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Former congressman Matt Gaetz has withdrawn as President-elect Trump’s pick for attorney general.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.

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.