Donald Trump’s nominee for secretary of defense, former Fox News weekend anchor Pete Hegseth, continues to be dogged by allegations about his past, potentially making his confirmation less likely and splitting right-wing media on his prospects as his candidacy faces an “absolutely critical day” on Wednesday.
Hegseth is due to take questions from the House Republican Study Committee today as well as appearing on Fox for an interview.
Hegseth’s mother Penelope has already appeared on the channel to defend him, having previously criticized her son’s behavior towards women in a letter, as the Trump transition team reportedly considers alternatives to lead the Pentagon, including Florida Governor Ron DeSantis.
On Tuesday, Trump’s pick to serve as administrator of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Sheriff Chad Chronister, withdrew from consideration, posting on X that he would be declining the “honor of a lifetime” after “the gravity of this very important responsibility set in”.
The president-elect’s choice for FBI director, Kash Patel, was also revealed to have been targeted by Iranian hackers while Trump himself pushed for the dismissal of the hush money case against him citing Joe Biden’s decision to pardon his son Hunter Biden.
Key Points
- Donald Trump’s defense secretary nominee Pete Hegseth facing ‘absolutely critical day’
- Hegseth’s mother appears on Fox and Friends to defend him
- Trump team reportedly considering Ron DeSantis to replace Hegseth
- President-elect’s DEA nominee backs out over criticism of handling of Covid-19 and immigration
- Kash Patel, Trump’s choice to lead FBI, reportedly targeted by Iranian hackers
Sen Mullin emerges as key supporter of Hegseth
16:12
Oliver O'Connell
Decorated combat vet @PeteHegseth is the man for the job, and I’ll do everything I can to help him get confirmed as the next Secretary of Defense. https://t.co/01SRNXV0xe pic.twitter.com/O4UVMhEmv4
— Markwayne Mullin (@SenMullin) December 4, 2024
Abraham Accords lead negotiator named as special envoy for hostage affairs
16:10
Oliver O'Connell
Donald Trump has chosen his lead negotiator from the Abraham Accords team to become his special presidential envoy for hostage affairs.
The president-elect announced his pick on Truth Social, amidst a slew of other appointments.
I am pleased to announce that Adam Boehler will be my Special Presidential Envoy for Hostage Affairs, with the personal rank of Ambassador. Adam worked for me as a Lead Negotiator on the Abraham Accords team. He has negotiated with some of the toughest people in the World, including the Taliban, but Adam knows that NOONE is tougher than the United States of America, at least when President Trump is its Leader. Adam will work tirelessly to bring our Great American Citizens HOME. Adam was unanimously confirmed by the U.S. Senate as the first CEO of the United States Development Finance Corporation. He went to the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania. Congratulations to Adam, his wife, Shira, and their four beautiful children, Ruth, Abraham, Esther, and Rachel!
Trump names pick for secretary of the army
16:07
Oliver O'Connell
Donald Trump has chosen a senior adviser to JD Vance as his choice to be secretary of the army.
The president-elect wrote on Truth Social:
I am pleased to nominate Daniel P. Driscoll, from the Great State of North Carolina, to serve as the Secretary of the Army. As a former Soldier, Investor, and Political Advisor, Dan brings a powerful combination of experiences to serve as a disruptor and change agent. Dan graduated from UNC-Chapel Hill in three years to join the fight with the U.S. Army. After completing U.S. Army Ranger school, Dan deployed with the 10th Mountain Division as a Cavalry Scout Platoon Leader in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. After returning from combat, Dan graduated from Yale Law School on the Post-9/11 GI Bill….
….Dan has worked in venture capital and private equity, and most recently has been serving as Senior Advisor to Vice President-Elect JD Vance. Dan will be a fearless and relentless fighter for America’s Soldiers and the America First agenda.
Hailing from Boone, NC, Dan is married to his high school sweetheart, Dr. Cassie Driscoll, a plastic surgeon. They have two beautiful children, Daniel Jr. and Lila.
Navarro to return to White House
16:03
Oliver O'Connell
Peter Navarro, who recently served time in prison for contempt of Congress, will return to the White House to again focus on trade, President-elect Donald Trump announced on Truth Social.
I am pleased to announce that Peter Navarro, a man who was treated horribly by the Deep State, or whatever else you would like to call it, will serve as my Senior Counselor for Trade and Manufacturing. During my First Term, few were more effective or tenacious than Peter in enforcing my two sacred rules, Buy American, Hire American. He helped me renegotiate unfair Trade Deals like NAFTA and the Korea-U.S. Free Trade Agreement (KORUS), and moved every one of my Tariff and Trade actions FAST….
….The Senior Counselor position leverages Peter’s broad range of White House experience, while harnessing his extensive Policy analytic and Media skills. His mission will be to help successfully advance and communicate the Trump Manufacturing, Tariff, and Trade Agendas.
Peter is not just a superb, Harvard-trained Economist, he is a noted author of more than a dozen bestselling books on strategic business management and unfair Trade. He did a superb job for the American People in my First Term. Peter will do even better as Senior Counselor to protect American Workers, and truly Make American Manufacturing Great Again.
Trump asks Michael Whatley to continue as chair of RNC
16:00
Oliver O'Connell
Donald Trump has asked Michael Whatley to continue to serve as chair of the Republican National Committee.
The president-elect made the announcement on Truth Social a short time ago.
Michael Whatley, from the Great State of North Carolina, has been with me since the beginning, and has done an OUTSTANDING and HISTORIC JOB in running the Republican National Committee with the fantastic Lara Trump! He is a smart, tough lawyer who put together a completely unprecedented ELECTION INTEGRITY OPERATION that protected the Vote all across America, and a GET OUT THE VOTE CAMPAIGN that delivered the Votes we needed in every Battleground State. Michael and Lara transformed the RNC into a lean, focused, and powerful machine that will empower the America First Agenda for many years to come.
I have asked Michael to return as Chairman of the RNC to continue to build our Party, and be a trusted partner as we Make America Great Again, and ensure Free and Fair Elections. Republicans everywhere should support him as he continues his mission at the RNC. Thank you for your hard work, Michael!
Speaker Mike Johnson condemns Thanksgiving bomb threats against Democrat lawmakers
15:57
Oliver O'Connell
Speaker Mike Johnson condemns the Thanksgiving bomb threats against several Democratic lawmakers: “This is a dangerous and insane behavior that we are seeing across the country, and it has no place in our country… whoever’s doing this, you will be found out and you will be punished.”
JOHNSON condemns recent bomb threats against several House Dems on Thanksgiving — “This is a dangerous and insane behavior that we are seeing across the country, and it has no place in our country… whoever's doing this, you will be found out and you will be punished.”
— Mica Soellner (@MicaSoellnerDC) December 4, 2024
ANALYSIS: His mother on TV, a slew of allegations and demands to ‘keep fighting’: What on earth does Pete Hegseth do now?
15:45
Oliver O'Connell
Pete Hegseth’s nomination for defense secretary is looking increasingly tenuous as new revelations about the ex-Fox host’s history appear. A new TV appearance by his mother on Fox & Friends and claims that Trump told him to “keep fighting” haven’t exactly turned down the heat, either.
On Wednesday, Hegseth embarked on a bid to save what looks to be a sinking ship. He was back on Capitol Hill meeting with senators, and told reporters that he had no plans to withdraw his bid.
John Bowden reports from Washington, DC.
‘Architect’ of 2020 fake electors scheme wants to invalidate guilty plea in Georgia
15:40
Oliver O'Connell
Kenneth Chesebro, the so-called architect of the fake elector scheme to try and throw the 2020 election to Donald Trump, has moved to invalidate his guilty plea in the sprawling Fulton County, Georgia, racketeering case in which he was named as one of the co-conspirators alongside the now president-elect.
After pleading guilty, Chesebro began cooperating with investigators in other key battleground states where the scheme was also operative.
NEW: Ken Chesebro, "architect" of the fake electors, moves to invalidate his guilty plea in Georgia. pic.twitter.com/AzLmeAh3Pj
— Anna Bower (@AnnaBower) December 4, 2024
Here’s our reporting on his guilty plea and what it meant for the case:
AOC calls for Biden to commute federal death sentences after Hunter Biden pardon
15:15
Oliver O'Connell
The New York Democrat and outspoken progressive told The Independent that commuting federal death sentences is more than just about the individual pardon, which many Democrats have loudly criticized.
Specifically, she cited Native American activist Leonard Peltier, who is serving a life sentence for killing two FBI agents, though advocates say he was wrongly convicted.
Eric Garcia has more.
Watch: Hegseth says he spoke to Trump this morning ‘he said keep going, keep fighting'
14:56
Oliver O'Connell
Nikole Killion of CBS News caught up with Pete Hegseth at the Capitol this morning as he arrived for meetings with senators.
“I spoke to the president-elect this morning. He said keep going keep fighting. I’m behind you all the way.”
HEGSETH to @NikolenDC
— Alan He (@alanhe) December 4, 2024
I spoke to the President elect this morning. He said keep going keep fighting. I’m behind you all the way.”
Q. So you are in this all the way?
“Why would I back down? I’ve always been a fighter. Im here for the fighters. This is personal & passionate… pic.twitter.com/HLFdfflES4
Hegseth says he will ‘never back down’ and retweets messages of support
14:48
Oliver O'Connell
Facing a crucial moment in his nomination to be Donald Trump’s secretary of defense, Pete Hegseth is attempting to rally his supporters in the face of allegations regarding alcohol abuse, sexual assault, and mismanagement that his detractors say make him wholly unqualified for the role.
The former Fox News host posted a defiant tweet this morning, saying: “I’m doing this for the warfighters, not the warmongers.”
“The Left is afraid of disrupters and change agents. They are afraid of Donald Trump—and me. So they smear w/ fake, anonymous sources & BS stories. They don’t want truth,” he continued.
“Our warriors never back down, & neither will I.”
I’m doing this for the warfighters, not the warmongers.
— Pete Hegseth (@PeteHegseth) December 4, 2024
The Left is afraid of disrupters and change agents. They are afraid of @realDonaldTrump—and me. So they smear w/ fake, anonymous sources & BS stories. They don’t want truth.
Our warriors never back down, & neither will I. pic.twitter.com/nDQ5aUlv7i
He also posted messages of support from Charlie Kirk, actor Dean Cain, Senator Rick Scott, and Vice President-elect JD Vance.
Pete Hegseth's mom on Fox and Friends this morning defending her son. She points out that she sent an emotional email, and then apologized two hours later.
— JD Vance (@JDVance) December 4, 2024
The media never talks about the apology because they're trying to destroy him, not tell the truth.
Trump’s controversial FBI pick Kash Patel targeted in Iranian cyberattack
14:35
Joe Sommerlad
Here’s James Liddell with the latest on the alleged hacking of Kash Patel by Tehran.
Judge lashes out over Hunter Biden pardon
14:15
Joe Sommerlad
The judge overseeing Hunter Biden’s tax case is not thrilled with the president’s pardoning his son and has accused him of misrepresenting the case, saying his public statement “stands in tension with the case record”.
Judge Marc Scarsi issued a strong rebuke in response to the president’s announcement over the Thanksgiving weekend, saying that “in the president’s estimation, this legion of federal civil servants, the undersigned included, are unreasonable people” and declared “a press release is not a pardon.”
Tucker Carlson returns to Moscow to interview another Russian leader
13:55
Joe Sommerlad
The conservative media personality has returned to Russia to interview Vladimir Putin’s foreign minister Sergei Lavrov.
The former Fox News primetime host and Donald Trump ally made waves nine months ago when he unexpectedly appeared in Moscow to interview Putin himself, only to be widely derided for his credulous coverage of the country and failure to confront the Kremlin leader over his actions in Ukraine.
Even the Russian president mocked Carlson, pointing out his lack of “sharp” questions and teasing him about his failed attempt to join the CIA earlier in his career.
On Tuesday, Carlson posted a video on X from Red Square, where he explained his latest visit.
Here’s more.
Penelope Hegseth defends son on Fox and Friends
13:35
Joe Sommerlad
The mother of Trump’s nominee for defense secretary, who previously rebuked him over his treatment of women, is on Fox’s morning show right now to defend her boy.
Here’s what she’s had to tell Steve Doocy so far:
Pete Hegseth's mom Penelope on Fox & Friends makes a direct appeal on behalf of her son to Trump pic.twitter.com/dsQFEuGlYg
— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) December 4, 2024
"Not the Pete from seven years ago. But the Pete of today" -- Pete Hegseth's mom Penelope on Fox & Friends claims Pete is now a changed man pic.twitter.com/pXdoZMrSaO
— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) December 4, 2024
Justin Baragona has more.
Trump in New York on Thursday to receive ‘Fox Patriot of Year’ award
13:25
Joe Sommerlad
Here’s an interesting little sidenote to the president-elect’s latest Truth Social announcement.
The original host of the Patriot Awards telecast was... Pete Hegseth. Once Trump tapped him for the Pentagon, Fox replaced Hegseth with Sean Hannity https://t.co/c8njcta0Z8
— Brian Stelter (@brianstelter) December 4, 2024
Hegseth: ‘I’m doing this for the warfighters, not the warmongers’
13:05
Joe Sommerlad
Here’s a defiant Pete Hegseth on X this morning accusing “the Left” of trying to bring him down with false stories because they fear “disrupters and agents of change”.
I’m doing this for the warfighters, not the warmongers.
— Pete Hegseth (@PeteHegseth) December 4, 2024
The Left is afraid of disrupters and change agents. They are afraid of @realDonaldTrump—and me. So they smear w/ fake, anonymous sources & BS stories. They don’t want truth.
Our warriors never back down, & neither will I. pic.twitter.com/nDQ5aUlv7i
What Republican senators have said about Pete Hegseth
12:45
Joe Sommerlad
“I think some of these articles are very disturbing,” admitted South Carolina’s Lindsey Graham.
“He obviously has a chance to defend himself here, but some of this stuff is… it’s going to be difficult.”
Iowa’s Joni Ernst, another veteran who has been mentioned as a possible replacement for Hegseth, pledged to have “a really frank and thorough conversation” with him.
Louisiana’s John Kennedy said he had read up on the nominee and conceded he was “going to have to address” the stories about his past, pointing to the email Hegseth’s mother reportedly sent her son and saying: “Of all the allegations I’ve seen, that’s probably the most serious.”
Cynthia Lummis of Wyoming said Hegseth needed to address the concerns about him, James Lankford of Oklahoma said it was “reasonable” and “fair” to ask about them and Josh Hawley of Missouri admitted that some of his colleagues were “very worried” about the man’s qualifications to lead the Pentagon.
Alabama’s Tommy Tuberville stood up for him, however, saying he had asked Hegseth about the misconduct allegations and concluded: “There’s not going to be anything to this at the end of the day.”
Fox & Friends hosts defend Hegseth: ‘We will not succumb to the left’s playbook’
12:30
Joe Sommerlad
Lawrence Jones made the case for the defense (secretary) this morning, commenting:
“He’s a Harvard guy. He’s a Princeton guy. He’s been talking about this stuff for years, wrote the whole book about transforming the military, the way that we’re doing things, the wokeness.”
He denied the media reporting about Hegseth’s past scandals and said: “The fact that they’re going out there with unnamed sources when we sit on the couch with him almost every day, for over ten years.
“It’s just – to me, that is the stunning part, especially when you don’t reach out to his co-hosts of the show for comment to say, ‘Hey, what do you guys think about this?’ No one has been contacted about that. I think that screams that it’s a witch hunt.”
Jones then compared the affair to the controversial confirmation hearings of Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh. “We can’t allow them to Kavanaugh Pete because I feel like that’s what they’re trying to do right now.”
After Steve Doocy fleshed out the allegations, Emily Compagno commented: “The roadblock to a nomination process to me is almost blasphemous because of this entire thing that the American people voted into office.
“No, we will not succumb to the left’s playbook. We will not succumb to Kavanaugh becoming a verb in that the left likes to wield the media and a very public witch hunt to thwart the possibility for actual success. And that’s the whole point.”
Fox & Friends is furious because @NBCNews didn't reach out to Pete Hegseth's co-hosts to ask them what they thought about allegations of alcohol use on the job
— Bad Fox Graphics (@BadFoxGraphics) December 4, 2024
LAWRENCE: We cannot allow them to 'Kavanaugh' Pete
This is what happens when the Curvy Couch is the job interview
https://t.co/aUAFzNz5iP
Trump expected to be watching Hegseth’s Fox interview with interest
12:15
Joe Sommerlad
We will, of course, bring you all the latest on the president-elect’s defense secretary as he appears on Fox today, a session Trump himself is certain to be watching to assess how Hegseth handles himself, which could well determine whether his nomination to the cabinet is allowed to proceed.
On CNN this morning, the pundits agreed that his goose is already cooked because his own mother has described him as a man who “belittles, lies, cheats, sleeps around and uses women for his own power and ego” (even though Penelope Hegseth has now revoked her attack and said it was written in 2018 “in anger, with emotion”).
.@PrestonCNN: "Devastating. No matter what his mother says right now, I mean what she said initially in that email I think was the final nail in the coffin for [Pete] Hegseth." @kasie, @AlexThomp, @meghan_hays9, @KSoltisAnderson discuss ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/Gd66jEVPLJ
— CNN This Morning with Kasie Hunt (@CNNThisMorning) December 4, 2024
Here’s Justin Baragona on how the right-wing networks have struggled to cover the Hegseth scandals.
Trump considers ally-turned-rival DeSantis to replace Hegseth as Pentagon chief
12:00
Joe Sommerlad
As promised, here’s more from James Liddell on the Florida Governor’s rumored candidacy for the defense secretary position should Hegseth be forced out.
Hegseth accused of chanting ‘kill all Muslims’ on a drunken night out
11:40
Joe Sommerlad
Justin Baragona has this on Trump’s nominee allegedly drunkenly shouting “kill all Muslims!” in the middle of a crowded bar while serving as the president of a veterans’ group, as first reported by The New Yorker.
Hegseth admitted to having five affairs during first marriage
11:20
Joe Sommerlad
Let’s get back to the scandal-hit defense secretary nominee.
Here’s Gustaf Kilander on his alleged extramarital activities.
California Democrat Adam Gray flips Republican seat as final 2024 House race called
11:00
Joe Sommerlad
Gray captured the western state’s 13th Congressional District on Tuesday, unseating Republican John Duarte in the final House contest to be decided this year.
His win in the farm belt seat that cuts through five counties means Republicans won 220 House seats this election cycle, with Democrats holding 215 seats.
Gray won by a margin of less than 200 votes, with election officials reporting late yesterday that all ballots had been counted.
Duarte captured the seat in 2022 when he defeated Gray by one of the closest margins in the country, 564 votes.
He was often listed among the most vulnerable House Republicans given that narrow margin of victory in a district with a Democratic tilt – about 11 points over registered Republicans.
Here’s more.
Trump posts bizarre AI pic of himself with Canadian flag – on a Swiss mountain
10:40
Joe Sommerlad
Does Donald Trump want to conquer Canada?
The president-elect posted a bewildering image of him and the Canadian flag on top of a mountain just days after suggesting Canada become the US’s 51st state
“Oh Canada!” Trump captioned the AI-generated image.
There was just one problem: the mountain range appeared to be the Swiss Alps, with a peak reminiscent of the Matterhorn visible in the background.
It’s unclear exactly what Trump was referencing with the image, but clearly the neighbor up north is on his mind.
Here’s Mike Bedigan on his latest baffling contribution to the internet.
Trump’s lawyers formally ask judge to dismiss hush money case
10:20
Joe Sommerlad
Donald Trump’s attorneys are calling on the judge overseeing his hush money trial to toss the case altogether, pointing to President Joe Biden’s pardon of his son Hunter, and raising the idea that presidential “immunity” should apply to the president-elect.
The “disruptions to the institution of the presidency violate the presidential immunity doctrine because they threaten the functioning of the federal government,” the criminally convicted former president’s attorneys wrote in a 72-page filing made public on Tuesday.
Trump’s lead criminal defense attorneys Todd Blanche and Emil Bove – both of whom were nominated by Trump for top roles at the Department of Justice – quoted from President Biden’s own statement claiming that his son was “selectively, and unfairly, prosecuted” and “treated differently.”
Here’s the latest from Alex Woodward.
Kash Patel, Trump’s choice to lead FBI, reportedly targeted by Iranian hackers
10:00
Joe Sommerlad
The president-elect’s choice for FBI director, Kash Patel, is understood to have been targeted by Iranian hackers, according to a new report.
The cyber-criminals are believed to have accessed at least some of Patel’s communications, according to a source cited by CNN.
Trump’s tranisiton team have yet to comment on the alleged hacking specifically, although spokesman Alex Pfeiffer did say: “Kash Patel was a key part of the first Trump administration’s efforts against the terrorist Iranian regime and will implement President Trump’s policies to protect America from adversaries as the FBI director.”
Trump’s DEA nominee backs out after Covid-19 and immigration criticisms
09:40
Joe Sommerlad
In case you missed it, Trump’s pick to serve as administrator of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Sheriff Chad Chronister, withdrew from consideration for the role on Tuesday, posting on X that he would be declining the “honor of a lifetime” after “the gravity of this very important responsibility set in”.
Here’s more from Josh Marcus.
Trump team reportedly considering Ron DeSantis to replace Hegseth
09:20
Joe Sommerlad
The president-elect’s transition team is reportedly quietly considering alternatives to Hegseth to lead the Pentagon, including Florida Governor Ron DeSantis and Iowa Senator Joni Ernst.
We’ll bring you more more on the prospects of “Meatball Ron” shortly.
Donald Trump’s defense secretary nominee Pete Hegseth facing ‘absolutely critical day’
09:00
Joe Sommerlad
Good morning!
Donald Trump’s nominee for secretary of defense, former Fox News weekend anchor Pete Hegseth, continues to be dogged by allegations about his past, potentially making his confirmation less likely and splitting right-wing media on his prospects as his candidacy faces an “absolutely critical day” on Wednesday.
Trump appears determined to get his man, a war veteran with a distinguished record but little administrative experience, and risks a fight with Republican senators on Capitol Hill who could be reluctant to confirm a candidate to lead the Pentagon who has been accused of sexual assault, drunkenness, Islamophobia and the mismanagement of a non-profit organization.
South Carolina GOP Senator Lindsey Graham, for one, has branded the man scandals pursuing Hegseth “disturbing”.
The ex-Fox personality is due to take questions from the House Republican Study Committee today as well as appearing on Fox for an interview.
Hegseth’s mother is also due to appear on the channel, having previously criticized her son’s behavior towards women in a letter.
Here’s more from Mike Bedigan on Hegseth’s alleged drinking habit concerned his colleagues at the network.
Trump attorneys call on hush money judge to toss criminal conviction — citing Hunter Biden’s pardon
08:40
Oliver O'Connell
Donald Trump’s attorneys are calling on the judge overseeing his hush money case to toss it altogether, pointing to President Joe Biden’s pardon of his son Hunter, and raising the idea that presidential “immunity” should apply to the president-elect.
The “disruptions to the institution of the Presidency violate the Presidential immunity doctrine because they threaten the functioning of the federal government,” attorneys wrote in a 72-page filing made public on Tuesday.
Alex Woodward reports.
ANALYSIS: Will Pete Hegseth answer questions about his history with women — or will he take the other option?
08:10
Oliver O'Connell
John Bowden writes:
Pete Hegseth’s nomination for defense secretary is looking increasingly tenuous as new revelations about the ex-Fox host’s past history with women come to light.
Almost certain to face unified Democratic resistance, Hegseth can only afford three defections from his own party. The question now: Will the same senators who tanked Matt Gaetz’s nomination with their “implacable” resistance to his selection be the ones to take Hegseth down?
Continue reading...
Iowa sues Biden administration for citizenship status of over 2,000 registered voters
07:40
AP
Iowa officials on Tuesday sued the Biden administration for access to information on the citizenship status of more than 2,000 registered voters they had questioned in the weeks leading up to the 2024 election.
The complaint details a back and forth with the federal government after state election officials checked voter rolls against a list of people who identified themselves as noncitizens with the state’s Department of Transportation. The vast majority of the 2,176 names had subsequently registered to vote or voted, meaning that some of those people could have become naturalized citizens in the lapsed time.
Secretary of State Paul Pate’s office requested information from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security on the citizenship status of those individuals but did not get it, the complaint alleges. The Associated Press left email messages with DHS on Tuesday seeking comment on the lawsuit.
Federal authorities’ “failure meant that the State had to rely on the best — imperfect — data it had available to ensure that no Iowan’s vote was canceled by an illegal, noncitizen vote,” a joint statement from Pate and Attorney General Brenna Bird said.
Two weeks before Election Day, when early voting was already underway, Pate told county elections officials to challenge those voters’ ballots and have them cast a provisional ballot instead.
The American Civil Liberties Union of Iowa then sued Pate on Oct. 30 on behalf of four voters who are naturalized citizens but were named on the list, calling into question the accuracy of the DOT’s information and alleging Pate infringed upon their right to vote. Their request for a stop to the ballot challenges was denied by a federal judge on Nov. 3.
It is illegal for non-U.S. citizens to vote in federal elections, but there is no evidence that it is occurring in significant numbers, though Iowa and some other states say they have identified dozens of such cases.
RFK Jr: ‘Practicing moves for my confirmation hearing’
06:40
Oliver O'Connell
Robert F Kennedy Jr, nominee for Health and Human Services Secretary, has flexed his own health and fitness regime in a bizarre shirtless workout video.
The video, posted Sunday on X, captures a ripped RFK Jr pulling himself up before performing a flip over an exercise machine to the beat of Survivor’s “Eye of the Tiger.” The 70-year-old completes the pull-up-rollover without knocking into another shirtless man, in sweatpants and a hat, doing a headstand on the machine above him.
Kelly Rissman has the story.
Bernie Sanders claims Musk ‘is right’ over defense spending
05:40
Oliver O'Connell
Bernie Sanders has praised Elon Musk over plans by the tech billionaire’s new Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) to cut defense spending.
The veteran Democratic Senator, from Vermont, tweeted criticism for the department on Sunday, claiming that it had managed to “lose track of billions.”
“Elon Musk is right. The Pentagon, with a budget of $886 billion, just failed its 7th audit in a row. It’s lost track of billions,” he wrote. “Last year, only 13 senators voted against the Military Industrial Complex and a defense budget full of waste and fraud. That must change.”
Musk responded to Sanders’s post on Sunday with two American flag emojis.
Mike Bedigan has the story.
Pete Hegseth’s alleged drinking worried colleagues at Fox News, claims report
05:16
Graeme Massie
Everyone who has already asked Trump for a pardon
04:40
Oliver O'Connell
In the waning hours of his first administration, Donald Trump enacted one of his final executive orders on January 20, 2021 and granted clemency to 143 individuals, including former aide Steve Bannon and rapper Lil Wayne.
Four years on, it’s Joe Biden’s turn.
