President Trump, citing the USPS’s $9.5 billion fiscal year loss and substantial liabilities, has expressed interest in privatization. Discussions with his commerce secretary nominee, Howard Lutnick, indicate a potential overhaul impacting hundreds of thousands of federal employees and potentially disrupting shipping and supply chains. This plan, though lacking specifics, follows previous conflicts with the agency, including attempts to shift key functions to the Treasury Department. Despite its recent financial struggles, the USPS remains a highly-regarded institution with a long history and a recent success in handling mail-in ballots.
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Senator John Fetterman defended Donald Trump’s hush-money case and Hunter Biden’s legal troubles on Truth Social, calling both “bullshit” and advocating for pardons. He argued that weaponizing the judiciary damages public trust and increases political division, echoing similar comments made previously on ABC’s *The View*. This stance has drawn mixed reactions, with some praising his position while others, particularly progressives, strongly criticized his support for Trump and accused him of alienating his base. Fetterman’s recent actions, including this post, have caused increasing friction with his progressive supporters.
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As Senator Romney departs, he acknowledges the Republican Party’s transformation under Donald Trump’s influence, noting the dwindling number of “mainstream” Republicans. While he supported many of Trump’s policies, Romney cited character concerns as points of conflict, including Trump’s past legal battles and rhetoric. Despite this, Romney doesn’t anticipate retribution from Trump, believing a successful presidency will solidify a future for the party shaped by figures like J.D. Vance. Romney concludes his political career, emphasizing his legislative accomplishments and expressing a desire to pursue post-political endeavors.
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Following a judge’s order, President-elect Trump and ABC News host George Stephanopoulos will each give four-hour depositions next week in Trump’s defamation suit against ABC. The depositions, initially delayed, will proceed in person (Trump in Florida) and potentially remotely for Stephanopoulos. The suit stems from Stephanopoulos’s reporting on the E. Jean Carroll case, where Trump disputes the characterization of the jury’s finding. ABC’s attempts to dismiss the case based on fair reporting privilege were unsuccessful.
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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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John Q. Hosedrinker