C2 Politics

Wray’s on his way out

FBI director Chistopher Wray announced his departure from his role at the end of Biden’s administration. According to an AP-NORC, only 2 in 10 Americans approve of President Biden pardoning his son, after having promised the opposite, while about half said they “strongly” disapprove. The honor of being named Time’s “person of the year” will be bestowed on Trump for the second time. This honor comes with the recognition of Trump’s wielding the greatest influence on global affairs, “for good or for ill”. The Supreme Court rejected a request from East Kentucky Power Cooperative to block an Environmental Protection Agency effort to address the health risks presented by coal ash. House Democrats have approved their party picks for several leaders, all were uncontested and included the ranking members of “the so-called exclusive committees”. (NBC [https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/justice-department/fbi-director-chris-wray-says-resign-ahead-trumps-inauguration-rcna183808])  (AP [https://apnews.com/article/hunter-biden-pardon-poll-approve-disapprove-survey-cb7b7e4931b0a778bd0a68cc1733c4a9])  (CNN [https://www.cnn.com/2024/12/11/politics/trump-time-magazine-person-of-the-year/index.html])  (NYT [https://www.nytimes.com/2024/12/11/us/politics/supreme-court-epa-coal-ash.html])  (POLITICO [https://www.politico.com/live-updates/2024/12/11/congress/house-dems-formally-tap-top-panel-heads-00193727])

RFK Jr. in trouble

RFK Jr., Donald Trump's cabinet pick, faces Senate opposition from key Republicans due to his controversial views on vaccines. Meanwhile, the lawyer for Luigi Mangione, a suspect in the UnitedHealthcare CEO's murder, is questioning the charges as Mangione fights extradition. Trump's Defense Secretary nominee Pete Hegseth faces serious allegations of misconduct, creating a gender divide among Senate Republicans. A federal judge has blocked "Dreamers" in 19 states from accessing ACA health insurance, siding with Republican attorneys general over concerns about costs and legal status. Additionally, Israel conducted airstrikes in Syria, targeting military sites and advancing into a buffer zone. RFK Jr. becomes latest troubled Trump pick (Politico [https://www.politico.com/news/2024/12/10/rfk-jr-faces-trouble-in-the-senate-00193579]) UnitedHealthcare murder suspect fights extradition (CNN [https://www.cnn.com/us/live-news/brian-thompson-luigi-mangione-unitedhealthcare-shooting-12-10-24/index.html]) Debate Over Hegseth’s Fitness Highlights a Gender Divide in the Senate (NYT [https://www.nytimes.com/2024/12/10/us/politics/senate-republicans-women-hegseth.html])For now, ‘Dreamers’ will be shut out of the healthcare marketplace in 19 states (AP [https://apnews.com/article/migrant-health-care-dreamers-lawsuit-504c8f05b3d93538cb7292318c267441])Israeli warplanes pound Syria as troops reportedly advance deeper into the country (AP [https://apnews.com/article/syria-israel-airstrike-assad-war-b90edb8dbe8268dacf90e59ca601e2e3])

Another Trump in the White House?

Lara Trump announced her resignation as co-chair of the Republican National Committee, this comes with growing speculation that she’ll be picked to fill Marco Rubio’s Senate seat. The military is pausing flights of its v-22 ospreys following weakened metal components that may have caused another near crash.The Marine Corps, Navy, and Air Force are accommodating to the recommended pause, the Marines pause began on Friday and would last at least until Monday. Beshear is taking on a lead role for Democratic efforts to win governorships; being responsible for candidate recruitment, messaging, and fundraising. The Supreme Court has declined to consider an appeal concerning parents from Wisconsin that claim that their school district is hiding transgender support plans involving their children. That case was not the only one turned away by the Supreme Court, they also recently rejected cases about admission policies and gun control (NBC [https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/politics-news/lara-trump-stepping-down-republican-national-committe-rcna183394])  (AP [https://apnews.com/article/osprey-crash-grounding-metal-failures-0265c4622dcd62666cc5c440b5715192])  (AP [https://apnews.com/article/andy-beshear-kentucky-democratic-governors-association-baa18be64d7674d3f523b558407b9aae])  (CNN [https://www.cnn.com/2024/12/09/politics/wisconsin-supreme-court-transgender-alito/index.html])  (NYT [https://www.nytimes.com/2024/12/09/us/politics/supreme-court-admissions-gender-identity-guns.html])

Trump the New Ginsberg?

In his first interview since winning reelection, Trump discussed his plans for his first day back in office, cabinet picks, and his goals for the Justice Department. Biden outlined his strategy for U.S. support in Syria, emphasizing the protection of American soldiers and supporting neighboring countries. Syrian leader Bashar Assad fled to Russia after rebels took Damascus, ending his family’s 50-year rule. Elon Musk founded a super PAC to influence abortion discussions ahead of the election. Trump also advocated for a ceasefire in Ukraine, suggested cutting U.S. aid, and proposed withdrawing from NATO. 5 Takeaways from Trump’s “Meet the Press” Interview (The Hill [https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/5028982-5-takeaways-from-trumps-meet-the-press-interview/]) Biden offers a blueprint for U.S. support in Syria (CNN [https://www.cnn.com/2024/12/08/politics/biden-assad-syria-white-house/index.html]) Ousted Syrian leader Assad flees to Moscow after fall of Damascus, Russian state media says (AP [https://apnews.com/article/syria-assad-sweida-daraa-homs-hts-qatar-816e538565d1ae47e016b5765b044d31]) Elon Musk gave $20 million to a super PAC promoting Trump’s position on abortion (The Detroit News [https://www.detroitnews.com/story/news/politics/2024/12/06/elon-musk-fundraising-super-pac-promoting-trumps-position-on-abortion/76819690007/]) Trump calls for ceasefire in Ukraine, says US withdrawal from NATO is possible (The Detroit News [https://www.detroitnews.com/story/news/politics/2024/12/08/trump-calls-for-immediate-ceasefire-in-ukraine-after-meeting-with-zelenskyy/76850060007/])

Company at Capitol Hill

Donald Trump’s pick for defense secretary, Pete Hegseth, headed to Capitol Hill in anticipation of meeting with lawmakers that he hopes to win over tomorrow, in particular those that have concerns surrounding his nomination. In anticipation of the upcoming presidential inauguration, Ukraine officials are visiting the U.S., seeking American support, after Trump’s promise to bring a quick end to Ukraine’s war in Russia. Rep. Jerry Nadler had dropped out of the race for “ranking member on the powerful House Judiciary Committee”; this move came after Rep Jamie Raskin attempted to unseat Nadler. After Trump’s assassination attempt, the acting director of the secret service has come out to say that the agency is “reorganizing and reimagining” how it operates. While Democrats did not experience a win this election, the DNC is still hoping to highlight other wins.  DNC chair Jamie Harrison produced a grassroots memo, that the party was able to salvage four senate races in red states, and gained House seats.  Sources: (NBC [https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/donald-trump/live-blog/trump-transition-hegseth-allegations-desantis-live-updates-rcna182862])  (NYT [https://www.nytimes.com/2024/12/05/world/europe/ukraine-russia-war-trump.html]) (POLITICO [https://www.politico.com/live-updates/2024/12/04/congress/nadler-out-in-judiciary-dem-race-00192607]) (AP [https://apnews.com/article/trump-assassination-attempts-secret-service-butler-rally-f05f3899c53bd98899175cce860808f5])  (ABC [https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/dnc-hopes-highlight-success-ahead-post-election-meeting/story?id=116390240])