Donald Trump has slammed Judge Juan Merchan on Truth Social after he required the president-elect to appear for sentencing in his hush-money case on January 10, just ten days before his inauguration.
“I never falsified business records,” Trump wrote on Saturday morning. “It is a fake, made up charge by a corrupt judge who is just doing the work of the Biden/Harris Injustice Department, an attack on their political opponent, ME!”
A jury of 12 New Yorkers found Trump guilty on 34 counts of falsifying business records after a six-week-long trial in May.
Merchan indicated Trump wouldn’t be jailed, but the extraordinary development puts the president-elect on course to be the first president to take office convicted of felonies.
Merchan indicated on Friday Trump wouldn’t be jailed at his sentencing, instead noting he’ll impose “a sentence of unconditional discharge.” This means no jail time, probation or fines will be imposed on the president-elect.
Following the order, Trump spokesperson Steven Cheung issued a statement claiming that “the Constitution demands” that the case be “immediately dismissed.” He said the president-elect must be allowed to continue his presidential transition “unobstructed by the remains of this or any remnants of the Witch Hunts.”
Key Points
Inauguration Day is nearly here. These are the promises Trump made for ‘Day One’ in office
17:30 , Rhian Lubin
President-elect Donald Trump has a very long to-do list when he steps into the Oval Office later this month.
So far, he’s already promised to take action on 59 different issues “on Day One,” according to an Axios analysis of pledges made on the campaign trail.
The key MAGA issues he promised to address are closing the border, pardoning the January 6 Capitol riot prisoners, and rolling back protections for transgender students.
Continue reading:
Inauguration Day is nearly here. These are the promises Trump made for ‘Day One’
Trump may show ‘display of fighting’ his sentencing next week, analyst says
17:00 , Katie Hawkinson
Maggie Haberman, CNN political analyst and author of Confidence Man: The Making of Donald Trump and the Breaking of America, said the president-elect may want a ‘display of fighting’ his sentencing next week.
“He’s very angry about this case in particular,” Haberman told CNN on Friday. ”He may decide that he wants some kind of a display of fighting it.”
“I don’t think we’re going to know that for another two days or so,” she continued.
Trump will be sentenced in his hush money case by Judge Juan Merchan on January 10.
Merchan said he would sentence the former and future president to what’s known as a conditional discharge, in which a case gets dismissed if a defendant avoids rearrest.
Trump launches into social media rant over sentencing
16:48 , Katie Hawkinson
President-elect Donald Trump has taken to Truth Social to slam Judge Juan Merchan, who is requiring him to appear for sentencing in his hush-money case on January 10.
The hearing will take place just ten days before his inauguration.
“I never falsified business records,” Trump wrote on Saturday morning. “It is a fake, made up charge by a corrupt judge who is just doing the work of the Biden/Harris Injustice Department, an attack on their political opponent, ME!”
Trump jokes about fat coyotes needing weight-loss drugs in call with Starmer
16:30 , Archie Mitchell
Donald Trump joked in his latest call with Sir Keir Starmer about coyotes needing weight-loss drugs after becoming fat feasting on the remains of birds killed by flying into wind turbines, it has emerged.
Despite a dull readout published by Downing Street in December, which said the prime minister congratulated the president-elect before the pair discussed “the close and historic relationship between the UK and the US”, it has been reported Mr Trump veered wildly off course.
Keep reading:
Trump jokes about fat coyotes needing weight-loss drugs in call with Starmer
Farage distances himself from Tommy Robinson after Elon Musk backs far-right activist
16:00 , Archie Mitchell
Nigel Farage has distanced himself from Tommy Robinson after Elon Musk swung behind the jailed political activist, calling for his release.
The Reform UK leader said Mr Robinson, whose real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, is “not what we need”, as his party seeks to challenge Labour in upcoming elections.
Mr Farage heaped praise on Mr Musk, reportedly mulling a multi-million pound donation to his party, calling him a “hero figure, especially for the youth”.
Read on:
Farage distances himself from Tommy Robinson after Elon Musk backs far-right activist
Biden to award Medal of Freedom to 19, including Hillary Clinton, Bono and Jose Andres
15:30 , Andrew Feinberg
President Joe Biden is awarding the Presidential Medal of Freedom — the nation’s highest civilian honor — to 19 people, including former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.
He’ll bestow the awards in a ceremony Saturday, marking the final time Biden will present the prestigious honor during his time in office.
Read on:
Biden to award Medal of Freedom to Hillary Clinton, 18 others
ANALYSIS: Mike Johnson may be the speaker, but Democrats will still have power
15:00 , Oliver O’Connell
Eric Garcia writes:
After a whipsaw couple of hours, Mike Johnson remained speaker of the House of Representatives with the help of some pressure from President-elect Donald Trump. The move shows that the mild-mannered Louisianan is a far more deft politician than his predecessor Kevin McCarthy, who had to go fifteen rounds before he became speaker two years ago.
But Johnson’s speech afterward did not set the tone, nor did the speech of House Republican Conference Chairwoman Lisa McClain.
Rather, it came when House Democratic Caucus Chairman Pete Aguilar nominated Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries and called Democrats the “governing majority.”
Continue reading…
Mike Johnson may be the speaker, but Democrats will still have power
In first speech since re-election, Mike Johnson promises to ‘roll back administrative state’
14:30 , Oliver O’Connell
Speaker Mike Johnson pledged to “drastically” reduce the size of government and pass legislation to roll back “the administrative state” in his first speech after being re-elected Speaker by the narrowest of margins.
Johnson managed to retain the gavel on the first vote after two members changed their votes to support him following phone calls from President-elect Donald Trump, according to CNN.
Gustaf Kilander reports.
Johnson promises to ‘roll back administrative state’ after being re-elected Speaker
Two and a Half Men star brands Trump’s second term a ‘clown show already’
14:00 , Oliver O’Connell
Two and a Half Men alum Jon Cryer is pessimistic about President-elect Donald Trump’s second term, predicting that things are “not going to get better.”
The 59-year-old actor and outspoken Kamala Harris supporter shared his opinions with paparazzi ahead of Trump’s inauguration on January 20.
Inga Parkel has the story.
Two and a Half Men star Jon Cryer brands Trump’s second term a ‘clown show already’
Full story: Judge orders Trump to be sentenced on Jan. 10 in hush-money case
13:30 , Oliver O’Connell
The judge overseeing the criminal case against President-elect Donald Trump in his home state of New York has ordered him to appear before him on January 10 to be sentenced on the 34 felony counts he was convicted of last year.
In an 18-page ruling released on Friday, Acting Justice Juan Merchan said he would not sentence Trump to a term of incarceration but would instead impose “a sentence of unconditional discharge” – meaning a sentence of no jail time, probation or fines – as “the most viable solution” and permit Trump to continue to appeal the case.
Sentencing, which Trump’s lawyers tried to fight on the grounds of immunity, will occur just 10 days before the president-elect is inaugurated.
Andrew Feinberg and Ariana Baio report.
Judge orders Trump to be sentenced on Jan. 10 in hush-money case
What you need to know: Biden ramps up bird flu spending as scientists fret about H5N1 response
13:00 , Oliver O’Connell
As concerns about outbreaks of bird flu and the nation’s response continue to grow, the Biden administration announced Friday that it would ramp up spending to support its efforts.
There are currently 66 confirmed human cases reported across 10 states, with the majority reported in California and Colorado. Of the dozens, one case in Louisiana marked the nation’s first severe illness from the virus, which likely mutated inside the patient. However, there has not yet been human-to-human transmission of H5N1.
Julia Musto reports.
Biden ramps up bird flu spending. Here’s what to know
How might Republicans pay for Trump’s tax cuts?
12:00 , Oliver O’Connell
Donald Trump and his Congressional allies could add requirements to welfare programs such as Medicaid, withhold prescription drugs from federal health care coverage, repeal environmental regulations and more in order to reduce federal spending and pay for his new round of tax cuts.
Trump is determined to cut taxes for Americans but doing so means the government will need to cut federal spending elsewhere, or risk raising the national debt by trillions of dollars.
Ariana Baio takes a look.
Food stamps and denying Ozempic: The ways Republicans could pay for Trump’s tax cuts
Vance calls Musk’s piece praising far-right German party AfD ‘interesting’
11:00 , Oliver O’Connell
Vice President-elect JD Vance took to X to call an op-ed by Elon Musk in Die Welt explaining his support for the far-right German party Alternative for Germany (AfD) “interesting.”
Musk shared a post on X by Martin Varsavsky, who posted what he said was the article submitted by Musk to the German paper. The AfD is a far-right populist, eurosceptic party that opposes immigration and has called for mass deportations.
Gustaf Kilander reports.
JD Vance calls Elon Musk’s piece praising far-right German party AfD ‘interesting’
Report: LA Times owner talked about setting up a ‘MAGA version of The View’
10:00 , Oliver O’Connell
The owner of the Los Angeles Times reportedly considered launching a conservative version of the daytime talk show The View and met with comedian and anti-vaccine advocate Rob Schneider and the wife of Robert F. Kennedy Jr., actor Cheryl Hines, to discuss it.
Patrick Soon-Shiong, the pharmaceutical businessman, met with the two celebrities – both known for their ties to conservatism – last month, according to journalist Oliver Darcy, who reported the news in his newsletter Status.
Ariana Baio has the story.
LA Times owner considered setting up ‘MAGA version of The View’: report
Inauguration Day looms: Here are the promises Trump made for ‘Day One’ in office
09:00 , Rhian Lubin
President-elect Donald Trump has a very long to-do list when he steps into the Oval Office later this month.
So far, he’s already promised to take action on 59 different issues “on Day One,” according to an Axios analysis of pledges made on the campaign trail.
The key MAGA issues he promised to address are closing the border, pardoning the January 6 Capitol riot prisoners, and rolling back protections for transgender students.
The Independent has contacted Trump’s team seeking clarity on the issues he will tackle first.
Here are some of the promises the president-elect made.
Inauguration Day is nearly here. These are the promises Trump made for ‘Day One’
Biden blocks Japanese takeover of US Steel
08:00 , Oliver O’Connell
President Joe Biden on Friday invoked a rarely-used presidential power to prevent the Japanesesteel giant Nippon Steel from purchasing the United States Steel Corporation, citing the $14.1 billion deal’s potential consequences to American national security after a year-long review process.
The long-awaited decision to prohibit the transition, which would have placed America’s largest steel-making enterprise under foreign control, blocks Nippon Steel and its’ American affiliates from any attempt to acquire control of the Pittsburgh-based U.S. Steel.
Andrew Feinberg reports.
Biden blocks Japanese takeover of U.S. Steel on national security grounds
As Trump complains nation is ‘breaking down’, murder rates drop for third year in a row
07:00 , Oliver O’Connell
The number of murders is expected to drop for the third year in a row — despite President-elect Donald Trump railing that the nation is suffering from high crime rates.
Although Trump declared in a Truth Social post Thursday that the U.S. is “breaking down” with violence, blaming the current administration’s “open borders,” data shows that rates of violent crime and murder actually plummeted in 2024.
Kelly Rissman reports.
Murder rates drop for third year in a row as Trump claims nation is ‘breaking down’
Mike Johnson remains House speaker after Republican holdouts flip votes at last minute
05:00 , Oliver O’Connell
Mike Johnson has become speaker of the House after a dramatic delay caused by a handful of insurgent Republicans who revolted against him during the first vote of the 119th Congress.
Johnson ultimately earned the vote of 218 Republicans, the bare minimum needed to win the speaker’s gavel, after discussions with two holdouts — Ralph Norman of South Carolina and Keith Self of Texas — who ended up flipping their votes at the last moment. According to CNN, Trump called both lawmakers while the voting was still open and urged them to throw their weight behind Johnson.
Thomas Massie, the idiosyncratic libertarian Republican from Kentucky, led the opposition against Johnson, voting instead for House Majority Whip Tom Emmer. Norman initially voted for Jim Jordan of Ohio, and Self voted for Byron Donalds of Florida.
Eric Garcia reports from Capitol Hill.
Trump-backed Mike Johnson remains House speaker after Republican holdouts flip votes
Chosen by Trump to head up Medicare, Dr. Oz once said uninsured have no ‘right to health’
04:00 , Oliver O’Connell
Mehmet Oz, President-elect Donald Trump’s pick to lead the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, once said the uninsured “don’t have a right to health.”
The physician, better known as the TV celebrity Dr. Oz, made the comment during a 2013 address to the National Governor’s Association. He told attendees that uninsured people should be given “a way of crawling back out of the abyss of darkness, of fear, over not having the health they need” in a “festival-like setting” with physicians.
He added that the uninsured don’t have a right to health, only the right to access a chance at health.
Katie Hawkinson reports.
Trump’s Medicare pick Dr. Oz once said uninsured have no ‘right to health’
Musk and Ramaswamy want to force federal workers back to the office — why aren’t economists convinced?
03:00 , Oliver O’Connell
Federal employees could be required to return to the office five days per week as a way to reduce its workforce under President-elect Donald Trump’s administration – but economists say that it could also cost the government productivity and money.
Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy, the billionaire entrepreneurs recently bestowed government advisory jobs, said they have several ideas to drastically cut the federal workforce and budget through their newly formed Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).
One way they could inspire change is by suggesting Trump mandate the approximately 2.28 million employees return to the office five days per week – something they claim will “result in a wave of voluntary terminations.”
Ariana Baio reports.
Musk and Ramaswamy want to force federal workers back to the office. But can they?
Giuliani testifies he hid his grandfather’s watch from defamed election workers:
02:40 , Alex Woodward
Lawyers for two women defamed by Rudy Giuliani have spent months trying to track down his assets to begin chipping away at the $148 million he owes them in damages.
On Friday, he testified for more than three hours in a federal courtroom in Manhattan as attorneys painstakingly poured over his sworn statements in thick stacks of court filings.
Squinting at a small monitor in front of him, the 80-year-old former New York City mayor repeatedly said he never intentionally withheld information about his assets, didn’t recall seeing certain statements, and never willfully disobeyed court orders to turn over his property.
But he admitted he did not want to give the mother-daughter election workers his grandfather’s 120-year-old gold pocketwatch.
“I felt it could get lost if I turned it over,” Giuliani said from the witness stand.
Read the full story.
Rudy Giuliani testifies he kept his grandfather’s watch from defamed election workers
Majority Leader Thune says Speaker Johnson has ‘really tough job’ ahead in House
02:00 , Oliver O’Connell
Per NBC News:
Sen. John Thune, R-S.D., the incoming Senate majority leader, said Friday that House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., will have “a really, really tough job,” navigating a narrow majority.
“I think he has been responsive to his members, but he’s got a lot of folks that are headed in different directions,” Thune said during an interview with “Meet the Press” moderator Kristen Welker that took place as the House was selecting a new speaker. “I mean, as you know, that with a narrow margin like that, any individual member of the House of Representatives can have a huge impact.”
‘Two and a Half Men’ star brands Trump’s second term a ‘clown show already’
01:00 , Oliver O’Connell
Two and a Half Men alum Jon Cryer is pessimistic about President-elect Donald Trump’s second term, predicting that things are “not going to get better.”
The 59-year-old actor and outspoken Kamala Harris supporter shared his opinions with paparazzi ahead of Trump’s inauguration on January 20.
Inga Parkel reports.
Two and a Half Men star Jon Cryer brands Trump’s second term a ‘clown show already’
Ohio governor signs bill into law that will see public charged for police videos
00:30 , Oliver O’Connell
Ohio Governor Mike DeWine has signed a bill into law to charge the public for footage from law enforcement, such as body cameras.
A provision in a 450-page omnibus bill stated that law enforcement would be allowed to charge individuals the “estimated cost” of processing footage from jail and police
Payment is required before the footage is released, according to WEWS. Governments will be allowed to charge as much as $75 an hour or for a maximum total of $750 per request.
Gustaf Kilander has the details.
Ohio Gov. DeWine signs bill into law that will see public charged for police videos
LA Times owner talked about setting up a ‘MAGA version of The View’
00:00 , Oliver O’Connell
The owner of the Los Angeles Times reportedly considered launching a conservative version of the daytime talk show The View and met with comedian and anti-vaccine advocate Rob Schneider and the wife of Robert F. Kennedy Jr., actor Cheryl Hines, to discuss it.
Patrick Soon-Shiong, the pharmaceutical businessman, met with the two celebrities – both known for their ties to conservatism – last month, according to journalist Oliver Darcy, who reported the news in his newsletter Status.
Ariana Baio reports.
LA Times owner considered setting up ‘MAGA version of The View’: report
ANALYSIS: Mike Johnson may be the speaker, but Democrats will still have power
Friday 3 January 2025 23:30 , Oliver O’Connell
Eric Garcia writes:
After a whipsaw couple of hours, Mike Johnson remained speaker of the House of Representatives with the help of some pressure from President-elect Donald Trump. The move shows that the mild-mannered Louisianan is a far more deft politician than his predecessor Kevin McCarthy, who had to go fifteen rounds before he became speaker two years ago.
But Johnson’s speech afterward did not set the tone, nor did the speech of House Republican Conference Chairwoman Lisa McClain.
Rather, it came when House Democratic Caucus Chairman Pete Aguilar nominated Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries and called Democrats the “governing majority.”
Continue reading…
Mike Johnson may be the speaker, but Democrats will still have power
Trump names deputy Middle East envoy
Friday 3 January 2025 23:15 , Oliver O’Connell
President-elect Donald Trump has named Morgan Ortagus as his deputy Middle East envoy in a curiously worded announcement on Truth Social this afternoon.
It reads in part: “Early on Morgan fought me for three years, but hopefully has learned her lesson. These things usually don’t work out, but she has strong Republican support, and I’m not doing this for me, I’m doing it for them.”
He doesn’t sound keen.
Here’s the statement in full:
I am pleased to announce Morgan Ortagus as Deputy Special Presidential Envoy for Middle East Peace, to the Honorable Steven Witkoff. Early on Morgan fought me for three years, but hopefully has learned her lesson. These things usually don’t work out, but she has strong Republican support, and I’m not doing this for me, I’m doing it for them. Let’s see what happens. She will hopefully be an asset to Steve, a great leader and talent, as we seek to bring calm and prosperity to a very troubled region. I expect great results, and soon! Morgan Ortagus has had experience in Diplomacy and National Security, and is an active U.S. Navy Reserve Intelligence Officer. From 2019-2021, Morgan served as Spokesperson at the Department of State (Pompeo!), where she was a member of my Historic Abraham Accords team that brought unprecedented Peace to the Middle East. Earlier, she worked at the Department of the Treasury as a financial intelligence analyst and, from 2010-2011, was the Deputy U.S. Treasury Attaché to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
In first speech since re-election, Mike Johnson promises to ‘roll back administrative state’
Friday 3 January 2025 23:05 , Oliver O’Connell
Speaker Mike Johnson pledged to “drastically” reduce the size of government and pass legislation to roll back “the administrative state” in his first speech after being re-elected Speaker by the narrowest of margins.
Johnson managed to retain the gavel on the first vote after two members changed their votes to support him following phone calls from President-elect Donald Trump, according to CNN.
“We have a mandate, and that was shown in the election cycle. People want an America First agenda,” said Johnson. “Sadly for the past four years of divided government, too many politicians in Washington have done the opposite; open borders and over-regulation have destroyed our cities and stifled innovation.”
He claimed that inflation and “weak leadership” have made Americans worse off and left the U.S. in a “perilous” place.
Gustaf Kilander has the details.
Johnson promises to ‘roll back administrative state’ after being re-elected Speaker
‘You cannot change the truth and you cannot silence us’: Cheney claps back at Trump over Jan 6 committee’s work
Friday 3 January 2025 22:57 , Oliver O’Connell
Former Republican Rep Liz Cheney has clapped back at Donald Trump over his ranting Truth Social post calling her “totally corrupt” following her presidential award for putting country over party and joining the House January 6 committee to investigate the Capitol riot.
Here’s what she had to say in response to the president-elect:
Donald, this is not the Soviet Union. You can’t change the truth and you cannot silence us. Remember all your lies about the voting machines, the election workers, your countless allegations of fraud that never happened? Many of your lawyers have been sanctioned, disciplined or disbarred, the courts ruled against you, and dozens of your own White House, administration, and campaign aides testified against you. Remember how you sent a mob to our Capitol and then watched the violence on television and refused for hours to instruct the mob to leave? Remember how your former Vice President prevented you from overturning our Republic? We remember. And now, as you take office again, the American people need to reject your latest malicious falsehoods and stand as the guardrails of our Constitutional Republic — to protect the America we love from you.
Donald, this is not the Soviet Union. You can’t change the truth and you cannot silence us. Remember all your lies about the voting machines, the election workers, your countless allegations of fraud that never happened? Many of your lawyers have been sanctioned, disciplined or… https://t.co/sGLYo6i4Xz
— Liz Cheney (@Liz_Cheney) January 3, 2025
Watch: Trump was in middle of golf game when he called Norman about speaker vote
Friday 3 January 2025 22:54 , Oliver O’Connell
Ralph Norman, who initially opposed Johnson, says Trump was in the middle of his golf game when he called him to press for his support and reminded Norman of his backing of Nikki Haley in the primary.
Norman said to Trump: “We’re with you now, we will be with Mike Johnson.” pic.twitter.com/kjF2sSuHtE— Manu Raju (@mkraju) January 3, 2025
Trump team claims judge’s sentencing order violates Supreme Court immunity decision
Friday 3 January 2025 22:49 , Oliver O’Connell
Donald Trump’s communications director Steven Cheung released the following statement in reaction to what he terms “the witch hunt sentencing by corrupt Merchan.”
“Today’s order by the deeply conflicted, Acting Justice Merchan in the Manhattan DA Witch Hunt is a direct violation of the Supreme Court’s Immunity decision and other longstanding jurisprudence. This lawless case should have never been brought and the Constitution demands that it be immediately dismissed. President Trump must be allowed to continue the Presidential Transition process and to execute the vital duties of the presidency, unobstructed by the remains of this or any remnants of the Witch Hunts. There should be no sentencing, and President Trump will continue fighting against these hoaxes until they are all dead.”
Here’s what you need to know:
Judge orders Trump to be sentenced on Jan. 10 in hush-money case
Trump claims flags at half mast during inauguration for first time ever — which isn’t true
Friday 3 January 2025 22:40 , Oliver O’Connell
Donald Trump has hit out at Democrats for being “giddy” that the American flag will be at half mast during his inauguration due to the death of former President Jimmy Carter.
In a Truth Social rant, the president-elect also claimed that it was the first time that this happened, however then-President Richard Nixon ordered flags lowered to honor predecessor Harry Truman, who passed away in December 1972 ahead of Nixon’s second inauguration in 1973.
Here’s what Trump wrote earlier today:
The Democrats are all “giddy” about our magnificent American Flag potentially being at “half mast” during my Inauguration. They think it’s so great, and are so happy about it because, in actuality, they don’t love our Country, they only think about themselves. Look at what they’ve done to our once GREAT America over the past four years – It’s a total mess! In any event, because of the death of President Jimmy Carter, the Flag may, for the first time ever during an Inauguration of a future President, be at half mast. Nobody wants to see this, and no American can be happy about it. Let’s see how it plays out. MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!
Watch: Roy touts Republican plan for ‘mandatory spending cuts’
Friday 3 January 2025 22:34 , Oliver O’Connell
Chip Roy on Steve Bannon’s show makes clear that the Republican plan is “overall mandatory spending cuts,” including “reforming Medicaid and cutting SNAP and all that.” pic.twitter.com/ahNMd0oSO0
— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) January 3, 2025
US Steel CEO says Biden decision on acquisition ‘shameful and corrupt’
Friday 3 January 2025 22:30 , Oliver O’Connell
NEW TO CBS: US Steel President & CEO David Buritt says that President Biden’s decision to the company’s acquisiton by Nippon Steel is “shameful and corrupt,” and that he “gave a political payback to a union boss out of touch with his members.” Also said the decision “insulted… pic.twitter.com/iH21V0Aa0f
— Richard Escobedo (@RichardEscobedo) January 3, 2025
Here’s our report on the president’s decision:
Biden blocks Japanese takeover of U.S. Steel on national security grounds
Inauguration Day looms: Here are the promises Trump made for ‘Day One’ in office
Friday 3 January 2025 22:20 , Rhian Lubin
President-elect Donald Trump has a very long to-do list when he steps into the Oval Office later this month.
So far, he’s already promised to take action on 59 different issues “on Day One,” according to an Axios analysis of pledges made on the campaign trail.
The key MAGA issues he promised to address are closing the border, pardoning the January 6 Capitol riot prisoners, and rolling back protections for transgender students.
The Independent has contacted Trump’s team seeking clarity on the issues he will tackle first.
Here are some of the promises the president-elect made.
Inauguration Day is nearly here. These are the promises Trump made for ‘Day One’
Trump rages about Jan 6 committee and Pelosi
Friday 3 January 2025 22:00 , Oliver O’Connell
Donald Trump appears furious that President Joe Biden awarded Liz Cheney a medal on Thursday for her service in putting country before party by investigating the events of the January 6, 2021, Capitol riot.
Here’s what the president-elect wrote on Truth Social:
Biden gave Liz Cheney a Medal yesterday, even though she has proven to be totally corrupt. She, “Bennie” Thompson, and the rest of the Unselect Committee, destroyed and deleted all evidence from their crooked investigation of January 6th. Cheney has the distinction of losing her Congressional seat by the largest margin in History! The people of Wyoming understood how bad for our Country she was, but Biden rewarded her only because she hated “TRUMP.” She’s a Warmonger of low intelligence. All she wants to do is kill people in “Endless Wars,” with no gain other than to defense companies. Liz Cheney, Cryin’ Adam Kinzinger, Bennie Thompson, and the rest of these dishonest Thugs have gotten away with horrible things under the pretense of January 6th. Nancy Pelosi refused to accept the help which was offered for security. She is responsible, and admitted as much, for all to see, on her daughter’s tape. They have destroyed the lives of many people, and are rewarded by getting Biden Fake Medals. This is not America. January 20th cannot come fast enough. MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!
Schumer welcomes new senators to Democratic caucus
Friday 3 January 2025 21:50 , Oliver O’Connell
I’m honored to welcome 6 new colleagues to the Democratic Caucus:
Arizona Senator Ruben Gallego
California Senator Adam Schiff
Delaware Senator Lisa Blunt Rochester
Maryland Senator Angela Alsobrooks
Michigan Senator Elissa Slotkin
New Jersey Senator Andy KimLet’s get to work!
— Chuck Schumer (@SenSchumer) January 3, 2025
Full story: Judge orders Trump to be sentenced on Jan. 10 in hush-money case
Friday 3 January 2025 21:40 , Oliver O’Connell
The judge overseeing the criminal case against President-elect Donald Trump in his former home state of New York has ordered him to appear before him on January 10 to be sentenced on the 34 felony counts he was convicted of last year.
In an 18-page ruling released on Friday, Judge Juan Merchan said he will not sentence Trump to a term of incarceration and would instead impose “a sentence of unconditional discharge” as “the most viable solution to ensure finality” and permit Trump to continue to appeal the case.
But Merchan rejected arguments from Trump’s attorneys, who’d sought to have the case dismissed on grounds of immunity stemming from his victory in the 2024 presidential election.
Andrew Feinberg reports.
Judge orders Trump to be sentenced on Jan. 10 in hush-money case
Watch: CNN breaks news of Trump’s sentencing schedule
Friday 3 January 2025 21:35 , Oliver O’Connell
CNN’s Paula Reid breaks down what the extraordinary announcement regrading Donald Trump’s sentencing really means.
New sentencing date is fourth scheduled since trial
Friday 3 January 2025 21:33 , Oliver O’Connell
Donald Trump was originally scheduled to be sentenced on July 11, 2024.
That was pushed to September 18, then November 26, and now it’s set for 10 days before he returns to the White House on January 10, 2025.
Watch: Johnson swears in members of the House for 119th Congress
Friday 3 January 2025 21:30 , Oliver O’Connell
Biden ramps up bird flu spending as scientists fret about H5N1 response
Friday 3 January 2025 21:20 , Oliver O’Connell
As concerns about outbreaks of bird flu and the nation’s response continue to grow, the Biden administration announced Friday that it would ramp up spending to support its efforts.
There are currently 66 confirmed human cases reported across 10 states, with the majority reported in California and Colorado. Of the dozens, one case in Louisiana marked the nation’s first severe illness from the virus, which likely mutated inside the patient. However, there has not yet been human-to-human transmission of H5N1.
Julia Musto reports.
Biden ramps up bird flu spending. Here’s what to know
Watch: Jeffries jokes about election deniers
Friday 3 January 2025 21:15 , Oliver O’Connell
.@RepJeffries: “Two months ago, the American people elected Donald Trump as the 47th president of the United States of America.”
[applause]
Jeffries: “Thank you for that very generous applause. It’s okay. There are no election deniers on our side of the aisle.” pic.twitter.com/9P9jbiTPzr
— CSPAN (@cspan) January 3, 2025
MAGA slams ‘outrageous’ decision over sentencing and ‘clown show’
Friday 3 January 2025 21:11 , Oliver O’Connell
MAGA acolytes Laura Loomer and Charlie Kirk have slammed Justice Juan Merchan’s decision to proceed with sentencing Donald Trump for his 34 felony convictions in the New York hush-money case.
Loomer called the order “outrageous.”
JUST IN: Judge Juan Merchan has just ordered President Trump to be sentenced in his phony hush money case on January 10th in New York City, 10 days before his inauguration.
Outrageous. pic.twitter.com/OL3ua2z514
— Laura Loomer (@LauraLoomer) January 3, 2025
Kirk said it was the case was “a total clown show.”
🚨BREAKING: Judge Merchan has ordered President Trump to appear for sentencing in New York hush money case on Jan. 10, just 10 days before he’s sworn in as the 47th President of the United States. The order allows President Trump to appear virtually, a signal that any possible… pic.twitter.com/nwBA1NBnDH
— Charlie Kirk (@charliekirk11) January 3, 2025
House Judiciary Republicans call sentencing ‘preposterous lawfare’
Friday 3 January 2025 21:08 , Oliver O’Connell
BREAKING: Hush money judge orders Trump to be sentenced on January 10 — days before inauguration
Friday 3 January 2025 20:58 , Oliver O’Connell
Justice Juan Merchan has ordered President-elect Donald Trump to be sentenced on January 10, just ten days before his inauguration.
This follows Trump’s conviction on 34 felony counts by a Manhattan jury in the hush money case and his reelection to the White House.
Merchan argues that the jury’s verdict is too significant to be ignored: “Indeed, the sanctity of a jury verdict and the deference that must be accorded to it, is a bedrock principle in our Nation’s jurisprudence.
“The right to have a jury make the ultimate determination of guilty has an impressive pedigree.”
He adds: “Applying the guidance of the aforementioned sources, this Court finds that Presidential immunity from criminal process for a sitting president does not extend to a President-elect.”
Further: “Defendant’s disdain for the Third Branch of government, whether state or federal, in New York or elsewhere, is a matter of public record. Indeed, Defendant has gone to great lengths to broadcast on social media and other forums his lack of respect for judges, juries, grand juries and the justice system as a whole.”
However, Merchan writes: “It seems proper at this juncture to make known the Court’s inclination to not impose any sentence of incarceration, a sentence authorized by the conviction but one the People concede they no longer view as a practicable recommendation. As such; in balancing the aforementioned considerations in conjunction with the underlying concerns of the Presidential immunity doctrine, a sentence of an unconditional discharge appears to be the most viable solution to ensure finality and allow Defendant to pursue his appellate options.”
Trump can appear in person or virtually.
Breaking: Justice Merchan orders Donald Trump be sentenced on Jan. 10, before his inauguration.
A stunning decision following Trump’s conviction on 34 felony counts by a Manhattan jury in the hush money case and Trump’s reelection to the White House. pic.twitter.com/gknGaxAwDV
— Frank G. Runyeon (@frankrunyeon) January 3, 2025
Watch: Rep Norman confirms he spoke with Trump
Friday 3 January 2025 20:47 , Oliver O’Connell
Rep Ralph Norman on why he changed his vote to support Mike Johnson as speaker: “I didn’t know how everybody was gonna vote, but I knew we needed to impress on Mike Johnson that we’re serious about budget, we’re serious —about the border. We’re serious and is he gonna fight? That was our thing… he assured us this wasn’t just another walk in the park.”
Rep Ralph Norman, one of the Johnson holdout votes, confirms he spoke with President-Elect Trump on the phone about switching his vote for Speaker Johnson.
“[Trump] asked why,” Norman tells me. pic.twitter.com/z6HPnA9svB
— Jay O’Brien (@jayobtv) January 3, 2025
The congressman further told Fox News that there were no concessions from Johnson: “We went into the meeting. The meeting off the floor. And I say, Mike, are you going to give us specific examples of fighting for the things we mentioned? Will you give us your word? He said yes. So I said okay, we’ll take you at your word. That’s why I changed my vote.”
Self says he spoke to Trump multiple times
Friday 3 January 2025 20:40 , Oliver O’Connell
Rep. Keith Self says he spoke to Donald Trump multiple times, describing their conversations as lively, but that they have the same agenda.
He says it was about commitments regarding the reconciliation process, Politico reports. This reportedly rests on past concerns of Johnson relying on Democrats to get various agenda items through the House.
Rep. Self says he spoke to Trump multiple times, says it was lively, but that they have the same agenda
He says it was about commitments re. Reconciliation process. Told this rests on past concerns of Johnson relying on Dems to get various agenda items through
— Olivia Beavers (@Olivia_Beavers) January 3, 2025
The congressman released the following statement on X:
RE: Speaker’s Vote
My sole focus was advancing the Trump agenda. To ensure this, I expressed concerns to Speaker Johnson about fiscal responsibility and holding the line on deficit spending—key priorities for my constituents.
After receiving firm assurances from the Speaker, that Republicans in the House will have strong representation during the budget reconciliation process—a cornerstone of President Trump’s agenda—I changed my initial vote.
I appreciate Speaker Johnson addressing these critical issues.
Let’s get to work!
RE: Speaker’s Vote
My sole focus was advancing the Trump agenda. To ensure this, I expressed concerns to Speaker Johnson about fiscal responsibility and holding the line on deficit spending—key priorities for my constituents.
After receiving firm assurances from the Speaker,…— Rep. Keith Self (@RepKeithSelf) January 3, 2025
Perry maintains reservations about Johnson but voted for Trump’s agenda
Friday 3 January 2025 20:30 , Oliver O’Connell
Rep. Scott Perry, who initially stayed silent when called to vote before voting for Johnson, tweeted out the following explanation:
While I maintain my reservations about Speaker Johnson’s leadership record, today I voted in support of President Trump’s Agenda. We will hold Speaker Johnson accountable to accomplish the Republican Agenda. He must:
– Secure our southern border
– Institute commonsense House rules
– Cut unbridled federal spending
– Eliminate harmful and costly regulations
– Reverse insane Biden policies like Green New Deal handouts
– Implement a Congressional stock trade ban
We have a mandate from the American People. These policies are necessary to save our Country.
While I maintain my reservations about Speaker Johnson’s leadership record, today I voted in support of President Trump’s Agenda. We will hold Speaker Johnson accountable to accomplish the Republican Agenda. He must:
– Secure our southern border
– Institute commonsense House…— Rep. Scott Perry (@RepScottPerry) January 3, 2025
Watch: Jeffries hands gavel to Johnson after speaker vote
Friday 3 January 2025 20:27 , Oliver O’Connell
Awkward moment for Fox News host over speaker vote
Friday 3 January 2025 20:20 , Oliver O’Connell
Fox & Friends co-host Brian Kilmeade was left with a bit of egg on his face on Friday when he sounded the alarm that House Speaker Mike Johnson had lost yet another Republican vote from the GOP’s razor-thin majority, further placing Johnson’s bid to retain the gavel in doubt.
Unfortunately for the Fox News star, it appears he was taken in by an online joke from a now-former congressman.
Justin Barangoa reports.
Fox host delivers ‘bad news’ about speaker vote — and is immediately embarrassed
