Obama Grants His First Pardons

“The very richest Americans are among the biggest winners from President Joe Biden’s time in office, despite his farewell address warning of an ‘oligarchy’ and a ‘tech industrial complex’ that threaten U. S. democracy,” Bloomberg reports. “The 100 wealthiest Americans got more than $1.5 trillion richer over the last four years, with tech tycoons including Elon Musk, Larry Ellison and Mark Zuckerberg leading the way… The top 0.1% gained more than $6 trillion.”

“Speaker Mike Johnson has tapped Rick Crawford, an Arkansas Republican who has opposed Ukraine aid, to replace defense hawk Mike Turner atop the Intelligence Committee,” Bloomberg reports.

“Donald Trump continues to see some of the most positive ratings of his political career, according to a new CNN poll, which finds the president-elect poised to enter his second term with far more positive sentiment behind him than when he last occupied the White House.” “The public also broadly sees it as likely that he’ll carry out some of the economic and immigration policy promises central to his campaign and believes that he will follow through on threats to use his executive power to go after rivals and pardon people convicted related to the January 6, 2021, attack on the US Capitol.”

“I’m feeling like a kid again with Trump’s invite. I’m fired up. I’m not even taking Viagra anymore.” — Former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonarro, quoted by the New York Times, on being invited to Donald Trump’s inauguration. However, Bloomberg reports Brazil’s Supreme Court barred Bolsonaro from leaving the country.

Charlie Cook: “It used to be that a candidate with some combination of personality, charm, a good story, hard work, and good fortune could win in a state with strong partisan leanings in the opposite direction.” “Now, that is harder and harder in gubernatorial elections and nearly impossible in Senate races.

Former Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) will not be attending President-elect Trump’s inauguration on Monday, The Hill reports.