President Biden reflected on his presidency, citing a key regret: insufficiently highlighting the Democratic Party’s role in legislative achievements like the infrastructure bill and Covid relief. He acknowledged the political benefit of associating accomplishments with his party, contrasting his approach with that of other presidents. Biden attributed this oversight to prioritizing policy over politics, hindering efforts to effectively communicate the administration’s successes to the public. This ultimately impacted the Democrats’ ability to garner deserved credit and maintain popular support.
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Increased military spending among NATO members is unlikely due to several factors. A proposed increase to a 3% GDP defense spending target, potentially rising further, faces challenges from a looming trade war initiated by protectionist measures from the U.S. This trade war, coupled with existing budgetary constraints, makes a significant increase in defense spending improbable for many nations. While some nations support a proposed 5% target, others deem it unrealistic given current economic conditions and the threat of escalating trade conflicts.
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Donald Trump’s return to power marks a pivotal moment requiring robust and unbiased news coverage. HuffPost remains committed to delivering critical reporting on the new administration, ensuring accessibility for all. Continued support is crucial to uphold this mission of providing free, fair journalism. Readers’ contributions directly enable HuffPost to maintain its commitment to fearless reporting during this critical period.
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Readers are encouraged to submit news tips to The Daily Beast. The submission process is straightforward and allows for confidential sharing of information. Tips can contribute to important investigative journalism and help shape news coverage. All submissions are treated with the utmost discretion. Contact details are readily available on the website.
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In his final hours in office, President Biden issued preemptive pardons to Dr. Anthony Fauci, General Mark Milley, and members of the January 6th Committee, citing fears of potential retribution from the incoming Trump administration. This unprecedented action, spurred by Trump’s threats and selection of partisan cabinet nominees, protects individuals who have been targeted for their roles in investigating the former president. While Biden insisted the pardons don’t imply guilt, the move represents a broad, untested use of presidential power and sets a precedent for future administrations. The pardons aim to safeguard these individuals from politically motivated prosecutions, acknowledging the potential for irreparable damage to their reputations and finances.
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At a recent rally, Donald Trump recounted Elon Musk’s campaign support, remarking on Musk’s computer expertise and its role in their Pennsylvania victory. Trump’s subsequent comments about “vote counting computers” prompted immediate backlash, with Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett questioning whether he was confessing to election rigging. Musk responded with a salute emoji, while Trump offered no further clarification. The statement fueled renewed election denial conspiracies despite a lack of evidence supporting such claims.
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US allies anxiously await Donald Trump’s return to power, fearing potential chaos and unprepared for his unpredictable actions. Trump’s pre-inauguration pronouncements included increased tariffs on several countries and aggressive stances on geopolitical issues. However, his Secretary of State nominee, Marco Rubio, presented a more moderate, experienced foreign policy perspective during his Senate confirmation hearing. Whether Rubio’s influence will outweigh other actors within the administration remains uncertain, with the success hinging on key figures like the Chief of Staff and National Security Advisor. Foreign nations are preparing various responses, ranging from appeasement and resilience to retaliation, in anticipation of Trump’s “America First” agenda.
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Readers are encouraged to submit news tips to The Daily Beast. The submission process is straightforward and confidential. Tips can be sent through a dedicated online portal. This allows readers to contribute to The Daily Beast’s investigative journalism.
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Following a brief shutdown, TikTok resumed service after President-elect Trump intervened, pledging an executive order to allow more time for a sale to a US buyer. This action has been met with skepticism, with critics alleging the situation is a calculated “scam” to portray Trump as a savior of the app, despite his prior calls for a ban. The incident raises concerns about potential influence over tech companies and the circumvention of existing federal laws. Trump’s shift in stance, coinciding with increased TikTok following and his claim of its electoral impact, underscores the political complexities surrounding the app.
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Following a Supreme Court ruling upholding a bipartisan law mandating ByteDance divest from TikTok or face a U.S. ban, President-elect Trump announced plans for an executive order delaying the ban’s implementation. This action, seen by some as a political win for Trump facilitated by Democrats, comes after President Biden signed the legislation into law despite previous efforts to overturn a similar executive order from Trump’s presidency. The delay allows for negotiations to preserve TikTok’s U.S. operations, potentially involving a joint venture with U.S. ownership. Critics, however, decry the law’s passage as prioritizing symbolic action over comprehensive data privacy legislation and as enabling Trump to position himself as a savior of the platform.
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John Q. Hosedrinker