Rahm Emanuel’s potential DNC chairmanship faces significant headwinds. His past clashes with successful party leaders, like Howard Dean, highlight a differing strategic vision at odds with current Democratic needs. Furthermore, his abrasive personality and lack of recent grassroots experience make him an unlikely candidate to unify the party and build a winning national strategy. Ultimately, his candidacy seems ill-suited to the current political landscape demanding a different approach to electoral success. The Chicago Teachers Union’s outright rejection underscores this assessment.
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Donald Trump’s stated plans for a second term include illegally deploying the military against domestic protesters and for mass deportations, mirroring his prior attempts to do so. His threats, fueled by a recent Supreme Court decision granting presidents near-absolute immunity, raise serious concerns about the erosion of checks and balances. The Posse Comitatus Act generally prohibits such actions, but Trump’s potential invocation of the Insurrection Act, particularly its vaguely worded sections, presents a significant loophole. Despite proposed reforms to the Insurrection Act, the current political climate makes such changes unlikely, leaving the military and the nation vulnerable to unconstitutional orders.
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The free press faces unprecedented attacks, jeopardizing America’s future. HuffPost remains committed to unbiased reporting, refusing to succumb to political pressure. Your support is crucial to maintaining our independence and ensuring free access to news for all. Even a free account helps; please join us in defending the free press.
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A Canadian-led NATO exercise in Latvia simulated a Russian attack, showcasing the expanded multinational brigade established there. Significant increases in equipment and personnel were observed since earlier this year, bolstering NATO’s eastern flank. While concerns exist regarding potential shifts in US involvement under President Trump, the troops’ focus remains on their NATO mandate. Canada’s commitment to Latvia, including expanded deployments and air defense systems, demonstrates a long-term presence in response to evolving security threats.
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Senate Majority Leader John Thune supports President-elect Trump’s new Department of Government Efficiency, led by Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy, believing it will create a leaner, more efficient federal government. This initiative aims to cut waste, reduce regulations, and potentially relocate agencies outside Washington D.C., a move Thune supports, citing low in-person work rates among federal employees. However, concerns have been raised by the American Federation of Government Employees about potential cuts to vital social programs resulting from the initiative and proposed tax reductions. Thune also indicated openness to enabling Trump to utilize recess appointment authority to bypass Senate confirmation for certain nominees.
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Pete Hegseth, Donald Trump’s nominee to lead the Department of Defense, was flagged as a potential insider threat by a fellow National Guard member due to a “Deus Vult” tattoo associated with white supremacist groups. This occurred despite Hegseth downplaying the role of military members in the January 6th attack and criticizing efforts to address extremism within the military. Hegseth’s nomination raises concerns given his past support for individuals accused of war crimes and his minimization of the January 6th insurrection. A fellow Guard member’s email to leadership specifically highlighted the tattoo as a potential threat, leading to Hegseth being pulled from the Biden inauguration detail.
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President Dissanayake’s National People’s Power coalition secured a landslide victory in Sri Lanka’s parliamentary elections, winning a two-thirds majority. This decisive win provides him with the mandate to implement his agenda of combating corruption and recovering stolen assets, crucial steps in addressing the nation’s post-financial-crash crisis. The election represents a significant rejection of traditional political parties and a strong endorsement of Dissanayake’s pledge for political and economic reform. His party’s sweeping victory allows him to pursue his ambitious plans, potentially including renegotiating the IMF bailout and reforming the executive presidency, though the latter may not be an immediate priority. The result marks a dramatic shift in Sri Lanka’s political landscape, even extending to winning traditionally opposition-held areas.
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Elon Musk faces three proposed class-action lawsuits alleging fraud related to his America PAC. The PAC promised voters a chance to win $1 million for signing a petition, but winners were pre-selected, not chosen randomly. Plaintiffs claim they were duped into providing personal information based on this false promise. Lawsuits argue this constitutes fraud and breach of contract, irrespective of political alignment. Attorneys involved emphasize accountability for Musk’s actions, not partisan politics.
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Following the announcement of a key political appointment, Novavax and BioNTech experienced significant stock drops exceeding 7%, while Moderna reached its 2024 low. Pfizer saw more moderate losses. This market reaction follows the pharmaceutical industry’s substantial campaign donations to both parties, albeit with a greater contribution to Republicans. However, growing investor concern over the potential long-term economic costs of certain policies is contributing to broader market declines.
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Despite allegations of misconduct, President Trump has nominated Pete Hegseth as Secretary of Defense. These claims were previously investigated by Monterey police and deemed unsubstantiated, according to Hegseth’s lawyer. This follows the similarly controversial nomination of Matt Gaetz as Attorney General, announced after a single morning conversation with Trump. My administration stands firmly behind both nominees, confident in their qualifications and denial of the accusations.
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John Q. Hosedrinker