Manhattan prosecutors oppose dismissing President-elect Trump’s hush money conviction, but suggest delaying sentencing until after his second term to balance constitutional interests. While acknowledging the unique legal questions raised by his presidency, they maintain the conviction’s validity. Trump’s legal team, however, claims this is a victory and seeks a complete dismissal, citing the Supreme Court’s decision on presidential immunity. The judge will ultimately decide whether to dismiss the case, delay it, or proceed with sentencing.
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Brendan Carr, President-elect Trump’s FCC nominee and a long-time critic of Big Tech, advocates for repealing Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act. This provision shields online platforms from liability for user-generated content, a point of contention for Carr who believes it creates an unacceptable power imbalance. Carr’s views, detailed in the Heritage Foundation’s Project 2025, align with both Trump’s and Biden’s stated desires to reform or eliminate Section 230, despite differing motivations. Repealing Section 230 enjoys bipartisan support, though legislative progress remains slow.
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Despite initial claims of a landslide victory, Donald Trump’s popular vote percentage has dropped below 50%, significantly narrowing his margin over Kamala Harris. His final popular vote share will likely be among the lowest for a winning president in recent history, contradicting his assertions of an “unprecedented and powerful mandate.” While he retains the presidency via the Electoral College, his significantly diminished popular vote margin undermines his claims of a decisive win.
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Despite a pre-election poll by Ann Selzer predicting a three-point lead for Harris, Trump won Iowa by a significant 13-point margin, representing a 16-point polling error. This unexpectedly large discrepancy calls into question the accuracy of Selzer’s methodology, previously considered a benchmark in polling. The poll’s overrepresentation of Democrats and college-educated voters is suspected as a contributing factor to the inaccuracy. Allegations of election fraud have been made in response to the polling error.
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A heated confrontation erupted between Elon Musk and Boris Epshteyn at Mar-a-Lago, reportedly stemming from Musk’s accusations of leaks regarding Trump’s cabinet picks. The argument, witnessed by other guests, highlights escalating tensions between the two men, who both advise the president-elect on appointments. These tensions reportedly arose during transition meetings, with Epshteyn objecting to Musk’s questioning of candidate qualifications. The dispute further complicates the already contentious selection process for Treasury Secretary, with Musk publicly supporting a candidate, Howard Lutnick, whose prospects may be harmed by this public infighting.
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In a significant legal setback, Mark Meadows’s attempt to transfer his Georgia election interference case to federal court was rejected, as the appeals court found his actions unrelated to his former federal duties. This ruling, impacting one of nineteen co-defendants including Donald Trump, leaves the case in state court. Trump’s recent election victory grants him presidential immunity, effectively halting his prosecution; however, the impact on his co-defendants remains uncertain. A pending appeal to remove the District Attorney is also subject to change given Trump’s new status.
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President Biden’s welcoming reception of President-elect Trump contrasts sharply with the latter’s 2020 snub, highlighting a stark difference in leadership transitions. Economically, Trump inherits a robust economy, unlike Biden’s inheritance of a COVID-ravaged one. Despite initial post-pandemic challenges, the Biden administration successfully navigated supply chain issues and record inflation, resulting in record low unemployment, job growth, and falling prices. While Trump may attempt to claim credit, the economic successes are undeniably attributable to President Biden’s policies and leadership.
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Despite lacking a legal mandate, FBI background checks for presidential nominees have been standard practice. President-elect Trump’s reported intention to bypass this process raises serious concerns about national security. Existing memoranda of understanding between the Department of Justice, the President, and the Senate Judiciary Committee provide avenues for President Biden and the Senate to initiate investigations, even without Trump’s cooperation. This action is crucial to uphold the Senate’s advice and consent role and safeguard against potentially unqualified or compromised nominees. Failure to act would set a dangerous precedent, undermining checks and balances.
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A Texas federal judge blocked the Biden administration’s expansion of overtime pay protections, ruling the Labor Department overstepped its authority. This rule would have raised the salary threshold for overtime pay to $58,656, impacting an estimated 4 million more workers. The judge’s decision, halting the regulation nationwide, maintains the stricter existing rules. The Labor Department could appeal, but the incoming Trump administration will ultimately decide the rule’s fate. Employer groups opposed the rule due to increased labor costs.
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President-elect Trump confirmed plans to declare a national emergency to deport millions of undocumented immigrants, utilizing military assets for mass deportations. This initiative, supported by a team of hardline immigration officials including Tom Homan and Stephen Miller, involves expanding detention facilities and creating executive orders designed to withstand legal challenges. The plan aims to end humanitarian paroles for migrants from several countries and potentially leverage the Alien Enemies Act, despite legal hurdles. Trump’s administration intends to aggressively pursue this agenda, potentially impacting millions of individuals and the national economy.
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John Q. Hosedrinker