What we’re watching: Trump taps two more ambassadors
Here’s what we’re watching in transition world today:
????️ What we're watching:
- Congressional leaders released bill text Tuesday night that would fund the federal government into March, allowing the incoming Trump administration to officially weigh in on a final funding deal.
- House Democrats have largely set their team for countering Trump’s agenda next year with contested races to lead Democrats on the Oversight, Agriculture and Natural Resources Committees.
- Trump donor Andrew McKenna is a leading contender for secretary of the Air Force. He would be the latest of Trump’s picks to take on a top job at the Pentagon without significant experience inside the building.
- Trump sued retired Iowa pollster J. Ann Selzer over her pre-election survey that showed Vice President Kamala Harris leading in the state, calling it “brazen election interference.” First Amendment advocates are worried about Trump using civil litigation to target journalists he dislikes.
????What’s up with the nominees?
- Trump’s pick to lead the IRS, former Missouri Rep. Billy Long, has little experience with tax policy or large-scale organizational management. He’s also stirred discomfort for another reason: Long has been deeply involved in touting a tax break that’s been plagued by fraud, Brian Faler reports.
????ICYMI: Here are the latest Trump administration picks
- Trump picked former Georgia Senate candidate Herschel Walker for ambassador to the Bahamas and Nicole McGraw to serve as the next ambassador to Croatia.
- Trump has tapped John Brooks to lead his Department of Health and Human Services landing team, which is tasked with preparing the incoming administration to hit the ground running when it takes over the government on Jan. 20.