Seventeen transgender members of the U.S. Air Force and Space Force have filed a lawsuit alleging the Air Force unlawfully revoked their approved retirement orders. The plaintiffs, with 15-18 years of service, were granted retirement dates, but those orders were rescinded following the Trump administration’s transgender military ban. The complaint argues the reversal violated the Air Force’s own rules, as the orders were valid and revocation should only occur in narrow circumstances that did not apply. The lawsuit seeks reinstatement of the original retirement orders, restoration of benefits, and compensation for lost pay.
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A man, Jonathan Braun, whose sentence was commuted by former President Donald Trump, was re-sentenced to 27 months in federal prison for violating the terms of his release. Braun faced accusations of various offenses including assaulting a nurse, threatening a synagogue member, groping his nanny, and evading bridge tolls. Braun was originally sentenced to 10 years in 2019 for drug-related charges. Despite his previous high-ranking role in an international drug smuggling ring, some, like a congregant he threatened, believe his issues warrant professional treatment.
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Keeping a home clean during the busy holiday season can be made easier with the right tools, like these cordless vacuums available at HSN. The Shark Vertex is a versatile option with a bendable wand for hard-to-reach areas, while the HyperSweep handheld vacuum is perfect for quick cleanups on various surfaces. The Shark Freestyle Max is equipped with LED lights for enhanced visibility, and the Shark Matrix IQ Robot Vacuum offers automated cleaning via a companion app. These vacuums, all currently on sale, also make for practical and useful gifts for anyone on your list.
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American travelers are increasingly finding themselves in conversations about US politics while abroad. Content creator Lauren Gay has frequently been confronted with questions and commentary regarding US politics during her travels, a sentiment echoed by other Americans. Some travelers, like Nicole Hernandez, have developed strategies like deflection or preparing pre-planned responses to navigate these potentially sensitive exchanges. Tour companies and travel advisors note that this is a current issue, however, the desire for tourism, especially American tourism, is still prevalent abroad.
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In a late-night announcement, Donald Trump pardoned members of his 2020 campaign legal team, including Rudy Giuliani, for their involvement in a scheme to alter election results. This pardon encompassed individuals who participated in the “fake elector” plot, which aimed to overturn the election outcome. The announcement came amid a government shutdown and included key figures like Mark Meadows, but notably excluded Trump himself. Despite lawsuits alleging widespread voter fraud, the campaign failed to provide definitive proof to support these claims, ultimately leading to significant legal and reputational consequences for key figures like Giuliani.
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U.S. Rep.-elect Adelita Grijalva is anticipated to be sworn in this week. Her swearing-in was delayed by House Speaker Mike Johnson despite Grijalva winning a special election in September. Grijalva and the Arizona attorney general filed a lawsuit against the U.S. House of Representatives. Johnson claimed the delay was due to the House not being in full session, but Grijalva and her supporters suggested it was related to her pledge to sign a discharge petition on the Epstein files.
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Senator Chris Murphy, a Democrat, was one of the 40 who voted against the deal to end the shutdown, citing concerns about a lack of protections for healthcare and democracy. He argued the deal conceded to President Trump without securing any real benefits, potentially emboldening him. Murphy expressed concern over the internal divisions within the Democratic party, emphasizing the need for unity to combat the President’s actions, and hinting at potential leadership changes. He highlighted the public’s desire for Democrats to stand firm on healthcare protections and the party’s responsibility to adhere to those mandates.
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Taake, previously charged with sex crimes in Texas, was convicted of assaulting a police officer at the Capitol with bear spray and a whip during the January 6th riots. Despite the severity of his actions, which occurred while he was out on bond, Taake’s time served for the January 6th charges was credited toward his earlier sex crimes due to a blanket pardon, resulting in a significantly reduced sentence. He displayed no remorse for his actions and denied responsibility. His actions at the Capitol were deemed violent and not protected by the First Amendment.
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The conventional wisdom about government shutdowns is that they always fail, but this time Democrats were surprisingly successful in shifting blame to Donald Trump and highlighting key issues like healthcare. Polls consistently placed blame on Trump, and his approval ratings declined during the shutdown. Democrats were poised to gain from the situation, potentially forcing Republicans to end the filibuster, but some Democratic senators ultimately defected. Despite the potential for a more democratic outcome, Democrats opted to withdraw, even though the short-term pain would have been significant.
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The Senate passed a bill on Monday to fund the government through January, potentially ending the longest government shutdown in history. The breakthrough came after several Democrats broke with their party to vote with Republicans. The deal includes a vote on extending expiring Affordable Care Act tax credits, though House Speaker Mike Johnson couldn’t guarantee a vote. The White House endorsed the proposal, federal workers will receive back pay, and the deal includes a reversal of mass firings of federal workers since the shutdown began.
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John Q. Hosedrinker