55 Staffing shortages and a surge in respiratory illnesses are putting pressure on Canada's emergency rooms, and experts are urging people to update their vaccinations. Lack of access to family doctors and other primary care providers leaves more Canadians with no option than to go to the emergency department for care, new data suggests. About one in seven visits to the emergency department in Canada are for conditions that could have been managed by a family doctor or other primary care provider, like a nurse practitioner or pediatrician, and roughly half of those visits could have been managed virtually, according to the Canadian Institute for Health Information (CIHI). Thursday's report focuses on primary and virtual care access through the lens of visits to emergency departments between April 2023 and March 2024. The institute previously reported over five million Canadian adults say they don't have a family health provider, and even those who do say they experience major challenges getting access to timely care. Now, CIHI has developed a new indicator to gauge how hard it is to access care: emergency department visits for conditions that could potentially be managed in primary care. Sunita Karmakar-Hore, CIHI's manager of health system performance reporting in Toronto, said people who report that they don't have access to a doctor at a walk-in clinic or their own family doctor have slightly more visits to the emergency department for primary care conditions during weekdays. "What's surprising is that even for people that report that they do have access to a primary care doctor, the percentage of visits for conditions that could be managed in primary care is still high," said Karmakar-Hore. "It's about 13 per cent, and those visits are happening on the weekends." Read more . Air Canada's cheapest tickets on some routes will no longer include carry-on baggage Air Canada to ban carry-on bags for cheapest tickets 3 days ago Duration 2:03 Air Canada has announced its lowest-priced basic economy fare will no longer offer a free carry-on bag. Customers will now have to pay to check their overhead luggage starting in 2025. The free carry-on bag, once considered a given for even the most basic airplane seat, has received another blow. Air Canada has become the second major Canadian airline within the past year to make its cheapest ticket one without complimentary carry-on luggage on some flights. The airline said Wednesday that passengers who purchase the lowest-priced basic economy fare for North American and sun routes on or after Jan. 3, 2025, will only be allowed to bring one personal item, with no carry-on included, and will have to pay to check any bags beyond the personal item. Personal items include smaller bags such as purses or a computer bag that can be stowed under the seat in front of you. Carry-on luggage refers to duffel bags and small roller bags that would normally be stored in compartments above the seats. Those bags will now have to be checked before passengers go through security, at a fee of $35 for a first bag and $50 for a second. Any passenger who fails to check their bag before security and arrives at their gate with an ineligible carry-on will be required to check it — and to pay an elevated fee of $65. The change does not apply to those with Star Alliance Gold or certain other memberships. Read more . A pie heist? British chef out $45K in savoury meat pies after van stolen with 'tasty' goods inside This undated handout photo shows one of Tommy Banks' pies. (Tommy Banks/The Associated Press) First, thieves came for our cheese . Then, they came for ... well, more cheese . But now they're coming for savoury meat pies, and people are done . A British chef who lost 2,500 pies this week after thieves stole his van says "it's a real shame" that although police eventually recovered the van, the pies meant for a York Christmas market couldn't be salvaged. "It's just such a waste. It's just rubbish," chef Tommy Banks said in an Instagram video posted Tuesday. "Unfortunately not the news I was hoping to share," he added in the video description. Banks, who owns two Michelin-starred restaurants and a pub in the northern English county of Yorkshire, said a staff member discovered the van was missing, along with its cargo of steak and ale, turkey and butternut squash pies intended for a Christmas market in the city of York. In an earlier Instagram post , Banks explained that colleagues had loaded up their refrigerated van with stock over the weekend, then left it plugged in. When a colleague went to pick up the van Monday morning, it was gone. "I am guessing the thieves didn't realize they were stealing 2,500 pies along with the van," Banks added. In a statement posted Tuesday, North Yorkshire Police said they'd received a report on Monday "that a refrigerated vehicle containing valuable food stock including pies" had been stolen over the weekend. The van had actually been recovered — abandoned and with false plates — by Cleveland Police on Nov. 29. Cleveland Police stored the vehicle until they could perform a forensic investigation. Read more . What else is going on? One easy way to offset the damage of Trump's tariffs Long-standing trade barriers between the provinces and territories act as a drag on economic growth. Removing them could boost the economy by more than the damage expected from Donald Trump's tariffs. Drilling into oil and gas ads — how accurate are they? There is a lack of context in advertising campaigns related to the oil and gas industry, experts say. CBC's Nicole Mortillaro looks at three claims. Dollarama buys land for Calgary warehouse, targets 2,200 Canadian stores by 2034 The centre is expected to be in operation by the end of 2027. Marketplace needs your help! (David Abrahams/CBC) Are you locked into a contract for your home comfort system that you think is unfair? If you're paying too much for your furnace, water heater or other HVAC equipment, let us know. Email us at marketplace@cbc.ca . (David Abrahams/CBC) As we approach the holiday season, are you on the lookout for sales? Have you noticed any sales that aren't really a good deal? Send us your stories! marketplace@cbc.ca Mind Your Business is your weekly look at what's happening in the worlds of economics, business and finance. Subscribe now . (CBC) Catch up on past episodes of Marketplace on CBC Gem .12. Erosion of Public Trust:
Moreover, the COVID-19 pandemic has further accelerated the shift towards online consumption in China. With restrictions on physical retail stores and social distancing measures in place, more people turned to online shopping as a safer and more convenient alternative. This surge in online shopping activity has not only boosted e-commerce sales but also highlighted the importance of a reliable and efficient logistics system to support the growing demand.WASHINGTON — Donald Trump said he can't guarantee his promised tariffs on key U.S. foreign trade partners won't raise prices for American consumers and suggested once more that some political rivals and federal officials who pursued legal cases against him should be imprisoned. The president-elect, in a wide-ranging interview with NBC's "Meet the Press" that aired Sunday, also touched on monetary policy, immigration, abortion and health care, and U.S. involvement in Ukraine, Israel and elsewhere. Trump often mixed declarative statements with caveats, at one point cautioning "things do change." Here's a look at some of the issues covered: President-elect Donald Trump takes the stage before he speaks at the FOX Nation Patriot Awards, Thursday, Dec. 5, 2024, in Greenvale, N.Y. (AP Photo/Heather Khalifa) Trump hems on whether trade penalties could raise prices Trump threatened broad trade penalties, but said he didn't believe economists' predictions that added costs on those imported goods for American companies would lead to higher domestic prices for consumers. He stopped short of a pledge that U.S. an households won't be paying more as they shop. People are also reading... "I can't guarantee anything. I can't guarantee tomorrow," Trump said, seeming to open the door to accepting the reality of how import levies typically work as goods reach the retail market. That's a different approach from Trump's typical speeches throughout the 2024 campaign, when he framed his election as a sure way to curb inflation. In the interview, Trump defended tariffs generally, saying that tariffs are "going to make us rich." He has pledged that, on his first day in office in January, he would impose 25% tariffs on all goods imported from Mexico and Canada unless those countries satisfactorily stop illegal immigration and the flow of illegal drugs such as fentanyl into the United States. He also has threatened tariffs on China to help force that country to crack down on fentanyl production. "All I want to do is I want to have a level, fast, but fair playing field," Trump said. Biden is considering preemptive pardons for officials and allies before Trump takes office Trump suggests retribution for his opponents while claiming no interest in vengeance He offered conflicting statements on how he would approach the justice system after winning election despite being convicted of 34 felonies in a New York state court and being indicted in other cases for his handling of national security secrets and efforts to overturn his 2020 loss to Democrat Joe Biden. "Honestly, they should go to jail," Trump said of members of Congress who investigated the Capitol riot by his supporters who wanted him to remain in power. The president-elect underscored his contention that he can use the justice system against others, including special prosecutor Jack Smith, who led the case on Trump's role in the siege on Jan. 6, 2021. Trump confirmed his plan to pardon supporters who were convicted for their roles in the riot, saying he would take that action on his first day in office. As for the idea of revenge driving potential prosecutions, Trump said: "I have the absolute right. I'm the chief law enforcement officer, you do know that. I'm the president. But I'm not interested in that." At the same time, Trump singled out lawmakers on a special House committee who investigated the insurrection, citing Rep. Bennie Thompson, D-Miss., and former Rep. Liz Cheney, R-Wyo. "Cheney was behind it ... so was Bennie Thompson and everybody on that committee," Trump said. Asked specifically whether he would direct his administration to pursue cases, he said, "No," and suggested he did not expect the FBI to quickly undertake investigations into his political enemies. At another point, Trump said he would leave the matter up to Pam Bondi, his pick as attorney general. "I want her to do what she wants to do," he said. Such threats, regardless of Trump's inconsistencies, have been taken seriously enough by many top Democrats that Biden is considering issuing blanket, preemptive pardons to protect key members of his outgoing administration. Trump did seemingly back off his campaign rhetoric calling for Biden to be investigated, saying, "I'm not looking to go back into the past." Immigration advocates hold a rally in Sacramento, Calif. on Monday, Dec. 2, 2024, to protest President-Elect Donald Trump's plans to conduct mass deportation of immigrants without legal status. (AP Photo/Haven Daley) Swift action on immigration is coming Trump repeatedly mentioned his promises to seal the U.S.-Mexico border and deport millions of people who are in the U.S. illegally through a mass deportation program. "I think you have to do it," he said. He suggested he would try to use executive action to end "birthright" citizenship under which people born in the U.S. are considered citizens — though such protections are spelled out in the Constitution. Asked specifically about the future for people who were brought into the country illegally as children and were shielded from deportation in recent years, Trump said, "I want to work something out," indicating he might seek a solution with Congress. But Trump also said he does not "want to be breaking up families" of mixed legal status, "so the only way you don't break up the family is you keep them together and you have to send them all back." Trump commits to NATO, with conditions, and waffles on Putin and Ukraine Long a critic of NATO members for not spending more on their own defense, Trump said he "absolutely" would remain in the alliance "if they pay their bills." Pressed on whether he would withdraw if he were dissatisfied with allies' commitments, Trump said he wants the U.S. treated "fairly" on trade and defense. He waffled on a NATO priority of containing Russia and President Vladimir Putin. Trump suggested Ukraine should prepare for less U.S. aid in its defense against Putin's invasion. "Possibly. Yeah, probably. Sure," Trump said of reducing Ukraine assistance from Washington. Separately, Trump called for an immediate cease-fire. Asked about Putin, Trump said initially that he has not talked to the Russian leader since Election Day last month, but then hedged. "I haven't spoken to him recently," Trump said when pressed, adding that he did not want to "impede the negotiation." Federal Reserve Board Chairman Jerome Powell speaks during a news conference at the Federal Reserve in Washington, Thursday, Nov. 7, 2024. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein) Trump says Powell is safe at the Fed, but not Wray at the FBI The president-elect said he has no intention, at least for now, of asking Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell to step down before Powell's term ends in 2028. Trump said during the campaign that presidents should have more say in Fed policy, including interest rates. Trump did not offer any job assurances for FBI Director Christopher Wray, whose term is to end in 2027. Asked about Wray, Trump said: "Well, I mean, it would sort of seem pretty obvious" that if the Senate confirms Kash Patel as Trump's pick for FBI chief, then "he's going to be taking somebody's place, right? Somebody is the man that you're talking about." Trump is absolute about Social Security, not so much on abortion and health insurance Trump promised that the government efficiency effort led by Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy will not threaten Social Security. "We're not touching Social Security, other than we make it more efficient," he said. He added that "we're not raising ages or any of that stuff." He was not so specific about abortion or his long-promised overhaul of the Affordable Care Act. On abortion, Trump continued his inconsistencies and said he would "probably" not move to restrict access to the abortion pills that now account for a majority of pregnancy terminations, according to the Guttmacher Institute, which supports abortion rights. But pressed on whether he would commit to that position, Trump replied, "Well, I commit. I mean, are — things do — things change. I think they change." Reprising a line from his Sept. 10 debate against Vice President Kamala Harris, Trump again said he had "concepts" of a plan to substitute for the 2010 Affordable Care Act, which he called "lousy health care." He added a promise that any Trump version would maintain insurance protections for Americans with preexisting health conditions. He did not explain how such a design would be different from the status quo or how he could deliver on his desire for "better health care for less money." Here are the people Trump picked for key positions so far President-elect Donald Trump Among President-elect Donald Trump's picks are Susie Wiles for chief of staff, Florida Sen. Marco Rubio for secretary of state, former Democratic House member Tulsi Gabbard for director of national intelligence and Florida Rep. Matt Gaetz for attorney general. Susie Wiles, White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles, 67, was a senior adviser to Trump's 2024 presidential campaign and its de facto manager. Marco Rubio, Secretary of State Trump named Florida Sen. Marco Rubio to be secretary of state, making a former sharp critic his choice to be the new administration's top diplomat. Rubio, 53, is a noted hawk on China, Cuba and Iran, and was a finalist to be Trump's running mate on the Republican ticket last summer. Rubio is the vice chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee and a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. “He will be a strong Advocate for our Nation, a true friend to our Allies, and a fearless Warrior who will never back down to our adversaries,” Trump said of Rubio in a statement. The announcement punctuates the hard pivot Rubio has made with Trump, whom the senator called a “con man" during his unsuccessful campaign for the 2016 GOP presidential nomination. Their relationship improved dramatically while Trump was in the White House. And as Trump campaigned for the presidency a third time, Rubio cheered his proposals. For instance, Rubio, who more than a decade ago helped craft immigration legislation that included a path to citizenship for people in the U.S. illegally, now supports Trump's plan to use the U.S. military for mass deportations. Pete Hegseth, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, 44, is a co-host of Fox News Channel’s “Fox & Friends Weekend” and has been a contributor with the network since 2014, where he developed a friendship with Trump, who made regular appearances on the show. Hegseth lacks senior military or national security experience. If confirmed by the Senate, he would inherit the top job during a series of global crises — ranging from Russia’s war in Ukraine and the ongoing attacks in the Middle East by Iranian proxies to the push for a cease-fire between Israel, Hamas and Hezbollah and escalating worries about the growing alliance between Russia and North Korea. Hegseth is also the author of “The War on Warriors: Behind the Betrayal of the Men Who Keep Us Free,” published earlier this year. Pam Bondi, Attorney General Trump tapped Pam Bondi, 59, to be attorney general after U.S. Rep. Matt Gaetz withdrew his name from consideration. She was Florida's first female attorney general, serving between 2011 and 2019. She also was on Trump’s legal team during his first impeachment trial in 2020. Considered a loyalist, she served as part of a Trump-allied outside group that helped lay the groundwork for his future administration called the America First Policy Institute. Bondi was among a group of Republicans who showed up to support Trump at his hush money criminal trial in New York that ended in May with a conviction on 34 felony counts. A fierce defender of Trump, she also frequently appears on Fox News and has been a critic of the criminal cases against him. Kristi Noem, Secretary of Homeland Security Trump picked South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem, a well-known conservative who faced sharp criticism for telling a story in her memoir about shooting a rambunctious dog, to lead an agency crucial to the president-elect’s hardline immigration agenda. Noem used her two terms leading a tiny state to vault to a prominent position in Republican politics. South Dakota is usually a political afterthought. But during the COVID-19 pandemic, Noem did not order restrictions that other states had issued and instead declared her state “open for business.” Trump held a fireworks rally at Mount Rushmore in July 2020 in one of the first large gatherings of the pandemic. She takes over a department with a sprawling mission. In addition to key immigration agencies, the Department of Homeland Security oversees natural disaster response, the U.S. Secret Service, and Transportation Security Administration agents who work at airports. Doug Burgum, Secretary of the Interior The governor of North Dakota, who was once little-known outside his state, Burgum is a former Republican presidential primary contender who endorsed Trump, and spent months traveling to drum up support for him, after dropping out of the race. Burgum was a serious contender to be Trump’s vice presidential choice this summer. The two-term governor was seen as a possible pick because of his executive experience and business savvy. Burgum also has close ties to deep-pocketed energy industry CEOs. Trump made the announcement about Burgum joining his incoming administration while addressing a gala at his Mar-a-Lago club, and said a formal statement would be coming the following day. In comments to reporters before Trump took the stage, Burgum said that, in recent years, the power grid is deteriorating in many parts of the country, which he said could raise national security concerns but also drive up prices enough to increase inflation. “There's just a sense of urgency, and a sense of understanding in the Trump administration,” Burgum said. Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr. ran for president as a Democrat, than as an independent, and then endorsed Trump . He's the son of Democratic icon Robert Kennedy, who was assassinated during his own presidential campaign. The nomination of Kennedy to lead the Department of Health and Human Services alarmed people who are concerned about his record of spreading unfounded fears about vaccines . For example, he has long advanced the debunked idea that vaccines cause autism. Scott Bessent, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, 62, is a former George Soros money manager and an advocate for deficit reduction. He's the founder of hedge fund Key Square Capital Management, after having worked on-and-off for Soros Fund Management since 1991. If confirmed by the Senate, he would be the nation’s first openly gay treasury secretary. He told Bloomberg in August that he decided to join Trump’s campaign in part to attack the mounting U.S. national debt. That would include slashing government programs and other spending. “This election cycle is the last chance for the U.S. to grow our way out of this mountain of debt without becoming a sort of European-style socialist democracy,” he said then. Lori Chavez-DeRemer, Labor Secretary Oregon Republican U.S. Rep. Lori Chavez-DeRemer narrowly lost her reelection bid this month, but received strong backing from union members in her district. As a potential labor secretary, she would oversee the Labor Department’s workforce, its budget and put forth priorities that impact workers’ wages, health and safety, ability to unionize, and employer’s rights to fire employers, among other responsibilities. Chavez-DeRemer is one of few House Republicans to endorse the “Protecting the Right to Organize” or PRO Act would allow more workers to conduct organizing campaigns and would add penalties for companies that violate workers’ rights. The act would also weaken “right-to-work” laws that allow employees in more than half the states to avoid participating in or paying dues to unions that represent workers at their places of employment. Scott Turner, Housing and Urban Development Scott Turner is a former NFL player and White House aide. He ran the White House Opportunity and Revitalization Council during Trump’s first term in office. Trump, in a statement, credited Turner, the highest-ranking Black person he’s yet selected for his administration, with “helping to lead an Unprecedented Effort that Transformed our Country’s most distressed communities.” Sean Duffy, Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy is a former House member from Wisconsin who was one of Trump's most visible defenders on cable news. Duffy served in the House for nearly nine years, sitting on the Financial Services Committee and chairing the subcommittee on insurance and housing. He left Congress in 2019 for a TV career and has been the host of “The Bottom Line” on Fox Business. Before entering politics, Duffy was a reality TV star on MTV, where he met his wife, “Fox and Friends Weekend” co-host Rachel Campos-Duffy. They have nine children. Chris Wright, Secretary of Energy A campaign donor and CEO of Denver-based Liberty Energy, Write is a vocal advocate of oil and gas development, including fracking — a key pillar of Trump’s quest to achieve U.S. “energy dominance” in the global market. Wright also has been one of the industry’s loudest voices against efforts to fight climate change. He said the climate movement around the world is “collapsing under its own weight.” The Energy Department is responsible for advancing energy, environmental and nuclear security of the United States. Wright also won support from influential conservatives, including oil and gas tycoon Harold Hamm. Hamm, executive chairman of Oklahoma-based Continental Resources, a major shale oil company, is a longtime Trump supporter and adviser who played a key role on energy issues in Trump’s first term. Linda McMahon, Secretary of Education President-elect Donald Trump tapped billionaire professional wrestling mogul Linda McMahon to be secretary of the Education Department, tasked with overseeing an agency Trump promised to dismantle. McMahon led the Small Business Administration during Trump’s initial term from 2017 to 2019 and twice ran unsuccessfully as a Republican for the U.S. Senate in Connecticut. She’s seen as a relative unknown in education circles, though she expressed support for charter schools and school choice. She served on the Connecticut Board of Education for a year starting in 2009 and has spent years on the board of trustees for Sacred Heart University in Connecticut. Brooke Rollins, Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins, who graduated from Texas A&M University with a degree in agricultural development, is a longtime Trump associate who served as White House domestic policy chief during his first presidency. The 52-year-old is president and CEO of the America First Policy Institute, a group helping to lay the groundwork for a second Trump administration. She previously served as an aide to former Texas Gov. Rick Perry and ran a think tank, the Texas Public Policy Foundation. Howard Lutnick, Secretary of Commerce Trump chose Howard Lutnick, head of brokerage and investment bank Cantor Fitzgerald and a cryptocurrency enthusiast, as his nominee for commerce secretary, a position in which he'd have a key role in carrying out Trump's plans to raise and enforce tariffs. Trump made the announcement Tuesday on his social media platform, Truth Social. Lutnick is a co-chair of Trump’s transition team, along with Linda McMahon, the former wrestling executive who previously led Trump’s Small Business Administration. Both are tasked with putting forward candidates for key roles in the next administration. The nomination would put Lutnick in charge of a sprawling Cabinet agency that is involved in funding new computer chip factories, imposing trade restrictions, releasing economic data and monitoring the weather. It is also a position in which connections to CEOs and the wider business community are crucial. Doug Collins, Secretary of Veterans Affairs Doug Collins is a former Republican congressman from Georgia who gained recognition for defending Trump during his first impeachment trial, which centered on U.S. assistance for Ukraine. Trump was impeached for urging Ukraine to investigate Joe Biden in 2019 during the Democratic presidential nomination, but he was acquitted by the Senate. Collins has also served in the armed forces himself and is currently a chaplain in the United States Air Force Reserve Command. "We must take care of our brave men and women in uniform, and Doug will be a great advocate for our Active Duty Servicemembers, Veterans, and Military Families to ensure they have the support they need," Trump said in a statement about nominating Collins to lead the Department of Veterans Affairs. Karoline Leavitt, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt, 27, was Trump's campaign press secretary and currently a spokesperson for his transition. She would be the youngest White House press secretary in history. The White House press secretary typically serves as the public face of the administration and historically has held daily briefings for the press corps. Leavitt, a New Hampshire native, was a spokesperson for MAGA Inc., a super PAC supporting Trump, before joining his 2024 campaign. In 2022, she ran for Congress in New Hampshire, winning a 10-way Republican primary before losing to Democratic Rep. Chris Pappas. Leavitt worked in the White House press office during Trump's first term before she became communications director for New York Republican Rep. Elise Stefanik, Trump's choice for U.S. ambassador to the United Nations. Tulsi Gabbard, National Intelligence Director Former Hawaii Rep. Tulsi Gabbard has been tapped by Trump to be director of national intelligence, keeping with the trend to stock his Cabinet with loyal personalities rather than veteran professionals in their requisite fields. Gabbard, 43, was a Democratic House member who unsuccessfully sought the party's 2020 presidential nomination before leaving the party in 2022. She endorsed Trump in August and campaigned often with him this fall. “I know Tulsi will bring the fearless spirit that has defined her illustrious career to our Intelligence Community,” Trump said in a statement. Gabbard, who has served in the Army National Guard for more than two decades, deploying to Iraq and Kuwait, would come to the role as somewhat of an outsider compared to her predecessor. The current director, Avril Haines, was confirmed by the Senate in 2021 following several years in a number of top national security and intelligence positions. John Ratcliffe, Central Intelligence Agency Director Trump has picked John Ratcliffe, a former Texas congressman who served as director of national intelligence during his first administration, to be director of the Central Intelligence Agency in his next. Ratcliffe was director of national intelligence during the final year and a half of Trump's first term, leading the U.S. government's spy agencies during the coronavirus pandemic. “I look forward to John being the first person ever to serve in both of our Nation's highest Intelligence positions,” Trump said in a statement, calling him a “fearless fighter for the Constitutional Rights of all Americans” who would ensure “the Highest Levels of National Security, and PEACE THROUGH STRENGTH.” Kash Patel, Federal Bureau of Investigation Director Kash Patel spent several years as a Justice Department prosecutor before catching the Trump administration’s attention as a staffer on Capitol Hill who helped investigate the Russia probe. Patel called for dramatically reducing the agency’s footprint, a perspective that sets him apart from earlier directors who sought additional resources for the bureau. Though the Justice Department in 2021 halted the practice of secretly seizing reporters’ phone records during leak investigations, Patel said he intends to aggressively hunt down government officials who leak information to reporters. Lee Zeldin, Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Trump has chosen former New York Rep. Lee Zeldin to serve as his pick to lead the Environmental Protection Agency . Zeldin does not appear to have any experience in environmental issues, but is a longtime supporter of the former president. The 44-year-old former U.S. House member from New York wrote on X , “We will restore US energy dominance, revitalize our auto industry to bring back American jobs, and make the US the global leader of AI.” “We will do so while protecting access to clean air and water,” he added. During his campaign, Trump often attacked the Biden administration's promotion of electric vehicles, and incorrectly referring to a tax credit for EV purchases as a government mandate. Trump also often told his audiences during the campaign his administration would “Drill, baby, drill,” referring to his support for expanded petroleum exploration. In a statement, Trump said Zeldin “will ensure fair and swift deregulatory decisions that will be enacted in a way to unleash the power of American businesses, while at the same time maintaining the highest environmental standards, including the cleanest air and water on the planet.” Brendan Carr, Chairman of the Federal Communications Commission Trump has named Brendan Carr, the senior Republican on the Federal Communications Commission, as the new chairman of the agency tasked with regulating broadcasting, telecommunications and broadband. Carr is a longtime member of the commission and served previously as the FCC’s general counsel. He has been unanimously confirmed by the Senate three times and was nominated by both Trump and President Joe Biden to the commission. Carr made past appearances on “Fox News Channel," including when he decried Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris' pre-Election Day appearance on “Saturday Night Live.” He wrote an op-ed last month defending a satellite company owned by Trump supporter Elon Musk. Paul Atkins, Chair of the Securities and Exchange Commission Trump said Atkins, the CEO of Patomak Partners and a former SEC commissioner, was a “proven leader for common sense regulations.” In the years since leaving the SEC, Atkins has made the case against too much market regulation. “He believes in the promise of robust, innovative capital markets that are responsive to the needs of Investors, & that provide capital to make our Economy the best in the World. He also recognizes that digital assets & other innovations are crucial to Making America Greater than Ever Before,” Trump wrote on Truth Social. The commission oversees U.S. securities markets and investments and is currently led by Gary Gensler, who has been leading the U.S. government’s crackdown on the crypto industry. Gensler, who was nominated by President Joe Biden, announced last month that he would be stepping down from his post on the day that Trump is inaugurated — Jan. 20, 2025. Atkins began his career as a lawyer and has a long history working in the financial markets sector, both in government and private practice. In the 1990s, he worked on the staffs of two former SEC chairmen, Richard C. Breeden and Arthur Levitt. Jared Isaacman, NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman, 41, is a tech billionaire who bought a series of spaceflights from Elon Musk’s SpaceX and conducted the first private spacewalk . He is the founder and CEO of a card-processing company and has collaborated closely with Musk ever since buying his first chartered SpaceX flight. He took contest winners on that 2021 trip and followed it in September with a mission where he briefly popped out the hatch to test SpaceX’s new spacewalking suits. Elise Stefanik, Ambassador to the United Nations Rep. Elise Stefanik is a representative from New York and one of Trump's staunchest defenders going back to his first impeachment. Elected to the House in 2014, Stefanik was selected by her GOP House colleagues as House Republican Conference chair in 2021, when former Wyoming Rep. Liz Cheney was removed from the post after publicly criticizing Trump for falsely claiming he won the 2020 election. Stefanik, 40, has served in that role ever since as the third-ranking member of House leadership. Stefanik’s questioning of university presidents over antisemitism on their campuses helped lead to two of those presidents resigning, further raising her national profile. If confirmed, she would represent American interests at the U.N. as Trump vows to end the war waged by Russia against Ukraine begun in 2022. He has also called for peace as Israel continues its offensive against Hamas in Gaza and its invasion of Lebanon to target Hezbollah. Matt Whitaker, Ambassador to NATO President-elect Donald Trump says he's chosen former acting Attorney General Matt Whitaker to serve as U.S. ambassador to NATO. Trump has expressed skepticism about the Western military alliance for years. Trump said in a statement Wednesday that Whitaker is “a strong warrior and loyal Patriot” who “will ensure the United States’ interests are advanced and defended” and “strengthen relationships with our NATO Allies, and stand firm in the face of threats to Peace and Stability.” The choice of Whitaker as the nation’s representative to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization is an unusual one, given his background is as a lawyer and not in foreign policy. David Perdue, Ambassador to China President-elect Donald Trump tapped former Sen. David Perdue of Georgia to be ambassador to China, saying in a social media post that the former CEO “brings valuable expertise to help build our relationship with China.” Perdue lost his Senate seat to Democrat Jon Ossoff four years ago and ran unsuccessfully in a primary against Republican Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp. Perdue pushed Trump's debunked lies about electoral fraud during his failed bid for governor. Pete Hoekstra, Ambassador to Canada A Republican congressman from Michigan who served from 1993 to 2011, Hoekstra was ambassador to the Netherlands during Trump's first term. “In my Second Term, Pete will help me once again put AMERICA FIRST,” Trump said in a statement announcing his choice. “He did an outstanding job as United States Ambassador to the Netherlands during our first four years, and I am confident that he will continue to represent our Country well in this new role.” Mike Huckabee, Ambassador to Israel Trump will nominate former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee to be ambassador to Israel. Huckabee is a staunch defender of Israel and his intended nomination comes as Trump has promised to align U.S. foreign policy more closely with Israel's interests as it wages wars against the Iran-backed Hamas and Hezbollah. “He loves Israel, and likewise the people of Israel love him,” Trump said in a statement. “Mike will work tirelessly to bring about peace in the Middle East.” Huckabee, who ran unsuccessfully for the Republican presidential nomination in 2008 and 2016, has been a popular figure among evangelical Christian conservatives, many of whom support Israel due to Old Testament writings that Jews are God’s chosen people and that Israel is their rightful homeland. Trump has been praised by some in this important Republican voting bloc for moving the U.S. embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. Steven Witkoff, Special Envoy to the Middle East Trump on Tuesday named real estate investor Steven Witkoff to be special envoy to the Middle East. The 67-year-old Witkoff is the president-elect's golf partner and was golfing with him at Trump's club in West Palm Beach, Florida, on Sept. 15, when the former president was the target of a second attempted assassination. Witkoff “is a Highly Respected Leader in Business and Philanthropy,” Trump said of Witkoff in a statement. “Steve will be an unrelenting Voice for PEACE, and make us all proud." Trump also named Witkoff co-chair, with former Georgia Sen. Kelly Loeffler, of his inaugural committee. Keith Kellogg, Special Envoy for Ukraine and Russia Trump said Wednesday that he will nominate Gen. Keith Kellogg to serve as assistant to the president and special envoy for Ukraine and Russia. Kellogg, a retired Army lieutenant general who has long been Trump’s top adviser on defense issues, served as National Security Advisor to Trump's former Vice President Mike Pence. For the America First Policy Institute, one of several groups formed after Trump left office to help lay the groundwork for the next Republican administration, Kellogg in April wrote that “bringing the Russia-Ukraine war to a close will require strong, America First leadership to deliver a peace deal and immediately end the hostilities between the two warring parties.” (AP Photo/Mariam Zuhaib) Mike Waltz, National Security Adviser Trump asked Rep. Michael Waltz, R-Fla., a retired Army National Guard officer and war veteran, to be his national security adviser, Trump announced in a statement Tuesday. The move puts Waltz in the middle of national security crises, ranging from efforts to provide weapons to Ukraine and worries about the growing alliance between Russia and North Korea to the persistent attacks in the Middle East by Iran proxies and the push for a cease-fire between Israel and Hamas and Hezbollah. “Mike has been a strong champion of my America First Foreign Policy agenda,” Trump's statement said, "and will be a tremendous champion of our pursuit of Peace through Strength!” Waltz is a three-term GOP congressman from east-central Florida. He served multiple tours in Afghanistan and also worked in the Pentagon as a policy adviser when Donald Rumsfeld and Robert Gates were defense chiefs. He is considered hawkish on China, and called for a U.S. boycott of the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing due to its involvement in the origin of COVID-19 and its mistreatment of the minority Muslim Uighur population. Stephen Miller, Deputy Chief of Staff for Policy Stephen Miller, an immigration hardliner , was a vocal spokesperson during the presidential campaign for Trump's priority of mass deportations. The 39-year-old was a senior adviser during Trump's first administration. Miller has been a central figure in some of Trump's policy decisions, notably his move to separate thousands of immigrant families. Trump argued throughout the campaign that the nation's economic, national security and social priorities could be met by deporting people who are in the United States illegally. Since Trump left office in 2021, Miller has served as the president of America First Legal, an organization made up of former Trump advisers aimed at challenging the Biden administration, media companies, universities and others over issues such as free speech and national security. Tom Homan, ‘Border Czar’ Thomas Homan, 62, has been tasked with Trump’s top priority of carrying out the largest deportation operation in the nation’s history. Homan, who served under Trump in his first administration leading U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, was widely expected to be offered a position related to the border, an issue Trump made central to his campaign. Though Homan has insisted such a massive undertaking would be humane, he has long been a loyal supporter of Trump's policy proposals, suggesting at a July conference in Washington that he would be willing to "run the biggest deportation operation this country’s ever seen.” Democrats have criticized Homan for his defending Trump's “zero tolerance” policy on border crossings during his first administration, which led to the separation of thousands of parents and children seeking asylum at the border. Rodney Scott, Customs and Border Protection Commissioner Customs and Border Protection, with its roughly 60,000 employees, falls under the Department of Homeland Security. It includes the Border Patrol, which Rodney Scott led during Trump's first term, and is essentially responsible for protecting the country's borders while facilitating trade and travel. Scott comes to the job firmly from the Border Patrol side of the house. He became an agent in 1992 and spent much of his career in San Diego. When he was appointed head of the border agency in January 2020, he enthusiastically embraced Trump's policies. After being forced out under the Biden administration, Scott has been a vocal supporter of Trump's hard-line immigration agenda. He appeared frequently on Fox News and testified in Congress. He's also a senior fellow at the Texas Public Policy Foundation. Billy Long, Internal Revenue Service commissioner Former Rep. Billy Long represented Missouri in the U.S. House from 2011 to 2023. Since leaving Congress, Trump said, Long “has worked as a Business and Tax advisor, helping Small Businesses navigate the complexities of complying with the IRS Rules and Regulations.” Kelly Loeffler, Small Business Administration administrator Former Georgia Sen. Kelly Loeffler was appointed in January 2020 by Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp and then lost a runoff election a year later. She started a conservative voter registration organization and dived into GOP fundraising, becoming one of the top individual donors and bundlers to Trump’s 2024 comeback campaign. Even before nominating her for agriculture secretary, the president-elect already had tapped Loeffler as co-chair of his inaugural committee. Dr. Mehmet Oz, Centers for Medicaid and Medicare Services administrator Dr. Mehmet Oz, 64, is a former heart surgeon who hosted “The Dr. Oz Show,” a long-running daytime television talk show. He ran unsuccessfully for the U.S. Senate as the Republican nominee in 2022 and is an outspoken supporter of Trump, who endorsed Oz's bid for elected office. Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy to advise White House on government efficiency Elon Musk, left, and Vivek Ramaswamy speak before Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump at an Oct. 27 campaign rally at Madison Square Garden in New York. Trump on Tuesday said Musk and former Republican presidential candidate Ramaswamy will lead a new “Department of Government Efficiency" — which is not, despite the name, a government agency. The acronym “DOGE” is a nod to Musk's favorite cryptocurrency, dogecoin. Trump said Musk and Ramaswamy will work from outside the government to offer the White House “advice and guidance” and will partner with the Office of Management and Budget to “drive large scale structural reform, and create an entrepreneurial approach to Government never seen before.” He added the move would shock government systems. It's not clear how the organization will operate. Musk, owner of X and CEO of Tesla and SpaceX, has been a constant presence at Mar-a-Lago since Trump won the presidential election. Ramaswamy suspended his campaign in January and threw his support behind Trump. Trump said the two will “pave the way for my Administration to dismantle Government Bureaucracy, slash excess regulations, cut wasteful expenditures, and restructure Federal Agencies.” Russell Vought, Office of Management and Budget Russell Vought held the position during Trump’s first presidency. After Trump’s initial term ended, Vought founded the Center for Renewing America, a think tank that describes its mission as “renew a consensus of America as a nation under God.” Vought was closely involved with Project 2025, a conservative blueprint for Trump’s second term that he tried to distance himself from during the campaign. Vought has also previously worked as the executive and budget director for the Republican Study Committee, a caucus for conservative House Republicans. He also worked at Heritage Action, the political group tied to The Heritage Foundation, a conservative think tank. Additional selections to the incoming White House Dan Scavino, deputy chief of staff Scavino, whom Trump's transition referred to in a statement as one of “Trump's longest serving and most trusted aides,” was a senior adviser to Trump's 2024 campaign, as well as his 2016 and 2020 campaigns. He will be deputy chief of staff and assistant to the president. Scavino had run Trump's social media profile in the White House during his first administration. He was also held in contempt of Congress in 2022 after a month-long refusal to comply with a subpoena from the House committee’s investigation into the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol. James Blair, deputy chief of staff Blair was political director for Trump's 2024 campaign and for the Republican National Committee. He will be deputy chief of staff for legislative, political and public affairs and assistant to the president. Blair was key to Trump's economic messaging during his winning White House comeback campaign this year, a driving force behind the candidate's “Trump can fix it” slogan and his query to audiences this fall if they were better off than four years ago. Taylor Budowich, deputy chief of staff Budowich is a veteran Trump campaign aide who launched and directed Make America Great Again, Inc., a super PAC that supported Trump's 2024 campaign. He will be deputy chief of staff for communications and personnel and assistant to the president. Budowich also had served as a spokesman for Trump after his presidency. Jay Bhattacharya, National Institutes of Health Trump has chosen Dr. Jay Bhattacharya to lead the National Institutes of Health. Bhattacharya is a physician and professor at Stanford University School of Medicine, and is a critic of pandemic lockdowns and vaccine mandates. He promoted the idea of herd immunity during the pandemic, arguing that people at low risk should live normally while building up immunity to COVID-19 through infection. The National Institutes of Health funds medical research through competitive grants to researchers at institutions throughout the nation. NIH also conducts its own research with thousands of scientists working at its labs in Bethesda, Maryland. Dr. Marty Makary, Food and Drug Administration Makary is a Johns Hopkins surgeon and author who argued against pandemic lockdowns. He routinely appeared on Fox News during the COVID-19 pandemic and wrote opinion articles questioning masks for children. He cast doubt on vaccine mandates but supported vaccines generally. Makary also cast doubt on whether booster shots worked, which was against federal recommendations on the vaccine. Dr. Janette Nesheiwat, Surgeon General Nesheiwat is a general practitioner who serves as medical director for CityMD, a network of urgent care centers in New York and New Jersey. She has been a contributor to Fox News. Dr. Dave Weldon, U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Weldon is a former Florida congressman who recently ran for a Florida state legislative seat and lost; Trump backed Weldon’s opponent. In Congress, Weldon weighed in on one of the nation’s most heated debates of the 1990s over quality of life and a right-to-die and whether Terri Schiavo, who was in a persistent vegetative state after cardiac arrest, should have been allowed to have her feeding tube removed. He sided with the parents who did not want it removed. Jamieson Greer, U.S. trade representative Kevin Hassett, Director of the White House National Economic Council Trump is turning to two officials with experience navigating not only Washington but the key issues of income taxes and tariffs as he fills out his economic team. He announced he has chosen international trade attorney Jamieson Greer to be his U.S. trade representative and Kevin Hassett as director of the White House National Economic Council. While Trump has in several cases nominated outsiders to key posts, these picks reflect a recognition that his reputation will likely hinge on restoring the public’s confidence in the economy. Trump said in a statement that Greer was instrumental in his first term in imposing tariffs on China and others and replacing the trade agreement with Canada and Mexico, “therefore making it much better for American Workers.” Hassett, 62, served in the first Trump term as chairman of the Council of Economic Advisers. He has a doctorate from the University of Pennsylvania and worked at the right-leaning American Enterprise Institute before joining the Trump White House in 2017. Get Government & Politics updates in your inbox! Stay up-to-date on the latest in local and national government and political topics with our newsletter.MIAMI — Two wealthy Miami Beach brothers accused of raping a woman while she was pinned down in a high-rise condo were granted bail by a Miami-Dade circuit judge on Friday — but they’re not going to be released because they face separate federal sex-trafficking charges along with a third brother, who is already in U.S. custody. Twin brothers Oren and Alon Alexander, 37, obtained a $3 million bond and a $2 million bond, respectively, that are secured by their father’s home in Bal Harbour — bail packages that were approved by Miami-Dade Circuit Judge Lody Jean on Friday. The twin brothers, who were in court Friday morning, entered not guilty pleas through their attorney. Oren was wearing a red jail jumpsuit, designated for high-profile inmates, and Alon was in a suicide-prevention vest. Both Oren and Alon Alexander will now be transferred to federal custody to face a separate sex-trafficking conspiracy case. The twins, along with their older brother, Tal Alexander — who have made fortunes as real estate brokers in Miami Beach and New York City — were arrested Wednesday in their Miami Beach homes by local police and FBI agents. The arrests are connected to the state attorney’s sexual battery cases in Miami and the federal sex-trafficking case in Manhattan. The arrests culminated parallel criminal investigations into allegations of rape and sex-trafficking against the once-superstar luxury real estate brokers and their older brother, Tal, 38, who is in federal custody in Miami awaiting a detention hearing on Friday afternoon. Federal prosecutors plan to ask a Miami magistrate judge to detain Tal, who is only charged in the FBI-led sex-trafficking investigation. On Thursday, Miami-Dade Circuit Judge Mindy Glazer called the twin brothers’ alleged rape of a woman identified as “M.W.” at a Collins Avenue condo on New Year’s Eve in 2016 a “dangerous crime” that required her to hold them until their detention hearing on Friday. She also issued stay-away orders, ordering them to make no contact with M.W. The brothers’ Miami defense attorney, Joel Denaro, put together the bond package. Additionally, Glazer granted Oren Alexander two $25,000 bonds with house arrest on two other sexual battery charges while also issuing stay-away orders regarding two other alleged rape victims identified as “M.G.” and “S.M.” During the morning hearing on Thursday, Oren blurted out that his wife is nine months pregnant and that he wants to be with her when she delivers their baby, saying “I would like to be able go to the hospital if my wife’s in labor.” Whether he’s granted that opportunity will depend on Friday’s detention hearing. Oren’s arraignment on the three sexual battery charges is scheduled for Monday. Three alleged rapes in Miami Beach Locally, Oren Alexander has been charged with rape in three separate incidents. The first alleged incident was during a 2016 New Year’s Eve gathering at a Collins Avenue condo in Miami Beach. The victim said, according to the arrest report, Alon Alexander invited her to the condo saying they were having a party. The two knew each other from New York City. When she arrived, Alon introduced her to Oren and Ohad Fisherman, their friend. (The State Attorney’s Office had erroneously identified Fisherman as their cousin.) Alon led her into a bedroom and Oren and Fisherman followed. There, the arrest report says, she was pinned by Fisherman while the Alexander twins argued over who would assault her first. She claims she was raped by Oren, before Alon raped her as his brother watched. On Friday, Fisherman’s defense lawyer, Jeffrey Sloman, and Miami-Dade prosecutor Natalie Snyder reached an agreement to quash his arrest warrant so he can surrender to state authorities on Wednesday . Sloman told Judge Jean that Fisherman is returning on Tuesday to Miami from Japan, where he and his wife have been on their honeymoon. Lody approved the arrangement and scheduled Fisherman’s arraignment for Wednesday. In the state case, Oren Alexander is also accused of rape on Oct. 20, 2017. The victim said she met Oren and a friend for dinner, followed by an evening at a real-estate event in Hallandale Beach and later drinks at a bar. She had one drink before leaving with Oren and agreeing to go to the Collins Avenue condo for a drink. At the condo, the woman drank a glass of wine and put on a pair of virtual reality goggles. She alleges Oren undressed her without consent, moved her to his bedroom and sexually assaulted her while she had the glasses on. A few weeks later, the woman met with Oren to discuss her concerns, according to the report. When she wouldn’t allow him to kiss her, the woman he began to masturbate and ejaculated on her stomach. She said Oren texted her later with a threat to “ruin” her if she mentioned anything about the incident. Another woman claimed Oren raped her in 2021. The arrest form says the two met for dinner and then took a boat to his Miami Beach home. He then took her phone, saying no pictures permitted. Then, she said, a tour of his home led her to a sitting area near the bedroom. He got aggressive. As she tried to get away, the woman said Oren ripped her dress. When the woman realized the doors were locked remotely, she said Oren Alexander mounted and assaulted her, before ejaculating on her stomach. The friend of the Alexander brothers, Fisherman, is also facing a sexual battery charge accusing him of pinning down the first victim, M.W., while Alon and Oren Alexander allegedly raped her. Drugged, raped ‘dozens of victims,’ feds say Ultimately, the three Alexander brothers are expected to be transferred to Manhattan, where a three-count sex-trafficking indictment was filed in federal court for the Southern District of New York, the same court where rap mogul Diddy was recently indicted in a similar case. Federally, Oren, Alon and Tal Alexander have been charged with conspiracy to commit sex trafficking between 2010 and 2021 in Manhattan, Miami and elsewhere. Tal is also charged with sex trafficking two victims by force, fraud or coercion in July 2011 and September 2016 in Manhattan and elsewhere. Tal’s two brothers are charged along with him regarding the 2016 allegation. If convicted, the brothers face up to life in prison. The federal indictment unsealed in Manhattan Wednesday morning tells a story of serial sexual predators. The Alexander brothers “worked together and with others ... to repeatedly and violently drug, sexually assault, and rape dozens of victims,” reads the indictment. “At times, the Alexander brothers arranged for these sexual assaults well in advance, using the promise of luxury, experiences, travel and accommodations to lure and entice women to locations where they were then forcibly raped or sexually assaulted, sometimes by multiple men, including one or more of the Alexander brothers.” Since the early summer filing of the civil suits, an attorney representing two of the women told the Miami Herald an additional 40 women — including a dozen from the Miami area — have come forward with allegations against one or more of the brothers. Some of the alleged incidents happened decades ago, when the brothers attended Dr. Michael M. Krop Senior High School near Aventura. A woman spoke to the Herald earlier this year and recounted how she was about 15 and a student at Miami Country Day School when she managed to escape as the brothers were pinning her down with her arms and legs apart. The New York attorney representing some of the women told the Miami Herald in September that more lawsuits should be expected. Precipitous fall for real estate superstars Even before Wednesday’s arrests, the lawsuits and national media scrutiny had been costly for Oren and Tal Alexander, who stepped away from Official, the boutique New York City-based real estate firm they founded about three years ago. Alon continued to work for Kent Security, a private security firm built by his father Shlomi Alexander, which offers crisis management, guards and video technology. It’s been a precipitous fall for the trio. Tal and Oren’s high-end real estate deals in Miami, Aspen and Manhattan are legendary. They got a jump-start in the business from their father, who also dabbled in the sale of high-end luxury properties. ©2024 Miami Herald. Visit at miamiherald.com . Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
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