Donald Trump’s sentencing in his New York hush money trial has been indefinitely postponed by Judge Juan Merchan in the wake of his election win over Democrat Kamala Harris earlier this month.
The president-elect was found guilty on all 34 counts on May 30 after a seven-week trial in Manhattan over his efforts to conceal a $130,000 payoff to the adult film star Stormy Daniels in October 2016.
Judge Merchan agreed to adjourn sentencing on Friday while also setting new deadlines on Trump’s motion to dismiss the verdict.
On Thursday, the Republican announced that former Florida attorney general Pam Bondi – who represented him at his first impeachment trial in the Senate in 2019 – is his new pick to lead the Department of Justice following the withdrawal of ex-congressman Matt Gaetz.
Gaetz dropped out of the confirmation process yesterday saying his candidacy was “becoming a distraction” after the House Ethics Committee came under pressure to release the findings of its investigation into allegations he had sex with a minor, which the politician has consistently denied.
The scandal had reportedly led Trump’s team to consider Gaetz “blackmail-able”, marking the end of his run for the top job.
Key Points
- Judge indefinitely postpones Donald Trump’s hush money sentencing
- Trump names Pam Bondi as new attorney general pick after controversial first choice Matt Gaetz withdraws
- Gaetz teases ‘different post’ amid speculation he could replace Marco Rubio in the Senate
- Trump team reportedly considered Gaetz too ‘blackmail-able’ to be next AG
- RFK Jr hits out at media after audio emerges of him calling Trump a ‘bully’ and comparing him to Hitler
Breaking: Judge indefinitely postpones Trump’s hush money sentencing
15:52
Joe Sommerlad
The president-elect’s sentencing date, which was scheduled for next week (Tuesday November 26) is now officially off the calendar.
In a filing on Friday, Judge Juan Merchan has agreed to adjourn the sentencing while setting deadlines on Trump’s new motion to dismiss the verdict in his hush money trial for December 2.
Manhattan prosecutors will have until December 9 to reply.
This was all in the cards after Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg’s office agreed to pause sentencing so they can address the defense’s incoming argument for throwing the case out.
NEW: Justice Merchan pushes off Trump’s sentencing hearing and sets Dec. 2 deadline for defense team to file new motion to dismiss his New York convictions. pic.twitter.com/qD2W5Q0UMT
— Anna Bower (@AnnaBower) November 22, 2024
Republican says Alejandro Mayorkas should be charged over border to ‘make an example’ of him
15:45
Joe Sommerlad
Texas GOP Representative Beth Van Duyne appeared on Fox Business this morning and told Maria Bartiromo that Joe Biden’s homeland security secretary should face criminal charges for failing to rein in illegal border crossings.
Her party has already tried and failed to impeach Mayorkas so is now threatening something that sounds an awful lot like “lawfare” to me.
Rep. Beth Van Duyne calls for DHS Secretary Mayorkas to be charged with crimes to "make an example" for his "horrendous poliies" pic.twitter.com/hCZdHRVnGa
— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) November 22, 2024
Trump adviser says Mike Rogers will not be FBI director: ‘Not happening’
15:25
Joe Sommerlad
Rogers was previously an outspoken critic of the president-elect before embracing him when he ran for the Senate in Michigan, only to lose.
His hopes of leading the FBI have just been shot down by one of the long-serving members of Trump’s inner circle.
Just spoke to President Trump regarding Mike Rogers going to the FBI. It’s not happening — In his own words, “I have never even given it a thought.” Not happening.
— Dan Scavino Jr. (@DanScavino) November 22, 2024
Bill O’Reilly claims Trump’s cabinet will have zero policy input: ‘Say “yes, sir" or they’re not going to be OK’
15:05
Joe Sommerlad
The 75-year-old former Fox News host appeared on NewsNation on Wednesday night, saying that Trump is likely to concentrate power at the White House and simply have his department leaders follow his directives.
The commentator compared Trump’s incoming administration to that of Franklin D Roosevelt, saying that the president-elect will put in place a structure where cabinet members will simply follow his lead.
Gustaf Kilander has more.
Watch: Nancy Mace tears down trans bathroom posters and throws them in trash in response to bill protest
14:45
Joe Sommerlad
Bill Clinton says Trump has ‘done everything he could’ to undermine faith in government
14:25
Joe Sommerlad
The 42nd president was speaking to MSNBC last night and issued a stinging criticism of the president-elect and his preoccupation with loyalty at any cost to the individual.
Bill Clinton: He's interested in people who are loyal to him 100% of the time no matter who gets hurt. He believes that his supporters have no confidence whatever in the federal government. And Lord knows he's done everything he could to destroy that confidence. pic.twitter.com/G7d5qcpJdd
— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) November 21, 2024
Seth Meyers skewers Matt Gaetz’s failed eight-day run for attorney general
14:05
Joe Sommerlad
The late-night host naturally had plenty of fun with Gaetz’s implosion yesterday.
Rhian Lubin has this on what Meyers had to say.
Gaetz teases ‘different post’ amid speculation he could replace Rubio in the Senate
13:45
Joe Sommerlad
As we saw a little earlier, the near-miss AG was hinting yesterday he might be back in some other capacity.
Rhian Lubin has more.
Trump’s AG pick Pam Bondi rescued a dog from Hurricane Katrina. Its owners then sued her for ‘stealing’ it
13:25
Joe Sommerlad
Here’s a shaggy dog story about the former Florida attorney general, an adopted St Bernard and a bitter canine custody battle.
Morning Joe hosts agreed to Trump meeting over fears of intern probe
13:05
Joe Sommerlad
Joe Scarborough and Mika Brzezinski, the hosts of MSNBC’s flagship morning show, allegedly met with the president-elect a week ago over fears that then-attorney general nominee Matt Gaetz would investigate the death of an intern in Scarborough’s office during his time as a Florida Republican congressman, according to a Puck News report.
Gustaf Kilander has more on this one.
Milley blasts claim by Hegseth that women shouldn’t serve in combat
12:45
Joe Sommerlad
General Mark Milley, who served as the 20th Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said that the US military “must be and always should be” standards-based, as he called out the comments by Pete Hegseth.
A military veteran and former Fox News host, Hegseth was announced as the president-elect’s choice for secretary of defense last week in a move that caused consternation across the political aisle.
He served 13 years as a part-time member of the National Guard, culminating in the rank of major.
“It hasn’t made us more effective, hasn’t made us more lethal, has made fighting more complicated,” Hegseth said in an interview earlier this month.
He went on to add that he was “straight-up saying we should not have women in combat roles”.
Speaking at a national security innovation event hosted by the Pallas Foundation on Thursday, Milley, who served as the nation’s highest-ranking military officer, reacted to the comments thusly:
Milley: Don’t lecture me about women in combat. Women have been in combat and it doesn’t matter if that 762 hits you in the chest, no one gives a shit if it's a woman or guy who pulled the trigger. If you meet the standards, our military must be and always should be a… pic.twitter.com/nkAXWIveTU
— Acyn (@Acyn) November 21, 2024
Here’s more from Mike Bedigan.
The ‘totally reasonable’ choice and the controversial MAGA loyalist: How Trump plans to shake-up the FBI
12:25
Joe Sommerlad
The president-elect is considering former special agent Mike Rogers to head up the FBI, with controversial MAGA loyalist Kash Patel as his deputy, according to a report.
Trump has made it clear he intends to shake up the bureau and fire the current FBI director, Christopher Wray, whom he himself nominated for the position during his first term in 2017 after getting rid of James Comey.
Rhian Lubin has the latest.
Melania and RFK Jr join forces to try to improve Trump’s diet: ‘Think fewer Big Macs and less KFC’
12:05
Joe Sommerlad
The president-elect’s penchant for fast food is no secret, with his customary 2,400-calorie McDonald’s order consisting of two Big Macs and two Fillet-O-Fish, washed down with a chocolate milkshake.
He even sported an apron and worked a short shift on the fryer at a branch of the Golden Arches last month while on the campaign trail.
Now, the incoming first lady and Trump’s pick as health and human services secretary are said to be “ganging up” on the president-elect in a bid to urge him to swap out his French fries for French beans.
Good luck with that.
Here’s James Liddell to peruse the menu.
Trump still hasn’t signed papers to officially start transition
11:45
Joe Sommerlad
More than two weeks after the 2024 election, the White House says President-elect Donald Trump and his team still haven’t executed the legal documents required to officially start the transition process.
Trump is due to take the presidential oath of office on the Capitol steps in just under 60 days.
Yet, White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said on Thursday that the Trump-Vance team had “not yet entered into the agreements with the White House and the General Service Administration”, despite ongoing efforts to negotiate involving White House Chief of Staff Jeff Zients and his incoming Trump administration counterpart, Susie Wiles.
Last week, Democratic Senator Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts said the Trump transition team was “breaking the law” by not signing the memoranda, which include required ethics agreements.
Could an admin error prevent all of this from coming to pass?
Here’s more from Andrew Feinberg.
Watch: Pete Hegseth corned on Capitol Hill over sexual assault allegation
11:25
Joe Sommerlad
This was what Trump’s nominee for defense secretary had to say yesterday when buttonholed by the press about the release of the police report into the complaint made against him by a woman he met at a conservative conference in Monterey, California, in 2017.
“No” is also an answer. https://t.co/VstmdThO95
— Shannon Watts (@shannonrwatts) November 21, 2024
Inside Trump’s phone call to Gaetz that ended his attorney general nomination
11:05
Joe Sommerlad
Here’s James Liddell on the call that ended that Matt Gaetz’s hopes of leading the Justice Department.
RFK Jr hits out at media after audio emerges of him calling Trump a ‘bully’ and comparing him unfavorably to Adolf Hitler
10:45
Joe Sommerlad
Robert F Kennedy Jr, the incoming Trump administration’s pick to lead the Department of Health and Human Services, is under fire after disparaging comments he made about the president-elect in 2016 on his radio show Ring of Fire re-emerged on Thursday.
During one broadcast, Kennedy read approvingly from an article that claimed the Trump coalition was made of a group of genuine Nazis buoyed by “a much larger group of opportunists and spineless fellow travellers whose primary function is to turn a blind eye to things.”
“And, you know, he’s not like Hitler,” he added, arguing: “Hitler had like a plan, you know, Hitler was interested in policy...
“I don’t think Trump has any of that. He’s like non compos mentis. He’ll get in there and who knows what will happen.”
RFK Jr responded to that bombshell by lashing out at the media, telling The Daily Mail: “Like many Americans, I allowed myself to believe the mainstream media’s distorted, dystopian portrait of President Trump.
“I no longer hold this belief and now regret having made those statements.”
So Trump’s VP said he was “America’s Hitler,” and his HHS nominee agreed that he is like Hitler except “Hitler was interested in policy.”
— Ron Filipkowski (@RonFilipkowski) November 22, 2024
This is where we are at. pic.twitter.com/4ohjIF31vA
Here’s Josh Marcus with more on Kennedy’s original comments.
Trump goes to war with the press: multi-billion dollar lawsuits and commands to ‘kill’ media protections
10:25
Joe Sommerlad
The president-elect spent his campaign suing news organizations for billions of dollars.
In office, he could strip press freedoms and kill legislation that aims to protect sources, Alex Woodward reports.
Trump’s new AG pick didn’t pursue lawsuit against Trump University – after he donated $25k to her campaign
10:05
Joe Sommerlad
The incoming Trump administration didn’t waste time on Thursday unveiling Pam Bondi as Matt Gaetz’s replacement.
She served as Florida’s attorney general from 2011 to 2019, is both an experienced public official and a long-time Trump ally who served on his first impeachment defense team but is no stranger to controversy herself:
Trump’s new AG https://t.co/QrlN8hbyY8
— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) November 21, 2024
On CNN last night, Ana Navarro has this to say about her:
“I know Pam Bondi very well. Pam Bondi, like many other Republicans, is a mainstream Republican who turned MAGA.
“I will tell you, she is not an ogre. She is not a jerk. She is not a person who purposely wants to come across as being the kind of person that Matt Gaetz wants to come across as being.
“She has been an early loyalist of Donald Trump back in the 2016 primaries. She was a loyalist of him even though Jeb Bush and Marco Rubio were running. I think with Pam Bondi, he gets loyalty, which matters a lot to him.
“And she hasn’t committed statutory rape or been accused of it.”
Here’s Josh Marcus on what you need to know about her.
Can Gaetz return to Congress after failed attorney general bid?
09:45
Joe Sommerlad
Matt Gaetz responded to praise from Vice President-Elect JD Vance last night by hinting darkly that he might return in another form like some sort of ghastly extraterrestrial super-villain.
Thank you, Mr. VP-Elect!
— Matt Gaetz (@mattgaetz) November 21, 2024
I look forward to continuing the fight to save our country.
Just maybe from a different post https://t.co/v9w9xFYNEE
Here’s Josh Marcus on the prospect of him slipping seamlessly back into Congress.
Trump team believed Gaetz was too ‘blackmail-able’ to be attorney general, report says
09:25
Joe Sommerlad
Gaetz withdrew his name from consideration for the role on Thursday, saying his candidacy was “becoming a distraction” in light of the intense media coverage of the past investigations into his alleged drug use and sex with a minor, accusations he has consistently denied.
“While the momentum was strong, it is clear that my confirmation was unfairly becoming a distraction to the critical work of the Trump/Vance Transition,” he wrote on X.
It’s fair to say that Senate Democrat John Fetterman was not altogether surprised by the development:
Hahahahhahahah.
— Art Candee (@ArtCandee) November 21, 2024
Senator John Fetterman reacts to Matt Gaetz withdrawing his name as Trump's Attorney General:
"Holy sh*t. I didn't see that coming."
He then goes on to say that Donald will probably issue a new silver dollar to commemorate it.
pic.twitter.com/LQlofW7vNM
This is what Trump had to say publicly in tribute to Gaetz yesterday:
— Donald J. Trump Posts From His Truth Social (@TrumpDailyPosts) November 21, 2024
However, behind the scenes, his team had reportedly been forced to conclude that their man was too “blackmail-able” for further consideration.
Here’s more on that from Gustaf Kilander.
Donald Trump names Pam Bondi as new AG pick after controversial first choice Matt Gaetz withdraws
09:05
Joe Sommerlad
Good morning!
If you’re just catching up to the whirlwind events of yesterday, Donald Trump’s has announced that former Florida attorney general Pam Bondi is his new pick to lead the Department of Justice (DOJ) following the departure of ex-congressman Matt Gaetz.
“For too long, the partisan Department of Justice has been weaponized against me and other Republicans – Not anymore,” the president-elect wrote in a statement on Thursday evening.
“Pam will refocus the DOJ to its intended purpose of fighting Crime, and Making America Safe Again.”
Gaetz was highly complimentary about Bondi’s choice (but then what else could he say?), although his praise was dwarfed by that of an excessively grovelling Lindsey Graham.
.@PamBondi is a stellar selection by President Trump for Attorney General.
— Matt Gaetz (@mattgaetz) November 22, 2024
Pam and I worked closely together when she was Florida’s Attorney General and I chaired Criminal Justice in the state house.
She’s a proven litigator, an inspiring leader and a champion for all… https://t.co/K86sK7WkPf
Well done, Mr. President. Picking Pam Bondi for Attorney General is a grand slam, touchdown, hole in one, ace, hat trick, slam dunk, Olympic gold medal pick.
— Lindsey Graham (@LindseyGrahamSC) November 22, 2024
She will be confirmed quickly because she deserves to be confirmed quickly. https://t.co/gJ9pGUy6QW
Republican senator Mike Rounds told CNN yesterday that Bondi would be subjected to the same scrutiny by Congress as Trump’s other cabinet picks but questions have already been raised on that point...
Sen. Rounds says Bondi will have to go through “the process” just like anyone else. But anyone else nominated for AG would have to go through a FBI background check and no signs Trump transition is going to engage with that part of process, for her or other Cabinet picks. https://t.co/adKZTuU0aR
— Zachary Cohen (@ZcohenCNN) November 22, 2024
Here’s the full story from Mike Bedigan and Alex Woodward.
Trump cabinet latest: Who will get confirmed and who will work across the aisle?
08:45
Oliver O'Connell
Donald Trump is nearly done with his slate of initial Cabinet nominees as his incoming White House and broader administration begin to take shape.
And while a few notables are making headlines and could face real opposition to their respective confirmations, more are expected to sail smoothly through the Republican-controlled Senate.
Most reflect one of two schools of the Republican Party, now both totally subservient to Trump. Some are MAGA diehards, like Matt Gaetz and Kristi Noem. Others are more aligned with the party’s center, like Marco Rubio. Figures who fall into both camps may find opportunities for common ground with Democrats over the next four years — a valuable prospect if the opposition party is able to win control of one or both chambers of Congress in the future.
A number of Cabinet positions remain outstanding: Trump has yet to name his picks for Agriculture, HUD, Treasury and Labor. But his choices for the most prominent positions are now all named, and some are much more bipartisan — or more antagonistic — than a layperson might expect.
John Bowden reports.
How much does Linda McMahon actually know about education?
08:15
Oliver O'Connell
While Trump’s pick for education secretary is relatively unknown in academic circles, she is famous in another: the WWE ring.
Former wrestling mogul and billionaire Linda McMahon has stunned educators by being unveiled as Trump’s choice to run the Department of Education – or, perhaps, to lead the operation to scrap it altogether.
But how much education experience does she actually have?
Rhian Lubin takes a look.
Hegseth’s comments about women in the military met with outrage
07:45
Oliver O'Connell
Women veterans, service members and advocacy groups are outraged by recent remarks from Donald Trump’s pick to lead the nation’s military branches, a veteran and former Fox News host who does not want women serving in combat.
Pete Hegseth, who Trump has nominated to be the next secretary of defense, has been widely derided for a lack of qualifications to lead the country’s largest federal agency and its 3 million service members and civilian staff members.
Here’s retired General Mark Milley giving his blunt response to Hegseth’s nomination:
Milley: Don’t lecture me about women in combat. Women have been in combat and it doesn’t matter if that 762 hits you in the chest, no one gives a shit if it's a woman or guy who pulled the trigger. If you meet the standards, our military must be and always should be a… pic.twitter.com/nkAXWIveTU
— Acyn (@Acyn) November 21, 2024
Alex Woodward reports.
Full story: Matt Gaetz drops out of consideration for attorney general
07:15
Oliver O'Connell
Former Florida congressman Matt Gaetzannounced on Thursday that he would end his bid to be Donald Trump’s attorney general.
“I had excellent meetings with senators yesterday. I appreciate their thoughtful feedback — and the incredible support of so many. While the momentum was strong, it is clear that my confirmation was unfairly becoming a distraction to the critical work of the Trump/Vance Transition,” tweeted Gaetz.
John Bowden reports from Washington, DC.
Nikki Haley issues scathing takedown of two Trump cabinet picks
06:15
Oliver O'Connell
Nikki Haley has launched into a blistering critique of Donald Trump’s cabinet picks Tulsi Gabbard and Robert F Kennedy Jr, slamming the former as “a Russian, Iranian, Syrian, Chinese sympathizer.”
The former United Nations Ambassador in Trump’s first administration raised major concerns about Gabbard, who was picked as director of national security, and RFK Jr, who was nominated Health and Human Services secretary, during her SiriusXM show Nikki Haley Live on Wednesday.
James Liddell reports.
Matt Gaetz: What to know about sexual misconduct allegations as he withdraws as Trump’s attorney general pick
05:15
Oliver O'Connell
Matt Gaetz has withdrawn himself from consideration for the role of Donald Trump’s attorney general.
The former Florida congressman announced he was ending his bid to head up the Justice Department on Thursday, saying he had become “a distraction” to the future Trump-Vance administration.
His withdrawal comes following a week of intense scrutiny over resurfaced allegations of wrongdoing, including a federal sex trafficking probe – that ended without charges – and a House ethics inquiry. He vehemently denies the allegations.
Josh Marcus and Rhian Lubin break down what you need to know.
Bill O’Reilly claims Trump’s cabinet will have zero policy input: ‘Say ‘yes, sir’ or they’re not going to be OK’
04:40
Gustaf Kilander
Bill O’Reilly, the former Fox News host, has argued that President-elect Donald Trump’s cabinet picks will not have any sway over policy in his next administration.
The 75-year-old appeared on NewsNation on Wednesday night, saying that Trump is likely to concentrate power at the White House and simply have his department leaders follow his directives.
The commentator compared Trump’s incoming administration to that of Franklin D. Roosevelt, saying that the president-elect will put in place a structure where cabinet members will simply follow his lead.
Read more:
Sex scandal claims swirl around Trump’s cabinet
04:15
Oliver O'Connell
President-elect Donald Trump’s cabinet is proving to be one of the most controversial in recent memory, including a number of people who face sexual misconduct allegations.
Trump himself has been accused of sexual misconduct by more than two dozen women. He has bragged about grabbing women “by the p***y.” A jury found him liable for sex abuse against former Elle columnist E. Jean Carroll.
Still, he has been elected twice to serve as president. He has denied all the accusations against him.
“This is not a good time for survivors or victims. People are not going to speak up because, look, it’s falling on deaf ears. No one cares,” one of Trump’s accusers previously told The Independent after he was re-elected.
Now, he’s nominated a number of individuals who also face claims of engaging in or tolerating sexual misconduct.
Karoline Leavitt, Trump-Vance transition spokeswoman said: “The American people re-elected President Trump by a resounding margin giving him a mandate to implement the promises he made on the campaign trail — and his Cabinet picks reflect his priority to put America First. President Trump will continue to appoint highly-qualified men and women who have the talent, experience, and necessary skill sets to Make America Great Again.”
Kelly Rissman looks at some of the contentious picks Trump has made for his inner circle.
Piers Morgan mocks Ellen DeGeneres over reported decision to move to England after Trump win
03:45
Gustaf Kilander
Ellen DeGeneres and her wife, Portia de Rossi, have reportedly listed their Montecito estate and relocated to rural England following Donald Trump’s presidential win.
The former TV host, 66, and her wife, 51, have fled the country and plan to “never return” to the U.S., sources told The Wrap.
The couple of 16 years has move to the Cotswolds in South West England, the outlet reports, and their Montecito mansion, about 90 miles north of Los Angeles, has either already been privately listed or will be on the market soon.
Inga Parkel has more.
Tommy Tuberville tells Steve Bannon 2020 election was stolen
03:15
Oliver O'Connell
Alabama Republican Senator Tommy Tuberville questioned the validity of the 2020 election during an appearance on Steve Bannon’s War Room podcast with an offensive rant in which he called President Joe Biden a “bedridden dementia patient.”
Bannon, President-elect Donald Trump’s former White House chief strategist, asked Tuberville about the Democrats, saying “They’re there to fully stop Donald Trump and hopefully take their plans to take the House in two years and impeach him, right?”
Tuberville said the Democrats’ plan “was accelerated because they stole the election from President Trump and they were able to get four years with a bedridden dementia patient.”
Gustaf Kilander reports.
