David Huitema’s confirmation as Director of the Office of Government Ethics (OGE) passed the Senate with a 50-46 vote along party lines. His five-year term will see him overseeing ethics compliance across more than 140 federal agencies, a role crucial in preventing conflicts of interest. The OGE, lacking a director for over a year, plays a significant role in the nominee vetting process. This confirmation comes after a partisan vote and addresses a prolonged vacancy at the agency.
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Three additional Salisbury University students—Sean Antone, Benjamin Brandenburg, and Logan Clark—were arrested and charged with hate crimes stemming from a brutal October 15th assault on a man targeted for his sexual orientation. The charges against this trio mirror those levied against twelve other students previously arrested, including first-degree assault and hate crime offenses. All three newly arrested students have been placed on interim suspension by the university, which previously suspended the Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity, some of whose members were involved. The victim sustained injuries including a broken rib and numerous bruises during the prolonged assault.
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In Independence, Missouri, a police officer fatally shot a woman armed with a knife during a domestic disturbance call, resulting in the death of a child as well. The incident occurred after attempts at de-escalation, including the presence of a mental health professional who did not engage with the armed suspect. An investigation is underway to determine the child’s cause of death and whether police actions complied with protocols. The officer involved, along with two others, has been placed on administrative leave.
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President-elect Trump nominated Chris Wright, CEO of Liberty Energy and a prominent fossil fuel advocate, to serve as Energy Secretary. Wright, a vocal opponent of climate change initiatives, supports increased fossil fuel production and aims to reverse the Biden administration’s pause on natural gas export approvals. His appointment has drawn both praise from conservatives in the energy industry and criticism from environmental groups who deem it a setback for clean energy development. If confirmed, Wright will play a key role in Trump’s plan to achieve global “energy dominance” alongside Interior Secretary-nominee Doug Burgum.
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Former Vice President Mike Pence, through his organization Advancing American Freedom, urged Senate Republicans to reject Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s nomination for Secretary of Health and Human Services, citing Kennedy’s pro-choice stance as a departure from the Trump-Pence administration’s pro-life record. This action demonstrates Pence’s willingness to publicly criticize his former running mate, despite congratulating Trump on his recent reelection. The upcoming Senate confirmation hearings will see Indiana Senators Todd Young and Jim Banks voting on the nomination, along with other controversial picks such as Matt Gaetz for Attorney General. Pence’s statement highlights a continuing rift between him and Trump stemming from the January 6th Capitol attack and differing political stances.
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Social media posts alleging that Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, is in a coma following a New York Times report of his serious illness, lack credible evidence. While the NYT article detailed Khamenei’s poor health and potential succession plans, no reputable news sources have corroborated the coma claims. These rumors, including circulated images debunked as being from 2014, should be treated with caution. Khamenei was last publicly seen on November 7th.
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At least two Pennsylvania residents, a registered Democrat and an unaffiliated voter, received $100 checks from Elon Musk’s America PAC despite not signing the associated petition. The checks, bearing a return address from Austin, Texas, and signed by a “Todd Lewis,” raise questions about the PAC’s practices. While some petition signers await their payments, the recipients who did not sign the petition have refused to cash the checks, citing concerns about the unauthorized use of their information. America PAC has not commented on the matter, leaving the legitimacy of the checks unclear.
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On November 6th, a diverse coalition of North Texas community groups staged a protest outside Dallas City Hall to denounce the U.S. electoral system and both major political parties. The demonstration, part of a nationwide series of post-election rallies, drew approximately 40 participants who voiced opposition to President-elect Trump’s platform and policies, particularly those targeting immigrants. Speakers representing various social justice causes emphasized the need for community organizing and collective action to combat anticipated oppression. The event highlighted the shared concerns of a broad spectrum of marginalized communities across the country.
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Oklahoma’s Superintendent of Public Instruction, Ryan Walters, mandated that all public schools show students a video promoting religious freedom and patriotism, including a prayer for President Trump. This directive, issued through a newly created Department of Religious Freedom and Patriotism, was deemed unenforceable by the state Attorney General’s office, citing conflicts with parental rights and local control. Several school districts have refused to comply. This mandate follows previous controversial actions by Walters, including a mandate to incorporate Bibles into lesson plans, which is also facing legal challenges. The Attorney General’s statement highlights the conflict between Walters’ actions and established legal rights.
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A Texas bankruptcy judge ordered an evidentiary hearing to review the sale of Infowars to The Onion, citing concerns about the auction process’s transparency. Alex Jones, Infowars’ founder, claims the sale was rigged and that lawyers for X (formerly Twitter) are involved, a claim seemingly supported by Jones’s statements about Elon Musk’s involvement. Despite the judge’s concerns and The Onion’s assertion that they won the bid, Infowars’ website briefly returned online with Jones declaring victory. The hearing will determine the sale’s validity, with the outcome impacting both Jones’s future and the planned satirical relaunch of Infowars by The Onion.
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John Q. Hosedrinker