President-elect&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/donald-trump">Donald Trump</a>&nbsp;is filling key posts in his second administration, and it's shaping up much differently than his first. He's prioritizing loyalists for top jobs.

Trump was bruised and hampered by internal squabbles during his initial term in office. Now he appears focused on remaking the federal government in his own image. Some of his choices could face difficult confirmation battles even with Republicans in control of the U.S. Senate.

Here's a look at whom he has selected so far.

Trump&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-marco-rubio-secretary-of-state-25664371f80dcf3332838352165e4d48">named Florida Sen. Marco Rubio</a>&nbsp;to be secretary of state, making the critic-turned-ally his choice for top diplomat.

Rubio, 53, is a noted hawk on China, Cuba and Iran, and was a finalist to be Trump's running mate on the Republican ticket last summer. Rubio is the vice chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee and a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.

The announcement punctuates the hard pivot Rubio has made with Trump, whom the senator once called a “con man" during his unsuccessful campaign for the 2016 Republican presidential nomination.

Their relationship improved dramatically while Trump was in the White House. And as Trump campaigned for the presidency a third time, Rubio cheered his proposals. For instance, Rubio, who more than a decade ago helped craft immigration legislation that included a path to citizenship for people in the U.S. illegally, now supports Trump's plan to use the U.S. military for mass deportations.

Trump said Wednesday he will nominate Florida Rep.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/matt-gaetz">Matt Gaetz</a>&nbsp;to serve as his attorney general, naming a loyalist in the role of the nation's top prosecutor.

In selecting Gaetz, 42, Trump passed over more established lawyers whose names had been mentioned as being contenders for the job.

“Matt will end Weaponized Government, protect our Borders, dismantle Criminal Organizations and Restore Americans' badly-shattered Faith and Confidence in the Justice Department,” Trump said in a statement.

Gaetz resigned from Congress after Trump announced him. The House Ethics Committee has been investigating an allegation that Gaetz paid for sex with a 17-year-old, though that probe effectively ended when he resigned. Gaetz has denied any wrongdoing.

DIRECTOR OF NATIONAL INTELLIGENCE: Tulsi Gabbard

Former Hawaii Rep. Tulsi Gabbard&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-gabbard-director-national-intelligence-466dfdfe2f949ea20bc2f4ef13e21438">has been tapped by Trump</a>&nbsp;to be director of national intelligence, another example of Trump prizing loyalty over experience.

Gabbard, 43, was a Democratic House member who unsuccessfully sought the party's 2020 presidential nomination before leaving the party in 2022. She endorsed Trump in August and campaigned often with him this fall, and she's been accused of echoing Russian propaganda.

Gabbard, who has served in the Army National Guard for more than two decades, deploying to Iraq and Kuwait, would come to the role as an outsider compared to her predecessor. The current director, Avril Haines, was confirmed by the Senate in 2021 following several years in a number of top national security and intelligence positions.

Hegseth, 44, was a co-host of Fox News Channel’s “Fox and Friends Weekend” and has been a contributor with the network since 2014. He developed a friendship with Trump, who made regular appearances on the show.

Hegseth served in the Army National Guard from 2002 to 2021, deploying to Iraq in 2005 and Afghanistan in 2011. He has two Bronze Stars. However,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-hegseth-defense-secretary-pentagon-2d8030921ecef933778cf92afd40ec72">Hegseth lacks</a>&nbsp;senior military and national security experience. If confirmed by the Senate, he would inherit the top job during a series of global crises — ranging from Russia’s war in Ukraine and the ongoing attacks in the Middle East by Iranian proxies to the push for a cease-fire between Israel, Hamas and Hezbollah and escalating worries about the growing alliance between Russia and North Korea.

Hegseth is also the author of “The War on Warriors: Behind the Betrayal of the Men Who Keep Us Free,” published earlier this year.

Lutnick heads up the brokerage and investment bank Cantor Fitzgerald and is a cryptocurrency enthusiast. He is co-chair of Trump's transition operation, charged along with Linda McMahon, a former wrestling executive who previously led Trump’s Small Business Administration, with helping the president-elect build a Cabinet for his second administration.

As commerce secretary, Lutnick would play a key role in carrying out Trump's plans to raise and enforce tariffs. He would oversee a sprawling Cabinet department whose oversight ranges from funding new computer chip factories and imposing trade restrictions to releasing economic data and monitoring the weather.

Noem is a well-known conservative who used her two terms as South Dakota's governor to vault to a prominent position in Republican politics.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Noem did not order restrictions that other states had issued and instead declared her state “open for business.” Trump held a fireworks rally at Mount Rushmore in July 2020 in one of the first large gatherings of the pandemic.

More recently, Noem faced sharp criticism for telling a story in her memoir about shooting and killing her dog.

She is set to lead a department crucial to the president-elect’s hardline immigration agenda as well as other missions. Homeland Security oversees natural disaster response, the U.S. Secret Service and Transportation Security Administration agents who work at airports.

Ratcliffe, a former U.S. House member from Texas, was director of national intelligence during the final year and a half of Trump’s first term, leading the U.S. government’s spy agencies during the coronavirus pandemic.

If confirmed, Ratcliffe will have held the highest intelligence positions in the U.S.

HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES SECRETARY: Robert F. Kennedy Jr.

Kennedy ran for president as a Democrat, then as an independent, and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/rfk-jr-trump-speech-arizona-a2638f89ddcb5de03edbe4574ca17d45">then endorsed Trump</a>. He's the son of Democratic icon Robert Kennedy, who was assassinated during his own presidential campaign.

The nomination alarmed people who are concerned about&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/robert-f-kennedy-vaccines-trump-rfkjr-7f8dcb25de76a5a70710d22bbc63f6fa">his record of spreading unfounded fears about vaccines</a>. For example, he has long advanced the debunked idea that vaccines cause autism.

Duffy is a former House member from Wisconsin who was one of Trump's most visible defenders on cable news. Duffy served in the House for nearly nine years, sitting on the Financial Services Committee and chairing the subcommittee on insurance and housing. He left Congress in 2019 for a TV career and has been the host of “The Bottom Line” on Fox Business.

Before entering politics, Duffy was a reality TV star on MTV, where he met his wife, “Fox and Friends Weekend” co-host Rachel Campos-Duffy. They have nine children.

Collins is a former Republican congressman from Georgia who gained recognition for defending Trump during his first impeachment trial, which centered on U.S. assistance for Ukraine. Trump was impeached for urging Ukraine to investigate Joe Biden in 2019 during the Democratic presidential nomination, but he was acquitted by the Senate.

Collins has also served in the armed forces himself and is currently a chaplain in the United States Air Force Reserve Command.

The governor of North Dakota, once little-known outside his state, is a former Republican presidential primary contender who endorsed Trump and then spent months traveling to drum up support for Trump after dropping out of the race.

Burgum was a serious contender to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-vice-president-rubio-vance-burgum-scott-8b6a3a22eecdfff668a5002ddfd3af18">be Trump’s vice presidential choice</a>&nbsp;this summer. The two-term governor was seen as a possible pick because of his executive experience and business savvy. Burgum also has close ties to deep-pocketed energy industry CEOs.

Trump initially announced his choice of Burgum while addressing a gala at his Mar-a-Lago club in Florida. His formal announcement the following day said he wanted Burgum to be Interior secretary and chairman of a new National Energy Council. Burgum will also have a seat on the National Security Council, which would be a first for the Interior secretary.

A campaign donor and CEO of Denver-based Liberty Energy, Write is a vocal advocate of oil and gas development, including fracking — a key pillar of Trump’s quest to achieve U.S. “energy dominance” in the global market.

Wright also has been one of the industry’s loudest voices against efforts to fight climate change. He said the climate movement around the world is “collapsing under its own weight.” The Energy Department is responsible for advancing energy, environmental and nuclear security of the United States.

Wright also won support from influential conservatives, including oil and gas tycoon Harold Hamm. Hamm, executive chairman of Oklahoma-based Continental Resources, a major shale oil company, is a longtime Trump supporter and adviser who played a key role on energy issues in Trump’s first term.

McMahon, a billionaire professional wrestling mogul, would be making a return appearance in a second Trump administration. She led the Small Business Administration from 2017 to 2019 during Trump’s first term and twice ran unsuccessfully in Connecticut as a Republican candidate for the U.S. Senate. She served on the Connecticut Board of Education for a year starting in 2009 and has spent years on the board of trustees for Sacred Heart University. She has expressed support for charter schools and school choice.

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY ADMINISTRATOR: Lee Zeldin

Zeldin does not appear to have any experience in environmental issues, but is a longtime supporter of the former president. The 44-year-old former U.S. House member from New York wrote on&nbsp;<a href="https://x.com/LeeMZeldin/status/1856068555865026956">X</a>, “We will restore US energy dominance, revitalize our auto industry to bring back American jobs, and make the US the global leader of AI.”

“We will do so while protecting access to clean air and water,” he added.

During his campaign, Trump often attacked the Biden administration’s promotion of electric vehicles, and incorrectly referred to a tax credit for EV purchases as a government mandate. Trump also often told his audiences during the campaign that his administration would “drill, baby, drill,” referring to his support for expanded petroleum exploration.

Wiles, 67,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/who-is-susie-wiles-32df8958bedde5f3f2d55fd071979692">was a senior adviser</a>&nbsp;to Trump’s 2024 presidential campaign and its de facto manager.

She has a background in Florida politics, helping Ron DeSantis win his first race for Florida governor. Six years later, she was key to Trump’s defeat of him in the 2024 Republican primary.

Wiles’ hire was Trump’s first major decision as president-elect and one that could be a defining test of his incoming administration considering her close relationship with him. Wiles is said to have earned Trump’s trust in part by guiding what was the most disciplined of Trump’s three presidential campaigns.

Wiles was able to help keep Trump on track as few others have, not by criticizing his impulses, but by winning his respect by demonstrating his success after taking her advice.

Waltz is a three-term Republican congressman from east-central Florida.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-national-security-adviser-mike-wlatz-0c81d044c9ffe18dfd745202e8351b9c">A former Army Green Beret</a>, he served multiple tours in Afghanistan and also worked in the Pentagon as a policy adviser when Donald Rumsfeld and Robert Gates were defense chiefs.

He is considered hawkish on China, and called for a U.S. boycott of the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing due to its involvement in the origin of COVID-19 and its mistreatment of the minority Muslim Uighur population.

Homan, 62,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-homan-ice-border-czar-7dea915b5ea43896390b8020d254f887">has been tasked</a>&nbsp;with Trump’s top priority of carrying out the largest deportation operation in the nation’s history.

He led the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement in Trump's first administration and said at a conference over the summer that he would be willing to “run the biggest deportation operation this country’s ever seen.”

Democrats have criticized Homan for defending Trump’s “zero tolerance” policy on border crossings during his first administration, which led to the separation of thousands of parents and children seeking asylum at the border.

DEPUTY CHIEF OF STAFF FOR POLICY: Stephen Miller

Miller, an&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-stephen-miller-policy-immigration-9cc6ad3118779b23bff88022ca5e2260">immigration hardliner</a>, was a vocal spokesperson during the presidential campaign for Trump’s priority of mass deportations. The 39-year-old was a senior adviser during Trump’s first administration.

Miller has been a central figure in some of Trump’s policy decisions, notably his move to separate thousands of immigrant families. Trump argued throughout the campaign that the nation’s economic, national security and social priorities could be met by deporting people who are in the United States illegally.

Scavino was an adviser in all three of the president-elect's campaigns, and the transition team referred to him as one of “Trump’s longest serving and most trusted aides." He will be deputy chief of staff and assistant to the president. He previously ran Trump’s social media profile in the White House during his first administration.

Blair was political director for Trump’s 2024 campaign and for the Republican National Committee. He will be deputy chief of staff for legislative, political and public affairs and assistant to the president. Blair was key to Trump’s economic messaging during his winning White House comeback campaign.

Budowich is a veteran Trump campaign aide who launched and directed Make America Great Again, Inc., a super PAC that supported Trump’s 2024 campaign. He will be deputy chief of staff for communications and personnel and assistant to the president.

WHITE HOUSE PRESS SECRETARY: Karoline Leavitt

Leavitt, 27, was Trump's campaign press secretary and currently a spokesperson for his transition. She would be the youngest White House press secretary in history.

Leavitt worked in the White House press office during Trump's first term.

In 2022,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/2022-midterm-elections-abortion-inflation-donald-trump-51418003338eb89abfbfc6aac6909abd">she ran for Congress in New Hampshire,</a>&nbsp;winning a 10-way Republican primary before losing to Democratic Rep. Chris Pappas.

McGinley was White House Cabinet secretary during Trump's first administration, and was outside legal counsel for the Republican National Committee's election integrity effort during the 2024 campaign.

Ambassadors and envoys and other key posts

SPECIAL ENVOY TO THE MIDDLE EAST: Steven Witkoff

The 67-year-old Witkoff is the president-elect's golf partner and was golfing with him at Trump's club in West Palm Beach, Florida, on Sept. 15, when the former president was the target of a second attempted assassination.

Trump also named Witkoff co-chair, with former Georgia Sen. Kelly Loeffler, of his inaugural committee.

Huckabee is a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-huckabee-ambassador-israel-ace1894ce731c36622d5f09982a0a9b2">staunch defender of Israel</a>&nbsp;and his intended nomination comes as Trump has promised to align U.S. foreign policy more closely with Israel's interests as it wages wars against the Iran-backed Hamas and Hezbollah.

Huckabee, who ran unsuccessfully for the Republican presidential nomination in 2008 and 2016, has been a popular figure among evangelical Christian conservatives, many of whom support Israel due to Old Testament writings that Jews are God’s chosen people and that Israel is their rightful homeland.

Huckabee has rejected a Palestinian homeland in territory occupied by Israel, calling for a so-called “one-state solution.”

AMBASSADOR TO THE UNITED NATIONS: Elise Stefanik

Stefanik is a U.S.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-united-nations-elise-stefanik-ambassador-2b482fb39a8d6f03d389d27cc8820056">representative from New York</a>&nbsp;and one of Trump's staunchest defenders going back to his first impeachment.

Elected to the House in 2014, Stefanik was selected by her GOP House colleagues as House Republican Conference chair in 2021, when former Wyoming Rep. Liz Cheney was removed from the post after publicly criticizing Trump for falsely claiming he won the 2020 election. Stefanik, 40, has served in that role ever since as the third-ranking member of House leadership.

Stefanik’s questioning of university presidents over antisemitism on their campuses helped lead to two of those presidents resigning, further raising her national profile.

The people Trump has picked for key positions thru Wednesday

JOHNSON COUNTY—Law enforcement investigating a sexual assault and theft that occurred Tuesday morning at a home in Overland Park have a suspect in custody.

The incident occurred&nbsp; just after 2:30a.m. in a home near W. 97th Street and Reeder in Overland Park, according to Overland Park Police Officer John Lacy.

The victim did not know the suspect but was able to provide a description as a stocky build, clean-shaven, late twenties to early thirties man. He was last seen wearing a black jacket with a black beanie-style cap.

EMS transported the victim to an area hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

The Overland Park Police Department, with the assistance of the Kansas City, Kansas Police Department, made the arrest and the suspect is being held in Johnson County Central Booking Facility in Olathe.

Police turned the case over to the Johnson County District Attorney’s Office.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/11/1732041800750.png" alt="Photo Overland Park Police" />
 <figcaption>Photo Overland Park Police</figcaption>
 </figure>JOHNSON COUNTY—Law enforcement investigating a sexual assault and theft that occurred Tuesday morning at a home in Overland Park have a suspect in custody.The incident occurred&nbsp; just after 2:30a.m. in a home near W. 97th Street and Reeder in Overland Park, according to Overland Park Police Officer John Lacy.The victim did not know the suspect but was able to provide a description as a stocky build, clean-shaven, late twenties to early thirties man. He was last seen wearing a black jacket with a black beanie-style cap.EMS transported the victim to an area hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.The Overland Park Police Department, with the assistance of the Kansas City, Kansas Police Department, made the arrest and the suspect is being held in Johnson County Central Booking Facility in Olathe.Police turned the case over to the Johnson County District Attorney’s Office.&nbsp;----------

Police capture suspect in sex assault, theft at Kansas home

KANSAS CITY —Police are investigating a fatal crash that occurred just after 10:30p.m. Thursday in Kansas City.

A&nbsp; Chevy Cruze was southbound on U.S. 49 Highway just before the Red Bridge exit merging towards the right shoulder to yield to a Fire Truck, running with emergency lights and siren, according to KCPD&nbsp;Sergeant Phil DiMartino.

The driver of the Chevy did not see a man in a wheelchair who was crossing the highway from the east to the west.

The right front of his vehicle struck the wheelchair. EMS transported the man&nbsp; to an area hospital where he was pronounced dead shortly after arrival. The driver of the Chevy Cruze was not injured in the collision. This is fatality #84 in Kansas City, Missouri for 2024, according to DiMartino.&nbsp; Police released no additional details.

KANSAS CITY —Police are investigating a fatal crash that occurred just after 10:30p.m. Thursday in Kansas City.A&nbsp; Chevy Cruze was southbound on U.S. 49 Highway just before the Red Bridge exit merging towards the right shoulder to yield to a Fire Truck, running with emergency lights and siren, according to KCPD&nbsp;Sergeant Phil DiMartino.The driver of the Chevy did not see a man in a wheelchair who was crossing the highway from the east to the west.The right front of his vehicle struck the wheelchair. EMS transported the man&nbsp; to an area hospital where he was pronounced dead shortly after arrival. The driver of the Chevy Cruze was not injured in the collision. This is fatality #84 in Kansas City, Missouri for 2024, according to DiMartino.&nbsp; Police released no additional details.

KCPD: Car struck and killed man in a wheelchair on highway

KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — The Biden administration announced Wednesday that it will give Ukraine antipersonnel mines to help it slow&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine">Russia’s battlefield advances</a>, marking the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-ukraine-long-range-weapons-russia-52d424158182de2044ecc8bfcf011f9c">second major shift</a>&nbsp;on U.S. military support for Kyiv in days.

After&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-ukraine-long-range-weapons-russia-52d424158182de2044ecc8bfcf011f9c">allowing Ukraine</a>&nbsp;to use&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/atacms-ukraine-longrange-missiles-5fd95f32449d14da22b82d57d6ccab22">longer-range American missiles</a>&nbsp;to launch strikes deeper into Russia, U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said the shift in Washington’s policy on antipersonnel land mines for Ukraine was needed to counter changing Russian tactics.

The war, which&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ukraine-russia-war-f7f56e494df1dbbcdec1853001796c45">reached its 1,000-day milestone</a>&nbsp;on Tuesday, has largely been going Russia’s way. Moscow's bigger army is slowly&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kurakhove-donbas-drones-evacuation-offensive-afb121bfbb276f8bb3789960f7076331">pushing Ukraine’s forces backward</a>&nbsp;in the eastern Donetsk region, while Ukrainian civilians&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-missile-strike-85dea3d9af59589d372333a23de9130a">are being maimed and killed</a>&nbsp;by Russian drones and missiles often fired from inside Russia.

Individual ground troops, rather than forces more protected in armored carriers, are leading the Russian battlefield advance, so Ukraine has “a need for things that can help slow down that effort,” Austin said during a trip to Laos.

The announcement comes two months before Donald Trump replaces Joe Biden in the White House. Trump has pledged to swiftly end the war and has criticized the amount the U.S. has spent on supporting Ukraine.

Biden administration officials say they are determined to help Ukraine as much as possible before he leaves office, and they announced Wednesday that the U.S. intends to cancel half of the debt — some $4.6 billion — Ukraine owes to the country. State Department spokesman Matthew Miller said U.S. lawmakers were informed of the move this week, and that he doesn't expect them to pass a resolution of disapproval to try to stop the loan forgiveness because of the bipartisan support for Ukraine in the current Congress.

The steps taken to help Ukraine — along with unconfirmed reports Wednesday of Ukraine firing a certain British cruise missile at Russia for the first time — were likely to vex Moscow.

The U.S. and some other Western embassies in Kyiv closed for the day Wednesday in response to the threat of a potentially major Russian aerial attack on the Ukrainian capital.

Humanitarian groups have long criticized the use of antipersonnel mines because they present a lingering threat to civilians. Amnesty International called the U.S. decision “reckless” and a “deeply disappointing setback." And Norway’s foreign minister, Espen Barth Eide, called it “very problematic” because Ukraine is a signatory to an international convention opposing the use of land mines.

Austin pointed out that Ukraine already makes its own antipersonnel mines, and that the U.S. has been providing Ukraine with anti-tank mines. He also tried to allay concerns about the new mines the U.S. is giving Kyiv, saying they are not persistent, meaning troops can control when they would self-detonate.

“That makes it far more safer eventually than the things that they are creating on their own,” Austin said.

The mines are are electrically fused and powered by batteries so that when the battery runs out, they won’t detonate. They can become inert in anywhere from four hours to two weeks.

Russia already&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-2022-midterm-elections-united-nations-human-rights-watch-europe-aeb0d403ebd62e543c95b3089611505c">uses land mines in Ukraine</a>, but those don’t become inert over time.

The United States also sought commitments from the Ukrainians on the use of the mines to limit harm to innocent civilians, according to a U.S. official who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss internal deliberations. Ukraine would use the mines in its own country and would not put them in civilian populated areas.

The mines are contained in a $275 million package of new military assistance from the Biden administration, according to a different U.S. official who spoke on condition of anonymity because the aid package hasn't been formerly announced. Also included in the package are High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems, or HIMARS, as well as 155 mm and 105 mm artillery rounds, Javelin anti-armor munitions, and other equipment and spare parts.

The war has taken on a growing international dimension with the arrival of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-war-north-korea-troops-c8cf9599591e50caf1c48a98b6841fe4">North Korean troops to help Russia</a>&nbsp;on the battlefield — a development that U.S. officials said prompted Biden’s&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ukraine-russia-war-biden-what-are-atacms-missiles-8d8621321af8c673bd42a5693c2ad1f4">policy shift</a>&nbsp;on allowing Ukraine to fire longer-range U.S. missiles into Russia and that&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-missile-attack-sumy-5cd4f9fe2cee1ae8aed67d63c22b0703">angered the Kremlin</a>.

Britain had been quietly pressing the U.S. to ease restrictions on how Western-supplied missiles are used, and unconfirmed news reports Wednesday said Ukraine had fired British-made Storm Shadow cruise missiles at Russia for the first time. British and Ukrainian officials didn't confirm the reports.

Officials with France's military and president’s office, meanwhile, declined to say whether Ukraine is using French long-range SCALP missiles to strike targets in Russia, citing France's military secrecy policy. French President Emmanuel Macron&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/france-macron-news-conference-c8bc75f0802ea1c7f0c0f4fc36c0597b">has been pushing for such a step</a>&nbsp;for months.

After the Biden administration allowed Ukraine to attack Russia with longer-range American-made ATACMS missiles, Russian President Vladimir Putin&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-nuclear-doctrine-putin-91f20e0c9b0f9e5eaa3ed97c35789898">lowered the threshold</a>&nbsp;for using his nuclear arsenal, with the new doctrine announced Tuesday&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-nuclear-doctrine-putin-ukraine-war-b5ee115aa2099fa247f630e16da861d8">permitting a potential nuclear response</a>&nbsp;by Moscow even to a conventional attack on Russia by any nation that is supported by a nuclear power.

That could potentially include Ukrainian attacks backed by the U.S.

The American diplomatic mission in Kyiv said Wednesday that it had received a warning about a potentially significant Russian air attack on the Ukrainian capital and was staying closed for the day. It anticipated a quick return to regular operations. The Spanish, Italian and Greek embassies also closed for the day, but the U.K. government and France said that their embassies remained open.

Western leaders dismissed the Russian reaction to the U.S. missile decision as an attempt to deter Ukraine’s allies from providing further support to Kyiv, but the escalating&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/stock-markets-japan-china-3a2ce8be3c3743199782c3453053afaf">tension weighed on stock markets</a>&nbsp;after Ukraine fired ATACMS missiles&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-war-1000-days-attack-06002c8c50bfb2fc622f446a8580bc0e">for the first time</a>&nbsp;at a target inside Russia.

Western and Ukrainian officials say Russia been stockpiling powerful long-range missiles, possibly in an upcoming effort to crush the Ukrainian power grid as winter approaches.

Military analysts say the U.S. decision on the range over which American-made missiles can be used isn't expected to be a game-changer, but it could help weaken the Russian war effort, according to the Institute for the Study of War, a Washington think tank.

“Ukrainian long-range strikes against military objects within Russia’s rear are crucial for degrading Russian military capabilities throughout the theater," it said.

Meanwhile, North Korea&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/north-korea-russia-ukraine-artillery-f16f8a95fc6b4314c52d4a9271c3632d">recently supplied additional artillery systems</a>&nbsp;to Russia, according to South Korea. It said that North Korean soldiers were assigned to Russia’s marine and airborne forces units and some of them have already begun fighting alongside the Russians on the front lines.

Ukraine struck a factory in Russia’s Belgorod region that makes cargo drones for the armed forces in an overnight attack, according to Andrii Kovalenko, the head of the counter-disinformation branch of Ukraine’s Security Council.

He also claimed Ukraine hit an arsenal in Russia’s Novgorod region, near the town of Kotovo, located about 680 kilometers (420 miles) behind the Ukrainian border. The arsenal stored artillery ammunition and various types of missiles, he said.

It wasn't possible to independently verify the claims.

KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — The Biden administration announced Wednesday that it will give Ukraine antipersonnel mines to help it slow&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine">Russia’s battlefield advances</a>, marking the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-ukraine-long-range-weapons-russia-52d424158182de2044ecc8bfcf011f9c">second major shift</a>&nbsp;on U.S. military support for Kyiv in days.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">The United States has announced a new support package worth $275 million. It includes drones, ammunition for HIMARS and artillery, and—critically—essential mines to stop Russian assaults. This will significantly strengthen our troops on the front lines. This marks the 70th… <a href="https://t.co/bXlBLPKg6C">pic.twitter.com/bXlBLPKg6C</a>&mdash; Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) <a href="https://twitter.com/ZelenskyyUa/status/1859313020641366485?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 20, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>After&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-ukraine-long-range-weapons-russia-52d424158182de2044ecc8bfcf011f9c">allowing Ukraine</a>&nbsp;to use&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/atacms-ukraine-longrange-missiles-5fd95f32449d14da22b82d57d6ccab22">longer-range American missiles</a>&nbsp;to launch strikes deeper into Russia, U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said the shift in Washington’s policy on antipersonnel land mines for Ukraine was needed to counter changing Russian tactics.The war, which&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ukraine-russia-war-f7f56e494df1dbbcdec1853001796c45">reached its 1,000-day milestone</a>&nbsp;on Tuesday, has largely been going Russia’s way. Moscow's bigger army is slowly&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kurakhove-donbas-drones-evacuation-offensive-afb121bfbb276f8bb3789960f7076331">pushing Ukraine’s forces backward</a>&nbsp;in the eastern Donetsk region, while Ukrainian civilians&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-missile-strike-85dea3d9af59589d372333a23de9130a">are being maimed and killed</a>&nbsp;by Russian drones and missiles often fired from inside Russia.Individual ground troops, rather than forces more protected in armored carriers, are leading the Russian battlefield advance, so Ukraine has “a need for things that can help slow down that effort,” Austin said during a trip to Laos.The announcement comes two months before Donald Trump replaces Joe Biden in the White House. Trump has pledged to swiftly end the war and has criticized the amount the U.S. has spent on supporting Ukraine.Biden administration officials say they are determined to help Ukraine as much as possible before he leaves office, and they announced Wednesday that the U.S. intends to cancel half of the debt — some $4.6 billion — Ukraine owes to the country. State Department spokesman Matthew Miller said U.S. lawmakers were informed of the move this week, and that he doesn't expect them to pass a resolution of disapproval to try to stop the loan forgiveness because of the bipartisan support for Ukraine in the current Congress.The steps taken to help Ukraine — along with unconfirmed reports Wednesday of Ukraine firing a certain British cruise missile at Russia for the first time — were likely to vex Moscow.The U.S. and some other Western embassies in Kyiv closed for the day Wednesday in response to the threat of a potentially major Russian aerial attack on the Ukrainian capital.Humanitarian groups have long criticized the use of antipersonnel mines because they present a lingering threat to civilians. Amnesty International called the U.S. decision “reckless” and a “deeply disappointing setback." And Norway’s foreign minister, Espen Barth Eide, called it “very problematic” because Ukraine is a signatory to an international convention opposing the use of land mines.Austin pointed out that Ukraine already makes its own antipersonnel mines, and that the U.S. has been providing Ukraine with anti-tank mines. He also tried to allay concerns about the new mines the U.S. is giving Kyiv, saying they are not persistent, meaning troops can control when they would self-detonate.“That makes it far more safer eventually than the things that they are creating on their own,” Austin said.The mines are are electrically fused and powered by batteries so that when the battery runs out, they won’t detonate. They can become inert in anywhere from four hours to two weeks.Russia already&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-2022-midterm-elections-united-nations-human-rights-watch-europe-aeb0d403ebd62e543c95b3089611505c">uses land mines in Ukraine</a>, but those don’t become inert over time.The United States also sought commitments from the Ukrainians on the use of the mines to limit harm to innocent civilians, according to a U.S. official who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss internal deliberations. Ukraine would use the mines in its own country and would not put them in civilian populated areas.The mines are contained in a $275 million package of new military assistance from the Biden administration, according to a different U.S. official who spoke on condition of anonymity because the aid package hasn't been formerly announced. Also included in the package are High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems, or HIMARS, as well as 155 mm and 105 mm artillery rounds, Javelin anti-armor munitions, and other equipment and spare parts.The war has taken on a growing international dimension with the arrival of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-war-north-korea-troops-c8cf9599591e50caf1c48a98b6841fe4">North Korean troops to help Russia</a>&nbsp;on the battlefield — a development that U.S. officials said prompted Biden’s&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ukraine-russia-war-biden-what-are-atacms-missiles-8d8621321af8c673bd42a5693c2ad1f4">policy shift</a>&nbsp;on allowing Ukraine to fire longer-range U.S. missiles into Russia and that&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-missile-attack-sumy-5cd4f9fe2cee1ae8aed67d63c22b0703">angered the Kremlin</a>.Britain had been quietly pressing the U.S. to ease restrictions on how Western-supplied missiles are used, and unconfirmed news reports Wednesday said Ukraine had fired British-made Storm Shadow cruise missiles at Russia for the first time. British and Ukrainian officials didn't confirm the reports.Officials with France's military and president’s office, meanwhile, declined to say whether Ukraine is using French long-range SCALP missiles to strike targets in Russia, citing France's military secrecy policy. French President Emmanuel Macron&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/france-macron-news-conference-c8bc75f0802ea1c7f0c0f4fc36c0597b">has been pushing for such a step</a>&nbsp;for months.After the Biden administration allowed Ukraine to attack Russia with longer-range American-made ATACMS missiles, Russian President Vladimir Putin&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-nuclear-doctrine-putin-91f20e0c9b0f9e5eaa3ed97c35789898">lowered the threshold</a>&nbsp;for using his nuclear arsenal, with the new doctrine announced Tuesday&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-nuclear-doctrine-putin-ukraine-war-b5ee115aa2099fa247f630e16da861d8">permitting a potential nuclear response</a>&nbsp;by Moscow even to a conventional attack on Russia by any nation that is supported by a nuclear power.That could potentially include Ukrainian attacks backed by the U.S.The American diplomatic mission in Kyiv said Wednesday that it had received a warning about a potentially significant Russian air attack on the Ukrainian capital and was staying closed for the day. It anticipated a quick return to regular operations. The Spanish, Italian and Greek embassies also closed for the day, but the U.K. government and France said that their embassies remained open.Western leaders dismissed the Russian reaction to the U.S. missile decision as an attempt to deter Ukraine’s allies from providing further support to Kyiv, but the escalating&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/stock-markets-japan-china-3a2ce8be3c3743199782c3453053afaf">tension weighed on stock markets</a>&nbsp;after Ukraine fired ATACMS missiles&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-war-1000-days-attack-06002c8c50bfb2fc622f446a8580bc0e">for the first time</a>&nbsp;at a target inside Russia.Western and Ukrainian officials say Russia been stockpiling powerful long-range missiles, possibly in an upcoming effort to crush the Ukrainian power grid as winter approaches.Military analysts say the U.S. decision on the range over which American-made missiles can be used isn't expected to be a game-changer, but it could help weaken the Russian war effort, according to the Institute for the Study of War, a Washington think tank.“Ukrainian long-range strikes against military objects within Russia’s rear are crucial for degrading Russian military capabilities throughout the theater," it said.Meanwhile, North Korea&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/north-korea-russia-ukraine-artillery-f16f8a95fc6b4314c52d4a9271c3632d">recently supplied additional artillery systems</a>&nbsp;to Russia, according to South Korea. It said that North Korean soldiers were assigned to Russia’s marine and airborne forces units and some of them have already begun fighting alongside the Russians on the front lines.Ukraine struck a factory in Russia’s Belgorod region that makes cargo drones for the armed forces in an overnight attack, according to Andrii Kovalenko, the head of the counter-disinformation branch of Ukraine’s Security Council.He also claimed Ukraine hit an arsenal in Russia’s Novgorod region, near the town of Kotovo, located about 680 kilometers (420 miles) behind the Ukrainian border. The arsenal stored artillery ammunition and various types of missiles, he said.It wasn't possible to independently verify the claims.___

🎥Biden approves giving land mines to Ukraine, undoing his own policy

SEWARD COUNTY – The former city manager of Liberal, Russell “Rusty” Varnado is under investigation on sex crime allegations, according&nbsp; to a media release from the Kansas Bureau of Investigation.

In August, the Liberal Police Department asked the KBI for assistance investigating when allegations arose. The crimes occurred between March and August of 2024, when Varnado was city manager. Following the allegations, Varnado was fired from his position.

At 4 p.m. Wednesday, deputies of the Seward County Sheriff’s Office arrested Varnado, 37, on a KBI warrant for rape, sexual battery, and lewd and lascivious. Varnado was booked into the Seward County Jail.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/11/1732145460059.png" alt="Varnado photo KBI" />
 <figcaption>Varnado photo KBI</figcaption>
 </figure>SEWARD COUNTY – The former city manager of Liberal, Russell “Rusty” Varnado is under investigation on sex crime allegations, according&nbsp; to a media release from the Kansas Bureau of Investigation.In August, the Liberal Police Department asked the KBI for assistance investigating when allegations arose. The crimes occurred between March and August of 2024, when Varnado was city manager. Following the allegations, Varnado was fired from his position.At 4 p.m. Wednesday, deputies of the Seward County Sheriff’s Office arrested Varnado, 37, on a KBI warrant for rape, sexual battery, and lewd and lascivious. Varnado was booked into the Seward County Jail.&nbsp;

Former city manager in Kansas accused of sex crimes

SHAWNEE COUNTY —Law enforcement are investigating a fatal pedestrian accident in Topeka.

Just after 6p.m. Wednesday, police responded to a reported injury accident involving a vehicle and pedestrian near the 1900 Block of SE Adams, according to Police LT Jason Schumacher.

American Medical Response transported the victim to a local hospital where he was later pronounced deceased.

All involved individuals have been accounted for. Police have not released the name of the&nbsp; victim or additional details.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/11/1732158195188.png" alt="photo courtesy WIBW TV" />
 <figcaption>photo courtesy WIBW TV</figcaption>
 </figure>SHAWNEE COUNTY —Law enforcement are investigating a fatal pedestrian accident in Topeka.Just after 6p.m. Wednesday, police responded to a reported injury accident involving a vehicle and pedestrian near the 1900 Block of SE Adams, according to Police LT Jason Schumacher.American Medical Response transported the victim to a local hospital where he was later pronounced deceased.All involved individuals have been accounted for. Police have not released the name of the&nbsp; victim or additional details.

Police: Kansas man dies in pedestrian accident

OSAGE COUNTY—Law enforcement are investigating a suspect from Texas on drug allegations.

Just after 3:30p.m. November 17, a Sheriff’s Deputy conducted a traffic stop on U.S. 75 Highway for a traffic violation, according to Sheriff Chris Wells.

During the stop, a narcotics detecting K-9 was deployed and illegal narcotics were located. Maria D.L. Vidal Cruz, 51, of Mount Pleasant, TX was taken into custody and transported to the Osage County Jail Facility on requested charges of Possession of methamphetamine

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/11/1732118411121.png" alt="Cruz photo Osage Co." />
 <figcaption>Cruz photo Osage Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>OSAGE COUNTY—Law enforcement are investigating a suspect from Texas on drug allegations.Just after 3:30p.m. November 17, a Sheriff’s Deputy conducted a traffic stop on U.S. 75 Highway for a traffic violation, according to Sheriff Chris Wells.During the stop, a narcotics detecting K-9 was deployed and illegal narcotics were located. Maria D.L. Vidal Cruz, 51, of Mount Pleasant, TX was taken into custody and transported to the Osage County Jail Facility on requested charges of Possession of methamphetamine

Sheriff: Texas woman was transporting meth in Kansas 

JOHNSON COUNTY —A man accused in connection with a crash that left a 9-year-old Kansas boy dead has entered a plea in the case.

On Friday, 25-year-old&nbsp;&nbsp;Matthew Jacobo, 25,&nbsp; Kansas City, Kansas, pleaded guilty to reckless second degree murder and leaving the scene of a crash resulting in death, according to the Johnson County District Attorney's office.

He was originally charged with second degree murder, leaving the scene of an accident and possession of a firearm while driving under the influence, according to the Johnson County District Attorney's office.

Just before 7p.m. on December 1, 2023, police responded to a crash involving a white truck and a black sedan near Johnson Drive and Bell Road in Shawnee, Kansas, according to a media release.&nbsp; EMS transported nine-year-old Nolan Davidson of Lenexa to Children's Mercy in critical condition. He died December 7, according to a GoFundMe page for the family.

The driver of the truck later identified as Jacobo left the scene.&nbsp; Police tracked him down and made an arrest the night of the crash.

Nolan and his family were on their way from one basketball game to another when they were involved in the crash. The collision, impacted the rear passenger side where Nolan was seated.

Jacobo is scheduled for sentencing on January 7, according to the district attorney's office.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/12/1702397009027.png" alt="Jacobo-photo Johnson Co." />
 <figcaption>Jacobo-photo Johnson Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>JOHNSON COUNTY —A man accused in connection with a crash that left a 9-year-old Kansas boy dead has entered a plea in the case.On Friday, 25-year-old&nbsp;&nbsp;Matthew Jacobo, 25,&nbsp; Kansas City, Kansas, pleaded guilty to reckless second degree murder and leaving the scene of a crash resulting in death, according to the Johnson County District Attorney's office.He was originally charged with second degree murder, leaving the scene of an accident and possession of a firearm while driving under the influence, according to the Johnson County District Attorney's office.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/12/1702398123562.png" alt="Davidson photo GoFundMe" />
 <figcaption>Davidson photo GoFundMe</figcaption>
 </figure>Just before 7p.m. on December 1, 2023, police responded to a crash involving a white truck and a black sedan near Johnson Drive and Bell Road in Shawnee, Kansas, according to a media release.&nbsp; EMS transported nine-year-old Nolan Davidson of Lenexa to Children's Mercy in critical condition. He died December 7, according to a GoFundMe page for the family.The driver of the truck later identified as Jacobo left the scene.&nbsp; Police tracked him down and made an arrest the night of the crash.Nolan and his family were on their way from one basketball game to another when they were involved in the crash. The collision, impacted the rear passenger side where Nolan was seated.Jacobo is scheduled for sentencing on January 7, according to the district attorney's office.

Man enters plea in crash that killed 9-year-old Kansas boy

WASHINGTON (AP) — Republicans on the House Ethics Committee voted Wednesday against releasing a report on the panel's&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/matt-gaetz-ethics-attorney-general-nomination-5960df4fe88bdc39bb9a413f92c38bf8">long-running investigation</a>&nbsp;into President-elect Donald Trump's nominee for attorney general, former Rep.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/matt-gaetz">Matt Gaetz,</a>&nbsp;the top Democrat on the panel said.

Rep. Susan Wild of Pennsylvania said the ethics panel, which is evenly split between the two parties, voted at a lengthy closed-door meeting, and no Republican joined Democrats who wanted to release the report.

Wild said she was compelled to speak up after the panel's Republican chairman, Rep. Michael Guest of Mississippi, characterized what had transpired at its session. He had said there was no agreement reached on the matter.

“It was not my intention to make any comment,” Wild said. But she said she did not want "the American public or anyone else to think that Mr. Guest’s characterization of what transpired today would be some sort of indication that the committee had unanimity or consensus on this issue not to release the report.”

The impasse on the panel comes as Gaetz launched an effort to personally secure his embattled nomination, meeting behind closed doors Wednesday with Republican&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-gaetz-confirmation-senate-ethics-attorney-general-940f8bd0791d51df48b0a4b80f7a323a">senators who have heard questions</a>&nbsp;about the sexual misconduct and other allegations against him.

At least one Republican senator decried the scrutiny as a “lynch mob” forming against Gaetz, who if confirmed would become the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-attorney-general-gaetz-justice-department-852d3096a6f154fcdb23581948f906e6">nation's top law enforcement</a>&nbsp;official.

“I’m not going to legitimize the process to destroy the man because people don’t like his politics,” said Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., as he left the private senators' meeting .

“He deserves a chance to make his argument why he should be attorney general,” Graham said. “No rubber stamp, no lynch mob.”

Sen. Josh Hawley, R-Mo., who is supportive of Gaetz’s nomination, emerged saying, “If you have concerns, that’s fine. But don’t make up your mind yet. Let the guy testify first.”

As the senators met in the out-of-the-way Strom Thurmond Room, Hawley said Gaetz was in a “cheerful” mood. The former Florida congressman met with different senators over the course of about four hours.

It was the start of a personal push by Gaetz, who has long denied the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-attorney-general-matt-gaetz-justice-department-dca401813d9b84638d250f273a2d3942">mounting allegations</a>&nbsp;against him, to shore up the Senate support needed to be confirmed as the nation's attorney general. He brings with him wide-ranging proposals to rid the Department of Justice of those perceived by Trump to have&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ap.org/news-highlights/spotlights/2024/gaetz-pick-shows-value-trump-places-on-loyalty-and-retribution-as-he-returns-to-washington/">“weaponized”</a>&nbsp;their work against the president-elect, his allies and conservatives in general.

Trump himself told senators that he hoped "to get Matt across the finish line,” said Sen. Kevin Cramer, R-N.C, who was with the president-elect and others for&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/donald-trump-elon-musk-rocket-launch-3dc51e98b9cc06718839ea4116b59e33">a SpaceX rocket launch Tuesday</a>&nbsp;with billionaire Elon Musk in Texas.

Cramer said from his observation of Trump's plans, “None of these people including Matt Gaetz are nominated as a diversion to the others. He wants them. He knows what he wants, he says what he wants and he’ll see it through to some conclusion.”

Gaetz is being shepherded by Vice President-elect JD Vance, an Ohio senator. His meeting with Senate allies was largely a strategy session where he emphasized the need to get a hearing where he could lay out his and Trump’s vision for the Justice Department.

It follows a meeting Gaetz had at the start of the week with the conservative House Freedom Caucus, whose members have expressed enthusiasm for his approach to wholesale changes, which have instilled a climate of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-attorney-general-gaetz-justice-department-852d3096a6f154fcdb23581948f906e6">anxiety and dismay</a>&nbsp;at the department.

Vance reminded the GOP senators that Trump's presidential victory had coattails that boosted their ranks to the majority. “He deserves a Cabinet that is loyal to the agenda he was elected to implement,” the outgoing Ohio senator posted on social media.

Gaetz, however, is also racing the clock against the potential release of the House Ethics Committee's report which would publicly air the allegations against him.

Attorneys involved in a civil case brought by a Gaetz associate were&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-attorney-general-matt-gaetz-justice-department-dca401813d9b84638d250f273a2d3942">notified this week</a>&nbsp;that an unauthorized person accessed a file shared between lawyers that included unredacted depositions from a woman who has said Gaetz had sex with her when she was 17, and a second woman who says she saw the encounter, according to attorney Joel Leppard.

The Senate Judiciary Committee's Democrats sent a letter Wednesday asking FBI Director Christopher Wray to provide to the panel “the complete evidentiary file," including the forms memorializing interviews ”in the closed&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-attorney-general-matt-gaetz-justice-department-9d51501fb6ad5c04b5b4113d3a6a584b">investigation</a>&nbsp;of former Congressman Matt Gaetz’s alleged sex trafficking of minors."

Gaetz has said the department’s&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/politicians-in-crisis-refuse-to-resign-16046aff55900e97f59aec9aa5153df6">investigation into sex trafficking allegations</a>&nbsp;involving underage girls had ended with no federal charges against him.

“The grave public allegations against Mr. Gaetz speak directly to his fitness to serve as the chief law enforcement officer for the federal government,” wrote Judiciary Chairman Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill., and others on the panel.

While House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., has said the committee should not release the report because Gaetz swiftly resigned his congressional seat after Trump announced the nomination, several GOP senators have indicated they want all information before having to make a decision on how they would vote.

Sen. Mike Lee, R-Utah, who also met with Gaetz, said of the committee's report, “We didn’t get into a lot of detail as to what he expects to be in there, but he expressed confidence that what is before the committee are a series of false accusations.”

Trump has long had a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ap.org/news-highlights/spotlights/2024/gaetz-pick-shows-value-trump-places-on-loyalty-and-retribution-as-he-returns-to-washington/">valued ally</a>&nbsp;in Gaetz, who was a star at congressional oversight hearings as he railed against what conservatives claim is favoritism within the Justice Department, which indicted Trump over alleged mishandling of classified documents after he left office and for his efforts to overturn the 2020 election, which lost to Democrat Joe Biden, before the Jan. 6, 2021 attack at the Capitol.

But the president-elect's pick has been among the most surprising, and provocative.

Sen. Marsha Blackburn, R-Tenn., a Trump ally, said she had a great meeting with Gaetz and looked forward to “a speedy confirmation for our next attorney general.” She wrote on social media that Trump’s Cabinet ”is going to shake up the D.C. swamp, and we look forward to moving his nominees.”

Cramer still said that Gaetz had a “steep climb” to confirmation.

“Donald Trump is understandably, legitimately and authentically concerned that he has an attorney general that’s willing to do what he wants him to do," Cramer said. “Matt Gaetz is definitely the guy that will not hold on any punches. ”

As soon as the new Congress convenes Jan. 3, 2025, when Republicans take majority control, senators are expected to begin holding hearings on Trump’s nominees, with voting possible on Inauguration Day Jan. 20.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/11/1731531518225.png" alt="File photo Former Rep. Matt Gaetz photo courtesy CSPAN" />
 <figcaption>File photo Former Rep. Matt Gaetz photo courtesy CSPAN</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — Republicans on the House Ethics Committee voted Wednesday against releasing a report on the panel's&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/matt-gaetz-ethics-attorney-general-nomination-5960df4fe88bdc39bb9a413f92c38bf8">long-running investigation</a>&nbsp;into President-elect Donald Trump's nominee for attorney general, former Rep.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/matt-gaetz">Matt Gaetz,</a>&nbsp;the top Democrat on the panel said.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">House Ethics Committee Chair <a href="https://twitter.com/RepMichaelGuest?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@RepMichaelGuest</a> departs meeting regarding release of report on Matt Gaetz. <a href="https://t.co/uNOmYPOcYs">pic.twitter.com/uNOmYPOcYs</a>&mdash; CSPAN (@cspan) <a href="https://twitter.com/cspan/status/1859339653347676657?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 20, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>Rep. Susan Wild of Pennsylvania said the ethics panel, which is evenly split between the two parties, voted at a lengthy closed-door meeting, and no Republican joined Democrats who wanted to release the report.Wild said she was compelled to speak up after the panel's Republican chairman, Rep. Michael Guest of Mississippi, characterized what had transpired at its session. He had said there was no agreement reached on the matter.“It was not my intention to make any comment,” Wild said. But she said she did not want "the American public or anyone else to think that Mr. Guest’s characterization of what transpired today would be some sort of indication that the committee had unanimity or consensus on this issue not to release the report.”The impasse on the panel comes as Gaetz launched an effort to personally secure his embattled nomination, meeting behind closed doors Wednesday with Republican&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-gaetz-confirmation-senate-ethics-attorney-general-940f8bd0791d51df48b0a4b80f7a323a">senators who have heard questions</a>&nbsp;about the sexual misconduct and other allegations against him.At least one Republican senator decried the scrutiny as a “lynch mob” forming against Gaetz, who if confirmed would become the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-attorney-general-gaetz-justice-department-852d3096a6f154fcdb23581948f906e6">nation's top law enforcement</a>&nbsp;official.“I’m not going to legitimize the process to destroy the man because people don’t like his politics,” said Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., as he left the private senators' meeting .“He deserves a chance to make his argument why he should be attorney general,” Graham said. “No rubber stamp, no lynch mob.”Sen. Josh Hawley, R-Mo., who is supportive of Gaetz’s nomination, emerged saying, “If you have concerns, that’s fine. But don’t make up your mind yet. Let the guy testify first.”As the senators met in the out-of-the-way Strom Thurmond Room, Hawley said Gaetz was in a “cheerful” mood. The former Florida congressman met with different senators over the course of about four hours.It was the start of a personal push by Gaetz, who has long denied the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-attorney-general-matt-gaetz-justice-department-dca401813d9b84638d250f273a2d3942">mounting allegations</a>&nbsp;against him, to shore up the Senate support needed to be confirmed as the nation's attorney general. He brings with him wide-ranging proposals to rid the Department of Justice of those perceived by Trump to have&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ap.org/news-highlights/spotlights/2024/gaetz-pick-shows-value-trump-places-on-loyalty-and-retribution-as-he-returns-to-washington/">“weaponized”</a>&nbsp;their work against the president-elect, his allies and conservatives in general.Trump himself told senators that he hoped "to get Matt across the finish line,” said Sen. Kevin Cramer, R-N.C, who was with the president-elect and others for&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/donald-trump-elon-musk-rocket-launch-3dc51e98b9cc06718839ea4116b59e33">a SpaceX rocket launch Tuesday</a>&nbsp;with billionaire Elon Musk in Texas.Cramer said from his observation of Trump's plans, “None of these people including Matt Gaetz are nominated as a diversion to the others. He wants them. He knows what he wants, he says what he wants and he’ll see it through to some conclusion.”Gaetz is being shepherded by Vice President-elect JD Vance, an Ohio senator. His meeting with Senate allies was largely a strategy session where he emphasized the need to get a hearing where he could lay out his and Trump’s vision for the Justice Department.It follows a meeting Gaetz had at the start of the week with the conservative House Freedom Caucus, whose members have expressed enthusiasm for his approach to wholesale changes, which have instilled a climate of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-attorney-general-gaetz-justice-department-852d3096a6f154fcdb23581948f906e6">anxiety and dismay</a>&nbsp;at the department.Vance reminded the GOP senators that Trump's presidential victory had coattails that boosted their ranks to the majority. “He deserves a Cabinet that is loyal to the agenda he was elected to implement,” the outgoing Ohio senator posted on social media.Gaetz, however, is also racing the clock against the potential release of the House Ethics Committee's report which would publicly air the allegations against him.Attorneys involved in a civil case brought by a Gaetz associate were&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-attorney-general-matt-gaetz-justice-department-dca401813d9b84638d250f273a2d3942">notified this week</a>&nbsp;that an unauthorized person accessed a file shared between lawyers that included unredacted depositions from a woman who has said Gaetz had sex with her when she was 17, and a second woman who says she saw the encounter, according to attorney Joel Leppard.The Senate Judiciary Committee's Democrats sent a letter Wednesday asking FBI Director Christopher Wray to provide to the panel “the complete evidentiary file," including the forms memorializing interviews ”in the closed&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-attorney-general-matt-gaetz-justice-department-9d51501fb6ad5c04b5b4113d3a6a584b">investigation</a>&nbsp;of former Congressman Matt Gaetz’s alleged sex trafficking of minors."Gaetz has said the department’s&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/politicians-in-crisis-refuse-to-resign-16046aff55900e97f59aec9aa5153df6">investigation into sex trafficking allegations</a>&nbsp;involving underage girls had ended with no federal charges against him.“The grave public allegations against Mr. Gaetz speak directly to his fitness to serve as the chief law enforcement officer for the federal government,” wrote Judiciary Chairman Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill., and others on the panel.While House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., has said the committee should not release the report because Gaetz swiftly resigned his congressional seat after Trump announced the nomination, several GOP senators have indicated they want all information before having to make a decision on how they would vote.Sen. Mike Lee, R-Utah, who also met with Gaetz, said of the committee's report, “We didn’t get into a lot of detail as to what he expects to be in there, but he expressed confidence that what is before the committee are a series of false accusations.”Trump has long had a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ap.org/news-highlights/spotlights/2024/gaetz-pick-shows-value-trump-places-on-loyalty-and-retribution-as-he-returns-to-washington/">valued ally</a>&nbsp;in Gaetz, who was a star at congressional oversight hearings as he railed against what conservatives claim is favoritism within the Justice Department, which indicted Trump over alleged mishandling of classified documents after he left office and for his efforts to overturn the 2020 election, which lost to Democrat Joe Biden, before the Jan. 6, 2021 attack at the Capitol.But the president-elect's pick has been among the most surprising, and provocative.Sen. Marsha Blackburn, R-Tenn., a Trump ally, said she had a great meeting with Gaetz and looked forward to “a speedy confirmation for our next attorney general.” She wrote on social media that Trump’s Cabinet ”is going to shake up the D.C. swamp, and we look forward to moving his nominees.”Cramer still said that Gaetz had a “steep climb” to confirmation.“Donald Trump is understandably, legitimately and authentically concerned that he has an attorney general that’s willing to do what he wants him to do," Cramer said. “Matt Gaetz is definitely the guy that will not hold on any punches. ”As soon as the new Congress convenes Jan. 3, 2025, when Republicans take majority control, senators are expected to begin holding hearings on Trump’s nominees, with voting possible on Inauguration Day Jan. 20.___

🎥House Ethics Committee to keep report on Trump's AG pick hidden

JOHNSON COUNTY—Law enforcement are investigating a Kansas robbery and have released details on a suspect.

Just before 8p.m. Tuesday, police were dispatched to the 1200 block of East Santa Fe Street in reference to a robbery that just occurred, according to&nbsp;Police Sergeant John Moncayo.

It was reported that an unknown suspect entered the business, obtained money from the register, then ran from the scene. A thorough neighborhood search was conducted with negative contact with the suspect.

The suspect was described as an adult white male with blue eyes, wearing a grey hoodie, black mask, black puffy coat, jeans and dark shoes. The suspect left with an undisclosed amount of cash and merchandise. No weapon was seen during this incident and no reported injuries.

JOHNSON COUNTY—Law enforcement are investigating a Kansas robbery and have released details on a suspect.Just before 8p.m. Tuesday, police were dispatched to the 1200 block of East Santa Fe Street in reference to a robbery that just occurred, according to&nbsp;Police Sergeant John Moncayo.It was reported that an unknown suspect entered the business, obtained money from the register, then ran from the scene. A thorough neighborhood search was conducted with negative contact with the suspect.The suspect was described as an adult white male with blue eyes, wearing a grey hoodie, black mask, black puffy coat, jeans and dark shoes. The suspect left with an undisclosed amount of cash and merchandise. No weapon was seen during this incident and no reported injuries.

Police: Man in a mask took cash from register at Kan. business 

<a href="https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search/?query=byline:%22CHRISTINA%20A.%20CASSIDY,%20JOHN%20HANNA%20and%20AMY%20BETH%20HANSON%22&amp;mediaType=text&amp;st=keyword&amp;sortOrder=newest">By CHRISTINA A. CASSIDY, JOHN HANNA and AMY BETH HANSON Associated Press</a>

KANSAS CITY (AP) — Terry Thompson had an election to run for voters in Cascade County, Montana. Why then, she thought, was her office in Great Falls being sent mailed ballots completed by voters in places such as Wasilla, Alaska, Vancouver, Washington, and Tampa, Florida?

It was only about a dozen ballots total from voters in other states. But she said it still raised concerns about the ability of the U.S. Postal Service to deliver election mail and whether the errant ballots would ever be counted.

“I mean, I would have had to been doing FedEx overnight envelopes to all these states to try to get them where they needed to go,” said Thompson, the county's election administrator.

She received about a half dozen others that should have gone to county election offices in other parts of Montana. For those, she said she “just had to hope and pray” they made it back on time.

While a stray ballot ending up in the wrong place can happen during election season, the number of ballots destined for other states and counties that ended up at Thompson's office is unusual. The Associated Press found it wasn't an anomaly. Election offices in California, Louisiana, New Mexico and elsewhere also reported receiving completed ballots in the mail that should have gone to other states.

To some election officials, it confirms concerns they raised before the Nov. 5 presidential election about the U.S. Postal Service's performance and ability to handle a crush of mail ballots, as early voting has become increasingly popular with voters.

State election officials&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/election-2024-mail-ballots-voting-postal-service-985dd6e483fb6dc593d83255b11a9d0a">warned</a>&nbsp;in September that problems with the nation’s mail delivery system threatened to disenfranchise voters in the upcoming presidential election. In a letter to U.S. Postmaster General&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/louis-dejoy">Louis DeJoy</a>, the election officials noted problems during the primaries that included mailed ballots postmarked on time but received too late be counted and instances of properly addressed election mail returned as undeliverable.

In Louisiana, state election officials said some 40 to 50 ballots destined for 10 other states ended up being delivered to local election offices, mostly in Orleans Parish. Deputy Secretary of State Joel Watson Jr. said the Secretary of State’s Office had “extraordinary frustration” for the Postal Service’s continued “inconsistencies” and “lack of accountability.”

Dozens of mail ballots from inside the state also were delivered to the wrong local election office, Watson said.

“There were many instances where our staff had to physically take these ballots and drive them to another parish to get them there on time to make sure those votes count,” Watson said. “We had to use time and resources in the hours and days immediately preceding the biggest election we hold to make sure these ballots were delivered to the right places.”

Louisiana law does not permit ballot drop boxes, and Watson indicated his office does not support moving in that direction and would continue to encourage voters to cast their ballots in person. He cited security concerns such as the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/vote-ballot-drop-box-democracy-fire-f66c52f774955106fb9e7c8172825cff">arson attacks</a>&nbsp;on drop boxes in Washington and Oregon ahead of the Nov. 5 election in which ballots were damaged.

The U.S. Postal Service said in a statement that it had been working closely with local election officials to resolve concerns, but did not address specific questions regarding the misdirected ballots.

“The United States Postal Service is fully committed to fulfilling our role in the electoral process when policy makers choose to utilize us as a part of their election system, and to delivering election mail in a timely manner,” Rod Spurgeon, a USPS spokesman, said in an email.

In New Mexico’s Santa Fe County, County Clerk Katharine Clark said seven ballots bound for her office were sent instead to Los Angeles County in Southern California. Those ballots were redirected, Clark said, but did not arrive at her office before the state’s deadline to be counted, which is 7 p.m. on Election Day.

“It does mean that person got denied the right to vote, because the ballots from Los Angeles County -- even though they were sent (to Santa Fe) with a four- or five-day lead time -- they didn’t get to us in time to count,” she said.

In addition, Clark said her office received two ballots destined for Los Angeles County and one for Maricopa County in Arizona that she sent back to the U.S. Postal Service. Nine ballots should have been delivered to other counties within New Mexico.

In addition to the Santa Fe County ballots, Los Angeles County election officials said they also received two ballots that should have been mailed to Torrance County, New Mexico. That county's clerk, Linda Jaramillo, said she did not recall receiving the ballots from Los Angeles County but expressed faith in the nation's mail service.

<a href="https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search/?query=byline:%22CHRISTINA%20A.%20CASSIDY,%20JOHN%20HANNA%20and%20AMY%20BETH%20HANSON%22&amp;mediaType=text&amp;st=keyword&amp;sortOrder=newest">By CHRISTINA A. CASSIDY, JOHN HANNA and AMY BETH HANSON Associated Press</a>KANSAS CITY (AP) — Terry Thompson had an election to run for voters in Cascade County, Montana. Why then, she thought, was her office in Great Falls being sent mailed ballots completed by voters in places such as Wasilla, Alaska, Vancouver, Washington, and Tampa, Florida?It was only about a dozen ballots total from voters in other states. But she said it still raised concerns about the ability of the U.S. Postal Service to deliver election mail and whether the errant ballots would ever be counted.“I mean, I would have had to been doing FedEx overnight envelopes to all these states to try to get them where they needed to go,” said Thompson, the county's election administrator.She received about a half dozen others that should have gone to county election offices in other parts of Montana. For those, she said she “just had to hope and pray” they made it back on time.While a stray ballot ending up in the wrong place can happen during election season, the number of ballots destined for other states and counties that ended up at Thompson's office is unusual. The Associated Press found it wasn't an anomaly. Election offices in California, Louisiana, New Mexico and elsewhere also reported receiving completed ballots in the mail that should have gone to other states.To some election officials, it confirms concerns they raised before the Nov. 5 presidential election about the U.S. Postal Service's performance and ability to handle a crush of mail ballots, as early voting has become increasingly popular with voters.State election officials&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/election-2024-mail-ballots-voting-postal-service-985dd6e483fb6dc593d83255b11a9d0a">warned</a>&nbsp;in September that problems with the nation’s mail delivery system threatened to disenfranchise voters in the upcoming presidential election. In a letter to U.S. Postmaster General&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/louis-dejoy">Louis DeJoy</a>, the election officials noted problems during the primaries that included mailed ballots postmarked on time but received too late be counted and instances of properly addressed election mail returned as undeliverable.In Louisiana, state election officials said some 40 to 50 ballots destined for 10 other states ended up being delivered to local election offices, mostly in Orleans Parish. Deputy Secretary of State Joel Watson Jr. said the Secretary of State’s Office had “extraordinary frustration” for the Postal Service’s continued “inconsistencies” and “lack of accountability.”Dozens of mail ballots from inside the state also were delivered to the wrong local election office, Watson said.“There were many instances where our staff had to physically take these ballots and drive them to another parish to get them there on time to make sure those votes count,” Watson said. “We had to use time and resources in the hours and days immediately preceding the biggest election we hold to make sure these ballots were delivered to the right places.”Louisiana law does not permit ballot drop boxes, and Watson indicated his office does not support moving in that direction and would continue to encourage voters to cast their ballots in person. He cited security concerns such as the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/vote-ballot-drop-box-democracy-fire-f66c52f774955106fb9e7c8172825cff">arson attacks</a>&nbsp;on drop boxes in Washington and Oregon ahead of the Nov. 5 election in which ballots were damaged.The U.S. Postal Service said in a statement that it had been working closely with local election officials to resolve concerns, but did not address specific questions regarding the misdirected ballots.“The United States Postal Service is fully committed to fulfilling our role in the electoral process when policy makers choose to utilize us as a part of their election system, and to delivering election mail in a timely manner,” Rod Spurgeon, a USPS spokesman, said in an email.In New Mexico’s Santa Fe County, County Clerk Katharine Clark said seven ballots bound for her office were sent instead to Los Angeles County in Southern California. Those ballots were redirected, Clark said, but did not arrive at her office before the state’s deadline to be counted, which is 7 p.m. on Election Day.“It does mean that person got denied the right to vote, because the ballots from Los Angeles County -- even though they were sent (to Santa Fe) with a four- or five-day lead time -- they didn’t get to us in time to count,” she said.In addition, Clark said her office received two ballots destined for Los Angeles County and one for Maricopa County in Arizona that she sent back to the U.S. Postal Service. Nine ballots should have been delivered to other counties within New Mexico.In addition to the Santa Fe County ballots, Los Angeles County election officials said they also received two ballots that should have been mailed to Torrance County, New Mexico. That county's clerk, Linda Jaramillo, said she did not recall receiving the ballots from Los Angeles County but expressed faith in the nation's mail service.“There’s going to be a few,” Jaramillo said. "You can’t have perfection.”The California Secretary of State’s office said about 150 mail ballots from Oregon voters were misdirected to California before being sent back. Officials at the state election office in Springfield, Illinois, somehow ended up with a ballot intended for Massachusetts.“Yeah, I have no idea how that happens,” said Matt Dietrich, spokesperson for the Illinois State Board of Elections.Amy Cohen, executive director of the National Association of State Election Directors, called the incidents “disappointing and heartbreaking."“Election officials don’t ever want to see misdelivered ballots, but it does happen for variety of reasons, not all of which are USPS’s fault,” Cohen said, noting that voters can sometimes forget to use the outer envelope that contains important address information.But Cohen said the examples from this past presidential election seem to reflect the issues that election officials had been worried about since 2023 and were highlighted in their September letter to U.S. Postal Service leadership.“We hope they will get to the bottom of what went wrong to prevent it from happening again in the future and that they will be responsive to the issues escalated by the election community,” Cohen said.In Kansas, Secretary of State Scott Schwab, a Republican, was so frustrated after the August primary with hundreds of mail ballots arriving after the deadline for counting them that he posted on social media, “The Pony Express is more efficient at this point.” Schwab, unlike other Republicans, has touted the use of drop boxes.There were no reports of ballots misdirected from or to other states, but Schwab said in a statement this week: “I still encourage voters to not use the USPS to mail their ballot unless there is no other option.”___