Donald Trump’s nominee for secretary of defense, former Fox News weekend anchor Pete Hegseth, continues to be dogged by allegations about his past, potentially making his confirmation less likely and splitting right-wing media on his prospects as his candidacy faces an “absolutely critical day” on Wednesday.
Hegseth is due to take questions from the House Republican Study Committee today as well as appearing on Fox for an interview.
Hegseth’s mother Penelope has already appeared on the channel to defend him, having previously criticized her son’s behavior towards women in a letter, as the Trump transition team reportedly considers alternatives to lead the Pentagon, including Florida Governor Ron DeSantis.
On Tuesday, Trump’s pick to serve as administrator of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Sheriff Chad Chronister, withdrew from consideration, posting on X that he would be declining the “honor of a lifetime” after “the gravity of this very important responsibility set in”.
The president-elect’s choice for FBI director, Kash Patel, was also revealed to have been targeted by Iranian hackers while Trump himself pushed for the dismissal of the hush money case against him citing Joe Biden’s decision to pardon his son Hunter Biden.
Key Points
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Donald Trump’s defense secretary nominee Pete Hegseth facing ‘absolutely critical day’
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Hegseth’s mother appears on Fox and Friends to defend him
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Trump team reportedly considering Ron DeSantis to replace Hegseth
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President-elect’s DEA nominee backs out over criticism of handling of Covid-19 and immigration
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Kash Patel, Trump’s choice to lead FBI, reportedly targeted by Iranian hackers
Penelope Hegseth defends son on Fox and Friends
13:35 , Joe Sommerlad
The mother of Trump’s nominee for defense secretary, who previously rebuked him over his treatment of women, is on Fox’s morning show right now to defend her boy.
Here’s what she’s had to tell Steve Doocy so far:
Justin Baragona has more.
Pete Hegseth’s mom trashes media as she defends her ‘changed’ son on Fox & Friends
Trump in New York on Thursday to receive ‘Fox Patriot of Year’ award
13:25 , Joe Sommerlad
Here’s an interesting little sidenote to the president-elect’s latest Truth Social announcement.
Hegseth: ‘I’m doing this for the warfighters, not the warmongers’
13:05 , Joe Sommerlad
Here’s a defiant Pete Hegseth on X this morning accusing “the Left” of trying to bring him down with false stories because they fear “disrupters and agents of change”.
What Republican senators have said about Pete Hegseth
12:45 , Joe Sommerlad
“I think some of these articles are very disturbing,” admitted South Carolina’s Lindsey Graham.
“He obviously has a chance to defend himself here, but some of this stuff is… it’s going to be difficult.”
Iowa’s Joni Ernst, another veteran who has been mentioned as a possible replacement for Hegseth, pledged to have “a really frank and thorough conversation” with him.
Louisiana’s John Kennedy said he had read up on the nominee and conceded he was “going to have to address” the stories about his past, pointing to the email Hegseth’s mother reportedly sent her son and saying: “Of all the allegations I’ve seen, that’s probably the most serious.”
Cynthia Lummis of Wyoming said Hegseth needed to address the concerns about him, James Lankford of Oklahoma said it was “reasonable” and “fair” to ask about them and Josh Hawley of Missouri admitted that some of his colleagues were “very worried” about the man’s qualifications to lead the Pentagon.
Alabama’s Tommy Tuberville stood up for him, however, saying he had asked Hegseth about the misconduct allegations and concluded: “There’s not going to be anything to this at the end of the day.”
Lindsey Graham (NBC News)
Fox & Friends hosts defend Hegseth: ‘We will not succumb to the left’s playbook’
12:30 , Joe Sommerlad
Lawrence Jones made the case for the defense (secretary) this morning, commenting:
“He’s a Harvard guy. He’s a Princeton guy. He’s been talking about this stuff for years, wrote the whole book about transforming the military, the way that we’re doing things, the wokeness.”
He denied the media reporting about Hegseth’s past scandals and said: “The fact that they’re going out there with unnamed sources when we sit on the couch with him almost every day, for over ten years.
“It’s just – to me, that is the stunning part, especially when you don’t reach out to his co-hosts of the show for comment to say, ‘Hey, what do you guys think about this?’ No one has been contacted about that. I think that screams that it’s a witch hunt.”
Jones then compared the affair to the controversial confirmation hearings of Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh. “We can’t allow them to Kavanaugh Pete because I feel like that’s what they’re trying to do right now.”
After Steve Doocy fleshed out the allegations, Emily Compagno commented: “The roadblock to a nomination process to me is almost blasphemous because of this entire thing that the American people voted into office.
“No, we will not succumb to the left’s playbook. We will not succumb to Kavanaugh becoming a verb in that the left likes to wield the media and a very public witch hunt to thwart the possibility for actual success. And that’s the whole point.”
Trump expected to be watching Hegseth’s Fox interview with interest
12:15 , Joe Sommerlad
We will, of course, bring you all the latest on the president-elect’s defense secretary as he appears on Fox today, a session Trump himself is certain to be watching to assess how Hegseth handles himself, which could well determine whether his nomination to the cabinet is allowed to proceed.
On CNN this morning, the pundits agreed that his goose is already cooked because his own mother has described him as a man who “belittles, lies, cheats, sleeps around and uses women for his own power and ego” (even though Penelope Hegseth has now revoked her attack and said it was written in 2018 “in anger, with emotion”).
Here’s Justin Baragona on how the right-wing networks have struggled to cover the Hegseth scandals.
Right-wing networks can’t agree on how to cover Pete Hegseth’s many scandals
Trump considers ally-turned-rival DeSantis to replace Hegseth as Pentagon chief
12:00 , Joe Sommerlad
As promised, here’s more from James Liddell on the Florida Governor’s rumored candidacy for the defense secretary position should Hegseth be forced out.
Trump considers ally-turned-rival DeSantis to replace Hegseth as Pentagon chief
Hegseth accused of chanting ‘kill all Muslims’ on a drunken night out
11:40 , Joe Sommerlad
Justin Baragona has this on Trump’s nominee allegedly drunkenly shouting “kill all Muslims!” in the middle of a crowded bar while serving as the president of a veterans’ group, as first reported by The New Yorker.
Pete Hegseth accused of chanting ‘kill all Muslims’ on a drunken night out
Hegseth admitted to having five affairs during first marriage
11:20 , Joe Sommerlad
Let’s get back to the scandal-hit defense secretary nominee.
Here’s Gustaf Kilander on his alleged extramarital activities.
Pete Hegseth admitted to having five affairs during first marriage
California Democrat Adam Gray flips Republican seat as final 2024 House race called
11:00 , Joe Sommerlad
Gray captured the western state’s 13th Congressional District on Tuesday, unseating Republican John Duarte in the final House contest to be decided this year.
His win in the farm belt seat that cuts through five counties means Republicans won 220 House seats this election cycle, with Democrats holding 215 seats.
Gray won by a margin of less than 200 votes, with election officials reporting late yesterday that all ballots had been counted.
Duarte captured the seat in 2022 when he defeated Gray by one of the closest margins in the country, 564 votes.
He was often listed among the most vulnerable House Republicans given that narrow margin of victory in a district with a Democratic tilt – about 11 points over registered Republicans.
Here’s more.
California Democrat Adam Gray flips Republican seat as final 2024 House race called
Trump posts bizarre AI pic of himself with Canadian flag – on a Swiss mountain
10:40 , Joe Sommerlad
Does Donald Trump want to conquer Canada?
The president-elect posted a bewildering image of him and the Canadian flag on top of a mountain just days after suggesting Canada become the US’s 51st state
“Oh Canada!” Trump captioned the AI-generated image.
There was just one problem: the mountain range appeared to be the Swiss Alps, with a peak reminiscent of the Matterhorn visible in the background.
It’s unclear exactly what Trump was referencing with the image, but clearly the neighbor up north is on his mind.
Here’s Mike Bedigan on his latest baffling contribution to the internet.
Trump posts bizarre AI pic of himself with a Canadian flag (on a Swiss mountain)
Trump’s lawyers formally ask judge to dismiss hush money case
10:20 , Joe Sommerlad
Donald Trump’s attorneys are calling on the judge overseeing his hush money trial to toss the case altogether, pointing to President Joe Biden’s pardon of his son Hunter, and raising the idea that presidential “immunity” should apply to the president-elect.
The “disruptions to the institution of the presidency violate the presidential immunity doctrine because they threaten the functioning of the federal government,” the criminally convicted former president’s attorneys wrote in a 72-page filing made public on Tuesday.
Trump’s lead criminal defense attorneys Todd Blanche and Emil Bove – both of whom were nominated by Trump for top roles at the Department of Justice – quoted from President Biden’s own statement claiming that his son was “selectively, and unfairly, prosecuted” and “treated differently.”
Here’s the latest from Alex Woodward.
Trump attorneys ask hush money judge to toss conviction after Hunter Biden pardon
Kash Patel, Trump’s choice to lead FBI, reportedly targeted by Iranian hackers
10:00 , Joe Sommerlad
The president-elect’s choice for FBI director, Kash Patel, is understood to have been targeted by Iranian hackers, according to a new report.
The cyber-criminals are believed to have accessed at least some of Patel’s communications, according to a source cited by CNN.
Trump’s tranisiton team have yet to comment on the alleged hacking specifically, although spokesman Alex Pfeiffer did say: “Kash Patel was a key part of the first Trump administration’s efforts against the terrorist Iranian regime and will implement President Trump’s policies to protect America from adversaries as the FBI director.”
Kash Patel (Reuters)
Trump’s DEA nominee backs out after Covid-19 and immigration criticisms
09:40 , Joe Sommerlad
In case you missed it, Trump’s pick to serve as administrator of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Sheriff Chad Chronister, withdrew from consideration for the role on Tuesday, posting on X that he would be declining the “honor of a lifetime” after “the gravity of this very important responsibility set in”.
Here’s more from Josh Marcus.
Trump’s DEA nominee backs out after Covid and immigration criticisms
Trump team reportedly considering Ron DeSantis to replace Hegseth
09:20 , Joe Sommerlad
The president-elect’s transition team is reportedly quietly considering alternatives to Hegseth to lead the Pentagon, including Florida Governor Ron DeSantis and Iowa Senator Joni Ernst.
We’ll bring you more more on the prospects of “Meatball Ron” shortly.
Ron DeSantis (Getty)
Donald Trump’s defense secretary nominee Pete Hegseth facing ‘absolutely critical day’
09:00 , Joe Sommerlad
Good morning!
Donald Trump’s nominee for secretary of defense, former Fox News weekend anchor Pete Hegseth, continues to be dogged by allegations about his past, potentially making his confirmation less likely and splitting right-wing media on his prospects as his candidacy faces an “absolutely critical day” on Wednesday.
Trump appears determined to get his man, a war veteran with a distinguished record but little administrative experience, and risks a fight with Republican senators on Capitol Hill who could be reluctant to confirm a candidate to lead the Pentagon who has been accused of sexual assault, drunkenness, Islamophobia and the mismanagement of a non-profit organization.
South Carolina GOP Senator Lindsey Graham, for one, has branded the man scandals pursuing Hegseth “disturbing”.
The ex-Fox personality is due to take questions from the House Republican Study Committee today as well as appearing on Fox for an interview.
Hegseth’s mother is also due to appear on the channel, having previously criticized her son’s behavior towards women in a letter.
Here’s more from Mike Bedigan on Hegseth’s alleged drinking habit concerned his colleagues at the network.
Pete Hegseth’s alleged drinking worried colleagues at Fox News, claims report
Trump attorneys call on hush money judge to toss criminal conviction — citing Hunter Biden’s pardon
08:40 , Oliver O’Connell
Donald Trump’s attorneys are calling on the judge overseeing his hush money case to toss it altogether, pointing to President Joe Biden’s pardon of his son Hunter, and raising the idea that presidential “immunity” should apply to the president-elect.
The “disruptions to the institution of the Presidency violate the Presidential immunity doctrine because they threaten the functioning of the federal government,” attorneys wrote in a 72-page filing made public on Tuesday.
Alex Woodward reports.
Trump attorneys ask hush money judge to toss conviction after Hunter Biden pardon
ANALYSIS: Will Pete Hegseth answer questions about his history with women — or will he take the other option?
08:10 , Oliver O’Connell
John Bowden writes:
Pete Hegseth’s nomination for defense secretary is looking increasingly tenuous as new revelations about the ex-Fox host’s past history with women come to light.
Almost certain to face unified Democratic resistance, Hegseth can only afford three defections from his own party. The question now: Will the same senators who tanked Matt Gaetz’s nomination with their “implacable” resistance to his selection be the ones to take Hegseth down?
Continue reading…
Will Hegseth answer questions about his history with women — or take another option?
Iowa sues Biden administration for citizenship status of over 2,000 registered voters
07:40 , AP
Iowa officials on Tuesday sued the Biden administration for access to information on the citizenship status of more than 2,000 registered voters they had questioned in the weeks leading up to the 2024 election.
The complaint details a back and forth with the federal government after state election officials checked voter rolls against a list of people who identified themselves as noncitizens with the state’s Department of Transportation. The vast majority of the 2,176 names had subsequently registered to vote or voted, meaning that some of those people could have become naturalized citizens in the lapsed time.
Secretary of State Paul Pate’s office requested information from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security on the citizenship status of those individuals but did not get it, the complaint alleges. The Associated Press left email messages with DHS on Tuesday seeking comment on the lawsuit.
Federal authorities’ “failure meant that the State had to rely on the best — imperfect — data it had available to ensure that no Iowan’s vote was canceled by an illegal, noncitizen vote,” a joint statement from Pate and Attorney General Brenna Bird said.
Two weeks before Election Day, when early voting was already underway, Pate told county elections officials to challenge those voters’ ballots and have them cast a provisional ballot instead.
The American Civil Liberties Union of Iowa then sued Pate on Oct. 30 on behalf of four voters who are naturalized citizens but were named on the list, calling into question the accuracy of the DOT’s information and alleging Pate infringed upon their right to vote. Their request for a stop to the ballot challenges was denied by a federal judge on Nov. 3.
It is illegal for non-U.S. citizens to vote in federal elections, but there is no evidence that it is occurring in significant numbers, though Iowa and some other states say they have identified dozens of such cases.
RFK Jr: ‘Practicing moves for my confirmation hearing’
06:40 , Oliver O’Connell
Robert F Kennedy Jr, nominee for Health and Human Services Secretary, has flexed his own health and fitness regime in a bizarre shirtless workout video.
The video, posted Sunday on X, captures a ripped RFK Jr pulling himself up before performing a flip over an exercise machine to the beat of Survivor’s “Eye of the Tiger.” The 70-year-old completes the pull-up-rollover without knocking into another shirtless man, in sweatpants and a hat, doing a headstand on the machine above him.
Kelly Rissman has the story.
RFK Jr posts workout video claiming he’s ‘practicing moves for confirmation hearing’
Bernie Sanders claims Musk ‘is right’ over defense spending
05:40 , Oliver O’Connell
Bernie Sanders has praised Elon Musk over plans by the tech billionaire’s new Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) to cut defense spending.
The veteran Democratic Senator, from Vermont, tweeted criticism for the department on Sunday, claiming that it had managed to “lose track of billions.”
“Elon Musk is right. The Pentagon, with a budget of $886 billion, just failed its 7th audit in a row. It’s lost track of billions,” he wrote. “Last year, only 13 senators voted against the Military Industrial Complex and a defense budget full of waste and fraud. That must change.”
Musk responded to Sanders’s post on Sunday with two American flag emojis.
Mike Bedigan has the story.
Bernie Sanders claims DOGE boss Elon Musk ‘is right’ over defense spending
Pete Hegseth’s alleged drinking worried colleagues at Fox News, claims report
05:16 , Graeme Massie
Pete Hegseth’s alleged drinking worried colleagues at Fox News, claims report
Everyone who has already asked Trump for a pardon
04:40 , Oliver O’Connell
In the waning hours of his first administration, Donald Trump enacted one of his final executive orders on January 20, 2021 and granted clemency to 143 individuals, including former aide Steve Bannon and rapper Lil Wayne.
Four years on, it’s Joe Biden’s turn.
On Sunday December 2, the president sparked controversy when he pardoned his own son, Hunter Biden.
In late October, Trump had hinted that he might consider pardoning the political scion, calling him a “bad boy”. Biden, meanwhile, previously insisted he wouldn’t intervene in his son’s criminal cases.
Presidents can issue pardons (removing a punishment after a court decision) and commutations (a reduction in punishment for a crime) as they see fit for federal convictions, but not for state crimes.
Now, Trump, with his own felony conviction, is just weeks away from returning to the White House and a raft of fellow convicted felons are already knocking at the door begging him to pick up his pardoning pen.
Disgraced politicians, January 6 rioters and reality TV celebrities are among those already clamoring for a Trump pardon.
Here are the key names who have asked to be on the list:
Everyone who has already asked Trump for a pardon – from Joe Exotic to the Proud Boys
Trump transition agrees to let FBI vet nominees
04:10 , Graeme Massie
Despite the Trump transition announcement that it had signed a memorandum of understanding with the Justice Department that will permit names of incoming administration personnel to undergo background investigations by FBI agents and receive interim security clearances, it’s unclear to what extent President-elect Donald Trump intends on relying on the nation’s preeminent law enforcement agency to vet his appointees.
The move appears to be aimed at blunting criticism from senators of both parties who expect to see FBI background check reports on cabinet nominees before they hold confirmation hearings but the transition statement does not say whether Trump will move forward with plans discussed among transition officials to bypass the FBI entirely for some administration personnel and instead have Trump grant them clearances by executive fiat upon taking office next month.
ICYMI: Hegseth accused of chanting ‘kill all Muslims’ on a drunken night out
03:40 , Oliver O’Connell
Pete Hegseth, the former Fox News host who is currently President-elect Donald Trump’s nominee to lead the Department of Defense, once drunkenly shouted “kill all Muslims!” in the middle of a bar while serving as the president of a veterans’ group, The New Yorker reports.
This is just one of many jaw-dropping allegations included in Jane Mayer’s deep-dive investigation into Hegseth’s unprofessional and lewd behavior while leading two separate non-profit advocacy organizations, which includes claims of constant intoxication, financial mismanagement and inappropriate sexual conduct that prompted both groups to eventually boot him from leadership.
Justin Barangoa reports.
Pete Hegseth accused of chanting ‘kill all Muslims’ on a drunken night out
Trump’s conquest: President-elect posts bizarre AI pic of himself with Canadian flag (on a Swiss mountain)
03:10 , Graeme Massie
Trump posts bizarre AI pic of himself with a Canadian flag (on a Swiss mountain)
The clock is ticking… who else could Biden pardon?
02:40 , Kelly Rissman
In the final stretch of his presidency, President Joe Biden issued a pardon to his son Hunter Biden, who was convicted on federal gun charges.
But Sunday’s pardon has sparked controversy. Biden repeatedly insisted he would not grant clemency to Hunter, prompting members of Congress and advocates to criticize the president’s U-turn, accusing him of putting his family before the country or pointing to his clemency record.
Hunter marks the 26th person that the president has pardoned since he entered the White House in 2021, records show.
A host of Congress members have urged Biden to pardon certain groups and people in his last 50 days in office.
The White House Press has said more pardons can be expected before Inauguration Day.
Who else could Biden pardon?
Ohio woman who sparked election disinformation after eating a cat is sentenced
02:11 , Graeme Massie
Ohio woman who sparked election disinformation after eating a cat is sentenced
Report: Trump chose Kash Patel for FBI after his first choice flunked the interview
01:40 , Oliver O’Connell
Donald Trump’s controversial decision to have Kash Patel to head up the FBIwas not his first choice, according to a new report.
The MAGA loyalist was being considered as deputy director of the bureau, an appointment that may have raised fewer eyebrows, with Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey a frontrunner for the top job.
However, a source in the Trump transition team told Axios that Bailey’s interview at Mar-a-Lago did not go well and that he “looked the part” but “just didn’t have the presence in the room.”
Mike Bedigan reports.
Trump chose Kash Patel for FBI after his first choice flunked the interview: report
Trump’s DEA nominee backs out after Covid and immigration criticisms
01:05 , Graeme Massie
Trump’s DEA nominee backs out after Covid and immigration criticisms
What is covered by Hunter Biden’s pardon?
00:40 , Oliver O’Connell
With less than 50 days left in the White House, President Joe Biden has taken a controversial step he had previously vowed he wouldn’t take: pardoning his son Hunter Biden.
On Sunday night, Biden announced he had granted his son clemency for “offenses against the United States which he has committed or may have committed or taken part in during the period from January 1, 2014 through December 1, 2024.”
Presidents can grant clemency, including both pardons (forgiving federal criminal offenses) and commutations (reducing penalties) for federal convictions. Presidents cannot pardon those convicted of state crimes.
In June, Hunter, 54, was convicted of three federal gun charges related to his purchase of a firearm in 2018. Three months later, he pleaded guilty to nine federal tax charges in September.
So what does the president’s pardon cover?
What does Hunter Biden’s pardon cover?
‘2,000 Mules’: Dinesh D’Souza apologizes for false claims in election conspiracy theory documentary
Tuesday 3 December 2024 23:40 , Oliver O’Connell
Far-right provocateur and pardoned felon Dinesh D’Souza has issued an apology over false accusations he made in his 2022 election conspiracy theory movie 2000 Mules, acknowledging that his claims about illegal “ballot trafficking” during the 2020 presidential election were misleading and inaccurate.
In a lengthy statement posted to his website on Sunday, D’Souza said that his movie — which asserts that “mules” were paid to fraudulently deposit harvested ballots in swing states — had relied on “cell phone geolocation data” provided by conservative non-profit group True the Vote. That data, D’Souza noted, had turned out to be false.
Justin Barangoa reports.
Pardoned felon Dinesh D’Souza apologizes for election conspiracy movie
Kash Patel’s MAGA merch ventures — from kids books to pills that will reverse Covid vaccine
Tuesday 3 December 2024 22:40 , James Liddell
Kash Patel, Donald Trump’s pick to lead the FBI, has made a living hawking products to MAGA loyalists from “King Donald” children’s books to supplements claiming to reverse the Covid-19 vaccine.
Patel, a Trump ultra-loyalist who served as chief of staff to the acting Secretary of Defense Christopher Miller in Trump’s first administration, was tapped for the position on Saturday – despite being a vocal critic of the bureau, previously describing it as the so-called “deep state.”
Following his exit from Trump’s first administration, the right-wing operative has benefited from his close association with the president-elect.
In particular, Patel has flogged a suite of products aimed at the MAGA crowd, bringing in hundreds of thousands of dollars from Trump-aligned businesses.
Here’s a look at his MAGA merchandise ventures:
Kash Patel’s King Donald books and other MAGA merch ventures
Watch: Hegseth refuses to comment on allegations against him
Tuesday 3 December 2024 22:28 , Oliver O’Connell
Trump pick for DEA withdraws
Tuesday 3 December 2024 22:25 , Oliver O’Connell
Sheriff Chad Chronister, Donald Trump’s pick to serve as Administrator of the Drug Enforcement Administration has withdrawn himself from consideration for the role.
He wrote on X: “To have been nominated by President-Elect @realDonaldTrump to serve as Administrator of the Drug Enforcement Administration is the honor of a lifetime. Over the past several days, as the gravity of this very important responsibility set in, I’ve concluded that I must respectfully withdraw from consideration. There is more work to be done for the citizens of Hillsborough County and a lot of initiatives I am committed to fulfilling. I sincerely appreciate the nomination, outpouring of support by the American people, and look forward to continuing my service as Sheriff of Hillsborough County.”
Watch: Susan Collins wants FBI background check to evaluate allegations against Hegseth
Tuesday 3 December 2024 22:18 , Oliver O’Connell
ICYMI: Hunter Biden’s presidential pardon ‘an abuse and miscarriage of Justice’, says Trump
Tuesday 3 December 2024 22:10 , Oliver O’Connell
Donald Trump was quick to react to news of Hunter Biden’s presidential pardon on Sunday night, blasting the decision as “an abuse and miscarriage of Justice.”
In a short post to his social media platform less than an hour after the official announcement, the president mused over pardons for those convicted in the violent insurrection on January 6 2021.
Mike Bedigan reports.
Trump slams Hunter Biden’s presidential pardon as ‘abuse and miscarriage of Justice’
Watch: Lindsey Graham calls allegations about Trump defense pick Hegseth ‘disturbing’
Tuesday 3 December 2024 22:00 , Oliver O’Connell
Full story: Trump attorneys call on hush money judge to toss criminal conviction — citing Hunter Biden’s pardon
Tuesday 3 December 2024 21:54 , Oliver O’Connell
Donald Trump’s attorneys are calling on the judge overseeing his hush money case to toss it altogether, pointing to President Joe Biden’s pardon of his son Hunter, and raising the idea that presidential “immunity” should apply to the president-elect.
The “disruptions to the institution of the Presidency violate the Presidential immunity doctrine because they threaten the functioning of the federal government,” attorneys wrote in a 72-page filing made public on Tuesday.
Alex Woodward has the details.
Trump attorneys ask hush money judge to toss conviction after Hunter Biden pardon
Democrats are turning to governors to block Trump and be faces of party
Tuesday 3 December 2024 21:40 , Oliver O’Connell
With their party hollowed out on the national stage, the eyes of many Democrats are now turning to state leaders as they search for a new bench of candidates for 2028 as well as signs of life for the resistance to the GOP White House.
John Bowden has the details.
Democrats are turning to governors to block Trump and lead the party
Trump lawyers formally ask judge to dismiss hush-money case
Tuesday 3 December 2024 21:32 , Oliver O’Connell
Donald Trump’s lawyers have called on Judge Juan Merchan to dismiss the hush money case in which the president-elect was found guilty of all 34 counts back in May. They cite President Joe Biden’s pardon of his son Hunter, and quote the president’s “enough is enough” statement.
Todd Blanche and Emil Bove accuse District Attorney Alvin Bragg of engaging in “‘precisely the type of political theater’ that President Biden has condemned.”
Read the full filing here.
More follows…
Here’s the latest on the case when sentencing was delayed indefinitely:
Trump’s hush money sentencing indefinitely postponed as judge considers tossing case
Joe Manchin: Biden’s pardon of Hunter would have been ‘more balanced’ if he also pardoned Trump
Tuesday 3 December 2024 21:25 , Oliver O’Connell
Independent West Virginia Senator Joe Manchin, a former Democrat, has said that President Joe Biden’s pardon of his son Hunter would have been “more balanced” had he also pardoned President-elect Donald Trump.
“As a father, I don’t know a father that wouldn’t have done the same thing,” Manchin told CNN Monday.
Gustaf Kilander has the story about what he also suggested.
Joe Manchin tells Biden to pardon Trump
Construction industry prepares for possible labor shortages with Trump migrant crackdown
Tuesday 3 December 2024 21:10 , Oliver O’Connell
Leaders in the construction business, including Republicans, are worried that Donald Trump’s plans to carry out a mass deportation of undocumented immigrants will crater their industry, given its reliance on migrant workers.
“We will absolutely have a labor shortage,” developer George Fuller, mayor of McKinney Texas, a Dallas suburb that’s undergone a construction boom in recent years, toldThe Wall Street Journal. “Whether you want to acknowledge it or not, these industries depend on immigrant labor.”
Josh Marcus reports from San Francisco.
Construction industry ‘hoping like hell’ Trump won’t crack down on undocumented labor
Trump transition team enters MOU with DOJ on background checks for nominees and staff
Tuesday 3 December 2024 21:05 , Oliver O’Connell
The Trump-Vance transition team has entering into a Memorandum of Understanding with the U.S. Department of Justice, and released the following statement:
Today, the Trump-Vance Transition has entered into a Memorandum Of Understanding (MOU) with the U.S. Department of Justice. This is the next step in the ongoing preparation of senior administration officials for the purpose of serving in President Trump’s Administration. This allows the transition team to submit names for background checks and security clearances. Ultimately, this will afford the transition process additional insights, and it facilitates our agency landing teams gaining access to the information they need to prepare for leadership of the federal agencies and departments.
“This agreement with the Department of Justice will ensure President Trump and his team are ready on Day 1 to begin enacting the America First Agenda that an overwhelming majority of our nation supported on Election Day.” – Susie Wiles, President-elect Trump’s Chief of Staff
