Trump wants to remove FBI director Wray from job early

Donald Trump plans to nominate a new FBI director even though Christopher Wray still has three years left on the job. Over the weekend, the president-elect announced that Kash Patel, one of his most vocal and loyal allies, is his pick to run the FBI. The announcement means that current FBI Director Christopher Wray can either resign from the job or wait to be fired once Trump takes office in January. FBI directors are appointed to 10-year terms — a length of time that extends beyond two consecutive presidential terms and is meant to give the agency independence.

Biden pardons son, Hunter, reversing past promises

President Biden pardoned his son, Hunter, reversing his past promises not to do so. In the waning weeks of his presidency, Joe Biden used his authority to pardon his son and spare him a possible prison sentence for federal felony gun and tax convictions. On several occasions, the president had said he would not pardon his son or commute his sentence after his convictions in the two cases in Delaware and California. In a statement, the president said “No reasonable person who looks at the facts of Hunter’s cases can reach any other conclusion than Hunter was singled out only because he is my son – and that is wrong.”

Biden wants Trump to rethink Canada, Mexico tariff plans

President Biden hopes President-elect Trump reconsiders his plan to impose new tariffs on America’s neighbors. Trump has threatened to slap a 25 percent tariff on all products coming into the United States from Canada and Mexico. When asked about those plans, President Biden said it’s “counterproductive” and he hopes Trump “rethinks it.” The president said the U-S is “surrounded by the Pacific Ocean, the Atlantic Ocean, and two allies, Mexico and Canada.” Mr. Biden said, “the last thing we need to do is begin to screw up those relationships.”

Economy continues growing at a healthy pace

The U-S economy continues growing at a healthy pace. Government figures released last week show strong consumer spending helped the economy grow at a 2-point-8 percent pace from July through September. Even though many American voters complained about the economy, it’s proving surprisingly durable and President-elect Trump will inherit a generally healthy economy. One sticking point, though, is inflation. Prices are about 20 percent higher than they were after Joe Biden took office.

Trump chooses retired general to serve as Ukraine-Russia envoy

Donald Trump has chosen a retired three-star general to serve as his special envoy for Ukraine and Russia. Keith Kellogg has long been Trump’s top adviser on defense issues, having served as national security adviser to former Vice President Pence and chief of staff of the National Security Council. He will step into the role as special envoy as Russia’s invasion of Ukraine enters its third year in February. Trump has criticized the billions of dollars the Biden administration has spent in supporting Ukraine, and Kellogg has said bringing the war to a close “will require strong, America First leadership.”

In January, Trump to inherit a generally healthy economy

The U-S economy continues growing at a healthy pace. Government figures released this week show strong consumer spending helped the economy grow at a 2-point-8 percent pace from July through September. Even though many American voters complained about the economy, it’s proving surprisingly durable and President-elect Trump will inherit a generally healthy economy. One sticking point, though, is inflation. Prices are about 20 percent higher than they were after Joe Biden took office.

President-elect Trump dines with Meta CEO Zuckerberg

The founder of Facebook had dinner with President-elect Trump this week. Wednesday night’s dinner at Mar-a-Lago in Florida brought together Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg and the former president who was once banned from Facebook. Trump was kicked off the social network following the January 6th U-S Capitol riot, but the company restored his account early last year. Zuckerberg has taken a more positive stance toward the president-elect, and has complained that senior Biden administration officials pressured Facebook to “censor” some COVID-19 content during the pandemic.

FBI investigates threats against incoming Trump administration personnel

The FBI is investigating threats against several of President-elect Trump’s Cabinet picks and appointees. Bomb threats and “swatting attacks” were reported this week against a number of Trump’s incoming administration members, including chief of staff Susie Wiles, Congresswoman Elise Stefanik who was picked to be the next ambassador to the U-N, and Lee Zeldin, the nominee to lead the EPA. A Trump transition team spokeswoman called the threats “violent” and “un-American.” The White House said President Biden had been briefed and that officials are in touch with federal law enforcement and Trump’s transition team.

Trump taps retired three-star general for Ukraine-Russia envoy

Donald Trump has chosen a retired three-star general to serve as his special envoy for Ukraine and Russia. Keith Kellogg has long been Trump’s top adviser on defense issues, having served as national security adviser to former Vice President Pence and chief of staff of the National Security Council. He will step into the role as special envoy as Russia’s invasion of Ukraine enters its third year in February. Trump has criticized the billions of dollars the Biden administration has spent in supporting Ukraine, and Kellogg has said bringing the war to a close “will require strong, America First leadership.”

Biden, first lady to attend Trump’s inauguration

President Biden and the first lady will attend Donald Trump’s inauguration in January. Donald Trump.
Before the presidential election, the White House said Joe Biden would attend the inauguration of the next president regardless of who won. And now, a spokesman confirms that will be the case when Donald Trump takes the oath of office on January 20th. Andrew Bates says the president believes in the peaceful transfer of power and that “he and the first lady are going to honor that promise and attend the inauguration.”

Trump threatens Canada, Mexico with 25% tariffs

Judge dismisses Jan. 6 criminal charges against Trump

Donald Trump is no longer under federal indictment in the January 6th Capitol riot case. A federal court in Washington dismissed the 2020 election interference case against Trump at the request of the Justice Department. Special Counsel Jack Sith cited DOJ policy that prevents the prosecution of a sitting president. Smith also asked a U-S district court to remove Trump as a co-conspirator in the classified documents case. On social media, Trump blasted the cases as “empty and lawless” and proclaimed he “persevered, against all odds, and won.”

DOJ dropping both criminal federal cases against Trump

The Justice Department is dropping both criminal cases against Donald Trump. Special Counsel Jack Smith is asking to dismiss the 2020 election interference case and the classified documents case. In new court papers, prosecutors cited longstanding Justice Department policy shielding presidents from prosecution while in office. And they’re dropping the cases because the same protections apply to the president-elect. A Trump spokesman called it “a major victory for the rule of law.”

U.S. says Israel-Hezbollah ceasefire “close,” but not finalized

Biden pardons two turkeys in Thanksgiving tradition

President Biden has pardoned two turkeys ahead of the Thanksgiving holiday. Continuing a White House tradition that goes back more than three decades, the president spared two turkeys –named Peach and Blossom– from this year’s Thanksgiving table. During the South Lawn ceremony that helps usher in the holiday season, Mr. Biden encouraged all Americans to focus on family, friends, and neighbors.

Trump granted permission to seek dismissal of NY conviction

Donald Trump has been granted permission to seek dismissal of his New York criminal conviction.  In light of Trump’s victory in the presidential election, Judge Juan Marchan indefinitely postponed the sentencing in the case. He set a December 2nd deadline for Trump’s legal team to file a motion to dismiss and gave prosecutors until December 9 to respond. Then the judge will decide how to proceed. Prosecutors don’t want the case thrown out, but a Trump spokesman claimed the latest development as a “decisive win” and that “sham lawfare attacks” have been destroyed.

After Gaetz, Trump Cabinet choices still face scrutiny

Some of President-elect Trump’s Cabinet choices still face scrutiny following the withdrawal of Matt Gaetz to be attorney general. The tapping of former congressman Gaetz was seen as the most problematic among Trump’s personnel announcements. But he was not the only controversial Cabinet selection. Defense Secretary nominee Pete Hegseth, Director of National Intelligence nominee Tulsi Gabbard, and HHS nominee Robert F. Kennedy Jr each face questions about their experience, past actions and statements, and policy positions as they seek Senate confirmation.

Trump names Bessent to serve as Treasury Secretary

President-elect Trump has chosen hedge fund manager Scott Bessent to serve as his next treasury secretary. Bessent, who is closely aligned with Wall Street, has defended Trump’s tariff policies and is an advocate for deficit reduction. As Treasury secretary, he would be a key leader on the president-elect’s economic team. Bessent’s selection wasn’t surprising; he had been among the names floated for the role and he was described by Trump as “one of the top analysts on Wall Street.” If confirmed by the Senate, he would be the nation’s first openly gay treasury secretary.

Trump’s NY criminal conviction sentencing delayed indefinitely

A judge has officially delayed next week’s scheduled sentencing of Donald Trump in his criminal case.
Trump was to be sentenced next week on his 34-count felony conviction. But Judge Juan Merchan has officially adjourned the sentencing. He’s giving Trump lawyers until December 2nd to file their motion to dismiss the case and giving Manhattan DA Alvin Bragg until December 7th to respond. Earlier this week, prosecutors agreed to a delay in sentencing, but they don’t want the case thrown out. Trump was convicted of falsifying business records to cover up payments to Stormy Daniels.

Trump picks Pam Bondi for AG after Matt Gaetz withdraws

Gaetz withdraws as Trump’s pick for Attorney General

Former congressman Matt Gaetz has withdrawn as President-elect Trump’s pick for attorney general.
In a social media announcement, Gaetz took his name out of the running because he said his confirmation “was unfairly becoming a distraction.” The announcement came just one day after meeting face-to-face with senators in an effort to win their support for his confirmation to lead the Justice Department. Gaetz was facing tough scrutiny, including from some Republicans, over a federal sex trafficking investigation. He denied any wrongdoing, but his confirmation was seen as an uphill battle. Trump thanked Gaetz for not wanting “to be a distraction for the administration.”

U.S. slaps sanctions against Russia’s third largest bank

The United States has announced additional sanctions against Russia. Nearly three years into Russia’s war against Ukraine, the U-S is slapping sanctions on Russia’s third largest bank. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said the sanctions would further diminish Moscow’’s military effort and “will make it harder for the Kremlin to evade sanctions and fund and equip its military.” And the White House said the U-S “remains committed to putting Ukraine in the strongest possible position.”

Trump adds Dr. Oz and Lutnick to his administration staff

NY prosecutors agree to delaying Trump criminal sentencing

New York prosecutors are open to delaying the sentencing of Donald Trump in his criminal case. In a new court filing, the Manhattan district attorney’s office said it would not oppose delaying Trump sentencing until the appeals process plays out. But prosecutors also said they oppose dismissing the case, during which Trump was convicted of falsifying business records to cover up payments to a porn actor. A spokesman for the president-elect is claiming a “total and definitive victory” even as the judge and parties continue to evaluate the “competing constitutional interests” in this case.