Matt Gaetz as attorney general. The Florida Republican is one of the more universally disliked members of Congress, including among GOP lawmakers after he led the effort to oust House Speaker Kevin McCarthy last year. He has spent his congressional career ...

Trump announced several controversial cabinet nominees, including Democrat-turned-Republican Tulsi Gabbard for director of national intelligence and Fox News host Pete Hegseth for secretary of defense, both of whom are outside of the traditional mold for appointees to their respective positions.

Trump’s decision to tap Gaetz for attorney general, Gabbard for intelligence and Hegseth for defense will test the Republican-led Senate’s fealty to the president-elect.

The first test will come Wednesday during internal House Republican leadership elections that will establish the new power centers for a Washington dominated by President-elect Donald Trump.

Washington — House Republicans backed Speaker Mike Johnson to lead for another two years as they voted in leadership elections on Wednesday just as they secured majority control of the lower chamber for another two years.

In January, Mike Johnson faces another vote to stay in the job that places him second in line for the presidency after Vice President-elect JD Vance.