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The Independent UK
The Independent UK
Oliver O'Connell,Joe Sommerlad and Katie Hawkinson

Trump tries to block Jack Smith’s report as his son visits Greenland amid talks of US buying island: Live updates

Mike Johnson Donald Trump Republican Thomas Massie Republican Party

Donald Trump’s lawyers are attempting to block the “imminent” release of a final report by Justice Department Special Counsel Jack Smith covering his classified documents and election interference cases against the president-elect.

Tump is meanwhile continuing to fantasize about the prospect of expanding the United States, even before taking office.

“I am hearing that the people of Greenland are ‘MAGA’,” the president-elect wrote on his Truth Social platform on Monday night, announcing that his eldest son Donald Trump Jr is visiting the territory with an eye on attempting to acquire it from Denmark.

“Greenland is an incredible place, and the people will benefit tremendously if, and when, it becomes part of our Nation.

“We will protect it, and cherish it, from a very vicious outside World.”

Earlier, Trump pounced on Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announcing his resignation to post on the same platform: “Many people in Canada LOVE being the 51st State... Together, what a great Nation it would be!!!”

That came after Congress formally recognized his November election win over Kamala Harris and Judge Juan Merchan refused Trump’s latest attempt to delay the sentencing over his hush money conviction, currently scheduled for Friday.

Key Points

  • Donald Trump seeks to block ‘imminent’ release of Jack Smith report
  • President-elect sends son to Greenland after touting Canada ‘merger’
  • Joe Biden making transition ‘as difficult as possible’, president-elect gripes
  • Trump’s election win made official as Kamala Harris presides four years on from Capitol riot
  • President-elect tries to stave off hush money conviction sentencing

Hegseth’s Senate Armed Services confirmation hearing set for Jan. 14

15:20 , Oliver O'Connell

The Senate Armed Services Committee has officially announced its confirmation hearing for President-elect Donald Trump's defense secretary nominee Pete Hegseth for Tuesday, January 14 at 9:30am.

Missouri Republican Senator Roger Wicker will chair the hearing.

As Trump prepares to take office, US dockworkers threaten to strike over automation, threatening economy

15:15 , AP

Vowing to stop machines from taking their jobs, 45,000 U.S. longshoremen are threatening to go on a strike that would shut down ports on the East and Gulf coasts and could damage the American economy just as President-elect Donald Trump returns to the White House.

If the standoff sounds familiar, it’s because the same dockworkers — members of the International Longshoremen’s Association — staged a three-day walkout last fall.

Continue reading...

US dockworkers threaten to strike against automation, creating economic uncertainty

Trump says Greenland deal ‘must happen'

15:05 , Oliver O'Connell

As his son, Don Jr, Charlie Kirk, and other “reps” arrive in Greenland, Donald Trump says of his wish to buy the Danish territory: “They, and the Free World, need safety, security, strength, and PEACE! This is a deal that must happen.”

James Blair, political director of the Trump 2024 Campaign and Republican National Committee, posted a picture of the smiling group in Nuuk.

Trump giving remarks at Mar-a-Lago at 11am

14:57 , Oliver O'Connell

Stay tuned...

Voices: ‘The last time I came to the Capitol I was tear-gassed. This was worse’

14:45 , Joe Sommerlad

Four years after reporting from the attack on the US Capitol, Richard Hall returned to watch Trump’s election being certified by Congress and didn’t enjoy himself much more this time.

The last time I came to the Capitol I was tear-gassed. This time was even worse

Liz Cheney weighs in on Jack Smith report

14:36 , Oliver O'Connell

Former Republican Rep Liz Cheney, one of Donald Trump’s biggest foes for her work on the January 6 committee, has weighed in on Special Counsel Jack Smith’s final report into the president-elect’s role in the Capitol riot and the case that was brought against him.

Cheney implores Attorney General Merrick Garland to release the Justice Department’s report to prevent the destruction of evidence, emphasizing the danger Trump poses in suppressing the truth, and its implications for democratic principles going forward.

Here’s what she posted in full on X this morning:

While Donald Trump and Barry Loudermilk continue to spread malicious lies about the 1/6 Select Committee, Trump is trying yet again to hide evidence and suppress the truth. The Justice Department has obtained testimony and evidence from dozens of Trump’s former advisors and Vice President Pence showing the danger Trump poses. Now Trump is already doing what despots do— he is trying to conceal the truth and threatening to jail those who investigated him. The congressional report yesterday destroying Loudermilk’s fraudulent allegations shows the despicable malice behind Trump’s efforts. AG Garland now has a duty to release the Justice Department Report and prevent its evidence from being destroyed. The truth must prevail. The framers of our Constitution knew the lessons of history — that people led by men without character can quickly lose their freedom.

Johnson, Thune, Trump to plot legislative strategy today

14:31 , Oliver O'Connell

DC cop assaulted on Jan 6 urges Garland to release Jack Smith report

14:26 , Oliver O'Connell

Officer Daniel Hodges, one of the Washington, D.C. cops injured during the Capitol riot on January 6, 2021, has written to Attorney General Merrick Garland urging him to release Jack Smith’s report into the charges against Donald Trump relating to that day.

He says it's “the closest I and many Americans will ever get to closure” regarding Trump's role in the attack.

Here’s his message to AG Garland in full:

This is Officer Daniel Hodges. I was one of the police officers who responded to defend the Capitol on 1/6/2021, and one of four officers who testified at the first public hearing of the January 6th Committee. I was beaten, crushed, and had one of my eyes gouged - and I would do it all again if it meant preserving the Republic.

Donald Trump is once again going to get away with his crimes. I don't know if there is anything you could have done differently to have guanteed the opportunity for justice, and that's not why I'm writing today.

I'm writing because, while he may have evaded justice, it is imperative that history know the extent of his crimes. Please: release Jack Smith's final report of his investigation to the public.

Even in this age of unparalleled propaganda, misinformation, and lies, the truth still matters. We must do everything we can to see that it is given the opportunity to take root in our society, and aid pathfinding of our future by illuminating our past.

This report is the closest I and many Americans will ever get to closure with regards to Trump and his role in the insurrection. I implore you to release the report. If not for your own legacy, then for the benefit of Americans everywhere, and democracies around the world.

Don Jr arrives in Greenland

14:18 , Oliver O'Connell

Susie Wiles expects no ‘drama’ in the West Wing as chief of staff

14:15 , Joe Sommerlad

Donald Trump’s incoming White House chief of staff plans to take a no-nonsense unified approach to running the West Wing to prevent the mistakes of her boss’s first administration from plaguing his second.

Wiles, 67, is sometimes referred to as the “ice maiden” – a nickname Trump bestowed upon her due to her cool composition and ability to wrangle Trumpworld into an organized fashion.

She exercised that attitude in an exclusive interview with Axios about her plans for the White House.

“I don’t welcome people who want to work solo or be a star,” Wiles said via email.

“My team and I will not tolerate backbiting, second-guessing inappropriately, or drama. These are counterproductive to the mission.”

Wiles’s philosophy seems to take lessons learned from Trump’s first administration which saw unprecedented turnover and a culture of leaks.

Here’s more from Ariana Baio.

Susie Wiles expects no ‘drama’ in the West Wing when she takes over as chief of staff

Trump seeks to block ‘imminent release’ of Jack Smith’s report

13:45 , Joe Sommerlad

Lawyers for the president-elect and his former co-defendants launched efforts on Monday to block the expected “imminent” release of a final report by Justice Department Special Counsel Jack Smith regarding his cases against Trump involving classified documents taken from the White House and election interference.

The cases have been dropped against Trump but charges relating to alleged obstruction continue against his one-time co-defendants Walt Nauta and Carlos De Oliveira.

Trump’s lawyers on Monday sent an emailed letter calling on US Attorney General Merrick Garland to stop Smith from releasing the report and to fire Smith immediately.

They also branded Smith an “out-of-control private citizen unconstitutionally posing as a prosecutor” aiming to harm Trump politically.

Here’s more from Mary Papenfuss.

Trump seeks to block ‘imminent’ release of Jack Smith’s report on criminal charges

Don Jr arrives in Greenland as Trump dreams of buying Arctic territory

13:25 , Joe Sommerlad

The president-elect’s son has reportedly landed in Nuuk this morning, according to Danish media, but can the Trumps seriously expect to buy the place?

It’s highly unlikely they can succeed and you may recall the former president’s attempts to buy the Arctic territory during his last term, which ended with a flat “no” that caused him to insult Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen, who remains in power in Copenhagen and will not have changed her mind in the interim.

However, as Steve Forbes points out this morning, the last time the US did acquire an overseas territory was the Virgin Islands in 1917 and the seller was… Denmark.

Forbes adds that paying cash for other countries is distinctly out of style a century later and suggests it would cost “tens of billions, if not hundreds of billions, of dollars”.

A meme posted by Donald Trump during his first term in the White House imaging a Trump Hotel built on the rocky shores of Greenland (Donald J Trump/X)

Trump could pardon nearly 1,600 January 6 rioters. Will he do it?

13:00 , Joe Sommerlad

Donald Trump has said pardoning his supporters who took part in the January 6 insurrection at the US Capitol four years ago will be one of the top priorities once he starts his new administration.

But how quickly will the pardons begin – and how far will Trump go?

Josh Marcus takes a closer look.

Trump could pardon nearly 1,600 January 6 rioters. Will he really do it?

Adam Kinzinger mocks Republican lawmakers who changed their tune on Jan 6

12:30 , Joe Sommerlad

The former Illinois GOP congressman used the anniversary of the Capitol riot to hit out at members of his old party who have backpedaled on their positions regarding it since 2021.

Here’s Rhian Lubin on his social media trolling.

Adam Kinzinger mocks Republican lawmakers who changed their tune on Jan. 6 attack

Dems grin and bear it as they set example for Republicans on Jan 6

12:00 , Joe Sommerlad

Let’s get back to yesterday’s pomp and ceremony on Capitol Hill.

Here’s Eric Garcia on unsmiling Democrats attempting to find solace in doing their constitutional duty on a day that they had hoped would be one of celebration.

Democrats grin and bear it as they set example for Republicans on January 6

Trump sues to stop hush money sentencing as judge tosses last-ditch delay

11:30 , Joe Sommerlad

Also yesterday, Judge Juan Merchan refused Trump’s latest attempt to delay the sentencing over his hush money conviction, currently scheduled for Friday.

Here’s Alex Woodward with the very latest from Manhattan Criminal Court.

Trump sues to stop hush money sentencing as he tosses last-ditch request to delay

Trump’s election win made official as Kamala Harris presides over certification four years after Jan 6 riot

11:00 , Joe Sommerlad

On Monday, Congress formally recognized the president-elect’s November election win over Kamala Harris, with the poor vice president required to preside over the joint-session herself as is customary.

Here’s Andrew Feinberg and Richard Hall on an extraordinarily smooth process, precisely four years to the day since Trump’s supporters ransacked the US Capitol.

Trump’s election victory certified without incident four years after riot

Biden ‘doing everything possible to make the TRANSITION as difficult as possible’, Trump gripes

10:30 , Joe Sommerlad

Also on Truth Social, the president-elect has been hitting out at the man he will succeed in the White House over yesterday’s move to ban oil and gas drilling along much of America’s coastlines.

Donald Trump sending son to Greenland after touting Canada ‘merger’ as he fixates on expanding United States

10:01 , Joe Sommerlad

Good morning!

Donald Trump is continuing to fantasize about the prospect of expanding the United States, even before taking office.

“I am hearing that the people of Greenland are ‘MAGA’,” the president-elect wrote on his Truth Social platform overnight, announcing that his eldest son Donald Trump Jr will soon be visiting the territory with an eye on attempting to acquire it from Denmark.

“Greenland is an incredible place, and the people will benefit tremendously if, and when, it becomes part of our Nation. We will protect it, and cherish it, from a very vicious outside World.”

Earlier, Trump pounced on Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announcing his resignation to post on the same platform: “Many people in Canada LOVE being the 51st State.

“If Canada merged with the US, there would be no Tariffs, taxes would go way down, and they would be TOTALLY SECURE from the threat of the Russian and Chinese Ships that are constantly surrounding them.

“Together, what a great Nation it would be!!!”

Here’s more from Io Dodds.

Don Jr to visit Greenland as Trump renews threat to take it over

OPINION: The last time I came to the Capitol I was teargassed in the lobby. This time was even worse

09:30 , Oliver O'Connell

The Independent’s Richard Hall returns to the US Capitol four years after the January 6 riot — this is what he saw as the 2024 election was certified.

The last time I came to the Capitol I was teargassed. This time was even worse

Full story: Trump win made official as Harris presides over election certification four years after Jan 6 riot

09:00 , Oliver O'Connell

Exactly four years after a mob of Donald Trump’s supporters perpetrated the worst attack on the U.S. Capitol since Major General Robert Ross ordered British soldiers to set it ablaze more than two centuries before, Vice President Kamala Harris presided over a joint session of Congress to give Trump the peaceful transfer of power she was denied after the 2020 election.

Harris — who four years earlier was both vice president-elect and the sitting junior senator from California — led senators from their chamber across the Capitol’s ornate rotunda into the House chamber at exactly 1 p.m. Monday, the date laid out in American law for Congress to officially certify the election of the next president and vice president.

Andrew Feinberg and Richard Hall filed this report from the US Capitol.

Trump’s election victory certified without incident four years after riot

Giuliani held in contempt and hit with sanctions for defying court orders in defamation case

08:30 , Oliver O'Connell

Giuliani showed a “blithe disregard” for completing two requests for documents, including sending over the names of his doctors, financial firms and lawyers, and another for his phone numbers, email accounts and messaging apps, according to District Judge Lewis Liman.

Alex Woodward filed this report from the Daniel Patrick Moynihan United States Courthouse in Lower Manhattan.

Giuliani held in contempt and hit with sanctions for defying court orders

Biden awkwardly scolds reporters after being asked about age

07:30 , Oliver O'Connell

President Joe Biden snapped at several reporters Sunday when asked about his age during a White House event to celebrate the signing of the Social Security Fairness Act.

Gustaf Kilander has the story.

Biden awkwardly scolds reporters after being asked about age

ICYMI: Biden takes jab at Trump ahead of election certification

06:30 , Oliver O'Connell

President Joe Biden reflected on the anniversary of the January 6 attack on the Capitol and took a jab at President-elect Donald Trump’s role in it, hours before Congress certifies the election results.

Speaking with reporters on Sunday in the East Room, Biden maintained that he believes Trump’s actions after the 2020 presidential election threatened democracy by inspiring a mob of angry supporters to storm the Capitol on election certification day.

Ariana Baio reports.

​​Biden levels two-sentence jab at Trump ahead of election certification

What the January 6 rioters did next...

05:30 , Oliver O'Connell

They’ve spent thousands on legal fees, started businesses, written books, and applied for law school.

This is what some of the January 6 rioters have done since storming the Capitol four years ago after President-elect Donald Trump falsely claimed the 2020 election was stolen.

Just as Trump’s victory over Kamala Harris will be formally certified by a joint-session of Congress on Monday afternoon, some rioters who received prison sentences have revealed how the consequences of that day in 2021 have impacted them.

Rhian Lubin reports.

Failed businesses, wannabe authors, and law school — what the Jan 6 rioters did next

In apparent rebuke of Trump over Greenland row, Danish king changes royal coat of arms

04:30 , Oliver O'Connell

The Danish king has changed the country’s royal coat of arms to display symbols of Greenland and the Faroe Islands more prominently – in an apparent rebuke to Donald Trump.

King Frederik has made a clear show of his intention to retain the territory within the kingdom of Denmark – and so continue to control its foreign and security policy – after US president-elect Donald Trump expressed his desire to buy Greenland for the US.

Alex Croft reports.

Danish king changes royal coat of arms in apparent rebuke of Trump over Greenland row

Susie Wiles expects no ‘drama’ in Trump’s West Wing

03:30 , Oliver O'Connell

Donald Trump’s incoming chief of staff Susie Wiles plans to take a no-nonsense unified approach to running the West Wing of the White House to prevent the mistakes of her boss’s first administration from plaguing his second.

Wiles, 67, is sometimes referred to as the “ice maiden” – a nickname Trump bestowed upon her due to her cool composition and ability to wrangle Trumpworld into an organized fashion. She exercised that attitude in an exclusive interview with Axios about her plans for the White House.

Ariana Baio reports.

Susie Wiles expects no ‘drama’ in the West Wing when she takes over as chief of staff

Four years after Jan 6 Capitol riot, Trump’s 2024 win made official as Harris presides over election certification

02:30 , Oliver O'Connell

Exactly four years after a mob of Donald Trump’s supporters perpetrated the worst attack on the U.S. Capitol since Major General Robert Ross ordered British soldiers to set it ablaze more than two centuries before, Vice President Kamala Harris presided over a joint session of Congress to give Trump the peaceful transfer of power she was denied after the 2020 election.

Andrew Feinberg and Richard Hall report from Washington, D.C.

Trump’s election victory certified without incident four years after riot

Full story: Giuliani held in contempt and hit with sanctions for defying court orders in defamation case

01:30 , Oliver O'Connell

Rudy Giuliani has been found in contempt of court after repeatedly defying court orders and blowing deadlines as a pair of election workers he defamed seek to recover tens of millions of dollars he owes for his false claims in the aftermath of the 2020 presidential election.

A two-day contempt hearing in federal court in Manhattan sought to determine whether the former New York City mayor had willfully evaded discovery requests and ignored questions about his properties in a lengthy legal battle for control of his assets.

Alex Woodward reports from the Daniel Patrick Moynihan United States Courthouse in Lower Manhattan.

Giuliani held in contempt and hit with sanctions for defying court orders

Biden signs RFK Stadium land bill into law, a step toward potential Commanders stadium in Washington

00:30 , AP

President Joe Biden signed into law a bill that transfers the land that includes the old RFK Stadium from the federal government to city control, the next step to potentially pave the way for the NFL‘s Washington Commanders to return to the nation’s capital.

Giving the District of Columbia control of the land for the next 99 years allows for the decaying husk of the old stadium to be torn down and the site redeveloped for any number of things. One of the possibilities is a football stadium and surrounding entertainment options at the franchise’s former home.

Read on...

Biden signs RFK Stadium land bill into law, a step toward potential Commanders stadium in Washington

Trump could pardon nearly 1,600 January 6 rioters — but will he?

00:00 , Oliver O'Connell

Donald Trump has said pardoning his supporters who took part in the January 6, 2021, insurrection at the U.S. Capitol four years ago will be one of the top priorities as he starts his new administration.

But how quickly will the pardons begin, and how far will Trump go?

Nearly 1,600 people have been charged with or convicted of crimes linked to the riot, according to the Department of Justice.

Josh Marcus reports.

Trump could pardon nearly 1600 January 6 rioters. Will he really do it?

IN FOCUS: Trump has two years to cause real chaos and harm and only these people will be able to stop him

Monday 6 January 2025 23:30 , Oliver O'Connell

Alex Hannaford asks who, if anyone, can stop Donald Trump from wreaking serious havoc in his second term?

Only these people will be able to stop Trump from two years of chaos and harm

Journalist’s X account reportedly restricted after debunking Elon Musk sock puppet rumors

Monday 6 January 2025 23:15 , Oliver O'Connell

A reporter who ended online speculation that Tesla and X CEO Elon Musk was posing as an ardent fan has reportedly been temporarily banned from the social media site, and links to her story have been restricted.

In one of the latest dramas surrounding Musk, suspicions arose that a poster on X named Adrian Dittman, who sounds like Musk and regularly defends him, might have been the South African-born billionaire himself, using a so-called “sock-puppet” account.

However, Jacqueline Sweet, a reporter at the Spectator, determined that Dittman is actually a real person living in Fiji.

Graig Graziosi reports.

Reporter restricted on X after debunking Elon Musk sock puppet rumors

Why your social security payment is set to go up

Monday 6 January 2025 23:00 , Oliver O'Connell

Joe Biden has signed into law a measure that will boost Social Security payments for current and former public employees, including teachers, firefighters, police officers and other public service jobs.

Advocates say the Social Security Fairness Act – which is set to impact around three million people across the country – rights a decades-old disparity. However, it will also put strain on Social Security Trust Funds, which face a looming insolvency crisis.

“I’m proud to be the first president in more than 20 years to expand Social Security benefits. Workers who dedicated their lives to their communities deserve to retire with dignity and security,” Biden wrote on X on Sunday.

Read on...

Your social security payment is set to go up thanks to Biden. Here’s why

Full story: Trump sues Judge Merchan to stop hush money sentencing as he tosses last-ditch request to delay

Monday 6 January 2025 22:50 , Oliver O'Connell

The Manhattan judge overseeing Donald Trump’s hush money trial has rejected the president-elect’s last-ditch attempt to delay a sentencing set for January 10.

In an order on Monday, New York Justice Juan Merchan found Trump’s arguments to be, “for the most part, a repetition of the arguments he has raised numerous times in the past.”

A separate filing from Manhattan prosecutors blamed the former president for his ongoing attempts to delay proceedings and postpone his sentencing, which was initially set for July — two months after a jury unanimously convicted him on 34 counts of falsifying business records.

Alex Woodward reports from New York.

Trump sues to stop hush money sentencing as he tosses last-ditch request to delay

Bidens pay their respects to victims of New Orleans attack

Monday 6 January 2025 22:40 , Oliver O'Connell

President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden have paid their respects to the victims of the New Year terror attack in New Orleans.

The Bidens are also scheduled to meet with the families of victims of the deadly truck-ramming attack that killed 14 people early on January 1.

President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden pay their respects to victims of the January 1 truck attack at a makeshift memorial in Bourbon Street in New Orleans, Louisiana (AFP via Getty Images)

Pelosi says her husband is still suffering from effects of hammer attack

Monday 6 January 2025 22:30 , Oliver O'Connell

House speaker emerita Nancy Pelosi discussed the ongoing threat of political violence and the dangers posed by Donald Trump’s 2020 misinformation campaign in an interview Sunday on Face the Nation.

The former top Democrat in the lower chamber said that her husband, Paul Pelosi, still faces medical issues resulting from a violent attack he suffered in 2022, when an intruder in their home attacked him with a hammer.

John Bowden has the story.

Pelosi says her husband is still suffering effects of hammer attack

Before Trump’s return, Biden set to give two final speeches as he looks to secure legacy

Monday 6 January 2025 22:25 , Oliver O'Connell

President Joe Biden plans to deliver two final speeches as he seeks to underscore his legacy before leaving office and making way for President-elect Donald Trump, according to a report.

His first speech, which Biden intends to deliver after he comes back from Italy on January 12, will be dedicated to foreign policy, NBC News reported. His second and final speech as president will be a farewell address reflecting on his 50-plus years in public service.

Neither speech has been fully drafted, but the broad strokes of them have been established, sources told the outlet.

Kelly Rissman reports.

Biden to give two final speeches as he looks to secure legacy before Trump’s return

Judge denies Trump request for stay in sentencing

Monday 6 January 2025 22:17 , Oliver O'Connell

Justice Juan Merchan has denied Donald Trump’s request for a stay in his hush money conviction, meaning that the sentencing scheduled for Friday is still going ahead.

In the order, Judge Merchan says the court finds that the arguments made for a stay “are, for the most part, a repetition of the arguments he has raised numerous times in the past.”

The president-elect has been told he can appear either in person or virtually at the sentencing. Merchan has signaled Trump will not receive a custodial sentence.

Read the full filing here.

Trump claims hush money judge exceeded authority in denying immunity motion

Monday 6 January 2025 22:15 , Oliver O'Connell

Donald Trump’s legal team has accused Justice Juan Merchan of allegedly exceeding his authority when he denied the president-elect's immunity motions regarding his hush money conviction.

He asks to be heard in New York on January 27 — one week after the inauguration.

Read the full filing here.

OPINION: The last time I came to the Capitol I was teargassed in the lobby. This time was even worse

Monday 6 January 2025 22:00 , Oliver O'Connell

The Independent’s Richard Hall returns to the US Capitol four years after the January 6 riot — this is what he saw today.

The last time I came to the Capitol I was teargassed. This time was even worse

Watch: Schumer says pardoning Jan 6 rioters would set terrible example for future of America

Monday 6 January 2025 21:50 , Oliver O'Connell

New York Senator Chuck Schumer says: “To those who used violence and intimidation to hurt our government, particularly to those who threatened police officers, pardoning them would set a terrible example for the future in America...that it was okay, that it was forgivable to do this.”

Flashback: Surrounded by men dressed for war, I saw Trump’s fascism at the heart of American democracy

Monday 6 January 2025 21:41 , Oliver O'Connell

The Independent’s Richard Hall was at the US Capitol on January 6, 2021. Here he reports on what he saw as Trump supporters stormed the building.

Surrounded by men dressed for war, I saw Trump’s fascism at the heart of American democracy

Susie Wiles expects no ‘drama’ in the West Wing

Monday 6 January 2025 21:30 , Oliver O'Connell

Donald Trump’s incoming chief of staff Susie Wiles plans to take a no-nonsense unified approach to running the West Wing of the White House to prevent the mistakes of her boss’s first administration from plaguing his second.

Wiles, 67, is sometimes referred to as the “ice maiden” – a nickname Trump bestowed upon her due to her cool composition and ability to wrangle Trumpworld into an organized fashion. She exercised that attitude in an exclusive interview with Axios about her plans for the White House.

Ariana Baio reports.

Susie Wiles expects no ‘drama’ in the West Wing when she takes over as chief of staff

Elon Musk gets good news a day after Italian PM visits Trump

Monday 6 January 2025 21:20 , Oliver O'Connell

A deal that would see Elon Musk’s SpaceX take over secure communications for the Italian government is reportedly back on track and nearing final approval after Italy’s prime minister met with Donald Trump this weekend.

Bloomberg reports that the burgeoning agreement “appeared to move forward” after right-wing prime minister Giorgia Meloni met with Donald Trump on Saturday at Mar-a-Lago, where the incoming president continues to hold court ahead of his inauguration.

John Bowden has the story.

Musk gets good news a day after Italian PM visits Trump

Kinzinger mocks GOP lawmakers who changed their tune on Jan. 6 attack

Monday 6 January 2025 21:10 , Oliver O'Connell

Former GOP Representative Adam Kinzinger has mocked Republican lawmakers who changed their tune on the January 6 Capitol attack by reposting statements they made four years ago.

Kinzinger, a former Illinois congressman who campaigned for Kamala Harris in the 2024 presidential election, hit out at Republicans who have backpedaled on their criticism of President-elect Donald Trump and the violent events of that day in 2021.

Rhian Lubin reports.

Adam Kinzinger mocks Republican lawmakers who changed their tune on Jan. 6 attack

Melania documentary to be screened by Amazon

Monday 6 January 2025 21:00 , Oliver O'Connell

Incoming first lady Melania Trump will be the subject of a new documentary directed by Brett Ratner and distributed by Amazon Prime Video. The streaming arm of the tech giant got exclusive licensing rights for a streaming and theatrical release later this year, the company said Sunday.

Lindsey Bahr has the details.

Melania documentary to be screened by Amazon in latest Trump Bezos connection

Watch: Shark Tank’s Kevin O’Leary says he has plan to buy TikTok as ban approaches

Monday 6 January 2025 20:53 , Oliver O'Connell

Businessman Kevin O’Leary, best known to most people as one of the Shark Tank panel, told Fox News this afternoon that he has a plan to buy TikTok before a US ban kicks in and that he has spoken with Donald Trump about the deal.

He told Martha MacCallum of Fox News: “I have joined with Frank Mccourt to buy TikTok, it's a multibillion-dollar deal… I wanted to let him know as well as others in his cabinet that we’re doing this... we’re going to need their help.”

O’Leary, who is Canadian, also spoke with Trump about integrating Canada into a North American Union.

‘Kids will get killed’: Democratic senator blasts RFK Jr’s vaccine theories

Monday 6 January 2025 20:50 , Oliver O'Connell

Robert F Kennedy Jr is facing a predictably skeptical reception from senators on Capitol Hill as he pursues a bid to become the next Health secretary for incoming president Donald Trump.

His long history of comments and activism against vaccines — which he falsely blames for causing autism in children — has earned him ideological foes among Democrats and Republicans alike.

John Bowden reports.

Democratic senator blasts RFK Jr ahead of hearings: ‘Kids will get killed’

BREAKING: Giuliani found in contempt of court for failing to hand over assets to election workers he defamed

Monday 6 January 2025 20:37 , Oliver O'Connell

Rudy Giuliani has been found in contempt of court after repeatedly defying court orders to hand over his property to satisfy tens of millions of dollars he owes a pair of election workers he defamed in the aftermath of the 2020 presidential election.

A two-day contempt hearing in federal court in Manhattan sought to determine whether the former New York City mayor had willfully evaded court orders and discovery requests in the lengthy legal battle for control of his assets.

Alex Woodward reports from the Daniel Patrick Moynihan United States Courthouse in Lower Manhattan.

Giuliani found in contempt of court for failing to hand over assets

Watch: Trump appears to not want to move on from Jan 6, says former Capitol Police officer

Monday 6 January 2025 20:30 , Oliver O'Connell

Former Capitol police officer Harry Dunn tells CNN: “Mike Lawler who just said he wants to move on from January 6...We would love nothing more than to move on. Donald Trump, however, appears not to want to move on. He brings it up every single time he gets the opportunity.”

Press secretary will not be in usual office in Trump’s White House, report says

Monday 6 January 2025 20:25 , Oliver O'Connell

CBS News reports that the press secretary in Donald Trump’s second administration will not be in the office usually occupied by the person who holds that position.

The media operation will be revamped, and a deputy chief of staff will be moving into the spacious office with a wood-burning fireplace, multiple sources told CBS News.

...

Taylor Budowich, the incoming deputy chief of staff for communications and cabinet affairs, will likely occupy the office typically used by the press secretary, which sits down the hall from the Oval Office and has a view of the North Lawn.

...

Incoming press secretary Karoline Leavitt will report to communications director, Steven Cheung. She'll retain direct access to the president — so-called Oval Office walk-in privileges.

Communications and press operations, typically separate but parallel White House functions, will be merged.

While plans have not yet been finalized, such a new arrangement raises questions as to how this might impact press access.

Trump hosts documentary screening for lawyer who tried to overturn 2020 election result

Monday 6 January 2025 20:20 , Oliver O'Connell

Donald Trump is facing criticism for premiering a documentary over the weekend at Mar-a-Lago about an allied lawyer who helped him strategize about how to overturn the 2020 election results.

The film, The Eastman Dilemma: Lawfare of Justice, profiles lawyer John Eastman, who helped Donald Trump formulate an unprecedented, illegal plan to use Congress and the vice-president to overturn the certification of the 2020 election results.

The documentary examines “growing evidence that a two-tiered justice system has emerged, where conservative figures face severe penalties,” according to its creators.

Josh Marcus has the story.

Anger as Trump hosts premier of documentary about lawyer who subverted 2020 election

Colorado rep recalls experience in House gallery on Jan 6

Monday 6 January 2025 20:17 , Oliver O'Connell

Rep Jason Crow of Colorado remembers the “horror” of January 6, 2021, when he and other lawmakers were in the House gallery as the angry mob of Trump supporters stormed the US Capitol.

He wrote on X alongside a photo of those members present that day:

Four years ago today, we were *right here* in the House gallery when an angry mob stormed the Capitol. That day is etched on my memory.

I remember telling my fellow members to take off their pins so we couldn’t be identified. I remember taking out a pen to use as a weapon if necessary. I remember being the last in the gallery as we fled to safety.

We can never forget the horror of that day. January 6th must always be a reminder of the importance of standing up for democracy and the peaceful transfer of power.

Watch: ‘We are going to destroy everything the Democrats have done for the past 4 years’

Monday 6 January 2025 20:10 , Oliver O'Connell

Marjorie Taylor Greene delivers a MAGA message from outside the Capitol.

Pete Hegseth may have enough Senate votes to become Secretary of Defense

Monday 6 January 2025 20:00 , Oliver O'Connell

President-elect Donald Trump has reportedly been reassured by a top Republican that his controversial pick for Defense Secretary, Pete Hegseth, has enough backing from the GOP to be confirmed by the Senate.

Senate Majority Leader John Thune told Trump that the former Fox News host has the required number of votes to survive the confirmation process, CBS News reported, citing three sources.

However, speaking to CBS’s “Face the Nation with Margaret Brennan” Thune, said that the process would be fair but reiterated that the nominees would all have to “make their case in front of the committee.”

Mike Bedigan reports.

Pete Hegseth has enough votes to become Defense Secretary, top Republican tells Trump

Watch: Moment rioters breached Capitol on Jan 6, 2021

Monday 6 January 2025 19:50 , Oliver O'Connell

Vice President Harris tells reporters today was about ‘performing my constitutional duty'

Monday 6 January 2025 19:46 , Oliver O'Connell

Vice President Kamala Harris just addressed reporters at the Capitol after presiding over the certification of the results of the 2024 election:

“Today was obviously a very important day, and it was about what should be the norm and what the American people should be able to take for granted, which is that one of the most important pillars of our democracy is that there will be a peaceful transfer of power. And today, I did what I have done my entire career, which is take seriously the oath that I have taken many times to support and defend the Constitution of the United States, which included today, performing my constitutional duty to ensure that the people of America, the voters of America, will have their votes counted, that those votes matter, and that they will determine then with the outcome of an election.”

Watch: ‘I am guilty of nothing except bringing the truth'

Monday 6 January 2025 19:44 , Oliver O'Connell

Former Republican Rep Adam Kinzinger says he does not want a pre-emptive pardon from President Joe Biden for his work on the House January 6 committee in case Donald Trump decides to try and take revenge on members of the panel when he takes office.

Kinzinger told CNN’s Anderson Cooper: “No. I don't want it.. the second you take a pardon it looks like you are guilty of something and I am guilty of nothing except bringing the truth.”

ANALYSIS: Republicans try to whitewash Jan 6 legacy as snow-covered D.C. airs grievances

Monday 6 January 2025 19:37 , Oliver O'Connell

John Bowden writes:

The snowstorm that descended on Washington, D.C., and other parts of the mid-Atlantic region on Monday marked a surreal fourth anniversary to the January 6 attack of 2021.

And with Donald Trump now set to return to the White House in exactly two weeks, the day has taken on a kind of Festivus-esque vibe as liberals and even some members of the press participate in an unofficial Airing of Grievances.

If the Seinfeld-glorified holiday’s motto is “I’ve got a lot of problems with you people, and now you’re going to hear about it,” January 6 could take on a similar one: “Hey Republicans: guess who’s not storming the Capitol today?”

Continue reading...

Republicans try to whitewash Jan 6 legacy as snow-covered D.C. airs grievances

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