President-elect Donald Trump said he’ll select North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum to run the Department of the Interior and joked his presidential term should start early during a celebration gala late Thursday at his Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida.
Actor Sylvester Stallone introduced Mr. Trump as the “second George Washington” before Mr. Trump made news about his next Cabinet picks, toasted Argentina’s President Javier Milei and congratulated Robert F. Kennedy Jr. on his nomination to lead the Department of Health and Human Services.
He also warned Mr. Kennedy, who could face a rough confirmation fight, not to get too popular.
“If you like health and you like people who live a long time, it’s the most important position,” a tuxedo-clad Mr. Trump said at the America First Policy Institute dinner. “People like you, Bobby. Don’t get too popular, Bobby. You’ve reached about the level now.”
Mr. Trump praised Elon Musk for his support and space-faring endeavors and thanked Vivek Ramaswamy, a former presidential contender who also attended the dinner.
Mr. Musk and Mr. Ramaswamy are tasked with cutting government waste as part of the Department of Government Efficiency that will coordinate with the White House Office of Management and Budget.
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Mr. Trump spent much of the evening celebrating his big election night victory over Vice President Kamala Harris.
His fellow Republicans won control of the Senate and secured a narrow majority in the House, clearing the way for Mr. Trump to push his agenda on deportations, tax cuts and other issues.
The president-elect told House Speaker Mike Johnson, who was in attendance, that they should start before the Jan. 20 inauguration.
“Mr. Speaker, I think it’s important, maybe you should pass a bill. You have to start my term from November 5,” Mr. Trump said. “The market’s gone through the roof, enthusiasm has doubled.”
Mr. Trump’s endorsement is helping Mr. Johnson secure support from his GOP caucus to continue as speaker.
The president-elect’s biggest headache might be on the Senate side, which must confirm a slate of Cabinet picks that are proving controversial.
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His pick for attorney general, Matt Gaetz, resigned his House seat and mingled with the Mar-a-Lago crowd. However, given his abrasive personality and a long-running ethics probe into his personal conduct, he faces a tough audience in the Senate.
Mr. Burgum, a former presidential contender, should face an easier time getting through the Senate.
“He’s going to head the Department of Interior, and it’s going to be fantastic,” Mr. Trump said. “We’re going to do things with energy and with land … that is going to be incredible.”
• Tom Howell Jr. can be reached at thowell@washingtontimes.com.
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