‘Those are political appointments!’: Chuck Todd hammers…

Former Donald Trump campaign manager Kellyanne Conway spoke with MSNBC's Chuck Todd Friday, defending the president-elect over his cabinet positions, noting Trump "railed against" Wall Street influence doing the campaign. Conway argued that Trump said banks "don't have influence over him politically and they will not have influence over him politically in the White House," insisting they will work with Trump to implement his vision.

UPDATED: Obama orders review of election hacking

To continue reading up to 10 premium articles, you must register , or sign up and take advantage of this exclusive offer: WASHINGTON - President Barack Obama has ordered intelligence officials to conduct a broad review on the election-season hacking that rattled the presidential campaign and raised new concerns about foreign meddling in U.S. elections, a White House official said Friday. White House counterterrorism and Homeland Security adviser Lisa Monaco said Obama ordered officials to report on the hacking of Democratic officials' email accounts and Russia's involvement.

Trump picks congresswoman to lead Interior

Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers will be Donald Trump's nominee for secretary of the interior, according to multiple media outlets. A senior member of the House, McMorris Rodgers, 47, is the highest-ranking female Republican in Congress.

One Month Later, Press Failing Trump Transition Test

In a December 2 tweet that rattled embassies on the other side of the world, President-elect Donald Trump shredded nearly four decades of U.S. diplomatic protocol when he announced he had accepted a congratulatory call from Taiwan's president. Seen as a public slight to China, which views Taiwan as a breakaway province, Trump's move set off a flurry of international speculation and concern about America's relationship with China, which boasts one of the most important economies in the world.

Churches vow to offer sanctuary to undocumented immigrants

SANCTUARY: The Rev. Annie Steinberg-Behrman, right, provisional pastor with Metropolitan Community Church, holds a sign while listening to speakers at a meeting at City Hall in San Francisco by city leaders and community activists to reaffirm the city's commitment to being a sanctuary city in response to Donald Trump's support of deportations and other measures against immigrants Monday, Nov. 14. BROCKTON, Mass.

This day in history, Dec. 9, 2016

On Dec. 9, 1916, actor, author, producer and director Kirk Douglas, known for such movies as "The Bad and the Beautiful," "Lust for Life," "Gunfight at the O.K. Corral" and "Spartacus," to name only a few, was born Issur Danielovitch in Amsterdam, N.Y. In 1935, the Downtown Athletic Club of New York honored college football player Jay Berwanger of the University of Chicago with the DAC Trophy, which later became known as the Heisman Trophy. In 1965, Nikolai V. Podgorny replaced Anastas I. Mikoyan as chairman of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet, a job he would hold for almost 12 years.

Trump Inaugural Reprises Campaign Slogan in Attempt to Unify Country

A "Make America Great Again" hat sits in a glass case during Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump's election night party at the New York Hilton Midtown, Nov. 8, 2016 in New York City. Donald Trump is reprising the slogan of his historic presidential campaign as the official theme of a five-day inaugural celebration in the nation's capital next month, ABC News has learned.

The Christies would get a big break under Trump’s tax plan. Here’s how much.

Gov. Chris Christie, right, greets Donald Trump as he walks on stage in front of Mary Pat Christie. At the Lawrenceville National Guard Armory, businessman and Republican Presidential candidate Donald Trump attends a fundraising event to help NJ Gov. Chris Christie pay off the debt of his failed Presidential campaign.

Five Things We’ve Learned From Trump’s Cabinet Picks So Far

First Read is a morning briefing from Meet the Press and the NBC Political Unit on the day's most important political stories and why they matter. President-elect Donald Trump's cabinet selections are now almost complete -- save for that secretary of state position, as well as Agriculture, Energy, and Interior.

Trump’s Cabinet will serve corporate interests, not the chumps who voted for him

To understand what kind of president Donald Trump will be, do not listen to what he says, watch what he does. In a series of campaign-style events, he has repeated all the favorite lines that convinced millions of voters that he was on the side of Americans who feel abused by the establishments on Wall Street, K Street and Pennsylvania Avenue.

Trump mobilizing Louisiana Republicans in final Senate race

President-elect Donald Trump, right, greets Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad, left, as he welcomes him to the stage during a rally at Hy-Vee Hall, Thursday, Dec. 8, 2016, in Des Moines. Branstad has accepted Trump's offer to become U.S. ambassador to China.