President Donald Trump spent Saturday reshaping his White House team and escalating his confrontation with Democrats, offering UFC chief Dana White the job of White House press secretary and ordering the Justice Department to investigate Democratic lawmakers.
The Dana White offer
Trump announced on his Truth Social platform on Saturday that he had offered the press secretary post to "the Great Dana White, a violent Fighter and Warrior." He also suggested that several prominent mixed martial arts fighters join White as assistants, naming Khabib Nurmagomedov, Islam Makhachev, Justin Gaethje, Daniel Cormier, Amanda Nunes and Kayla Harrison.
White, who was in London on Saturday for a boxing event, told reporters he would fly to Washington and meet Trump at the White House on Monday, November 9. However, CNN later reported, citing a source familiar with the matter, that White had turned down the offer. The White House has not confirmed a final decision.
The press secretary position has been vacant since Karoline Leavitt left the role at the end of August. Her successor, Katie Zacharia, stepped down last month less than a week after taking office.
Justice Department probe ordered
Trump also said on Saturday that he was ordering the Justice Department to examine what he called Democratic threats to impeach members of his administration, describing the Democrats' actions as "extortion at the highest level" and "totally illegal."
Democrats have vowed investigations into Trump and senior members of his administration, including Attorney General Todd Blanche and Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth. Trump singled out Michigan Democratic Senator Elissa Slotkin in his post. Party leaders have not committed to pursuing a third impeachment of Trump, though Democrats could seek to do so once they take control of Congress in January.
A White House in transition
The announcements came a day after Trump named Stephen Miller as his next chief of staff, replacing longtime adviser Susie Wiles. Miller, currently deputy chief of staff, is due to take over the role on November 9. Wiles will move to a role in the Trump political operation.
On Sunday, Trump posted on Truth Social that the midterm elections, in which Republicans lost control of Congress, were a "giant step back in History" for the United States, adding: "But have no fear, we will be back, BIGGER AND STRONGER THAN EVER BEFORE!"
Democrats flipped both chambers in Tuesday's midterms, winning at least 253 House seats after flipping 41, and holding 54 Senate seats to the Republicans' 44, with races in Alaska and Mississippi still too close to call.
Sources: Associated Press, CNN, Malay Mail, Outlook India.
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