With the Republican National Convention less than a month away, several Republican lawmakers say they are being considered as former President Donald Trump's running mate.

Washington

Donald Trump is preparing to take office after defeating Kamala Harris in the U.S. Presidential election.

U.S. Presidential Elect

Former President Donald Trump is nearing a critical decision as the Republican National Convention approaches: Who will be his running mate in his 2024 presidential bid? The shortlist primarily consists of elected Republicans, including Senator J.D. Vance, Representative Elise Stefanik, Governor Doug Burgum of North Dakota, Senator Marco Rubio, Senator Tim Scott, Senator Tom Cotton, and Representative Byron Donalds. Former HUD Secretary Ben Carson is the notable exception on the list.

Despite the anticipation, Trump has not yet announced his choice, leaving the prospective candidates and political analysts in suspense. Republican lawmakers have been making media appearances to support Trump’s campaign and highlight their willingness to serve if selected. Senators and representatives have expressed their commitment to both their current roles and the possibility of stepping into the vice-presidential position if chosen.

Factors influencing Trump's decision include ensuring that his pick does not overshadow him but also considering the capabilities of the vice-presidential candidate, given Trump's age as one of the oldest presidential candidates. Various Republican figures have been emphasizing their readiness to step into not only the vice-presidential role but potentially the presidential role if required, highlighting their confidence and experience.

Though only one individual will ultimately join Trump on the ticket, others on the shortlist could still play significant roles in a future Trump administration if he wins the election. Decisions about cabinet and advisory positions may offer opportunities for those who are not selected as the vice-presidential candidate.



Who will be Trump's running mate?

As we inch closer to the Republican Convention this summer, former President Trump has an important decision to make, who will join him on his ticket as the vice presidential nominee for Republicans. Nearly all of those on Trump's shortlist are elected Republicans. Senator J.D. Vance, Representative Elise Stefanik, Governor Doug Burgum of North Dakota, Senator Marco Rubio, Senator Tim Scott, Senator Tom Cotton, and Representative Byron Donalds, the one exception being former HUD Secretary Ben Carson. Trump's delay in making a decision about his running mate has turned the race into vice president for somewhat of a reality show contest. Republican surrogates taking to the airwaves over the weekend and in recent weeks to try and tout the former president in his run for the presidency. Well I think if the president asked you to serve in any capacity our great nation, you'd have to consider it. But I also know that there's probably only one person who knows who's on his shortlist and I suspect the president will make a decision about his vice president when he's ready. If the president asked me to serve in any capacity, I would of course entertain it. But right now, I'm very happy being a senator representing the people of Arkansas and working to elect President Trump and a majority of the Congress. In the race for vice president, however, there's a number of important political calculations. The former president isn't likely to pick anyone who would overshadow him on the ticket. That being said, there is the possibility given that former President Trump is one of the oldest candidates to ever seek the office of the presidency, the vice president could have to step in. That's something that a number of Republicans are touting their ability to do so. Well I think if you're going to step into that job, it's obviously the toughest job, the biggest job, not just in our politics, but really frankly in the world. Look I think that I would have an ability to step in. I'm actually pretty intelligent. Do I believe in myself? 100% I do. And so you know, we'll see what President Trump decides. I'm going to support whatever he does. And even though former President Trump could only pick one person to be his running mate on the 2024 ticket, all could find roles in the former president's administration should he be elected in 2024. Nathaniel Reid, Scripps News, Capitol Hill.

Somaliland, a territory of more than 3 million people in the Horn of Africa, seceded from Somalia more than three decades ago, but it hadn't internationally been recognized as an independent state by any country.

Somaliland

Israel becomes first country to recognize Somaliland

Some of the stabbed victims remain in serious condition. A 38-year-old man was arrested for alleged attempted murder at the factory, authorities said.

Mishima

At least 15 injured in chemical attack, stabbing at Japan factory

Israeli President Isaac Herzog said he was shocked by the "horrific killing spree" and pledged Israel would reinforce its security.

Jerusalem

Palestinian man kills two in car, knife attack in northern Israel

Munitions factories are expected to expand capacity and build new plants as the regime in Pyongyang intensifies weapons development and furthers its ties with Russia.

Pyongyang

Kim Jong-un orders North Korea to boost missile production in 2026

The United States launched airstrikes on Islamic State targets in Nigeria's Sokoto State on Thursday. Nigerian authorities denied Trump's claim of mass killings of Christians amid mixed reactions to the U.S. intervention.

Abuja

Nigeria confirms cooperation with U.S. strikes on IS targets

Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said on Friday (December 26) he planned to meet with U.S. President Donald Trump soon and that a lot could be decided before the New Year as Washington pushes diplomatic efforts to end the war with Russia.

Ukraine Invasion

Zelenskiy: 'A lot' can be decided before New Year ahead of Trump talk

The United States carried out airstrikes against ISIS militants in northwest Nigeria at the request of Nigeria's government, U.S. President Donald Trump and the U.S. military said on Thursday, claiming the group had been targeting Christians in the region.

U.S. launches 'deadly' airstrikes in Nigeria targeting ISIS: Trump

Official results show Asfura edged out his main rival Salvador Nasralla by less than one percentage point. Marred by delays and fraud claims, the Honduran election continues Latin America's shift to the right.

Tegucigalpa

Honduras: Trump ally Nasry Asfura wins disputed presidency

Several people were killed in Southern California when severe storms with heavy rain caused mudslides and flooding, which was made worse in areas affected by wildfires in January.

Heavy rain, flooding turns deadly in California

The U.S. Department of Justice says it has found more than a million more documents potentially tied to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, delaying a full release for weeks while officials redact details to protect victims.

DOJ reviews over 1 million newly found Epstein documents

Pope Leo XIV celebrated his first Christmas Mass Wednesday evening where he described the celebration as a feast of "faith, charity and hope". He reminded the faithful that refusing to help the poor and vulnerable is comparable to rejecting God altogether.

Rome

Pope Leo reminds believers to help the poor in first Christmas mass

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy signaled progress in a Ukraine-Russia peace plan, after he told journalists about a new draft that would include a free economic zone and demilitarization. Holly Williams has the latest.

Kyiv

Zelenskyy signals progress with Ukraine-Russia peace plan

Democrats and some Republicans are blasting the Justice Department over its handling of the release of files related to Jeffrey Epstein, which included major redactions.

U.S. lawmakers blast DOJ over Epstein files release

Bolsonaro is expected to undergo the procedure on 25 December.

Brasília

Brazil's ex-president Bolsonaro temporarily leaves prison for surgery

Two police officers have been killed in an explosion in Moscow, Russian investigators said on Wednesday. Their deaths come just two days after a car bomb killed a top general in the same area of the Russia capital.

Moscow

Three people killed in Moscow car explosion, Russian authorities say

European intelligence agencies say investigations into Russian interference now consume as much time as terrorist threats.

Paris

Pro-Russian hackers claim French postal service cyberattack

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy says his country and the United States have reached a consensus on several critical issues aimed at bringing an end to the conflict with Russia — but sensitivities around territorial control in Ukraine’s eastern industrial heartland and the management of the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant remain unresolved.

U.S., Ukraine reach consensus on some key issues to end war with Russia

The latest Epstein file release alleges a connection between former prince Andrew and Ghislaine Maxwell, including emails in which an individual identified as 'A' requested 'inappropriate friends.'

London

Latest Epstein release alleges new link to ex-prince Andrew

The US and Venezuela are in a war of words at the UN Security council following America's seizure of ships off Venezuela's coast. Venezuela's ambassador strongly condemned the U.S. actions, labeling them as extrajudicial executions and a military blockade intended to destabilize the country.

New York

U.S., Venezuela in war of words at UNSC over military strikes

Two people are dead after an explosion at a nursing home in Bristol, Pennsylvania, and several are still missing, Gov. Josh Shapiro said.

Bristol

Two dead, several missing after nursing home explosion in Pennsylvania

A Delaware state trooper was killed Tuesday during a shooting at a Wilmington DMV, the Delaware State Police said. The state's governor confirmed the shooter is also dead.

Wilmington

Delaware state trooper killed in DMV shooting, officials say

The Supreme Court ruled on Tuesday that President Trump cannot deploy the National Guard troops to Chicago as a legal challenge moves ahead.

Supreme Court blocks deployment of National Guard to Illinois

The Justice Department released a new trove of documents from its investigation into convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, including an email from a prosecutor indicating President Donald Trump had traveled aboard his private jet "many more times than previously has been reported."

Trump flew on Epstein jet 8 times according to newly released files

The Libyan army's chief of staff, Mohammed Ali Ahmed Al-Haddad, died in a plane crash after leaving Turkey's capital Ankara, the prime minister of Libya's internationally-recognized government said, adding that four others were on the jet as well.

Haymana

Libyan army's chief dies in plane crash in Turkey

Two men have been found guilty of plotting to kill hundreds in an Islamic State-inspired gun rampage against the Jewish community in England, a planned attack investigators say demonstrates the resurgent risk posed by the militant group.

Bolton

Two men found guilty of UK plot to kill Jews as IS fears grow

The FDA has approved the pill version of the weight loss drug Wegovy, the first oral medication of its kind. The new pills are expected to be available in a few weeks.

FDA approves Wegovy pill, first prescription pill for weight loss

French Parliament has approved the Stopgap Bill two days before Christmas. The budget bill now moves to French senate.

Parijs

French Parliament approves Stopgap Bill: Budget bill moves to senate

Russia fired more than 650 drones and three dozen missiles at Ukraine in a large-scale attack that began during the night and stretched into daylight hours Tuesday, officials said. At least three people were killed, including a 4-year-old child, two days before Christmas.

Kiev

Russia carries out massive drone attack on Ukraine's energy sector

The U.S. Department of Justice has released another batch of files related to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, including videos, emails and documents. CBS News' Scott MacFarlane reports.

U.S. Justice Department releases new trove of Epstein files

The leaders of Denmark and Greenland insisted that the United States won't take over Greenland and demanded respect for their territorial integrity after President Donald Trump ‍​announced ​the appointment of a ‌special envoy to the semi-autonomous territory.

See The Full Story

U.S. Presidential Elect