Donald Trump’s nominees for senior roles in his incoming administration will be on Capitol Hill this week where Senate committees will scrutinize them as confirmation hearings begin in earnest.
More than a dozen hearings are scheduled, and one senator describes the number and pace as a “train wreck.” Notable picks who will face senators’ questions include Pete Hegseth, Kristi Noem, Pam Bondi, Marco Rubio, and Scott Bessent.
With a week to go before the inauguration, Melania Trump has spoken about her return to the White House. The soon-to-be first lady told Fox & Friends that she was already packed and appeared to be looking forward to resuming her official role.
The line-up for Inauguration Day has also been revealed with country star Carrie Underwood set to perform “America the Beautiful.”
Meanwhile, federal judge Aileen Cannon has ruled that the Justice Department can release volume one of special counsel Jack Smith’s report covering his election interference case against Trump.
The Trump appointee denied a motion to stop the publication of the report by Attorney General Merrick Garland but will not allow the release of volume two, which covers the Mar-a-Lago classified documents case.
Trump’s inauguration: Who is Christopher Macchio, the singer performing the national anthem?
Oliver O’Connell14 January 2025 05:50
ICYMI: Justice Department can publish Jack Smith report on Trump’s election interference case, judge rules
On Monday, Florida District Judge Aileen Cannon rejected arguments from Trump and his now-former co-defendants in the classified documents case who have tried to stop the Department of Justice from releasing the entire report.
Her decision clears the way for Attorney General Merrick Garland to partially release Smith’s report to the public once her initial three-day injunction expires at midnight Monday — less than a week before Trump returns to the White House.
Oliver O’Connell14 January 2025 04:50
Melania Trump tells Fox she doesn’t always agree with Donald
Soon-to-be first lady Melania Trump insisted on Monday that she is “independent” and will stand up to her husband, saying she doesn’t always “agree with what Donald is saying” and she is more than “just the wife of the president.”
During a friendly sitdown on her spouse’s favorite morning show Fox & Friends, the incoming first lady spent much of her time promoting an upcoming documentary on her return to the White House, which was licensed by Amazon for an eye-popping $40 million and directed by disgraced Hollywood director Brett Ratner.
Justin Barangoa has the story.
Oliver O’Connell14 January 2025 03:50
Civil servants are being asked who they voted for in 2024 election
According to a U.S. official familiar with the matter, incoming senior Trump administration officials have begun questioning career civil servants who work on the White House National Security Council about who they voted for in the 2024 election, their political contributions, and whether they have made social media posts that President-elect Donald Trump‘s team could consider incriminating.
At least some of these nonpolitical employees have begun packing up their belongings since being asked about their loyalty to Trump — after they had earlier been given indications that they would be asked to stay on at the NSC in the new administration, the official said, speaking on the condition of anonymity to discuss sensitive personnel matters.
Oliver O’Connell14 January 2025 02:50
Eric Trump mulling new family-branded vodka line
Eric Trump, son of president-elect Donald Trump, reportedly has been in talks to launch a new business venture: selling a new family-branded vodka.
Eric Trump Wineries has been discussing the idea of a new vodka line with a limited liability company and the Trump name would be used under a licensing agreement, sources told CBS News. It’s not immediately clear whether the deal would come to fruition before his father is inaugurated on January 20.
Oliver O’Connell14 January 2025 01:50
Trump’s call with Putin set for the next few days
It comes as a top Trump adviser said it is unrealistic to aim to expel Russian soldiers from every inch of Ukrainian territory.
Trump, who will return as U.S. president on January 20, styles himself as a master dealmaker and has vowed to swiftly end the war in Ukraine but not set out how he might achieve that.
Oliver O’Connell14 January 2025 00:50
Carrie Underwood met with intense backlash over Trump inauguration gig
The country singer, 41, is expected to sing “America the Beautiful.” She has previously declined to comment on politics.
A spokesperson for the Presidential Inaugural Committee confirmed to The Independent that Underwood will be performing at the event.
Kevin E G Perry reports from Los Angeles.
Oliver O’Connell13 January 2025 23:50
Report: US officials reached out to Putin over fears of Russia ‘enabling terrorism’
Oliver O’Connell13 January 2025 23:20
Ivanka Trump says she ‘hates’ politics and opens up about supporting father through ‘lonely’ presidency
Ivanka Trump confessed she “hates” the “darkness” of politics and unveiled how she plans to support her father during his second term.
Ivanka served as an adviser to her father during his first term, but she revealed she actually “hates” politics.
Kelly Rissman has the story.
Oliver O’Connell13 January 2025 22:50
Durbin: Rubio is ‘good choice to lead the State Department’
Democrat Senator Dick Durbin, the party’s whip in the upper chamber of Congress, says Senator Marco Rubio is “a good choice to lead the State Department,” as his confirmation hearing nears this week.
He wrote on X: “I met with Pres.-elect Trump’s Secretary of State pick, Marco Rubio. Senator Rubio and I have worked closely together in the Senate on a number of foreign policy issues. I believe he is a good choice to lead the State Department.”
Oliver O’Connell13 January 2025 22:37