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Trump’s transition team condemn ‘violent threats’ against cabinet picks: Live updates

FBI on case as president-elect’s nominees and appointees victims of bomb threats and ‘swatting’ incidents this week

Oliver O'Connell,Joe Sommerlad,James Liddell
Wednesday 27 November 2024 13:48 EST
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Special Counsel Jack Smith moves to dismiss charges against Donald Trump in election interference and classified documents cases

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The Trump-Vance transition team says that several of the president-elect’s nominees and appointees have been victims of bomb threats and swatting incidents.

In a statement, spokesperson Karoline Leavitt said: “With President Trump as our example, dangerous acts of intimidation and violence will not deter us.” The FBI is now investigating.

Meanwhile, Donald Trump has announced a string of nominations for his incoming administration opting for loyalty over experience, including several hires who are critical of the agencies they are supposed to lead.

On Tuesday, Trump picked Jamieson Greer as US trade representative, Jim O’Neill as deputy secretary of Health and Human Services, Jay Bhattacharya as National Institutes of Health director, Kevin Hassett as National Economic Council director, Vince Haley as Domestic Policy Council chief and John Phelan as Navy secretary.

Bhattacharya, a Covid-19 lockdown skeptic, called for reduced powers of the 27 institutes and centers that constitute the NIH. Phelan, a businessman and Republican megadonor, has no military experience.

Grier will be charged with “reining in the country’s massive trade deficit,” in light of Trump vowing to impose massive tariffs on “all products” imported from China, Canada and Mexico – with growing fears it may set the stage for a bitter global trade war.

Ray Epps’ January 6 defamation lawsuit against Fox News tossed by federal judge

The man at the center of unhinged January 6 “false flag” conspiracy theories trumpeted by MAGA media, including Tucker Carlson, has had his defamation lawsuit against Fox News thrown out of court.

United States District Judge Jennifer L. Hall granted the right-wing network’s motion to dismiss Ray Epps’s case on Wednesday, agreeing that he had failed to prove that Fox News had committed “actual malice” against him.

Justin Barangoa reports.

Former Trump supporter’s defamation lawsuit against Fox News tossed by federal judge

United States District Judge Jennifer L. Hall granted the right-wing network’s motion to dismiss Ray Epps’s case

Oliver O'Connell27 November 2024 18:39

How to survive political debates at Thanksgiving dinner

Meredith Clark writes:

Thanksgiving is nearly here, but this year’s turkey-filled holiday may be a bit more contentious than years past; the 2024 U.S. presidential election was only three weeks ago, after all.

Ever since President-elect Donald Trump claimed victory over Vice President Kamala Harris, some Americans may not be feeling so jolly and bright this holiday season, what with the merry-go-round of controversial cabinet picks and concerns over Trump’s anti-immigration policies and stance on LGBTQ+ rights.

For some Americans, Thanksgiving serves as a time to gather with friends and family and acknowledge what it is we’re truly grateful for. But for others, the holidays can prove to be difficult, especially when your political views greatly differ from your relatives.

Continue reading...

How to survive political debates at Thanksgiving, according to a family therapist

This Thanksgiving, avoid heated political debates by setting boundaries and remembering the true meaning of the holiday season

Oliver O'Connell27 November 2024 18:30

Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office clarifies reporting about threat against Gaetz

In a statement on social media, the Okaloosa County Sheriff's Office gave the following advisory concerning the alleged threat against former Florida Rep Matt Gaetz:

We received notification of a bomb threat referencing former Congressman Matt Gaetz's supposed mailbox at a home in the Niceville area around 9 a.m. this morning. A family member resides at the address but former Congressman Gaetz is NOT a resident.

The mailbox however was cleared and no devices were located. The immediate area was also searched with negative results.

Oliver O'Connell27 November 2024 18:13

Lee Zeldin targeted with bomb threat

Former New York Rep. Lee Zeldin, Donald Trump’s nominee for the Environmental Protection Agency says “a pipe bomb threat targeting me and my family at our home today was sent in with a pro-Palestinian themed message.”

Oliver O'Connell27 November 2024 18:10

Domestic abuse activists worrried over JD Vance claim no-fault divorce is too easy

Married couples across the U.S. have had access to no-fault divorce for more than 50 years, an option many call crucial to supporting domestic abuse victims and key to preventing already crowded family courts from drowning in complicated divorce proceedings.

But some advocates for women worried as old comments from now Vice President-elect JD Vance circulated during the presidential campaign opposing no-fault divorce. And after President-elect Donald Trump and Vance won the election, warnings began popping up on social media urging women who might be considering divorce to “pull the trigger” while they still could. Some attorneys posted saying they were seeing a spike in calls from women seeking divorce consultations.

Trump — who is twice-divorced — hasn’t championed overhauling the country’s divorce laws, but in 2021 Vance lamented that divorce is too easily accessible, as have conservative podcasters and others.

Continue reading...

JD Vance claimed no-fault divorce is too easy. Domestic abuse activists are worried

Vice President-elect JD Vance criticized people being able to “shift spouses like they change their underwear.”

AP27 November 2024 18:00

Gaetz among those targeted by bomb threats

Punchbowl News reports that former Rep. Matt Gaetz is among those targeted by today’s bomb threats against Donald Trump’s nominees and appointees to his next administration.

Gaetz withdrew from consideration to be attorney general.

Oliver O'Connell27 November 2024 17:56

Trump names Keith Kellogg as special envoy for Ukraine and Russia

Donald Trump has named General Keith Kellogg as his special envoy for Ukraine and Russia.

The President-elect posted on Truth Social:

I am very pleased to nominate General Keith Kellogg to serve as Assistant to the President and Special Envoy for Ukraine and Russia. Keith has led a distinguished Military and Business career, including serving in highly sensitive National Security roles in my first Administration. He was with me right from the beginning! Together, we will secure PEACE THROUGH STRENGTH, and Make America, and the World, SAFE AGAIN!

Oliver O'Connell27 November 2024 17:53

Law enforcement says no devices found after bomb threats

NBC News reports three senior law enforcement officials briefed on the swatting incidents involving members of the Trump transition said that these were not credible threats.

No devices or physical threats were found, and the threats did not involve President-elect Donald Trump or Vice President-elect JD Vance.

Oliver O'Connell27 November 2024 17:41

FBI responds to bomb threats and swatting incidents against Trump nominees

The FBI has given the following statement after a series of bomb threats and swatting incidents targeting some of Donald Trump’s nominees and appointees for his second administration:

The FBI is aware of numerous bomb threats and swatting incidents targeting incoming administration nominees and appointees, and we are working with our law enforcement partners.

We take all potential threats seriously and, as always, encourage members of the public to immediately report anything they consider suspicious to law enforcement.

Oliver O'Connell27 November 2024 17:39

Rachel Maddow suffers worst ratings of the year

The ratings woes continue for MSNBC post-election, as the liberal cable news channel saw nearly half of its viewers flee following President-elect Donald Trump’s victory. Perhaps even more stark, though, is that the network’s biggest (and highest-paid) star just saw her viewership sink to the point where she was recently beaten by a rerun of Ancient Aliens.

Justin Barangoa reports.

MSNBC’s Rachel Maddow suffers worst ratings of the year as Fox News dominates

While the liberal cable news channel deals with post-election struggles after Trump’s victory, Fox News has seen its viewership surge in recent weeks.

Oliver O'Connell27 November 2024 17:30

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