Despite rising US-China tensions stemming from restrictions on Chinese technology investment and the threat of a Trump-led trade war, Xi Jinping affirmed China’s commitment to a stable relationship with the incoming US administration. Xi and Biden held a candid meeting following the APEC summit, where disagreements over addressing the economic impacts of the Ukraine and Middle East conflicts prevented a consensus. APEC leaders did, however, unite in their implicit criticism of potential future trade protectionism. The upcoming G20 summit in Brazil is expected to further address these global economic concerns, with various leaders seeking to mitigate the potential negative impacts of a more isolationist US foreign policy.
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David Huitema’s confirmation as Director of the Office of Government Ethics (OGE) passed the Senate with a 50-46 vote along party lines. His five-year term will see him overseeing ethics compliance across more than 140 federal agencies, a role crucial in preventing conflicts of interest. The OGE, lacking a director for over a year, plays a significant role in the nominee vetting process. This confirmation comes after a partisan vote and addresses a prolonged vacancy at the agency.
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President-elect Trump nominated Chris Wright, CEO of Liberty Energy and a prominent fossil fuel advocate, to serve as Energy Secretary. Wright, a vocal opponent of climate change initiatives, supports increased fossil fuel production and aims to reverse the Biden administration’s pause on natural gas export approvals. His appointment has drawn both praise from conservatives in the energy industry and criticism from environmental groups who deem it a setback for clean energy development. If confirmed, Wright will play a key role in Trump’s plan to achieve global “energy dominance” alongside Interior Secretary-nominee Doug Burgum.
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Former Vice President Mike Pence, through his organization Advancing American Freedom, urged Senate Republicans to reject Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s nomination for Secretary of Health and Human Services, citing Kennedy’s pro-choice stance as a departure from the Trump-Pence administration’s pro-life record. This action demonstrates Pence’s willingness to publicly criticize his former running mate, despite congratulating Trump on his recent reelection. The upcoming Senate confirmation hearings will see Indiana Senators Todd Young and Jim Banks voting on the nomination, along with other controversial picks such as Matt Gaetz for Attorney General. Pence’s statement highlights a continuing rift between him and Trump stemming from the January 6th Capitol attack and differing political stances.
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On November 6th, a diverse coalition of North Texas community groups staged a protest outside Dallas City Hall to denounce the U.S. electoral system and both major political parties. The demonstration, part of a nationwide series of post-election rallies, drew approximately 40 participants who voiced opposition to President-elect Trump’s platform and policies, particularly those targeting immigrants. Speakers representing various social justice causes emphasized the need for community organizing and collective action to combat anticipated oppression. The event highlighted the shared concerns of a broad spectrum of marginalized communities across the country.
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Senator Bernie Sanders expressed support for President-elect Trump’s campaign proposal to cap credit card interest rates at 10%, a measure Sanders views as crucial to protecting working-class Americans from exorbitant fees currently averaging 21.5%. This contrasts with the Biden administration’s unsuccessful attempt to lower late fees. Sanders sees this as an opportunity for bipartisan cooperation, advocating for an end to what he terms “usury” by major banks.
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Elon Musk’s America PAC has invested heavily in the 2022 midterms, contributing nearly $119 million to support Republican candidates in various races across the country. While the PAC’s spending, exceeding $19 million in some key House races, yielded mixed results, a significant $152 million was allocated towards supporting Donald Trump’s presidential bid. Musk’s actions demonstrate a considerable and highly publicized foray into US politics.
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President-elect Trump’s choice for Secretary of Defense, Pete Hegseth, faced scrutiny after a 2017 sexual assault allegation, investigated by Monterey police but resulting in no charges, surfaced. The transition team was unaware of the detailed allegations before Hegseth’s nomination, raising concerns about inadequate vetting. While Hegseth’s attorney maintains the allegation is false, the incident and subsequent nondisclosure agreement have caused internal frustration. Despite this, President Trump continues to support Hegseth’s nomination.
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Trump’s 2024 victory, while decisive in the Electoral College, stemmed more from Democratic underperformance than a massive surge in Trump support. His vote total only slightly exceeded his 2020 numbers, while Kamala Harris received nearly 10 million fewer votes than Joe Biden in 2020, largely due to the Biden administration’s unpopularity and Harris’s flawed, centrist campaign strategy. This strategic misstep, driven by party consultants and donors, alienated the Democratic base and failed to secure sufficient swing votes. Despite this loss, Democrats performed better in down-ballot races, suggesting that a broader shift away from the party did not occur.
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My Supreme Court victory in *Trump v. United States* secured a historic win on presidential immunity, crucial in countering the “lawfare” attacks against me and the MAGA movement. During arguments, I successfully argued for broad presidential immunity, even extending to hypothetical scenarios involving actions such as assassinations. While acknowledging hypotheticals, my position maintained that such actions, if deemed “official acts,” would fall under this immunity. This ruling is a key defense against politically motivated legal challenges.
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John Q. Hosedrinker