### Trump Announces Key Appointments and Ongoing Treasury Decision

In a series of significant decisions, President-elect Donald Trump has announced new appointments while a crucial Treasury pick remains undecided. On Friday, Republicans on Capitol Hill faced a series of critical updates, beginning with House Ethics Committee Chair Michael Guest's remarks regarding a postponed meeting on Matt Gaetz’s investigation report.

Guest, a Mississippi Republican, confirmed that the meeting to discuss the report had only been delayed, not canceled. He mentioned the necessity for the Ethics members to convene first, declining to speculate on sharing the report with the Senate Judiciary Committee. This report is of particular interest as Senators evaluate Gaetz for the role of Attorney General under Trump. Guest dismissed any concerns about potential backlash from Trump's allies, emphasizing his impartiality and lack of directive from party leadership.

In another major announcement, Trump named North Dakota Governor Doug Burgum to head a newly established National Energy Council, in addition to his role as head of the Interior Department. Aiming to achieve "U.S. Energy Dominance," Trump outlined a strategy to revamp energy production that emphasizes deregulation and innovation. Through this approach, Trump intends to reduce inflation, excel in the artificial intelligence race, particularly against China, and expand American diplomatic influence. This strategy, articulated in the Republican 2024 platform, aims to position the U.S. as the world's foremost energy producer.

While these appointments proceed, the selection for the Treasury secretary is hung in the balance. The decision process, involving transition co-chair Howard Lutnick and hedge fund executive Scott Bessent, has been characterized by significant competition. Lutnick, from the New York investment bank Cantor Fitzgerald, has played a key role in managing the informational flow to Trump, adding complexity to the selection process.

Bessent, previously seen as the front-runner, met with Trump at Mar-a-Lago as the decision continues to be debated. Besides Bessent, other potential candidates such as former National Economic Council Director Larry Kudlow, former U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer, former Goldman Sachs executive Gary Cohn, and Apollo Global Management head Marc Rowan remain in contention.

The Treasury secretary role is pivotal, covering financial markets, U.S. debt issuance, economic security, tax policy, and the strength of the dollar. Trump's appointee will also influence other significant economic policy and Wall Street regulatory roles, underscoring the importance of this decision for his administration's economic strategy.