Head of NATO talks to Donald Trump
The Latest on President-elect Donald Trump‘s transition activities (all times EST): 2:15 p.m. — NATO says its secretary general, Jens Stoltenberg spoke with President-elect Donald Trump for the first time to congratulate the businessman on his election victory. The military alliance says both leaders agreed during a telephone call on Friday that progress has been made on making sure member countries are sharing the defense burden, but that there is more to do. NATO became a debated part of the presidential election after Trump suggested that the U.S. might abandon its NATO treaty commitments and pull out of the alliance if other countries don’t contribute more. The alliance statement says Stoltenberg looks forward to welcoming Trump to Brussels for next year’s NATO summit. 1:20 p.m. — Texas Sen. Ted Cruz says last week’s election could be called “the revenge of flyover country.” In his speech at the conservative Federalist Society Friday, the Republican senator said the “utter astonishment” of Democrats is a result of not listening to the American people. He said voices were crying, “leave us alone.” Cruz lost the GOP primary to President-elect Donald Trump, and didn’t endorse him until late in the race. Without mentioning Trump by name, Cruz said Republicans should move forward by being honest and trustworthy and remembering they serve a cause greater than themselves. When asked if he might be a candidate for the Supreme Court’s open seat, Cruz said “history is long and can take unexpected paths,” but he looks forward to continuing his time in the Senate. 12:40 p.m. — South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley says Donald Trump won election as president by running against both political parties. Haley is telling conservative lawyers who are meeting in Washington Friday that Trump’s victory offers Republicans a chance to regain the public’s trust, but only if the party restrains spending and returns power to the states. Haley says voters rejected “the political class of all stripes, Republicans included.” She says now Republican control of the White House and Congress offers the party a rare opportunity, and that it’s important that Trump and Republican leaders in Congress take action quickly and “we don’t stop.” Haley acknowledges that she was not Trump’s “biggest cheerleader.” But she said she voted for him and was thrilled that he won. 12:30 p.m. — Among the people meeting with the president-elect this weekend: the man who marshalled more outside money than anyone else to help Donald Trump win the White House. Todd Ricketts, a co-owner of the Chicago Cubs, helped raise at least $66 million for outside groups called Future 45 and the 45 Committee – a nod the incoming 45th president. Ricketts is emblematic of what a topsy-turvy election it has been. Before helping Trump, Ricketts was part of a super PAC that spent more than any other trying to stop him from winning the Republican nomination. Ricketts lives in Chicago and is a small business owner and board member of TD Ameritrade, which his billionaire father founded. Trump’s team is turning its attention to economic positions in the administration, including the Department of Commerce. 11:55 a.m. — Donald Trump is stoking speculation about his future cabinet picks as he continues holding meetings behind closed doors. Trump aides say the president-elect will be meeting Saturday with retired Marine Corps Gen. James Mattis. Mattis is a potential contender to serve as Trump’s defense secretary. Trump is also meeting with Michelle Rhee and Betsy DeVos, two well-known education activists. Trump aides have cautioned that not everyone meeting with the president-elect is under consideration for an administration position. They say Trump is meeting with experts to hear their thoughts and advice. Also expected to sit down with Trump on Saturday are 2012 GOP nominee Mitt Romney, Chicago Cubs co-owner Todd Ricketts, anti-poverty advocate Bob Woodson, and restaurant executive Andy Puzder. 11:20 a.m. — A Democratic House member says attorney general nominee Jeff Sessions is the right pick “if you have nostalgia for the days when blacks kept quiet, gays were in the closet, immigrants were invisible and women stayed in the kitchen.” Rep. Luis Gutierrez, D-Ill., says no senator has fought harder “against the hopes and aspirations” of Latinos, immigrants and people of color. Gutierrez is a member of the House Judiciary Committee. While the Senate, not the House, will decide if Sessions should be confirmed, the comments by Gutierrez suggest the process will likely be contentious. Sen. Sessions, R-Ala., is one of the more conservative members of the Senate Judiciary Committee and has said the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division should not be used as a “sword” to promote political agendas. The Senate denied him a federal judgeship in 1986 after he was accused of making racially charged remarks while U.S. attorney in Alabama. 10:50 a.m. — Senate Judiciary Chairman Charles Grassley says he is confident his panel would approve the nomination of Sen. Jeff Sessions as attorney general. Sessions would still face a vote by the full Senate, but a committee endorsement would be a critical first step. Grassley, a Republican from Iowa, says Sessions is a respected colleague who “has worked across the aisle on major legislation.” Grassley added that as a former U.S. attorney, Sessions has the right background. 10:40 a.m. — Mike Pompeo, a conservative Republican congressman from Kansas, says he accepts President-elect Donald Trump’s decision to nominate him to lead the CIA. In a statement on Friday, he said that while he has loved representing Kansans in Congress, the opportunity to lead a top U.S. intelligence agency is a call to service he can’t ignore. Pompeo still must be confirmed by the Senate. The 52-year-old was elected to Congress during the tea party wave of 2010. Pompeo has been a harsh critic of the Obama administration. He denounced the Iran deal, which granted Tehran sanctions relief for rolling back its nuclear weapons program, and was a member of the congressional committee that blasted Hillary Clinton over the attack on a U.S. diplomatic outpost in Libya.
With Donald Trump in The White House, what’s in store for Jeff Sessions?
Now that Donald Trump has won the White House, promotions could be in store for his most loyal supporters, including Alabama Sen. Jeff Sessions. Though not as visible on the campaign trail as New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie or former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani, Sessions was one of the earliest and most vocal supporters of Trump’s presidential campaign, and could be offered a Cabinet position. Sessions endorsed Trump in February, becoming the first senator to back the president-elect, and he also gave Trump’s nominating speech during the Republican National Convention. Trump even named Sessions during his acceptance speech Wednesday, saying the longtime senator is a “great man” and is “highly respected in Washington because he’s as smart as you can get.” Sessions, who holds a seat on the executive committee of Trump’s transition team, could be up for a few different positions. Before becoming a U.S. senator, Sessions was the Alabama Attorney General, though serving as U.S. AG may not be the position he is looking for. Sessions also may have his eye on becoming Secretary of Defense, and he faces significantly less competition from other Trump surrogates for that position. The other Trump backer that could be up for the job, retired Army Lieutenant General Mike Flynn, is not eligible to take on the post for five more years due to his prior military service, leaving Sessions as one of the most qualified for the position among Trump’s inner circle. Of course, if Sessions were selected for a Cabinet post, it could create a domino effect in Alabama politics. If Sessions leaves the Senate, Alabama Gov. Robert Bentley would get to appoint a temporary senator, though he also would have to set special election dates to find a permanent replacement. The special election could draw more than a few candidates, including some of Alabama’s congressmen, and if one of them won the race to succeed Sessions, another special election would follow to choose their successor.
