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At 34, he was the city’s youngest ever mayor, and he campaigned on a promise of self-determination for the predominantly Black city. It’s an ongoing factor in Mississippi politics,” said Leslie McLemore, a former Jackson State University political science professor who also once sat on the Jackson City Council. That was on top of years of boil-water notices that eroded residents’ trust in the city’s water supply. In April, a push by conservative legislators to strip local control of the city’s water system failed for the second time in the House. Rogelio V. Solis / AP fileByron D'Andra Orey, a political science professor at Jackson State University, said the bribery scandal could shape the municipal elections.

Persons: JACKSON, —, Chokwe Antar Lumumba, Jackson, Lumumba, Jody Owens, Aaron Banks, Angelique Lee . Lumumba, Owens, Banks, Lee, “ I’m, Virgi Lindsay, Lindsay, ”, Leslie McLemore, ” McLemore, ” Jackson, Lauren Witte, Ronnie Crudup Sr, “, that’s, Jacksonians, “ It’s, ” Kim Meeks, Rogelio V . Solis, Zakiya Summers, Summers, Tate Reeves, Reeves, Bill, “ H.B, Liam Kennedy, Chokwe Lumumba, Tupac Shakur, ” Jacksonians, Rukia Lumumba, Annie Cooper, Jan, Byron D'Andra Orey, CJ Rhodes, Mount Organizations: Miss, City, Republican, Democratic, Jackson State University, Jackson City Council, USA, New Horizon Church, City Council, DA, Rep, U.S . Justice Department, NAACP, Mississippi Army National Guard, Lumumba, Clarion, Ledger, ”, State Capitol, Mount Helm Baptist Locations: Black, Hinds, ”, Mississippi, Jackson, Mississippi’s, Jackson’s Fondren, Hinds County, “, Northwest Jackson, Mount Helm

A lawyer said his client was allegedly paid to have sex with Matt Gaetz at a 2017 party. A man accused of three fatal stabbings in New York City has an extensive criminal history. Gaetz, a former Republican U.S. representative from Florida, has long denied the allegations against him and has claimed he was the target of an extortion plot. A Trump transition team spokesperson called the allegations “baseless.” Gaetz resigned from Congress last week after Trump announced plans to nominate him for attorney general. The stabbings happened yesterday morning at three separate locations.

Persons: Matt Gaetz, Donald Trump’s, Gaetz, Joel Leppard, Leppard, ” Gaetz, Ramon Rivera, Rivera, it’s, Maya Huter, Jing Feng, Cynthia Erivo, Ariana Grande, Glinda, Kalhan Rosenblatt, Tony Lee, — Richie Duchon, Elizabeth Robinson Organizations: Justice Department, NBC News, NBC, Republican U.S, Trump, United Nations, Apple, Reebok, REI’s Locations: New York City, Florida —, Orlando, Florida, stabbings, New York, United

Donald Trump and Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., at the Iowa State Fair in Des Moines in August 2023. That “seemed to matter” to the committee, Leppard said, adding that committee members were concerned about illegal drug use and payments for sex. On at least two occasions, Leppard said, his clients had sex with Gaetz outside Florida. The women were not paid for sex during the trips, but Gaetz paid for their flights, lodging and entertainment, Leppard said. The two women are private people, who have no political leanings and no motivation to take down Gaetz, Leppard said.

Persons: Matt Gaetz, Donald Trump’s, Joel Leppard, Orlando . Leppard, Gaetz, ”, Leppard, Donald Trump, Al Drago, “, Trump, Alex Pfeiffer, He’s, ” Pfeiffer Organizations: Justice Department, NBC, Fair, Bloomberg, Getty, The Justice, FBI, Gaetz, Republican U.S, Trump, Committee Locations: Florida, Orlando, Iowa, Des Moines, New York City, Bahamas

☆ Visa and Mastercard execs grilled by senators on 'duopoly,' high swipe fees
▼ + stars: | 2024-11-19 | by ( Ece Yildirim | In Ecedyildirim | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

Interchange fees, also known as swipe fees, are paid from a merchant's bank account to the cardholder's bank, whenever a customer uses a credit card in a retail purchase. "In 2023 alone, Visa and Mastercard charged merchants more than $100 billion in credit card fees, mostly in the form of interchange fees," Durbin told the committee. Visa and Mastercard, however, stand by their swipe fees. But the current high credit card swipe fees for retailers translate to higher prices for consumers, the National Retail Federation told the committee in a letter ahead of the hearing. "Last year, the average American spent $1,100 in swipe fees, more than they spent on pets, coffee or alcohol."

Persons: Bill Sheedy, Linda Kirkpatrick, Democratic Illinois Sen, Dick Durbin, Durbin, Republican Kansas Sen, Roger Marshall, Ryan McInerney, Sheedy, Americas Linda Kirkpatrick, Dodd, Frank, Roger Alford, General Merrick Garland Organizations: Visa, Americas, Mastercard, Committee, Democratic Illinois, Republican Kansas, Credit, National Retail Federation, Notre Dame University Locations: Washington ,

☆ House has ‘numerous’ photos from women who say they were paid a total of more than $10,000 by Gaetz for sex, lawyer says
▼ + stars: | 2024-11-19 | by ( Tierney Sneed | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

CNN —Two women who claim they were paid for sex by former Rep. Matt Gaetz provided House ethics investigators with “numerous” photos related to time they spent with the Florida Republican, a lawyer for the women said Tuesday, including from an alleged 2019 trip to New York. The women additionally provided the House Ethics Committee with selfies Gaetz is said to have sent them, according to their lawyer. They also testified that they sent nude photos to Gaetz, sometimes at his request, Leppard said. Leppard’s account of the testimony provides more insight into the evidence the House committee collected in its probe, which was conducted in addition to a criminal investigation by the Justice Department. “What I’m telling you is just a fraction of the evidence that’s available, of the thousands of documents” the House obtained, Leppard said.

Persons: Matt Gaetz, Gaetz, Joel Leppard, CNN’s Erin Burnett, ” Gaetz, Leppard, selfies Gaetz, Donald Trump, “ Merrick, ”, Mike Speaker Johnson, Gaetz . Leppard, CNN’s Annie Grayer Organizations: CNN, Florida Republican, Fox News, Justice Department, Gaetz Locations: New York, York

☆ ‘Morning Joe’ meeting with Trump was driven by fears of retribution from incoming administration, sources say
▼ + stars: | 2024-11-19 | by ( Brian Stelter | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

New York CNN —“Morning Joe” co-hosts Joe Scarborough and Mika Brzezinski announced Monday, in dramatic fashion, that they went to Mar-a-Lago last week for a fence-mending meeting with President-elect Donald Trump. According to two sources with direct knowledge of the matter, Scarborough and Brzezinski were credibly concerned that they could face governmental and legal harassment from the incoming Trump administration. For that reason, there are a wide range of feelings about the “Morning Joe” meeting, according to half a dozen employees who spoke on condition of anonymity. Shortly after the Mar-a-Lago meeting was publicized, lawyer and MSNBC host Katie Phang posted on social media, “Normalizing Trump is a bad idea. On Monday afternoon, Scarborough posted a link on X to a Fox News story about his meeting with Trump.

Persons: Joe ”, Joe Scarborough, Mika Brzezinski, Donald Trump, Scarborough, Brzezinski, Trump, Elon Musk, Matt Gaetz, Gaetz, “, Katie Phang, Chuck Rocha, Joe, Mika, Jeff Jarvis, ”, White, Steve Bannon, Bannon, Andrew Weissmann, Ari Melber, they’re, Fox, ” Scarborough, Jeff Bezos’s, board’s, Kamala Harris, Bezos Organizations: New, New York CNN, Mar, Lago, MSNBC, CNN, Scarborough, Trump, Democratic, ” Veteran, Fox, Washington Post Locations: New York, Scarborough, America, ”

☆ Trump escalates test of strength over Gaetz pick
▼ + stars: | 2024-11-19 | by ( Stephen Collinson | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +10 min

Video Ad Feedback Lawyer describes client's testimony in House Ethics Committee investigation of Gaetz 03:04 - Source: CNNThe Ethics Committee report has quickly become the first big crisis of the nascent second Trump administration. A small handful of Republican senators would be needed to defect in order to block Gaetz’s nomination when the party controls the Senate majority next year. GOP senators could pay a price for a prolonged confirmation fightIf Trump sticks with his pick, Republican senators feeling the MAGA movement’s pressure could be forced to defend Gaetz for weeks. Maine Sen. Susan Collins told CNN’s Raju that it would be “helpful” to see the House Ethics report. “Whether we get the ethics report or not, the facts are going to come out one way or the other,” Cornyn said.

Persons: Donald Trump, Matt Gaetz, Joel Leppard, CNN’s Erin Burnett, Gaetz, Mike Johnson, Trump, Dakota Sen, Kevin Cramer, ” Cramer, CNN’s Manu Raju, MAGA, Cramer, Pete Hegseth, Robert F, Kennedy Jr, Florida Republican –, Capitol Hill, it’s, Washington Trump, Bill Clinton, Zoë Baird, Kimba Wood, Maine Sen, Susan Collins, CNN’s Raju, Texas Sen, John Cornyn, ” Cornyn, “, Johnson, Susan Wild of, won’t, —, ” CNN’s Kristen Holmes, Axios, Kennedy, Hegseth, Tulsi Gabbard, It’s Organizations: CNN, Florida Republican, Justice Department, Trump, Gaetz, Fox News, Human Services Department, GOP, Capitol, FBI, Democrat, —, National Intelligence, Senate, Republican, North Dakota Republican Locations: Dakota, Washington, Texas, Susan Wild of Pennsylvania

Labor leaders say Democrats need to rethink their approach to working-class voters. Former Fox News host Pete Hegseth’s attorney confirmed he paid a woman after she accused him of sexual assault. He also denied that the encounter between Hegseth and an unnamed woman, which she alleges happened in 2017, was sexual assault. 🏈 The Kansas City Chiefs’ undefeated season is no more as the Buffalo Bills beat their AFC rivals 30-21 at home. Bills quarterback Josh Allen threw for 262 yards with one touchdown and one interception as Buffalo improved to 9-2.

Persons: Pete Hegseth’s, Democratic Party ’ Donald Trump, Chip Somodevilla, Kamala Harris ’, ”, Brent Booker, ” Booker, Mike Johnson, Trump, Brendan Carr, Roy Rochlin, Donald Trump, “, Parlatore, Dick Schoof, Nora Achahbar, NFL Gregory Bull, Greg Rosenstein, hird, 🐆 Organizations: Labor, Former Fox News, Union, Democratic Party, ’ International Union of, ”, Trump, Federal Communications Commission, Justice Department, FBI, Trump Pentagon, Fox News, NBC News, Washington Post, Authorities, Hegseth, Getty Images, Dutch, NFL, Los Angeles Chargers, Cincinnati Bengals, Sunday, NBC Locations: Amsterdam, Netherlands, West Palm Beach, Fla, Biden’s, ’ International Union of North America, Afghanistan, Hegseth’s, Monterey , California, Anadolu, Getty Images Amsterdam, Moroccan

☆ Matt Gaetz: Florida court fight gives insight into the House review of sex allegations
▼ + stars: | 2024-11-18 | by ( Paula Reid | Tierney Sneed | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +9 min

The House Ethics Committee probe into Gaetz, initially launched in 2021, ran into several obstacles, including a lack of access to records collected by a federal criminal investigation into Gaetz. In addition to the House Ethics Committee investigation, Gaetz was separately investigated by the US Justice Department for alleged sex trafficking, obstruction of justice and other potential crimes, but prosecutors declined to bring any charges. The House committee abandoned plans for a closed-door meeting Friday, when lawmakers were expected to consider the release of the report. When asked about the friend’s claim she had sex with Gaetz, Dorworth suggested in the deposition that both women made up their stories. Resignation brings House probe to a haltThe House Ethics Committee probe was started by House Democrats in 2021 but was put on hold while the Justice Department completed its criminal investigation.

Persons: Donald Trump’s, Matt Gaetz, Gaetz, –, Trump, “, ” Gaetz, ”, Joel Greenberg, Greenberg, Gaetz –, Kevin McCarthy, Christopher Dorworth, Dorworth, Johnson, Tapper, ” Dorworth, CNN’s Casey Gannon, Annie Grayer Organizations: CNN, President, Florida Republican, US Justice Department, Committee, DOJ, Department, Trump, Florida House, Justice Department, Miami Herald, House Democrats, Hill Locations: Florida, Orlando federal, ”, Seminole, Bahamas

The Trump transition team did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Lebanon’s ancient heritage faces Israeli airstrikesRubble and destruction caused by an Israeli airstrike near the historic Roman temple in Baalbek, Lebanon, on Nov. 7. The war in Lebanon has killed more than 3,200 people and displaced more than a million others, according to Lebanese officials. The conflict has also taken a toll on the nation’s unique heritage at the crossroads of ancient Phoenician, Egyptian, Greek, Persian and Roman civilizations. The Israel Defense Forces’ latest attacks on northern Gaza’s besieged city of Beit Lahiya killed “about 100” people, Mahmoud Basal, a spokesperson for Gaza’s Civil Defense, told NBC News on Sunday.

Persons: “, Joe Biden, Matt Gaetz, Gaetz, Pete Hegseth, Timothy Parlatore, ” Parlatore, Hegseth, Marwan Naamani, amphitheaters, ’ citadels, Beit Lahiya, Mahmoud, Press Sen, Markwayne Mullin, Robert F, Kennedy Jr, I’ve, ” Mullin, Kristen Welker, Kennedy, Mullin, ”, Leila, aren’t, Mike Peditto, Martin Mejia Organizations: Trump, U.S, Trump Cabinet, Republicans, NBC, Justice Department, Republican, ZUMA, NBC News, United Nations, Israel Defense Forces ’, Civil Defense, Press, Department of Health, Human Services, “, Intelligence, American Society of Tropical Medicine, Hygiene Locations: Afghanistan, California, Baalbek, Lebanon, Mhaibib, Nabatiyeh, Gaza’s, Beit, Talara, Peru, Americas

☆ Meet the Press – November 17, 2024
▼ + stars: | 2024-11-17 | by ( ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +58 min

And by the way, I do believe that President Trump has the ability to pick some really, really good people. We've seen what they've done to President Trump, we've seen the attacks that they continue to go after him with. That's - that’s being taken completely out of context. And President Trump hasn't been the one that weaponized the DOJ to go after his political enemies. I think that's a pretty controversial pick, from whatever pronoun that he or he - he or she decides to use.

Persons: KRISTEN WELKER, Donald Trump’s, SEN, LISA MURKOWSKI, SUSAN COLLINS, KEVIN CRAMER, JOHN BOLTON, Trump’s, Trump, MIKE JOHNSON, JOHN, CHUCK SCHUMER, DONALD TRUMP, Hakeem Jeffries, Markwayne Mullin, Amna Nawaz, Eugene Daniels, Jen Psaki, Lanhee Chen, it’s, Kristen Welker, Donald Trump, Matt Gaetz, Gaetz, who's, we're, Mike Johnson, Johnson, MATT GAETZ, Robert F, Kennedy Jr, Kennedy, he's, ROBERT F KENNEDY JR, I'm, I've, LEX FRIDMAN, Trump's, Pete Hegseth, Hegseth, ” Hegseth, SHAWN RYAN, PETE HEGSETH, Mullin, Press . SEN, MARKWAYNE MULLIN, Kristen, you've, Kristi Noem, Matt Gaetz's, they're, Matt, Here's, We've, we've, Biden, Hunter Biden, didn't, Trump hasn't, Garland, Pete, Bobby Kennedy, Bobby, Rachel, Sam, There's, Pete Buttigieg, Let's, Kristen –, there's, let's, Chuck Schumer, Obama, Canning, we'll, He's, Jeffries, HAKEEM JEFFRIES, Roe, Wade, Pelosi's, Pelosi, It's, Nancy Pelosi, Jim Clyburn, Steny Hoyer, That's, should've, Kamala Harris, it's, Matt Gaetz –, Tulsi Gabbard, Debbie Wasserman Schultz, DEBBIE WASSERMAN SCHULTZ, Assad, She's, Dick Durbin, Donald Trump's, Politico “ Playbook, AMNA NAWAZ, Jim Mattis, Rex Tillerson, John Kelly, Eugene, EUGENE DANIELS, –, Susan Collins, hasn't, LANHEE CHEN, aren't, Doug Burgum, Marco Rubio, Elise Stefanik, Jen, JEN PSAKI, – AMNA NAWAZ, that's, Thune, Biden's, George W, Bush, Joe Biden, JOE BIDEN, – I’ve, —, – JEN PSAKI, Elizabeth Warren, Bernie Sanders, We're, We'll Organizations: GOP, Democratic, Oklahoma, PBS, White House Press, Hoover Institution, Press, NBC, Department of Justice, Mar, FBI, CDC, ATF, DOJ, NBC News, Republicans, of Health, Human Services, Defense, Fox News, Police, Republican, Pentagon, Press ., Trump, Senate, Biden, White, Justice Department, America, Senate Armed Services Committee, The Washington, HHS, of Energy, Department of Transportation, RFK Jr, ’, House Democratic, Democracy, REP, House Democrats, Social, Medicare, Democrats, Committee, of, Politico, Stanford University, Trump’s, Gaetz, Department of Defense, Office, Mr, Republican Party, Democratic Party Locations: Washington, America, Florida, Monterey , California, States, Oklahoma, Russia, United States, Afghanistan, Iraq, New York, American, Syria, Russian, Will, California, –, Trump

Following Trump’s decisive election victory, many DOJ officials and career staffers were already nervous about the possibility that they would be targeted by Trump loyalists, particularly members of Congress. “Everything we did was above board,” said a former senior FBI official, who has started contacting lawyers because he expects to be prosecuted himself. “Agents have to do 20 years,” the former senior FBI official said. DOJ and FBI officials say that the Trump investigations were carried out properly. Now, a new group of DOJ and FBI officials are facing the prospect of hefty legal fees as well.

Persons: Trump, Matt Gaetz, ”, elect’s, beholden, Gaetz, “, “ Trump, Wally Skalij, Weeks, Stephen Cheung, Witch Hunt, ” Cheung, Stephen Gillers, General Merrick Garland, Trump’s, Garland, Mike Davis, Jack Smith, Smith, Donald Trump, Jacquelyn Martin, Ilya Somin, ” Somin, Robert Mueller, Paul Manafort, Bill Barr, John Durham, Russia’s, Durham, Jack Smith’s, ” Gillers, Captain Ahab Organizations: Justice Department, FBI, Trump loyalists, Trump, “, DOJ, Los Angeles Times, Getty Images Trump, New York University Law School, ”, DOJ DOJ, Department, Justice, George Mason University, Russia, CIA, NYU Locations: Coachella , Calif, Washington, Gaetz

But many Republicans and Gaetz allies have touted his aggressive style as an essential attribute for an attorney general. The president-elect filled some of those spots Thursday evening, appointing a series of his own personal lawyers to run key sections of the Justice Department. Trump also announced his selection of Emile Bove, another member of his criminal defense team, to be principal associate attorney general. Now, while some of his colleagues in Congress expressed skepticism of his pick as attorney general, they said they are prepared for a detailed confirmation process. As attorney general, Gaetz would be in control of the FBI investigative files that detail the evidence the bureau uncovered.

Persons: Donald Trump, Matt Gaetz, Trump, Gaetz, there’s, John Morgan, doubters, Morgan, ” Morgan, “, General Merrick Garland, Joe Biden, Todd Blanche, Emile Bove, ”, AnchorsGordon didn’t, Lawrence “ Larry ” Keefe, Keefe, Ron DeSantis, Feedback Sen, Klobuchar, —, Michael Cohen, Sen, Rick Scott, ” Gaetz, Hunter, Hank Johnson, Kevin McCarthy, Liz Cheney, Gaetz didn’t, South Carolina Sen, Lindsey Graham, Bill Barr, Joel Greenberg, CNN’s Kristen Holmes Organizations: CNN, Justice Department, Trump, Florida Republican, Prosecutors, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, Explosives, Drug Enforcement Administration, Democrats, Capitol, Senate, Panhandle Republican, Truman, Florida State University, & Mary Law School, AnchorsGordon, Florida Panhandle, Partners, Florida, Northern, Northern District of Florida, Vineyard, Tallahassee statehouse, Republican, Florida Bar, Florida Republicans, Washington Elected, White, Republican Party, House Republican, Union, House Intelligence, Democratic, Judiciary Committee, FBI, South, Garland’s Justice Department Locations: Congress, United States, Trump’s, Florida, Gaetz, Manhattan, Northern District, Texas, Tallahassee, Washington, Wyoming, South Carolina

☆ If the Mar-a-Lago documents case is dismissed, Trump could get everything back — and keep it with immunity
▼ + stars: | 2024-11-17 | by ( Laura Italiano | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

AdvertisementIf the Mar-a-Lago classified documents case is dismissed, Trump can probably take his 33 boxes back. If the Mar-a-Lago classified documents case is dismissed, can Trump take back those 33 boxes of keepsakes — ranging from Christmas decorations to highly sensitive nuclear secrets — that the FBI seized from his Palm Beach resort two years ago? AdvertisementThat includes the documents Smith sees as contraband, currently stored in an FBI "SCIF," or sensitive compartmented information facility. Classified documents on the floor of a storage area at Mar-a-Lago, next to presidential gifts and a case of Diet Coke. That appeal is now on hold, with Smith saying that on December 2, he will announce his plans for the documents case and Trump's election interference case.

Persons: Trump, Donald Trump, Jack Smith, Smith, —, Paul Shechtman, Brian Greer, Greer, General Merrick Merriand, Michael Bachner, Bachner, Coke, Lago, Aileen Cannon Organizations: National Archives, DOJ, Mar, Trump, Department, Prosecutors, Justice Department, National Archives Records, US, Department of Justice, CIA's, Obama, US Department of Justice, Getty, FBI, White, Radical Left Democrats, Biden's Locations: Palm, flouting, Manhattan, Mar, Palm Beach , Florida, United States

☆ The hidden dangers of parabolic stock moves — and how to best handle them
▼ + stars: | 2024-11-17 | by ( Jim Cramer | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +12 min

People always ask me why I dislike parabolic moves. In other words, parabolic moves force you to be a trader. I will fight no one who wants to buy Palantir because I sense that one will be the last name to go down. But parabolic moves are intoxicating. If we just had the 10-year bond move to 5%, I wouldn't even bother addressing the hidden dangers behind parabolic moves.

Persons: —, it's, Nvidia disappoints, Elon Musk, Robert F, Kennedy Jr, that's, Buffett, Warren, didn't, Fox, Richard Nixon, there's, Jim Cramer's, Jim Cramer, Jim, Alex Karp, Stefani Reynolds Organizations: York Stock Exchange, Nvidia, GameStop, SpaceX, RFK Jr, Health, Human Services Department, Apple, Amazon, Fox News, Republicans, Justice Department, Nuclear ETF, Jim Cramer's Charitable, CNBC, U.S, Senate, Intelligence, Capitol, Washington , D.C, Afp, Getty Locations: There's, Washington, Washington ,

While Gaetz’s ability to be confirmed appears on the rocks among Senate Republicans, President-elect Donald Trump’s team remains confident he will eventually be confirmed, even if it’s after an ugly battle. Gaetz and Trump attorney Todd Blanche are moving full speed ahead on trying to fill out the Justice Department, according to sources familiar with the planning. In his few terms in the House, Gaetz has often been embroiled in controversy. The attorney, John Clune, also called for the release of a House Ethics Committee report detailing the committee’s investigation into Gaetz, which has been ongoing for several years. Since the Truth Social post, Trump has not asked for any specific Cabinet pick, including Gaetz, to be confirmed via recess appointment.

Persons: Matt Gaetz, Donald Trump’s, Todd Blanche, Blanche, Trump, ”, JD Vance, Gaetz, Matt, ’, Mike Johnson, John Clune, ” Sen, Lindsey Graham, Johnson, “, John Cornyn, Sen, Kevin Cramer, Michael Guest, ” Cramer, Gaetz —, Democratic Sen, Richard Blumenthal, we’re, Tom Williams, Vance, Cramer Organizations: Republicans, Department of Justice, NBC, Trump, Justice Department, NBC News, Trump —, Capitol, House, ”, Democratic, …, Washington , D.C, Inc, Getty, Pennsylvania’s Senate, GOP, Truth Social Locations: America, Texas, Orlando, Washington ,, Pennsylvania’s

Trump wants Gaetz confirmed “100%,” a source told CNN. He also believes Gaetz is uniquely positioned to defend the Trump administration on television, an attribute prioritized by the president-elect. Trump’s pick for deputy attorney general — his defense attorney Todd Blanche — will carry out the day-to-day work of overseeing the Justice Department’s more than 40 agencies and 115,000 employees. In recent days, Gaetz has been reaching out directly to Republican senators, according to a source familiar with the efforts. The Democratic-controlled Judiciary Committee formally requested the House Ethics Committee report already, but Democrats will lose control of the committee in January.

Persons: Donald Trump, Matt Gaetz, Trump, Gaetz, ” Trump, Trump’s, Todd Blanche —, Justice Department’s, ” Gaetz, “, ”, Sean Spicer, Gaetz’s, Pete Hegseth, Robert F, Kennedy Jr, Tulsi Gabbard, Kennedy, Sen, Lisa Murkowski, Susan Collins of Maine, Joni Ernst, “ He’s, North Dakota Sen, Kevin Cramer, Kevin McCarthy, Oklahoma Sen, Markwayne Mullin, CNN’s Manu Raju, ” Mullin, Mullin, Mike Johnson, Mike Rounds, John Cornyn of, ” Rounds, Chuck Grassley, Grassley, John Thune, Thune Organizations: CNN, Department, Senate, Justice Department, Trump, Justice, Fox News, Hawaii Rep, Republican Senate, Republicans, Republican, North Dakota, Democratic, GOP Locations: Florida, Alaska, Iowa, Oklahoma, John Cornyn of Texas

Iran sent a written message via Swiss diplomats in mid-October saying that it would not seek to kill Donald Trump, according to a U.S. official. Switzerland handles U.S. diplomatic interests in Tehran as Iran and the United States do not have official diplomatic relations. In July, the Biden administration obtained intelligence about an Iranian assassination plot against Trump, and the information led the Secret Service to ramp up security for his campaign. Last week, the Justice Department charged an Iranian man with plotting to assassinate Trump as a part of a murder-for-hire scheme. Officials have found no link between the shooter in that case and the Iranian plot.

Persons: Donald Trump, Biden, Trump, Qasem Soleimani, Trump’s, Soleimani, Steven Cheung, ” Organizations: U.S, Trump, Street Journal, Iran’s United Nations, Service, Justice Department, Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, The Justice Department, United Nations Locations: Iran, Switzerland, Tehran, United States, U.S, Baghdad, Butler, Pa, United, Fars

☆ The House GOP is more aligned with Trump than ever: From the Politics Desk
▼ + stars: | 2024-11-15 | by ( The Politics Desk | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +9 min

In today’s edition, national political reporter Ben Kamisar examines how House Republicans are growing increasingly aligned with Donald Trump. Plus, "Meet the Press" moderator Kristen Welker looks back at how Trump's Cabinet announcements from right yers ago compare to now. The House GOP is more aligned with Trump than everBy Ben KamisarPresident-elect Donald Trump and the GOP believe Americans delivered them a mandate last week when they handed the party unified control of Washington. Newly elected Senate GOP leader John Thune certainly isn’t a Trump antagonist, but he’s a descendent of the institutional Republican Party. It’s a dynamic worth keeping tabs on, especially as Senate Republicans begin the process of vetting Trump’s Cabinet picks.

Persons: Ben Kamisar, Donald Trump, Kristen Welker, Trump, ” Rep, Troy Nehls, Kyle Stewart, “, John Thune, Trump’s, Sen, John Barrasso, Donald Trump’s, ”, — Trump, Marco Rubio, Matt Gaetz, Pete Hegseth, Robert F, Kennedy Jr, Doug Burgum, Tulsi Gabbard, James Mattis, John Kelly, Jeff Sessions, —, Steve Bannon, Gaetz, Mike Johnson, Elon Musk, Vivek Ramaswamy, Todd Blanche, Doug Collins, 🗞️, Jo Organizations: NBC, White House, Capitol, Republicans, GOP, Trump, NBC News, ”, Senate, Republican Party, Press, State Department, Justice Department, Defense Department, Department of Health, Human Services, Interior Department, Pentagon, Department of Homeland Security, RFK Jr, Department, Former Trump, Republican, Health, Elon, Department of Veterans Affairs, Sena Locations: Washington, Texas, Pennsylvania, Gaetz, California, Iraq

That unit has brought forward more than 1,500 cases in the “most wide-ranging investigation” in the history of the Justice Department. Nicole Reffitt, a supporter of the Capitol defendants, told NBC News she is pleased with the Gaetz pick. “We need a fighter in leadership, and that’s why I’m backing Matt Gaetz for Attorney General,” Evans wrote. One of Gaetz’s podcasts featuring Beattie was titled “Fedsurrection,” a nickname generated by far-right extremists who have portrayed the Capitol attack as an inside job, without evidence. Not one is a member of Antifa or a FBI agent.”On the first anniversary of Jan. 6, Gaetz held another news conference to “expose the truth” about the attack.

Persons: Matt Gaetz, Donald Trump, Gaetz, “, ”, —, Trump, he’ll, Nicole Reffitt, Guy Reffitt, “ Trump, ” Nicole Reffitt, ” Derrick Evans, rioter, ” Evans, — he’s, antifa, ” Gaetz, Darren Beattie, Beattie, Ray Epps, Epps, Marjorie Taylor Greene, Tami Perryman, Jan Organizations: WASHINGTON, Florida Republican, Capitol, Justice Department, Prosecutors, NBC News, Trump, J6, Trump White House, RNC, DNC, FBI, D.C, Gaetz’s, DOJ, NBC Locations: Florida, United States, America, Gaetz, Washington, Congress

President-elect Donald Trump said Thursday he will nominate Todd Blanche, one of his criminal defense lawyers, to be deputy attorney general. The statement noted that Blanche has experience working for the Justice Department — something former Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., Trump's choice for attorney general, does not have. Blanche was Trump's lead lawyer when he stood trial on charges of falsifying business records related to a hush money payment this year. If Blanche's nomination is confirmed before Gaetz's, he could serve as acting attorney general while Gaetz goes through the process. He will also nominate D. John Sauer, who argued Trump's successful immunity case before the Supreme Court, for solicitor general.

Persons: Donald Trump, Todd Blanche, Todd, Trump, Blanche, Justice Department —, Matt Gaetz, Trump's, Juan Merchan, Aileen Cannon, Jack Smith's, Smith ., Tanya Chutkan, Gaetz's, Gaetz, Emil Bove, Emil, John Sauer, John, Antonin Scalia, Sauer's Organizations: Justice Department, Justice, of New York United, of New York United States Attorney’s, Trump, State, Manhattan, White House, U.S, Smith . U.S, Senate, National Security Unit, United States Supreme, Supreme, MAGA Locations: Southern, of New York United States, ., Florida, Missouri

☆ Democratic senators call for probe into Musk's Russia calls: Reuters
▼ + stars: | 2024-11-15 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Reports that billionaire Elon Musk has held multiple calls with Russian officials, including President Vladimir Putin, should be investigated by the Pentagon and law-enforcement agencies on national-security grounds, two senior Democratic senators said in a letter seen by Reuters on Friday. Musk, who has been appointed to a senior government role by Republican President-elect Donald Trump, oversees billions of dollars in Pentagon and intelligence-community contracts as CEO of aerospace company SpaceX. Several Democratic lawmakers have publicly called for a probe into Musk's communications with Moscow since a Wall Street Journal report last month on the alleged contact, but the letter to the U.S. officials who could launch such an investigation has not been previously reported. SpaceX, Musk and the Pentagon did not immediately respond to requests for comment. The Pentagon and Justice Department did not immediately respond to similar requests.

Persons: Elon Musk, Donald Trump, Vladimir Putin, Musk, Jeanne Shaheen, Jack Reed, General Merrick Garland, Shaheen, Reed, Trump Organizations: Republican, Pentagon, Democratic, Reuters, SpaceX, Foreign Relations, Senate Armed Services, U.S, White, of Government Efficiency, Justice Locations: Butler , Pennsylvania, Moscow

CNN —President-elect Donald Trump’s transition team is bypassing traditional FBI background checks for at least some of his Cabinet picks while using private companies to conduct vetting of potential candidates for administration jobs, people close to the transition planning say. It also reflects Trump’s deep mistrust of the national security establishment, which he derides as the Deep State. If Gaetz does not participate in the vetting process, the FBI could still try to do a basic investigation at the request of the Senate. Instead, Trump’s transition team has been focused on conducting its own internal vetting of candidates for top administration jobs. So if Trump’s team continues to skirt the vetting process, those tapped for key roles wouldn’t be able to receive briefings until then.

Persons: Donald Trump’s, Trump, Matt Gaetz, Tulsi Gabbard, Dan Meyer, “, ”, Trump’s, Gaetz, Gabbard, Bashar al, Vladimir Putin’s, Biden, Jared Kushner, won’t, wouldn’t, Mike Waltz Organizations: CNN, Trump, FBI, Justice Department, NATO Locations: Washington, Washington ,, Florida, Syria, Russia, Assad, United States, Ukraine, Moscow

☆ Woman told House Ethics Committee she saw Gaetz have sex with a minor, lawyer says
▼ + stars: | 2024-11-15 | by ( Casey Gannon | Kaanita Iyer | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

CNN —The attorney who represents two women who were witnesses in the House Ethics Committee probe into former congressman Matt Gaetz said Friday that one of his clients told the panel she saw the congressman having sex with a minor. “My client testified to the House Ethics Committee that she witnessed Matt Gaetz having sex with a minor,” said attorney Joel Leppard, whose clients sat for closed-door testimony before the committee as part of the now-dropped investigation into the Florida Republican. The Justice Department deemed the files too sensitive to release even to the House Ethics Committee. And House Speaker Mike Johnson said Friday he does not think the panel’s findings should be released and that he was “going to strongly request” the committee not do so. CNN’s Hannah Rabinowitz, Evan Perez, Annie Grayer, Manu Raju and Lauren Fox contributed to this report.

Persons: Matt Gaetz, ”, Joel Leppard, ” Gaetz, Gaetz, “ Merrick, Donald Trump, Gaetz’s, Leppard, Mike Johnson, Trump, Pete Hegseth, CNN’s Hannah Rabinowitz, Evan Perez, Annie Grayer, Manu Raju, Lauren Fox Organizations: CNN, Florida Republican, ABC News, Department of Justice, Senate, DOJ, Justice Department, Democrats, Republicans, Fox News Locations: Florida

☆ How Democrats can still flex power in Trump's Washington: From the Politics Desk
▼ + stars: | 2024-11-14 | by ( The Politics Desk | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +11 min

In today’s edition, senior national political reporter Sahil Kapur examines the way Democrats can still exert some power in Donald Trump's Washington. How Democrats can still flex power in Trump’s WashingtonBy Sahil KapurRepublicans have won full control of Washington, but Democrats will retain two key levers of power to shape legislative outcomes in Donald Trump’s second term. That margin is slimming further as Trump plucks House members for administration jobs. The last two years showed how chaotic and dysfunctional this GOP-controlled House can be, even when the stakes are low. The Ethics Committee has jurisdiction over only sitting House members.

Persons: Sahil Kapur, Donald, Donald Trump's Washington, Matt Gaetz's, Robert F, Kennedy Jr, Donald Trump’s, Robert Garcia, “, Sen, John Thune, ”, Chris Van Hollen, Van Hollen, Patty Murray, Richard Hudson, Trump, Donald Trump, it’s, it’ll, Tony Gonzales, Matt Gaetz, Ryan Nobles, Julie Tsirkin, Frank Thorp V, Kate Santaliz, Gaetz, Justice Department —, they’ll, Joni Ernst, John Curtis, → Trump, Berkeley Lovelace Jr, Dasha Burns Trump, Kennedy, Bill Cassidy, Tulsi Gabbard, Pete Hegseth, Elon Musk, Vivek Ramaswamy’s, 🗞️, Tim, lea Organizations: NBC, White House, Capitol, Republicans, Health, Human Services Department, Sahil Kapur Republicans, Trump plucks, ”, Republican, Senate, GOP, House Republican, Justice Department, NBC News, Committee, Punchbowl News, RFK, Human Services, Department of Health, Food and Drug Administration, Education, Labor, Pensions, “ RFK, Trump, Elon, of Government, Cabinet Locations: Donald Trump's, Trump’s Washington, Washington, “, Texas, Florida, Congress, Iowa, Utah, Elon, usk

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