Trump Cabinet picks sand down their conservative media personas: From the Politics Desk

Some of President-elect Donald Trump's Cabinet picks are softening their previous stances as they seek to win over skeptical senators.
Latisha Blanda · 7 days ago · 2 minutes read


The Politics Desk

Welcome to the online edition of From the Politics Desk, our daily newsletter delivering the latest reporting and analysis from the NBC News Politics team on the White House, Capitol Hill, and the campaign trail.

Cabinet Clash: Trump's Picks Mitigate Past Positions

President-elect Donald Trump's most vulnerable Cabinet nominees are scrambling to downplay or revise their previous statements ahead of intense Senate confirmation hearings.

Meanwhile, influential Trump allies Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy, tasked with recommending extensive federal spending cuts, face no such scrutiny.

The contrast highlights a divide within Trump's inner circle, with some incoming officials moderating their views for Senate approval while others remain unconstrained.

Drone Conundrum: Lawmakers Demand Answers

House and Senate lawmakers are pressing federal agencies for an urgent briefing on mysterious drone sightings over New Jersey and New York.

Despite the White House downplaying potential threats, legislators and the public demand more information on the unidentified aircraft that have sparked concerns.

In a letter to top officials, Sens. Cory Booker, Andy Kim, Chuck Schumer, and Kirsten Gillibrand stressed the need for a comprehensive response to protect civilian safety, infrastructure, and military assets from drone incursions.

Top Stories: Trump's Commutations, Judicial Expansion, and Iran War Rhetoric

  • Commutations and Pardons: President Joe Biden grants unprecedented mass commutations and pardons.
  • Judicial Expansion: House approves new judgeships despite Biden's veto threat.
  • Time Person of the Year: Trump reflects on grocery prices and Iran war.
  • US-China Ties: Trump extends invitation to Xi Jinping for inauguration.
  • Jan. 6 Report: FBI failed to canvas field offices for intelligence before Capitol attack.
  • Voice of America: Trump taps former gubernatorial candidate Kari Lake as potential director.
  • SALT Debate: Congressional Republicans grapple with tax extension demands from high-tax states.
  • Post-Election Analysis: Democratic National Committee candidates call for party postmortem.
  • Transgender Healthcare: Montana court blocks ban on transition-related care for minors.

Stay tuned to From the Politics Desk for the latest updates on these and other breaking stories from the political world.