Mike Johnson wins Republican support to be House speaker again after Trump endorsement
House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., was selected to lead the GOP conference again during a closed-door vote on Wednesday. It comes after President-elect Donald Trump addressed House Republicans earlier in the day and said he was “100%” behind Johnson, multiple sources in the room told Fox News Digital. Several hard-line GOP members are still holding out their support, however, over his handling of government spending and foreign aid in the current Congress. JOHNSON BLASTS DEM ACCUSATIONS HE VOWED TO END OBAMACARE AS ‘DISHONEST’ It’s been a meteoric rise for the Louisiana Republican, who was a relatively little-known lawmaker when he was elected to succeed former Speaker Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., after he was ousted by all House Democrats and eight fellow Republicans. Johnson has endured much of the same chaos as McCarthy while presiding over a razor-thin House majority, with GOP rebels weaponizing the small margin in efforts to force the conference to pass more conservative policy. SHUTDOWN STANDOFF LOOMS IN CONGRESS’ FINAL WEEKS BEFORE TRUMP’S RETURN TO WHITE HOUSE But Johnson did not face any significant challengers on Wednesday, nor was he expected to with House Republicans on track to hold onto the chamber majority in the 119th Congress. It could be a different story in January, when he will need a majority of the entire House chamber to be elected speaker. McCarthy infamously had to endure 15 rounds of House votes and was forced to make concessions to a small group of holdouts in exchange for their support. HOUSE LEADERS MOVE QUICKLY TO CONSOLIDATE POWER IN SHOW OF CONFIDENCE FOR REPUBLICAN MAJORITY CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP With Johnson projected to win just a slim single-digit majority again, he can afford little opposition – or risk paralyzing the House under a new Trump administration. House Majority Leader Steve Scalise, R-La., and Majority Whip Tom Emmer, R-Minn., ran uncontested for their current roles and are expected to win.
‘First buddy’: Elon earns family status in Trump world as Musk expands political footprint
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla.— Tech billionaire Elon Musk earned “uncle” status in the Trump family, as he increasingly spends time at Mar-a-Lago and traveled with President-elect Donald Trump following his massive win last week. “Elon achieving uncle status,” Kai Trump, the president-elect’s granddaughter, posted to X over the weekend, accompanied by a photo of the pair, along with Musk’s young son, on the golf course. Musk officially endorsed Trump over the summer, when the 45th and soon-to-be 47th president survived the first assassination attempt on his life this election cycle, and proceeded to join the campaign trail, most notably in the key battleground state of Pennsylvania. Trump sailed to victory last week, after securing electoral votes from Pennsylvania and other battleground states, such as Georgia. All in, Trump earned 312 electoral votes, sweeping all seven of the battleground states when votes were tallied. TRUMP PICKING CABINET AT BREAKNECK SPEED COMPARED TO 2016 Musk has been at Mar-a-Lago, Trump’s resort and residence in Palm Beach, since last week for the election, where he was spotted dining with Donald and Melania Trump and has taken on the title “first buddy” due to his tight relationship with the former and upcoming president. Musk traveled with Trump on Wednesday morning from Florida to Washington, D.C., where the president-elect met with House Republicans before meeting President Biden at the White House. “I look forward… to having a smooth transition. We’ll do everything we can to make sure you’re accommodated, what you need,” Biden said during his meeting with Trump when reporters were briefly allowed in the Oval Office. Trump added, “politics is tough and in many cases it’s not a very nice world, but it is a nice world today.” “I appreciate very much the transition that’s so smooth. It will be as smooth as it can get, and I very much appreciate that,” he continued. The meeting between Trump and Biden lasted about two hours, with White House Chief of Staff Jeff Zients and incoming Chief of Staff Susie Wiles attending the meeting. ELON MUSK, VIVEK RAMASWAMY TO LEAD TRUMP’S DEPARTMENT OF GOVERNMENT EFFICIENCY Musk joined a separate closed-door meeting with House GOPers, with a source telling Fox News that Trump praised Musk during his roughly 40-minute address. He noted Musk has been doing well since joining the Trump orbit at Mar-a-Lago, even reportedly joking he “can’t get rid of him.” On Tuesday evening, Trump announced that Musk and former GOP presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy will lead a new task force called the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), which will work to “dismantle government bureaucracy, slash excess regulations, cut wasteful expenditures, and restructure federal agencies,” Trump said in a statement on the announcements. The SpaceX CEO had made cutting government fat and red tape a hallmark of his campaigning for the Trump-Vance ticket, noting while speaking to Trump supporters in Pennsylvania that he has personally dealt with a “bunch of nutty stories” related to government overregulation, including how SpaceX had to study the probability of its Starship rocket hitting a whale or shark. LOYALTY MATTERS: TRUMP PICKS ALLIES AND SUPPORTERS TO FILL OUT HIS ADMINISTRATION “SpaceX had to do this study to see if Starship would hit a shark. And I’m like… it’s a big ocean. There are a lot of sharks. It’s not impossible, but it’s very unlikely. So we said, ‘Fine, we’ll do the analysis. Can you give us the shark data?’” Musk recounted during a Pennsylvania rally last month. He said the National Marine Fisheries Service ordered SpaceX to carry out the study. “They were like, ‘No, we can’t give you the shark data.’ Well, then, OK, we’re in a bit of a quandary. How do we solve this shark probability issue? They said, ‘Well, we could give it to our western division, but we don’t trust them.’ I’m like, ‘Am I in a comedy sketch here?’” Musk continued. ELON MUSK SLAMS ‘UNFUNNY’ SNL SKITS AFTER BEING ACCUSED OF MAKING COMEDIAN CRY “Eventually, we got the data and could run the analysis to say, ‘Yeah, the sharks are going to be fine.’ But they wouldn’t let us proceed with the launch until we did this crazy shark analysis,” he added of the anecdote. After Trump announced Musk and Ramaswamy would lead the Department of Government Efficiency, Musk said DOGE will publicly release any actions made and will listen to the public on how to best cut government spending. “All actions of the Department of Government Efficiency will be posted online for maximum transparency. Anytime the public thinks we are cutting something important or not cutting something wasteful, just let us know! We will also have a leaderboard for most insanely dumb spending of your tax dollars. This will be both extremely tragic and extremely entertaining,” Musk posted to X later on Tuesday. Fox News’ Kelly Phares contributed to this report.
Republican Ken Calvert wins re-election to US House in California’s 41st Congressional District
Incumbent Republican Rep. Ken Calvert won re-election to California’s 41st Congressional District – which was deemed a tossup by observers – against Democratic challenger Will Rollins. The current balance of power in the House of Representatives with Calvert’s win is 217 to 207, with the GOP now one call away from the 218 majority. Eleven races are yet to be called. GOP REP. CALVERT WINS ELECTION IN COMPETITIVE CALIFORNIA HOUSE SEAT This is the second attempt by Rollins – a former federal prosecutor – to unseat Calvert after a narrow loss in 2022. Ross – who is openly gay – has tried to position himself as a moderate candidate who can bring Republicans, independents and Democrats together. He has also championed some progressive causes, like climate change action and LGBTQ rights. The district underwent big changes in 2021 through the redistricting process, which added more liberal-leaning areas such as parts of Palm Springs and its surrounding communities. Consequently, the redrawn map made this historically red district a battleground. Calvert, first elected to Congress in 1992 to represent the Inland Empire, is a seasoned conservative who has long held sway in this district, which covers parts of Riverside County, including red towns like Corona and Temecula. Calvert has built his political tenure on strong national security and pro-business stances.
Fox News Politics: Setting the Stage for a New Administration
Welcome to the Fox News Politics newsletter, with the latest updates on the Trump transition, exclusive interviews and more Fox News politics content. Here’s what’s happening… -Thune wins secret ballot to become new Senate GOP leader, succeeding McConnell -Trump thanks Biden for ‘smooth transition’ during White House meeting -Trump names Stephen Miller, Dan Scavino to senior White House staff Since winning the election last week, President-elect Donald Trump has begun evaluating and rolling out his picks for his Cabinet and other top roles. Here’s a roundup of whom Trump has picked to fill top jobs in his administration…Read more IN THE RED: Top Democrat officials worried tens of millions in Harris campaign debt could be their problem…Read more REINFORCEMENTS: Trump inauguration: DC police chief expecting ‘4,000 police officers to assist us’…Read more ‘SECOND AMENDMENT WON’: Trump’s victory over Harris proves ‘Second Amendment won,’ gun rights groups say…Read more QUITTING TIME: Special Counsel Jack Smith plans to resign, file report before Trump can fire him: report…Read more ‘CHILD MUTILATION’: Trump HHS could reverse Biden-Harris policies on gender treatments for minors…Read more ‘DEVESTATING IMPACTS’: Biden admin says climate change poses national security risks, sends delegation to address them…Read more NUCLEAR CAPACITY: Biden admin sets new target to triple US nuclear capacity from 2020 levels…Read more NOT ISOLATIONISTS: Trump’s first Cabinet picks decidedly not isolationists: Ukraine, Israel breathe a sigh of relief…Read more SHORT LIST: Trump considers New York Rep Brandon Williams for possible Labor Secretary nomination…Read more ‘YOU GUYS ARE STUCK WITH ME’: Arkansas Gov. Sarah Sanders to remain in office, will not join Trump administration…Read more ‘REALLY EFFICIENT’: Elizabeth Warren gets sarcastic after Trump taps Musk, Ramaswamy for DOGE: ‘Yeah, this seems REALLY efficient’…Read more LONE STAR SPLIT: Ted Cruz gets behind Rick Scott for leader, in blow to fellow Texan John Cornyn…Read more CABAL COVERUP: Ex-Pentagon official says government ‘cabal’ is hiding ‘the fact that we are not alone’…Read more ‘KEEP OUR NATION SAFE’: Senators vow to ban pro-Hamas migrants from entering US with bipartisan push…Read more BALANCE OF POWER: Republicans 2 seats away from House majority, giving Trump leeway to implement agenda…Read more ‘IDLE SPECULATION’: Democratic committee chair pours cold water on replacing Sotomayor before Trump takes office…Read more TRUMP ADDRESSES REPUBLICANS: Trump predicts GOP could win NY, CA next election and muses about running again himself…Read more ‘THEY’RE DETERMINED’: More migrants likely to rush border despite reports of splintering caravan: experts…Read more ‘TITAN OF THE PROFESSION’: Former solicitor general Theodore Olson, conservative lawyer who argued Bush 2000 recount case, dead at 84…Read more ‘THREAT REMAINS GREAT’: Democratic governors form resistance group against Trump…Read more Get the latest updates on the Trump presidential transition, incoming Congress, exclusive interviews and more on FoxNews.com.
Trump taps Matt Gaetz for attorney general
President-elect Donald Trump on Wednesday announced Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., as his pick for attorney general—an unexpected pick that took many, including fellow House Republicans, by surprise. If confirmed, Gaetz will head up the Justice Department after Trump is sworn in for his second term in January. Trump first announced his nomination in a post on Truth Social, saying Gaetz “has distinguished himself in Congress through his focus on achieving desperately needed reform at the Department of Justice.” Gaetz confirmed the nomination on the social media site X, adding, “It will be an honor to serve as President Trump’s Attorney General!” In his statement on Truth Social, Trump praised Gaetz for his experience on the House Judiciary Committee, where he said Gaetz “played a key role” in “defeating the Russia, Russia Hoax,” and exposing what Trump described as “alarming and systemic Government Corruption and Weaponization.” “He is a Champion for the Constitution and the Rule of Law.” DEPARTMENT LOOKING TO WIND DOWN TRUMP CRIMINAL CASES AHEAD OF INAUGURATION Gaetz graduated from William & Mary College of Law and passed the Florida bar exam in 2008. News of his appointment was met with a certain level of shock from House lawmakers. Gaetz, a longtime Trump ally, had been under investigation by the House Ethics Committee, which subpoenaed him as recently as September for an ongoing investigation into alleged sexual misconduct with a minor. Gaetz in response told the panel he would “no longer voluntarily participate” in their probe. “I explicitly reserve all of my rights pursuant to House Rules and the U.S. Constitution,” he wrote in the letter, which was shared on social media. It is unlikely that the investigation itself would block Gaetz’s path to confirmation in the Republican-majority Senate, though it could make it more difficult. Rep Michael Guest, R-Miss., who chairs the House Ethics Committee, told Fox News Digital that their investigation would cease as soon as Gaetz leaves the House. “Once a member is no longer a member of Congress, then Ethics has no jurisdiction,” he said. SPECIAL COUNSEL JACK SMITH PLANS TO RESIGN, FILE REPORT BEFORE TRUMP CAN FIRE HIM: REPORT Guest added: “Look, I have great trust in President Trump and those people that he will surround himself with and put his cap in it, so I’m sure that Trump and his transition team have taken into consideration all the good and bad surrounding every one of the candidates that they’re looking at appointing, and so I do not question President Trump’s appointment at all.” Early contenders for the post had included sitting U.S. senators, former Justice Department personnel and at least one top White House adviser from Trump’s first term. “He’s going to want someone who he knows, likes and trusts,” Former acting Attorney General Matt Whitaker told Fox News about the role last week. “He’s going to want someone who was there from the beginning.” This is a breaking news story. Check back soon for updates.
Trump appoints Tulsi Gabbard as director of national intelligence: ‘Fearless spirit’
President-elect Trump announced on Wednesday that he is appointing Tulsi Gabbard to serve as director of national intelligence in his new Cabinet. Gabbard served as a Democratic congresswoman from Hawaii from 2013 to 2021. In 2022, she became an Independent, and joined the GOP last month. The Republican is also a veteran who served in Iraq, as well as an active duty Army reservist. She was promoted to lieutenant colonel in the U.S. Army Reserve three years ago. In a statement on Wednesday, Trump said that the former congresswoman “has fought for our Country and the Freedoms of all Americans.” GOV KRISTI NOEM REFLECTS ON TRUMP WIN, SAYS DEMOCRATS ‘TRY TO PUT WOMEN IN A BOX’ “As a former Candidate for the Democrat Presidential Nomination, she has broad support in both Parties – She is now a proud Republican!” Trump’s statement said. “I know Tulsi will bring the fearless spirit that has defined her illustrious career to our Intelligence Community, championing our Constitutional Rights, and securing Peace through Strength. Tulsi will make us all proud!” The director of national intelligence leads the U.S. intelligence community, which includes overseeing the National Intelligence Program and advising the president on security matters. The current national intelligence director is Avril Haines. HERE ARE THE MOST TALKED-ABOUT CANDIDATES FOR TOP POSTS IN TRUMP’S ADMINISTRATION Once confirmed to the position, Gabbard will advise Trump, the National Security Council, and the Homeland Security Council on national security matters. Fox News Digital confirmed earlier on Wednesday that Gabbard was on a shortlist of candidates for the position. In September, the former Democrat told Fox News Digital she would be “honored” to join the Trump administration. “I feel I can make the most impact in these areas of national security and foreign policy, and work to bring about the changes that President Trump talks about,” Gabbard said at the time. Fox News Digital’s Sarah Rumpf-Whitten, Alec Schemmel and Morgan Phillips contributed to this report.
Trump’s speedy Cabinet picks show his ‘priority to put America first,’ transition team says
West Palm Beach, Fla.— President-elect Donald Trump has announced more than a dozen Cabinet picks just a week after he was declared victorious in his race against Vice President Kamala Harris, reflecting his commitment to putting “America first,” the campaign told Fox News Digital. “The American people re-elected President Trump by a resounding margin, giving him a mandate to implement the promises he made on the campaign trail — and his Cabinet picks reflect his priority to put America First. President Trump will continue to appoint highly qualified men and women who have the talent, experience and necessary skill sets to Make America Great Again,” Trump-Vance transition spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt told Fox News Digital when asked about Trump’s speedy roll-out of Cabinet picks. Trump sailed to victory last week after securing electoral votes from toss-up states such as Pennsylvania and Georgia. All in, he earned 312 electoral votes — sweeping all seven of the battleground states — and won the popular vote. “America first” and “Make America Great Again” were hallmarks of Trump’s campaign, including during his historic rally at Madison Square Garden in Manhattan last month. “We stand on the verge of the four greatest years in the history of the U.S.A. With your help from now until Election Day, we will restore America’s promise. We will put America first, and we will take back the nation that we all love,” he said at MSG. “We bleed the same blood. We share the same home, and we salute the same great American flag. We are one people, one family and one glorious nation under God. We will never give in. We will never give up. We will never ever back down, and we will never, ever, ever surrender. Together, we will fight, fight, fight, and we will win, win, win.” TRUMP PICKING CABINET AT BREAKNECK SPEED COMPARED TO 2016 Shortly after his win at the ballot box, Trump began rolling out his picks for his Cabinet. As of Wednesday afternoon, Trump has announced 17 names for his administration, including Susie Wiles as his chief of staff, longtime ally Dan Scavino as his deputy chief of staff and Fox News co-host Pete Hegseth as secretary of defense. Trump has announced the picks via emails to the media and supporters, coming at a faster pace than in 2016, when he was elected to his first term in the Oval Office, Fox News Digital found earlier this week. Trump announced on Nov. 11, for example, that New York Rep. Elise Stefanik will serve as U.S. ambassador to the United Nations. During the 2016 transition cycle, Trump announced then-Gov. Nikki Haley of South Carolina would fill that same role on Nov. 23. Haley went on to run unsuccessfully in 2024 for the GOP presidential nomination. LOYALTY MATTERS: TRUMP PICKS ALLIES AND SUPPORTERS TO FILL OUT HIS ADMINISTRATION He also tapped Rep. Mike Waltz, R-Fla., to serve as his national security adviser, announcing that pick on Tuesday, about three days ahead of his announcement for the same role in 2016, when he chose former Army Gen. Mike Flynn for the position about 10 days after Election Day. Trump also announced he chose former New York Republican Rep. Lee Zeldin to lead the Environmental Protection Agency, a pick Trump didn’t make until Dec. 7, 2016, when he tapped Scott Pruitt to serve in the role. ELON MUSK, VIVEK RAMASWAMY TO LEAD TRUMP’S DEPARTMENT OF GOVERNMENT EFFICIENCY Trump’s first pick for his administration, Susie Wiles for chief of staff, was announced the day after the election, while his 2016 announcement of Reince Priebus as chief of staff was made five days after the election. “Susie is tough, smart, innovative, and is universally admired and respected. Susie will continue to work tirelessly to Make America Great Again. It is a well deserved honor to have Susie as the first-ever female Chief of Staff in United States history. I have no doubt that she will make our country proud,” Trump said after the selection of Wiles. Trump briefly traveled to Washington, D.C., Wednesday, where he met with congressional Republicans and then went to the White House for a meeting with President Biden before heading back home to Florida. “I look forward… to having a smooth transition. We’ll do everything we can to make sure you’re accommodated, what you need,” Biden said during a short portion of the meeting when reporters were granted access to the Oval Office. Trump added that “politics is tough, and in many cases it’s not a very nice world, but it is a nice world today.” “I appreciate very much the transition that’s so smooth. It will be as smooth as it can get, and I very much appreciate that,” Trump continued. Trump was joined by high-profile officials on his transition team and upcoming administration, including Wiles and tech billionaire Elon Musk. TRUMP’S PICKS SO FAR: HERE’S WHO WILL BE ADVISING THE NEW PRESIDENT Musk endorsed Trump over the summer and soon began campaigning for him, most notably in the key battleground state of Pennsylvania. Trump announced on Tuesday evening that Musk and former GOP presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy will lead a new task force he is calling the Department of Government Efficiency. “I am pleased to announce that the Great Elon Musk, working in conjunction with American Patriot Vivek Ramaswamy, will lead the Department of Government Efficiency (“DOGE”). Together, these two wonderful Americans will pave the way for my Administration to dismantle Government Bureaucracy, slash excess regulations, cut wasteful expenditures, and restructure Federal Agencies – Essential to the ‘Save America’ Movement,” Trump said in his announcement. “It will become, potentially, ‘The Manhattan Project’ of our time. Republican politicians have dreamed about the objectives of “DOGE” for a very long time. To drive this kind of drastic change, the Department of Government Efficiency will provide advice and guidance from outside of Government, and will partner with the White House and Office of Management & Budget to drive large scale structural reform, and create
Trump nominates Marco Rubio to serve as Secretary of State
President-elect Donald Trump has nominated Sen. Marco Rubio to serve as his Secretary of State. “It is my Great Honor to announce that Senator Marco Rubio, of Florida, is hereby nominated to be The United States Secretary of State. Marco is a Highly Respected Leader, and a very powerful Voice for Freedom,” Trump said in a statement. “He will be a strong Advocate for our Nation, a true friend to our Allies, and a fearless Warrior who will never back down to our adversaries.” This story is breaking. Please check back for updates.
Tulsi Gabbard on short list of candidates for director of national intelligence job
President-elect Trump will soon choose his nominee to lead the nation’s intelligence community and is believed to be considering a former Democrat. Tulsi Gabbard, a former Hawaii House Democrat, is on a short list of contenders for director of national intelligence, multiple sources have confirmed to Fox News Digital. Former Utah Republican House Rep. Chris Stewart is also in “active discussions” with the transition team about the role, a source said. Stewart resigned from the House in 2023 to be with his wife when she had health issues. He co-founded lobbying firm Skyline Capitol with Trump’s former national security adviser, Robert O’Brien, who was also rumored to be considered for an administration job. TULSI GABBARD, FORMER DEMOCRATIC CANDIDATE FOR PRESIDENT, JOINS REPUBLICAN PARTY AT TRUMP RALLY Gabbard, a veteran and active duty Army reservist, served in the House as a Democrat from 2013 to 2021, before joining the Republican Party and campaigning for Trump in his most recent race for president. She is now a co-chair of the Trump transition team. In September, Gabbard told Fox News Digital she would be “honored” to join a Trump administration and added that bringing an end “to the influence of the military industrial complex,” working to prevent World War III and bringing the U.S. back “from the brink of nuclear war” would be among her priorities. She was reportedly interested in the defense secretary job, but Trump is reported to have promised that appointment to former Fox News host Pete Hegseth, also an Army veteran. Gabbard has criticized Democrats as “pro-censorship” and “anti-freedom,” but her criticisms have extended to Republicans, as well. She has spoken out against U.S. involvement in the Middle East and criticized Trump during his first administration for the killing of Iranian General Qassem Soleimani. Gabbard controversially met with Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad in 2017 during the country’s civil war. She was opposed to the U.S. arming Syrian rebel groups and said she was “ready to meet with anyone if there’s a chance it can help bring about an end to this war.” Gabbard was reportedly placed on a Transportation Security Administration (TSA) watchlist for terrorists known as “Quiet Skies” earlier this year. The program allows federal air marshals to follow U.S. citizens and collect information on their behavior in an effort to stop threats “posed by unknown or partially known terrorists.” TULSI GABBARD SAYS SHE WOULD BE ‘HONORED’ TO JOIN A POTENTIAL TRUMP ADMINISTRATION “As I was traveling, I ended up in 30 to 45 minutes of going through screening every time I would go to the airport to fly,” she told Fox’s One Nation. “I noticed air marshals, I noticed K-9 teams. There were things that I saw and noticed that were highly unusual. But the deepest pain and harm and stress that’s been caused by this is that, forever going forward, I will always be looking over my shoulder, wondering if and how my government is surveilling me.” In Congress, she co-sponsored legislation that would ban first-time use of nuclear weapons and often decries politicians who “beat the drums of war and ratchet up tensions.” Gabbard, who is a Fox News contributor, could not be reached for comment. Trump on Tuesday tapped John Ratcliffe, his former director of national intelligence, to lead the CIA. CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP The director of national intelligence leads an office that advises the president, National Security Council and Homeland Security Council on national security matters. Any nominee for the role must be confirmed by the Senate or appointed on an acting basis.
Casey campaign, refusing to concede, accuses McCormick of trying to ‘disenfranchise’ voters with lawsuits
Three-term incumbent Sen. Bob Casey, D-Pennsylvania, has still refused to concede, and his campaign is now accusing Republican Senator-elect Dave McCormick of trying to “disenfranchise” voters with lawsuits. “David McCormick and his allies are trying to disenfranchise Pennsylvania voters with litigation designed to throw out large tranches of votes that they’ve admitted in legal filings could impact the outcome of the election,” Casey’s campaign manager Tiernan Donohue said in a statement. “Senator Casey wants all Pennsylvanians’ voices to be heard as local county election officials continue to count votes. This democratic process must be allowed to play out to determine the result of this election.” Fox News Digital reached out to the McCormick campaign for comment, but they did not immediately respond. As of Wednesday afternoon, McCormick was leading Casey by 29,338 votes, or a margin of 0.43%, according to the Pennsylvania election results website. If the margin remains below 0.5%, an automatic recount is triggered under Pennsylvania law. SCHUMER INVITES MCCORMICK, GALLEGO TO NEW-SENATOR ORIENTATION On Friday, McCormick declared his victory in the race, but he also filed a pair of lawsuits against the Philadelphia County Board of Elections and its commissioners regarding an estimated 15,000-20,000 provisional ballots still being counted that could impact the outcome of the case. McCormick requested permission to “make global challenges to large groups of provisional ballots that share the same deficiencies,” such as missing or not matching signatures, and the lack of a secrecy envelope. McCormick also asked that any provisional ballots from voters “who had requested mail-in or absentee ballots be sequestered and held pending action from the U.S. Supreme Court, or, in the alternative, that a global challenge be permitted as to all such ballots.” In Genser v. Butler County, the state Supreme Court ruled last month that mail-in ballots that arrived on time but lacked dates or had the wrong dates on their envelopes could still be included in the vote count. The state GOP and the Republican National Committee filed a petition on Tuesday asking the state Supreme Court to reverse its decision, the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review reported. TRUMP CONSIDERS NEW YORK REP BRANDON WILLIAMS FOR POSSIBLE LABOR SECRETARY NOMINATION McCormick was leading by more than 30,000 votes when the AP called the race at 4:09 p.m. Thursday. Though there were an estimated 91,000 votes still outstanding at that time, the AP asserted that there were not enough in areas supporting Casey for him to make up the difference. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., initially declined to invite McCormick to the new-senator orientation this week, citing thousands of votes still yet to be counted. Amid pressure from GOP senators, Schumer on Tuesday agreed to invite McCormick, as well as Democratic Sen.-elect Ruben Gallego, whose Arizona race against Republican Kari Lake wasn’t called until Monday night. Fox News’ Deirdre Heavey contributed to this report.