President Donald Trump has signed an executive order that aims to help families hoping to expand their families through in vitro fertilization by reducing costs for the procedure
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Political News Compilation - Weekend Updates - Nov. 30 & Dec. 1, 2024
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Trump pick Kash Patel must prove he’ll restore public faith in the FBI, a leading GOP senator says
By KEVIN FREKINGUpdated 10:48 AM CST, December 1, 2024
WASHINGTON (AP) — Donald Trump’s drive to upend the FBI was welcomed by Republican senators although it was not clear on Sunday how strongly members of the incoming majority party would embrace his move to install ally Kash Patel as the next director of the Justice Department’s top investigative arm.
Patel, a onetime national security prosecutor who is aligned with the president-elect’s rhetoric about a “deep state,” “must prove to Congress he will reform & restore public trust in FBI,” said Sen. Chuck Grassley of Iowa, in line to be the Senate Judiciary Committee chairman when Republicans take control in January, in a post on X.
Patel lacks the high-level legal and management experience that FBI directors, including Robert Mueller, James Comey and Christopher Wray, who now holds that job, had before their nominations. It’s a 10-year term, and Trump named Wray in 2017 after firing Comey. So Trump’s announcement late Saturday means Wray must either resign or be fired after Trump takes office on Jan. 20, 2025. ...
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Trump says he'll nominate Kash Patel as FBI director to remake the agency. Here's what happens next
President-elect Donald Trump’s announcement that he will nominate Kash Patel as FBI director sets the stage for a fresh round of turbulence at a law enforcement agency tasked with protecting the homeland and investigating federal crimes.
apnews.com
Republicans eye tax breaks, border funds and clean energy cuts when Trump returns
Top Republicans tell NBC News they plan to quickly pass a slew of conservative priorities without Democratic votes. They'll need to navigate party divisions and a tiny House majority.
www.nbcnews.com
GOP senator praises current FBI Director Christopher Wray, calls Putin a 'tyrant'
Republican Sen. Mike Rounds emphasized his support for current FBI Director Christopher Wray, whom Trump intends to fire and replace with controversial Kash Patel.
Recess appointments could put Trump at odds with conservatives on the Supreme Court
Republicans will control the White House and both houses of Congress come January. But President-elect Donald Trump’s intent to nominate loyalists to fill key Cabinet posts has set up a possible confrontation with the Senate.
apnews.com
Trump’s extraordinary selection of his daughters’ fathers-in-law for key posts underscores his reliance on family members | CNN Politics
Donald Trump has selected billionaire Massad Boulos to serve as his senior adviser on Arab and Middle Eastern affairs — the second time in as many days the president-elect has chosen a family member for a key post.
www.cnn.com
Trump's vow to use 'impoundment' sets up Supreme Court clash - Washington Examiner
President-elect Donald Trump and his top advisors have long cited impoundment, a little known legal theory, as a means of shrinking the federal government.
www.washingtonexaminer.comWhat to know about Kash Patel, Trump’s pick to lead the FBI
Kash Patel has called for radical changes at the FBI and was a fierce and vocal critic of the bureau’s work as it investigated ties between Russia and Donald Trump’s 2016 presidential campaign.
apnews.com
Massive Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library to open in North Dakota Badlands
The Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library Foundation plans to open a massive state-of-the-art presidential library built on over 90 acres in the North Dakota Badlands.
More Russian strikes as Syrian rebels advance after taking Aleppo
At least 372 people have been killed since rebels launched a surprise offensive on Wednesday, according to observers.
www.bbc.com
Sen. Alex Padilla says Donald Trump has "made it no secret that he has it in for California"
Democratic Sen. Alex Padilla of California said there's "a lot of reason for concern" for the second Trump administration "if the first administration is any indicator."
www.cbsnews.comTrump taps Kash Patel for FBI director, an ally who would aid in his effort to upend law enforcement
President-elect Donald Trump says he will nominate Kash Patel to serve as FBI director, turning to a fierce ally to upend America’s premier law enforcement agency and rid the government of perceived “conspirators.”
apnews.com
What are the BRIC nations? Why did Donald Trump threaten them with tariffs? What to know
Donald Trump continues to threaten tariffs against foreign nations, this time toward a bloc of nine countries if they try to undermine the dollar's global dominance.
www.usatoday.com
Negotiators fail to reach an agreement on a plastic pollution treaty. Talks to resume next year
Negotiators working on a treaty to address the global crisis of plastic pollution for a week in South Korea won't reach an agreement and plan to resume the talks next year.
apnews.com
Sullivan wants Wray to complete FBI director term over Patel - Washington Examiner
After Trump chose Kash Patel to lead the FBI, Biden's national security adviser shared his preference that Wray, the current FBI director, retain his post.
www.washingtonexaminer.com
Trump announces he intends to replace current FBI director with loyalist Kash Patel | CNN Politics
President-elect Donald Trump said Saturday that he intends to nominate Kash Patel to serve as FBI director, in an extraordinary announcement that once in office Trump would move to replace the current director, Christopher Wray, before his term expires.
www.cnn.com
Donald Trump picks Massad Boulos, a businessman and Tiffany Trump's father-in-law, as advisor
Massad Boulos, the father-in-law of Donald Trump's daughter Tiffany Trump, met repeatedly with Arab American and Muslim leaders during the election campaign.
www.usatoday.com
Latino men voted for Trump in large numbers. Here’s what they hope he delivers.
Close to 1 in 10 Americans are Latino men: While they’re younger and have a higher participation in the workforce than any other racial group, they’re still catching up.
www.nbcnews.com
Texas has spent millions placing razor wire along the border: Is it working?
Texas authorities have placed over 100 miles of razor wire along the southern border. Does razor wire really keep migrants from entering the country illegally, and is it worth the cost?
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Latest Political News Feed
Millions of dead people aren't getting Social Security checks, despite claims
The Trump administration is falsely claiming that tens of millions of dead people over 100 years old are receiving improper Social Security payments
Continue reading...Victim of Jan. 6 defendant's past crime fears for her safety after pardons
When President Trump issued sweeping pardons to some 1,500 Jan. 6 defendants on his first day in office, his action did not distinguish between those who peacefully wandered the Capitol grounds four years earlier and those who engaged in violence against police.
Now, critics of the move are raising concerns about the dangers posed by some of those convicted of violent felonies who have been released with no plan, and none of the monitoring or restrictions that typically accompany a more traditional parole process.
"I'm just afraid that I'm going...
Continue reading...Now, critics of the move are raising concerns about the dangers posed by some of those convicted of violent felonies who have been released with no plan, and none of the monitoring or restrictions that typically accompany a more traditional parole process.
"I'm just afraid that I'm going...
Trump says he may impose auto tariffs of around 25%
Washington — President Trump said Tuesday that he could impose hefty tariffs on automobile imports, but said he would have more to say in early April.
"I probably will tell you that on April 2, but it'll be in the neighborhood of 25%," Mr. Trump told reporters at Mar-a-Lago, in Palm Beach, Florida.
The president also mentioned tariffs on pharmaceuticals and semiconductor imports that he said would be "25% and higher — and it'll go very substantially higher over course of a year."
Mr. Trump said he wants to give companies "a little bit of a...
Continue reading..."I probably will tell you that on April 2, but it'll be in the neighborhood of 25%," Mr. Trump told reporters at Mar-a-Lago, in Palm Beach, Florida.
The president also mentioned tariffs on pharmaceuticals and semiconductor imports that he said would be "25% and higher — and it'll go very substantially higher over course of a year."
Mr. Trump said he wants to give companies "a little bit of a...
WATCH: Young seal found on busy road rescued by local aquarium
The seal is believed to be 5 or 6 weeks old, according to Mystic Aquarium in Connecticut.
Continue reading...Mark Zuckerberg’s philanthropy ends DEI programs, social advocacy efforts
FIRST ON FOX: Mark Zuckerberg’s philanthropy ended its Diversity, Equity and Inclusion programs Tuesday, along with its social advocacy efforts including immigration reform and racial equity grantmaking, Fox News Digital has learned.
The Chan Zuckerberg Initiative’s chief operating officer Marc Malandro sent an email to staff Tuesday evening with the announcement.
The move comes after Zuckerberg's Meta ended its DEI programs last month-- a move to ensure that the company is "building teams with the most talented people."
Meta also ended its...
Continue reading...The Chan Zuckerberg Initiative’s chief operating officer Marc Malandro sent an email to staff Tuesday evening with the announcement.
The move comes after Zuckerberg's Meta ended its DEI programs last month-- a move to ensure that the company is "building teams with the most talented people."
Meta also ended its...
Trump orders all Biden-era US attorneys to be fired: 'We must clean house immediately'
President Donald Trump directed the Justice Department to fire all U.S. attorneys left over from the Biden administration.
In a post on his Truth Social platform, Trump said the agency has been "politicized like never before."
"Therefore, I have instructed the termination of ALL remaining "Biden Era" U.S. Attorneys. We must ‘clean house’ IMMEDIATELY, and restore confidence," Trump wrote. "America’s Golden Age must have a fair Justice System - THAT BEGINS TODAY!"
Terminating U.S. attorneys from previous administrations is generally standard...
Continue reading...In a post on his Truth Social platform, Trump said the agency has been "politicized like never before."
"Therefore, I have instructed the termination of ALL remaining "Biden Era" U.S. Attorneys. We must ‘clean house’ IMMEDIATELY, and restore confidence," Trump wrote. "America’s Golden Age must have a fair Justice System - THAT BEGINS TODAY!"
Terminating U.S. attorneys from previous administrations is generally standard...
Howard Lutnick confirmed as Trump's commerce secretary
The Senate confirmed Howard Lutnick on Tuesday to serve as President Donald Trump’s U.S. Secretary of Commerce.
The Republican-controlled Senate voted to confirm Lutnick on Tuesday, less than a week after senators voted to invoke cloture on his nomination. He needed a simple majority for a full senate confirmation, getting confirmed on a 51- 45 tally on Tuesday.
Lutnick passed his procedural vote last week after the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee voted 16-12 to motion for cloture on February 5.
Lutnick said he aligns with...
Continue reading...The Republican-controlled Senate voted to confirm Lutnick on Tuesday, less than a week after senators voted to invoke cloture on his nomination. He needed a simple majority for a full senate confirmation, getting confirmed on a 51- 45 tally on Tuesday.
Lutnick passed his procedural vote last week after the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee voted 16-12 to motion for cloture on February 5.
Lutnick said he aligns with...
NY Gov Hochul weighs decision to remove Mayor Adams
Governor Kathy Hochul, D-N.Y., met with "key leaders" in New York City on Tuesday to discuss the "path forward" for Mayor Eric Adams, D-N.Y., following a slew of City Hall resignations after the Justice Department dropped bribery, wire fraud and conspiracy charges against Adams last week.
Protesters gathered outside Hochul’s Manhattan office during her meetings on Tuesday, chanting: "Governor Hochul, fight back, remove Eric Adams."
City Hall sources tell Fox News that Hochul met with the City’s Inability Committee as pressure mounts for Hochul to...
Continue reading...Protesters gathered outside Hochul’s Manhattan office during her meetings on Tuesday, chanting: "Governor Hochul, fight back, remove Eric Adams."
City Hall sources tell Fox News that Hochul met with the City’s Inability Committee as pressure mounts for Hochul to...
First openly gay DC federal judge rakes Trump admin over military trans ban
The first openly gay federal judge in D.C. spent hours Tuesday grilling the Trump administration over its attempt to codify terms of service for transgender service members in the U.S. military, seeking to determine the extent of potential harm to transgender military personnel.
At issue is a Jan. 27 executive order signed by President Donald Trump requiring the Defense Department to update its guidance regarding "trans-identifying medical standards for military service" and to "rescind guidance inconsistent with military readiness."
U.S. District...
Continue reading...At issue is a Jan. 27 executive order signed by President Donald Trump requiring the Defense Department to update its guidance regarding "trans-identifying medical standards for military service" and to "rescind guidance inconsistent with military readiness."
U.S. District...
Trump issues warning about wasteful spending, orders 'radical transparency' amid DOGE probes, revelations
President Donald Trump issued an unsmiling warning to bureaucrats on Tuesday, ordering that leaders of government agencies begin to be "radically transparent" about spending.
The White House published a memo entitled "Radical Transparency About Wasteful Spending" on Tuesday afternoon, directed at the heads of executive departments and agencies.
The memo begins by arguing that the American government "spends too much money on programs, contracts, and grants that do not promote the interests of the American people."
"For too long, taxpayers have...
Continue reading...The White House published a memo entitled "Radical Transparency About Wasteful Spending" on Tuesday afternoon, directed at the heads of executive departments and agencies.
The memo begins by arguing that the American government "spends too much money on programs, contracts, and grants that do not promote the interests of the American people."
"For too long, taxpayers have...
Trump administration fires National Park Service workers, raises maintenance concerns
The Trump administration has fired about 1,000 newly hired National Park Service employees who maintain and clean parks, educate visitors and perform other functions as part of its broad-based effort to downsize government.
The firings, which weren't publicly announced but were confirmed by Democratic senators and House members, come amid what has been a chaotic rollout of an aggressive program to eliminate thousands of federal jobs plan led by billionaire Elon Musk and the new Department of Government Efficiency, an outside-government organization...
Continue reading...The firings, which weren't publicly announced but were confirmed by Democratic senators and House members, come amid what has been a chaotic rollout of an aggressive program to eliminate thousands of federal jobs plan led by billionaire Elon Musk and the new Department of Government Efficiency, an outside-government organization...
USDA says it accidentally fired officials working on bird flu and is trying to rehire them
The United States Department of Agriculture on Tuesday said that, over the weekend, it accidentally fired "several" agency employees who are working on the federal government's response to the H5N1 avian flu outbreak.
In a statement, the agency said it is trying to quickly reverse the firings.
"Although several positions supporting [bird flu efforts] were notified of their terminations over the weekend, we are working to swiftly rectify the situation and rescind those letters," a USDA spokesperson said in a statement. "USDA’s Food Safety and...
Continue reading...In a statement, the agency said it is trying to quickly reverse the firings.
"Although several positions supporting [bird flu efforts] were notified of their terminations over the weekend, we are working to swiftly rectify the situation and rescind those letters," a USDA spokesperson said in a statement. "USDA’s Food Safety and...
Trump says Ukraine ‘should never have started it' in comments about war with Russia
President Donald Trump suggested Tuesday that Ukraine was responsible for Russia's invasion of the country three years ago, arguing Kyiv could have made a deal to avoid the conflict.
“You should have never started it,” Trump said of Ukraine while criticizing President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who had expressed concern that his country was not included in talks between the U.S. and Russia on Tuesday in Saudi Arabia.
Follow live politics coverage here
"I think I have the power to end this war, and I think it's going very well. But today I heard, 'Oh...
Continue reading...“You should have never started it,” Trump said of Ukraine while criticizing President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who had expressed concern that his country was not included in talks between the U.S. and Russia on Tuesday in Saudi Arabia.
Follow live politics coverage here
"I think I have the power to end this war, and I think it's going very well. But today I heard, 'Oh...
Jury reaches verdict in A$AP Rocky assault trial
A Los Angeles jury reached a verdict in the trial of A$AP Rocky, who faces two felony charges related to an alleged 2021 shooting in Hollywood.
Continue reading...