Speaker Mike Johnson pushes to keep Gaetz ethics report secret: Trump cabinet updates

President-elect Donald Trump has named two of his senior campaign advisers to roles at the White House.

Per a statement released today:

STEVEN CHEUNG will return to the White House as Assistant to the President and Director of Communications. Cheung was Director of Communications on the Trump-Vance 2024 Presidential Campaign and previously served in the Trump White House as Director of Strategic Response.

SERGIO GOR will serve as Assistant to the President and Director of the Presidential Personnel Office. Previously, Gor was CEO of Winning Team Publishing, while also running the pro-Trump Super PAC, Right For America.

“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. “I am thrilled to have them join my White House as we, Make America Great Again!”

President-elect Donald Trump is filling key posts in his second administration, putting an emphasis so far on aides and allies who were his strongest backers during the 2024 campaign.

Here’s a look at who he’s selected so far.

Americans stepped up their spending at retailers last month in the latest sign that healthy consumer spending is driving the economy’s steady growth.

Retail sales rose 0.4% from September to October, the Commerce Department said Friday, a solid increase though less than the previous month’s robust 0.8% gain.

A 1.6% jump in sales at auto dealers drove much of the gain. Purchases climbed 2.3% at electronics and appliances stores and 0.7% at restaurants and bars. Though some of October’s rise in retail sales reflected higher prices, it mainly indicated increased purchases.

Asked if he thinks the report should come out, Johnson told reporters: “I do not. No, I think it’s a terrible breach of protocol.”

Gustaf Kilander has the full story.

Democratic Rep Dean Phillips of Minnesota, who mounted a primary bid against President Joe Biden earlier this year, told NewsNation’s Leland Vittert that he would be open to joining Donald Trump’s administration if his skill set was useful.

“Anyone should consider that. If we come to a point where no Democrat would want to serve in a Republican administration, we’re limiting ourselves,” Philips said.

“I’m not a big fan of the president himself, but I understand the MAGA movement.”

Sean O’Grady asks if Robert F Kennedy Jr hadn’t launched his presidential campaign – and if Trump hadn’t co-opted him and his share of the vote – would anyone really have chosen to make this crank responsible for the lives and health of the American people?