Reaction to Trump’s Matt Gaetz Pick and X Users Quit in Mass: Morning Rundown

Donald Trump’s groundbreaking choice for attorney general surprises some federal officials. An indictment reveals how local officials in Mississippi’s largest city were implicated in an FBI corruption investigation. And restaurant menu prices are finally stabilizing.

Here’s what you need to know today.

Justice Department officials, Republican senators baffled by Trump’s attorney general pick

President-elect Donald Trump’s announcement Rep. Matt Gaetz as pick for attorney general has sent shock waves through Washington, D.C., among Justice Department officials and senators who will vote early next year on whether to confirm the Florida congressman.

If Gaetz is confirmed to the nation’s top law enforcement job, he would oversee departments such as the FBI and the Justice Department, which Trump has relentlessly attacked for years. Gaetz, a Trump loyalist known as an agitator in Congress, has a law degree and briefly practiced law in Florida before entering politics, but never worked as a prosecutor.

Gaetz was also the subject of a federal investigation on allegations of sex trafficking of a 17-year-old girl, allegations that Gaetz has long denied. The investigation ultimately did not result in criminal charges.

This is Morning Rundown, a weekday newsletter to start your day. Register here to receive it in your inbox.

Gaetz offered his resignation from the House after the choice was announced, Speaker Mike Johnson said, but it has not yet taken effect because it was not announced to the House. There will eventually be a special election in Florida to fill Gaetz’s seat.

The reaction to Trump’s choice was swift. One Justice Department official called the selection “truly mind-blowing,” while another called it “crazy.”

“I’m having trouble finding the words. And look, he’s uniquely qualified,” another DOJ employee joked. “How many other potential attorneys general had already been criminally investigated? Learn more on the reaction of current and former Justice Department officials.

Some Senate Republicans anticipate a difficult confirmation process. Sen. Lisa Murkowski said selecting Gaetz “wasn’t on my bingo card.”

“I don’t think this is a serious appointment for attorney general. That’s Lisa Murkowski’s point of view,” she said.

Sen. Joni Ernst of Iowa said Gaetz had “his work cut out for him.” Senate Democrats also expressed shock, with Sen. Chris Coons saying he was “speechless” and Sen. John Fetterman calling the selection “God-level trolling.” Learn more on the reactions of the senators.

More coverage:

• Republicans will keep control of the House of Representatives by the slimmest of margins, giving Trump and his party all the levers of power in Washington. In closed-door meetings, House Speaker Mike Johnson was nominated for the role for his first full term, and Republican senators selected Senator John Thune to be their next leader.
• A small “chaotic” Republican majority in the House poses challenges in the new Trump era.
• Asset thanked President Joe Biden for a smooth transition of power during their meeting at the White House.
• Tulsi Gabbard is Trump’s choice to be director of national intelligence. Gabbard, a former House Democrat who became a prominent Trump supporter, is at odds with the US intelligence community in the past.
• Trump’s pick for Secretary of Defense, Pete Hegseth, has a history of eyebrow-raising commentsnotably that he thinks women should not serve in combat.
• By choosing Gaetz, Gabbard, Hegseth and others to serve in his next administration, Trump shows he will rely on people he widely knows and loves this time.
• House Democrats plan to introduce a resolution that reaffirm the 22nd amendmentwhich sets the term limit for the president.
• Distrust of leaders and anger at the lack of financial transparency wraps up Vice President Kamala Harris’ campaign.
• The tight Pennsylvania Senate race between Republican Dave McCormick and Democratic Sen. Bob Casey headed for a recount.

X experiences its biggest exodus under Elon Musk

On Election Day, X generated the most traffic of the entire year. But the next day, 115,414 accounts were deactivated, the highest figure since Elon Musk took over the social media platform, according to a study by Similarweb, which tracks social media analytics. Meanwhile, daily traffic to competitors Bluesky and Threads has surged since early October.

Prominent brands and users, including The Guardian and Don Lemon, have said they will stop posting as Musk becomes more involved in Trump’s transition to the White House.

Journalists Kat Tenbarge and Kevin Collier spoke with six people who joined or committed to using Threads and Bluesky instead of X after the election because of Musk. They cite growing problems on X, including bots, partisan ads and harassment, which they say came to a head when Trump won the election. For a user who left X, a drastic change between what she saw on election night and the day after was his “final straw”.

How an FBI corruption operation unfolded in Mississippi’s largest city

When foreign developers approached local leaders in Jackson, Mississippi, about a hotel deal, they offered money and some lavish perks in exchange for the deal.

It turns out the deal was fake. And the “developers” were actually FBI agents who led an operation that lasted about eight months and included trips on private jets, meetings on yachts, shopping sprees and lots of money.

Today, three city and county officials were named in a federal indictment on conspiracy and bribery charges. All have pleaded not guilty. A fourth person resigned in August and pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit bribery.

The allegations in the federal indictment paint a picture of people entrusted with public office receiving more than $100,000 in “bribes” while 26 percent of Jackson residents live in poverty. The scandal is just the latest in a series of challenges the city has faced in recent years. Read the full story here.

Read all about it

• New Jersey residents were asked to reduce their water consumption and Gov. Phil Murphy issued a drought warning amid a record-breaking dry spell that has sparked a staggering number of wildfires.
• Supreme Court of Brazil was evacuated after two explosions nearbysparking security concerns ahead of the country hosting the G20 summit.
• Republican Rep. Michael McCaul, chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, was briefly detained for appearing drunk at Dulles International Airport in Washington, DC.
• An eighth-grade transgender boy, who was reportedly threatened with expulsion for using the boys’ bathroom, sues his South Carolina school district.
• Four people in California were accused of insurance fraud after claiming their cars were destroyed by a bear, which was actually someone in a bear costume.

Staff choice: Menu prices are finally stabilizing

Several restaurant surveys have confirmed it, and this week the Consumer Price Index confirmed it: restaurant meals are getting cheaper and cheaper. While the Federal Reserve deserves credit for its efforts to control inflation, consumers can also benefit. Their spending cuts have forced restaurants to reckon, with fast-food brands like McDonald’s turning to value-for-money menus and full-service chains like Red Lobster embarking on ambitious transformations. However, the question that still looms over many players in the food industry is the following: how two major variables will be factored into food prices. Here’s a hint: they both start with the letter T. — JJ McCorveyeconomic and economic journalist

NBC Select: online shopping made easy

As holiday travel approaches, NBC Select editors share their picks for the best bags:

• These lightweight luggage options are perfect for easily transporting your belongings through airports.
• Don’t have time to shop in person? These popular sports bagswheeled bags and backpacks are all on Amazon.
• Traveling light? These backpacks have been tested and approved by travel editors and bloggers.

Subscribe to La Sélection newsletter for practical product reviews, expert buying advice, and a look at the best deals and sales every week.

Thanks for reading today’s Morning Rundown. Today’s newsletter was curated for you by Elizabeth Robinson. If you are a fan, please send a link to your family and friends. They can register here.