The Los Angeles City Council unanimously approved a sanctuary city ordinance, codifying existing protections for immigrants by prohibiting city resources from being used for immigration enforcement and preventing information sharing with federal authorities. This measure, supported by Mayor Bass, aims to protect immigrant communities and ensure they can safely report crimes without fear of deportation. While the city already largely avoids cooperation with federal immigration authorities, the ordinance formally enshrines these protections into law, mirroring similar state-level legislation in California. The ordinance’s passage comes in anticipation of potential increased immigration enforcement under the current administration.
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Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene has renewed her call for a “national divorce” between states supporting Donald Trump’s agenda and those that do not, citing disagreements over border security, government spending, and social issues. Greene’s proposal, which she previously voiced in 2023, suggests a separation between “red” and “blue” states, even suggesting restrictions on voting rights for Democrats relocating to Republican-controlled states. This divisive rhetoric has been interpreted by some as advocating for a second American Civil War. Greene, a staunch Trump ally, maintains that this is a necessary response to what she perceives as an attack by the Democratic party and its supporters.
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President-elect Trump’s Department of Government Efficiency, led by Vivek Ramaswamy and Elon Musk, plans sweeping changes to the federal workforce. This includes mass layoffs (“reductions-in-force”), a mandated return to five-day workweeks in offices, and significant cuts to federal contracting. Ramaswamy cites recent Supreme Court decisions as justification, claiming they provide legal grounds for these actions, though experts dispute the feasibility and legality of such large-scale changes. These proposals face significant hurdles, including existing collective bargaining agreements and congressional oversight.
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Manhattan prosecutors oppose dismissing President-elect Trump’s hush money conviction, but suggest delaying sentencing until after his second term to balance constitutional interests. While acknowledging the unique legal questions raised by his presidency, they maintain the conviction’s validity. Trump’s legal team, however, claims this is a victory and seeks a complete dismissal, citing the Supreme Court’s decision on presidential immunity. The judge will ultimately decide whether to dismiss the case, delay it, or proceed with sentencing.
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Brendan Carr, President-elect Trump’s FCC nominee and a long-time critic of Big Tech, advocates for repealing Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act. This provision shields online platforms from liability for user-generated content, a point of contention for Carr who believes it creates an unacceptable power imbalance. Carr’s views, detailed in the Heritage Foundation’s Project 2025, align with both Trump’s and Biden’s stated desires to reform or eliminate Section 230, despite differing motivations. Repealing Section 230 enjoys bipartisan support, though legislative progress remains slow.
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Despite initial claims of a landslide victory, Donald Trump’s popular vote percentage has dropped below 50%, significantly narrowing his margin over Kamala Harris. His final popular vote share will likely be among the lowest for a winning president in recent history, contradicting his assertions of an “unprecedented and powerful mandate.” While he retains the presidency via the Electoral College, his significantly diminished popular vote margin undermines his claims of a decisive win.
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Despite a pre-election poll by Ann Selzer predicting a three-point lead for Harris, Trump won Iowa by a significant 13-point margin, representing a 16-point polling error. This unexpectedly large discrepancy calls into question the accuracy of Selzer’s methodology, previously considered a benchmark in polling. The poll’s overrepresentation of Democrats and college-educated voters is suspected as a contributing factor to the inaccuracy. Allegations of election fraud have been made in response to the polling error.
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A heated confrontation erupted between Elon Musk and Boris Epshteyn at Mar-a-Lago, reportedly stemming from Musk’s accusations of leaks regarding Trump’s cabinet picks. The argument, witnessed by other guests, highlights escalating tensions between the two men, who both advise the president-elect on appointments. These tensions reportedly arose during transition meetings, with Epshteyn objecting to Musk’s questioning of candidate qualifications. The dispute further complicates the already contentious selection process for Treasury Secretary, with Musk publicly supporting a candidate, Howard Lutnick, whose prospects may be harmed by this public infighting.
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In a significant legal setback, Mark Meadows’s attempt to transfer his Georgia election interference case to federal court was rejected, as the appeals court found his actions unrelated to his former federal duties. This ruling, impacting one of nineteen co-defendants including Donald Trump, leaves the case in state court. Trump’s recent election victory grants him presidential immunity, effectively halting his prosecution; however, the impact on his co-defendants remains uncertain. A pending appeal to remove the District Attorney is also subject to change given Trump’s new status.
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President Biden’s welcoming reception of President-elect Trump contrasts sharply with the latter’s 2020 snub, highlighting a stark difference in leadership transitions. Economically, Trump inherits a robust economy, unlike Biden’s inheritance of a COVID-ravaged one. Despite initial post-pandemic challenges, the Biden administration successfully navigated supply chain issues and record inflation, resulting in record low unemployment, job growth, and falling prices. While Trump may attempt to claim credit, the economic successes are undeniably attributable to President Biden’s policies and leadership.
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John Q. Hosedrinker