President-elect Donald Trump was handed a major legal victory on Monday when a judge in D.C. agreed to dismiss the federal election interference indictment against him after prosecutors moved to wrap up the criminal cases against him.
Citing the precedent that prevents a sitting president from being charged, special counsel Jack Smith said his team is treating Trump as a current president and asked that the federal cases be abandoned.
Smith stressed that the reason for the motion had nothing to do with the strength of the case.
Judge Tanya Chutkan agreed to dismiss the case.
The indictment accused Trump of pushing false claims of voter fraud after the 2020 presidential election in an attempt to overturn results and return to power. Prosecutors claimed Trump engaged in a so-called fake electors scheme to do so. Ultimately, his actions, according to Smith, inspired a mob of supporters to storm the Capitol on January 6.
Also on Monday, Smith filed a motion to abandon an appeal to reinstate the classified documents case against Trump, which was initially dismissed by Judge Aileen Cannon. However, the appeal to re-instate the case against co-defendants Walt Nauta and Carlos de Oliveira remains.
Key Points
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Trump’s federal election interference case is dismissed
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Donald Trump reportedly plans to kick trans troops out of the military within days of inauguration
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Pete Hegseth under scrutiny over past statements about international allies
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Jack Smith asks judge to dismiss federal election interference case against Trump
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Trump picks Scott Bessent for treasury secretary
Trump’s federal election interference case is dismissed
21:47 , Ariana Baio
Judge Tanya Chutkan has granted Jack Smith’s request to dismiss the federal election interference indictment against Donald Trump, officially ending the case – at least for the next four years.
Following the precedent that sitting presidents cannot be indicted or prosecuted, Chutkan agreed to dismiss the charges against Trump ahead of his inauguration.
“Dismissal without prejudice is also consistent with the Government’s understanding that the immunity afforded to a sitting President is temporary, expiring when they leave office,” Chutkan wrote.
Bird flu virus found in raw milk on California farm as RFK Jr continues to advocate its use
21:30 , Ariana Baio
As Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the incoming administration’s pick to lead the Department of Health and Human Services, continues to tout the use of raw milk, California health authorities acted Sunday to recall raw milk that had been contaminated with bird flu.
While no illnesses have been reported, the state’s Department of Public Health warned residents against drinking the batch of cream top, whole raw milk from Fresno County’s Raw Farm LLC and advised consumers to return the product to where it was purchased.
Julia Musto reports:
Bird flu found in raw milk on California farm as RFK Jr continues to advocate its use
Some GOP senators hope more of Trump’s cabinet picks follow Gaetz’s lead
21:00 , Rhian Lubin
Some Republican senators are “privately hoping” that other controversial Trump cabinet nominees will follow Matt Gaetz’s lead and drop out of the running, according to a report.
Gaetz bowed out of consideration to be attorney general last Thursday following intense scrutiny over resurfaced sexual allegations from his past. The former congressman said he was “unfairly becoming a distraction” to the Trump administration’s agenda.
Now some GOP lawmakers are turning their attention to Trump’s cabinet picks of Pete Hegseth, tapped for defense secretary, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. for health and human services secretary and Linda McMahon as education secretary, The Hill reports.
Hegseth and Kennedy Jr are likely to face tough questions over sexual misconduct allegations, which they deny, at Senate hearings next year, while McMahon could be asked about accusations of failing to prevent the sexual abuse of teenage WWE workers.
“My expectation, not just my hope, is that some of these people may be weeded out in the process before they ever get to a hearing,” one Republican senator who requested anonymity told The Hill.
Adam Schiff says Justice Department ‘failed’
20:30 , Ariana Baio
Congressman Adam Schiff reprimanded the Justice Department and court system for failing after Jack Smith motioned to dismiss the cases against Donald Trump.
“The Justice Dept and the court system failed to uphold the principle that no one is above the law. DOJ by neglecting to promptly investigate the events of Jan 6, and the courts by willfully delaying progress of the case and providing immunity. The public deserved better,” Schiff wrote.
New York City district attorney resigns ahead of Trump inauguration
20:00 , Ariana Baio
Damian Williams, the US Attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced he will step down from his position, effective December 13, ahead of Donald Trump taking off in January.
“Today is a bittersweet day for me, as I announce my resignation as United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York. It is bitter in the sense that I am leaving my dream job, leading an institution I love that is filled with the finest public servants in the world. It is sweet in that I am confident I am leaving at a time when the Office is functioning at an incredibly high level – upholding and exceeding its already high standard of excellence, integrity, and independence,” Williams said.
Williams pursued cases against Senator Bob Menendez, FTX founder Sam Bankman-Fried, Ghislaine Maxwell, and recently Sean “Diddy” Combs.
Edward Kim, the Deputy United States Attorney, will become the Acting United States Attorney upon Williams’ departure.
Trump endorses CFO of Florida to replace Gaetz
19:30 , Ariana Baio
Trump, on Monday, endorsed Jimmy Patronis – the chief financial officer to the state of Florida – to replace outgoing congressman Matt Gaetz to represent Florida’s 1st congressional district, despite Patronis not launching a bid for the seat yet.
Patronis, who has served as chief financial officer of Florida since 2017, is a Republican who promoted a bill that would give Trump up to $5 million in taxpayer funds to pay his legal bills. Although the bill was filed, it was later withdrawn after Governor Ron DeSantis threatened to veto it.
Trump called Patronis a “wonderful friend” and highlighted his stance on protecting gun rights, bolstering the military, securing the border and growing the border.
Patronis has until Monday to submit his notice of resignation to run in the Republican primary.
“Should he decide to enter this Race, Jimmy Patronis has my Complete and Total Endorsement. RUN, JIMMY, RUN!” Trump wrote on Truth Social.
Smith asks to abandon classified documents case
19:15 , Ariana Baio
Smith also asked the 11th Circuit Appeals Court to abandon his appeal to re-instate the classified documents case against Trump on Monday – but noted he would continue pursuing the case against co-defendants Walt Nautu and Carlos de Oliveira.
The classified documents case accused Trump and his co-defendants of knowingly and willfully retaining boxes that contained classified information, some containing national security information, at Trump’s home Mar-a-Lago home after leaving office.
Prosecutors said Trump did not cooperate with authorities’ attempt to give the documents back to the National Archives when he left office. Trump denied all wrongdoing and all three co-defendants pleaded not guilty.
A district judge in Florida initially dismissed the case against the three earlier this year, claiming Smith was improperly appointed. Prosecutors were in the midst of appealing that ruling when Trump was elected president.
Trump team celebrates motion to dismiss election interference case
19:00 , Ariana Baio
“The American People re-elected President Trump with an overwhelming mandate to Make America Great Again. Today’s decision by the DOJ ends the unconstitutional federal cases against President Trump, and is a major victory for the rule of law. The American People and President Trump want an immediate end to the political weaponization of our justice system and we look forward to uniting our country,” Steven Cheung, Trump Communications Director, said in a statement
Understanding the federal election interference case against Trump
18:45 , Ariana Baio
Last year, the Justice Department brought a criminal indictment against Trump for his actions leading up to and after the 2020 presidential election. Now, that indictment – and the damning accusations – are likely to be thrown out.
Alex Woodward explains the case here:
Trump’s election interference case, explained
Government asks judge to dismiss federal election interference case against Trump
18:35 , Ariana Baio
Federal prosecutor Jack Smith asked a judge in Washington D.C. to dismiss the government’s federal election interference case against Donald Trump on Monday, citing a precedent that prevents a sitting president from indictments or proceedings.
Smith said they were following precedent that states a sitting president cannot be charged with a crime. Since Trump is expected to take office before proceedings in the case have unfolded, it applies to Trump.
Smith said his team consulted with legal experts to make the determination.
The indictment accused Trump of trying to overturn the 2020 election results, in part by installing “fake electors”, and then inciting an attack on the Capitol on January 6 for spreading lies about mass voter fraud.
Smith stressed while they were asking Judge Tanya Chutkan to dismiss the indictment, it was not due to the strength of the case but rather based on Constitutional precedent.
“That prohibition is categorical and does not turn on the gravity of the crimes charged, the strength of the Government’s proof, or the merits of the prosecution, which the Government stands fully behind,” Smith wrote.
Watch: The View host shares Kamala Harris update following phone call with vice president after election defeat
17:50 , Joe Sommerlad
Remember her?
The View host reveals phone call with Kamala Harris after election defeat
Elon Musk mocks own government efficiency department with ‘I can’t believe DOGE is real’
17:30 , Joe Sommerlad
The world’s richest man posts laughing emojis on the social media platform he owns over the prospect of being allowed to carve up the US government thanks to a new department founded especially for him with a joke name of his own choosing.
What a world.
Rhian Lubin has more.
Elon Musk mocks own government efficiency department: ‘I can’t believe DOGE is real’
Dr Oz invested millions in businesses regulated by the agency Trump wants him to lead
17:10 , Joe Sommerlad
Dr Mehmet Oz, the television personality turned politician, held multiple investments in companies regulated by or closely tied to the federal agency that Donald Trump has tapped him to head – opening the door for questions and concerns about a conflict of interest.
Last week, Dr Oz was nominated to head the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, the agency that provides health insurance coverage to more than 160 million people in the United States through Medicare, Medicaid, the Children’s Health Insurance Program and the Health Insurance Marketplace.
Yet on his 2022 Senate financial disclosure form, Dr Oz indicated he had at least $280,000 worth of stakes in health insurance companies, such as UnitedHealth Group and Cigna, that work with the government to provide insurance under Medicaid or Medicare.
Ariana Baio reports.
Dr. Oz invested millions in businesses regulated by the agency he could lead
Watch: Biden pardons Thanksgiving turkeys at the White House
16:50 , Joe Sommerlad
Peach and Blossom were the names of the lucky fowls given a late November reprieve.
Megyn Kelly takes swipe at Hegseth not being marriage material while defending him from sexual assault allegations
16:40 , Joe Sommerlad
Speaking of Trump’s preferred defense secretary, here’s Katie Hawkinson with some rather odd criticism of him in the process of trying to brush aside the sexual assault allegation raised against him by woman he met at a conservative conference in Monterey, California, in 2017.
Hegseth has denied wrongdoing in the case.
Megyn Kelly defends defense secretary pick Hegseth from sexual assault allegations
Hegseth under scrutiny over past statements as three-quarters of public disagree with him on women in combat
16:20 , Joe Sommerlad
Pete Hegseth, Donald Trump’s nominee for defense secretary, is facing questions about his suitability about the role given his past comments about America’s international allies, The Guardian reports, citing quotes from a book by the former Fox weekend man criticising Nato and the UN and expressing his belief contention that US troops should not be bound by the Geneva conventions.
“Why do we fund the anti-American UN?” Hegseth asks in his 2020 tome American Crusade.
“Why is Islamist Turkey a member of Nato?”
Of the North Atlantic military organisation, Hegseth declares: “Nato is not an alliance; it’s a defense arrangement for Europe, paid for and underwritten by the United States.”
He continues: “Europe has already allowed itself to be invaded. It chose not to rebuild its militaries, happily suckling off the teat of America’s willingness to actually fight and win wars.
“The defense of Europe is not our problem; been there, done that, twice. Nato is a relic and should be scrapped and remade in order for freedom to be truly defended. This is what Trump is fighting for,”
Meanwhile, here’s some new polling from Reuters/Ipsos revealing that 72 percent of the US public disagree with him on the question of female soldiers being deployed in combat roles.
America’s first trans member of Congress isn’t taking the rage bait
16:00 , Joe Sommerlad
With Republicans determined to make her arrival in Washington DC a spectacle, Sarah McBride is calmly shutting down their provocations as a “distraction” from their agenda.
America’s first openly transgender member of Congress has been far from the most vocal of candidates on the Democratic side since the party’s disastrous Election Day but the incoming representative from Delaware nevertheless finds herself in the center of the House GOP’s crosshairs.
And she isn’t taking the rage bait.
Here’s John Bowden’s profile.
America’s first trans member of Congress isn’t taking Nancy Mace’s rage bait
Why Trump’s most radical cabinet pick might be a man you’ve never heard of
15:40 , Joe Sommerlad
The incoming president has made a series of wild selections to run his key government departments, writes Alan Rusbridger.
Matt Gaetz may have crashed and burned in his bid to become attorney general, but there are plenty of others who will offer Trump both loyalty and extreme ideologies.
The first rule of a Trump government: there are no rules
Joe Rogan accused of pushing Russian propaganda by Ukrainian boxer Wladimir Klitschko
15:20 , Joe Sommerlad
Klitschko has hit out at the influential American podcaster over his recent interview with music producer Scott Storch, which saw the duo slam President Biden’s decision last week to allow Volodymyr Zelensky to use American-made long-range missiles against Russia.
Rhian Lubin has the story.
Joe Rogan accused of pushing Russian propaganda by Ukrainian boxer Wladimir Klitschko
Trump’s counter-terror pick Sebastian Gorka labeled a ‘conman’
15:00 , Joe Sommerlad
The president-elect’s former national security adviser John Bolton did not hold back on the subject of Trump’s pick for counter-terrorism director when he appeared on CNN over the weekend.
“Sebastian Gorka is a con man,” Bolton told host Kaitlan Collins.
“He needs a full-field FBI background investigation about his educational claims and things like that.
“I think he is a perfect example of somebody who owes his position purely to Donald Trump, he doesn’t display loyalty, he displays fealty, and that’s what Trump wants.”
Gustaf Kilander has more.
Trump’s counter terror pick Sebastian Gorka is a ‘conman,’ John Bolton says
Elon Musk and Don Jr suggest buying MSNBC
14:40 , Joe Sommerlad
The tech billionaire and Trump’s eldest son have been revelling in the idea of the former (seemingly now resident at Mar-a-Lago) buying up the liberal network and using it to parp out MAGA propaganda.
Gustaf Kilander reports.
‘Funniest idea ever’: Elon Musk and Donald Trump Jr suggest buying MSNBC
Watch: Debbie Dingell warns Democrats against constant Trump ‘tizzies’
14:20 , Joe Sommerlad
Republican senator slams Trump’s ‘illegal’ and ‘terrible’ plan to use military for mass deportations
14:00 , Joe Sommerlad
Kentucky Senator Rand Paul has said he would break ranks and not support Trump’s “terrible” plans to use the military to carry out mass deportations.
Paul told CBS News’s Face the Nation on Sunday that he supports the president-elect’s plans to deport “the 15,000 murderers and 13,000 sexual assault perpetrators” but only through the “normal process of domestic policing.”
By contrast, Trump’s idea to use the military for mass deportations is “illegal” and would create a “terrible image,” he said.
“I will not support and will not vote to use the military in our cities. I think it’s a terrible image.
“I’m 100 percent supportive of going after the 15,000 murderers, the 13,000 sexual assault perpetrators, rapists, all these people,” Paul said. “But you don’t do it with the army because it’s illegal.”
Rhian Lubin has more.
Rand Paul slams Trump’s ‘illegal’ plan to use military for mass deportations
Sherrod Brown tells Democrats: ‘Win back working-class voters or keep on losing’
13:40 , Joe Sommerlad
The veteran Ohio Democrat lost his Senate seat earlier this month to Trump-backed businessman Bernie Moreno and has been reflecting on the defeat in conversation with CNN.
He says the left’s failure to win over the working-class is what cost him and others across the country and is likely to continue to hurt his party if it doesn’t rectify the problem fast.
“I think that we don’t appear to be fighting for them,” Brown said.
“Workers have drifted away from the Democratic Party.”
Calling for a greater emphasis on the economy and blue-collar families suffering from the rising cost of living, Brown said: “I lost, but we ran ahead of the national ticket.
“When the leader of your ticket runs 12 points behind, almost, you can’t overcome that, even though it was a close race in the end.”
He also complained that Trumpian smears against his record had also played a part in his loss.
“A lot of things made the difference. I’d say it’s the money and Trump. That kind of money, month after month after month, with nasty negative ads.
“I guess that’s how you win a race. You lie, you spend a lot of money, and then you, as my opponent, hope that your candidate, Trump in this case, would win by a lot.”
Asked if he planned to challenge for the seat being vacated by Vice President-elect JD Vance, the 72-year-old said: “I’m not dismissing anything at this point.”
Majority approve of Trump’s transition handling, CBS News poll finds
13:20 , Joe Sommerlad
The network’s latest survey on how the American public are reacting to Donald Trump’s post-election moves finds that a majority (59 percent) are happy with how the transition process has been handled so far, with another 41 percent spooked by some of the names the president-elect has put forward.
The reaction overall is cooler than you might expect, with only 21 percent “angry” about Trump’s win and 23 percent “dissatisfied” and the remainder either “satisfied” or “happy”.
That said, he has work to do if he really is to be a president of unity: with just 4 percent of Democrats saying they are “excited” about his administration and 35 percent “concerned” and another 50 percent outright “scared”.
Marjorie Taylor Greene threatens funding cuts to sanctuary cities and NPR with DOGE committee
13:00 , Joe Sommerlad
The firebrand Georgia congresswoman has been gloating about the cuts she could help to enable as part of Elon Musk’s government efficiency drive.
Speaking to Maria Bartiromo on Fox News’s Sunday Morning Futures, MTG pledged that her new subcommittee covering the work of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) will enable a “deep dive” into every government department and program, with one recommendation being to have leaders of so-called “sanctuary cities”, whose policies protect immigrants, explain why they deserve federal funding.
This is what Musk himself has to say about DOGE:
Oliver O’Connell has more on Greene.
Marjorie Taylor Greene threatens funding cuts to sanctuary cities and NPR
Watch: Chris Christie hits Trump for ‘over-reading his mandate’ with failed Matt Gaetz nomination
12:40 , Joe Sommerlad
Tulsi Gabbard faces ‘a lot of questions’ in the Senate about Syria visit, Republican lawmaker says
12:20 , Joe Sommerlad
Rhian Lubin has more on GOP Senator James Lankford’s comments about Gabbard, particularly his interest in her past meetings with Bashar al-Assad at a time when the US government had turned its back on him.
Tulsi Gabbard faces ‘a lot of questions’ in the Senate, Republican lawmaker says
Watch: Trump ‘border czar’ Tom Homan threatens to defund states that won’t cooperate with mass deportation measures
12:00 , Joe Sommerlad
Republican senators warned they must ‘step up’ to approve Trump Cabinet picks or face recess appointments
11:40 , Joe Sommerlad
Bill Hagerty of Tennessee has warned his GOP colleagues they must “step up” to appoint Trump’s cabinet picks or face recess appointments.
Hagerty was on ABC’s This Week that the idea of recess appointments “is and should be on the table”, adding that previous presidents in modern history including Ronald Reagan and Bill Clinton had utilized the constitutional clause allowing appointments when the Senate is not in session.
The process would likely set up court battles and fray Trump’s relationship with GOP leaders — all while allowing him to confirm controversial choices despite concerns.
On the same subject and on the same show, Minnesota Democratic Senator Amy Klobuchar warned Trump’s nominees they had better “get their background checks together”.
Here’s more from John Bowden on Haggerty’s appeal.
GOP senators warned they must ‘step up’ to approve Trump Cabinet picks
Don Jr emerges as most influential figure in Trump’s transition team
11:20 , Joe Sommerlad
Here’s why the president-elect’s eldest son is currently winning the Succession-style jockying for influence at Mar-a-Lago, what he’s doing with his power and what happens once his old man reaches the Oval Office.
Don Jr emerges as most influential figure in Trump’s transition team
GOP senator claims woman in Hegseth sex assault allegation ‘was the aggressor’
11:00 , Joe Sommerlad
Also on the Sunday shows, the aforementioned Markwayne Mullin insisted yesterday Trump’s choice for defense secretary was “falsely accused” of sexual assault, defending his claim days earlier that Pete Hegseth had just been “flirting” with his accuser before going even further in his attempts to defend his man.
Kelly Rissman reports.
GOP senator claims woman in Pete Hegseth sex assault allegation ‘was the aggressor’
Senator who lost legs in military helicopter crash rips Hegseth over women in combat comments
10:40 , Joe Sommerlad
Here’s more from Tammy Duckworth on another of Trump’s picks, former Fox News weekend host Pete Hegseth, whom she says is “unqualified” to be America’s defense secretary after arguing that female soldiers should not be deployed to combat zones.
John Bowden reports.
Senator who lost legs in helicopter crash rips Hegseth over women in combat comments
Republicans defend ‘compromised’ Tulsi Gabbard over past Russia claims
10:20 , Joe Sommerlad
Trump’s controversial choice to be the US’s new director of national intelligence, Tulsi Gabbard, has been defended by a number of high-profile Republicans after Democratic Senator Tammy Duckworth called her “compromised” over her past support for Russia during an appearance on CNN’s State of the Union on Sunday.
“I think she’s compromised,” Duckworth said.
“The US intelligence community has identified her as having troubling relationships with America’s foes. And so my worry is that she couldn’t pass a background check.”
Her assessment was branded “ridiculous and outright dangerous” by Oklahoma’s Markwayne Mullin.
“That’s the most dangerous thing she could say – is that a United States lieutenant colonel in the United States Army is compromised and is an asset of Russia.”
Prominent Democrats Elizabeth Warren and Adam Schiff have also criticised Gabbard in recent days on similar grounds, with Warren alleging she was in “Putin’s pocket”.
Missouri Republican Senator Eric Schmitt said he thought it was “totally ridiculous” that Gabbard was being cast as a Russian asset for having different political views.
“It’s insulting. It’s a slur, quite frankly. There’s no evidence that she’s an asset of another country,” he said on NBC.
But Oklahoma GOP Senator James Lankford acknowledged he had “lots of questions” for Gabbard as the Senate considers her nomination to lead the intelligence services.
Lankford said on NBC that he wants to ask her about her meeting with Syrian dictator Basher al-Assad and regarding some of her past comments about Russia.
“We want to know what the purpose was and what the direction for that was. As a member of Congress, we want to get a chance to talk about past comments that she’s made and get them into full context,” he said.
Here’s more on Gabbard from Richard Hall and Andrew Feinberg.
Tulsi Gabbard’s history with Russia is even more concerning than you think
Trump reportedly plans to kick trans troops out of the military within days of inauguration
10:00 , Joe Sommerlad
Good morning!
Donald Trump is expected to sign an executive order that would remove transgender service members from the US military as soon as his first day in office.
The president-elect is reportedly preparing to issue an order following his inauguration on January 20 that would effectively ban trans people from serving – and then medically discharge the thousands of currently serving trans service members of the armed forces.
Trump declared that the US would no longer “accept or allow” trans people in the military during his first term, citing “tremendous medical costs and disruption”.
The ban took effect in 2019 but was reversed by successor Joe Biden.
Trump is now understood to be planning to reinstate it and eject currently serving trans personnel.
Here’s more from Alex Woodward and Oliver O’Connell.
Trump reportedly plans to swiftly eject trans troops within days of inauguration
GOP senators warned they must ‘step up’ to approve Trump Cabinet picks or face recess appointments
09:10 , Oliver O’Connell
A Republican senator has warned his colleagues must “step up” to appoint Donald Trump’s cabinet picks or face recess appointments.
Bill Hagerty of Tennessee was on ABC’s This Week that the idea of recess appointments “is and should be on the table”, adding that previous presidents in modern history including Ronald Reagan and Bill Clinton had utilized the constitutional clause allowing appointments when the Senate is not in session.
John Bowden reports from Washington, DC.
GOP senators warned they must ‘step up’ to approve Trump Cabinet picks
Elon Musk and Donald Trump Jr suggest buying MSNBC: ‘Funniest idea ever’
08:40 , Oliver O’Connell
Elon Musk has indicated that he may be interested in buying the liberal cable news network MSNBC.
Donald Trump Jr. shared a post on X following news that the network’s parent company Comcast is spinning off cable TV channels into a separate company.
Gustaf Kilander has the story.
‘Funniest idea ever’: Elon Musk and Donald Trump Jr suggest buying MSNBC
Trump accused of opening door to financial corruption with transition
08:10 , Oliver O’Connell
As President-elect Donald Trump makes his transition to the White House, it’s not just his cabinet picks garnering scrutiny — it’s now also his funding as he’s keeping the donors funding the transition effort a secret.
Trump has not yet signed an agreement with the outgoing Biden administration — a requirement laid out in the Presidential Transition Act that places restrictions on the amount of fundraising cash in exchange for more than $7 million in federal funds for the “orderly transfer” of power.
Because Trump hasn’t signed the agreement, he doesn’t have to work within the confines of the fundraising limits or disclose what interest groups are funding his transition to the White House, The New York Times first reported.
Kelly Rissman has the story.
Trump accused of risking financial corruption as transition donors kept secret
Report: Trump team believed Gaetz was too ‘blackmail-able’ to be attorney general
07:40 , Oliver O’Connell
Matt Gaetz’s past was too likely to come back to bite him. That was the belief inside Trump’s inner circle as the former Florida Congressman’s nomination to be attorney general came to an end, according to Rolling Stone.
One Trump adviser told the outlet that if Gaetz had become the leader of the Department of Justice, he would probably have become “the single most blackmail-able person to ever serve as attorney general of the United States … and that’s not a risk you want to take when the whole job is going after criminals.”
Gustaf Kilander has the story.
Trump team believed Gaetz was too ‘blackmail-able’ to be attorney general: report
Don Jr is helping Trump pick most controversial cabinet of modern times
07:10 , Reuters
Donald Trump approaches to embrace Donald Trump Jr at a campaign rally (REUTERS)
Donald Trump Jr. has emerged as the most influential Trump family member in the transition as the president-elect builds the most controversial cabinet in modern U.S. history, according to a half dozen sources with knowledge of his role, elevating inexperienced loyalists over more qualified candidates for top positions in his administration.
Trump, who fiercely prizes loyalty, has long relied on family members for political advice, but which relative has his ear is known to vary.
This time, it is Don Jr., who has helped cabinet contenders sink or rise to the fore – from championing Senator JD Vance as Trump’s running mate to blocking former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo from joining the cabinet, according to the sources, who include donors, personal friends and political allies.
Don Jr. is due to join conservative venture capital fund 1789 Capital, although one of the sources said he will continue to host his politics-focused podcast and support candidates that espouse Trump’s brand of politics.
He will provide advice to his father in the White House, the source added, although they cautioned that Don Jr. was unlikely to be involved in day-to-day deliberations.
Don Jr. and the Trump-Vance transition team did not respond to a request for comment.
In addition to ensuring candidates are loyal to his father, Don Jr. typically seeks out contenders who embrace an anti-establishment worldview, including protectionist economic policies, and a reduction in military interventions and overseas aid, according to a handful of the sources and Don Jr.’s own comments on social media site X and in public.
Two of the candidates Don Jr. championed may face a rocky confirmation process in the Senate: Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who Trump plans to nominate as the top U.S. health official, and Tulsi Gabbard, who Trump plans to nominate as intelligence chief.
Kennedy is an environmental activist who has spread misinformation on vaccines. Gabbard, a former Democratic congresswoman, implied that Russian President Vladimir Putin had valid grounds for invading Ukraine and stirred controversy when she met Syrian President Bashar al-Assad in the midst of his bloody crackdown on dissidents in 2017.
COMMENT: Trump’s energy secretary will be more than an environmental disaster
06:40 , Oliver O’Connell
Chris Wright, reporting from Baku, writes:
When I was young, I wasn’t even the only Chris Wright at my local dentist. I had horrible teeth as a child, but whenever I went for a check-up, I’d have to tell them my address as there were three of us in the neighbourhood.
Even last month at my local swimming pool, I found out that not only am I not the only Chris Wright on its books, but also that staff had the gall to ask if I was the Chris Wright born in the 1960s or the 1990s…?
But the most annoying mistaken identity moment happened this week at Cop29.
Read on…
Donald Trump’s energy secretary will be more than an environmental disaster
Sen. Schmitt says ‘it’s a slur’ to call Gabbard a Russian asset
06:10 , Oliver O’Connell
During his appearance on Meet the Press this morning, Senator Eric Schmitt of Missouri said it was a “slur” to call Tulsi Gabbard, Donald Trump’s pick as director of national intelligence, a Russian asset.
NBC’s Kristen Welker played a clip of former UN ambassador Nikki Haley saying of Gabbard, a veteran and former Democrat rep: “This is not a place for a Russian, Iranian, Syrian, Chinese sympathizer. DNI has to analyze real threats. Are we comfortable with someone like that at the top of our national intelligence agencies?”
Welker asked Schmitt if he was comfortable and whether he would vote for Gabbard’s confirmation.
He replied: “I think it’s — it’s really interesting that anybody that has a different political view now is being cast as a Russian asset. It’s totally ridiculous. Tulsi Gabbard has served in our military. She served as a congresswoman from Hawaii, as a Democrat, I might add, part of this unique coalition that President Trump has put together and won and got that mandate. But I think it’s insulting. It’s a slur, quite frankly.’
He continued: “You know, there’s no evidence that she’s an asset of another country. She served this country honorably, and by the way, she cares deeply about our Constitution and civil liberties and making sure people aren’t being targeted by these intelligence agencies. So again, I think this is a reformer who can come in, who maybe is not part of the same Washington cocktail party circuit that people in the intel community are used to, but maybe that’s exactly what we need right now. President Trump listened to the American people when they screamed about these issues. They want to be heard. They feel like Washington is broken. And I think bringing somebody in like Tulsi Gabbard is welcome news.”
Read Richard Hall and Andrew Feinberg’s full report on Gabbard’s history with Russia.
ICYMI: Trump picks Scott Bessent for treasury as he announces flurry of cabinet picks
05:40 , Oliver O’Connell
President-elect Donald Trump announced a flurry of nominations on Friday night, revealing his choices to lead the Treasury Department, the Office of Management and Budget, the Department of Housing and Urban Development, the FDA, the CDC, the Office of the Surgeon General, and the Department of Labor.
Gustaf Kilander reports.
Trump picks Scott Bessent for treasury as he announces flurry of cabinet picks
Watch: Trump NSA Waltz says ‘we are in hand in glove’ with Biden administration on US adversaries
05:10 , Oliver O’Connell
Incoming Trump National Security Advisor Mike Waltz told Fox News Sunday today that they are “hand in glove” with the outgoing Biden administration regarding “our adversaries” and that they are wrong to think they can play one administration off against another.
COMMENT: Why the Trump and Musk partnership is here to stay
04:40 , Oliver O’Connell
John Sopel writes:
We’ve all been there. That infatuation moment. That time at the outset of a relationship when you can’t think about anyone else, don’t want to be with anyone else. Every minute without them is a minute wasted; where you find yourself engaging in their hobbies because if they love them, so must you, too.
And broadly speaking, that is where we are in that most unlikely of bromances: that of Elon and Don.
Read on…
A fine bromance: why the Trump and Musk partnership is here to stay
Watch: Chris Christie says Gaetz was ‘abominable pick’ and Trump was ‘over-reading his mandate’
04:10 , Oliver O’Connell
Trump’s counter terror pick Sebastian Gorka is a ‘conman’, says Bolton
03:40 , Oliver O’Connell
When Donald Trump’s former national security adviser John Bolton appeared on CNN Friday night, he didn’t hold back when commenting on Trump’s pick for his counterterrorism director.
“Sebastian Gorka is a con man,” Bolton told host Kaitlan Collins.
“He needs a full-field FBI background investigation about his educational claims and things like that,” he added. “I think he is a perfect example of somebody who owes his position purely to Donald Trump, he doesn’t display loyalty, he displays fealty, and that’s what Trump wants.”
Gustaf Kilander reports.
Trump’s counter terror pick Sebastian Gorka is a ‘conman,’ John Bolton says
GOP senators shrug off Trump’s weaponized Justice Department but also welcome retribution
03:10 , Oliver O’Connell
In an appearance on CNN’s State of the Union, Senator James Lankford of Oklahoma downplayed Donald Trump’s threats of payback at the Department of Justice over the criminal indictments he faced over election interference and classified documents.
However, he then told Dana Bash: “If someone is in the Department of Justice right now that is actively trying to undercut the president, they should be gone.”
This was a sentiment echoed by Senator Eric Schmitt of Missouri, who told NBC’s Meet the Press that one of the president-elect’s first priorities should be to fire any staff at the Justice Department who worked on cases that involved charges against Trump.
“First and foremost, the people involved with this should be fired immediately,” he told Kristen Welker. “And anybody part of this, this effort to keep President Trump off the ballot and to throw him in jail for the rest of his life because they didn’t like his politics, and who continue to cast him as a quote, unquote threat to democracy, was wrong, and so we’ll see where that goes.”
Schmitt framed his stance as a form of “accountability,” telling Kristen Welker, “[The cases] all fell apart under the weight of the law. And so I do think there needs to be accountability. I think that getting it back to crime-fighting is important, but there has to be accountability for these kinds of abuses.”
ANALYSIS: What do Republican doctors really think of RFK Jr? I asked them
02:40 , Oliver O’Connell
Eric Garcia writes:
Senator Bill Cassidy stood up to Donald Trump in 2021 after the January 6 riot — he was one of seven Republicans who voted to convict Trump. And in January, he will become chairman of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pension Committee, making the Republican gastroenterologist from Louisana one of the most influential doctors in America.
But when it comes to Trump’s nomination of Robert F Kennedy Jr, who has for years spread lies and misinformation about vaccines, Cassidy wants a second opinion.
Continue reading…
What do Republican doctors really think of RFK Jr? I asked them
ICYMI: Ric Grenell under consideration to take on role of special envoy to Russia-Ukraine war
02:10 , Gustaf Kilander
Trump’s former ambassador to Germany and acting director of national intelligence in his first administration Ric Grenell is under consideration to be the special envoy for the war between Russia and Ukraine.
There’s currently no special envoy for the conflict, but Trump is seriously considering whether to create the role, according to Reuters, pointing to four sources with knowledge of the president-elect’s thinking.
If the position is indeed created, Grenell is reportedly a top contender, but Trump may still choose another candidate, the news agency noted. The sources reportedly said that there’s no guarantee that Grenell would take the job if offered.
Grenell was reported to be one of the candidates to be secretary of state, a nomination that eventually went to Florida Republican Senator Marco Rubio.
While Trump hasn’t outlined a specific plan on how to end the war, he has promised to do so quickly once in office.
Grenell has made statements previously that may concern the Ukrainians, telling Bloomberg in July that he would back the creation of “autonomous zones” to end the war. He has also said that he would not back NATO membership for Ukraine in the near future.
The 58-year-old has also served as a special presidential envoy for the Serbia and Kosovo peace negotiations and as a spokesperson to the UN during the presidency of George W Bush. He was also the foreign policy spokesperson during Mitt Romney’s 2012 campaign for the White House.
Trump did a complete 180 on transgender bathroom controversy
01:40 , Oliver O’Connell
“Kamala is for they/them. Trump is for you,” was the message of a widely aired ad for Donald Trump’ 2024 campaign.
But a resurfaced 2016 clip shows how much the president-elect’s view on transgender rights has shifted in eight years.
Kelly Rissman has the story.
Resurfaced clip shows how Trump did complete 180 on transgender bathroom controversy
Full story: Trump reportedly plans to kick trans troops out of the military within days of inauguration
01:24 , Oliver O’Connell
Donald Trump is expected to sign an executive order that would remove transgender service members from the military as soon as his first day in office.
The president-elect is reportedly preparing to issue an order following his inauguration on January 20 that would effectively ban trans people serving in the military — and then medically discharge the thousands of currently serving trans service members in the armed forces.
Continue reading…
Trump reportedly plans to swiftly eject trans troops within days of inauguration
ICYMI: Former Trump surgeon general sounds alarm on infectious diseases
01:10 , Oliver O’Connell
Jerome Adams, who served as surgeon general in the first Trump administration is sounding the alarm about alarming trends in infectious diseases.
He says he hopes the incoming administration has a strong response plan and can ensure vaccine confidence stays high “or they’ll be distracted with outbreaks for 4 years this time instead of 1.”
Trump ally warns UK PM the US will ‘crush’ British economy if it helps arrest Benjamin Netanyahu
00:40 , Oliver O’Connell
A staunch ally of Donald Trump has warned Sir Keir Starmer that the UK will face severe economic consequences if it helps to arrest Benjamin Netanyahu.
Senator Lindsey Graham said the US should “crush” the economies of all those who comply with the warrant issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC).
The prime minister of Israel faces arrest if he enters Britain, Downing Street has said. On Friday No 10 refused to explicitly comment on the case, saying it was a hypothetical situation, but added that the UK would follow its legal obligations.
Kate Devlin reports.
Trump ally warns Starmer the US will ‘crush’ UK economy if it helps arrest Netanyahu
Trump plans to fire 15,000 transgender troops, report says
00:32 , Oliver O’Connell
President-elect Donald Trump is planning an executive order that would remove all transgender troops from the US military, according to a report by The Times.
Such an order could be signed as soon as Inauguration Day on January 20, 2025, when the newly sworn-in president returns to the White House.
It is estimated there are approximately 15,000 active service transgender personnel across the branches of the US military.
According to The Times, they would be medically discharged, deeming them unfit to serve. There would also be a ban on trans people joining the armed services — as was the case in the first Trump administration, when already serving trans personnel were permitted to keep their jobs.
“These people will be forced out at a time when the military can’t recruit enough people,” a source familiar with Trump’s plans told the paper. “Only the Marine Corps is hitting its numbers for recruitment and some people who will be affected are in very senior positions.”
Those who fought the trans ban in the first Trump administration have been preparing for a similar move when he takes office again.
“Should a trans ban be implemented from day one of the Trump administration it would undermine the readiness of the military and create an even greater recruitment and retention crisis, not to mention signaling vulnerability to America’s adversaries,” Rachel Branaman, executive director of Modern Military Association of America, an organization that campaigns on behalf of LGBT+ military personnel and veterans, told The Times.
“Abruptly discharging 15,000-plus service members, especially given that the military’s recruiting targets fell short by 41,000 recruits last year, adds administrative burdens to warfighting units, harms unit cohesion, and aggravates critical skill gaps,” she said. “There would be a significant financial cost, as well as a loss of experience and leadership that will take possibly 20 years and billions of dollars to replace.”
America’s first trans member of Congress isn’t taking Nancy Mace’s rage bait
00:14 , Oliver O’Connell
With Republicans determined to make her arrival in Congress a spectacle, Sarah McBride is decidedly shutting it down as a “distraction” from their agenda.
America’s first openly transgender member of Congress has been far from the most vocal candidates on the Democratic side after their party sustained losses in the Senate and presidential races, while seeing the balance of power change little in the House.
But McBride, an incoming representative from Delaware, now finds herself in the center of the House GOP’s crosshairs.
John Bowden reports from Washington, DC.
America’s first trans member of Congress isn’t taking Nancy Mace’s rage bait
Despite saying he has ‘no idea’ what it is, Trump’s cabinet is filling up with Project 2025 authors
Sunday 24 November 2024 23:40 , Oliver O’Connell
Donald Trump said he has “no idea” who’s behind it. His presidential transition chair and the man he picked to be the secretary of commerce said he wouldn’t touch it. “They made themselves nuclear,” he said.
But the authors of Project 2025 — a 900-page playbook from a right-wing think tank for the next Republican president’s agenda — are all over Trump’s incoming administration.
Alex Woodward reports.
Trump’s cabinet is filling up with Project 2025 authors
Trump claimed Kim Jong Un missed him but North Korea’s leader has a different message
Sunday 24 November 2024 22:40 , Oliver O’Connell
On the campaign trail over the summer, Donald Trump claimed that North Korean leader Kim Jong Un “misses me,” and that relations between their two countries would improve with a second Trump term.
At a defense expo in Pyongyang this week, the North Korean dictator had a very different message, as Josh Marcus reports.
Trump claimed Kim Jong Un missed him. The North Korea leader has a different message
Watch: Rand Paul supports Trump’s mass deportation plan but not with ‘illegal’ use of military
Sunday 24 November 2024 22:26 , Oliver O’Connell
Full story: Marjorie Taylor Greene threatens funding cuts to sanctuary cities
Sunday 24 November 2024 22:10 , Oliver O’Connell
Firebrand Georgia congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene is gloating about cuts she could help enable as part of Elon Musk’s government efficiency drive.
MTG told Maria Bartiromo on Fox News’ Sunday Morning Futures what she has in store for her new subcommittee covering the work of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). The subcommittee will operate under the House Committee on Oversight and Accountability, headed by Rep James Comer of Kentucky, and will work alongside DOGE, led by Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy, ostensibly to cut government waste and spending when Donald Trump becomes president.
Greene promised a “deep dive” into every government department and program, with one recommendation being to have leaders of so-called “sanctuary cities”, whose policies protect immigrants, explain why they deserve federal funding.
Continue reading…
Marjorie Taylor Greene threatens funding cuts to sanctuary cities and NPR
Don Jr is helping Trump pick most controversial cabinet of modern times
Sunday 24 November 2024 22:00 , Reuters
Donald Trump approaches to embrace Donald Trump Jr at a campaign rally (REUTERS)
Donald Trump Jr. has emerged as the most influential Trump family member in the transition as the president-elect builds the most controversial cabinet in modern U.S. history, according to a half dozen sources with knowledge of his role, elevating inexperienced loyalists over more qualified candidates for top positions in his administration.
Trump, who fiercely prizes loyalty, has long relied on family members for political advice, but which relative has his ear is known to vary.
This time, it is Don Jr., who has helped cabinet contenders sink or rise to the fore – from championing Senator JD Vance as Trump’s running mate to blocking former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo from joining the cabinet, according to the sources, who include donors, personal friends and political allies.
Don Jr. is due to join conservative venture capital fund 1789 Capital, although one of the sources said he will continue to host his politics-focused podcast and support candidates that espouse Trump’s brand of politics.
He will provide advice to his father in the White House, the source added, although they cautioned that Don Jr. was unlikely to be involved in day-to-day deliberations.
Don Jr. and the Trump-Vance transition team did not respond to a request for comment.
In addition to ensuring candidates are loyal to his father, Don Jr. typically seeks out contenders who embrace an anti-establishment worldview, including protectionist economic policies, and a reduction in military interventions and overseas aid, according to a handful of the sources and Don Jr.’s own comments on social media site X and in public.
Two of the candidates Don Jr. championed may face a rocky confirmation process in the Senate: Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who Trump plans to nominate as the top U.S. health official, and Tulsi Gabbard, who Trump plans to nominate as intelligence chief.
Kennedy is an environmental activist who has spread misinformation on vaccines. Gabbard, a former Democratic congresswoman, implied that Russian President Vladimir Putin had valid grounds for invading Ukraine and stirred controversy when she met Syrian President Bashar al-Assad in the midst of his bloody crackdown on dissidents in 2017.
