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Trump backs newest Republican spending deal that would prevent a government shutdown if passed: Live

The proposed continuing resolution, championed by GOP House Speaker Mike Johnson, would have kept agencies running at current funding levels through to mid-March 2025

Oliver O'Connell,Joe Sommerlad,Gustaf Kilander
Thursday 19 December 2024 17:42 EST
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Donald Trump says ‘something strange is going on’ with drone sightings

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Donald Trump celebrated a deal he claims was reached in Congress that will keep the government open and push the debt ceiling deadline back two years in a Truth Social post on Thursday. Despite his praise for the alleged deal, some reports have suggested Democrats have not agreed to anything and have been left in the dark on the agreement.

House Speaker Mike Johnson’s previous bipartisan deal would have kept agencies running at current funding levels through to mid-March 2025 but the president-elect and his deputy issued a statement complaining the bill does not address the nation’s statutory debt ceiling. The new deal Trump referenced reportedly includes a delay on the debt ceiling deadline.

Democrats have meanwhile mocked tech billionaire Elon Musk’s undue influence over the incoming administration, with Senator Bernie Sanders ironically praising “President Elon Musk” on X.

While Trump told Fox News Digital Johnson will “easily remain speaker” he added a caveat reiterating his earlier statement. Among the names floated as potential replacements for Johnson is Musk, with Senator Rand Paul noting the role is not limited to members of Congress.

Meanwhile, Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis has been removed from Trump’s sprawling election interference case by Georgia’s Court of Appeals which ruled her relationship with special prosecutor Nathan Wade was a conflict of interest.

Giuliani ordered back to court to explain why he hasn’t turned over assets to defamed election workers

A federal judge in Manhattan is hauling Rudy Giuliani back to court to explain why he shouldn’t be held in contempt for repeatedly evading court-ordered attempts to relinquish property to a pair of election workers he owes nearly $150 million.

Attorneys for defamed election workers Ruby Freeman and Shaye Moss say the former New York City mayor “has not turned over a single dollar,” nor has he turned over a “number of specific items of personal property that he has been unambiguously ordered” to hand over — including the title to Mercedes Benz convertible, keys to his Manhattan penthouse, valuable sports memorabilia and home furnishings.

“It is unclear at this point even where those possessions are located,” they wrote in court filings on Wednesday.

Alex Woodward has the full story.

Judge orders Rudy Giuliani to Manhattan court for contempt hearing

America’s Mayor potentially faces severe sanctions with two contempt hearings in January

Oliver O'Connell19 December 2024 19:30

Hegseth says he hasn’t heard from West Point since admission letter ‘mistake’ – and he wants an apology

Pete Hegseth, the defense secretary nominee, said he has not received a personal apology from the U.S. Military Academy West Point after they mistakenly claimed Hegseth had never applied or attended the school.

Though the military academy issued a statement to news outlets apologizing for the mishap last week, Hegseth told Fox News on Tuesday, “I haven’t heard from West Point.”

“Nothing,” Hegseth added.

Last week, Jesse Eisinger, an editor at the news outlet ProPublica said they were planning to report that Hegseth had never applied to West Point, despite saying so, because the military academy affirmed to the outlet twice they had no record of this.

READ MORE:

Hegseth says he hasn’t heard from West Point since admission letter ‘mistake’

Hegseth was accepted to West Point but never attended the schools which incited accusations that he lied

Graig Graziosi19 December 2024 19:30

Possible vote tonight on government funding plan

Gustaf Kilander19 December 2024 19:01

Trump meets with Bezos and Musk in latest meeting with billionaires visiting Mar-a-Lago

President-elect Donald Trump dined with fellow billionaires Jeff Bezos and Elon Musk at Mar-a-Lago Wednesday night - as the Amazo founder became the latest billionaire to visit Mar-a-Lago.

Bezos, who also owns The Washington Post, has been appearing to attempt to end his feud with Trump, including by pulling the paper’s expected endorsement of Vice President Kamala Harris before the election.

The former CEO of Amazon was seen at the president-elect’s private Florida club in images shared across social media on Wednesday. He was joined by his fiancé Lauren Sanchez.

Gustaf Kilander has the story.

Trump meets with Bezos and Musk in latest Mar-a-Lago meeting

‘It was a great conversation,’ Elon Musk writes on X after meeting with rival billionaire and president-elect

Oliver O'Connell19 December 2024 19:00

Network of lawyers and advocates being built to support those targeted by vengeful Trump

A nationwide network of lawyers, pro-democracy advocates and specialists is being formed in preparation for Donald Trump to return to power and possibly seek retribution against his opponents legally.

The network, which is in the early stages of formation according to NBC News, will function as a “loose-knit blend” of nonprofit groups that offer pro-bono legal work, security assistance, public relations help and much more.

Its formation intends to offer sprawling assistance to those who, they believe, could be targeted by Trump and his allies as the president-elect prepares to take back the White House on January 20.

Ariana Baio has the details.

Network of lawyers and advocates being built to support those targeted by Trump

A network of nonprofit organizations intends to create a support system for those targeted

Oliver O'Connell19 December 2024 18:30

Judge allows Jan 6 defendant allowed to attend Trump inauguration

Judge Tanya Chutkan, who was presiding over Donald Trump’s federal election interference trial in Washington, D.C., is permitting a January 6 Capitol riot defendant to attend Trump's inauguration this coming January.

Notably, this is the only one of three who have made similar requests that the Department of Justice has not opposed.

Oliver O'Connell19 December 2024 18:20

Watch: ‘Welcome to the Elon Musk presidency'

Oliver O'Connell19 December 2024 18:10

Amid backlash over Trump settlement, Stephanopoulos signs new ABC News deal

Currently under fire following a stunning defamation settlement with President-elect Donald Trump, ABC News star George Stephanopoulos has reached a new multi-year deal with the network, ending speculation that the Good Morning America host could be on his way out.

The Los Angeles Times was the first to report on the Disney-owned network’s deal to retain Stephanopoulos.

While the timing of the agreement comes as ABC News faces intense blowback for settling Trump’s lawsuit, Stephanopoulos has been in negotiations with the network for at least last month over a renewal that would keep him around for a few more years.

Justin Barangoa reports.

George Stephanopoulos signs new ABC News deal amid backlash over Trump settlement

Terms of the multi-year deal weren’t announced, but it should end specualtion that the ABC News anchor is on his way out after the network settled a defamation case with Donald Trump.

Oliver O'Connell19 December 2024 18:00

Watch: Mike Lee calls for Ramaswamy or Musk to be next speaker

Oliver O'Connell19 December 2024 17:45

Vibe check: Republican CR negotiations

Oliver O'Connell19 December 2024 17:35

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