Trump transition live updates: Trump announces fracking executive as energy secretary

Trump has named attorney Bill McGinley as his White House counsel, his transition team announced.

McGinley served as the White House Cabinet secretary during Trump's first term and has served as general counsel at the National Republican Senatorial Committee.

"Bill is a smart and tenacious lawyer who will help me advance our America First agenda while fighting for election integrity and against the weaponization of law enforcement," Trump said in a statement.

The White House counsel is appointed by the president.

Trump has tapped his longtime friend and donor Steve Witkoff as his special envoy to the Middle East, the president-elect's transition team announced.

Witkoff, along with former Sen. Kelly Loeffler, has been leading the inauguration efforts.

Witkoff has held multiple fundraisers for Trump throughout the election cycle and accompanied him to numerous campaign rallies. He was also golfing with Trump during the alleged second assassination attempt in West Palm Beach earlier this year.

To replace Florida Rep. Mike Waltz in the U.S. House following his selection to serve as Trump's national security adviser, state statute requires Gov. Ron DeSantis to call for a special primary and then a special election in Florida.

The special elections to fill the House seat differ from Florida's way of filling Senate seats. State law mandates that DeSantis appoint an individual to fill any Senate vacancy.

Waltz currently represents Florida's solidly red 6th Congressional District, one that hasn't been represented by a Democrat since 1989. DeSantis himself was the congressmember for the northeastern Florida seat ahead of Waltz.

ABC News has not yet reported a projection for who will have control of the House, but Waltz's impending vacancy could impact Republicans' numbers as they head toward a GOP "trifecta" in Washington.

President Elect Donald Trump has announced former Gov. of Arkansas Mike Huckabee as the United States Ambassador to Israel.

"Mike has been a great public servant, Governor, and Leader in Faith for many years," Trump said in a statement. "He loves Israel, and the people of Israel, and likewise, the people of Israel love him. Mike will work tirelessly to bring about Peace in the Middle East!"

The role, which will need to be confirmed by the Senate, will be a key appointment as tensions remain high in the Middle East.