A federal judge plans to block the Trump administration from orchestrating its plan to place more than 2,000 USAID employees on leave at midnight.
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Today's Political News Compilation - Friday, January. 3, 2025
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Republican Mike Johnson reelected House speaker in dramatic floor vote
WASHINGTON (AP) — Republican Mike Johnson narrowly won reelection Friday as House speaker on a first ballot, overcoming hard-right GOP holdouts in a tense standoff and buoyed by a nod of support from President-elect Donald Trump.The uneasy scene brought an ominous start to the first day of the new Congress. A small collection of hardline Republicans convened in the back of the House chamber, one by one declining to vote or choosing another lawmaker. Johnson’s face turned grim, acknowledging fresh turmoil and signaling trouble ahead for him as Trump returns to the White House with unified GOP control of Washington.
In the end, however, Johnson was able to flip two holdouts who switched to support him, with help from Trump, who called the dissenting Republican lawmakers from the golf course. The final tally was 218-215.
Johnson, visibly relieved, vowed to “reject business as usual” in his first speech with the gavel.
“We’re going to drastically cut back the size and scope of government,” he promised.
Johnson’s weak grip on the gavel has threatened not only his own survival but Trump’s ambitious agenda of tax cuts and mass deportations as Republicans sweep to power in the House and the Senate. The stark vote tally laid bare the challenges he faces. Even backing from Trump himself, usually a surer bet for Republicans, was no guarantee of Johnson’s ability to stay in the speaker’s office. ...
READ THE FULL STORY - AP
Judge sets Trump's sentencing in hush money case for Jan. 10, but signals no jail time
In an extraordinary turn, a judge has set President-elect Donald Trump’s sentencing in his hush money case for Jan. 10 — little over a week before he’s due to return to the White House.
apnews.com
Biden to visit New Orleans Monday, in wake of Bourbon Street attack
President Biden and first lady Jill Biden will meet with families and community members during their visit, the White House said.
www.cbsnews.com
House Speaker Mike Johnson's victory came with a warning from hardline Republicans
Lawmakers reminded Johnson they have the numbers to remove him from the speakership if needed.
www.usatoday.com
New Majority Leader Thune kicks off Senate session with pledge to preserve filibuster
New Senate Majority Leader John Thune is kicking off the new session with a promise to preserve the filibuster, saying in his first floor speech as leader that his priority will be to “ensure the Senate stays the Senate.”
apnews.com
NY judge says Trump will face no penalties in his criminal hush money case but upholds conviction | CNN Politics
President-elect Donald Trump will face no legal penalties for his conviction in the hush money case, a New York judge ruled Friday.
www.cnn.com
Social Security Fairness Act set to get Biden's signature
Legislation granting full Social Security benefits to nearly 3 million retirees will soon get become law, advocates say.
www.cbsnews.comWhy are US flags being flown at half-staff on Inauguration Day?
President-elect Donald Trump has expressed frustration that flags will be flying at half-staff when he takes office later this month.
apnews.com
By blaming Biden for the New Orleans attack, Trump may be setting himself up for failure
Trump pointed to Biden's policies in the aftermath of the New Orleans terrorist attack. But the president-elect risks facing similar criticism if an attack happens while he is in office.
www.nbcnews.com
Mike Johnson re-elected House speaker as GOP mutiny threat dissolves
Speaker-designate Mike Johnson, R-La., won a majority of voting members in the House of Representatives.
On possible GOP votes against Trump nominees, Thune says no "clarity" yet
One of the first priorities for Senate Majority Leader John Thune is the confirmation of President-elect Donald Trump's expected nominees.
www.cbsnews.comSurgeon General calls for new label on drinks to warn Americans of alcohol's cancer risk
Alcohol is a leading cause of cancer, a risk that should be clearly labeled on drinks Americans consume, U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy proposed on Friday.
apnews.com
How Johnson won over GOP holdouts to secure a second term as speaker - Washington Examiner
Johnson did not acquiesce to the sort of demands made of Kevin McCarthy, who gave conservatives outsize sway to win the speaker's gavel in 2021.
www.washingtonexaminer.com
How Mike Johnson pulled out a 2nd term as House speaker -- with Donald Trump's help
Mike Johnson secured the gavel in dramatic fashion, as he was on track to lose before two Republican defectors changed their vote after speaking to Donald Trump.
Musk is 'misjudged and certainly misinformed' over UK grooming attacks, says senior minister
A senior British minister has pushed back on Elon Musk’s criticism of the government's handling of a historic child grooming scandal.
apnews.com
Briton among dead in New Orleans vehicle attack
The family of London man Edward Pettifer mourn a "wonderful son, brother, grandson, nephew and friend".
www.bbc.comNew Orleans attacker had suspected bomb materials at home, reserved truck weeks ago, officials say
The attack along Bourbon Street killed 14 people, along with the driver, Shamsud-Din Jabbar, who officials said was inspired by the Islamic State militant group.
apnews.com[URL...
Latest Political News Feed
Judge blocks move to place 2,200 USAID employees on leave
Washington — A federal judge said Friday that he will prevent the Trump administration from placing 2,200 employees of the U.S. Agency for International Development, or USAID, on administrative leave, siding with unions representing the employees for now.
Judge Carl Nichols of the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, who President Trump named to the bench in 2019, said in court that he would approve a limited temporary restraining order that would block the employees from being put on administrative leave, a move that was set to take...
Continue reading...Judge Carl Nichols of the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, who President Trump named to the bench in 2019, said in court that he would approve a limited temporary restraining order that would block the employees from being put on administrative leave, a move that was set to take...
All USAID humanitarian work has effectively stopped, officials say
Current and former USAID officials blasted the Trump administration's gutting of the agency, saying it has left critical partners in the lurch and staff in limbo.
Continue reading...Confusion, tears and 'Hunger Games' at USAID as agency prepares to go dark
"We feel like it's closing time at the store and we're the ones left to turn off the lights," one career official told ABC News.
Continue reading...Senate GOP releases budget plan, moving forward despite delay in House
Washington — Senate Republicans are moving forward with their own budget plan to fund President Trump's agenda despite a request from House Speaker Mike Johnson to hold off and let the lower chamber take the lead.
Sen. Lindsey Graham, a South Carolina Republican, released a 61-page budget resolution on Friday, setting the groundwork for the Senate to later pass a budget reconciliation bill focused on border security, defense and energy priorities.
"This budget resolution jumpstarts a process that will give President Trump's team the money they...
Continue reading...Sen. Lindsey Graham, a South Carolina Republican, released a 61-page budget resolution on Friday, setting the groundwork for the Senate to later pass a budget reconciliation bill focused on border security, defense and energy priorities.
"This budget resolution jumpstarts a process that will give President Trump's team the money they...
Sotomayor criticizes presidential immunity case as putting the high court’s legitimacy on the line
Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor criticized the Court's 2024 presidential immunity case in her first public appearance since the start of the second Trump term, saying it places the Court's legitimacy on the line.
Sotomayor made the comments during an appearance in Louisville, Kentucky, during which she was asked a range of questions, including the public's perception of the high court, according to the Associated Press. Sotomayor's comments are her first in public since President Donald Trump took office last month.
"If we as a court go so...
Continue reading...Sotomayor made the comments during an appearance in Louisville, Kentucky, during which she was asked a range of questions, including the public's perception of the high court, according to the Associated Press. Sotomayor's comments are her first in public since President Donald Trump took office last month.
"If we as a court go so...
House Republican introduces transgender lawmaker as 'the gentleman ... Mr. McBride' for floor speech
Rep. Mary Miller, R-Ill., referred to Rep. Sarah McBride, D-Del. — who identifies as a transgender woman — as "Mr. McBride."
"The chair recognizes the gentleman from Delaware, Mr. McBride, for five minutes," Miller said in the House chamber on Thursday.
"Thank you, Madam Speaker," McBride replied, before proceeding to deliver a speech.
While McBride did not respond to Miller's comment, when Miller next recognized Rep. Nanette Barragán, D- Calif., to deliver a speech, Barragán began by saying, "Thank you, Mr. Speaker."
TRANSGENDER CONGRESS MEMBER...
Continue reading..."The chair recognizes the gentleman from Delaware, Mr. McBride, for five minutes," Miller said in the House chamber on Thursday.
"Thank you, Madam Speaker," McBride replied, before proceeding to deliver a speech.
While McBride did not respond to Miller's comment, when Miller next recognized Rep. Nanette Barragán, D- Calif., to deliver a speech, Barragán began by saying, "Thank you, Mr. Speaker."
TRANSGENDER CONGRESS MEMBER...
Zelensky says North Korean troops back on front line
Kyiv had indicated last week the North Koreans may have been withdrawn due to heavy losses in battle.
Continue reading...New allegations Diddy sexually assaulted minor in nightclub
Combs has consistently denied the allegations against him in civil lawsuits, labelling them "sickening".
Continue reading...Parents sue TikTok over teen deaths in 'challenge' trends
The US-based Social Media Victims Law Center filed the wrongful death lawsuit on Thursday.
Continue reading...Elon Musk says DOGE staffer who resigned for racist X posts will be brought back
Elon Musk said Friday that he will bring back a DOGE staff member who resigned after it was found that the staffer had previously made racist remarks online.
"To err is human, to forgive divine," Musk said in a repost to X of a post from Vice President JD Vance that also supported the staffer's reinstatement.
The staff member, 25-year-old Marko Elez, resigned from the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) Thursday after The Wall Street Journal reported that he had made comments online that included supporting racism and eugenics. The White...
Continue reading..."To err is human, to forgive divine," Musk said in a repost to X of a post from Vice President JD Vance that also supported the staffer's reinstatement.
The staff member, 25-year-old Marko Elez, resigned from the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) Thursday after The Wall Street Journal reported that he had made comments online that included supporting racism and eugenics. The White...
GOP state AGs campaign group brings back leader who resigned in Jan. 6 aftermath
A group that dedicated to electing Republicans to state attorney general positions has brought back a former executive director who resigned in the aftermath of Jan. 6
Continue reading...Baltimore sues Trump for ditching DEI: ‘Attacks anyone who dares to celebrate diversity’
Baltimore and its Democratic mayor have teamed up with progressive groups to file a lawsuit aimed at stopping President Donald Trump’s executive orders that dismantle diversity, equity and inclusion "programs and preferencing" as the president described in one of his directives.
Baltimore's Mayor Brandon Scott – along with the National Association of Diversity Officers in Higher Education, American Association of University Professors, Restaurant Opportunities Centers United – filed suit in Maryland federal court this week against Trump and several...
Continue reading...Baltimore's Mayor Brandon Scott – along with the National Association of Diversity Officers in Higher Education, American Association of University Professors, Restaurant Opportunities Centers United – filed suit in Maryland federal court this week against Trump and several...
Trump to sign executive order establishing White House faith office
President Donald Trump is expected to sign an executive order establishing a White House Faith Office on Friday.
The new office will "empower faith-based entities, community organizations, and houses of worship to better serve families and communities," according to a fact sheet obtained by Fox News.
The office will be housed under the Domestic Policy Council and will consult experts in the faith community on policy changes to "better align with American values."
TRUMP ANNOUNCES EXECUTIVE ORDER CREATING TASK FORCE TO 'ERADICATE ANTI-CHRISTIAN...
Continue reading...The new office will "empower faith-based entities, community organizations, and houses of worship to better serve families and communities," according to a fact sheet obtained by Fox News.
The office will be housed under the Domestic Policy Council and will consult experts in the faith community on policy changes to "better align with American values."
TRUMP ANNOUNCES EXECUTIVE ORDER CREATING TASK FORCE TO 'ERADICATE ANTI-CHRISTIAN...
Swedish school shooting victims were seven women and three men
Families have been identifying victims of the attack - all between 28 and 68 years old.
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