Florida Gov.
Continue reading...
Andrus Whitewing
Owner/Webmaster
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...
Latest Posts from our Message Boards
Will “mass deportation” actually happen
(2 Viewers)
Right wing nuts thread
(2 Viewers)
The trade and economy mega-thread
(2 Viewers)
Latest Political News Feed
Trump says US will send some migrants to Guantanamo Bay
The president orders the construction of a detention facility at the US Navy base, prompting an angry backlash from Cuba.
Continue reading...Guantanamo could be used to hold up to 30,000 migrants
Guantanamo could be used to hold up to 30,000 migrants who are in transit waiting to be transported to their home countries.
Continue reading...U.S. immigration website stops accepting applicants for Biden program in Trump crackdown
The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services website is no longer accepting forms needed to sponsor migrants as part of the Biden administration's defunct parole program for Cubans, Haitians, Nicaraguans and Venezuelans (CHNV).
The 2023 program, which allowed certain migrants to apply for U.S. entry and stay for up to two years, was shut down on President Donald Trump's first day in office.
As of August 2024, nearly 530,000 people were granted parole through the program, according to U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP).
TRUMP DHS REPEALS KEY...
Continue reading...The 2023 program, which allowed certain migrants to apply for U.S. entry and stay for up to two years, was shut down on President Donald Trump's first day in office.
As of August 2024, nearly 530,000 people were granted parole through the program, according to U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP).
TRUMP DHS REPEALS KEY...
Scoop: Key conservative caucus draws red line on House budget plan
EXCLUSIVE: DORAL, Fla. — Leaders within the House GOP's largest caucus are drawing a red line in congressional Republicans' budget talks.
The Republican Study Committee's (RSC) steering group is calling for any budget reconciliation plan to ultimately lead to reductions in the U.S. deficit, which occurs when the federal government's spending outpaces its revenues in a given fiscal year.
"Reconciliation legislation must reduce the federal budget deficit. Our national security depends on our ability to bring about meaningful fiscal reform," the...
Continue reading...The Republican Study Committee's (RSC) steering group is calling for any budget reconciliation plan to ultimately lead to reductions in the U.S. deficit, which occurs when the federal government's spending outpaces its revenues in a given fiscal year.
"Reconciliation legislation must reduce the federal budget deficit. Our national security depends on our ability to bring about meaningful fiscal reform," the...
What to know about Guantanamo Bay, the base where Trump will send ‘criminal aliens'
President Donald Trump, who made the deportation of immigrants a central part of his campaign and presidency, said Wednesday that the U.S. will use a detention center at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, to hold tens of thousands of people who can't be sent back to their home countries.
“We’re going to send them out to Guantanamo,” Trump said at the signing of the Laken Riley Act.
He later signed a presidential memorandum and said he’d direct federal officials to get facilities ready to receive criminal immigrants in the US illegally. Border czar Tom Homan...
Continue reading...“We’re going to send them out to Guantanamo,” Trump said at the signing of the Laken Riley Act.
He later signed a presidential memorandum and said he’d direct federal officials to get facilities ready to receive criminal immigrants in the US illegally. Border czar Tom Homan...
Attorney for Eric Adams asked DOJ to drop case against mayor, sources say
An attorney for New York City Mayor Eric Adams has reached out to the Department of Justice seeking to have the case against the mayor dropped, according to two people briefed on the matter.
The office of Acting Deputy Attorney General Emil Bove has been involved in discussions with the Southern District of New York and Adams' team about the pending case, a Justice Department official told NBC News.
A plea to drop the case was first reported by the New York Times, which noted it is not unusual nor particularly surprising that a high-profile...
Continue reading...The office of Acting Deputy Attorney General Emil Bove has been involved in discussions with the Southern District of New York and Adams' team about the pending case, a Justice Department official told NBC News.
A plea to drop the case was first reported by the New York Times, which noted it is not unusual nor particularly surprising that a high-profile...
WATCH: Kevin Jonas and daughter jam out to Jonas Brothers song
POV: Your Jonas Brother dad is also in charge of the car music.
Continue reading...RFK Jr. questioned for hours on vaccines, abortion in contentious Senate hearing
Robert F. Kennedy Jr. faced questions from senators in a hearing that last more than three hours Wednesday as he strives to be confirmed as President Trump's director of the Department of Health and Human Services. He was pressed about controversial statements he has made in the past on vaccines and abortion. Dr. Jon LaPook has more on the hearing.
Continue reading...Abortion opponents praise RFK Jr., after he vows to follow Trump
Abortion opponents praised Robert F. Kennedy Jr. on Wednesday, after he vowed at a Senate hearing to implement "whatever" position President Trump takes on regulating abortion pills, if confirmed as the next secretary of health and human services.
Kennedy's pledge comes as conservatives have stepped up pressure on the Trump administration to force the Food and Drug Administration to roll back decisions that eased restrictions on the abortion pill mifepristone, also known as Mifeprex.
If confirmed as head of the department that oversees the FDA...
Continue reading...Kennedy's pledge comes as conservatives have stepped up pressure on the Trump administration to force the Food and Drug Administration to roll back decisions that eased restrictions on the abortion pill mifepristone, also known as Mifeprex.
If confirmed as head of the department that oversees the FDA...
4 takeaways after RFK Jr. is grilled by senators during confirmation hearing
The takeaways after Robert F. Kennedy Jr. faced questions from senators during his confirmation hearing to potentially lead the Department of Health and Human Services.
Continue reading...Trump's executive order aims to restrict education related to race, gender, politics
President Donald Trump is set to sign an executive order that aims to cut federal funding to schools that teach certain lessons about race, sex, gender or politics.
Continue reading...Trump signs order aimed at critical race theory in schools
President Trump is ordering U.S. schools to stop teaching what he views as "critical race theory" and other material dealing with race and sexuality or risk losing their federal money.
A separate plan announced Wednesday calls for aggressive action to fight antisemitism on college campuses, promising to prosecute offenders and revoke visas for international students found to be "Hamas sympathizers."
Both plans were outlined in executive orders signed by Mr. Trump on Wednesday. The measures seek to fulfill some of the Republican president's core...
Continue reading...A separate plan announced Wednesday calls for aggressive action to fight antisemitism on college campuses, promising to prosecute offenders and revoke visas for international students found to be "Hamas sympathizers."
Both plans were outlined in executive orders signed by Mr. Trump on Wednesday. The measures seek to fulfill some of the Republican president's core...
First-term House Dem attacks White House spox Karoline Leavitt as 'Fake Christian'
A first-term House Democrat is attacking White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt on X after she sought to clarify a White House memo rescinding an earlier policy statement on President Donald Trump's federal funding order.
"Karoline Leavitt is a Fake Christian, like so many in this Golden Calf administration," Rep. Dave Min, D-Calif., wrote on Wednesday.
It comes after the White House rescinded an Office of Management and Budget (OMB) memo that ordered the freeze of most federal grants and assistance, which was blocked by a federal judge on...
Continue reading..."Karoline Leavitt is a Fake Christian, like so many in this Golden Calf administration," Rep. Dave Min, D-Calif., wrote on Wednesday.
It comes after the White House rescinded an Office of Management and Budget (OMB) memo that ordered the freeze of most federal grants and assistance, which was blocked by a federal judge on...
'Dems look unhinged': Conservatives rally around RFK Jr's 'masterclass' confirmation hearing performance
Conservatives on social media rallied around Robert F. Kennedy Jr. on social media on Wednesday as the Trump nominee for Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) faced questions from senators in his confirmation hearing.
"RFK crushed it," conservative commentator Charlie Kirk posted on X. "Very proud of him. Confirm him, now!"
"RFK killed it today," RNC national committeewoman Amy Kremer posted on X." So proud of him! LFG."
"RFK Jr is crushing this hearing," Former GOP Congressman Scott Taylor posted on X. "Dems look unhinged and very petty...
Continue reading..."RFK crushed it," conservative commentator Charlie Kirk posted on X. "Very proud of him. Confirm him, now!"
"RFK killed it today," RNC national committeewoman Amy Kremer posted on X." So proud of him! LFG."
"RFK Jr is crushing this hearing," Former GOP Congressman Scott Taylor posted on X. "Dems look unhinged and very petty...