Trump, allies make case for Gaetz confirmation

Biden asks Congress for $100 billion in emergency disaster aid

U.S. accuses Russia of “major escalation” in war with Ukraine

Troubling details emerge about Trump’s Pentagon chief pick

New, troubling details have emerged about Donald Trump’s pick to lead the Pentagon. Over the weekend, a lawyer for Pete Hegseth said Hegseth paid a woman who accused him of sexual assault. The alleged assault took place in 2017. No charges were fired. Hegseth’s lawyer said the sexual encounter was consensual. He went on to say that the confidential settlement was reached because Hegseth believed the filing of the threatened lawsuit could have gotten him fired from Fox News, where he was employed.

Biden: Ukraine can use U.S. weapons for strikes deep into Russia

The Biden administration changes its tune when it comes to Ukraine’s use of American-made weapons.
In a reversal of policy, the administration will allow Ukraine to use long-range missiles supplied by the U-S for military strikes deeper inside Russia. U-S officials say the change comes largely in response to Russia’s deployment of North Korean ground troops. For months, Ukrainian President Zelensky has asked the Biden administration to allow Ukraine’s military to use U-S weapons to hit Russian military targets far from its border. Russian lawmakers warned the decision could lead to a world war.

Musk, Ramaswamy tapped to lead gov’t efficient effort

President-elect Trump has tapped two of his allies to lead an effort on government efficiency. Trump announced last week that the world richest person, Elon Musk, and former GOP presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy will lead a new “Department of Government Efficiency.” Despite the name, it will not be a government agency. Instead, it will be an outside commission to offer the White House “advice and guidance.” The president-elect and his staff are hoping to “drive large-scale structural reform,” with Trump quoting Musk in saying the effort “will send shockwaves” through the government system.

First Lady offers transition help to absent Melania Trump

Melania Trump opted not to go to the White House this past week when her husband returned for a visit.
When President-elect Trump arrived at the White House for his post-election Oval Office meeting, he was greeted by the President and the First Lady. However, Melania Trump did not make the trip. Jill Biden gave Trump a handwritten letter of congratulations for Mrs. Trump, which also expressed her team’s readiness to assist with the transition. The president-elect expressed his gratitude for Joe Biden’s promise of an orderly transfer of power.

Biden welcomes Trump back to the White House

President Biden and President-elect Trump met face-to-face in a historic White House meeting. After exchanging harsh words during the campaign, the two leaders sat side-by-side in the Oval Office. President Biden said he looked forward to a smooth transition and welcomed Donald Trump back to the White House. The president-elect acknowledged that “politics is tough,” but was grateful for the warm welcome. Then the two men shook hands and began their private meeting.

Trump returns to White House for Oval Office meeting with Biden

President Biden welcomed President-elect Trump back to the White House for the customary post-election meeting between outgoing and incoming presidents. President Biden and the first lady were on hand to greet Donald Trump upon his arrival here at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue before the two leaders sat down in the Oval Office. The two men shook hands and reaffirmed plans for a peaceful transfer of power.

Biden, Trump to hold face-to-face meeting in Oval Office

President Biden will host President-elect Trump at the White House. The post-election meeting in the Oval Office is customary between outgoing and incoming presidents. However, there was an interruption in the tradition when Donald Trump did not extend the invitation to Joe Biden four years ago. Trump also refused to attend the Biden inauguration. Last week, Mr. Biden said his administration would work with Trump’s team to ensure an orderly transition and he promised a peaceful transfer of power.

Trump nominates Huckabee to be U.S. ambassador to Israel

Trump’s NY criminal case sentencing is up in the air

Biden hosts Israeli President Herzog at White House

Trump names several people to key administration positions

President-elect Trump is moving quickly to announce top personnel in his new administration. In the days since the election, Trump has named several people for key positions, including Susie Wiles as White House chief of staff, Congressman Mike Waltz as national security adviser, Congresswoman Elise Stefanik for United Nations ambassador, and former Congressman Lee Zeldin as EPA administrator. Trump also has selected Tom Homan and Stephen Miller for a pair of roles that will include immigration enforcement. Miller will be deputy chief of staff for policy while Homan will be “border czar.”

Media reports: Trump to pick Rubio as secretary of state

Media reports say Donald Trump will name Senator Marco Rubio as his secretary of state. After considering Rubio for vice president earlier this year, Trump apparently plans to name the Florida senator as the nation’s top diplomat. The two men were rivals in the 2016 presidential campaign, but have since become allies. Rubio, a member of the Foreign Relations Committee, is known for his hawkish position and for being a tough critic of Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Trump says Haley, Pompeo will not serve in second term

Two prominent Republicans who worked in the first Trump administration will not be returning in the new administration. Donald Trump says he will not be inviting former U-N Ambassador Nikki Haley or former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo to join his Cabinet in the second term. He wrote on social media that he enjoyed and appreciated working with them and thanked them for their service. Haley ran a bruising campaign against Trump in the GOP primary, during which she said he was unfit to serve. Pompeo stayed mostly silent during the presidential campaign, but previously criticized Trump for mishandling classified documents.

Trump’s election victory to erase some of his legal problems

Biden to honor veterans and war heroes in holiday speech

Biden to host Trump at White House on Wednesday

President Biden will host President-elect Trump at the White House on Wednesday. The post-election meeting in the Oval Office is customary between outgoing and incoming presidents. However, Donald Trump did not extend the invitation to Joe Biden four years ago. Trump also refused to attend the Biden inauguration. Last week, the president said his administration would work with Trump’s team to ensure an orderly transition and he promised a peaceful transfer of power.

Trump says voters gave him a “powerful mandate”

Many Dems blame Biden for party’s White House loss

Many Democrats are blaming President Biden for their party’s loss in the presidential race. In the days since Donald Trump’s comeback victory, Democrats have been pointing fingers at Joe Biden. Some of the vice president’s backers are expressing frustration with his decision to remain in the race until mid-summer, despite his unpopularity and voter concerns about his age. When Biden withdrew, it left Vice President Kamala Harris with only 107 days to try and win the presidency. Former 2020 presidential candidate Andrew Yang wasn’t shy in assessing blame. He said “the biggest onus of this loss is on President Biden.”

Trump’s new chief of staff has deep Republican ties

President-elect Trump’s new White House chief of staff has deep ties to Republican politicians. Susie Wiles may not be a household name, but she’s been involved in GOP politics for years. Before leading Trump’s 2024 presidential campaign, she ran the Florida operations for Trump in 2016 and 2020, as well as Governor Ron DeSantis’ successful bid for office in 2018. Over the years, Wiles also worked for Republicans Rick Scott, Jon Huntsman, Dan Quayle, and Jack Kemp. In the 1980’s, she worked as a scheduler in the Reagan administration. In January, she’ll return to DC as the powerful White House chief of staff.

Dems ponder Supreme Court plan before Biden leaves

Judge cancels deadlines in Trump 2020 election interference case