Despite rising US-China tensions stemming from restrictions on Chinese technology investment and the threat of a Trump-led trade war, Xi Jinping affirmed China’s commitment to a stable relationship with the incoming US administration. Xi and Biden held a candid meeting following the APEC summit, where disagreements over addressing the economic impacts of the Ukraine and Middle East conflicts prevented a consensus. APEC leaders did, however, unite in their implicit criticism of potential future trade protectionism. The upcoming G20 summit in Brazil is expected to further address these global economic concerns, with various leaders seeking to mitigate the potential negative impacts of a more isolationist US foreign policy.
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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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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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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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Former Republican Congressman Michael Grimm, paralyzed after a polo accident, launched a GoFundMe campaign to cover his multi-million dollar medical expenses. The campaign, exceeding $400,000, drew intense criticism due to Grimm’s past opposition to the Affordable Care Act. Critics highlighted the irony of his situation, pointing to his previous votes against expanding healthcare access. While some condemned the attacks as lacking compassion, others celebrated the situation, citing Grimm’s past actions and continued access to government healthcare benefits.
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Senator Bernie Sanders expressed support for President-elect Trump’s campaign proposal to cap credit card interest rates at 10%, a measure Sanders views as crucial to protecting working-class Americans from exorbitant fees currently averaging 21.5%. This contrasts with the Biden administration’s unsuccessful attempt to lower late fees. Sanders sees this as an opportunity for bipartisan cooperation, advocating for an end to what he terms “usury” by major banks.
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John Q. Hosedrinker