Despite SpaceX’s significant government contracts, including a recent $1.8 billion classified deal, Elon Musk’s access to sensitive information is limited. His past drug use and contacts with foreign officials, including Vladimir Putin, raise concerns about his eligibility for higher-level security clearances, according to a Wall Street Journal report. SpaceX lawyers advise against pursuing such clearances due to the potential risk of denial. However, the incoming Trump administration’s potential actions regarding Musk’s access to classified information remain uncertain.
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The House Oversight Committee will be chaired by Representative Gerry Connolly following a Democratic vote. Despite facing criticism for violating the STOCK Act by failing to timely disclose stock transactions involving companies with government contracts, Connolly secured the position. These undisclosed trades included shares in Dominion Energy, SAIC, and Leidos. Further controversy surrounds Connolly’s role in the HEROES Act, accused by some of secretly benefiting defense and intelligence contractors.
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A New York judge rejected Donald Trump’s claim of presidential immunity in his 34 felony conviction, ruling that the actions were personal and not related to his official duties. The judge’s decision, a significant interpretation of Supreme Court precedent, affirmed the conviction based on overwhelming evidence of guilt. Trump’s legal team plans to appeal, leveraging his recent election victory and exploring other strategies to overturn the verdict. These strategies include citing laws regarding presidential transitions and the Justice Department’s policy on prosecuting sitting presidents.
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Pope Francis’s new autobiography, “Hope,” reveals two thwarted assassination attempts during his 2021 Iraq trip. British intelligence warned of a female suicide bomber en route to Mosul and a speeding van carrying similar intent. Iraqi authorities apprehended and neutralized both threats, as confirmed to the Pope by the Vatican Gendarmerie. This high-risk visit, the first papal trip to Iraq, demonstrated Francis’ commitment to supporting Iraqi Christians and fostering interfaith dialogue, including a historic meeting with Grand Ayatollah al-Sistani.
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Luigi Mangione, 26, has been indicted in New York on multiple murder charges, including first-degree murder in furtherance of terrorism, stemming from the December 4th killing of UnitedHealth executive Brian Thompson. The indictment also includes weapons charges and possession of a forged license. Mangione, who is expected to waive extradition from Pennsylvania, faces life imprisonment without parole if convicted. Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg described the killing as brazen, targeted, and intended to evoke terror.
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Following a caucus vote, Representative Gerry Connolly secured the House Oversight Committee’s ranking member position, defeating Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez 131-84. Connolly’s selection, recommended by the Steering and Policy Committee, reflects a preference for veteran leadership despite a push by younger Democrats for generational change. Ocasio-Cortez’s bid aimed to make her the youngest Democrat to lead a House committee. This outcome follows a similar contest for the Agriculture Committee’s top spot, which saw Representative Angie Craig prevail over senior members.
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A superseding indictment charged Rex Heuermann with the second-degree murder of Valerie Mack, a 24-year-old whose partial remains were discovered in 2000. Heuermann pleaded not guilty, maintaining his innocence despite forensic evidence linking him to six of the seven victims through hair samples. The investigation, which includes a vast collection of seized electronic devices containing violent pornography, is ongoing, with the District Attorney emphasizing continued efforts to pursue additional charges. The addition of this charge brings the total to seven murders, expanding upon the initial “Gilgo Four” and subsequent charges.
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Donald Trump filed a civil lawsuit against the Des Moines Register, pollster J. Ann Selzer, and their respective parent companies, alleging “brazen election interference” due to a pre-election poll showing him trailing. The suit stems from Selzer’s poll predicting a three-point deficit for Trump in Iowa, which he ultimately won by fourteen points. Trump claims the poll was fraudulent and constituted election interference, a claim Selzer denies. This action follows a recent defamation lawsuit settlement with ABC News and is part of Trump’s broader strategy to target perceived media adversaries.
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Walmart is piloting a body camera program for its store associates in select U.S. locations, aiming to improve worker safety during potentially tense customer interactions, particularly during the busy holiday season. The program, currently tested in one market, instructs employees to record escalating interactions but prohibits use in break areas and restrooms. While intended for safety, not loss prevention, concerns exist that the cameras may not effectively de-escalate conflict and could even provoke negative reactions, highlighting the need for comprehensive employee training alongside the technology. Walmart maintains that the pilot’s results will inform any future decisions regarding broader implementation.
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John Q. Hosedrinker