President Joe Biden sharply criticized President-elect Donald Trump’s economic plan, particularly his proposal to impose large tariffs on imports. In a recent speech at the Brookings Institution, Biden argued that such measures would have detrimental effects on both the U.S. economy and its international relationships, calling them a “major mistake” that would ultimately hurt American consumers. Biden’s remarks come as Trump prepares for his second term in office after securing victory in the 2024 presidential election , largely driven by voter frustration with rising living costs under Democratic leadership. The outgoing president raised concerns about Trump’s economic strategies, specifically his plan to impose significant tariffs on goods from the U.S.’s largest trading partners, including Mexico, Canada, and China. These countries are crucial to the U.S. economy, and Biden warned that such tariffs would raise costs for American consumers, potentially stalling the nation’s economic recovery. “I pray to God the president-elect throws away Project 2025. I think it would be an economic disaster for us and the region,” Biden stated, referring to a conservative blueprint for Trump’s second term, which includes plans for further trade restrictions. Biden’s criticism comes at a time when Trump has already begun to shape his policy agenda for the upcoming term, even though his inauguration won’t take place until January 20. Despite this, Trump has been making waves by commenting on economic matters and foreign policy, positioning himself as a shadow president with significant influence. Janet Yellen Joins In Criticism Of Trump’s Tariffs In support of Biden’s stance, Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen also voiced concerns about Trump’s proposed tariffs. Speaking at the Wall Street Journal’s CEO Council Summit, Yellen warned that these tariffs could undermine the progress made in reducing inflation and could negatively impact U.S. growth. She emphasized that the imposition of sweeping tariffs would likely lead to higher prices for American consumers and increase pressure on companies that depend on imports for their supply chains. “Tariffs could derail the progress we’ve made on inflation and have adverse consequences on growth,” Yellen stated, reinforcing the concerns shared by Biden. Biden Reflects On His Economic Legacy As Biden nears the end of his presidency, he used this speech to reflect on his administration’s economic achievements. With less than six weeks remaining in office, Biden emphasized the success of his “middle-out, bottom-up” economic approach, which focused on supporting the working and middle classes. He contrasted this approach with what he described as Trump’s failed “trickle-down economics,” where tax cuts for the wealthy were expected to boost economic growth, but in Biden’s view, have done little to address the needs of everyday Americans. Biden pointed to his administration’s efforts in driving the recovery from the Covid-19 pandemic, as well as significant investments in green technology and industries. He also praised the U.S. economy for its resilience, stating, “President-elect Trump is receiving the strongest economy in modern history.” Despite his many accomplishments, Biden expressed regret over one aspect of his tenure: not personally signing the Covid stimulus checks sent to Americans, a gesture that Trump had made during the pandemic. Nonetheless, Biden’s broader message was one of hope and optimism, emphasizing the importance of U.S. leadership on the global stage. “As we face a troubled world, the question remains: If we do not lead the world, what nation will?” Biden asked, signaling a sharp contrast to Trump’s increasingly isolationist stance. While Trump has suggested that the U.S. should pull back from global leadership, Biden remains committed to maintaining the country’s influence in international affairs. ALSO READ | How Musk Could Reap Big Rewards From Trump’s Latest Proposal
Pla2na SMCI stock: latest developments set up a swing trade My last piece on Super Micro Computer, Inc. ( NASDAQ: SMCI ) was published on November 3, 2024, shortly before the release of its 2024 FY Q4 earning report (“ER”). As you can tell, our core style is to provide actionable and unambiguous ideas from our independent research. If you share this investment style, check out Envision Early Retirement. It provides at least 1x in-depth articles per week on such ideas. We have helped our members not only to beat S&P 500 but also avoid heavy drawdowns despite the extreme volatilities in BOTH the equity AND bond market. Join for a 100% Risk-Free trial and see if our proven method can help you too. Envision Research, aka Lucas Ma, has over 15+ years of investment experience and holds a Masters with in Quantitative Investment and a PhD in Mechanical Engineering with a focus on renewable energy, both from Stanford University. He also has 30+ years of hands-on experience in high-tech R&D and consulting, housing sector, credit sector, and actual portfolio management. He leads the investing group Envision Early Retirement along with Sensor Unlimited where they offer proven solutions to generate both high income and high growth with isolated risks through dynamic asset allocation. Features include: two model portfolios - one for short-term survival/withdrawal and one for aggressive long-term growth, direct access via chat to discuss ideas, monthly updates on all holdings, tax discussions, and ticker critiques by request. Analyst’s Disclosure: I/we have no stock, option or similar derivative position in any of the companies mentioned, and no plans to initiate any such positions within the next 72 hours. I wrote this article myself, and it expresses my own opinions. I am not receiving compensation for it (other than from Seeking Alpha). I have no business relationship with any company whose stock is mentioned in this article. Seeking Alpha's Disclosure: Past performance is no guarantee of future results. No recommendation or advice is being given as to whether any investment is suitable for a particular investor. Any views or opinions expressed above may not reflect those of Seeking Alpha as a whole. Seeking Alpha is not a licensed securities dealer, broker or US investment adviser or investment bank. Our analysts are third party authors that include both professional investors and individual investors who may not be licensed or certified by any institute or regulatory body.
Saudi Arabia’s King Salman inaugurates Riyadh Metro
NO ONE EVER thinks a brain injury will happen to them, but it people in this country each year – that’s 52 people every single day. Globally, neurological conditions – including acquired brain injury (ABI) – are of ill health and disability. Brain injuries happen overnight. It could be as the result of a stroke, a fall, road traffic collision or brain tumour, among many other causes. In an instant, the lives of the person and their family are turned upside down. The effects of any brain injury are life-changing. Some people live with long-term challenges – many hidden, others not: chronic fatigue, loss of sight or speech, memory loss, difficulty managing emotions, reduced capacity to work, or carry out everyday activities like cooking, washing and managing family life. Advances in medical care and technology have resulted in more people surviving the trauma of a brain injury, but survival is just the beginning of a long and often complex recovery journey. For these reasons and many more, timely neuro-rehabilitation is of the essence. Neuro-rehabilitation is a clinical and social process to help recovery after a brain injury. It is about relearning, compensating and regrowth, so the person lives a meaningful life of their own choosing – the WHO describes it as a problem-solving process. Each person is assessed, a personalised plan is put in place and, gradually, they are supported by an expert team to regain independence and adapt to their environment. We know that life after a brain injury can be so much better if the person has access to the rehabilitation they need as soon as possible. tells us that “early access to specialised, intensive neuro-rehabilitation services enables people with ABI to recover faster and achieve the best outcome for them, their families and society at large.” Timely access shortens the length of hospital stays, and reduces the burden of care on families, and the cost to the state. Most importantly, it lessens the impact of the brain injury and maximises the potential of the person to rebuild a new life. that neuro-rehabilitation is a necessary part of recovery and adjustment. But despite all the evidence, neuro-rehabilitation services in Ireland continue to be substantially under-resourced. While some recent and welcome investment has been made in short-term, post-acute services, the reality is that there is still very limited neuro-rehabilitation available to survivors, especially over the long-term in the community. Even the Government’s acknowledges that “services in the area of neuro-rehabilitation have been underdeveloped in Ireland and where they exist, they have been developed in an ad hoc manner”. The result, for survivors and their families, is a lottery of age and geography where access to rehabilitation and potential for recovery depends on where you live, or how well your family can advocate for services. This is a fundamental contravention of the human right to rehabilitation as enshrined in the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities ( ). Some stay months, or even years in hospital beds waiting for a rehabilitation placement. Others are discharged without a plan for follow-up supports, to homes that are not accessible and with families unable to cope. Young survivors are still being placed inappropriately in nursing homes for older people because there is simply no alternative available. Once there, there is no equitable system in place to review and support their case. Behind closed institutional doors, many are forgotten about. However there are solutions to the pathway problem, and sustainable state investment in long-term neuro-rehabilitation is one of the cornerstones. Currently, 21 brain injury survivors previously placed in nursing homes are living in Acquired Brain Injury Ireland community-based houses with 24/7 specialist rehabilitation support. Our Case Managers and rehabilitation teams have supported 41 more to transition out of nursing homes back to community living. Some of them have since moved into their own homes. Over two years, our vocational rehabilitation programme supported 234 survivors: 53% returned to work, 21% to education. All of them are making a meaningful contribution to the communities of which they are a part. Our Clubhouses, providing group rehabilitation, promote independence and offer members structure, community and camaraderie. Education resources and peer support groups are available to families and carers coming to terms with a new way of life. With access to ongoing neuro-rehabilitation it is possible for survivors of brain injury to rebuild their lives and reach their full potential. But it must be available on an equitable basis for everyone who needs it. And ultimately – what is the alternative? Incidences of ABI will continue to increase in the years to come in line with increased survival rates. So too – – will demand for neuro-rehabilitation. It is incumbent on those elected to our next Dáil to address the lack of political priority and slow policy implementation process in this area to date, as the “inhumane mistake of many national governments”. In advance of Friday’s vote, we at Acquired Brain Injury Ireland are calling on candidates to fight for the lives of brain injury survivors. We are asking them to commit in the Programme for Government to fully implement the . We want to see our elected representatives: In the course of our election campaigning, we spoke to author and survivor Phil Quinlan who described his lived experience after suffering a traumatic brain injury on the football field at the age of 15. To this day he asks if he could have achieved so much more, had the system kept him and supported him. He talks about the impact on his parents who took over his rehabilitation when he was discharged from hospital, ‘left to his own devices’. And he affirms – as we know too well from our work in the field – that “After the devastation of a brain injury when families have their loved one back home, they’re emotionally so relieved and simply exhausted that often they don’t have the energy to seek help.” On behalf of Phil, and the 120,000 other people in Ireland living with a disability after brain injury, we invite you to ahead of this Friday’s election. Please ask the candidates in your locality if they will ‘fight for the lives’ of brain injury survivors and sustain vital rehabilitation services. None of us know when we may need the support.Conference title games a chance at a banner, bragging rights and, for some, a season-wrecking loss
By CHRISTOPHER RUGABER WASHINGTON (AP) — President-elect Donald Trump on Tuesday named Andrew Ferguson as the next chair of the Federal Trade Commission . He will replace Lina Khan, who became a lightning rod for Wall Street and Silicon Valley by blocking billions of dollars’ worth of corporate acquisitions and suing Amazon and Meta while alleging anticompetitive behavior . Ferguson is already one of the FTC’s five commissioners, which is currently made up of three Democrats and two Republicans. “Andrew has a proven record of standing up to Big Tech censorship, and protecting Freedom of Speech in our Great Country,” Trump wrote on Truth Social, adding, “Andrew will be the most America First, and pro-innovation FTC Chair in our Country’s History.” Related Articles National Politics | Biden issues veto threat on bill expanding federal judiciary as partisan split emerges National Politics | Trump lawyers and aide hit with 10 additional felony charges in Wisconsin over 2020 fake electors National Politics | After withdrawing as attorney general nominee, Matt Gaetz lands a talk show on OANN television National Politics | What will happen to Social Security under Trump’s tax plan? National Politics | Republican-led states are rolling out plans that could aid Trump’s mass deportation effort The replacement of Khan likely means that the FTC will operate with a lighter touch when it comes to antitrust enforcement. The new chair is expected to appoint new directors of the FTC’s antitrust and consumer protection divisions. “These changes likely will make the FTC more favorable to business than it has been in recent years, though the extent to which is to be determined,” wrote Anthony DiResta, a consumer protection attorney at Holland & Knight, in a recent analysis . Deals that were blocked by the Biden administration could find new life with Trump in command. For example, the new leadership could be more open to a proposed merger between the country’s two biggest supermarket chains, Kroger and Albertsons, which forged a $24.6 billion deal to combine in 2022. Two judges halted the merger Tuesday night. The FTC had filed a lawsuit in federal court earlier this year to block the merger, claiming the deal would eliminate competition, leading to higher prices and lower wages for workers. The two companies say a merger would help them lower prices and compete against bigger rivals like Walmart. One of the judges said the FTC had shown it was likely to prevail in the administrative hearing. Yet given the widespread public concern over high grocery prices, the Trump administration may not fully abandon the FTC’s efforts to block the deal, some experts have said. And the FTC may continue to scrutinize Big Tech firms for any anticompetitive behavior. Many Republican politicians have accused firms such as Meta of censoring conservative views, and some officials in Trump’s orbit, most notably Vice President-elect JD Vance, have previously expressed support for Khan’s scrutiny of Big Tech firms. In addition to Fergson, Trump also announced Tuesday that he had selected Jacob Helberg as the next undersecretary of state for economic growth, energy and the environment.
Egypt Daily News – Lieutenant General Abdel Majeed Saqr, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces and Minister of Defense and Military Production, inspected a number of armed forces units planned to participate in one of the African Union missions, in the presence of Lieutenant General Ahmed Khalifa, Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces, and a number of armed forces commanders. Major General Abdel Muti Abdel Aziz Allam, Commander of the Central Military Region, delivered a speech, during which he stressed the keenness of the General Command of the Armed Forces to support the region with the latest capabilities within the fields of combat training to ensure the preparation and distinguished training of the forces planned to travel within the missions of the African Union. The Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces listened to a detailed explanation of the technical and administrative preparation and equipment procedures for the participating force, which are carried out according to scientific principles using the latest weapons, equipment and advanced technological means. He also visited a number of training fields and educational classrooms equipped with the latest capabilities for military preparation and qualification in various specialties and inspected a number of training activities that demonstrated the high level of training, enabling soldiers to carry out their tasks in support of security and stability efforts, and reflects Egypt’s historical commitment to its brothers in the continent African. Lieutenant General Abdel Majeed Saqr, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces and Minister of Defense and Military Production, conveyed the greetings and appreciation of President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, stressing that the participation of the Armed Forces within the UN mission comes within the framework of Egypt continuing to implement its pioneering role at the regional and international levels and exerting all efforts to confront the challenges of international peace and security and establish the principles of peace and stability. He called on the participating elements to be role models in discipline, commitment, and to work with all honesty and honor, pointing out that they are the best ambassadors of the Armed Forces outside the borders of the country.The Housefly Effect explained and how it shapes human behaviourSocial Security checks are going to change forever in 2025. Unfortunately, life for retirees is not going to get that much better
I forked out £28 on ASOS heels for my Xmas girls’ night out – I thought they were cute but I looked like Mrs DOUBTFIRE
Finding the perfect gift can be daunting. The only way to truly ensure you get it right would be to ask the recipient what they want, but that wouldn’t be much fun for either of you. Luckily, there’s another tactic to help you earn a “gift whisperer” reputation: seeking out unique, practical, game-changing gifts that will truly surprise and delight. But that’s about as easy as it sounds, which is to say it’s not easy at all. So, we’ve done the legwork for you. Start making your list with this compilation of some of the most innovative, functional and fun gifts of 2024. There’s something for every budget. This image provided by FinaMill shows the FinaMill Ultimate Spice Grinder Set. The new FinaMill Ultimate Spice Grinder set elevates the pedestrian pepper and spice mill in both function and style. Uncredited - handout one time use, ASSOCIATED PRESS Bear with me: The new FinaMill Ultimate Spice Grinder set elevates the pedestrian pepper and spice mill in both function and style. Available in three colors (Sangria Red, Midnight Black and Soft Cream), the rechargeable-battery unit grinds with a light touch rather than hand-tiring twists. That’s easier for everyone and especially helpful for those experiencing hand or wrist issues such as arthritis, carpal tunnel syndrome or tendinitis. And it’s fun to use. The set includes a stackable storage tray and four pods that can be easily swapped as needed: The GT microplane grater for hard spices, nuts and chocolate; the MAX for large spices and dried herbs; the ProPlus for smaller and oily spices; and the Pepper Pod for, well, pepper. $110. This image provided by Pull Start Fire shows the matchless fire igniter in use. Made of 89% recycled materials, the food-safe, eco-friendly, 3-by-2-by-1-inch fire starters will light a fire quickly without matches, lighters or kindling. Uncredited - handout one time use, ASSOCIATED PRESS Campers and backyard firepit lovers who have experienced the heartbreak of wet wood will appreciate having a three-pack of Pull Start Fire on hand. Made of 89% recycled materials, including sanding dust, wax and flint, the food-safe, eco-friendly, 3-by-2-by-1-inch fire starters will light a fire quickly without matches, lighters or kindling. Just loop the attached green string around a log, incorporate it into a wood stack, and pull the attached red string to ignite. Each windproof, rainproof block burns for 30 minutes. $29.99. This image provided by Souper Cubes shows No Mess Utensils held upright on pot edges. The No Mess Utensil lives up to its name. The utensils, a serving spoon and a ladle, have innovative, S-shaped handles designed to rest on the edge of a pot. Uncredited - handout one time use, ASSOCIATED PRESS The No Mess Utensil Set from Souper Cubes , a company known for its portioned, silicone freezer trays, lives up to its name. The utensils — a serving spoon and a ladle — have innovative, S-shaped handles designed to rest on the edge of a pot, keeping them upright so they won’t slip in. The design also eliminates the need for a spoon rest or, worse, placing dirty utensils on the kitchen counter or stovetop between stirs. A silicone coating in a choice of Aqua, Charcoal, Cranberry or Blueberry keeps handles cool to the touch. $24.99. This image provided by FeatherSnap shows a female cardinal bird perched on a FeatherSnap Wi-Fi Solar Powered Camera Smart Bird Feeder. Equipped with an HD camera, the dual-chamber feeder enables up-close livestreaming of avian visitors, as well as species-logging via the free mobile app. Uncredited - handout one time use, ASSOCIATED PRESS The FeatherSnap Wi-Fi smart bird feeder could turn anyone into an avid birdwatcher. Equipped with an HD camera, the dual-chamber feeder enables up-close livestreaming of avian visitors, as well as species-logging via the free mobile app. An optional premium subscription ($59.99 annually or $6.99 monthly) includes unlimited photo and video storage, AI identification with species-specific details, and the opportunity to earn badges for logging new visitors. Turn on notifications to get alerts sent to your phone whenever there’s activity at the feeder. $179.99. This image provided by FUJIFILM North America Corporation and FUJIFILM Corporation Tokyo shows a smartphone printer. Fujifilm Instax's Mini Link 3 smartphone printer offers a touch of nostalgia without sacrificing technology. Just load the printer with film and connect it to your Android or iOS device via Bluetooth to print wallet-size photos. Uncredited - handout one time use, ASSOCIATED PRESS Fujifilm's Instax Mini Link 3 smartphone printer offers a touch of nostalgia without sacrificing technology. Just load the 4.9-by-3.5-by-1.3-inch printer with Instax Mini instant film and connect it to your Android or iOS device via Bluetooth to print wallet-size photos. If you want to get fancy, you can adjust brightness, contrast and saturation, or apply filters, including 3D augmented-reality effects, via the free Instax Mini Link app. It can also make collages of up to six images, or animate photos to share on social media. Available in Rose Pink, Clay White and Sage Green. $99.95. This image provided by easyplant shows a Marxii Calathea plant in a small, beige, self-watering pot. The appropriately named easyplant is one of the best gifts you can give your houseplant-loving friends, regardless of their experience level. Uncredited - handout one time use, ASSOCIATED PRESS The appropriately named easyplant is one of the best gifts you can give your houseplant-loving friends, regardless of their experience level. Select a pot color, size and plant (or get recommendations based on sunlight requirements, pet friendliness and other attributes) and fill the self-watering container’s built-in reservoir roughly once a month. Moisture will permeate the soil from the bottom as needed, eliminating the often-fatal consequences of over- or under-watering. It’s also a literal lifesaver come vacation time. $49-$259. This image provided by Nama shows the M1 plant-based milk maker. If you've got a no-dairy friend on your list, a plant-based milk maker could save them money while allowing them to avoid unnecessary ingredients like sugar, stabilizers, thickeners and preservatives. Uncredited - handout one time use, ASSOCIATED PRESS If you’ve got a no-dairy friend on your list, a plant-based milk maker could save them money while allowing them to avoid sugar, stabilizers, thickeners and preservatives. The Nama M1 appliance both blends and strains ingredients, converting nuts, seeds, grains or oats into velvety-smooth milk in just one minute, with zero grit. And for zero waste, the pasty leftover pulp can be used in other recipes for added nutrients. The device also makes infused oils, flavored waters and soups. And, importantly, cleanup is easy. Available in white and black. $400. This image provided by QelviQ shows a wine bottle chiller. For friends who prefer stronger beverages, the QelviQ personal sommelier uses "smart" technology to ensure wine is served at its ideal temperature. Uncredited - handout one time use, ASSOCIATED PRESS For friends who prefer stronger beverages, the QelviQ personal sommelier uses “smart” technology to ensure wine is served at its ideal temperature. Unlike traditional wine refrigerators, this device doesn’t take up any floor space. It also doesn’t chill wine to just one or two temperatures based on its color. Instead — paired with the free QelviQ app — the tabletop chiller relies on a database of more than 350,000 wines to bring a bottle to its specific recommended serving temperature in as little as 20 minutes. It also suggests food-wine and wine-food pairings. Plus, the appliance serves as a great icebreaker to inspire dinnertime conversation. Available in Exciting Red, Dashing Black and Dreamy White. $495. This image provided by Uncommon Goods shows a 2-piece LED Grilling Tool Set. Uncommon Good's 2-piece LED Grilling Tool Set puts illumination into the handles of its stainless-steel spatula and tongs. Uncredited - handout one time use, ASSOCIATED PRESS Grilling food after dark — and ascertaining its doneness — can prove challenging without outdoor lighting, and it’s nearly impossible to cook while holding a flashlight. But as is often the case, the simplest of solutions can make the biggest of impacts: Uncommon Good’s 2-piece LED Grilling Tool Set puts illumination into the handles of its stainless-steel spatula and tongs. After use, the lights can be removed and the utensils run through the dishwasher. $40.Single Heat Wave Wiped Out Millions Of Alaska's Dominant Seabird
Neurofibromatosis Type 2 Pipeline Analysis 2024: FDA Approvals and Emerging Therapies, Clinical Trials, Therapies, Mechanism of Action, Route of Administration, and Developments | Recursion Pharmaceuticals, Vivace Therapeutics, Healx Limited, SpringWorksWASHINGTON (AP) — President-elect Donald Trump on Thursday named Pam Bondi, the former attorney general of Florida, to be U.S. attorney general just hours after his other choice, Matt Gaetz , withdrew his name from consideration. Bondi is a longtime Trump ally and was one of his lawyers during his first impeachment trial, when he was accused — but not convicted — of abusing his power as he tried to condition U.S. military assistance to Ukraine on that country investigating then-former Vice President Joe Biden. Bondi was among a group of Republicans who showed up to support Trump at his hush money criminal trial in New York that ended in May with a conviction on 34 felony counts. She's been a chair at the America First Policy Institute, a think tank set up by former Trump administration staffers. “For too long, the partisan Department of Justice has been weaponized against me and other Republicans - Not anymore,” Trump said in a social media post. “Pam will refocus the DOJ to its intended purpose of fighting Crime, and Making America Safe Again.” Trump’s son Donald Trump Jr. told Fox Business on Sunday that the transition team had backups in mind for his controversial nominees should they fail to get confirmed. The swift selection of Bondi came about six hours after Gaetz withdrew. Gaetz stepped aside amid continued fallout over a federal sex trafficking investigation that cast doubt on his ability to be confirmed as the nation's chief federal law enforcement officer. That announcement capped a turbulent eight-day period in which Trump sought to capitalize on his decisive election win to force Senate Republicans to accept provocative selections like Gaetz, who had been investigated by the Justice Department before being tapped last week to lead it. The decision could heighten scrutiny on other controversial Trump nominees, including Pentagon pick Pete Hegseth , who faces sexual assault allegations that he denies. “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,” Gaetz, a Florida Republican who one day earlier met with senators in an effort to win their support, said in a statement. “There is no time to waste on a needlessly protracted Washington scuffle, thus I’ll be withdrawing my name from consideration to serve as Attorney General. Trump’s DOJ must be in place and ready on Day 1," he added. Hours later, Gaetz posted on social media that he looks “forward to continuing the fight to save our country,” adding, “Just maybe from a different post.” Trump, in a social media post, said: “I greatly appreciate the recent efforts of Matt Gaetz in seeking approval to be Attorney General. He was doing very well but, at the same time, did not want to be a distraction for the Administration, for which he has much respect. Matt has a wonderful future, and I look forward to watching all of the great things he will do!” Last week, Trump named personal lawyers Todd Blanche, Emil Bove and D. John Sauer to senior roles in the department. Another possible attorney general contender, Matt Whitaker, was announced Wednesday as the U.S. ambassador to NATO. Bondi, too, is a longtime loyalist. She has been a vocal critic of the criminal cases against Trump as well as Jack Smith, the special counsel who charged Trump in two federal cases. In one radio appearance, she blasted Smith and other prosecutors who have charged Trump as “horrible” people she said were trying to make names for themselves by “going after Donald Trump and weaponizing our legal system.” If confirmed by the Republican-led Senate, Bondi would instantly become one of the most closely watched members of Trump’s Cabinet given the Republican’s threat to pursue retribution against perceived adversaries and concern among Democrats that he will look to bend the Justice Department to his will. A recent Supreme Court opinion not only conferred broad immunity on former presidents but also affirmed a president’s exclusive authority over the Justice Department’s investigative functions. Bondi would inherit a Justice Department expected to pivot sharply on civil rights, corporate enforcement and the prosecutions of hundreds of Trump supporters charged in the Jan. 6, 2021, riot at the U.S. Capitol — defendants whom Trump has pledged to pardon . It’s unlikely that Bondi would be confirmed in time to overlap with Smith, who brought two federal indictments against Trump that are both expected to wind down before the incoming president takes office. Special counsels are expected to produce reports on their work that historically are made public, but it remains unclear when such a document might be released. In 2013, while serving as Florida attorney general, Bondi publicly apologized for asking that the execution of a man convicted of murder be delayed because it conflicted with a campaign fundraiser. Bondi said she was wrong and sorry for requesting then-Gov. Rick Scott push back the execution of Marshall Lee Gore by three weeks. Before she ran for state attorney general in 2010, Bondi worked for the Hillsborough County state attorney. Associated Press writers Zeke Miller, Michelle L. Price, Lisa Mascaro, Mary Clare Jalonick and Adriana Gomez Licon contributed to this report.
Donald Trump wants to revive long-dead Keystone XL pipeline as he pushes fossil-fuel agendaProminent figure from Canada's trucker protests against COVID-19 restrictions found guilty