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☆ Trump suffers first defeat but as always doubles down for the next fight
▼ + stars: | 2024-11-22 | by ( Stephen Collinson | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +11 min

CNN —For Donald Trump, every defeat is just the catalyst for his next battle. The Gaetz disaster suggests that despite his big election win, some laws of political gravity still apply to Trump. This may explain why two-and-a-half weeks into his transition, several of Trump’s Cabinet picks are embroiled in allegations of sexual misconduct, ethics or legal controversy. Like Gaetz, Hegseth was not prosecuted over the allegation and denies he did anything wrong. Plenty of presidents get a Cabinet pick knocked back and do just fine.

Persons: Donald Trump, –, Matt Gaetz, – Trump, Trump, Pam Bondi, MAGA, Gaetz –, elect’s, Manu Raju, Pete Hegseth, Hegseth, Linda McMahon, McMahon, Robert F, Kennedy Jr, groped, Eliza Cooney, “, Kennedy, he’d, ”, Cooney, “ I’m, he’s, Jean Carroll, didn’t, CNN’s Kristen Holmes, Gaetz, CNN’s Paula Reid, Sarah Ferris, Vance, Tulsi Gabbard, —, Maine Sen, Susan Collins, North Carolina Sen, Thom Tillis, JD Vance, ’, Bondi, she’s Organizations: CNN, Department of Justice, Trump, DOJ, GOP, Cabinet, Former Fox News, Department of Defense, Trump Cabinet, Department of Education, Wrestling Entertainment, WWE, Department of Health, Human Services, USA, Fair, Democratic, Social, Capitol, Senate Republican, Trump University, Republican Locations: Washington, California, Iraq, Afghanistan, Manhattan, Gaetz, Maine, North Carolina, Ohio, Bondi

By the end of the day, Trump had announced a new pick for attorney general: Pam Bondi, the former attorney general of Florida. One by one, the senator wanted to know who had told Gaetz “yes” they were with him. After being asked for comment for CNN’s story, Gaetz announced his withdrawal as Trump’s nominee for attorney general. “I greatly appreciate the recent efforts of Matt Gaetz in seeking approval to be Attorney General. Some lawmakers have already asked the parliamentarian to weigh in and clear up the confusion, one source told CNN.

Persons: JD Vance, Matt Gaetz, they’d, Vance, “, Donald Trump, Trump, Gaetz, Gaetz —, he’d, Department —, ” Gaetz, Pam Bondi, Gaetz’s, Republican Sen, Kevin Cramer of North, ” Cramer, wouldn’t, ’, Trump’s, Gaetz couldn’t, Matt, ” Trump, Karoline Leavitt, Pete Hegseth, Robert F, Kennedy Jr, Kevin McCarthy, Kentucky Sen, Mitch McConnell, Maine Sen, Susan Collins, Oklahoma Sen, Markwayne Mullin, Dakota Sen, Mike Rounds, “ I’m, Rounds, ” Sen, Roger Wicker, Cynthia Lummis, Florida Sen, Rick Scott, ”, Will Gaetz, preemptively, Michael Guest, , CNN’s Kaitlan Collins Organizations: CNN, Capitol, Senate, Trump, Department, DOJ, Republican, GOP, Republicans, Justice Department, Administration, “, Department of Justice, Fox News, Defense Department, Department of Health, Human Services, Hill, Oklahoma, Mississippi Republican, Wyoming Republican, Democrats Locations: Florida, Washington, Kevin Cramer of North Dakota, Gaetz, Kentucky, Maine, Dakota, Mississippi, Wyoming

☆ Matt Gaetz: Ethics committee told of second sexual encounter between Trump’s AG pick and 17-year-old, sources say
▼ + stars: | 2024-11-21 | by ( Paula Reid | Sarah Ferris | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

She also testified to both sexual encounters in a civil deposition as part of a related lawsuit, sources said. The House Ethics Committee revived its investigation of the Florida lawmaker once DOJ concluded its case and is facing mounting pressure to release its final report. Leppard said his client told the committee she did not believe Gaetz knew at the time that her friend was underage. He has said that both them testified that Gaetz paid them for “sexual favors.”Leppard also called on the House Ethics Committee to release the report on Gaetz, emphasizing the importance of transparency. Release the Gaetz Ethics report,” Leppard said.

Persons: Matt Gaetz, Gaetz, Donald Trump’s, Trump, Joel Leppard, Leppard, ” Leppard, CNN’s Casey Gannon Organizations: CNN, Justice Department, Capitol, Republican, Committee Locations: Florida

And Gaetz himself has been making calls to GOP senators and visiting his own loyalists in the House GOP. The pressure is all building ahead of a planned Wednesday meeting of the House ethics panel, which is expected to discuss the fate of the report. But privately, Republicans on the panel are signaling that they could bury the report as Gaetz and Trump are making direct appeals. In a call last week to GOP Sen. Josh Hawley, Gaetz urged him “to give him a shot,” Hawley told CNN. Meanwhile, nearly 100 House Democrats are calling on the House Ethics Committee to “immediately” release the report.

Persons: Matt Gaetz, J.D, Vance, Donald Trump’s, Gaetz, GOP Sen, Chuck Grassley, we’ve, ” Grassley, “ You’ve, …, Sen, John Kennedy, Pete Hegseth, Elise Stefanik, Doug Collins, Trump, Lindsey Graham, Judiciary —, Josh Hawley, “, ” Hawley, Hawley, Mike Simpson, ” Simpson, ”, Simpson, Kevin McCarthy, “ Matt, Rogers, Gaetz wouldn’t, Tim Burchett, he’s, Glenn Ivey, Ivey Organizations: CNN, GOP, Capitol Hill, Republican, Trump, Louisiana Republican, Fox News, Department of Defense, United Nations, Veterans Affairs, Judiciary, House, Caucus, Missouri Republican, Republicans, Armed, Democrats, Capitol, Florida congressman, ” Democratic, Maryland Locations: Trump, Louisiana, United, Gaetz, Florida

☆ ‘It’s on him’: Democrats look to Hakeem Jeffries to plot a path to revival
▼ + stars: | 2024-11-19 | by ( Sarah Ferris | Annie Grayer | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +9 min

In the last Congress, Democrats repeatedly helped Republicans keep the government open and propped up Speaker Mike Johnson when he faced a challenge to his leadership post. He even tapped other senior House Democrats to echo his message to the Biden team, according to another person familiar with the efforts. Still, unlike some in his party, Jeffries is not in despair, according to multiple people familiar with his thinking. But Democrats say Jeffries — alongside Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, who will serve as minority leader in the next Congress — might be the best person to at least try. Internal party sparringOne of Jeffries’ toughest tasks will be keeping Democrats unified on immigration despite the many intraparty divisions.

Persons: Hakeem Jeffries, Jeffries —, Donald Trump, Jeffries, “, ’, Emanuel Cleaver, he’s, ” Jeffries, Mike Johnson, Trump, Rosa DeLauro, Harris, who’ve, Joe Biden, Kamala Harris, overperformed Harris, —, Chuck Schumer, ”, Gregory Meeks, Pramila Jayapal, Jim McGovern, Johnny Cash’s, McGovern, Chip Somodevilla, That’s, That’s James Madison’s, Jeffries didn’t, I’m, Henry Cuellar, ” Cuellar, Cuellar, Gabe Vasquez, Susie Lee of, Scott Peters, Scott Peters of California —, Anna Padilla, Democrats ’, CNN’s Ali, Haley Talbot Organizations: CNN, Democratic Party, House Democratic, Congressional Hispanic Caucus, Progressives, GOP, Capitol, Republicans, Biden, White, Democrats, Democratic, New York Democrat, Progressive, Getty, House Democratic Caucus, Congressional Hispanic, Scott Peters of, Bloomberg Locations: Washington, Yorker, Back, New York, —, Washington ,, New Mexico, Susie Lee of Nevada, Scott Peters of California, Albuquerque , New Mexico

☆ Gaetz faces rocky road to confirmation as pressure builds for release of House ethics probe
▼ + stars: | 2024-11-14 | by ( Manu Raju | Lauren Fox | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +8 min

Sen. John Cornyn, a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, said he “absolutely” wants to see the House Ethics Committee’s findings on Gaetz. “I think there should not be any limitations on the Senate Judiciary Committee’s investigation, including whatever the House Ethics Committee has generated,” he said. Trump has pushed to keep all options on the table to greenlight his nominees, including recess appointments, which would bypass the typical Senate confirmation process. However, Sen. Rick Scott told CNN, “I believe in recess appointments.” Scott had supported recess appointments during his bid for GOP leader, which he lost to Thune. The Supreme Court has ruled on questions about recess appointments, which makes the outcome of taking these questions to court uncertain.

Persons: Donald Trump’s, Matt Gaetz, Sen, John Cornyn, “, ”, Gaetz, John Thune, James Lankford, ” Cornyn, Cornyn, Rick Scott, ” Scott, Scott, Trump’s, Dick Durbin, Richard Blumenthal, Chris Coons, Durbin, Donald Trump, ” Blumenthal, “ Matt Gaetz, ” Coons, he’s, Thune, Leah Millis, Reuters Sen, Chuck Grassley, “ We’ve, ” Grassley, Lindsey Graham, Thom Tillis, Tillis, Graham, ” Sen, Josh Hawley, ” Graham, Matt, ” Tillis, Samuel Corum, it’s, ’, Thune couldn’t, CNN’s Danya Gainor, Sarah Ferris, Annie Grayer, Ted Barrett, Morgan Rimmer, Emma Newman Organizations: CNN, Top, Republicans, GOP, Trump, Florida Republican, Democratic, Democrats, Republican U.S, U.S, 119th, Capitol, Reuters, Democrat, Senate Locations: Florida, Washington , U.S, Sens, Washington , DC

Trump’s transition team includes close to 100 people, with some working at Mar-a-Lago and others at the campaign office in Palm Beach and in Washington. Andrew Harnik/Getty ImagesInside Trump’s transitionTrump’s transition effort had begun with relatively orthodox choices — including Wiles, who led Trump’s campaign, as chief of staff. Much like his defense secretary pick, Trump had also grown frustrated with his options for attorney general. The role of attorney general has long been viewed by Trump as one of, if not the, most important positions he would fill. CORRECTION: This story has been corrected to properly reflect the process by which Donald Trump considered candidates for attorney general.

Persons: Donald Trump’s, Pete Hegseth, Tulsi Gabbard, Matt Gaetz, —, Trump, firebrands —, elect’s, MAGA, ”, “, ” Trump, Joe Biden, Mike Johnson, South Dakota Sen, John Thune, Elon Musk, Tesla, he’d, strode, Chris Christie’s, Susie Wiles, Wiles, Donald Trump, Andrew Harnik, Monday Trump, Florida Sen, Marco Rubio, Gabbard, Steve Bannon, ” Bannon, Donald Trump Jr, Richard Grenell, Rubio, Tony Hinchcliffe denigrated, JD Vance, Vance, Brian Snyder, Department —, Kamala Harris, Mark Paoletta, Andrew Bailey, Justice Department —, Jeff Sessions, William Barr, Department’s, Kevin McCarthy, Todd Blanche, Blanche, Nathan Howard, Gaetz, McCarthy, ” Gaetz, Gaetz’s, “ We’re, ” Johnson, Trump’s, Alaska Sen, Lisa Murkowski, Justice Department . Maine Sen, Susan Collins, Texas Sen, John Cornyn, Thune, Sen, Mike Rounds, ” Rounds, Kaitlan Collins, Annie Grayer, Danya Gainor, Holmes Lybrand, Dana Bash, Haley Talbot, Jeremy Herb, Katie Bo Lillis, Ted Barrett, Manu Raju, Sarah Ferris, Pamela Brown Organizations: CNN, Fox News, Hawaii Democratic, Republican, “, Wednesday, Washington, Hill, South, GOP, Elon, House Republicans, DC, SpaceX, Department of Government, Trump, New, New Jersey Gov, Mar, Hyatt, Monday, Democratic, Army National Guard, US Army Reserve, America, Florida Republican, Tony Hinchcliffe denigrated Puerto Ricans, State Department, Base Andrews, Reuters, Department, Justice Department, White House, Republicans, Capitol, U.S . Capitol, Senate, Justice Department ., Texas, South Dakota Republican Locations: Florida, Washington, South Dakota, Trump’s, New Jersey, Palm Beach, Washington ,, Syria, Russia, Tony Hinchcliffe denigrated Puerto, Madison, Maryland, U.S, Missouri, Manhattan, Trump, Alaska, Justice Department . Maine

☆ Trump’s Cabinet picks could be complicated by GOP math in the House
▼ + stars: | 2024-11-12 | by ( Sarah Ferris | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

CNN —Plenty of House Republicans are privately jockeying for President-elect Donald Trump’s Cabinet. “I have 10 colleagues who think they’re going to the Cabinet,” one House GOP lawmaker quipped, speaking on the condition of anonymity to discuss internal dynamics. But you’re not going to let three or four go.”Inside the House GOP, many lawmakers and senior aides have long assumed Stefanik would go to the Cabinet. She and Texas Rep. Ronny Jackson, Trump’s former physician, are considered to have some of the tightest relationships between Trump and the House GOP. And privately, Reps. Anna Paulina Luna and Cory Mills have also expressed interest, according to a Florida GOP source.

Persons: Donald Trump’s, There’s, Mike Johnson can’t, Elise Stefanik, Mike Waltz, Mike Rogers, Sam Graves —, won’t, Johnson, ”, Kelly Armstrong, “, Mike, that’d, we’ve, you’re, Ronny Jackson, George W, Bush, Trump, Matt Gaetz, Brian Mast, Byron Donalds, Carlos Gimenez, Greg Steube, Anna Paulina Luna, Cory Mills, Garret Graves, Matt Rosendale, Florida Sen, Marco Rubio, Bill Hagerty, Mike Lee of, Tom Cotton of, Eric Schmitt of Organizations: CNN, of, Republicans, Trump, Monday, New York, Florida, Armed, GOP, North, ”, Texas, Green Beret, Florida GOP, Transportation, Department of Veterans Affairs, Eric Schmitt of Missouri Locations: Washington, North Dakota, Afghanistan, East, Africa, Florida, Garret Graves of Louisiana, Matt Rosendale of Montana, Pennsylvania, Arizona, Sens, Tennessee, Mike Lee of Utah, Tom Cotton of Arkansas

Pushing the funding fight to next year would put Trump in position to have far greater say. Congress faces a jam-packed to-do list of critical legislative items, including the annual defense policy bill. The next Trump loyalty test – who will lead the Senate GOP? The new Senate GOP leader will be elected by secret ballot, meaning no one will know who voted for which candidate. The House and Senate are only expected to be in session for two weeks before leaving for the Thanksgiving holiday.

Persons: Donald Trump won’t, Trump, Mike Johnson, Johnson, ”, Kelly Armstrong, “, Trump’s, Dusty Johnson of, “ I’m, Mitch McConnell, John Thune of, John Cornyn of, Rick Scott, McConnell, –, ” Thune, Cornyn, ” Scott, Scott, Sens, Marco Rubio, Tommy Tuberville, Bill Hagerty, Ron Johnson, they’d, haven’t, Elon Musk, Musk, Hakeem Jeffries, There’s, Alayna Treene Organizations: CNN, White House, Capitol, Republican Party, GOP, Trump, North, Republican, Senate, Florida Republican, Democratic, Republicans, National Defense, Department of Defense Locations: North Dakota, Dusty Johnson of South Dakota, Sens, John Thune of South Dakota, John Cornyn of Texas, Florida, Marco Rubio of Florida, Alabama, Tennessee, Wisconsin, Washington, United States

During Trump’s first term, for example, he was blocked by the Senate from using recess appointments to replace then-Attorney General Jeff Sessions. Florida Sen. Rick Scott on Sunday quickly posted on X endorsing Trump’s post : “100% agree. The question of recess appointments will now throw a major wrench in the Senate GOP’s leadership election when senators return to Washington this week. Recess appointments were once controversial, last-ditch efforts for presidents to install their nominees after facing long confirmation odds in the Senate. When senators left town, the Senate held a “pro forma” session to prevent any recess appointments.

Persons: Donald Trump, Trump, –, “, ”, ” Trump, —, Jeff Sessions, Florida Sen, Rick Scott, Elon Musk, Dakota Sen, John Thune, who’s, Schumer, ” Thune, Sen, John Cornyn of, Biden’s, George W, Bush, John Bolton, Harry Reid, Mitch McConnell, Barack Obama, CNN’s Ted Barrett, Sarah Ferris Organizations: CNN, GOP, Trump –, Republican, United States, Capitol Hill, Sunday, Florida Republican, Republicans, Democratic, United Nations, Democrat, Senate, Supreme Locations: Florida, ”, Dakota, John Cornyn of Texas, Washington, United

The U.S. Capitol building November 6, the President-elect Donald Trump was declared the winner of the presidential election. GOP leaders have been dreaming of another major tax package, as many tax provisions are set to expire at the end of 2025. Remember: With Republicans winning control of the Senate, delivering on Trump’s agenda will come down to whether the GOP retains a majority in the House. Even with unified GOP control, there would be challenges ahead for Republicans. One issue is the political math: House Republicans believe if they do hold onto the majority, it won’t be by much.

Persons: Donald Trump, Leah Millis, Joe Biden’s, Mike Johnson —, —, Danya Gainor Organizations: U.S, Capitol, Republicans, GOP, Trump, CNN, Democrats, Biden White, House, Republican Locations: Washington, Pennsylvania, Michigan

Unlike Trump’s surprise win in 2016, House and Senate GOP leaders have been preparing for months for a possible GOP sweep. With Republicans winning control of the Senate, delivering on Trump’s agenda will come down to whether the GOP retains a majority in the House. Even with unified GOP control, there would be challenges ahead for Republicans. One issue is the political math: House Republicans believe if they do hold onto the majority, it won’t be by much. But it wouldn’t be easy to clear a huge package through a narrowly divided House even if Republicans control all the levers of power.

Persons: Donald Trump, ” GOP Wisconsin Sen, Ron Johnson, Mike Johnson, Trump, Johnson, Joe Biden, Johnson —, —, “, Tim Burchett, ” Johnson, Mark Meadows, Steve Bannon, Joe Biden’s, Nicole Malliotakis, ” Malliotakis, — Biden, Nancy Pelosi, “ Dems, Marjorie Taylor Greene, ” Greene, Danya Gainor Organizations: CNN, Republicans, Capitol, GOP, Trump, ” GOP Wisconsin, Senate Finance, House, Democratic, Republican, “, Trump Administration, House Republicans, Republican New York, Democrats, Biden White, nab Locations: Washington, ”, Pennsylvania, Michigan, Congress

☆ Johnson and GOP increasingly bullish about holding onto control of House
▼ + stars: | 2024-11-06 | by ( Sarah Ferris | Manu Raju | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

CNN —Speaker Mike Johnson and the GOP are feeling increasingly bullish about holding onto the House of Representatives, believing they have defied political gravity in key suburban seats as President-elect Donald Trump powered his party toward what may become a full sweep of Washington. But House Republicans and Democrats alike privately believe the GOP will maintain control, according to a half-dozen senior campaign operatives. “We’re going to hold the House,” one senior GOP campaign official said Wednesday. However, House Democrats insist it’s too early for a post-mortem. “We need to pitch a perfect game and that probably won’t happen,” a senior House Democrat campaign official said.

Persons: Mike Johnson, Donald Trump, “ We’re, ”, “, it’s, It’s, Jared Golden, Marcy Kaptur, Susan Wild, Don Bacon of Nebraska, Kamala Harris, Trump, Bacon Organizations: CNN, GOP, Republicans, Democrats, Democratic, Democrat, Colorado –, GOP Rep, Republican Locations: Washington, California, Oregon, Nebraska, Pennsylvania, Maine, Ohio, Trump, New York, Michigan, Colorado, California , Oregon, Arizona

☆ Johnson vows health care overhaul if Republicans win: ‘No Obamacare’
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-30 | by ( Sarah Ferris | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

And it’s particularly notable after the Republican party’s high-profile failure to repeal key parts of the health care law during Trump’s first term in office. “Health care reform is going to be a big part of the agenda,” Johnson said at the event. And he said it wouldn’t just be health care getting a massive “free market” overhaul. “We know they’ll do it because I’m convinced that if Roe v. Wade can fall, then anything can fall.”The once-contentious health care law has not been a major theme of the 2024 campaign. Taking a different tact than his previous campaigns, Trump himself has stressed to voters that he wouldn’t eliminate the health care law.

Persons: Mike Johnson, Donald Trump, Johnson, Vance, ”, Trump’s, ” Johnson, Ryan Mackenzie, Susan Wild, Sen, John McCain, Hakeem Jeffries, “, ” Jeffries, I’m, Roe, Wade, There’s, Trump, Kamala Harris, Johnson’s Organizations: CNN —, Affordable, White, CNN, GOP, Republican, Democratic, Republicans, GOP Doctors Caucus, House Democrat, Congress, Trump, NBC News Locations: Pennsylvania, Bethlehem , Pennsylvania, Lehigh, Washington, Michigan, Lansing , Michigan

Even as swing-seat Republicans attempt to paint a more nuanced view of the GOP’s stance on abortion, the national party has often muddled that message. “You can’t hide from it,” said Rep. Kelly Armstrong, a Republican from North Dakota, reflecting on the lessons Republicans learned in the 2022 midterms. Hudson accused Democrats of “creating a false and distorted impression” of the GOP’s abortion position in the 2022 midterms and attacked Democrats for espousing their own “extreme” views on the issue. Since then, Chamberlain has used her own polling to help convince key swing-seat House Republicans to shift their approach. “This is a desperation move by Republicans,” said House Democrats’ campaign chief, Rep. Suzan DelBene of Washington state.

Persons: Manu Raju, ”, John Duarte, Tom Kean Jr, Matt Gunderson, Bill, ” Gunderson, Mike Levin, Melania Trump, —, Donald Trump’s, Sen, J.D, Vance of, it’s, Zach Nunn, Kelly Armstrong, “ He’s, ” Levin, Gunderson, “, Mike Johnson, he’d, Roe, Richard Hudson of, they’ve, Hudson, ” Hudson, Sarah Chamberlain, Chamberlain, ” Chamberlain, Joe Kent, Kent, Marie Gluesenkamp Perez —, Nunn, Lanon Baccam, PAC —, Levin, Suzan, Marc Molinaro, Molinaro, ” Molinaro, hasn’t, Dobbs, Duarte, ” Duarte, Trump, Juan Ciscomani, Ciscomani Organizations: House Republican, Washington CNN — Republicans, GOP, Democratic, House Democrats, Republican, Republicans, CNN, Republican Mainstreet, — Democratic, PAC —, PAC, Democrats, New York Republican, California Republican Locations: Tucson, Des Moines, Syracuse, Central Valley, New Jersey, San Diego, Mexico, Vance of Ohio, Iowa, North Dakota, New York, California, Richard Hudson of North Carolina, North Carolina, Virginia, Washington, Florida, Arizona

“Those cities are gone, they’re gone, and we continue to give billions of dollars to a man who refused to make a deal, Zelensky. The comments come at the same time as a rising furor on Capitol Hill over the Ukrainian president among Republicans. Republican leaders are so far declining to meet Zelensky while he is in Washington, DC, while Democrats are embracing the opportunity. A deal could have been made if we had a competent President,” Trump said. It’s just sloganeering.”Vance’s Republican colleagues in the Senate sent a clear message to the Ukrainian president when asked about the remark on Wednesday.

Persons: Donald Trump, Volodymyr Zelensky, “, they’re, ” Trump, Sen, JD Vance, Trump, Mike Johnson, Hakeem Jeffries, Kamala Harris, Zelensky, Biden, ”, He’s, Harris, ” “, it’s, would’ve, Vance, ” Vance, “ It’s, Shawn Ryan, Johnson, Oksana Markarova, ” Johnson, James Comer, ” Comer, ” Zelensky, ” Vance’s, John Cornyn, Mitch McConnell, Vance “, John Thune, ” CNN’s Morgan Rimmer, Ted Barrett Organizations: CNN, GOP, Republican, Zelensky, United Nations General Assembly, Ukraine, Republicans, Biden, Harris Administration, White, Department of Justice, Department of Defense, Wednesday, Pentagon, Senate Locations: Ukraine, Mint Hill, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Russia, Washington ,, New York, it’s, United States, Yorker

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