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WASHINGTON — President-elect Donald Trump said Saturday that he will nominate former White House aide Brooke Rollins to be his agriculture secretary, the last of his picks to lead executive agencies and another choice from within his established circle of advisers and allies. The nomination must be confirmed by the Senate, which will be controlled by Republicans when Trump takes office Jan. 20. Rollins would succeed Tom Vilsack , President Joe Biden’s agriculture secretary who oversees the sprawling agency that controls policies, regulations and aid programs related to farming, forestry, ranching, food quality and nutrition. Then-President Donald Trump looks to Brooke Rollins, president and CEO of the Texas Public Policy Foundation, as she speaks during a Jan. 11, 2018, prison reform roundtable in the Roosevelt Room of the White House in Washington. Rollins, who graduated from Texas A&M University with a degree in agricultural development, is a longtime Trump associate who served as White House domestic policy chief during his first presidency. The 52-year-old is president and CEO of the America First Policy Institute, a group helping to lay the groundwork for a second Trump administration. Rollins previously served as an aide to former Texas Gov. Rick Perry and ran a think tank, the Texas Public Policy Foundation. People are also reading... Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams making furniture in Alexander County again Sheriff: 1 arrested, 1 wanted after Statesville man strangled, robbed Lake Norman residents voice concerns with Marshall Steam Station changes Iredell County bridge to close for $1.2 replacement project Basketball transfer Patterson back home at West Iredell to 'bring in some wins' Believers bought airplane for dead preacher thinking he’d rise from grave to fly in it MerMade: Workspace opens in Statesville, caters to artists, crafters Baseball league cries foul as Iredell plans to charge to use Jennings Park fields Statesville embraces underdog role in rematch with defending champ Hickory With supermajority in NC House gone, Iredell's Republican lawmakers talk changes, challenges Mooresville's Farmer, Graham picked to play in Shrine Bowl Catawba native Christina Eagle appears on season 26 of 'The Voice' Iredell County woman wins first $150,000 top prize in new game Statesville sweeps varsity doubleheader with South Iredell; Shehan reaches 1,000 points in Lake Norman win West Iredell starts season strong with win over Bunker Hill The pick completes Trump’s selection of the heads of executive branch departments, just two and a half weeks after the former president won the White House once again. Several other picks that are traditionally Cabinet-level remain, including U.S. Trade Representative and head of the small business administration. Trump taps Bessent for Treasury, Chavez-DeRemer for labor, Turner for housing FATIMA HUSSEIN, CHRIS RUGABER, JOSH BOAK and CHRIS MEGERIANAssociated Press Rollins, speaking on the Christian talk show “Family Talk" earlier this year, said Trump was an “amazing boss” and confessed that she thought in 2015, during his first presidential campaign, that he would not last as a candidate in a crowded Republican primary field. “I was the person that said, ‘Oh, Donald Trump is not going to go more than two or three weeks in the Republican primary. This is to up his TV show ratings. And then we’ll get back to normal,’” she said. “Fast forward a couple of years, and I am running his domestic policy agenda.” Trump didn’t offer many specifics about his agriculture policies during the campaign, but farmers could be affected if he carries out his pledge to impose widespread tariffs. During the first Trump administration, countries like China responded to Trump’s tariffs by imposing retaliatory tariffs on U.S. exports like the corn and soybeans routinely sold overseas. Trump countered by offering massive multibillion-dollar aid to farmers to help them weather the trade war. Brooke Rollins speaks at an Oct. 27 campaign rally for then-Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump at Madison Square Garden in New York. President Abraham Lincoln founded the USDA in 1862, when about half of all Americans lived on farms. The USDA oversees multiple support programs for farmers; animal and plant health; and the safety of meat, poultry and eggs that anchor the nation’s food supply. Its federal nutrition programs provide food to low-income people, pregnant women and young children. And the agency sets standards for school meals. Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Trump’s nominee to lead the Department of Health and Human Services, has vowed to strip ultraprocessed foods from school lunches and to stop allowing Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program beneficiaries from using food stamps to buy soda, candy or other so-called junk foods. But it would be the USDA, not HHS, that would be responsible for enacting those changes. In addition, HHS and USDA will work together to finalize the 2025-2030 edition of the Dietary Guidelines for Americans. They are due late next year, with guidance for healthy diets and standards for federal nutrition programs. Gomez Licon reported from Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Associated Press writers Josh Funk and JoNel Aleccia contributed to this report. Here are the people Trump has picked for key positions so far President-elect Donald Trump Among President-elect Donald Trump's picks are Susie Wiles for chief of staff, Florida Sen. Marco Rubio for secretary of state, former Democratic House member Tulsi Gabbard for director of national intelligence and Florida Rep. Matt Gaetz for attorney general. Susie Wiles, White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles, 67, was a senior adviser to Trump's 2024 presidential campaign and its de facto manager. Marco Rubio, Secretary of State Trump named Florida Sen. Marco Rubio to be secretary of state, making a former sharp critic his choice to be the new administration's top diplomat. Rubio, 53, is a noted hawk on China, Cuba and Iran, and was a finalist to be Trump's running mate on the Republican ticket last summer. Rubio is the vice chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee and a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. “He will be a strong Advocate for our Nation, a true friend to our Allies, and a fearless Warrior who will never back down to our adversaries,” Trump said of Rubio in a statement. The announcement punctuates the hard pivot Rubio has made with Trump, whom the senator called a “con man" during his unsuccessful campaign for the 2016 GOP presidential nomination. Their relationship improved dramatically while Trump was in the White House. And as Trump campaigned for the presidency a third time, Rubio cheered his proposals. For instance, Rubio, who more than a decade ago helped craft immigration legislation that included a path to citizenship for people in the U.S. illegally, now supports Trump's plan to use the U.S. military for mass deportations. Pete Hegseth, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, 44, is a co-host of Fox News Channel’s “Fox & Friends Weekend” and has been a contributor with the network since 2014, where he developed a friendship with Trump, who made regular appearances on the show. Hegseth lacks senior military or national security experience. If confirmed by the Senate, he would inherit the top job during a series of global crises — ranging from Russia’s war in Ukraine and the ongoing attacks in the Middle East by Iranian proxies to the push for a cease-fire between Israel, Hamas and Hezbollah and escalating worries about the growing alliance between Russia and North Korea. Hegseth is also the author of “The War on Warriors: Behind the Betrayal of the Men Who Keep Us Free,” published earlier this year. Pam Bondi, Attorney General Trump tapped Pam Bondi, 59, to be attorney general after U.S. Rep. Matt Gaetz withdrew his name from consideration. She was Florida's first female attorney general, serving between 2011 and 2019. She also was on Trump’s legal team during his first impeachment trial in 2020. Considered a loyalist, she served as part of a Trump-allied outside group that helped lay the groundwork for his future administration called the America First Policy Institute. 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. A fierce defender of Trump, she also frequently appears on Fox News and has been a critic of the criminal cases against him. Kristi Noem, Secretary of Homeland Security Trump picked South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem, a well-known conservative who faced sharp criticism for telling a story in her memoir about shooting a rambunctious dog, to lead an agency crucial to the president-elect’s hardline immigration agenda. Noem used her two terms leading a tiny state to vault to a prominent position in Republican politics. South Dakota is usually a political afterthought. But during the COVID-19 pandemic, Noem did not order restrictions that other states had issued and instead declared her state “open for business.” Trump held a fireworks rally at Mount Rushmore in July 2020 in one of the first large gatherings of the pandemic. She takes over a department with a sprawling mission. In addition to key immigration agencies, the Department of Homeland Security oversees natural disaster response, the U.S. Secret Service, and Transportation Security Administration agents who work at airports. Doug Burgum, Secretary of the Interior The governor of North Dakota, who was once little-known outside his state, Burgum is a former Republican presidential primary contender who endorsed Trump, and spent months traveling to drum up support for him, after dropping out of the race. Burgum was a serious contender to be Trump’s vice presidential choice this summer. The two-term governor was seen as a possible pick because of his executive experience and business savvy. Burgum also has close ties to deep-pocketed energy industry CEOs. Trump made the announcement about Burgum joining his incoming administration while addressing a gala at his Mar-a-Lago club, and said a formal statement would be coming the following day. In comments to reporters before Trump took the stage, Burgum said that, in recent years, the power grid is deteriorating in many parts of the country, which he said could raise national security concerns but also drive up prices enough to increase inflation. “There's just a sense of urgency, and a sense of understanding in the Trump administration,” Burgum said. Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr. ran for president as a Democrat, than as an independent, and then endorsed Trump . He's the son of Democratic icon Robert Kennedy, who was assassinated during his own presidential campaign. The nomination of Kennedy to lead the Department of Health and Human Services alarmed people who are concerned about his record of spreading unfounded fears about vaccines . For example, he has long advanced the debunked idea that vaccines cause autism. Scott Bessent, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, 62, is a former George Soros money manager and an advocate for deficit reduction. He's the founder of hedge fund Key Square Capital Management, after having worked on-and-off for Soros Fund Management since 1991. If confirmed by the Senate, he would be the nation’s first openly gay treasury secretary. He told Bloomberg in August that he decided to join Trump’s campaign in part to attack the mounting U.S. national debt. That would include slashing government programs and other spending. “This election cycle is the last chance for the U.S. to grow our way out of this mountain of debt without becoming a sort of European-style socialist democracy,” he said then. Lori Chavez-DeRemer, Labor Secretary Oregon Republican U.S. Rep. Lori Chavez-DeRemer narrowly lost her reelection bid this month, but received strong backing from union members in her district. As a potential labor secretary, she would oversee the Labor Department’s workforce, its budget and put forth priorities that impact workers’ wages, health and safety, ability to unionize, and employer’s rights to fire employers, among other responsibilities. Chavez-DeRemer is one of few House Republicans to endorse the “Protecting the Right to Organize” or PRO Act would allow more workers to conduct organizing campaigns and would add penalties for companies that violate workers’ rights. The act would also weaken “right-to-work” laws that allow employees in more than half the states to avoid participating in or paying dues to unions that represent workers at their places of employment. Scott Turner, Housing and Urban Development Scott Turner is a former NFL player and White House aide. He ran the White House Opportunity and Revitalization Council during Trump’s first term in office. Trump, in a statement, credited Turner, the highest-ranking Black person he’s yet selected for his administration, with “helping to lead an Unprecedented Effort that Transformed our Country’s most distressed communities.” Sean Duffy, Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy is a former House member from Wisconsin who was one of Trump's most visible defenders on cable news. Duffy served in the House for nearly nine years, sitting on the Financial Services Committee and chairing the subcommittee on insurance and housing. He left Congress in 2019 for a TV career and has been the host of “The Bottom Line” on Fox Business. Before entering politics, Duffy was a reality TV star on MTV, where he met his wife, “Fox and Friends Weekend” co-host Rachel Campos-Duffy. They have nine children. Chris Wright, Secretary of Energy A campaign donor and CEO of Denver-based Liberty Energy, Write is a vocal advocate of oil and gas development, including fracking — a key pillar of Trump’s quest to achieve U.S. “energy dominance” in the global market. Wright also has been one of the industry’s loudest voices against efforts to fight climate change. He said the climate movement around the world is “collapsing under its own weight.” The Energy Department is responsible for advancing energy, environmental and nuclear security of the United States. Wright also won support from influential conservatives, including oil and gas tycoon Harold Hamm. Hamm, executive chairman of Oklahoma-based Continental Resources, a major shale oil company, is a longtime Trump supporter and adviser who played a key role on energy issues in Trump’s first term. Linda McMahon, Secretary of Education President-elect Donald Trump tapped billionaire professional wrestling mogul Linda McMahon to be secretary of the Education Department, tasked with overseeing an agency Trump promised to dismantle. McMahon led the Small Business Administration during Trump’s initial term from 2017 to 2019 and twice ran unsuccessfully as a Republican for the U.S. Senate in Connecticut. She’s seen as a relative unknown in education circles, though she expressed support for charter schools and school choice. She served on the Connecticut Board of Education for a year starting in 2009 and has spent years on the board of trustees for Sacred Heart University in Connecticut. Brooke Rollins, Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins, who graduated from Texas A&M University with a degree in agricultural development, is a longtime Trump associate who served as White House domestic policy chief during his first presidency. The 52-year-old is president and CEO of the America First Policy Institute, a group helping to lay the groundwork for a second Trump administration. She previously served as an aide to former Texas Gov. Rick Perry and ran a think tank, the Texas Public Policy Foundation. Howard Lutnick, Secretary of Commerce Trump chose Howard Lutnick, head of brokerage and investment bank Cantor Fitzgerald and a cryptocurrency enthusiast, as his nominee for commerce secretary, a position in which he'd have a key role in carrying out Trump's plans to raise and enforce tariffs. Trump made the announcement Tuesday on his social media platform, Truth Social. Lutnick is a co-chair of Trump’s transition team, along with Linda McMahon, the former wrestling executive who previously led Trump’s Small Business Administration. Both are tasked with putting forward candidates for key roles in the next administration. The nomination would put Lutnick in charge of a sprawling Cabinet agency that is involved in funding new computer chip factories, imposing trade restrictions, releasing economic data and monitoring the weather. It is also a position in which connections to CEOs and the wider business community are crucial. Doug Collins, Secretary of Veterans Affairs Doug Collins is a former Republican congressman from Georgia who gained recognition for defending Trump during his first impeachment trial, which centered on U.S. assistance for Ukraine. Trump was impeached for urging Ukraine to investigate Joe Biden in 2019 during the Democratic presidential nomination, but he was acquitted by the Senate. Collins has also served in the armed forces himself and is currently a chaplain in the United States Air Force Reserve Command. "We must take care of our brave men and women in uniform, and Doug will be a great advocate for our Active Duty Servicemembers, Veterans, and Military Families to ensure they have the support they need," Trump said in a statement about nominating Collins to lead the Department of Veterans Affairs. Karoline Leavitt, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt, 27, was Trump's campaign press secretary and currently a spokesperson for his transition. She would be the youngest White House press secretary in history. The White House press secretary typically serves as the public face of the administration and historically has held daily briefings for the press corps. Leavitt, a New Hampshire native, was a spokesperson for MAGA Inc., a super PAC supporting Trump, before joining his 2024 campaign. In 2022, she ran for Congress in New Hampshire, winning a 10-way Republican primary before losing to Democratic Rep. Chris Pappas. Leavitt worked in the White House press office during Trump's first term before she became communications director for New York Republican Rep. Elise Stefanik, Trump's choice for U.S. ambassador to the United Nations. Tulsi Gabbard, National Intelligence Director Former Hawaii Rep. Tulsi Gabbard has been tapped by Trump to be director of national intelligence, keeping with the trend to stock his Cabinet with loyal personalities rather than veteran professionals in their requisite fields. Gabbard, 43, was a Democratic House member who unsuccessfully sought the party's 2020 presidential nomination before leaving the party in 2022. She endorsed Trump in August and campaigned often with him this fall. “I know Tulsi will bring the fearless spirit that has defined her illustrious career to our Intelligence Community,” Trump said in a statement. Gabbard, who has served in the Army National Guard for more than two decades, deploying to Iraq and Kuwait, would come to the role as somewhat of an outsider compared to her predecessor. The current director, Avril Haines, was confirmed by the Senate in 2021 following several years in a number of top national security and intelligence positions. John Ratcliffe, Central Intelligence Agency Director Trump has picked John Ratcliffe, a former Texas congressman who served as director of national intelligence during his first administration, to be director of the Central Intelligence Agency in his next. Ratcliffe was director of national intelligence during the final year and a half of Trump's first term, leading the U.S. government's spy agencies during the coronavirus pandemic. “I look forward to John being the first person ever to serve in both of our Nation's highest Intelligence positions,” Trump said in a statement, calling him a “fearless fighter for the Constitutional Rights of all Americans” who would ensure “the Highest Levels of National Security, and PEACE THROUGH STRENGTH.” Lee Zeldin, Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Trump has chosen former New York Rep. Lee Zeldin to serve as his pick to lead the Environmental Protection Agency . Zeldin does not appear to have any experience in environmental issues, but is a longtime supporter of the former president. The 44-year-old former U.S. House member from New York wrote on X , “We will restore US energy dominance, revitalize our auto industry to bring back American jobs, and make the US the global leader of AI.” “We will do so while protecting access to clean air and water,” he added. During his campaign, Trump often attacked the Biden administration's promotion of electric vehicles, and incorrectly referring to a tax credit for EV purchases as a government mandate. Trump also often told his audiences during the campaign his administration would “Drill, baby, drill,” referring to his support for expanded petroleum exploration. In a statement, Trump said Zeldin “will ensure fair and swift deregulatory decisions that will be enacted in a way to unleash the power of American businesses, while at the same time maintaining the highest environmental standards, including the cleanest air and water on the planet.” Brendan Carr, Chairman of the Federal Communications Commission Trump has named Brendan Carr, the senior Republican on the Federal Communications Commission, as the new chairman of the agency tasked with regulating broadcasting, telecommunications and broadband. Carr is a longtime member of the commission and served previously as the FCC’s general counsel. He has been unanimously confirmed by the Senate three times and was nominated by both Trump and President Joe Biden to the commission. Carr made past appearances on “Fox News Channel," including when he decried Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris' pre-Election Day appearance on “Saturday Night Live.” He wrote an op-ed last month defending a satellite company owned by Trump supporter Elon Musk. Elise Stefanik, Ambassador to the United Nations Rep. Elise Stefanik is a representative from New York and one of Trump's staunchest defenders going back to his first impeachment. Elected to the House in 2014, Stefanik was selected by her GOP House colleagues as House Republican Conference chair in 2021, when former Wyoming Rep. Liz Cheney was removed from the post after publicly criticizing Trump for falsely claiming he won the 2020 election. Stefanik, 40, has served in that role ever since as the third-ranking member of House leadership. Stefanik’s questioning of university presidents over antisemitism on their campuses helped lead to two of those presidents resigning, further raising her national profile. If confirmed, she would represent American interests at the U.N. as Trump vows to end the war waged by Russia against Ukraine begun in 2022. He has also called for peace as Israel continues its offensive against Hamas in Gaza and its invasion of Lebanon to target Hezbollah. Matt Whitaker, Ambassador to NATO President-elect Donald Trump says he's chosen former acting Attorney General Matt Whitaker to serve as U.S. ambassador to NATO. Trump has expressed skepticism about the Western military alliance for years. Trump said in a statement Wednesday that Whitaker is “a strong warrior and loyal Patriot” who “will ensure the United States’ interests are advanced and defended” and “strengthen relationships with our NATO Allies, and stand firm in the face of threats to Peace and Stability.” The choice of Whitaker as the nation’s representative to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization is an unusual one, given his background is as a lawyer and not in foreign policy. Mike Huckabee, Ambassador to Israel Trump will nominate former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee to be ambassador to Israel. Huckabee is a staunch defender of Israel and his intended nomination comes as Trump has promised to align U.S. foreign policy more closely with Israel's interests as it wages wars against the Iran-backed Hamas and Hezbollah. “He loves Israel, and likewise the people of Israel love him,” Trump said in a statement. “Mike will work tirelessly to bring about peace in the Middle East.” Huckabee, who ran unsuccessfully for the Republican presidential nomination in 2008 and 2016, has been a popular figure among evangelical Christian conservatives, many of whom support Israel due to Old Testament writings that Jews are God’s chosen people and that Israel is their rightful homeland. Trump has been praised by some in this important Republican voting bloc for moving the U.S. embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. Steven Witkoff, Special Envoy to the Middle East Trump on Tuesday named real estate investor Steven Witkoff to be special envoy to the Middle East. The 67-year-old Witkoff is the president-elect's golf partner and was golfing with him at Trump's club in West Palm Beach, Florida, on Sept. 15, when the former president was the target of a second attempted assassination. Witkoff “is a Highly Respected Leader in Business and Philanthropy,” Trump said of Witkoff in a statement. “Steve will be an unrelenting Voice for PEACE, and make us all proud." Trump also named Witkoff co-chair, with former Georgia Sen. Kelly Loeffler, of his inaugural committee. Mike Waltz, National Security Adviser Trump asked Rep. Michael Waltz, R-Fla., a retired Army National Guard officer and war veteran, to be his national security adviser, Trump announced in a statement Tuesday. The move puts Waltz in the middle of national security crises, ranging from efforts to provide weapons to Ukraine and worries about the growing alliance between Russia and North Korea to the persistent attacks in the Middle East by Iran proxies and the push for a cease-fire between Israel and Hamas and Hezbollah. “Mike has been a strong champion of my America First Foreign Policy agenda,” Trump's statement said, "and will be a tremendous champion of our pursuit of Peace through Strength!” Waltz is a three-term GOP congressman from east-central Florida. He served multiple tours in Afghanistan and also worked in the Pentagon as a policy adviser when Donald Rumsfeld and Robert Gates were defense chiefs. He is considered hawkish on China, and called for a U.S. boycott of the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing due to its involvement in the origin of COVID-19 and its mistreatment of the minority Muslim Uighur population. Stephen Miller, Deputy Chief of Staff for Policy Stephen Miller, an immigration hardliner , was a vocal spokesperson during the presidential campaign for Trump's priority of mass deportations. The 39-year-old was a senior adviser during Trump's first administration. Miller has been a central figure in some of Trump's policy decisions, notably his move to separate thousands of immigrant families. Trump argued throughout the campaign that the nation's economic, national security and social priorities could be met by deporting people who are in the United States illegally. Since Trump left office in 2021, Miller has served as the president of America First Legal, an organization made up of former Trump advisers aimed at challenging the Biden administration, media companies, universities and others over issues such as free speech and national security. Tom Homan, ‘Border Czar’ Thomas Homan, 62, has been tasked with Trump’s top priority of carrying out the largest deportation operation in the nation’s history. Homan, who served under Trump in his first administration leading U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, was widely expected to be offered a position related to the border, an issue Trump made central to his campaign. Though Homan has insisted such a massive undertaking would be humane, he has long been a loyal supporter of Trump's policy proposals, suggesting at a July conference in Washington that he would be willing to "run the biggest deportation operation this country’s ever seen.” Democrats have criticized Homan for his defending Trump's “zero tolerance” policy on border crossings during his first administration, which led to the separation of thousands of parents and children seeking asylum at the border. Dr. Mehmet Oz, Centers for Medicaid and Medicare Services administrator Dr. Mehmet Oz, 64, is a former heart surgeon who hosted “The Dr. Oz Show,” a long-running daytime television talk show. He ran unsuccessfully for the U.S. Senate as the Republican nominee in 2022 and is an outspoken supporter of Trump, who endorsed Oz's bid for elected office. Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy to advise White House on government efficiency Elon Musk, left, and Vivek Ramaswamy speak before Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump at an Oct. 27 campaign rally at Madison Square Garden in New York. Trump on Tuesday said Musk and former Republican presidential candidate Ramaswamy will lead a new “Department of Government Efficiency" — which is not, despite the name, a government agency. The acronym “DOGE” is a nod to Musk's favorite cryptocurrency, dogecoin. Trump said Musk and Ramaswamy will work from outside the government to offer the White House “advice and guidance” and will partner with the Office of Management and Budget to “drive large scale structural reform, and create an entrepreneurial approach to Government never seen before.” He added the move would shock government systems. It's not clear how the organization will operate. Musk, owner of X and CEO of Tesla and SpaceX, has been a constant presence at Mar-a-Lago since Trump won the presidential election. Ramaswamy suspended his campaign in January and threw his support behind Trump. Trump said the two will “pave the way for my Administration to dismantle Government Bureaucracy, slash excess regulations, cut wasteful expenditures, and restructure Federal Agencies.” Russell Vought, Office of Management and Budget Russell Vought held the position during Trump’s first presidency. After Trump’s initial term ended, Vought founded the Center for Renewing America, a think tank that describes its mission as “renew a consensus of America as a nation under God.” Vought was closely involved with Project 2025, a conservative blueprint for Trump’s second term that he tried to distance himself from during the campaign. Vought has also previously worked as the executive and budget director for the Republican Study Committee, a caucus for conservative House Republicans. He also worked at Heritage Action, the political group tied to The Heritage Foundation, a conservative think tank. Additional selections to the incoming White House Scavino, whom Trump's transition referred to in a statement as one of “Trump's longest serving and most trusted aides,” was a senior adviser to Trump's 2024 campaign, as well as his 2016 and 2020 campaigns. He will be deputy chief of staff and assistant to the president. Scavino had run Trump's social media profile in the White House during his first administration. He was also held in contempt of Congress in 2022 after a month-long refusal to comply with a subpoena from the House committee’s investigation into the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol. Blair was political director for Trump's 2024 campaign and for the Republican National Committee. He will be deputy chief of staff for legislative, political and public affairs and assistant to the president. Blair was key to Trump's economic messaging during his winning White House comeback campaign this year, a driving force behind the candidate's “Trump can fix it” slogan and his query to audiences this fall if they were better off than four years ago. Budowich is a veteran Trump campaign aide who launched and directed Make America Great Again, Inc., a super PAC that supported Trump's 2024 campaign. He will be deputy chief of staff for communications and personnel and assistant to the president. Budowich also had served as a spokesman for Trump after his presidency. McGinley was White House Cabinet secretary during Trump's first administration, and was outside legal counsel for the Republican National Committee's election integrity effort during the 2024 campaign. In a statement, Trump called McGinley “a smart and tenacious lawyer who will help me advance our America First agenda, while fighting for election integrity and against the weaponization of law enforcement.” Stay up-to-date on the latest in local and national government and political topics with our newsletter.
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XTNT Stock Touches 52-Week Low at $0.39 Amid Market ChallengesUtah Hockey Club (7-9-3, in the Central Division) vs. Pittsburgh Penguins (7-11-4, in the Metropolitan Division) Read this article for free: Already have an account? To continue reading, please subscribe: * Utah Hockey Club (7-9-3, in the Central Division) vs. Pittsburgh Penguins (7-11-4, in the Metropolitan Division) Read unlimited articles for free today: Already have an account? Utah Hockey Club (7-9-3, in the Central Division) vs. Pittsburgh Penguins (7-11-4, in the Metropolitan Division) Pittsburgh; Saturday, 7 p.m. EST BETMGM SPORTSBOOK LINE: Penguins -111, Utah Hockey Club -109; over/under is 6.5 BOTTOM LINE: The Utah Hockey Club look to stop their three-game slide with a win over the Pittsburgh Penguins. Pittsburgh has a 4-5-2 record in home games and a 7-11-4 record overall. The Penguins have a -28 scoring differential, with 57 total goals scored and 85 given up. Utah has a 3-5-2 record on the road and a 7-9-3 record overall. The Utah Hockey Club have a -14 scoring differential, with 49 total goals scored and 63 allowed. The teams meet Saturday for the first time this season. TOP PERFORMERS: Sidney Crosby has scored seven goals with 13 assists for the Penguins. Vasiliy Ponomarev has over the last 10 games. Nick Schmaltz has 13 assists for the Utah Hockey Club. Jaxson Stauber has scored goals over the past 10 games. LAST 10 GAMES: Penguins: 3-4-3, averaging 2.2 goals, 3.6 assists, 3.4 penalties and 7.4 penalty minutes while giving up 3.5 goals per game. Utah Hockey Club: 3-5-2, averaging 2.4 goals, 4.2 assists, 4.7 penalties and 14.2 penalty minutes while giving up 2.8 goals per game. INJURIES: Penguins: None listed. Utah Hockey Club: None listed. ___ The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar. AdvertisementThe Texas House speaker race isn’t over. Here’s where it stands.
LOS ANGELES — The four words were first spoken here on a bright spring afternoon at Camelback Ranch, my astonished syllables joining similar tones of amazement floating from every corner of a crowded press box. "Are you kidding me?" Down to his last pitch in his first spring training game as a Dodger, Shohei Ohtani had just launched a two-run home run. "Are you kidding me?" The crowd gasped in disbelief at the perfect timing and wondrous theater, the four words reverberating around the stadium like an anthem to the unimaginable. "Are you kidding me?" Eight months later, Los Angeles still asks that question. Was Shohei Ohtani's first season as a Dodger really real? Was the best baseball player on the planet even better than that? Could the man with arguably the highest expectations in baseball history actually exceed them? Yes, yes and unbelievably, yes. In being named the National League most valuable player on Thursday — becoming only the second player to win an MVP in both leagues — Ohtani completed a summer decorated with an even higher honor. Most Valuable Season Ever By A Los Angeles Athlete. This city has witnessed many memorable seasons by many legendary athletes, from Magic Johnson's rookie year to Fernando Valenzuela's rookie year to Sandy Koufax's 1963 to Eric Dickerson's 1984 to Shaquille O'Neal's 2000. But never before has one player during one season dominated the sport, transformed the town, awed the world and brought home a championship. After back-to-back playoff collapses, this was not a Dodgers town when Ohtani drove up the freeway from Anaheim this winter. It is overwhelmingly a Dodgers town now. His team was considered a bunch of underachievers before Ohtani signed a 10-year, $700 million contract. His team is now World Series champions. There was little international interest in the Dodgers before Ohtani brought his magical aura to Chavez Ravine. The Dodgers are now the most popular baseball team in the world. One man changed everything, an MVP of MVPs, the greatest Dodgers newcomer since Valenzuela, the greatest Dodgers season ever. "It will be a special moment that I will never forget," he said Thursday through an interpreter, after a special season that no one will ever forget. He led the league with 54 home runs, 130 RBIs, a 1.036 on-base-plus-slugging percentage, and that doesn't tell half of the story. Ohtani made such an impact, he significantly and unselfishly improved the team before he ever even stepped on the field. By agreeing to annually defer all but $2 million of his contract, he gave Dodgers president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman the financial flexibility to add other great players. Without Ohtani's generosity, Friedman might not have acquired Teoscar Hernández, Yoshinobu Yamamoto or Tyler Glasnow. Ohtani was a giant before he was a giant. Then the games started and here came those four words. You surely recognize them, because you've surely said them, time and again during a summer of dazzle. "Are you kidding me?" His season began in controversy, as longtime interpreter Ippei Mizuhara admitted to stealing more than $16 million from Ohtani to support a gambling addiction. The scandal was salacious. Ohtani was scrutinized. He was questioned. He was not believed. He finally was cleared, but only after his reputation was put through a wringer. Yet through it all he kept swinging, slugging seven home runs with a 1.017 OPS in the first 32 games. "Are you kidding me?" As the summer progressed, he quietly got stronger and faster, smoothly making the transition to leadoff hitter and base stealer, hitting a dozen home runs in June, stealing a dozen bases in July, all while rehabbing a surgically repaired pitching shoulder. "Are you kidding me?" On Aug. 23 against the Tampa Bay Rays, needing one home run to become the sixth person in the 40-homer, 40-steal club, Ohtani did it with a walk-off grand slam in the bottom of the ninth inning. "Are you kidding me?" On his Aug. 28 bobblehead night, his dog, Decoy, delivered the first pitch in a sprint from the mound to the plate, then in the first inning Ohtani casually stepped up and homered. "Are you kidding me?" On Sept. 19 in Miami, on the verge of becoming the first member of the 50-50 club, Ohtani barged into the record books with arguably the greatest offensive game in baseball history, going 6 for 6 with three homers and two stolen bases. "Are you kidding me?" After consistently stating that he signed with the Dodgers to win a championship, on Oct. 5 he stared down the San Diego Padres in the third inning of his first playoff game and promptly hit a three-run home run. "Are you kidding me?" In the seventh inning of Game 2 of the World Series against the New York Yankees, he suffered a partial dislocation of his left shoulder on a slide into second. Even though the injury was serious enough to later require surgery, he insisted on playing the rest of the Series, and he did so with one arm, his left arm seemingly painfully stuck to his body. In those final three games he still managed a hit and drew a walk and forced the Yankees to account for his presence. "Are you kidding me?" This is not only Ohtani's record third unanimous MVP, it's the first one in history won by a player who didn't play an inning in the field, and he acknowledged Thursday that his inability to pitch led to an increased offensive focus. "My goal was to be able to pitch and contribute offensively and the fact that I knew I wasn't going to be able to pitch this season made me focus more on my offensive game," he said. "Fortunately I was able to produce and get this award which is very humbling." One wonders what he possibly can do for an encore, yet he's already preparing for one, undergoing the shoulder surgery immediately after the season, his elbow rehab in full fling, his aim clear. "The goal is to be ready for opening day," he said. "That includes hitting and pitching." March 18, in Tokyo, against the Chicago Cubs, starting on the mound and batting leadoff ... Shohei Ohtani! "Are you kidding me?" ©2024 Los Angeles Times. Visit latimes.com . Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.Trump taps Rollins as agriculture chief, completing proposed slate of Cabinet secretaries
Prince George took part in a key royal moment for the very first time. The eldest son of the Prince and Princess of Wales had his taste of royal football tradition as he joined his father, Prince William, for the annual festive kickabout on the Sandringham estate. The pre-Christmas match, a highlight for estate workers and neighbouring villagers, saw the father-son duo take to the pitch together for the first time. Cheering them on from the sidelines was the Princess of Wales , along with Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis , who lent their support to the blue-shirted team that included George, 11, and William, 42. Revealed: What Prince George whispered to sister Princess Charlotte during Christmas Day walkabout Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis charm crowds during walkabout Find out what stockings Prince George and Princess Charlotte will be opening on Christmas day For George, an avid football fan like his dad, it was a dream moment, running energetically around the pitch to the cheers of onlookers. William, who has long been a keen Aston Villa supporter, showed his skill on the field and even came close to scoring a goal. Wearing number 18 on his shirt, the Prince of Wales looked right at home alongside his eldest son. Observers were quick to praise George’s enthusiasm and natural athleticism, suggesting he might have inherited his father’s love for the game. Meanwhile, Kate, ever the supportive mum, kept warm in a chic dark purple polo neck paired with a long light purple waistcoat, beige trousers, and a green peaked cap. Her hair was neatly tied back in a plait, and she carried black leather gloves as she stood on the sidelines, watching the action unfold. Not to be left out, Prince Louis, six, dressed adorably in navy blue shorts and a light blue top, joined in on the fun, kicking a ball around with his mum during breaks in the match. Princess Charlotte, nine, looked delighted to be part of the family outing, standing close to Kate as they cheered on their dad and brother. This beloved royal tradition has seen William take to the pitch for many years, often joined in the past by Prince Harry. The last time the brothers played together in the Sandringham match is believed to have been in 2016. While Harry’s absence was noted, the sight of George stepping into his father’s boots brought a fresh sense of excitement to the event. William’s passion for football has always been evident. As a devoted Aston Villa fan, he has often been spotted in the stands at Villa Park and cheering England on at Wembley. This summer, William and George were captured in a moment of shared joy, leaping to their feet when Cole Palmer equalised for England in the Euro 2024 final against Spain in Berlin, despite the heartbreaking 2-1 defeat. In a 2020 appearance on That Peter Crouch Podcast, William spoke candidly about George’s football journey. "I’m trying not to persuade him to be a Villa fan," he shared. "I'm letting him choose his own way. It’s about finding what fits for him." However, he humorously admitted to "concerns" when George briefly showed an interest in Chelsea as a younger child. As the royal family enjoyed this festive day out, football fans couldn’t help but smile at the idea of Prince George following in his father’s footsteps—not just on the field, but as a future ambassador for the sport. With the Villa faithful hoping to welcome George to their ranks, the Prince of Wales remains resolute in letting his son chart his own path. WATCH: A Right Royal Podcast: Wolf Hall's ultimate fact vs fiction, Christmas Windsor Castle and moreSouth Africa’s most popular football club, Kaizer Chiefs, have offered supporters a Black Friday sale on the club’s merchandise. KAIZER CHIEFS CONFIRM BLACK FRIDAY SALE OFFERS Soon before the club’s next Betway Premiership match against Richards Bay FC on Wednesday, Amakhosi communicated a 20% sale on selected merchandise between Monday, November 25, and Monday, December 2, 2024. Unfortunately, the club also made a keynote to say the markdown prices do not apply on the 2024/25 Kaizer Chiefs jersey. Additionally, the 20% offer is only available on the club’s online shop . “Enjoy 20% OFF all regular-priced items from Monday, 25 November, to Monday, 2 December! ” the club said via Instagram . “Don’t miss this chance to grab your favourites and save big. Stock up on your Kaizer Chiefs essentials and show your Amakhosi pride in style! “*Excludes 2024/25 Replica Jersey,” Kaizer Chiefs concluded. BETWAY PREMIERSHIP MATCH IN POLOKWANE In the meantime, coach Nasreddine Nabi’s team are travelling to Polokwane, where they will host Richards Bay in a league game on Wednesday at 19:30. Kaizer Chiefs are currently positioned in eighth spot with seven points and 14 points behind log leaders Orlando Pirates, but with two games in hand for Amakhosi. CAN KAIZER CHIEFS WIN THE NEDBANK CUP OR EVEN THE LEAGUE THIS SEASON? Let us know by clicking on the comment tab below this article or by emailing info@thesouthafrican.com . You can also send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1. Follow @TheSAnews on X and The South African on Facebook for the latest news.
AMD shares dip 2% amid AWS AI chip demand concernsBlack Friday Sale: Kaizer Chiefs Announce Deals
With January rapidly approaching, nearly half of our have agreed to new contracts, ranging in magnitude from with the Mets to Danny Jansen’s one-year, $8.5 million pact to be the Rays’ new backstop. But significant talent remains on the open market for major-league clubs to consider adding to their rosters, and debates about which options are superior at each position are surely in full swing in front offices across the league. With another wave of deals likely to arrive with the new year, here are three pairs of free agents from our top-50 list whom teams might be weighing as possible upgrades in the infield, outfield and starting rotation — and which direction we’d go if we had to choose. This would’ve been an even more fun debate a year ago, when both Kim and Torres rated as , but neither ended up having the platform year they were hoping for. Instead, each entered the open market with considerable questions attached. After a breakout year at the plate as San Diego’s superutilityman in 2023, Kim was the every-day shortstop in 2024 before a shoulder injury and subsequent surgery ended his season prematurely in August. Before he went down, Kim continued to demonstrate excellent contact skills and a propensity to draw walks, but his power was noticeably down, even from the modest levels it reached in 2023. Torres too had a quietly stellar 2023 with the bat amidst an otherwise disastrous Yankees season, with extremely encouraging underlying metrics that hinted at further production in store for the final year of his contract in 2024. That didn’t happen, though, as Torres plodded along around a league-average level for much of the season before heating up somewhat down the stretch and serving as New York’s leadoff man throughout its run to the World Series. His defense and baserunning remain areas of weakness, as they have for much of his career. Were Kim not coming off labrum surgery that could cost him the first month of the 2025 season, I’d be more inclined to lean in his favor, considering the remarkably high floor of production he provides, along with potentially elite defense at multiple infield positions and an OBP-driven offensive profile. But knowing that he is likely to miss spring training and could take additional time to get up to speed once he is fully physically recovered, I’m wary of his ability to be meaningfully impactful on either side of the ball for the first part of next season. I think a healthy Kim is a better bet to provide more value over the length of a three- or four-year deal, but I’ll take Torres’ offensive potential as the better short-term investment, especially if the second baseman, who only just turned 28, has eyes on reentering the open market a year or two from now having reestablished his reputation as one of the better-hitting second basemen in the league. Kim is one of the most interesting players on this year’s free-agent market. He’s not the biggest name available by any means, but he has a unique skill set and can help plenty of teams. Offensively, Kim has improved each season in the big leagues, and after a slow first season in 2021, he went from eight homers to 11 in ‘22 and a career-high 17 in ‘23 before injuries cut his season short this past year. He is also a solid baserunner, having swiped 30 bags in 2023. A shortstop by trade, Kim has played third base, shortstop and second and has been one of the best infield defenders in baseball since his arrival in 2021. Not only does he pass the eye test, winning the 2023 Gold Glove Award for the utility position, but also advanced metrics including outs above average and defensive runs saved rate him as one of the best in the infield. Kim is one of those players who could be a real difference-maker for a team without the big-time price. He’s only a year older than Torres, and given his wide skill set, he’s an incredible value for whichever team acquires him. Since neither of these below-average corner outfielders is expected to provide a ton of defensive value, I’m inclined to focus on which offensive skill set is most likely to sustain over the next several seasons. For Hernández, that’s exceptional raw power that is borne out in the elite hard-hit rates and exit velocities that have been a feature of his game since long before his dream season as a Dodger in 2024. Hernández has also consistently pulverised left-handed pitching as well as almost any hitter in MLB. His shortcoming is obvious: He strikes out . And while he did demonstrate a more discerning eye in 2024, with a noticeable uptick in walks, he has historically chased pitches out of the zone at a concerning clip, a dangerous trait for any batter as he enters his mid-30s. Santander, meanwhile, doesn’t have quite as much raw juice as Hernández, but he’s coming off one of the most prolific slugging seasons we’ve ever seen from a switch-hitter. It’s not just that he can hit lefty and righty; it’s that — unlike most of his kind, who tend to favor one side over the other — Santander is a legitimate threat from both sides. Over the past three seasons, he has hit .256/.341/.492 batting right-handed and .240/.308/.473 batting lefty. His 105 home runs rank sixth in MLB over that span, and in contrast to Hernández, Santander’s plate discipline is a step up. While he too will chase pitches out of the zone fairly frequently, his superior contact skills enable strikeout and walk rates that are not just better than Hernández's but also better than league average. I’m a firm believer that both will impact their next clubs’ lineups significantly in the short term, but I lean ever-so-slightly toward Santander here on the basis of his switch-hitting and being two years younger. While neither is exactly an OBP maven, I’m more optimistic about Santander’s solid bat-to-ball skills ensuring a higher floor of production moving forward, whereas Hernández's severe contact issues could result in a much sharper decline once he starts losing any semblance of bat speed. Both Hernández and Santander are going to provide a team with plenty of offensive production. But each player also comes with flaws: For Hernández, it’s swing-and-miss, and for Santander, it’s the lack of an offensive profile beyond the home runs. To be fair, 44 home runs as a switch-hitter is significant, and Santander was a force during his time in Baltimore. But an .814 OPS isn't the high-level production you’d expect with 44 homers. Despite his propensity to strike out at a high clip, Hernández has shown throughout his career that he’s more than a slugger, with at least 160 hits in three of his past four seasons and his 53 walks in 2024 marking a career high. While it feels like Santander sold out for power, leading to a career high in homers, Hernández used the lineup he was in to his advantage, likely getting plenty of good pitches to hit while batting behind the likes of Mookie Betts, Freddie Freeman and Shohei Ohtani. I like both players for different reasons, and at the same time, I believe both will need other good hitters around them to have success. But if I had to pick one, Hernández has shown in different lineups and in both leagues that he can produce consistently at a high level, and that’s good enough for me. Both future first-ballot Hall of Famers are coming off seasons in which their astounding late-career effectiveness — and durability — finally started to wane, leaving their hopes of pitching further into their 40s in question. The start to Scherzer’s season was delayed by his recovery from offseason back surgery before shoulder and hamstring injuries abbreviated his second half, limiting the totality of his 2024 contributions to nine starts. Verlander, meanwhile, saw his ERA soar above 5.00 for the first time in his career and missed two months in the middle of the year due to a neck injury, but he finished relatively strong, with a start on the final weekend of the regular season . As frustrating as their 2024 campaigns might have been, each has been steadfast in his commitment to pitching in 2025, so it’s not time to close the book on their legendary careers just yet. And considering teams’ perpetual need for starting pitching, it seems likely that each will find a rotation spot entering 2025. Given their age and recent injury history, each pitcher’s physical condition will be of utmost importance for teams considering a financial commitment to them, even on a one-year deal. And based on the recent track record, I’m more optimistic about Verlander after he finished 2024 on a high note — and healthy. Scherzer has simply dealt with so many injuries in recent years that I’m finding it increasingly difficult to believe he has another 30-start season in him. I’m banking on Verlander applying the lessons learned from his trying 2024 and reestablishing something closer to his 2023 form, which was a solid mid-rotation starter. Both pitchers obviously present significant durability risks, but I buy Verlander’s adaptability a tick more as they navigate the challenges of pitching into their 40s. If you’re a team that is seriously considering bringing in Scherzer or Verlander, it probably means you’re a team that already has an established ace and a competent No. 2 starter and needs a veteran to fill out the back of a rotation. It also means your team is a contender because entering their age-41 and age-42 seasons, neither of these pitchers is looking to be out of the playoff mix. The reality is that at this stage of their careers, pitching a full season is an extremely remote possibility. Scherzer missed most of the 2024 season while dealing with recovery from offseason back surgery, right shoulder fatigue and a hamstring strain, limiting him to nine starts. Verlander dealt with his own injuries in his final season in Houston, battling right shoulder inflammation and neck strain. But it wasn’t just the injuries for Verlander; for the first time in his career, he was bad and ineffective. His 5.48 ERA in 17 starts led Houston to leave him off the postseason roster for the wild-card round. Both of these three-time Cy Young Award winners will end up in Cooperstown whenever they decide to hang them up. And while it’s likely a toss-up at this point, Scherzer, even with the injuries, feels like the better gamble. Injuries are a concern, but he was still relatively effective in his time starting for the Rangers. If he can get the number of starts from nine to maybe 20 with an ERA in the mid-threes, that feels like a win.None
Inflation, political uncertainty eat through furniture recoveryShares of Transmedics Group ( TMDX 3.03% ) sank over 20% this week, according to data from S&P Global Market Intelligence . The organ transplant disrupter announced a CFO transition and reduced the range for its full-year 2024 guidance, indicating slowing revenue growth. As of 1:54 p.m. ET on Friday, Dec. 6, Transmedics stock is down 60% from all-time highs set just earlier this summer. Here's why Transmedics Group stock has been falling once again. CFO transition, guidance reduction On Dec. 2, Transmedics announced that its CFO, Stephen Gordon, would be retiring and that Gerardo Hernandez would take over the position. Investors typically do not like it when CFOs leave, which could be why Transmedics stock is falling this week. However, Hernandez looks like an experienced person for the role, with 25 years in the healthcare and consumer packaged goods sectors. The more concerning development was Transmedics' updated guidance for 2024. The company now expects revenue of $428 million to $432 million in 2024, which narrows and lowers its prior guidance of $425 million to $445 million. While this new guidance equates to over 75% revenue growth for the full fiscal year, the company has been going through a big revenue slowdown in recent quarters. If the company hits the low end of its guidance -- $428 million -- Q4 revenue will be $108 million. This is exactly what Transmedics generated in the third quarter and is actually lower than the $114 million it generated in the second quarter of 2024. As a growth stock, investors are expecting fast revenue growth out of Transmedics. With this rapid revenue growth slowdown, it is no surprise to see the stock faltering yet again this week. Should you buy Transmedics stock? Temporary slowdowns can sometimes provide buying opportunities for investors focused on the long term. Is that the case with Transmedics Group? The company's market cap has now fallen to $2.3 billion, which almost makes it a small-cap stock once again. The organ transplant market is growing, and Transmedics clearly has found a market fit for its end-to-end solution that safely transports organs for surgery around the country. The stock is not dirt cheap based on this revenue guidance, but the company is starting to flip to profitability, having generated $31 million in operating income over the past 12 months. If you believe in the Transmedics Group growth story, now could be a good time to scoop up some shares of this former growth darling.What America REALLY thinks of Trump's plan to pardon January 6 protesters Follow DailyMail.com's politics live blog for all the latest news and updates By JOE HUTCHISON FOR DAILYMAIL.COM Published: 21:47, 23 November 2024 | Updated: 22:16, 23 November 2024 e-mail 23 View comments New polling has suggested Americans are overwhelmingly opposed to president-elect Donald Trump 's plan to pardon January 6 defendants. During his campaign, he had pledged to 'absolutely' pardon those involved in the January 6 Capitol storming, frequently referring to them as 'patriots' and 'hostages'. When Trump is sworn in as the 47th President of the United States, he will have the authority to wipe those cases of the 1,488 people charged in relation to Jan 6 . In a new poll from Scripps , who worked alongside Ipsos, they found that 64 percent of respondents oppose Trump's plans to pardon those involved in the insurrection. Their findings also said that 68 percent of those opposed to the plan were independents, while 56 percent of Republicans told pollsters they would back it. With the economy being a hot topic in the campaign, 51 percent of respondents now believe their financial future is brighter. While 42 percent said inflation would rise. One proposal that did enjoy widespread popularity was eliminating taxes on tips and overtime, with 66 percent saying they somewhat or strongly agree with the policy. Nearly half of the respondents, 45 percent, also approved of new tariffs on imported goods that Trump has frequently touted. There is also a strong support for moving to negotiate a peace deal between Russia and Ukraine, with 78 percent backing peace talks. During his campaign, he had pledged to 'absolutely' pardon those involved in the January 6 Capitol storming, seen here When Trump is sworn in as the 47th President of the United States, he will have the authority to wipe those cases of all the 1,500 people charged in relation to Jan 6 While Trump has not clarified the scope or implementation of the potential pardons, lawyers are already making moves by filing the necessary paperwork. Approximately 547 defendants were charged with assaulting, resisting, or impeding officers or employees. Read More EXCLUSIVE January 6 rioters beg Trump to pardon them when he takes office Around 163 individuals have also been accused of using a deadly or dangerous weapon or causing serious injury to an officer, according to the US Attorney's Office. In addition, 140 police officers were assaulted at the Capitol on January 6, and about 11 individuals faced charges for assaulting members of the media. Those pardons would be determined on a 'case-by-case basis when he is back in the White House,' campaign spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt had said. At least one convicted rioter has also argued that the former president's victory over Vice President Kamala Harris is a vindication of their actions. Among those hoping to be pardoned is Christopher Carnell, whose lawyers asked a federal judge to delay a hearing in his case hours after the election was called. 'Throughout his campaign, President-elect Trump made multiple clemency promises to the Jan. 6 defendants, particularly to those who were non-violent participants,' the attorneys wrote, according to the New York Times. 'Mr. Carnell, who was an 18-year-old nonviolent entrant into the Capitol on Jan. 6 is expected to be relieved of the criminal prosecution that he is currently facing when the new administration takes office.' At least one convicted rioter has suggested Trump's election victory is a vindication of his actions Approximately 547 defendants were charged with assaulting, resisting, or impeding officers or employees Federal judge Beryl A Howell swiftly rejected the motion, without offering an explanation. Attorneys for other January 6 rioters have said they will file similar motions - with even the lawyers for former Proud Boys chairman Enrique Tarrio suggesting they would fight his conviction once Trump is back in office. The lawyers released a statement following Trump's victory saying they wanted to 'explore every possible avenue' to win Tarrio's release. He is currently behind bars, serving 22 years in prison for his role in the insurrection. 'We look forward to what the future holds, both in terms of the judicial process for our client and the broader political landscape under the new administration,' the lawyers said. Some rioters say they are confident they will be pardoned, with Edward Jacob 'Jake' Lang posting on Wednesday: 'I'M COMING HME!!!! THE JANUARY 6 POLITICAL PRISONERS ARE FINALLY COMING HOME!!!!' 'In just 75 days, on January 20, 2025, when Donald J Trump is inaugurated as the 47th President of the United States, he will pardon all of the J6 Hostages,' Lang asserted. He is currently serving time in jail, after federal prosecutors charged him with wielding a dangerous weapon against Capitol Police officers and obstruction of an official proceeding. Edward Jacob 'Jake' Lang seemed confident in a post on X that his conviction would be overturned Attorneys for former Proud Boys chairman Enrique Tarrio suggesting they would fight his conviction once Trump is back in office Footage from the mayhem shows him hitting officers with a bat 'multiple times,' according to an FBI affidavit. Derrick Evans, who was sentenced to three months behind bars in June 2022, also told Newsweek he is '100 percent confident' Trump will pardon at least the nonviolent offenders. 'And you might even see J6ers joining the administration or going back to DC as members of Congress, or Senate even,' he suggested. Meanwhile, convicted rioter Zachary Alam told a federal judge on Thursday he deserved a new classification of pardon, which he called a 'full pardon of patriotism,' ABC News reports. He argued it should come with monetary compensation, expungement of the charges on his criminal record and assurance he would never be charged again - characterizing anything less as a 'second-class pardon.' Alam has not denied his participation in the Capitol riot, but has defended his actions by saying he was doing the right thing to protect democracy. 'True patriots do the right thing in spite of everything else,' he argued, claiming his fellow rioters 'fought, cried, bled and died for what is right.' Read More Don Jr's ominous warning to people who 'sold out' Donald Trump after Jan. 6 He then asked whether the insurgency was truly a threat to democracy if the American people re-elected the former president. 'Sometimes you have to break the rules to do the right thing,' Alam claimed. But federal judge Dabney Friedlich said Alam's actions on January 6, 2021 were a 'full-throated' attack on the US Constitution and 'not the acts of a patriot.' She went on to call him one of the 'most violent and aggressive rioters' that day, after law enforcement officials testified that he told them, 'I'm going to f*** you up.' Federal prosecutors also accused Alam of knocking out the glass door of the Speaker's Lobby and pushing up against three Capitol Police officers who were trying to keep the angry mob from entering the floor of the House of Representatives - where Congressmembers were certifying the results of the 2020 election. Alam also allegedly scaled four floors of the Capitol, kicked doors and threw a velvet rope over a balcony in an attempt to hit officers below, the Department of Justice alleged. He then allegedly shouted to his fellow rioters they 'need guns' before he fled the scene. Alam was ultimately sentenced to eight years in prison with three years supervised release - despite Trump's win. Ukraine Russia Donald Trump Republicans Share or comment on this article: What America REALLY thinks of Trump's plan to pardon January 6 protesters e-mail Add commentThermal Imaging Market Size, Latest Growth, Forecast By 2024 - 2032
FOXBOROUGH, Mass. (AP) — Justin Herbert threw three touchdown passes and the Los Angeles Chargers clinched their second playoff appearance in three seasons with a 40-7 victory over the New England Patriots on Saturday. The win also secured the fourth postseason appearance in Jim Harbaugh’s five seasons as an NFL coach, adding to the three he made during his stint with the San Francisco 49ers. Herbert finished 26 of 38 for 281 yards to become the third player in NFL history with at least 3,000 passing yards and 20 touchdown passes in each of his first five seasons. He joins Pro Football Hall of Famer Peyton Manning and Russell Wilson. Ladd McConkey had eight catches for 94 yards and pulled in TD throws of 6 and 40 yards. With a 10-yard reception in the second quarter he passed 1,000 yards receiving for the season, making him the third Chargers rookie receiver to reach that milestone. JK Dobbins rushed 19 times for 76 yards and a TD. The Patriots have lost six straight games, their second such losing streak of the season. They are now 2-14 the last two seasons at home. New England quarterback Drake Maye finished 12 of 22 for 117 yards and a touchdown. He became the first rookie quarterback in franchise history with a TD pass in eight straight games. But he was sacked four times, and a second-quarter fumble marked his eighth straight game with at least one turnover. Los Angeles outgained New England 428-181 for the game. Maye briefly left the game to be evaluated for a head injury following a blow to his helmet in the first quarter. He was scrambling near the sideline on third down of the Patriots’ first possession when he was hit by Chargers cornerback Cam Hart, jarring the ball loose as Maye spun out of bounds. No flag was thrown on the play and Maye stayed down on the turf for several seconds before eventually getting up and jogging off the field. He initially sat on the bench before going to the medical tent for evaluation. He was replaced by backup Jacoby Brissett in the next series, which ended in a punt. But after further evaluation in the locker room and a Cameron Dicker 27-yard field goal put the Chargers in front 10-0, Maye returned to the game for the Patriots’ third series, at the 10:15 mark of the second quarter. Maye scrambled for 9 yards on his first play back, ending with him being hit by linebacker Junior Colson as he slid to the ground. Colson was flagged for unnecessary roughness. Five plays later, Maye mistimed a toss to Demario Douglas, causing a fumble that was recovered by Derwin James. The Chargers took over on the New England 24 and nine plays later, Herbert connected with McConkey for a 6-yard touchdown pass to put Los Angeles in front 17-0. Chargers: WR Joshua Palmer left the game in the third quarter with a heel injury. DB Elijah Molden limped off the field after a collision in the third quarter. He returned but was later driven off the field on a golf cart because of a shin injury. Patriots: In addition to Maye, CB Christian Gonzalez left the game in the second quarter to be evaluated for a head injury and was later ruled out with a concussion. McConkey, a second-round draft selection, also set a Chargers rookie record for catches, surpassing Keenan Allen, who had 71 in 2013. Chargers: Visit Las Vegas in their regular-season finale. Patriots: Host Buffalo next Sunday in their season finale. AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nflHarry and Meghan’s polo docuseries to highlight ‘grit behind the glamour’
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