Trump cabinet picks targeted in ‘swatting’ incidents; Biden condemns ‘threats of political violence’: Live
FBI on case as president-elect’s nominees and appointees victims of bomb threats and ‘swatting’ incidents this week
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Your support makes all the difference.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 and President Joe Biden has unequivocally condemned threats of political violence.
Meanwhile, Donald Trump named a string of nominations for his incoming administration opting for loyalty over experience, including some critical of 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 China, Canada and Mexico – exacerabting fears of a bitter global trade war.
Trump threatens China, Mexico and Canada with new tariffs. But what does this actually mean for Americans’ pockets?
Trump picks Covid lockdown skeptic as head of key national health agency
Trump escaped the consequences of his alleged crimes. Now his allies are after the prosecutors who brought the charges
‘A real horror show’: Democrats on the Hill react to Trump’s proposed tariffs
Trump’s Cabinet and staff tracker: Here’s who is among the White House appointments so far
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.
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.
Stefanik targeted by bomb threat
Republican New York Rep. Elise Stefanik, Donald Trump’s pick for US Ambassador to the United Nations, was one of those targeted by a bomb threat this morning.
Per her spokesperson: “This morning, Congresswoman Elise Stefanik, her husband, and their 3-yr-old son were driving home to Saratoga County from Washington for Thanksgiving when they were informed of a bomb threat to their residence.
“New York State, County law enforcement, and U.S. Capitol Police responded immediately with the highest levels of professionalism. We are incredibly appreciative of the extraordinary dedication of law enforcement officers who keep our communities safe 24/7.
“We want to share our best wishes to the Upstate NY community for a happy and safe Thanksgiving. We are especially grateful to our law enforcement officers and military families who are on duty over the holiday season.”
US inflation: Price pressures still stubborn
Consumer price increases accelerated last month, the latest sign that inflation’s steady decline over the past two years has stalled.
According to the Federal Reserve‘s preferred inflation gauge, consumer prices rose 2.3% in October from a year earlier, the Commerce Department said Wednesday. That is up from just 2.1% in September, though it is still only modestly above the Fed’s 2% target.
Continue reading...
US inflation gauge ticks higher with price pressures still stubborn
Consumer price increases accelerated last month, the latest sign that inflation’s steady decline over the past two years has stalled
Trump has been making private calls to foreign leaders — here’s why you should worry...
Donald Trump’s calls with world leaders are worrying foreign policy experts after the president-elect and his team shut out the State Department from taking part.
As such, the conversations between Trump and foreign leaders have not been held on secure phone lines, there have been no State Department staff present to guide the president-elect on foreign policy matters and there have been no official interpreters to clear up any possible misunderstandings.
Which is just great.
Read the rest of Gustaf Kilander’s report:
Trump’s private phone calls with foreign leaders worry former diplomats
Ex-diplomat and Obama staffer says ‘we’re entering a dangerous territory of telephone games’
Trump nominees targeted in swatting incidents
The Trump-Vance transition team says that last night and this morning several of the president-elect’s nominees and appointees were the victims of bomb threats and swatting incidents.
Karoline Leavitt, Trump-Vance Transition spokesperson, released the following statement:
Last night and this morning, several of President Trump’s Cabinet nominees and Administration appointees were targeted in violent, unAmerican threats to their lives and those who live with them. These attacks ranged from bomb threats to ‘swatting.’ In response, law enforcement and other authorities acted quickly to ensure the safety of those who were targeted. President Trump and the entire Transition team are grateful for their swift action.
President Trump and the Transition are focused on doing the work of uniting our nation by ensuring a safe and prosperous future. With President Trump as our example, dangerous acts of intimidation and violence will not deter us.
Trump escaped the consequences of his alleged crimes. Now his allies are after the prosecutors who brought the charges
The criminally convicted president-elect believes his election and the end of his federal cases exonerated him. Will his administration be able to stop the retribution he promised?
Alex Woodward reports.
Trump escaped the consequences. Now his allies are after Jack Smith and judges
The criminally convicted president-elect believes his election and the end of his federal cases exonerated him. Will his administration be able to stop the retribution he promised? Alex Woodward reports
Kash Patel ‘in battle’ to be CIA second in command
Some members of Donald Trump’s transition team are reportedly frustrated that Kash Patel and Cliff Sims, both MAGA insiders, appear to be using their positions to promote themselves for deputy director of the CIA.
Patel and Sims are both going head-to-head for the No. 2 position at the CIA, Politico reports. The CIA’s deputy director wields immense influence over the intelligence community but does not have to be confirmed by the Senate, unlike cabinet members.
Katie Hawkinson and Rhian Lubin have the details.
Controversial Kash Patel said to be ‘in battle’ to be No. 2 at CIA
Patel is a long-time Trump loyalist who said the president-elect will ‘come after’ some members of the press
Who’s who from Project 2025 and the AFPI in the incoming Trump administration
Despite claiming to have no idea about it, many of the authors of Project 2025 have been tapped by Donald Trump to be in his new administration. The same is true of the America First Policy Institute.
Both organizations created blueprints for a second Trump term.
Here’s Alex Woodward’s report on the Project 2025 authors who will be joining Trump in the executive branch:
Trump’s cabinet is filling up with Project 2025 authors
Trump said he didn’t know who’s behind the blueprint for his return. He just hired the authors for key roles
And here’s Ariana Baio reporting on the role of the AFPI:
The right-wing agenda replacing Project 2025
Implementing loyalists to executive branch positions, forcing local and state law enforcement agencies to comply with mass deportation and taking a confrontational approach to relations with China are all policies promoted by the America First Policy Institute, a right-wing think tank with influence over Donald Trump. Ariana Baio breaks it down
Top pollster: Wide-open field for who will have shot at 2028 nominations in race for White House
With four years to go to the next election, pollsters have already begun taking the temperature of voters to understand who they may prefer when the next presidential race comes around.
Gustaf Kilander looks at who is leading the pack so far...
Top pollster reveals frontrunners for 2028 nominations
Kamala Harris leads among Democrats, while JD Vance is ahead with Republicans as polling for next presidential race begins
And make sure you join us over in our new US Election 2028 live blog! [just kidding]
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