Los Angeles Times owner Patrick Soon-Shiong blocked publication of an op-ed critical of President-elect Trump’s cabinet picks, demanding a counterpoint editorial be published simultaneously. This action, following previous interventions like withdrawing an endorsement of Kamala Harris, reflects Soon-Shiong’s efforts to shift the paper towards a more “balanced,” less liberal perspective. The incident sparked staff outrage and further fueled concerns about billionaire influence over media narratives and editorial independence. This pattern mirrors similar actions by other media owners, illustrating a broader trend of shifting media stances towards Trump.
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Despite spending tens of millions of dollars on anti-transgender campaign ads, President-elect Trump now claims the bathroom debate is unimportant, affecting a “very small number of people.” He suggests the Supreme Court should decide the issue and agrees with Rep.-elect Sarah McBride that other matters warrant congressional attention. Trump’s recent statements directly contradict his campaign’s aggressive rhetoric targeting transgender individuals, particularly in ads falsely portraying Democratic nominee Kamala Harris’s stance on gender-affirming care. He now asserts his support for fair treatment of all people, irrespective of majority or minority status.
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Donald Trump’s campaign centered on a promise to curb inflation, a pledge he acknowledged as crucial to his victory. However, he is now expressing uncertainty about the feasibility of that pledge. This shift, discussed by NYT columnist Michelle Goldberg and More Perfect Union’s Faiz Shakir, reveals a potential disconnect between Trump’s campaign promises and his true economic priorities. Analysis of his post-election statements suggests a reconsideration of his initial commitment to tackling inflation.
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Despite previous claims of lowering grocery prices, Trump acknowledges the difficulty in reversing price increases. He cites improved energy supply and supply chain fixes as potential solutions, pointing to congested ports as evidence of ongoing supply chain issues. However, his proposed 25% tariffs on Canadian and Mexican goods, major sources of US fruits and vegetables, directly contradict this goal and will likely raise consumer prices. This suggests a disconnect between Trump’s stated objectives and the likely consequences of his economic proposals.
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Since receiving increased funding in 2022, the IRS has recovered $4.7 billion in back taxes and criminal proceeds, including $1.3 billion from wealthy tax evaders and $2.9 billion from criminal investigations. These collections, which also benefited from whistleblower information, come as Republicans, who will control Congress, plan to revisit tax laws and potentially reduce IRS funding. Despite facing future budget uncertainty, including $20 billion in potentially rescinded funds, IRS Commissioner Danny Werfel expressed confidence in the agency’s ability to adapt to any upcoming legislative changes. The future of the IRS’s funding and leadership remains uncertain with a potential new commissioner nominated by Donald Trump.
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A Florida judge ordered President-elect Trump to undergo a four-hour deposition next week in his defamation lawsuit against ABC News and George Stephanopoulos. This deposition, scheduled before a December 24th deadline for summary judgment motions, is in response to Stephanopoulos’ on-air statement that Trump was “found liable for rape,” a claim disputed by Trump. The judge acknowledged Trump’s previous unavailability during the election but deemed his current status necessitates participation. ABC News intends to question Trump about prior statements relevant to his credibility and the defamation claim itself.
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The 2024 US presidential election saw high turnout, yet an estimated 90 million eligible Americans did not vote—a number exceeding the votes for either major candidate. Many non-voters cited the Electoral College as rendering their votes insignificant in their respective states. Other reasons included dissatisfaction with both candidates, a perception that neither represented working-class interests, and policy disagreements, particularly regarding the candidates’ stances on issues like Israel and climate change. Finally, some expressed disillusionment with the two-party system and extreme political polarization.
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President-elect Trump’s transition team is exploring the possibility of weakening or abolishing key banking regulators, including the FDIC and OCC, potentially transferring their functions to the Treasury Department. This aligns with Project 2025’s proposal to merge several financial regulatory agencies. Concerns have been raised that dismantling these agencies, particularly the FDIC, could undermine public trust in the banking system and increase the risk of another financial crisis. The potential elimination of the CFPB is also under consideration, reflecting a broader push for deregulation within the financial sector.
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President Biden’s commutation of Judge Michael Conahan’s sentence in the “Kids for Cash” scandal has sparked outrage among victims. Conahan and Judge Mark Ciavarella were convicted of accepting kickbacks to send juveniles to private detention centers. While the White House cited successful reintegration for the commutation, victim Amanda Lorah argues this ignores the lasting harm suffered by those wrongly imprisoned. Lorah highlights the perceived injustice of Conahan’s reduced sentence compared to the lack of justice she and others received.
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President Biden is on track to appoint more federal judges of color than any president before him, with over 60% of his 233 judicial appointees being people of color. This includes a record-breaking 40 Black women appointed to lifetime federal judgeships, exceeding previous presidential appointments. If confirmed, Benjamin Cheeks’ nomination would bring Biden’s total of Black federal judges to 63, surpassing the number appointed by any other president. This increased diversity aims to improve judicial decision-making and public trust in the courts, impacting legal outcomes for decades to come.
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John Q. Hosedrinker