politics

Summary

Manhattan DA Alvin Bragg has proposed a non-prison sentence or delaying sentencing for Donald Trump in his hush money conviction to address concerns over presidential immunity without dismissing the case.

Trump was convicted of 34 felony counts in May for falsifying business records tied to a hush money payment to Stormy Daniels during the 2016 election.

Bragg rejected Trump’s argument for case dismissal based on immunity as president-elect, stating no such legal protection exists and emphasizing the importance of upholding the jury’s unanimous verdict and the rule of law.

Summary

U.S. inflation appears stuck at moderate levels, with November’s consumer price index expected to show little progress in reducing core inflation.

Persistent rent, car prices, and insurance premiums are contributing factors, complicating the Federal Reserve’s goal of lowering inflation without slowing the economy.

Trump’s proposed tariffs and deportation plans are expected to be inflationary, adding uncertainty to the economic outlook.

While wealthier Americans benefit from rising asset values, less well-off consumers face greater financial strain.

Summary

Republican candidate Jefferson Griffin is challenging 60,000 ballots in North Carolina’s state supreme court race after narrowly losing to Democrat Allison Riggs by 734 votes.

Griffin alleges that voters lacking required registration details, like a driver’s license or Social Security number, were ineligible to vote.

Riggs’ lawyers argue these claims had been rejected pre-election and lack legal merit, as affected voters followed existing rules.

The state board’s decision could escalate to the courts.

This case has broader implications for election laws and Democratic control of the court amidst Republican legislative efforts to reshape election oversight.

Progressive icon was reelected for another six years in November.

Summary

Postmaster General Louis DeJoy faced sharp criticism during a House Oversight Committee hearing over USPS delivery issues, financial troubles, and his leadership.

Rep. Rich McCormick mocked DeJoy for covering his ears during heated exchanges, accusing him of bankrupting the postal system and undermining public trust.

DeJoy defended his performance, citing ongoing efforts to overhaul USPS through a $40 billion plan, including electric vehicles, but admitted regrets and challenges.

Tensions reflect broader frustrations over USPS reforms and the agency’s financial sustainability amid mixed results.

Summary

Younger House Democrats, including Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Angie Craig, are challenging senior members for powerful committee roles, signaling a shift from the party's tradition of prioritizing seniority.

High-profile contests, such as for the Oversight Committee's top Democrat, reflect tensions following Democrats' 2024 election losses and frustration with long-standing leadership practices.

Critics argue fresh leadership is needed to counter Donald Trump’s return, while others stress the value of experience and institutional knowledge.

The debate highlights a generational shift and growing demands for change within the Democratic Party.

"I couldn't be more thrilled to join OAN's forward-thinking team," Gaetz said

Sure but America as a whole fucked around and we're all going to find out for to their stupidity.

Summary

Florida state Rep. Susan Valdes, a lifelong Democrat, abruptly switched to the Republican Party, citing frustration with being ignored in the Democratic caucus.

Valdes, who represents District 64 near Tampa, said she wants to focus on solving problems for her community rather than protesting.

Her defection bolsters the Florida GOP’s historic 86-34 House majority, drawing criticism from Democrats who called her move a betrayal of her constituents.

Republicans, including Gov. Ron DeSantis, welcomed Valdes, praising her as a strong community advocate and valuable addition to their party.

Summary

The Trump Justice Department secretly obtained phone and text message logs of 45 individuals, including congressional staffers and lawmakers, in 2017 and 2018.

The Inspector General found that while the DOJ didn’t act with political motives, it violated separation of powers by targeting individuals with lawful access to classified information.

The report also revealed violations of policies regarding the seizure of reporters’ records, raising concerns about potential chilling effects on congressional oversight.

The Democratic Party had more money than God this election. At what cost?

Since 1971, the U.S. has spent more than $1 trillion on the War on Drugs, through a law enforcement-focused approach that has continued despite evidence it doesn't work.

A joint report, “A World of Harm,” released Dec. 4 by Harm Reduction International and the Drug Policy Alliance reveals the extent of the funding dispensed from various U.S. government departments to militarized anti-drugs efforts in countries such as Mexico, Colombia and the Philippines. Some of the money comes from streams which are meant to aid poverty reduction projects, the report shows.