Former First Lady Michelle Obama will not attend President Trump’s upcoming inauguration, a departure from typical precedent. This decision contrasts with the attendance of other former presidents and their spouses, including George W. and Laura Bush, and Bill and Hillary Clinton. While former President Obama will be present, Michelle Obama’s absence follows her previously expressed criticism of Trump and his rhetoric. Her non-attendance also follows her absence from a recent memorial service for President Jimmy Carter.
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Over the past two decades, EU penalties against U.S. tech companies, totaling over $30 billion, have prompted Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg to criticize the European Commission’s application of competition rules as akin to a tariff on American businesses. Zuckerberg contends that the U.S. government failed to adequately address this issue, leaving American tech companies vulnerable to EU actions. This criticism follows Meta’s recent €797 million fine for antitrust violations and coincides with the company’s termination of its third-party fact-checking program and DEI initiatives, moves perceived as aligning with a shifting political climate in the U.S. These actions reflect a changing legal and policy landscape impacting Meta’s operations in Europe.
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Pete Hegseth’s nomination for Secretary of Defense is highly controversial, facing opposition due to allegations of misconduct and a lack of relevant experience. Hegseth’s background primarily consists of television hosting and leading small, reportedly mismanaged nonprofits, lacking the extensive experience in national security or military leadership held by previous secretaries. His limited qualifications, coupled with potential conflicts of interest and a perceived lack of judgment, raise serious concerns about his suitability for the crucial role. Confirming Hegseth would pose a significant risk to national security given the complexity of the position and the gravity of current global challenges.
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Donald Trump’s return to power on January 20th necessitates continued robust and fearless reporting. HuffPost is committed to providing this critical news coverage freely, ensuring accessibility for all. Reader support is crucial to maintaining this commitment to unbiased journalism without paywalls. Even creating a free account contributes significantly to this effort.
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Special Counsel Jack Smith’s report details President-elect Trump’s multifaceted scheme to overturn the 2020 election, including pressuring state officials, the fake electors plot, and his actions on January 6th. The report, concluding that sufficient evidence existed for conviction, outlines Trump’s awareness of the falsity of his claims and his refusal to quell the January 6th riot. Trump was charged with four felonies related to this effort; however, the case was dismissed following his election victory. Trump dismissed the report as politically motivated.
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Senator Ron Wyden criticized President-elect Trump’s proposed “External Revenue Service,” arguing it’s a deceptive tactic to mask massive tax cuts for the wealthy funded by increased taxes on families and small businesses. Trump intends to use tariff revenue, potentially collected by a renamed Treasury Department office, to offset the cost of extending 2017 tax cuts. However, analysis shows that resulting price increases from tariffs would outweigh the tax cuts for most Americans, benefiting only the wealthiest 5%. This proposal follows reports that Trump is considering a national economic emergency declaration to justify widespread tariffs.
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Incoming Vice President JD Vance’s family reached out to the current residents, Vice President Kamala Harris and Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff, regarding the Naval Observatory residence. While initial attempts to coordinate a visit were rebuffed, communication eventually occurred between the Vance team and Navy officials, followed by a conversation between Usha Vance and Doug Emhoff. Harris’s team cited a busy schedule and past circumstances, including the COVID-19 pandemic and the Capitol riot, as reasons for the lack of a formal invitation. This contrasts with the transition between the Biden and Pence administrations, where a visit was facilitated.
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Following negotiations facilitated by the Catholic Church, the Biden administration removed Cuba from its list of state sponsors of terrorism, resulting in the release of 553 political prisoners. This action, coupled with waivers on Title III of the Helms-Burton Act and the rescission of National Security Presidential Memorandum 5, aimed to ease economic pressure and improve human rights conditions in Cuba. The decision, however, faced immediate criticism from Republican members of Congress, who argued that Cuba’s actions did not warrant such concessions. The administration asserted that the changes would provide immediate relief to imprisoned protesters and their families.
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President Biden notified Congress of his intention to remove Cuba from the list of state sponsors of terrorism, a decision facilitated by the Catholic Church and intended to secure the release of numerous political prisoners. This action, coupled with eased economic pressure on Cuba, reverses aspects of the Trump administration’s stricter policies. The Biden administration cited a lack of credible evidence of Cuban support for international terrorism in recent months. However, the incoming Trump administration may overturn this decision given its previously stated positions on Cuba and the expected appointments of Secretary of State-designate Marco Rubio and Mauricio Claver-Carone.
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Veteran Washington Post columnist Jennifer Rubin and former White House ethics czar Norm Eisen launched a new publication, The Contrarian, citing concerns about the Post’s compromised independence and its failure to robustly challenge authoritarianism. The publication, described as pro-democracy rather than simply anti-Trump, will feature diverse voices and utilize a Substack platform, offering some free content alongside a paid subscription model. The Contrarian’s launch follows several high-profile departures from the Washington Post, fueled by controversies surrounding owner Jeff Bezos and the newspaper’s perceived reluctance to criticize powerful figures. The founders aim to provide “unshackled media” to combat what they see as an existential threat to American democracy.
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John Q. Hosedrinker