Tuesday, December 03, 2024
Monday, December 02, 2024
During the campaign, Trump talked about ‘Black jobs’. He’s nominated just one Black person for his cabinet
Trump’s first administration was the least racially diverse in decades. More than 80 percent of his latest nominees are white
Friday 29 November 2024 12:16 EST
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Donald Trump owes his electoral victory to his campaign’s gains among Latino and Black voters. But the nominees for his historic second presidency largely reflect the overwhelmingly white makeup of Washington power.
Thus far, Trump has nominated one Black American to his 16-member Cabinet: Scott Turner for Secretary of Housing and Urban Development. He has also selected two Latino nominees: Lori Chavez-DeRemer for Secretary of Labor and Marco Rubio for Secretary of State.
When Trump was elected in 2016, his Cabinet included 19 white men, making it the least racially diverse group of the president’s closest advisers and heads of institutional power in more than 40 years.
Trump has nominated Scott Turner for Secretary of Housing and Urban Development (AP)
At the time, he had also appointed only one Black nominee to his cabinet; Ben Carson, like Turner, was also tapped for housing secretary.
But out of the 26 nominees for top roles in Trump’s next Cabinet and Cabinet-level positions thus far, 19 are white.
At the time, he had also appointed only one Black nominee to his cabinet; Ben Carson, like Turner, was also tapped for housing secretary.
But out of the 26 nominees for top roles in Trump’s next Cabinet and Cabinet-level positions thus far, 19 are white.
Former spiritual advisor to Donald Trump hails Indian-origin nominations to US administration
Written By: ANI
| Published on: Dec 1, 2024
ANI Photo | Former spiritual advisor to Donald Trump hails Indian-origin nominations to US administration
With several Indian-origin names figuring among the picks by Donald Trump’s for his incoming administration, Johnnie Moore, the former Commissioner of the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) noted that Indian-American/ Hindu-American community will be at the very heart of the Republican leader’s second term as US President.
Taking to social media platform X on Sunday, Trump’s former spiritual advisor said, “Usha, Tulsi, Vivek, Jay and now Kash. The Indian-American / Hindu American community will be at the very heart of the second Trump administration. Quite a moment for one of America’s most vibrant minority communities.”
Usha, Tulsi, Vivek, Jay and now Kash.
The Indian-American / Hindu American community will be at the very heart of the second Trump administration.
Quite a moment for one of America’s most vibrant minority communities.
— Rev. Johnnie Moore ن (@JohnnieM) December 1, 2024
Usha Vance the Second First Lady, the wife of US Vice President-elect JD Vance traces her roots to Indian immigrants who trace their roots to Andhra Pradesh. Republican leader Vivek Ramaswamy was born in the US to Indian immigrant parents who hail from Kerala. Kolkata-born Jay Bhattacharya has been picked by Trump as his Director of the National Institutes of Health while the President-elect has nominated Kashyap “Kash” Patel to head the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).
Trump on Saturday (local time) nominated the name of Kashyap “Kash” Patel to serve as the next Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).In a post on the social media platform Truth Social, Trump announced Patel’s nomination, highlighting his distinguished career in various government roles. These include serving as Chief of Staff at the Department of Defense, Deputy Director of National Intelligence, and Senior Director for Counterterrorism at the National Security Council during Trump’s first term as President.
Trump praised Patel for his work in investigating the so-called “Russia, Russia, Russia Hoax,” calling him an “America First” fighter who has spent his career exposing corruption, defending justice, and protecting the American people.
“I am proud to announce that Kashyap ‘Kash’ Patel will serve as the next Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Kash is a brilliant lawyer, investigator, and ‘America First’ fighter who has spent his career exposing corruption, defending justice, and protecting the American people. He played a pivotal role in uncovering the ‘Russia, Russia, Russia’ hoax, standing as an advocate for truth, accountability, and the Constitution. Kash did an incredible job during my first term, where he served as Chief of Staff at the Department of Defense, Deputy Director of National Intelligence, and Senior Director for Counterterrorism at the National Security Council. Kash has also tried over 60 jury trials,” the US President-elect said.
Who Are The 3 Hindu Lawmakers In Trump 2.0 Cabinet?
President-elect Donald Trump is assembling his cabinet for the next four years. The Republican has added several controversial picks in his pool, the latest being Kash Patel. The 44-year-old Trump loyalist, whose Indian roots trace back to Gujarat, is expected to replace incumbent FBI Director Christopher Wray - who might resign or be sacked next year.
Donald Trump has named 3 Hindus in his new cabinet
Photo : AP
Authored by:Yash Bajaj
Updated Dec 2, 2024, 18:30 IST
President-elect Donald Trump is assembling his cabinet for the next four years. The Republican has added several controversial picks in his pool, the latest being Kash Patel. The 44-year-old Trump loyalist, whose Indian roots trace back to Gujarat, is expected to replace incumbent FBI Director Christopher Wray - who might resign or be sacked next year. Some other Trump 2.0 nominations include: Vivek Ramaswamy (DOGE), Jay Bhattacharya (NIH) and Tulsi Gabbard (DNI).
With Patel's addition on Saturday, Trump has already nominated three vocal Hindus in his cabinet. The other two are Ramaswamy and Gabbard. Alt(h)ough Jay Bhattacharya has roots in India by birth (Kolkata), the 56-year-old has not made a definitive statement about his faith yet.
1) Kash Patel: Born to Gujarati parents who immigrated to teh US via Uganda, Patel has openly embraced his Hindu culture and heritage. The Trump loyalist spoke in support of the Ayodhya Ram Mandir in February and previously claimed that there was a 'disinformation campaign' targetting India and Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
“There was a Hindu temple there for one of the quintessential gods in the Hindu pantheon in 1500 that was toppled, and they have been trying to get it back for 500 years. Washington establishments conveniently forgot this part of history,” he had said.
2) Tulsi Gabbard: The National Intelligence pick became the first Hindu elected to the US Congress She has been vocal about her faith and is frequently seen chanting bhajans and prayers. Gabbard also discusses how Hindu teachings influence her life and politics, emphasizing principles like karma and seva (service). While she is not of Indian-origin, the former Democrat was immersed in the ideals of Hare Krishna teachings from an early age.
3) Vivek Ramaswamy: The DOGE head and his wife Usha have time and again addressed their Hindu background. Although Vivek identifies as culturally Hindu, he often emphasizes universal principles over specific religious doctrines.
What Happens Next?
Volume 43 Issue Twelve December 2024
Last Trumpet Ministries · PO Box 806 · Beaver Dam, WI 53916
Phone: 920-887-2626 Internet: http://www.lasttrumpetministries.org
“For if the trumpet give an uncertain sound, who shall prepare himself to the battle?” I Cor. 14:8
What Happens Next?
“After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.”
Matthew 6:9-13
Amid great anxiety and trepidation, the American people went to the polls on November 5, 2024, to elect the 47th President of the United States. The candidates, former President Donald Trump and current Vice President Kamala Harris, were said to be neck-and-neck in the polls in the weeks leading up to Election Day. An article published by Forbes Magazine in the early morning hours of November 5 claimed the candidates were essentially “deadlocked” with Harris holding a very slight edge over Trump. (1) The polling website known as FiveThirtyEight predicted there was a 50 percent chance that Harris would pull out the win while Trump had a 49 percent chance of emerging victorious. (2)
Given how close the polls were, there was a general expectation that the election would be very close and that it could take days or even weeks to tally every vote and determine a winner. The reality was much different from that expectation. In the end, Donald Trump won the election decisively, earning 312 electoral votes compared to Harris’ 226. This total put Trump well over the 270 electoral votes needed to secure the win. (3) Remarkably, Trump flipped the hotly contested states of Pennsylvania, Michigan, Wisconsin, Georgia, Arizona, and Nevada, which had all been called for current President Joe Biden in 2020. (4) To make matters worse for the Democrats, the Republican Party retained control of the House of Representatives and took control of the Senate, which, in theory, should allow Trump to achieve many of his goals as President. (5)
In the days following the election, talking heads all over television and on the Internet offered their hot takes on why the Democrats performed so poorly in the 2024 election. A piece published by Axios on November 6, 2024, put it bluntly, declaring in its headline, “Democrats start clawing each other’s eyes out.” (6) Senator Bernie Sanders, the proud socialist from Vermont, lambasted the Democratic Party, stating, “It should come as no great surprise that a Democratic Party which has abandoned working class people would find that the working class has abandoned them.” He then continued, “First, it was the white working class, and now it is Latino and black workers as well. While the Democratic leadership defends the status quo, the American people are angry and want change. And they’re right.” (7) Democratic strategist Julie Roginsky also lashed out, stating in a segment on CNN, “I’m going to speak some hard truths to my friends in the Democratic Party. This is not Joe Biden’s fault. It’s not Kamala Harris’ fault. It’s not Barack Obama’s fault – it is the fault of the Democratic Party in not knowing how to communicate effectively to voters. We are not the party of common sense, which is the message the voters sent to us.” (8)
“After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.”
Matthew 6:9-13
Amid great anxiety and trepidation, the American people went to the polls on November 5, 2024, to elect the 47th President of the United States. The candidates, former President Donald Trump and current Vice President Kamala Harris, were said to be neck-and-neck in the polls in the weeks leading up to Election Day. An article published by Forbes Magazine in the early morning hours of November 5 claimed the candidates were essentially “deadlocked” with Harris holding a very slight edge over Trump. (1) The polling website known as FiveThirtyEight predicted there was a 50 percent chance that Harris would pull out the win while Trump had a 49 percent chance of emerging victorious. (2)
Given how close the polls were, there was a general expectation that the election would be very close and that it could take days or even weeks to tally every vote and determine a winner. The reality was much different from that expectation. In the end, Donald Trump won the election decisively, earning 312 electoral votes compared to Harris’ 226. This total put Trump well over the 270 electoral votes needed to secure the win. (3) Remarkably, Trump flipped the hotly contested states of Pennsylvania, Michigan, Wisconsin, Georgia, Arizona, and Nevada, which had all been called for current President Joe Biden in 2020. (4) To make matters worse for the Democrats, the Republican Party retained control of the House of Representatives and took control of the Senate, which, in theory, should allow Trump to achieve many of his goals as President. (5)
In the days following the election, talking heads all over television and on the Internet offered their hot takes on why the Democrats performed so poorly in the 2024 election. A piece published by Axios on November 6, 2024, put it bluntly, declaring in its headline, “Democrats start clawing each other’s eyes out.” (6) Senator Bernie Sanders, the proud socialist from Vermont, lambasted the Democratic Party, stating, “It should come as no great surprise that a Democratic Party which has abandoned working class people would find that the working class has abandoned them.” He then continued, “First, it was the white working class, and now it is Latino and black workers as well. While the Democratic leadership defends the status quo, the American people are angry and want change. And they’re right.” (7) Democratic strategist Julie Roginsky also lashed out, stating in a segment on CNN, “I’m going to speak some hard truths to my friends in the Democratic Party. This is not Joe Biden’s fault. It’s not Kamala Harris’ fault. It’s not Barack Obama’s fault – it is the fault of the Democratic Party in not knowing how to communicate effectively to voters. We are not the party of common sense, which is the message the voters sent to us.” (8)
Sunday, December 01, 2024
Biden pardons his son Hunter despite previous pledges not to
ZEKE MILLER, ALANNA DURKIN RICHER and COLLEEN LONG
Sun, December 1, 2024 at 7:37 PM EST
\\FILE - President Joe Biden, wearing a Team USA jacket and walking with his son Hunter Biden, heads toward Marine One on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington, July 26, 2024. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh, File)ASSOCIATED PRESS
President Joe Biden and son Hunter Biden walk in downtown Nantucket Mass., Friday, Nov. 29, 2024. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana)ASSOCIATED PRESS
President Joe Biden speaks on the South Lawn of the White House during a ceremony to commemorate World AIDS Day with survivors, their families and advocates, Sunday, Dec. 1, 2024, in Washington. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta)ASSOCIATED PRESS
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden pardoned his son, Hunter, on Sunday night, sparing the younger Biden a possible prison sentence for federal felony gun and tax convictions and reversing his past promises not to use the extraordinary powers of the presidency for the benefit of his family members.
The Democratic president had previously said he would not pardon his son or commute his sentence after his convictions in the two cases in Delaware and California. The move comes weeks before Hunter Biden was set to receive his punishment after his trial conviction in the gun case and guilty plea on tax charges, and less than two months before President-elect Donald Trump is set to return to the White House.
It caps a long-running legal saga for the younger Biden, who publicly disclosed he was under federal investigation in December 2020 — a month after his father’s 2020 victory — and casts a pall over the elder Biden's legacy. Biden, who time and again pledged to Americans that he would restore norms and respect for the rule of law after Trump's first term in office, ultimately used his position to help his son, breaking his public pledge to Americans that he would do no such thing.
In June, Biden categorically ruled out a pardon or commutation for his son, telling reporters as his son faced trial in the Delware gun case, “I abide by the jury decision. I will do that and I will not pardon him.”
As recently as Nov. 8, days after Trump's victory, White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre ruled out a pardon or clemency for the younger Biden, saying, “We’ve been asked that question multiple times. Our answer stands, which is no.”
In a statement released Sunday evening, Biden said, “Today, I signed a pardon for my son Hunter,” alleging that the prosecution of his son was politically motivated and a “miscarriage of justice.”
“The charges in his cases came about only after several of my political opponents in Congress instigated them to attack me and oppose my election,” Biden said. “No reasonable person who looks at the facts of Hunter’s cases can reach any other conclusion than Hunter was singled out only because he is my son.”
“I hope Americans will understand why a father and a President would come to this decision,” Biden added, claiming he made the decision this weekend. The president had spent the Thanksgiving holiday in Nantucket, Massachusetts with Hunter and his family, and was set to depart later Sunday on what may be his last foreign trip as president before leaving office on Jan. 20, 2025.
Hunter Biden was convicted in June in Delaware federal court of three felonies for purchasing a gun in 2018 when, prosecutors said, he lied on a federal form by claiming he was not illegally using or addicted to drugs.
He was set to stand trial in September in the California case accusing him of failing to pay at least $1.4 million in taxes. But he agreed to plead guilty to misdemeanor and felony charges in a surprise move hours after jury selection was set to begin.
Hunter Biden said he was pleading guilty in that case to spare his family more pain and embarrassment after the gun trial aired salacious details about his struggles with a crack cocaine addiction.
The tax charges carry up to 17 years behind bars and the gun charges are punishable by up to 25 years in prison, though federal sentencing guidelines were expected to call for far less time and it was possible he would avoid prison time entirely.
The sweeping pardon covers not just those offenses, but also any other “offenses against the United States which he has committed or may have committed or taken part in during the period from January 1, 2014 through December 1, 2024."
Biden is hardly the first president to deploy his pardon powers to benefit those close to him.
In his final weeks in office, Trump pardoned Charles Kushner, the father of his son-in law, Jared Kushner, as well as multiple allies convicted in special counsel Robert Mueller’s Russia investigation. Trump this week announced plans to nominate the elder Kushner to be the U.S. envoy to France in his next administration.
Hunter Biden said in an emailed statement that he will never take for granted the relief granted to him and vowed to devote the life he has rebuilt “to helping those who are still sick and suffering.”
“I have admitted and taken responsibility for my mistakes during the darkest days of my addiction – mistakes that have been exploited to publicly humiliate and shame me and my family for political sport,” the younger Biden said.
A spokesperson for special counsel David Weiss, who brought the cases, did not respond to messages seeking comment Sunday night.
___
Associated Press writer Josh Boak in Nantucket, Massachusetts contributed to this report.
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