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Today's Political News Compilation - Wednesday, January. 15, 2025
Mark Schiefelbein/AP
Biden, in farewell address, warns about dangers of unchecked power in ultra-wealthy
By Alexandra HutzlerJanuary 15, 2025, 8:35 PM
President Joe Biden, in his farewell address, reflected on a decadeslong political career but also issued a stark warning to the nation as he prepares to cede power to President-elect Donald Trump.
Speaking from behind the Resolute Desk in the Oval Office, Biden said he was proud of what his administration accomplished as the country climbed out of the coronavirus pandemic and made investments in the economy, infrastructure, gun safety, climate change and more.
"In the past four years, our democracy has held strong and every day I've kept my commitment to be president for all Americans for one of the toughest periods in our nation's history," Biden said.
He commended Vice President Kamala Harris as a "great partner" as she sat nearby alongside second gentleman Doug Emhoff, first lady Jill Biden and Hunter Biden.
Biden listed several of his key legislative wins, including lowering prescription drug prices, expanding benefits for military veterans exposed to burn pits, investing in domestic manufacturing of semiconductor chips and more. The impact of those policies, he noted, may not be fully realized for years to come. ...
READ THE FULL STORY - ABC NEWS
Biden warns 'dangerous' oligarchy taking shape in final address
The outgoing president used his final televised speech from the Oval Office to issue a series of warnings.
www.bbc.comFive things to know about Biden's farewell address that also served as a warning to the country
President Joe Biden offered up a few surprises in his farewell address. Instead of simply summing up his term in office, he warned Wednesday about the increasing influence of the ultrawealthy, criticized disinformation on social media and called for continuing the fight against climate change.
apnews.com
Biden takes sole credit for Israel-Hamas deal, warns of 'oligarchy' threatening democracy in farewell speech
President Biden delivered his farewell address to the nation on Wednesday night, hailing a cease-fire deal in the Israel-Gaza conflict.
7 takeaways from a jam-packed day of confirmation hearings for Trump's nominees
Pam Bondi was pressed about the 2020 election and Trump's influence over the Justice Department, while Marco Rubio struck a more measured tone on the Russia-Ukraine war.
www.nbcnews.com
Biden takes credit for ceasefire deal, brushes off Trump: 'Is that a joke?'
The ceasefire deal marks a major win for President Joe Biden in his final days in office, but President-elect Donald Trump is also seeking credit.
What is an oligarchy? More about the term Joe Biden used in his farewell address
President Joe Biden warned Americans of an "oligarchy" on the rise just five days before President-elect Donald Trump returns to the office.
www.usatoday.com
Windy, flame-fanning weather eases up as progress made on LA-area fires
Millions of Southern Californians are on edge as a final round of dangerous fire weather is forecast for the region, along with a rare warning of a “Particularly Dangerous Situation.”
apnews.com
'May you all be the keeper of the flame:' key takeaways from Joe Biden's farewell address
President Joe Biden bid goodbye to Americans in a farewell address in which he also warned of serious dangers that threaten democracy.
www.usatoday.com
Biden hails ceasefire deal as both he and Trump claim credit
The US president says "many months of intensive diplomacy" led to the deal as he outlines the next steps.
www.bbc.com
California fires live updates: Newsom signs $2.5 billion relief package for Los Angeles
At least 28 people are believed to be dead and more than a dozen others remain unaccounted for as multiple wildfires rage across Southern California.
Biden warns of 'dangerous' oligarchy in farewell address - Washington Examiner
"Today, an oligarchy is taking shape in America of extreme wealth, power, and influence that literally threatens our entire democracy," the president said.
www.washingtonexaminer.comMediators herald Gaza ceasefire and hostage deal. Israel says final details are in flux
Mediators say Israel and Hamas agreed to a ceasefire deal to pause the devastating 15-month war in the Gaza Strip, raising the possibility of winding down the deadliest and most destructive fighting between the bitter enemies.
apnews.com
Bondi hearing live updates: Bondi suggests Jack Smith's conduct is 'horrible'
President-elect Donald Trump's choice to head the Justice Department -- former Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi -- appears before the Senate Judiciary Committee.
Jill Biden expresses disappointment with Pelosi: ‘We were friends for 50 years’ | CNN Politics
First lady Jill Biden expressed her disappointment with former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi in a new interview with The Washington Post, providing rare public comments about the fractured relationship between her husband, Joe Biden, and Pelosi following the president’s departure from the 2024 race.
www.cnn.comTreasury nominee calls for stronger Russia sanctions and Fed independence at confirmation panel
U.S. Treasury nominee Scott Bessent is facing sharp questions from both Democrats and Republicans on tax policy, tariffs, China, Russia sanctions and the future of an IRS tax filing system that Republicans have called to be cut.
apnews.com
Biden argues 'oligarchy,' social media are threats to democracy in farewell address
The president also called for a constitutional amendment to ensure presidents aren't above the law, an apparent reference to President-elect Donald Trump.
www.nbcnews.com
Democrats press for long-delayed plaque to honor Jan. 6 victims, police heroes
A 2022 law required a plaque to be placed on the west front of the Capitol complex to honor Jan. 6 heroes. It hasn't been installed.
www.cbsnews.com
Analysis: Biden’s poignant farewell dwells on his fears for the country he loves | CNN Politics
President Joe Biden said his presidency would be a bridge — and it was.
www.cnn.comBondi says she won't play politics as attorney general but doesn't rule out probes of Trump foes
Pam Bondi, Donald Trump’s pick for attorney general, has sought to reassure Democratic senators that her Justice Department would not prosecute anyone for political purposes.
apnews.com[URL...
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Fired Federal Election Commission leader rants on social media after removal by Trump: ‘This isn’t it’
President Donald Trump fired the U.S. Federal Election Commission Commissioner and Chair Ellen Weintraub, sending her a letter regarding her "removal."
Trump took office Jan. 20, and since then has taken on a massive government makeover, sidelining and firing hundreds of top agency officials and civil servants as he attempts to install more loyalists and downsize the bureaucracy.
Weintraub, like many others, was in Trump’s crosshairs, but she did not appear to be standing down.
"Received a letter from POTUS today purporting to remove me as...
Continue reading...Trump took office Jan. 20, and since then has taken on a massive government makeover, sidelining and firing hundreds of top agency officials and civil servants as he attempts to install more loyalists and downsize the bureaucracy.
Weintraub, like many others, was in Trump’s crosshairs, but she did not appear to be standing down.
"Received a letter from POTUS today purporting to remove me as...
House Rep. Eli Crane says therapy dogs should be mandatory at hearings after joke about Dems' mental stability
A House lawmaker Thursday jokingly suggested making therapy dogs a permanent fixture in committee hearings after voicing his concern about the "mental stability" of Democrats a day earlier.
On Wednesday, as Republicans on the House Committee on Oversight and Reform discussed wasteful government spending, Rep. Eli Crane, R-Ariz., asked about bringing in therapy dogs for his Democratic colleagues amid back-and-forth sparring between both sides.
Crane asked committee Chair James Comer, R-Tenn., about bringing in the animals.
GOP LAWMAKER SCRAPS...
Continue reading...On Wednesday, as Republicans on the House Committee on Oversight and Reform discussed wasteful government spending, Rep. Eli Crane, R-Ariz., asked about bringing in therapy dogs for his Democratic colleagues amid back-and-forth sparring between both sides.
Crane asked committee Chair James Comer, R-Tenn., about bringing in the animals.
GOP LAWMAKER SCRAPS...
Trump reveals slew of picks for big jobs, including friend of Mike Pence, billionaire's wife
President Donald Trump on Thursday announced a slew of picks for big jobs, including director of the U.S. Marshals Service and three ambassadors.
In a post on Truth Social, Trump announced Gadyaces "Gady" Serralta will serve as the next director of the United States Marshals Service.
"Gady is a lifelong public servant, with 34 years of Law Enforcement experience," Trump wrote. "I nominated him in my First Term to serve as the U.S. Marshal for the Southern District of Florida, and he has done an incredible job for the past six years."
Serralta...
Continue reading...In a post on Truth Social, Trump announced Gadyaces "Gady" Serralta will serve as the next director of the United States Marshals Service.
"Gady is a lifelong public servant, with 34 years of Law Enforcement experience," Trump wrote. "I nominated him in my First Term to serve as the U.S. Marshal for the Southern District of Florida, and he has done an incredible job for the past six years."
Serralta...
Out of power: Democrats disoriented in fight against Trump agenda
It’s a new season for Congressional Democrats.
And that’s not always a good thing.
New seasons bring change. New players. New coaches. New approaches.
The problem is finding the right approach.
Especially when you’re on the outside looking in.
SPENDING SHOWDOWN: REPUBLICANS WILL NEED TO CORRAL VOTES – BUT THEY HAVEN'T ASKED, YET
Democrats are now the loyal opposition. Effectively locked out of power in Washington as Republicans control the executive branch and both bodies of Congress.
Democrats have lobbed entire landfills at President Trump...
Continue reading...And that’s not always a good thing.
New seasons bring change. New players. New coaches. New approaches.
The problem is finding the right approach.
Especially when you’re on the outside looking in.
SPENDING SHOWDOWN: REPUBLICANS WILL NEED TO CORRAL VOTES – BUT THEY HAVEN'T ASKED, YET
Democrats are now the loyal opposition. Effectively locked out of power in Washington as Republicans control the executive branch and both bodies of Congress.
Democrats have lobbed entire landfills at President Trump...
Trump's freeze stalls federal firefighter hiring
The Trump administration’s federal hiring freeze has stopped the onboarding of thousands of seasonal federal firefighters, including those who work for agencies called on to help battle the devastating Los Angeles-area fires, creating a potential shortfall of firefighters ahead of the next fire season.
Even though President Donald Trump’s Jan. 20 executive order says the freeze does not apply to positions related to “public safety,” federal firefighters are not exempt, according to a person who works in hiring at the Bureau of Land Management.
The...
Continue reading...Even though President Donald Trump’s Jan. 20 executive order says the freeze does not apply to positions related to “public safety,” federal firefighters are not exempt, according to a person who works in hiring at the Bureau of Land Management.
The...
Health clinics face cuts, closures as Trump's funding fight ripples outside of Washington
In West Virginia, a nonprofit mental health program for teenage girls is turning to a private donor to help cover its expenses. Three Virginia health clinics have shut their doors. And a network of health centers in rural Mississippi is facing a deficit of $500,000 and may have to scale back services, NBC News reported.
Across the country, health clinics and nonprofit organizations largely serving rural and low-income patients have found themselves unable to access previously allocated federal funds, as a short-lived government funding freeze has...
Continue reading...Across the country, health clinics and nonprofit organizations largely serving rural and low-income patients have found themselves unable to access previously allocated federal funds, as a short-lived government funding freeze has...
Casey DeSantis considers running for Florida governor amid push from top donors
Republican donors at a gathering last week in Palm Beach County openly discussed the prospect of Casey DeSantis' running for governor in 2026, and for the first time, Florida’s first lady is seriously considering the idea.
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, her husband, is facing term limits and cannot seek re-election. There has long been speculation about whether Casey, a mainstay on the campaign trail for her husband, would herself one day run for office, but those plans seem to becoming closer to reality, five people directly familiar with the donor...
Continue reading...Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, her husband, is facing term limits and cannot seek re-election. There has long been speculation about whether Casey, a mainstay on the campaign trail for her husband, would herself one day run for office, but those plans seem to becoming closer to reality, five people directly familiar with the donor...
After vowing to protect DOGE workers, Trump prosecutor is silent on employees targeted by ‘DEI watch list'
President Donald Trump's interim U.S. attorney for the District of Columbia reached out to Elon Musk on the tech billionaire's X platform this week, telling him federal prosecutors were at his service should workers at his Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) face any threats.
"Dear @elon, Please see this important letter," Ed Martin wrote Monday. "We will not tolerate threats against DOGE workers or law-breaking by the disgruntled."
In the attached letter, Martin wrote that it was "good to work with the DOGE team" over the weekend, and he...
Continue reading..."Dear @elon, Please see this important letter," Ed Martin wrote Monday. "We will not tolerate threats against DOGE workers or law-breaking by the disgruntled."
In the attached letter, Martin wrote that it was "good to work with the DOGE team" over the weekend, and he...
Trump calls USAID a 'tremendous fraud.' His wife and daughter promoted its work
President Donald Trump has denigrated the aid agency as a "tremendous fraud."
Continue reading...FBI agent who investigated Jan. 6 calls DOJ inquiry "demoralizing"
Washington — The FBI's investigation into the Jan. 6 Capitol insurrection, the largest criminal investigation in the agency's history, has given way to potentially its largest crisis.
Last week, Trump allies at the Justice Department ordered the FBI to send a questionnaire nationwide to identify personnel who investigated Jan. 6 and make a list for leadership to review. The move came after President Trump pardoned about 1,500 Jan. 6 defendants immediately after taking office.
The FBI subsequently turned over a list of about 5,000 individuals...
Continue reading...Last week, Trump allies at the Justice Department ordered the FBI to send a questionnaire nationwide to identify personnel who investigated Jan. 6 and make a list for leadership to review. The move came after President Trump pardoned about 1,500 Jan. 6 defendants immediately after taking office.
The FBI subsequently turned over a list of about 5,000 individuals...
Breaking down Trump's dispute over the Panama Canal
President Trump has a phone call scheduled with the president of Panama to try to resolve the dispute over the Panama Canal. The waterway linking the Atlantic and the Pacific is vital to the U.S. economy, with 40% of American container shipments passing through every year. Lilia Luciano takes a closer look at what's at stake.
Continue reading...Residents demand answers after EPA stores toxic debris from L.A. fires in park
The Environmental Protection Agency is working on an expedited timeline to clear combustible paints, household chemicals and other toxic debris from the Los Angeles fires. After the waste began arriving at a park 15 miles from the fire zone, some in the community are raising the alarm. Jonathan Vigliotti explains.
Continue reading...FBI agent involved in Jan. 6 probes says Trump review is "demoralizing"
Another federal judge has blocked the Justice Department from releasing a list of FBI agents involved in investigating the Jan. 6 Capitol riot. Scott MacFarlane spoke to one of those agents, who says many at the bureau are feeling defeated and demoralized in the wake of the Trump administration's inquiry.
Continue reading...Russell Vought confirmed to head government's leading budget office after Dems hold 30-hour protest
Despite Democratic tactics to delay the confirmation vote, the Senate confirmed Russell Vought to lead the Office of Management and Budget (OMB).
Republicans backed Vought’s nomination, arguing he proved a qualified candidate for the role since he previously held the position during President Donald Trump’s first term. Democrats, however, raised multiple concerns about his nomination and said his views on the Impoundment Control Act, which reinforces that Congress holds the power of the purse, disqualified him from the role.
Democrats held a...
Continue reading...Republicans backed Vought’s nomination, arguing he proved a qualified candidate for the role since he previously held the position during President Donald Trump’s first term. Democrats, however, raised multiple concerns about his nomination and said his views on the Impoundment Control Act, which reinforces that Congress holds the power of the purse, disqualified him from the role.
Democrats held a...