Trump is challenging congressional Republicans to defy him as he says he will nominate controversial figures to his Cabinet.

Republicans elected Sen. John Thune, R-S.D., to serve as majority leader in next Senate session, replacing current GOP caucus leader Sen. Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., with another institutionalist distrusted by the MAGA world — but one largely willing to cooperate with President-elect Donald Trump to keep the GOP in power and pass conservative policies.

Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.) was elected Senate majority leader Wednesday, ushering in a new era for the Senate GOP after nearly two decades under the helm of Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.). Why it matters: Thune will be tasked with balancing the diverging wings of the Republican Party,