Comment on Jack Smith Plans to Step Down as Special Counsel

Donald Trump’s return to the White House has made many countries anxious and recalculating where they stand with the U. S., but India appears to be welcoming the change that may embolden nationalist leaders like Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Read More: How Asia and Africa Are Bracing for Trump’s Second Term [time-brightcove not-tgx=”true”] “I know today a lot of countries are nervous about the U.

In yet another blow to Democrats, Donald Trump will begin his presidency with a trifecta of Republican control in Washington. The GOP not only regained control of the White House and the Senate but also managed to hold onto a narrow majority in the House, the Associated Press called late Wednesday, more than a week after voters headed to the polls. [time-brightcove not-tgx=”true”] The victory in the House will have significant ramifications for the start of Trump’s second term, allowing the President-elect and his allies to push forward with their full legislative agenda now that both chambers of Congress are under Republican control until at least 2026.

By STEPHEN GROVES and LISA MASCARO WASHINGTON (AP) — Republicans have won enough seats to control the U. S. House, completing the party’s sweep into power and securing their hold on U. S. government alongside President-elect Donald Trump. A House Republican victory in Arizona, alongside a win in slow-counting California earlier Wednesday, gave the GOP the 218 House victories that make up the majority.

Social media site Bluesky has gained 1 million new users in the week since the U. S. election, as some X users look for an alternative platform to post their thoughts and engage with others online. Bluesky said Wednesday that its total users surged to 15 million, up from roughly 13 million at the end of October. Championed by former Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey, Bluesky was an invitation-only space until it opened to the public in February.

In picking Rep. Matt Gaetz as his nominee for attorney general, President-elect Donald Trump is looking to install a fierce loyalist who has been seen as divisive even within his own party. Not one of the top names seen as a likely pick for the job, Gaetz’s selection was first pushed out on Trump’s social media network instead of a more formal announcement from his transition team as with most of his choices. [time-brightcove not-tgx=”true”] Read More: Here Are the New Members of Trump’s Administration So Far House Speaker Mike Johnson said that Gaetz resigned from Congress on Wednesday, meaning that the House Ethics Committee’s ongoing probe into allegations against Gaetz of child sex trafficking ends, and no report will be issued. Here are some things to know about Gaetz. He’s had legal issues of his own The House Ethics Committee had been investigating allegations that Gaetz was part of a scheme that led to the sex trafficking of a 17-year-old girl, a probe that ended Wednesday with Gaetz’ resignation from the House. In June, the committee gave an unusual public update on its review, which it said also included whether Gaetz engaged in sexual misconduct and illicit drug use, accepted improper gifts and sought to obstruct government investigations of his conduct. The committee announced that it was no longer reviewing four other allegations involving the congressman, including that he shared inappropriate images or videos with colleagues on the House floor or that he accepted a bribe or converted campaign funds to personal use. Gaetz has categorically denied all the allegations, which he has blamed on former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, a longtime nemesis, though the probe began before McCarthy and Republicans took the majority in the House. In 2023, the Justice Department ended a sex trafficking investigation with no charges against Gaetz. He’s been loyal to Trump and echoed his attacks on the ‘deep state’ Having just won his fifth term representing much of the Florida Panhandle, Gaetz, 42, has been a frequent defender of Trump on cable news. He traveled to New York earlier this year when Trump stood trial in his hush money case.

Former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee, President-elect Donald Trump’s pick to be ambassador to Israel, has long rejected a Palestinian state in territory previously seized by Israel and has repeatedly signaled his staunch support for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Huckabee, a former TV host and Baptist preacher, frequently visits Israel and once said he wanted to buy a holiday home there.