‘Who the f—k is this guy?’:  Defense world reacts to Trump's surprise Pentagon pick  —  “Hegseth is undoubtedly the least qualified nominee for SecDef in American history,” one veterans' advocate said.  —  President-elect Donald Trump's Tuesday night surprise pick of a conservative commentator …

Jack Smith Plans to Step Down as Special Counsel Before Trump Takes Office  —  The prosecutor who investigated and charged Donald J. Trump plans to finish his report and leave the job before he can be fired.  —  Jack Smith, the special counsel who pursued two federal prosecutions of Donald J. Trump …

Why the Guardian is no longer posting on X  —  We will stop posting from our official editorial accounts on the platform, but X users can still share our articles  —  We wanted to let readers know that we will no longer post on any official Guardian editorial accounts on the social media site X (formerly Twitter).

At Mar-a-Lago, ‘Uncle’ Elon Musk Puts His Imprint on the Trump Transition  —  He's on the patio.  He's on the golf course.  Everywhere Donald Trump looks, there is the world's richest man.  —  In nearly every meeting that President-elect Donald J. Trump holds at Mar-a-Lago …

Trump Draft Executive Order Would Create Board to Purge Generals  —  The panel could upend the military review process and raise concerns about the politicization of the military  —  WASHINGTON—The Trump transition team is considering a draft executive order that establishes a “warrior board” …

Trump demands Senate recess so he can install Star Wars cantina  —  🚀 Public Notice is possible thanks to paid subscribers.  If you aren't one, please click the button below to sign up and support our independent journalism.  🚀  —  👽 Subscribe to Public Notice 👽

Incoming Trump admin is eyeing new immigrant detention centers near major U.S. cities  —  The plan would also include restarting the policy of detaining parents with their children, known as family detention, which immigration advocates have criticized.  —  The incoming Trump administration …

Man Charged in Leak of Classified Documents About Israeli Military Plans  —  The man, who worked overseas for the C.I.A., was arrested on Tuesday by the F.B.I. and faces two counts of violating the Espionage Act.  —  A C.I.A. official has been charged with disclosing classified documents …

RFK Jr. Trashes Trump's Fast Food Diet: ‘Just Poison’  —  SUPER SIZE ME  —  His “Make America Healthy Again” efforts might have to start at the top.  —  Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the anti-vaxxer conspiracy theorist advising President-elect Donald Trump on health policy …

Trump May Usher In Massive TV Station Land Grab  —  Flush with political ad dollars and anticipating a deal-friendly environment, moguls are eyeing big moves to roll up lucrative local broadcasters.  —  The mid-19th century was defined by the gold rush, as investments poured westward to fund the mining of the precious metal.

Trump's Cabinet moves hand Ron DeSantis a gift — but possibly with strings attached  —  Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis may get to appoint a Senate replacement for Marco Rubio.  But he'd need to balance the preferences of Trump and allies with his own wishes.  —  TALLAHASSEE, Fla. …

Europe must build resilience against Trump's America - and welcome those desperate to flee it  —  From capitalising on a transatlantic brain drain to regulating US social media giants, it's time for the continent to stand up for itself  —  I am resisting the temptation to write a lamentation …

No, women aren't likely to “boycott” men — but here's why the idea matters  —  Women can't coerce or cajole men into ditching MAGA — but they can make themselves safer and happier  —  It is not women's responsibility to use sex to cajole men into sucking less.  First of all: Gross.

Jared Kushner's $3 billion conflict of interest  —  During Donald Trump's first term, one of his most influential advisors was his son-in-law, Jared Kushner.  Now that Trump has won another term, Kushner seems poised to reprise this role.  Except this time, instead of being an employee …

Carl Bernstein: Putin, Netanyahu, China benefiting from Trump picks  —  Veteran journalist Carl Bernstein suggested that the “three beneficiaries” of President-elect Trump's appointments to key positions will be Russian President Vladimir Putin, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and China.

Melania Trump won't visit White House Wednesday but wishes husband ‘great success’  —  Melania Trump won't be joining President-elect Trump at the White House meeting Wednesday that's aimed at marking a peaceful transition of power.  —  The former first lady, her press office …

Cruz endorses Scott for Senate majority leader  —  Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas), a leading conservative, announced Wednesday morning he will back Sen. Rick Scott (R-Fla.) for Senate majority leader.  —  “This morning, I'll be voting for Rick Scott for GOP Leader, as I did two years ago.