Elon Musk is among the opening speakers who will precede President-elect Donald Trump at his pre-inaugural rally in Washington, D.C., on Sunday, NBC News reports.
U.S. Recovers Payments Made to Dead People
The U.S. government clawed back more than $31 million in federal payments that improperly went to dead people, a recovery that one official said Wednesday was “just the tip of the iceberg,” the AP reports.
Democrats Rethink Their Approach to Trump and GOP
New York Times: “Taken together, a new and difficult Democratic balancing act is coming into view, as elected officials across the party try to show that they have heard the electorate’s demands for change, while grappling with where to oppose Mr. Trump and how to talk about him — if at all.”
“In tone and emphasis, it is a sharp departure from the brawling mood of resistance that characterized much of Democratic politics over the last eight years.”
“Partly, that is an acknowledgment of political reality: Republicans are set to control all of the levers of power in Washington, and Democratic officials across the country will need support from the federal government.”
Giuliani Avoids Trial by Settling with Election Workers
“Rudy Giuliani has reached a settlement with two Georgia election workers that he defamed on their pursuit to collect on a $150 million debt,” CNN reports.
“Giuliani was about to face trial and potentially lose the Florida condo in which he says he lives and several New York Yankees World Series rings. He had been in litigation with the women, Ruby Freeman and Shaye Moss, over whether his $3.5 million Florida condo is his primary residence and can be exempt from the women’s debt collection efforts.”
Mortgage Rates Keep Rising
The average rate on a 30-year mortgage in the U.S. ticked up this week to slightly above 7%, the highest level in eight months, the AP reports.
Lawmaker Arrested for Trying to Enter House Chamber
Georgia state Sen. Colton Moore (R) was arrested Thursday after he refused to abide by a ban on entering the House chamber made by the speaker last year, the Atlanta Journal Constitution reports.
Stephen Miller Has Built More Power Than Ever
New York Times: “Mr. Miller was influential in Mr. Trump’s first term but stands to be exponentially more so this time. He holds the positions of deputy chief of staff, with oversight of domestic policy, and homeland security adviser, which gives him range to coordinate among cabinet agencies. He will be a key legislative strategist and is expected to play an important role in crafting Mr. Trump’s speeches, as he has done since he joined the first Trump campaign in 2016.”
“Most significantly, Mr. Miller will be in charge of Mr. Trump’s signature issue and the one that Mr. Miller has been fixated on since childhood: immigration. And he has been working, in secrecy, to oversee the team drafting the dozens of executive orders that Mr. Trump will sign after he takes office on Jan. 20.”
Trump’s Fraud Penalty Is Now $502 Million
“Quietly, just before the calendar turned for the new year, an already whopping debt tentatively owed by President-elect Donald Trump and co-defendants in his New York civil fraud case hit an eye-popping, interest-accumulating milestone: half a billion dollars,” CBS News reports.
“Trump, two of his sons and a former executive at his company were ordered in February 2024 to pay $364 million in ‘ill-gotten gains’ and millions more in interest dating back years. The figure, which was then $464 million, continued to accrue more than $114,000 in interest per day. The judgment is on appeal.”
“The total crossed $500 million on Dec. 29, and stands at more than $502 million on Thursday, a spokesperson for New York Attorney General Letitia James confirmed.”
Johnson Faces Furor Over Sacking House Intelligence Chair
“Speaker Mike Johnson is facing a handful of unhappy House Republicans over the ouster of Rep. Mike Turner (R-OH) as chair of the Intelligence Committee,” Punchbowl News reports.
“The question, though, is how long those feelings last and whether it translates into a real problem for Johnson. We’re told the conversation turned tense after Turner was informed by Johnson of his decision. The speaker can’t afford to have any Republicans turn against him given the party’s paper-thin majority and everything they’re trying to accomplish this Congress.”
“To help smooth things over, Johnson is holding one-on-one meetings this afternoon with some Intel Committee members to explain his rationale for booting Turner.”
New Trump Portrait Mimics Mug Shot
“President-elect Trump sported a familiar stone-faced stare in his official portrait revealed just days before he makes his White House return,” Axios reports.
“The nontraditional portrait is starkly different from his first term pose, where he grins under even lighting. Instead, with the up-shot glow, a raised eyebrow and a tight-lipped mouth, it’s reminiscent of another photo: his historic mug shot.”
“The Trump-Vance transition team, in a release sharing their official portraits, said the photos ‘go hard.'”
Mike Johnson and John Thune Not on the Same Page
Rachel Bade: “Ask Congress’ top two leaders about each other, and you’ll hear all the expected pleasantries — on the surface.”
“Dig a little deeper, though, and it becomes obvious that all is not well in cross-Rotunda relations at the moment. On fundamental questions of legislative strategy, Johnson and Thune remain at loggerheads as Trump prepares to take the oath of office — risking delays in enacting President-elect Donald Trump’s agenda and hinting at potential trouble in what’s quickly shaping up to be one of the most important relationships in Washington.”
Ramaswamy Eyes Ohio Governor’s Race
“Vivek Ramaswamy would consider an appointment to replace JD Vance in the Senate if it was offered — but is setting himself up for a gubernatorial run in Ohio and vastly prefers seeking that office,” Semafor reports.
Jared Golden Wants Trump to Go Big on Tariffs
Washington Post: “Most Democrats are poised to bash Trump over any price increases that follow new tariffs in his second administration, especially on inexpensive consumer goods like clothing. But Golden is embracing Trump’s maximalist trade vision — and saying his own party needs to rethink theirs.”
“That stance reflects one end of the emerging debate among Democrats over how to respond to one of Trump’s central economic policies.”
Five Republicans Threaten to Derail Trump’s Tax Cuts
“An influential group of five House Republicans from high-tax states is threatening to hold up a major tax package that is a top priority for President-elect Donald Trump unless they get a significant boost to the amount that their constituents can deduct from federal income taxes to reflect state and local taxes already paid,” CNBC reports.
“As negotiations over a major tax cuts bill get underway, they are also drawing a firm line: Simply doubling the maximum allowed deduction from the current $10,000 cap to $20,000, they say, is not enough.”
Giuliani Didn’t Show Up for Court Hearing
Rudy Giuliani has not yet arrived at court for a trial on Thursday in his bid to block two Georgia election workers he falsely accused of helping steal the 2020 election for Joe Biden from seizing his Palm Beach condominium. USA Today reports.
Democrats Uncharacteristically Quiet as Biden Exits
Washington Post: “Democrats are struggling with the meaning of Biden’s legacy. They spent several years touting their shared legislative accomplishments as historic and embraced Biden’s bid for a second term, yet many now blame his unpopularity for locking their party out of power in the new Washington.”
“Since early December, when tribute speeches poured forth almost daily for retiring senators, just two Democrats have taken to the Senate floor to salute Biden, according to a review of floor speeches.”
‘Oligarchy’ Decried by Biden Only Got Richer
“The very richest Americans are among the biggest winners from President Joe Biden’s time in office, despite his farewell address warning of an ‘oligarchy’ and a ‘tech industrial complex’ that threaten U.S. democracy,” Bloomberg reports.
“The 100 wealthiest Americans got more than $1.5 trillion richer over the last four years, with tech tycoons including Elon Musk, Larry Ellison and Mark Zuckerberg leading the way… The top 0.1% gained more than $6 trillion.”
Johnson Taps Ukraine Aid Critic to Lead Intel Panel
“Speaker Mike Johnson has tapped Rick Crawford, an Arkansas Republican who has opposed Ukraine aid, to replace defense hawk Mike Turner atop the Intelligence Committee,” Bloomberg reports.
- « Previous Page
- 1
- …
- 8
- 9
- 10
- 11
- 12
- …
- 7562
- Next Page »
