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.
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Political News Compilation - Weekend Updates - Jan. 11 & 12, 2025
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Special counsel Jack Smith has resigned after submitting his Trump report, Justice Department says
By ERIC TUCKERUpdated 4:41 PM CST, January 11, 2025
WASHINGTON (AP) — Special counsel Jack Smith has resigned from the Justice Department after submitting his investigative report on President-elect Donald Trump, an expected move that comes amid legal wrangling over how much of that document can be made public in the days ahead.
The department disclosed Smith’s departure in a court filing Saturday, saying he had resigned one day earlier. The resignation, 10 days before Trump is inaugurated , follows the conclusion of two unsuccessful criminal prosecutions against Trump that were withdrawn following Trump’s White House win in November.
At issue now is the fate of a two-volume report that Smith and his team had prepared about their twin investigations into Trump’s efforts to overturn the results of his 2020 election and his hoarding of classified documents at his Mar-a-Lago estate.
The Justice Department had been expected to make the document public in the final days of the Biden administration, but the Trump-appointed judge who presided over the classified documents case granted a defense request to at least temporarily halt its release. Two of Trump’s co-defendants in that case, Trump valet Walt Nauta and Mar-a-Lago property manager Carlos De Oliveira, had argued that the release of the report would be unfairly prejudicial, an argument that the Trump legal team joined in. ...
READ THE FULL STORY - AP
Jack Smith report release hangs in balance as prosecutor exits DOJ - Washington Examiner
Prosecutors are at the mercy of Judge Aileen Cannon or 11th Circuit Court judges over the report's release.
www.washingtonexaminer.com
Pressure on China and pure 'trolling': Why Trump is pushing an expansionist agenda
The president-elect is suddenly pushing to annex Greenland, reclaim the Panama Canal and absorb Canada, provoking longtime allies just days before taking office.
www.nbcnews.comBiden speaks with relatives of Americans held by Taliban, but deal to bring them home still elusive
President Joe Biden has spoken with relatives of three Americans the U.S. government is looking to bring home from Afghanistan, but no agreement has been reached on a deal to get them back.
apnews.com
Top Foreign Affairs Republican predicts US won't leave NATO but will strengthen it
Top Foreign Affairs Republican Sen. Jim Risch predicted the U.S. would not abandon NATO under the Trump administration, and promised to work with the new president to strengthen it instead.
Newsom says California wildfires will be one of the worst natural disasters in U.S. history
“I think it will be in terms of just the costs associated with it, in terms of the scale and scope,” the California governor said.
www.nbcnews.comTrump's Cabinet picks are set for Senate hearings. Here's the schedule
Senate hearings are set to begin for Donald Trump’s picks for his Cabinet. Many have been meeting with senators individually.
apnews.com
Sen. Barrasso says "a paperwork problem" is holding up Tulsi Gabbard's confirmation hearing
Sen. John Barrasso that the confirmation hearing for Tulsi Gabbard, President-elect Donald Trump's pick for director of national intelligence, is being held up by "a paperwork problem" with the Office of Government Ethics.
www.cbsnews.com
Barrasso vows no ‘blank check’ for wildfire aid - Washington Examiner
The Wyoming senator was adamant that any sort of supplementary aid provided to Southern California should come with "strings attached."
www.washingtonexaminer.com24 dead as fire crews try to corral Los Angeles blazes before winds return this week
The Los Angeles County coroner’s office says eight of the deaths were attributed to the Palisades Fire and 16 resulted from the Eaton Fire.
apnews.com
Los Angeles County wildfires: The ongoing fight to stop the fires and the devastation of neighborhoods
Days after fires began tearing through homes in the Los Angeles area, families are returning to smoldering neighborhoods as firefighters continue their battle against the deadly wildfires.
www.cbsnews.comCroatia's President Milanović wins another term after defeating ruling party candidate in runoff
Croatia’s opposition-backed President Zoran Milanović, a critic of the European Union and NATO, overwhelmingly won reelection for another five-year term on Sunday, defeating a candidate from the ruling conservative party in a runoff vote.
apnews.com
California Democrats get an early taste of new clashes with Trump as wildfires rage on | CNN Politics
Hed: California Democrats get an early taste of new clashes with Trump as wildfires rage on
www.cnn.com
Gov. Gavin Newsom slams Trump's disinformation about California wildfires
Newsom’s response on NBC News’ “Meet the Press” followed an invitation to the president-elect to tour the devastation.
www.nbcnews.comBiden and Netanyahu discuss the latest in the effort to reach an Israel-Hamas war ceasefire
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and U.S. President Joe Biden have spoken in a phone call on the latest efforts to reach a ceasefire and hostage release in the Israel-Hamas war.
apnews.com'There is going to be shock and awe with executive orders'
Republican Sen. John Barrasso predicted Donald Trump will hit the ground running.
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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...
Sec. Noem says Homeland Security will freeze grants to non-governmental organizations
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem announced Wednesday the department has stopped all grant funding to nonprofits that operate outside of government control, saying they have been "perverted into a shadow government" that feeds illegal immigration.
Noem said some non-governmental organizations (NGOs), which receive millions in federal grants, have been facilitating illegal immigration by helping aliens cross the U.S. border.
"Many of these NGOs actually have infrastructure and operations set up in Mexico, on that side of the border, and are...
Continue reading...Noem said some non-governmental organizations (NGOs), which receive millions in federal grants, have been facilitating illegal immigration by helping aliens cross the U.S. border.
"Many of these NGOs actually have infrastructure and operations set up in Mexico, on that side of the border, and are...
'We stopped that': Noem cancels Biden admin's 11th hour deportation shield for Venezuelan migrants
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem on Wednesday announced that her agency had canceled a Biden-era extension of deportation protections for Venezuelan migrants — accusing her predecessor of tying the hands of the Trump administration.
In a notice, DHS announced that it has vacated a Jan. 10 decision by then-DHS Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas to extend a Temporary Protected Status designation to Venezuelan nationals by 18 months.
"Before he left town, Mayorkas signed an order that said for 18 months they were going to extend this protection to...
Continue reading...In a notice, DHS announced that it has vacated a Jan. 10 decision by then-DHS Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas to extend a Temporary Protected Status designation to Venezuelan nationals by 18 months.
"Before he left town, Mayorkas signed an order that said for 18 months they were going to extend this protection to...
Justice Department drops classified documents case against Trump co-defendants
The Justice Department on Wednesday moved to drop its appeal of a federal court order dismissing the criminal charges against President Donald Trump's former co-defendants in the classified documents case, which would effectively end the case.
Then-U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland had cited the pending appeal as the reason why he would not publicly release special counsel Jack Smith's report on the criminal case he'd brought against Trump, saying it could impact the due process rights of the co-defendants, Walt Nauta and Carlos De Oliveira...
Continue reading...Then-U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland had cited the pending appeal as the reason why he would not publicly release special counsel Jack Smith's report on the criminal case he'd brought against Trump, saying it could impact the due process rights of the co-defendants, Walt Nauta and Carlos De Oliveira...
RFK Jr. stumbles on Medicaid at Senate confirmation hearing
Robert F. Kennedy Jr., President Donald Trump’s nominee to lead the Department of Health and Human Services, stumbled multiple times during his first Senate confirmation hearing Wednesday when lawmakers pressed him about potential changes to Medicaid.
The government-based health insurance program that covers nearly 80 million people with low incomes has drawn increased attention as Republicans in Congress look for ways to reduce federal spending, with Medicaid among the possible sweeping cuts.
If he is confirmed as health and human services...
Continue reading...The government-based health insurance program that covers nearly 80 million people with low incomes has drawn increased attention as Republicans in Congress look for ways to reduce federal spending, with Medicaid among the possible sweeping cuts.
If he is confirmed as health and human services...
Meta agrees to pay $25 million to settle lawsuit with President Donald Trump
Meta agrees to settle a lawsuit with President Donald Trump.
Continue reading...Meta to pay Trump $25 million to settle 2021 lawsuit
President Trump has signed settlement papers that are expected to require Meta Platforms, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, to pay roughly $25 million to resolve a 2021 lawsuit Trump brought against the social media giant, according to sources familiar with the agreement.
The lawsuit stemmed from Meta's suspension of his accounts after the riot at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021.
The Wall Street Journal first reported the settlement.
This is a developing story and will be updated.
Continue reading...The lawsuit stemmed from Meta's suspension of his accounts after the riot at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021.
The Wall Street Journal first reported the settlement.
This is a developing story and will be updated.
What to know about Trump's claims about U.S. plan to send Gaza condoms
Both President Trump and his press secretary, Karoline Leavitt, have claimed that the administration has stopped a plan to spend $50 million on condoms for Gaza as part of the new administration's reevaluation of federal funding.
"We identified and stopped $50 million being sent to Gaza to buy condoms for Hamas," he said Wednesday. "They've used them as a method of making bombs."
The U.S. Department of State said in 2021 that Hamas and other militant groups have a history of launching incendiary balloons toward Israel. Previous photos taken by The...
Continue reading..."We identified and stopped $50 million being sent to Gaza to buy condoms for Hamas," he said Wednesday. "They've used them as a method of making bombs."
The U.S. Department of State said in 2021 that Hamas and other militant groups have a history of launching incendiary balloons toward Israel. Previous photos taken by The...
'Trump is right': Former Sen. Menendez speaks after 11-year sentence handed down
Bob Menendez, 71, was found guilty on all 16 counts in his federal trial, becoming the first sitting member of Congress to be convicted of acting as a foreign agent.
Continue reading...Justice Dept. discusses dropping Mayor Adams' corruption charges, source says
NEW YORK - Senior Justice Department officials have held discussions with federal prosecutors in Manhattan about the possibility of dropping corruption charges against New York City Mayor Eric Adams, a source familiar with the discussions confirmed to CBS News.
Adams was indicted on five counts of corruption in September, including bribery, conspiracy and campaign finance violations. He has pleaded not guilty on those counts. If he is found guilty, the charges could result in up to 45 years in prison.
The Justice Department did not comment. CBS...
Continue reading...Adams was indicted on five counts of corruption in September, including bribery, conspiracy and campaign finance violations. He has pleaded not guilty on those counts. If he is found guilty, the charges could result in up to 45 years in prison.
The Justice Department did not comment. CBS...
Trump says U.S. will send "worst criminal illegal aliens" to Guantanamo Bay
President Trump on Wednesday announced he's signing an executive order instructing the Pentagon and Department of Homeland Security to prep Guantanamo Bay for use as a migrant detention facility for "the worst criminal illegal aliens threatening the American people."
The president made the announcement from the White House before he signed the Laken Riley Act, a new law that expands the mandatory detention of migrants to include noncitizens who are charged with burglary, larceny, theft or shoplifting. The law is named after a 22-year-old nursing...
Continue reading...The president made the announcement from the White House before he signed the Laken Riley Act, a new law that expands the mandatory detention of migrants to include noncitizens who are charged with burglary, larceny, theft or shoplifting. The law is named after a 22-year-old nursing...