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.
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Today's Political News Compilation - Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025
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Why Mike Johnson’s bid to remain House speaker could be a struggle despite Trump’s support
By FARNOUSH AMIRIUpdated 1:30 PM CST, January 2, 2025
WASHINGTON (AP) — Mike Johnson is fighting for his political life, again.
The Louisiana Republican’s hold on the House speaker’s gavel and his position as second in line to the presidency will be tested Friday when a new Congress convenes and House Republicans weigh whether to reelect him to the post.
The challenge, as always, is that Johnson will need almost every Republican vote to win.
Johnson has a singular asset in his favor: President-elect Donald Trump endorsed him for speaker in a social media post at the start of the week. But it’s uncertain whether Trump’s blessing will be enough to persuade far-right Republicans who have at times grown frustrated with Johnson’s leadership and who are prone to demand concessions when their votes become essential.
Johnson, 52, ascended to the speakership in October 2023 almost by accident after Republicans struggled to replace Kevin McCarthy following the unprecedented removal of the California Republican from the job. Several contenders tried and failed before Republicans settled on Johnson, who is well liked across the conference. ...
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House to vote on rule making it harder to oust speaker
The threshold that allowed a single member to trigger a no-confidence vote to remove the speaker will be increased to nine members.
www.cbsnews.comAn Army veteran's path to radicalization followed divorces and struggling businesses in Texas
Shamsud-Din Jabbar seemed smart, quiet and devout to those around him. He grew up in Texas, joined the U.S.
apnews.com
Biden awards Presidential Citizens Medal to Liz Cheney, Bennie Thompson, who led Jan. 6 select committee
Rep. Bennie Thompson, a Mississippi Democrat, and former Rep. Liz Cheney, a Wyoming Republican, served as chair and vice chair of the House Jan. 6 select committee.
www.cbsnews.com
Trump and GOP allies falsely blame New Orleans attack on immigration failures
The driver who killed at least 14 people and injured 30 was a U.S. citizen from Texas.
www.nbcnews.comBiden awards the 2nd highest civilian award to leaders of the Jan. 6 committee and 18 others
President Joe Biden has awarded the second-highest civilian medal to Liz Cheney and Bennie Thompson, leaders of the congressional investigation into the Capitol riot.
apnews.com
Trump says he's not changed his mind on H-1B visas as debate rages within MAGA coalition
President-elect Donald Trump said on Tuesday that he has not changed his mind on the H-1B visa program, as it continues to spark debate within the Republican/MAGA coalition.
Court strikes down US net neutrality rules
The ruling marks a significant moment in the long running battle over how to regulate internet providers.
www.bbc.com
Clarence Thomas won’t face Justice Department referral over ethics - Washington Examiner
The Judicial Conference rejected Democrats' bid to refer Thomas to the Justice Department, citing his amended disclosures and limits on its authority over the high court.
www.washingtonexaminer.com
The 119th Congress begins tomorrow. Here's what to know for the 2025 session.
The 119th Congress begins Friday with Republicans in full control of the House and Senate for the first time since 2019. Here's what to know.
www.cbsnews.comFBI releases new video of a suspect planting a pipe bomb near DNC offices on eve of the Capitol riot
The FBI is releasing new information about a suspect who planted pipe bombs four years ago outside the offices of the Democratic and Republican national committees near the Capitol.
apnews.com
FBI releases timeline of suspect Shamsud-Dim Jabbar's New Orleans attack
As a portrait begins to emerge of the suspect behind the deadly New Orleans attack, federal investigators have laid out a timeline of events.
Updates: New massacre in Gaza as Israel kills more than 60 Palestinians
These were the updates on Israel’s war on Gaza for Thursday, January 2.
Soldier shot self in head before Cybertruck exploded outside Trump's Las Vegas hotel, officials say
Matthew Livelsberger was a member of the Army’s elite Green Berets, according to an Army statement.
apnews.com
Analysis: No love lost between Trump and Biden as inauguration looms | CNN Politics
Things could be a little frosty inside the president’s armored limo on the morning of January 20.
www.cnn.com
Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry faces backlash for restaurant photo after deadly terror attack
Gov. Jeff Landry is under scrutiny for posting a cheerful photo of him outside a New Orleans restaurant hours after the deadly truck attack.
www.usatoday.com
New Orleans victims' families seek answers in deadly New Years attack
The family of one 25-year-old victim says they have had "zero information" about how he was killed.
www.bbc.com
NYE terrorist attacks renew concern over military members’ radicalization - Washington Examiner
Two veterans are accused of perpetrating terrorist attacks on New Year's Eve, bolstering concerns over the lethality of radicalized military members.
www.washingtonexaminer.com
Judicial body won't refer Clarence Thomas to Justice Department over ethics lapses
The head of the Judicial Conference said there is legal uncertainty over whether it has the authority to refer complaints about Supreme Court justices.
www.nbcnews.com[URL...
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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.
Continue reading...15 things Trump and his team did this week
In his third week back in office, Trump took action on issues from transgender competitors in women's sports to Gaza.
Continue reading...Ecuador chooses president against backdrop of gang violence
Whoever wins the presidential election will be tasked with restoring security to the country.
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