President Donald Trump nominated former Representative Michelle Steel as U.S. ambassador to South Korea, according to Reuters reporting. The appointment represents one of Trump's early diplomatic selections as he builds his administration.

Separately, Trump endorsed Nevada Lieutenant Governor Stavros Anthony and Idaho Lieutenant Governor Scott Bedke for re-election in posts on his Truth Social platform Monday. The endorsements signal Trump's continued engagement in state-level Republican politics.

Meanwhile, the 2028 Democratic presidential primary appears to be taking early shape, with potential candidates openly acknowledging their White House ambitions rather than engaging in traditional political gamesmanship. Former Vice President Kamala Harris and California Governor Gavin Newsom are among those embracing or acknowledging interest in a future presidential run.

A report in The Atlantic claimed that former President Joe Biden had preferred Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer as his 2020 running mate but was influenced to select Harris instead. The report suggests Biden "had to choose" Harris while he "wanted it to be" Whitmer, though the specific circumstances and sources behind this claim were not detailed in the available reporting.

The early positioning for 2028 represents a departure from typical presidential campaign timelines, where potential candidates often maintain public ambiguity about their intentions until closer to election cycles.