Early trends show Modi's party is ahead of the incumbent Aam Aadmi Party as votes are counted in India's capital.
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Political News Compilation - Weekend Updates - Dec. 21 & 22, 2024
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What Trump’s decision to wade into spending fight tells us about the next 4 years
By CHRIS MEGERIAN, STEPHEN GROVES, JILL COLVIN and JOSH BOAKUpdated 7:08 PM CST, December 21, 2024
WASHINGTON (AP) — After days of threats and demands, Donald Trump had little to show for it once lawmakers passed a budget deal in the early hours of Saturday, narrowly averting a pre-Christmas government shutdown.
The president-elect successfully pushed House Republicans to jettison some spending, but he failed to achieve his central goal of raising the debt limit. It demonstrated that despite his decisive election victory and frequent promises of retribution, many members of his party are still willing to openly defy him.
Trump’s decision to inject himself into the budget debate a month before his inauguration also showed that he remains more adept at blowing up deals than making them, and it foreshadowed that his second term will likely be marked by the same infighting, chaos and brinksmanship that characterized his first.
“Stay tuned. Buckle up. Strap in,” said Rep. Steve Womack, R-Ark., a senior appropriator.
READ THE FULL STORY - AP
Congress avoids a shutdown but leaves 'a big mess' for Trump and Republicans in 2025
Another funding bill. A debt limit extension. Major party-line bills on immigration and taxes. Nominations. Trump tried to push Congress to take the debt ceiling off his plate but failed.
www.nbcnews.comShutdown saga exposes new fault lines for Speaker Johnson and tests his grip on the gavel
One of the most turbulent sessions of Congress in the modern era is about to make way for the next one.
apnews.com
‘Curious if I’m on that list?’: Kash Patel’s potential targets fear his tenure as FBI director
Donald Trump's choice for FBI director has used claims of secret plots to fuel his rise in Trumpworld. Now, he could lead investigations of Liz Cheney and scores of others.
www.nbcnews.com
Trump threatens to demand return of Panama Canal if ‘ridiculous’ passage fees continue - Washington Examiner
Trump slammed the "complete 'rip-off' of our Country" by Panama through the "ridiculous" fees being charged to those who need to pass through the canal.
www.washingtonexaminer.com
Durbin uses new report to accuse Justices Thomas and Alito of violating disclosure laws | CNN Politics
A top Senate Democrat on Saturday accused conservative Supreme Court justices of violating federal disclosure laws in a lengthy report that caps a monthslong investigation by the Senate Judiciary Committee and comes weeks before Republicans take control of the chamber.
www.cnn.comSenate review of Supreme Court ethics finds more luxury trips and urges enforceable code of conduct
A nearly two-year investigation by Democratic senators of Supreme Court ethics details more luxury travel by Justice Clarence Thomas and urges Congress to establish a way to enforce a new code of conduct.
apnews.com
How CEOs are trying to be like Musk and curry favor with Trump | CNN Politics
When Spotify CEO Daniel Ek spoke by phone with Donald Trump, he came prepared.
www.cnn.com
What's in the approved government funding bill
After days of heated negotiations on Capitol Hill, the House passed its funding bill to prevent a government shutdown Friday night.
Lara Trump says she's removing herself from consideration to be Florida senator
Lara Trump, the daughter-in-law of President-elect Donald Trump, says she’s removing herself from consideration to be a Florida senator.
apnews.com
Trump has claimed his victory was a mandate. Washington’s realities are already challenging that | CNN Politics
Donald Trump has yet to arrive in Washington, but he is already confronting the limitations of his electoral mandate.
www.cnn.com
Kari Lake says she has no intention of turning Voice of America into "Trump TV"
Kari Lake, a former broadcast journalist who unsuccessfully ran for governor and for a U.S. Senate seat in Arizona, is President-elect Donald Trump's selection to lead Voice of America.
www.cbsnews.comBiden signs bill that averts a government shutdown and brings a close to days of Washington upheaval
Biden has signed legislation that averts a government shutdown, bringing a final close to days of upheaval in Washington after Congress passed a bipartisan budget plan just past the deadline and rejected Trump’s core demand in the negotiations.
apnews.com
Suspect in Germany auto attack that killed 5, injured 200 self-identified as Islamophobic and anti-immigrationist
The suspect has been identified as Taleb al-Abdulmohsen. Police have not cited a motive, but a minister confirmed that the suspect was “clearly Islamophobic.”
www.nbcnews.com
Trump's top advisers explain why Trump picked Vance: 'Torch-carrier' - Washington Examiner
Advisers Chris LaCivita and Tony Fabrizio said that J.D. Vance's selection as Trump's running mate was a move for the future.
www.washingtonexaminer.com
Trump's plan to end daylight savings: Will 4:30 a.m. be the new American daybreak?
President-elect Donald Trump announced he'd like to turn out the lights on daylight savings time, which could profoundly impact the warm-weather life of every American.
www.nbcnews.comTrump taps 'Apprentice' producer, Mark Burnett, as special envoy to the United Kingdom
Mark Burnett, the power producer who helped reintroduce Donald Trump to a national television audience with “The Apprentice,” is being tapped by the president-elect as special envoy to the United Kingdom in his upcoming administration.
apnews.com
Senate passes bill to stop shutdown, sending it to President Biden's desk
Congress managed to pass a short-term spending bill through both chambers after going through three different versions of it.
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Trudeau says Trump threat to annex Canada 'is a real thing'
The prime minister told an economic summit in Toronto he believes Trump is eyeing Canada's critical minerals.
Continue reading...China lashes out at US ‘coercion' after Panama declines to renew infrastructure agreement
China on Friday lashed out at what it called U.S. “coercion” after Panama declined to renew a key infrastructure agreement with Beijing following Washington’s threat to take back the Panama Canal.
Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said at a briefing that China “firmly opposes the U.S. smearing and undermining the Belt and Road cooperation through means of pressure and coercion.”
Assistant Foreign Minister Zhao Zhiyuan also met Panama’s ambassador to China and lodged solemn representations on Friday, the Foreign Ministry said Saturday.
The...
Continue reading...Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said at a briefing that China “firmly opposes the U.S. smearing and undermining the Belt and Road cooperation through means of pressure and coercion.”
Assistant Foreign Minister Zhao Zhiyuan also met Panama’s ambassador to China and lodged solemn representations on Friday, the Foreign Ministry said Saturday.
The...
Hegseth to look into 'what went wrong' in Afghanistan and pledges accountability, slams diversity motto
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth on Friday addressed events in Afghanistan, saying they created the perception of "American weakness."
While speaking to the Department of Defense and Pentagon workforce during a town hall on Friday, Hegseth said America "deserves to take accountability for" events in Afghanistan, the Oct. 7 Hamas-led attack on Israel, and the war that was unleashed in Ukraine.
"Chaos happens when the perception of American strength is not complete," Hegseth said. "We aim to re-establish that deterrence."
PETE HEGSETH CONFIRMED TO...
Continue reading...While speaking to the Department of Defense and Pentagon workforce during a town hall on Friday, Hegseth said America "deserves to take accountability for" events in Afghanistan, the Oct. 7 Hamas-led attack on Israel, and the war that was unleashed in Ukraine.
"Chaos happens when the perception of American strength is not complete," Hegseth said. "We aim to re-establish that deterrence."
PETE HEGSETH CONFIRMED TO...
Democratic AGs from 19 states sue Trump admin over DOGE access to sensitive, personal data at Treasury
Democratic attorneys general from 19 states have filed a federal lawsuit against the Trump administration over the Department of Government Efficiency’s (DOGE) access to sensitive, personal data belonging to Americans at the Treasury Department.
The lawsuit claims the Elon Musk-run agency illegally accessed the Treasury Department’s central payment system at the Trump administration’s behest.
On Thursday, the Treasury agreed to limit the Musk team’s access to its payment systems while a judge hears arguments in a previous lawsuit filed by a group...
Continue reading...The lawsuit claims the Elon Musk-run agency illegally accessed the Treasury Department’s central payment system at the Trump administration’s behest.
On Thursday, the Treasury agreed to limit the Musk team’s access to its payment systems while a judge hears arguments in a previous lawsuit filed by a group...
Trump says he's firing Kennedy Center board members, naming himself chairman
President Donald Trump said Friday that he is firing members of the board of trustees for the Kennedy Center and naming himself chairman.
He also indicated that he would be dictating programming at one of the nation's premier cultural institutions, specifically declaring that he'd put an end to events featuring performers in drag.
Trump's announcement came as the new president has bulldozed his way across official Washington during the first weeks of his second term, trying to shutter federal agencies, freeze spending and ending diversity, equity...
Continue reading...He also indicated that he would be dictating programming at one of the nation's premier cultural institutions, specifically declaring that he'd put an end to events featuring performers in drag.
Trump's announcement came as the new president has bulldozed his way across official Washington during the first weeks of his second term, trying to shutter federal agencies, freeze spending and ending diversity, equity...
A federal judge won't immediately block DOGE access to the US Labor Department
A federal judge said Friday he would not immediately block Elon Musk's team from accessing systems at the Labor Department, which has investigated companies owned by the billionaire adviser to President Donald Trump.
U.S. District Judge John Bates said he had concerns about Musk's Department of Government Efficiency, but the labor unions who sued to stop them haven't yet shown a legal injury.
“Although the court harbors concerns about defendants’ alleged conduct, it must deny plaintiffs’ motion at this time,” Bates wrote.
The Trump administration...
Continue reading...U.S. District Judge John Bates said he had concerns about Musk's Department of Government Efficiency, but the labor unions who sued to stop them haven't yet shown a legal injury.
“Although the court harbors concerns about defendants’ alleged conduct, it must deny plaintiffs’ motion at this time,” Bates wrote.
The Trump administration...
Major cancer research group calls on Trump administration to restore data access
The American Cancer Society is calling on the Trump administration to restore access to comprehensive scientific data.
Continue reading...Judge grants DOGE access to Labor Department systems
Washington — A federal judge on Friday declined to limit the White House Department of Government Efficiency's access to Department of Labor systems as members of the task force led by billionaire Elon Musk are fanning out across federal agencies as part of President Trump's directive to slash the size of the government.
U.S. District Judge John Bates denied the request to issue a temporary restraining order while legal proceedings continue in the court battle brought by six labor unions and the Economic Policy Institute.
"On the current record...
Continue reading...U.S. District Judge John Bates denied the request to issue a temporary restraining order while legal proceedings continue in the court battle brought by six labor unions and the Economic Policy Institute.
"On the current record...
Transgender people sue Trump administration over new passport policy eliminating 'X' gender marker
A group of transgender people is challenging the Trump administration's new policy that prevents the issuing of passports with sex designations that do not match an applicant's biological sex at birth.
Seven people represented by the American Civil Liberties Union filed a lawsuit claiming the policy violates privacy and First Amendment rights. In 2022, the State Department allowed passport applicants to select M, F or X for sex.
"The plaintiffs in this case have had their lives disrupted by a chaotic policy clearly motivated by animus that serves...
Continue reading...Seven people represented by the American Civil Liberties Union filed a lawsuit claiming the policy violates privacy and First Amendment rights. In 2022, the State Department allowed passport applicants to select M, F or X for sex.
"The plaintiffs in this case have had their lives disrupted by a chaotic policy clearly motivated by animus that serves...
Trump freezes aid to South Africa, promotes resettlement of refugees facing race discrimination
President Donald Trump on Friday signed an executive order cutting all foreign aid to South Africa, citing concerns about the country "seizing" ethnic minority Afrikaners’ agricultural property without compensation.
Trump alleged South Africa's recently enacted Expropriation Act 13 of 2024 "dismantles equal opportunity in employment, education, and business."
The order notes "hateful rhetoric" and government actions have been "fueling disproportionate violence against racially disfavored landowners."
SOUTH AFRICAN PRESIDENT SIGNS CONTROVERSIAL...
Continue reading...Trump alleged South Africa's recently enacted Expropriation Act 13 of 2024 "dismantles equal opportunity in employment, education, and business."
The order notes "hateful rhetoric" and government actions have been "fueling disproportionate violence against racially disfavored landowners."
SOUTH AFRICAN PRESIDENT SIGNS CONTROVERSIAL...
Army considering changing name of Fort Liberty back to Fort Bragg
Army officials are considering changing the name of Fort Liberty in North Carolina back to Fort Bragg, according to two people familiar with the conversations.
In 2021, Congress established a commission tasked with renaming Department of Defense properties that were named after Confederate leaders. Then-President Donald Trump vetoed the bill, arguing against changing any of the names, but Congress overrode the veto, making the changes mandatory by law.
In 2022, the commission recommended changing the names of nine Army installations, including...
Continue reading...In 2021, Congress established a commission tasked with renaming Department of Defense properties that were named after Confederate leaders. Then-President Donald Trump vetoed the bill, arguing against changing any of the names, but Congress overrode the veto, making the changes mandatory by law.
In 2022, the commission recommended changing the names of nine Army installations, including...
Trump orders U.S. to prioritize refugee resettlement of White Afrikaners
President Trump on Friday directed government officials to prioritize the resettlement of South Africans of European descent through the U.S. refugee program, which he suspended during his first day in office.
In an executive order, Mr. Trump accused the South African government of discriminating against Afrikaners, an ethnic group in South Africa made up of descendants of European colonists, mostly from the Netherlands, who first arrived there in the 1600s.
Until the 1990s, White South Africans of European descent ruled South Africa, enforcing the...
Continue reading...In an executive order, Mr. Trump accused the South African government of discriminating against Afrikaners, an ethnic group in South Africa made up of descendants of European colonists, mostly from the Netherlands, who first arrived there in the 1600s.
Until the 1990s, White South Africans of European descent ruled South Africa, enforcing the...
California approves $50M to protect immigrants and defend state against Trump administration
California Gov. Gavin Newsom has signed laws to help safeguard the state's progressive policies from challenges by Republican President Donald Trump's administration
Continue reading...Trump to fire multiple Kennedy Center board members, name himself chair
President Trump announced plans Friday to fire board members for the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts and install himself as its chairman.
"At my direction, we are going to make the Kennedy Center in Washington D.C., GREAT AGAIN," Mr. Trump wrote on Truth Social.
The president said he would "immediately terminate multiple individuals from the Board of Trustees, including the Chairman, who do not share our Vision for a Golden Age in Arts and Culture."
He did not say which board members he plans to terminate. The board has 36 members...
Continue reading..."At my direction, we are going to make the Kennedy Center in Washington D.C., GREAT AGAIN," Mr. Trump wrote on Truth Social.
The president said he would "immediately terminate multiple individuals from the Board of Trustees, including the Chairman, who do not share our Vision for a Golden Age in Arts and Culture."
He did not say which board members he plans to terminate. The board has 36 members...