• Video
  • Shop
  • Culture
  • Family
  • Wellness
  • Food
  • Living
  • Style
  • Travel
  • News
  • Book Club
  • Newsletter
  • Privacy Policy
  • Your US State Privacy Rights
  • Children's Online Privacy Policy
  • Interest-Based Ads
  • Terms of Use
  • Do Not Sell My Info
  • Contact Us
  • © 2026 ABC News
Live Updates
ABC News

Trump transition live updates: Trump announces fracking business leader as energy secretary

PHOTO: In this Jan. 12, 2018, file photo, Liberty Oilfield Services Inc. CEO Chris Wright rings a ceremonial bell to celebrate the companies IPO on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange shortly after the opening bell in New York.
5:18
Lucas Jackson/Reuters, FILE
Questions grow over Trump’s pick for defense secretary
By Meredith Deliso, Alexandra Hutzler, Ivan Pereira, Julia Reinstein
Last Updated: November 15, 2024, 6:41 PM

After a sweeping victory over Vice President Kamala Harris on Nov. 5, President-elect Donald Trump is now set to become just the second ever to serve nonconsecutive terms in office.

Trump has wasted no time in moving to assemble his team for a second term in the White House -- naming Susie Wiles as his chief of staff, Florida Rep. Mike Waltz as his national security adviser and Tom Homan as his " border czar," among other positions.

Inauguration Day is Jan. 20.

Key Headlines

  • Trump announces Brendan Carr to helm the FCC
  • Ramaswamy on DOGE: 'We expect certain agencies to be deleted outright'
  • Johnson said he didn't discuss Gaetz Ethics Committee report with Trump
  • Trump taps fracking company executive for energy secretary
  • Trump announces Karoline Leavitt as White House press secretary
Here's how the news is developing.

Pinned
Nov 12, 2024 8:45 PM

Tracking those Trump has named to serve in his Cabinet, administration

Ahead of his return to power in January, Trump is announcing who he wants to fill Cabinet positions and other key roles inside his administration.

They include some of his staunchest allies on Capitol Hill and key advisers to his 2024 campaign.

Here is a running list of the people Trump has selected, or is expected to select, to serve in his administration.


Pinned
Nov 12, 2024 4:32 AM

Trump's new 'border czar' issues warning to sanctuary states and cities

President-elect Donald Trump’s newly picked “border czar” Tom Homan addressed his forthcoming deportation plan and state leaders who have objected to sweeping immigration policies.

During an appearance on Fox News on Monday, Homan issued a warning to so-called “sanctuary” states and cities to “get the hell out of the way” of the Trump administration's mass deportation plans.

PHOTO: Former Acting Director of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Tom Homan testifies on Capitol Hill in Washington, U.S., Sept. 11, 2019.
Jonathan Ernst/Reuters, Files
Former Acting Director of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Tom Homan testifies on Capitol Hill in Washington, U.S., Sept. 11, 2019.
Jonathan Ernst/Reuters, Files

“I saw today numerous governors from sanctuary states saying they're going to step in the way. They better get the hell out of the way. Either you help us or get the hell out of the way, because ICE is going to do their job,” he warned, referring to the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, where he formerly served as director.

"I'll double the workforce in that sanctuary city. We're going to do our job despite the politics. We're doing it. So get used to it, because we're coming,” Homan said.

When asked if he plans to deport American citizens, Homan said, “President Trump has made it clear we will prioritize public safety threats and national security threats first, and that's how the focus would be.”

-ABC News' Soo Rin Kim


Nov 15, 2024 6:41 PM

Trump announces 2 White House staffers

Trump announced two new White House staffers on Friday.

Steven Cheung, who previously served as the director of strategic response in Trump's first term, will serve as director of communications in his second.

PHOTO: Steven Cheung walks before Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump votes on Election Day at the Morton and Barbara Mandel Recreation Center, Nov. 5, 2024, in Palm Beach, Fla.
Evan Vucci/AP
Steven Cheung walks before Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump votes on Election Day at the Morton and Barbara Mandel Recreation Center, Nov. 5, 2024, in Palm Beach, Fla.
Evan Vucci/AP

Sergio Gor, who ran the pro-Trump Super PAC Right For America, will serve as assistant to the president and director of the presidential personnel office.

"Steven Cheung and Sergio Gor have been trusted Advisors since my first Presidential Campaign in 2016, and have continued to champion America First principles throughout my First Term, all the way to our Historic Victory in 2024," Trump said in a statement. "I am thrilled to have them join my White House as we, Make America Great Again!"

PHOTO: Sergio Gor speaks during a rally for Republican presidential nominee and former U.S. President Donald Trump at Madison Square Garden, in New York City, Oct. 27, 2024.
Andrew Kelly/Reuters
Sergio Gor speaks during a rally for Republican presidential nominee and former U.S. President Donald Trump at Madison Square Garden, in New York City, Oct. 27, 2024.
Andrew Kelly/Reuters

Nov 15, 2024 5:43 PM

Speaker Johnson urges House Ethics Committee not to release Gaetz report

House Speaker Mike Johnson said Friday he does not think the House Ethics Committee should release their report into now-former GOP Florida Rep. Matt Gaetz.

"I think it's a terrible breach of protocol and tradition and the spirit of the rules," Johnson told reporters at the U.S. Capitol.

PHOTO: Speaker Mike Johnson speaks at a press conference for House Republicans, following their leadership meeting, on Capitol Hill in Washington, Nov. 13, 2024.
Nathan Howard/Reuters
Speaker Mike Johnson speaks at a press conference for House Republicans, following their leadership meeting, on Capitol Hill in Washington, Nov. 13, 2024.
Nathan Howard/Reuters

The House Ethics Committee was investigating Gaetz over allegations of sexual misconduct and illicit drug use.

Johnson said he didn't think it was "relevant" for the public to know what's in the report.

“The rules of the House have always been that a former member is beyond the jurisdiction of the Ethics Committee," he said.

Johnson said he had not yet spoken with Ethics Committee Chair Rep. Michael Guest, R-Miss., but that he plans to.

Guest postponed a meeting the House Ethics Committee had planned for Friday morning.

Senate Judiciary Committee Democrats have called on the committee to release the report.

-ABC News' Benjamin Siegel, Lauren Peller and Isabella Murray


Nov 15, 2024 5:02 PM

Trump intends to 'weaponize' DOJ to seek 'vengeance': Durbin

Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill., the chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, said Trump's various Justice Department nominees, including Gaetz and his personal attorneys, show the president-elect's intention to "weaponize" the Justice Department in order to "seek vengeance."

PHOTO: Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Dick Durbin, D-Ill., convenes his panel to confirm President Joe Biden's nominees in the closing weeks of the 118th Congress and before Donald Trump takes office, at the Capitol in Washington, Nov. 14, 2024.
J. Scott Applewhite/AP
Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Dick Durbin, D-Ill., convenes his panel to confirm President Joe Biden's nominees in the closing weeks of the 118th Congress and before Donald Trump takes office, at the Capitol in Washington, Nov. 14, 2024.
J. Scott Applewhite/AP

"Donald Trump viewed the Justice Department as his personal law firm during his first term, and these selections -- his personal attorneys -- are poised to do his bidding," Durbin said in a statement.

"The American people deserve a Justice Department that fights for equal justice under the law. This isn't it," the statement continued.

-ABC News' Mariam Khan



Nov 15, 2024 4:36 PM

Trump transition team aware of 'sexual assault' allegedly involving Pete Hegseth

Pete Hegseth, Donald Trump's pick for defense secretary, was part of an investigation into alleged sexual assault in 2017, officials in Monterey, California, said in a statement overnight. Trump’s transition team was made aware of the incident earlier this week, after Trump announced him as his choice, a source told ABC News.

Monterey city officials said in their press statement that police investigated a "sexual assault" that allegedly occurred in the early morning hours of Oct. 8, 2017, at a Hyatt Regency. The incident did not involve a weapon, but the victim allegedly suffered "contusions to right thigh."

Hegseth is not identified in the city's statement as the alleged assailant. The victim’s name and age are listed as "confidential."

PHOTO: President Donald Trump is interviewed by Fox and Friends co-host Pete Hegseth at the White House in Washington, Apr. 6, 2017.
Kevin Lamarque/Reuters
President Donald Trump is interviewed by Fox and Friends co-host Pete Hegseth at the White House in Washington, Apr. 6, 2017.
Kevin Lamarque/Reuters

A police report was filed days later, on Oct. 12. It was not immediately clear whether any charges were filed. A Monterey Superior Court spokesperson told ABC News on Thursday they had no records on file with Hegseth’s name as a party.

Tim Parlatore, an attorney for Hegseth, told ABC News. "This incident was fully investigated and Mr. Hegseth was cleared of any wrongdoing. It should have no effect on the confirmation process."

Monterey officials said the statement came in response to "numerous inquiries" from the media, including ABC News, and they would not be making "any other remarks related to this inquiry."

ABC News has reached out to the Trump transition for comment.

-ABC News' Lucien Bruggeman


Nov 12, 2024 4:32 AM

Trump's new 'border czar' issues warning to sanctuary states and cities

President-elect Donald Trump’s newly picked “border czar” Tom Homan addressed his forthcoming deportation plan and state leaders who have objected to sweeping immigration policies.

During an appearance on Fox News on Monday, Homan issued a warning to so-called “sanctuary” states and cities to “get the hell out of the way” of the Trump administration's mass deportation plans.

PHOTO: Former Acting Director of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Tom Homan testifies on Capitol Hill in Washington, U.S., Sept. 11, 2019.
Jonathan Ernst/Reuters, Files
Former Acting Director of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Tom Homan testifies on Capitol Hill in Washington, U.S., Sept. 11, 2019.
Jonathan Ernst/Reuters, Files

“I saw today numerous governors from sanctuary states saying they're going to step in the way. They better get the hell out of the way. Either you help us or get the hell out of the way, because ICE is going to do their job,” he warned, referring to the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, where he formerly served as director.

"I'll double the workforce in that sanctuary city. We're going to do our job despite the politics. We're doing it. So get used to it, because we're coming,” Homan said.

When asked if he plans to deport American citizens, Homan said, “President Trump has made it clear we will prioritize public safety threats and national security threats first, and that's how the focus would be.”

-ABC News' Soo Rin Kim


GMA Newsletters

Sign up for our newsletters to get GMA delivered to your inbox every morning!

Up Next in news

VIDEO: Trump meets Xi Jinping in high-stakes Beijing summit

Trump meets Xi Jinping in high-stakes Beijing summit

May 14, 2026
PHOTO: The Los Angeles Regional Food Bank hosted a drive-through food distribution center in Baldwin Park, serving up to 2,000 families, May 13, 2026.

Long lines, some turned away at LA County food distribution event as inflation rises

May 13, 2026
PHOTO: In this Jan. 28, 2026, file photo, Spencer Pratt speaks during an appearance in New York.

LA mayoral candidate Spencer Pratt addresses report he is staying in luxury hotel, not trailer

May 13, 2026

The latest lifestyle and entertainment news and inspiration for how to live your best life - all from Good Morning America.
  • Contests
  • Terms of Use
  • Privacy Policy
  • Do Not Sell My Info
  • Children’s Online Privacy Policy
  • Advertise with us
  • Your US State Privacy Rights
  • Interest-Based Ads
  • About Nielsen Measurement
  • Press
  • Feedback
  • Shop FAQs
  • ABC News
  • ABC
  • All Videos
  • All Topics
  • Sitemap

© 2026 ABC News
  • Privacy Policy— 
  • Your US State Privacy Rights— 
  • Children's Online Privacy Policy— 
  • Interest-Based Ads— 
  • Terms of Use— 
  • Do Not Sell My Info— 
  • Contact Us— 

© 2026 ABC News