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Trump teases control of Greenland and Panama as Matt Gaetz fires back at explosive report: Live

Gaetz stands accused of buying and using illegal drugs and paying for sex with a high schooler

Congress Narrowly Averts Government Shutdown — And Rejects Trump’s Debt Ceiling Commands

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Donald Trump is signalling his incoming administration’s readiness to expand U.S. territory, with recent out-of-nowhere snipes at Panama and Greenland.

After seemingly joking about Canada becoming the “51st” state, the incoming president fired off ominous messages alleging the Panama Canal and Greenland pose serious economic and national security threats to the United States and might be targets for some kind of annexation or purchase.

Trump has also called for ramping up the use of the death penalty, after Biden commuted the death sentences of most people on federal death row.

Meanwhile, allies of House Speaker Mike Johnson are urging the president-elect to reaffirm his support for the Republican leader after Democrats and some Republicans blocked the Trump- and Elon Musk-led campaign to derail the stop-gap funding bill before Christmas, averting a government shutdown.

The House of Representatives is also reeling after an ethics committee report into former congressman Matt Gaetz “determined there is substantial evidence” that he paid tens of thousands of dollars for sex and used illicit drugs while he was a member of Congress.

These are some of the most notorious January 6 rioters could pardon when he returns to the White House

More than 1,500 people who have been criminally charged in connection with a mob’s assault on the Capitol — fuelled by his bogus narrative that the 2020 presidential election was rigged and stolen from him — are now awaiting potential pardons for alleged crimes live-streamed to millions of viewers.

Trump could issue mass amnesty to hundreds of defendants as soon as his first day in office, maintaining that even violent offenders could be granted clemency on a “case-by-case” basis.

Here are some of their stories:

The notorious January 6 rioters Trump could pardon

Hundreds of defendants admitted to their crimes or were convicted by juries after attacking police, threatening lawmakers or conspiring against the government. Trump could wipe their slates clean, Alex Woodward reports

Alex Woodward25 December 2024 04:00

How Kamala Harris is celebrating Christmas Eve

With Donald Trump and Elon Musk dominating the headlines, we’ve heard a little less these days from Vice President Kamala Harris.

So what has she been up to?

On Christmas Eve, at least, she and Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff checked out homemade ornaments from Washington-area students.

Josh Marcus25 December 2024 03:00

Denmark boosts funds for Greenland defense after Trump threats

People often say to take Trump seriously but not literally.

It seemed on Monday that Denmark was doing both, announcing a funding package to defend Greenland worth at least $1.5 billion.

The timing, however, was apparently coincidental.

Danish Defence Minister Troels Lund Poulsen told the BBC the announcement falling as Trump toyed with somehow buying Greenland was an “irony of fate.”

Trump wants to purchase Greenland. How would that actually work?

President-elect has indicated the U.S. will make Greenland purchase a priority in post about new ambassador to Denmark

Josh Marcus25 December 2024 02:45

Are you part of the lucky 1m taxpayers getting a check this month?

The Internal Revenue Service is sending unclaimed stimulus checks of up to $1,400 to 1 million US taxpayers in the coming weeks.

Here’s why the payments are going out — and how to find out if you’re eligible for the credit.

Katie Hawkinson has the details.

The IRS is sending unclaimed stimulus checks. Here’s how to see if you’re eligible

These payments will be automatically sent to eligible taxpayers by the end of the month

Josh Marcus25 December 2024 02:08

'Confused’ congresswoman tracked to nursing home shines spotlight on troubling aging issues facing lawmakers

The discovery by a local newspaper of a “confused” Texas Republican congresswoman living in an assisted care facility after she dropped out of sight last month has triggered concerns about aging lawmakers clinging to their powerful roles in the face of fears about diminishing competence.

The Independent’s John Bowden reports:

Aging DC in the spotlight after ‘confused’ lawmaker found living in a nursing home

Washington showed its gray hair in 2024. More reckonings are likely on the horizon

Alex Woodward25 December 2024 02:00

Trump administration might let police reform stall even more than it did under Biden

In the final weeks of his administration, Joe Biden has sought to shore up his criminal justice legacy, issuing pardons and commutations to reformed offenders, while removing most people from federal death row.

However, in another key area, policing, the Biden administration’s progress could stall once Trump takes over.

During the last four years, the Biden administration has secured just one federal oversight agreement, known as a consent decree, with a department investigated for misconduct.

Justice Department, Louisville reach deal after probe prompted by Breonna Taylor killing

The U.S. Justice Department and the city of Louisville have reached an agreement to reform the city’s police force after an investigation prompted by the fatal police shooting of Breonna Taylor

The DOJ has investigated 12 departments this administration, but so far only this month’s agreement with Louisville has translated into more long-lasting, binding reform steps.

Trump, who has frequently called for harsher, law-and-order-style policing, and who has been critical of past police reform efforts, is unlikely to do as much as Biden on this front, leaving the future status of these agreements in doubt.

Biden also failed to pass a long-sought police reform bill after the murder of George Floyd by Minneapolis police in 2020.

Here’s more on Biden’s death penalty policy as the administration comes to a close.

Josh Marcus25 December 2024 01:30

Biden flips the script on drone drama with aerial Christmas tour

The Biden administration has spent weeks trying to assure the public there’s nothing to fear about drones and aircraft spotted buzzing over New Jersey and other states.

Trump would have solved drone mystery by now, claims Johnson

Groups of drones have been appearing nightly in string of states with little to no explanation

On Christmas Eve, it highlighted a different kind of drone, taking viewers on an aerial tour through the White House’s Christmas decorations.

It may not quell the raging conspiracy theories about the drones, but it is still a pretty cool video.

Watch below.

Josh Marcus25 December 2024 01:17

‘It’s clear he’s in charge now’: Lawmakers react to Trump’s ‘unprecedented’ involvement ahead of inauguration

As President Joe Biden winds down his presidency, Trump is behaving as though he is already in office, writes Rhian Lubin.

Within the last week, Trump launched a campaign against last week’s temporary bill and issued threats against the Panama Canal and Greenland.

‘He’s in charge’: Trump’s ‘unprecedented’ involvement ahead of inauguration

Trump is behaving as though he is already in office as Biden winds down his presidency, according to Republican and Democratic lawmakers

Alex Woodward25 December 2024 01:00

Texas buys billboards in Central America warning migrants of danger of rape and abuse on journey to US

The state of Texas is paying an estimated $100,000 to install on blunt and at-times graphic billboards across Mexico and Central America in the coming weeks in the hopes of deterring future illegal immigration.

The Independent’s Josh Marcus reports:

Texas buys billboards in Central America warning migrants of danger of rape

Critics argue migrants already know the risks of journey and restrictive policies put border-crossers at further risk

Josh Marcus25 December 2024 00:30

ICYMI: Here are all the allegations against Matt Gaetz

As a sitting member of Congress, Matt Gaetz paid for sex with a 17-year-old high school student, used cocaine and ecstasy, and spent thousands of dollars on sex- and drug-fueled partying, according to a bombshell report from the House Ethics Committee.

Monday’s report found “substantial evidence” the now-former Republican congressman “regularly” paid for sex and met women through a “sugar dating” website through a former associate who has since pleaded guilty to sex trafficking.

We combed through the report.

All the allegations against Matt Gaetz revealed in explosive report

A bombshell ethics investigation alleges Matt Gaetz paid for sex with a high schooler, used cocaine and ecstasy, and abused the power of his office. He denies wrongdoing. Alex Woodward reports

Alex Woodward25 December 2024 00:00

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