On Christmas Day, Donald Trump used Truth Social to post 34 messages within an hour, including a meme mocking Barack Obama. The posts also featured self-congratulatory headlines, endorsements of his cabinet picks (particularly Pete Hegseth), and a holiday photo with Melania Trump. This activity followed a less overtly combative initial Christmas greeting and contrasted with previous years’ more explicitly hostile Christmas messages. Other Trump family members and MAGA allies also leveraged the holiday for political messaging.
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President-elect Trump intends to aggressively pursue the death penalty, reversing President Biden’s commutation of 37 federal death sentences. This stance contradicts evidence of the death penalty’s ineffectiveness as a deterrent and its inherent biases. Trump’s plans extend beyond murder, encompassing drug trafficking and potentially other crimes, raising concerns among opponents. His administration’s approach stands in stark contrast to the growing national and international movement toward abolishing capital punishment.
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Donald Trump’s inaugural committee is projected to surpass previous fundraising records, potentially exceeding $150 million. This fundraising includes significant contributions from corporations that previously condemned the January 6th insurrection. These donations appear transactional, with Trump reportedly inquiring about specific corporate contributions and implying repercussions for non-donors. The committee, organized as a non-profit, offers various perks to high-dollar donors, including exclusive events and access to Trump and his administration. While donors remain undisclosed for some time, the influx of corporate money signals a strategic effort to secure favor with the incoming administration.
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President-elect Trump strongly condemned President Biden’s commutation of sentences for 37 of 40 federal death row inmates, vowing to vigorously pursue capital punishment upon his inauguration. Trump criticized the commutations as senseless and disrespectful to victims’ families, intending to focus on cases involving violent criminals. While the extent of his actions remains unclear, his statement suggests a more assertive approach to federal death penalty cases than previous administrations. Experts note that enacting significant changes to death penalty policy faces substantial legal and practical challenges.
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Rep. Gaetz admits to past financial support of women he dated, emphasizing that all interactions were consensual and legal, specifically denying any sexual contact with minors. A House Ethics Committee report, slated for release, alleges various violations including sexual misconduct, drug use, and potential campaign finance irregularities. These allegations encompass the misuse of state records and potential acceptance of improper gifts. The report’s final release remains uncertain.
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Following a House Ethics Committee report alleging substantial evidence of sexual misconduct and illegal drug use, former Representative Matt Gaetz shared a note from President Trump stating, “Very Unfair!” The report detailed allegations of payments to women for sexual activity and drug use, including an alleged encounter with a minor, though it did not find evidence of federal sex trafficking violations. Gaetz denies wrongdoing, citing the report’s reliance on witnesses he claims are unreliable, and previously dismissed by the Department of Justice. He maintains he never had sexual contact with a minor.
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Despite campaigning as proponents of free speech, President-elect Trump and his allies, including potential appointees Patel, Kennedy, and Musk, are exhibiting actions contradictory to this claim. Their rhetoric and proposed actions target the free press and those critical of the administration, suggesting a willingness to silence dissent rather than champion it. This includes threats against journalists, media outlets, and even potential primary challenges for dissenting politicians. A conservative lawyer familiar with the plans warns of a “brutal” crackdown on dissent. The notion of Trump as a free speech advocate is therefore demonstrably false.
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Donald Trump’s repeated claims of a “massive mandate” in his recent election victory are demonstrably false, easily refuted by examining both the Electoral College and popular vote results. His assertion of a 129-year unprecedented victory is unsubstantiated, with recent presidents exceeding his margin. This fabricated claim, likely motivated by insecurity regarding his narrow win, exemplifies the manipulative tactics of successful liars, adding specific details to lend false credibility. Ultimately, Trump’s repeated use of the term “mandate” is a disingenuous attempt to bolster a weak claim to overwhelming popular support.
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President Biden vetoed a bill creating 66 new federal judgeships, citing concerns over the bill’s rushed passage and unanswered questions regarding allocation and the impact of senior judges. The White House statement highlighted a lack of sufficient study on the need for additional judgeships and raised suspicions about the bill’s true motivations, suggesting political maneuvering rather than genuine judicial need. Despite bipartisan initial support and arguments for addressing case delays, the veto effectively kills the legislation in the current Congress due to an insufficient margin for overriding it. The bill’s passage in the Senate under Democratic control and subsequent House action after a Republican presidential win fueled accusations of political gamesmanship.
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John Q. Hosedrinker