Closing summary
We’re closing the politics blog now for the day, and indeed the week. Thanks for reading along with us.
It was, again, not a great day for Donald Trump. A judge unsealed an order that granted the justice department access to emails between several of his allies over the January 6 insurrection; and a Guardian exclusive revealed that the former president could face referral for criminal conspiracy charges when the House panel publishes its final report into his election meddling next week.
Join us again on Monday for what’s certain to be a high-octane week in US politics.
Here’s what else we covered today:
The United Nations said it was “very concerned” for press freedoms, as a global backlash grew against Elon Musk for throwing a number of prominent journalists off Twitter. European leaders hinted at sanctions against the social media giant.
Joe Biden spoke at a National Guard center in Delaware, touting the Pact Act that supports veterans’ healthcare, and getting emotional speaking about his late son Beau, a former Guard major.
Senators discussed a long-term, $1.7tn package to keep the government funded for another year. Democratic Senate majority leader Chuck Schumer wants the Electoral Count Act included to preserve the integrity of future elections.
Biden signed a one-week, stopgap funding bill to avert a government shutdown on Friday afternoon, after the Senate passed it on Thursday night, one day after the House approved the measure. Congress has until 23 December to negotiate the longer-term agreement.
Joe Biden is seeking to elevate Cindy McCain, widow of the late Republican Senator John McCain, as the executive director of World Food Program, Axios reported on Friday.
McCain is currently serving as the US ambassador to the United Nations agencies for food and agriculture.
The president is also recommending David Lane, former US ambassador to the WFP for the post, Axios said, citing people familiar with the matter.
David Beasley, the Republican former South Carolina governor, currently serves in WFP’s top role but is set to leave that post when his term ends in April next year.
Officials are now pushing for McCain to take on the role and get to work raising funds in this time of crisis.
“Cindy deserves a promotion. She’s doing a great job,” Lindsey Graham, South Carolina’s Republican senator, told Axios.
