Month: December 2024

Sources close to President-elect Donald Trump said that he is considering selecting Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis as his pick for defense secretary, to replace embattled former Fox News host Pete Hegseth. The Wall Street Journal, who first broke this story, reported that the news comes after Trump and DeSantis attended a memorial for fallen law enforcement officers Tuesday in Florida.

DeSantis was commissioned into the U.S. Navy as JAG officer while attending Harvard Law School, and later served in Iraq, for which he was awarded a Bronze Star. NBC News cited sources that that DeSantis is “very much in contention,” and that Trump and DeSantis directly spoke about the issue. Another source reiterated that “Trump talked to the governor and wants him to do it.”

Hegseth has faced allegations of sexual misconduct, financial mismanagement at veterans’ charities, repeated intoxication and infidelity. He has been meeting with Senate Republicans on Capitol Hill this week to try to build support ahead of his confirmation hearing. However, Hegseth told CBS News on Capitol Hill Wednesday morning, that he does not intend to withdraw his name from consideration, saying he spoke with Trump Wednesday morning, and Trump told him to keep going:  “I spoke to the president-elect this morning. He said, ‘Keep going, keep fighting. I’m behind you all the way. Why would I back down? I’ve always been a fighter. I’m here for the fighters. This is personal and passionate for me.”

In a post to X on Wednesday morning, again Hegseth vowed not to withdraw as Trump’s pick, stating: “I’m doing this for the warfighters, not the warmongers. The Left is afraid of disrupters and change agents. They are afraid of @realDonaldTrump —and me. So they smear w/ fake, anonymous sources & BS stories. They don’t want truth. Our warriors never back down, & neither will I.”

Other possible contenders for the Pentagon top job include Sens. Joni Ernst, R-Iowa, and Bill Hagerty, R-Tenn. Additionally, Rep. Mike Waltz, R-Fla., whom Trump had chosen for White House national security adviser, is also a possible pick for leading the Pentagon.

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UnitedHealth Group CEO Brian Thompson was shot and killed at point-blank range by a masked gunman in midtown Manhattan on Wednesday morning, shortly before he was set to attend an investor conference, according to police. Police said the 50-year-old CEO was shot once in the back and once in the leg; he was rushed to Mount Sinai West hospital, but did not survive his injuries.

News outlets reported the attacker used a silenced firearm in what is believed to be a targeted attack of Thompson.  NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch said at a news conference that the gunman appeared to be lying in wait and shot Thompson several times from behind, at around 6:40 a.m.  Tisch stressed that the shooting appeared to be a “brazen, targeted attack” that was “premeditated,” but the motive remains unknown.

Thompson was in New York City for the UnitedHealthcare investors conference set to be held at the Hilton Hotel,  outside of which he was shot. The hotel is by the intersection of West 54th Street and Sixth Avenue, though Thompson was not staying there.  More than a dozen officers responded and blocked off West 54th Street between Fifth and Sixth avenues for the morning commute.

NYPD Chief of Detectives Joseph Kenny said at the news conference that the shooter arrived at the scene about five minutes before Thompson arrived; after Thompson exited his hotel across the street and walked to the Hilton for the investors conference, the shooter stepped onto the sidewalk from behind a car and shot the CEO in the back. Kenny said: “the shooter then walks toward the victim and continues to shoot. It appears that the gun malfunctions, as he clears the jam and begins to fire again,” adding that the suspect fled on foot into an alley, where a phone was recovered. He then fled on an e-bike and he was last seen riding into Central Park at 6:48 a.m.  The bikes are equipped with GPS and police are following up.

Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz posted on social media: “This is horrifying news and a terrible loss for the business and health care community in Minnesota.  Minnesota is sending our prayers to Brian’s family and the UnitedHealthcare team.”

A spokesperson for UnitedHealthcare said that the company’s investors conference was scheduled to be livestreamed from a hotel ballroom starting at 8 a.m. but had since been canceled. According to UnitedHealthcare’s website, Thompson had been with UnitedHealthcare since 2004 and was named CEO in 2021. He was a father of two and an active member of his community. UnitedHealth Group said in a statement: “we are deeply saddened and shocked at the passing of our dear friend and colleague Brian Thompson, the CEO of UnitedHealthcare. Brian was a highly respected colleague and friend to all who worked with him. We are working closely with the New York Police Department and ask for your patience and understanding during this difficult time. Our hearts go out to Brian’s family and all who were close to him.”

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