Karoline Leavitt, who previously held the role of National Press Secretary for Trump’s 2024 US Presidential campaign, was also part of the Trump administration as the Assistant Press Secretary of the White House during his first tenure.
US President-elect Donald Trump on Friday announced the name of Karoline Leavitt as the latest addition to his cabinet to serve as the White House Press Secretary.
27-year-old Levitt will become youngest person to take the key role, acting as the face of the White House. She broke the record of Ron Ziegler, who was 29 when appointed by President Richard Nixon in 1969, according to reports.
Leavitt, who previously held the role of National Press Secretary for Trump’s 2024 US Presidential campaign, was also part of the Trump administration as the Assistant Press Secretary of the White House during his first tenure.
In a statement, Trump praised Leavitt for her work on his campaign and said that he was pleased to announce her name as the White House Press Secretary.
He noted that Leavitt was “smart, tough, and has proven to be a highly effective communicator” and that he had the utmost confidence in her to excel at the position.
“Karoline Leavitt did a phenomenal job as the National Press Secretary on my Historic Campaign, and I am pleased to announce she will serve as White House Press Secretary. Karoline is smart, tough, and has proven to be a highly effective communicator. I have the utmost confidence she will excel at the podium and help deliver our message to the American People as we, Make America Great Again,” the statement read.
Earlier, US President-elect Trump selected his campaign spokesperson, Steven Cheung, as White House communications director as well as named Sergio Gor to lead the Presidential Personnel Office.
Meanwhile on Thursday, former Georgia Congressman Doug Collins was nominated by Trump for the next US Secretary of Veterans Affaiss (VA).
Trump also announced the name of Robert F Kennedy Jr. as the next US Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS).
On Wednesday, Trump nominated Congressman Matt Gaetz to be the Attorney General of the US, Senator Marco Rubio of Florida as Secretary of State and former Congresswoman Lieutenant Colonel Tulsi Gabbard as Director of National Intelligence (DNI).
Additionally this week, he announced Tesla CEO Elon Musk, along with Indian-origin entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy, to lead the new Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).Moreover, Trump nominated former Director of National Intelligence John Ratcliffe as the Director of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), William Joseph McGinley as White House Counsel, former New York Congressman Lee Zeldin as Administrator of the United States Environmental Protective Agency (EPA), and Pete Hegseth as the Secretary of Defense.
Donald Trump won a second term as President of the United States after securing 295 electoral votes in the 2024 presidential election, defeating Democratic rival Kamala Harris, who garnered 226 votes. Following his victory, President-elect Donald Trump has moved swiftly with finalising his foreign policy and national security team ahead of his formal inauguration in January 2025. (ANI)
Hackney’s Mayor highlighted this year’s theme, “Seeds of Change,” which inspires small actions to raise awareness and understanding of Islamophobia….reports Asian Lite News
Mayor of Hackney, Caroline Woodley and Cllr Fajana-Thomas OBE, Cabinet Member for Community Safety and Regulatory Services, set out how Hackney is no place for hate.
“In Hackney, we celebrate our diversity and identity as a place where communities of different faiths and backgrounds live together in harmony. We’re proud of our work to be an actively anti-racist and “No Place for Hate” borough, where we stand against hate, discrimination and abuse of any kind and invest in anti-racist practices and community infrastructure to build greater cohesion and belonging.
“During this year’s Islamophobia Awareness Month, we are reaffirming our commitment to keeping all our residents safe from religious hatred, discrimination and violence. This year’s theme, “Seeds of Change,” encourages everyone to take small steps to help raise awareness about and deepen their understanding of Islamophobia. To support this, we invite you to explore our specially curated Islamophobia Awareness Month library reading list, which offers valuable insights into Islamic culture and individuals’ lived experiences.
“Over the past year, there has been a disturbing increase in Islamophobic hate crimes, as well as the shocking rise in far-right violence and disorder across the country with its focus on migrants and mosques. We are concerned that the horrific escalation of conflict and suffering in the Middle East has also led to anti-Muslim attacks and caused immense distress, fear and anger amongst Hackney residents, many of whom are directly impacted.
“We are doing everything we can with our police and community partners to respond swiftly to any incidents and support those affected. We know that hate crimes, especially those affecting our Muslim communities, often go unreported. To address this, we work with local residents, faith partners and Muslim organisations throughout the year to understand and respond to any concerns raised.
“We have also stepped up the number of enforcement and reassurance patrols we carry out in partnership with the police, focusing on more vulnerable areas, to take action against racist perpetrators. We have also recently organised a community meeting and co-hosted a series of hate crime awareness pop-up information stalls to chat to residents about the range of support that’s available.
“Within the Council, we are supporting staff to learn more about Islam and Islamophobia through our resources and workshops from not-for-profit organisation, Educate Against Islamophobia. We know that education is a key tool which we can use to combat racism and prejudice as it helps improve understanding and tackle misinformation.
“If you’ve been affected by Islamophobia or any other hate crime, please don’t suffer in silence – there are a range of services that can help you. You may feel anxious about reporting a hate crime or incident, or concerned that it will not make a difference, but every case helps us gather information and bring Islamophobic and racist perpetrators to justice.
“We work closely with the local police to tackle hate crimes, and support them to thoroughly investigate all hate crimes and work with the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) to ensure that those who commit these reprehensible offences face the full consequences of the law.”
If confirmed by the Senate, Clayton will replace Damian Williams, who by tradition will submit his resignation when there is a change of President on January 21, or will be fired…reports Asian Lite News
US President-elect Donald Trump is replacing the federal prosecutor who filed the case against a former Indian Intelligence officer charged in an alleged “murder-for-hire” plot against a Khalistani leader.
Trump announced on Thursday that he is nominating Jay Clayton, a former chairman of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), as the District Attorney for the Southern District of New York.
“Jay is going to be a strong Fighter for the Truth as we, Make America Great Again,” Trump said in a Truth Social post.
If confirmed by the Senate, Clayton will replace Damian Williams, who by tradition will submit his resignation when there is a change of President on January 21, or will be fired.
Last month, Williams filed the case against Vikash Yadav, a former Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) officer, alleging that he orchestrated a plot to hire a hitman to kill Khalistani leader Gurpatwant Singh Pannun.
Williams charged an Indian citizen, Nikhil Gupta, last year as a co-conspirator in the case.
He was extradited to the US in June from the Czech Republic, where he was arrested, and his case is proceeding separately at the Southern District of New York court.
Gupta has denied guilt in court and the next hearing is set for January 19.
Even if Williams quits, the lawyers in his office will continue the case until the new prosecutor and the new Attorney General decide on the next steps.
Trump has appointed a controversial former member of the House of Representatives, Matt Gaetz, as his Attorney General.
Yadav is described in the charges filed against him as a RAW “Senior Field Officer”.
He is in India and is reportedly in custody facing kidnapping and extortion charges.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation has issued a “Wanted” poster for him.
He and Gupta are alleged to have tried to hire a person they thought was a professional criminal — but was a government agent — to kill Pannun.
The Southern District of New York covers Manhattan — and within it Wall Street — making the venue for most high-profile cases involving investments, and stock market trading manipulation and fraud.
As the former SEC head, Clayton brings special expertise to Wall Street and financial irregularities cases.
“He did an incredible job,” at the SEC, Trump said.
PM Narendra Modi has slammed Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena for ‘handing over remote control’ to Congress which insulted Balasaheb Thackeray….reports Asian Lite News
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday targeted the Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena, which is a part of the Maha Vikas Aghadi, for handing over its remote control to the Congress which insulted Balasaheb Thackeray.
“Mumbai is a city of Hinduhruday Samrat Balasaheb Thackeray’s ideology. That is why I challenged them to get the Congress to praise Balasaheb Thackeray. To date these people have not been able to get the Congress and the prince of Congress to praise Balasaheb,” PM Modi said in his address at the election rally organised for BJP and MahaYuti candidates at the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Park.
“When you make Congress people praise Balasaheb Thackeray, you will get good sleep and you do not have to go to hospital. You will get the blessings of Balasaheb Thackeray. However, they have not been able to do it. This is the reality of the Aghadi,” said the Prime Minister while criticising Uddhav Thackeray without directly naming him.
He added that the Uddhav Thackeray-led party has joined hands with those (Congress) who insulted Veer Savarkar.
Speaking about terror activities in Mumbai, the Prime Minister said the city has suffered from terrorism for a long time, adding that the people here have still not forgotten the wounds inflicted by terrorism.
“But over the years, a sense of security has developed in people’s minds because then the government was different, today there is Modi. You have to think why terrorist incidents kept happening across the country including Mumbai during the Congress government. Everywhere you were scared of unclaimed objects. But now all this has stopped,” he added.
He further stated: “Because today there is Modi government in the country and the masters of terror know that if they do anything against India, against Mumbai, then Modi will not leave them even in hell.”
“Mumbai is a city that believes in connecting people. Unfortunately, the Congress and the Maha Aghadi seem focused on dividing them instead. People from all communities live in harmony in Mumbai, but the Maha Aghadi is busy inciting tensions between different castes. The Congress’s Shahi parivaar harbours animosity towards Dalits, backward classes, and Scheduled Tribes. They seem desperate for power, much like a fish out of water,” claimed the Prime Minister.
The Prime Minister claimed that today everywhere there is only one voice that is ‘BJP-MahaYuti ahe tar gati ahe Maharashtrachi Pragati ahe’ (When there is BJP-MahaYuti there is speed and Maharashtra’s progress).
He exhorted the people to re-elect MahaYuti to increase the pace of government unhindered and give him an opportunity to serve.
“This time I have seen the elections of Jharkhand and also the elections of Maharashtra. And I was also watching the Haryana elections a few days ago. Haryana in a way shattered all the plans of Congress and destroyed all their dreams. Whatever issues he raised, the people of Haryana gave a befitting reply to every issue. I can say that the Congress and Maha Aghadi are going to get a tougher reply in Jharkhand and Maharashtra than in Haryana,” said the Prime Minister.
He also told the gathering that he has come here to invite to the MahaYuti government’s swearing-in ceremony.
“The lie can’t live for long, and the people of the country have rejected the lies of the Opposition. It’s a matter of shame that the constitution of Babasaheb Ambedkar wasn’t applied in the entire country, and Congress hid this fact. In Jammu and Kashmir, the law and the flag were different. They erected a wall of Article 370, and the constitution of India couldn’t be applied there. When you gave Modi an opportunity, we buried Article 370 deep in the ground,” said the Prime Minister.
He praised the MahaYuti government for the successful implementation of Ladki Bahin Yojana saying that a large number of mothers and sisters of Mumbai have also benefited from the scheme.
“Most of the houses received under the PM Awas Yojana are also in the name of female members. This has accelerated the social and economic empowerment of women,” the Prime Minister said.
BJP trying to ‘usurp’ rights of tribals: Rahul
Terming the Maharashtra polls as a ‘clash of ideologies’, Leader of the Opposition (LoP) in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi trained guns on the Bharatiya Janata Party accusing it of attempting to usurp the rights of the tribals.
Speaking at massive poll rallies in the tribal belts of Nandurbar and then in Nanded for the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) candidates, Rahul Gandhi said that Congress is fighting to save the Constitution of India which has given everything to the people, including lands, forests, water, right to food, MNREGA and all else.
“The MVA-INDIA Bloc demand that the country must be run as per the Constitution, and I show a copy of it, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who has never read the Constitution, calls it a hollow book. Whatever be the colour of the cover, we shall defend every word that is written in it with our lives,” thundered Rahul Gandhi.
The LoP pointed out in his rallies – punctuated with rounds of applause – that the Constitution used the word ‘Adivasi’ to describe tribals, but the BJP-RSS applied the term ‘Vanvasi’ (forest-dweller) wherein lies a huge difference.
“The two words are very different. ‘Adivasi’ means the ones who were the first masters of this and have a first right over its land and resources. But ‘Vanvasi’ implies that they are only forest dwellers and hence have no rights over the lands or its resources. They want to take away all your rights, your lands, forests and resources,” boomed Rahul Gandhi.
However, it was Congress that enacted the Forest Rights Act, the Tribal Rights Act and the PESA Act to ensure that the Adivasis can exercise rights over their forests, lands, water and resources, he said.
Rahul Gandhi lamented that as soon as the BJP took power, it tried to strip the Adivasis of all their rights and natural assets which would be handed over to billionaires and industrialists.
Elaborating, he said that while an ‘Adivasi’ would be entitled to education, jobs and high qualifications, the ‘Vanvasis’ would be deprived of all this, and the opportunity to run the country.
“Adivasis constitute 8 per cent of India’s total population and should be given at least that much representation in the government. But the reality is that only 90 bureaucrats run the country, hardly any representation to the Adivasis and for a decision of Rs 100, the Adivasi official gets his say for only 10 paise,” claimed Rahul Gandhi.
Reiterating that the Constitution comprises the thoughts and wisdom of greats like Birsa Munda, Lord Gautama Buddha, Mahatma Jyotirao Phule, Mahatma Gandhi, B. R. Ambedkar, and “the ideological battle is to save this Constitution” which the PM and the BJP-RSS continuously keep insulting.
Through the Constitution, the MVA-INDIA blocs would ensure proper representation in the administration and the decision-making process for the Adivasis, the Dalits, Minorities and other deprived sections.
Rahul Gandhi reiterated that after coming to power, the MVA-INDIA Bloc would implement its Manifesto immediately for all the schemes promised to the farmers, women, youth, jobless, the healthcare sector and other needy sections of society, conduct a Caste Census and remove the 50 per cent ceiling on quotas, and prevent flight of capital/industries from Maharashtra.
Naming Kennedy Jr. the next Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary, Trump made it sound like a war on the pharmaceutical and food industries….reports Asian Lite News
US President-elect Donald Trump is handing over the Health Department to the eccentric scion of the Kennedy clan, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who advocates unconventional ideas including opposition to vaccines.
Naming Kennedy Jr. the next Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary, Trump made it sound like a war on the pharmaceutical and food industries.
“For too long, Americans have been crushed by the industrial food complex and drug companies who have engaged in deception, misinformation, and disinformation when it comes to Public Health,” Trump said.
He wrote on Truth Social that Kennedy Jr. “will restore these Agencies to the traditions of Gold Standard Scientific Research, and beacons of Transparency, to end the Chronic Disease epidemic, and to Make America Great and Healthy Again”!
Kennedy Jr. posted on X that he would work with HHS employees “to free the agencies from the smothering cloud of corporate capture so they can pursue their mission to make Americans once again the healthiest people on Earth”.
Besides opposition to vaccines, some of Kennedy’s ideas are against the pasteurisation of milk, and laws making psychedelic drugs illegal, and therapies like using for people ivermectin, a drug used for horses, and wider use of stem cells.
Ironically one of Trump’s biggest achievements in his last term was the development of vaccines against Covid-19 in record time, which he now downplays because many in the right wing of the party are against vaccines.
Kennedy Jr. has said that despite his opposition, he will not ban vaccines.
In agreement with Trump’s suggestion to use hydroxychloroquine as a treatment for Covid, in a tweet he accused the Federal Drug Administration (FDA) of aggressively suppressing it.
Kennedy Jr. could throw the entire US health system in disarray if he has his way.
If confirmed he will have authority over 13 agencies that come under the HHS and these include the FDA, the Centers for Disease Control which also has an international role, the National Institutes of Health that do cutting edge research, and Medicare, the government health insurance for seniors.
Kennedy Jr. is a former Democrat who embraced Trump after failed attempts to seek the presidency and endorsed him.
Kennedy Jr. ran for the Democratic Party nomination against President Joe Biden and later against Vice President Kamala Harris, before ending it and declaring himself an Independent.
He dropped that and endorsed Trump, who said in return, he would let him “go wild on health”.
Despite Trump’s campaign promise, his appointment as the HHS Secretary was a surprise because of his eccentric advocacies and he may have a rough ride in Senate confirmation hearings.
His nomination — like that of Matt Gaetz, who was under a Congressional ethics probe for alleged sexual misconduct and drug use, as the Attorney General — is Trump’s show of defiance against the mainstream and a demand for acquiescence from his party Senators.
Kennedy Jr. is the nephew of President John F Kennedy and the son of his brother, Robert, a Senator and former Attorney General.
Both leaders were assassinated, Robert Kennedy while pursuing the Democratic nomination for President.
Kennedy Jr. has had his sights for long on the health portfolio and lobbied for the post with former President Barack Obama, who reportedly rejected him for alleged past involvement with drugs.
He was an environment activist and lawyer, with a colourful past of escapades like dumping a dead bear in New York’s Central Park.
During his presidential campaign, he revealed that a tapeworm had been found eating a part of his brain.
Help Raise Awareness of Islamophobia at Brent Council’s Islamophobia Awareness Event…reports Asian Lite News
Brent Council invites residents to join an Islamophobia Awareness event on Tuesday, 26 November, at Brent Civic Centre. This evening gathering is part of Islamophobia Awareness Month, aiming to shed light on the alarming rise in Islamophobic hate crimes in the UK, which have surged by 365% over the past year. With over a fifth of Brent’s residents identifying as Muslim, the event will focus on promoting understanding and solidarity within the community.
Councillor Harbi Farah, Cabinet Member for Public Safety and Partnerships, emphasized the importance of the event: “We are proud to celebrate the vast contributions of all of our faith communities, and the unique and positive impact that Muslims have on the life of our borough.” He further noted that the theme, “Seeds for Change”, highlights how small actions can lead to substantial shifts toward a more inclusive society.
Attendees will hear from community leaders, artists, and advocates dedicated to countering Islamophobia and promoting diversity. “Together, we can plant the seeds for a future built on understanding, respect, and unity,” Cllr Farah said, reaffirming Brent’s commitment to fostering a community where all residents live without fear or prejudice.
The event is open to all, running from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., and free tickets can be reserved on Eventbrite. Join Brent Council in taking a stand against Islamophobia and building a more unified community.
Rubio expressed his gratitude and commitment to the role…reports Asian Lite News
US President-elect Donald Trump has announced that Marco Rubio, Republican US Senator from Florida, will be the Secretary of State during his second presidential term.
“It is my Great Honour to announce that Senator Marco Rubio, of Florida, is hereby nominated to be The United States Secretary of State,” Trump said on Wednesday in a statement, adding that the 53-year-old Cuban American “is a Highly Respected Leader and a very powerful Voice for Freedom”.
“Marco will be a strong Advocate for our Nation, a true friend to our Allies, and a fearless Warrior who will never back down from our adversaries. I look forward to working with Marco to Make America, and the World, Safe and Great Again!,” Trump added.
In response, Rubio expressed his gratitude and commitment to the role.
“As Secretary of State, I will work every day to carry out his foreign policy agenda. Under the leadership of President Trump, we will deliver peace through strength and always put the interests of Americans and America above all else,” Rubio said.
Rubio, whose nomination has been reported by US media outlets for days, reacted quickly to Trump’s formal announcement, saying on X that he was “honoured by the trust President Trump has placed in me” to bear the “tremendous responsibility” of leading the Department of State, Xinhua news agency reported.
“As Secretary of State, I will work every day to carry out his foreign policy agenda,” he added.
The Secretary of State, as is the case for other cabinet members of the presidential administration, will have to be approved by the Senate before assuming office.
“I look forward to earning the support of my colleagues in the US Senate so the President has his national security and foreign policy team in place when he takes office on January 20,” said Rubio, who was elected into the Senate in 2010. He was re-elected in 2022 to serve another six-year term.
Rubio ran an unsuccessful presidential campaign in the 2016 election, which saw Trump win his first presidential term.
Gabbard tapped to head US intelligence community
US President-elect Donald Trump has nominated Hindu American Tulsi Gabbard, a former Democrat member of Congress, to his cabinet as the Director of National Intelligence.
“Tulsi will bring the fearless spirit that has defined her illustrious career to our Intelligence Community, championing our Constitutional Rights, and securing Peace through Strength,” Trump said on Truth Social on Wednesday announcing his pick for the post.
“For over two decades, Tulsi has fought for our Country and the Freedoms of all Americans,” Trump said referring to her rank as a Lieutenant Colonel in the Army Reserve serving in the Iraq War.
She quit the Democratic Party and formally joined the Republican Party this year and campaigned for Trump, urging Indian Americans to vote for him.
It was an ideological 180-degree turn because she had been associated with the Democratic Party’s Left and had supported the Leftist Senator, Bernie Sanders, for the presidential nomination in 2016.
She will become the second Hindu on the US cabinet, after Arati Prabhakar, the director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy, now serving with Biden.
After a meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2019, Gabbard said, “India is the world’s largest democracy and one of the United States’ most important partners in the Asia-Pacific region.”
“We spoke about the need to continue to work together to address the pressing issues that impact us and the world,” she said.
“We discussed the situation in Kashmir, civil rights, empowering women, and addressing poverty, as well as the concern about escalating tensions with Iran,” she added.
The Director of National Intelligence coordinates the work of 18 intelligence agencies, and her office includes the National Counterterrorism Center, the National Counterintelligence and Security Center, the National Counterproliferation and Biosecurity Center, the Cyber Threat Intelligence Integration Center, and the Foreign Malign Influence Centre.
The director’s high-profile role is preparing the daily intelligence briefing for the President, an overview of the global situation, and an early warning system for emerging dangers.
In the national security sector, Trump has nominated Mike Waltz, who is the co-chair of the India Caucus in Congress, as his new National Security Adviser.
Secretary of State nominee Marco Rubio is also a supporter of India.
Gabbard is from Hawaii and of Samoan heritage on her father’s side and European on her mother’s. Her parents embraced the Hindu religion.
She became the first Hindu elected to Congress in 2004 and took the oath of office on the Bhagavad Gita.
Once a rising star of the Democratic Party, she was the Vice Chair of the Democratic National Committee, but she resigned in 2016 accusing the party’s leadership of undemocratically promoting Hillary Clinton as the party’s presidential nominee.
She ran unsuccessfully for the 2020 Democratic presidential nomination and during a candidate’s debate in 2019 she took a memorable swipe from the left at Vice President Kamala Harris accusing her of hypocrisy because of her record of targeting African-Americans and people of colour during her prosecutorial career in California.
Gabbard reportedly was one of the advisers for Trump when he prepared for his debate with Harris.
“As a former presidential candidate for the Democratic presidential nomination, she has broad support in both parties,” Trump said.
While her nomination will sail through the Senate with Republican support, most Democrats will consider her a turncoat.
Her Hindu religion has drawn attacks from some activists and American media like the Intercept and Indian media like the Caravan which have accused her of being associated with Hindu nationalists.
After eight days of vote counting, Republicans have secured control of the House of Representatives. This victory grants the party the prized trifecta—control of the presidency, House, and Senate—for at least the next two years…reports Asian Lite News
The Republican Party crossed the 118-mark in the House of Representatives as late results trickled in, scoring an electoral trifecta controlling both chambers of Congress and the White House.
While the counting of votes in the November 5 election continues and the official announcement of results for all the seats is weeks away, three TV channels declared on the basis of their analysis that the party had crossed the halfway mark in the 435-member House.
Six results are pending and CBS said the party could gain at least three more of them, keeping the current tally of 221.
Earlier, the Republicans were declared by media to have wrested the Senate away from the Democrats winning 52 seats, with one pending result from Pennsylvania where the party candidate is leading.
And, Donald Trump won the presidential election with 312 of the 538 Electoral College votes, as well as a majority of the popular votes.
Having control of both Congress chambers will give Trump an edge in moving through legislation and the budget, although the slender lead in the House could sometimes stall them.
In the current House where the Republicans had a majority with 213 seats, the leaders found it difficult to get all of them to vote with them.
In fact, Speaker Mike Johnson won the position and retained it with the help of Democrats when radicals in his party tried to stage a coup against him in May. But on Wednesday in a sign of discipline following Trump’s election, Republican House members voted to keep him on as Speaker and he is assured of it when the new House meets next year.
Johnson retains speakership, Thune new majority leader
House Speaker Mike Johnson on Wednesday won Republican nomination to remain in the position, after US President-elect Donald Trump appeared to have backed him during a meeting with House Republicans.
Johnson, a Louisiana Republican, was elected House Speaker in a full chamber vote of 220-209, with unanimous Republican support, in October 2023, which brought weeks of chaos to a momentary halt as Republicans struggled to find a replacement after the historical ouster of Kevin McCarthy, Xinhua news agency reported.
Multiple US media outlets projected on Wednesday that Republicans will win enough seats to retain control of the US House of Representatives, with the party securing at least 218 seats — the threshold to maintain a majority in the 435-member chamber.
NBC News and CNN made the call on Wednesday noon, with nine House races yet to be projected.
So far, Republicans have flipped seven seats from Democrats, while Democrats have flipped six seats from Republicans, resulting in a tally of 218 to 208.
Despite the victory, the Republican majority in the House will remain slim.
In order to win the gavel, Johnson will need near-unanimous support from House Republicans to officially become Speaker in January, when a full-chamber vote is scheduled to take place.
With Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell retiring, the party’s re-elected and newly-elected senators elected John Thune as his successor.
Trump said on Truth Social, “He moves quickly, and will do an outstanding job. I look forward to working with him” and other party leaders in the Senate.
The Senate must approve major appointments, including most of the cabinet positions.
Trump is trying to get around this by suggesting he should be allowed to make appointments when the Senate is in recess and can’t hold hearings or confirmation votes.
He said the new Senate leader should agree to it. Thune, however, held his ground that “the Senate has an advice and consent rule in the Constitution”, but also added that confirmations should be done expeditiously and “how that happens remains to be seen”.
The meeting between the sitting President and their successor marks the beginning of a peaceful power transfer, culminating in the new President’s inauguration. In 2020, Trump denied Biden this meeting, refusing to accept his loss…reports Asian Lite News
President Joe Biden received President-elect Donald Trump to the Oval Office at the White House on Wednesday in a customary gesture marking the peaceful transfer of power that had not been shown to him four years ago by the latter.
“Welcome, welcome back,” Biden said to Trump at the start of their meeting.
“Politics is tough,” Trump responded. And it’s, in many cases, not a very nice world, but it is a nice world today. And I appreciate it very much — a transition that’s so smooth it’ll be as smooth as it can get. And I very much appreciate that, Joe.”
The First Lady also joined Biden in greeting Trump upon his arrival at the White House. She gave Trump a handwritten congratulatory letter, which also conveyed her team’s readiness to assist with the transition.
White House Chief-of-Staff Jeff Zients and incoming White House Chief-of-Staff Susie Wiles attended the meeting, according to the White House.
The practice of the sitting President receiving their incoming successor signals the start of a peaceful transfer of power, which is completed with the inauguration of the new President on January 21 with the ceremonial swearing-in on the steps of the Capitol.
Trump had refused to accord Biden the same meeting in 2020, as he had refused to accept the verdict that he had lost. And, in fact, in January a crowd of his supporters had raided the Capitol to prevent a joint sitting of congress from certifying Biden’s victory. He had also refused to attend Biden’s inauguration and had left the same morning for his resort home in Palm Beach, Florida.
Biden also told Trump in remarks before the meeting that his administration would “do everything we can to make sure (of) accommodating what you need”.
The transition from one administration to another is a massive effort with over 4,000 federal government vacancies left by the outgoing administration to be filled by the incoming President and campaigns usually have a long and detailed transition plan ready much in advance.
Trump has started filling the top positions and has announced a string of nominees for the cabinet in the last few days — Pete Hegseth for secretary of defence, Kristi Noem for secretary of homeland security — and other positions in the White House like Susie Wiles as chief of staff and Mike Waltz as the national security adviser.
Melania boycotts tea invitation from Jill Biden
Melania Trump boycotted a meeting with Jill Biden, while their husbands held a traditional meeting at the White House on Wednesday.
Two hours before US President-elect Donald Trump and President Joe Biden were to meet, the office of Melania Trump said in an X post, “Mrs Trump will not be attending today’s meeting at the White House.”
“Her husband’s return to the Oval Office to commence the transition process is encouraging, and she wishes him great success,” it said.
Her office did not give a reason for her not taking up First Lady Jill Biden’s invitation for tea.
But it added, “In this instance, several unnamed sources in the media continue to provide false, misleading, and inaccurate information. Be discerning with your source of news.”
It did not specifically deny any of the reports about her not meeting Jill Biden.
The New York Post had reported on Monday that she was not going to the White House and quoted an unnamed “source familiar with Melania’s decision” as saying that she was miffed that Jill Biden’s husband authorised the raid on the Mara-a-Lago residence during which Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) agents went through her personal wardrobe.
The FBI raided the Trumps’ home in August 2022 looking for top secret documents that Trump allegedly took with him in contraversion of the Official Secrets Act.
Blinken due in Brussels to reassure EU allies
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken set out for a multi-country trip of which the first stop will be Brussels, where he is expected to provide reassurance to European allies on US support for Ukraine ahead of President-elect Donald Trump’s second term.
According to a statement from the State Department on Tuesday, Blinken will be in Brussels, where the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (Nato) and the European Union are headquartered, “for meetings with his Nato and European Union counterparts to discuss support for Ukraine in its defence against” Russia.
The trip comes in the waning days of Blinken being the Secretary of State, and as Trump had reportedly chosen Florida Senator Marco Rubio as the country’s top diplomat, Xinhua news agency reported.
Among Rubio’s tasks as the next Secretary of State will be fulfilling Trump’s promise of a quick resolution to end the Russia-Ukraine war.
Trump has vowed to end the war within 24 hours after assuming office, but how he is going to achieve that remains to be seen.
Beijing asserted its claim over 64 islands that lie under another country’s territory….reports Asian Lite News
The Philippines government on Tuesday protested against Chinese escalations over the South China Sea, announcing baselines around the disputed Scarborough Shoal.
Radio Free Asia reported that the Philippines accused China of such action and called it a violation of “the Philippines’ long-established sovereignty over the shoal.”
According to Radio Free Asia, China declared baselines for its territorial sea around the shoal, aiming at strengthening its territorial claims over the disputed area, which lies within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone (EEZ).
Beijing also asserted its claim over 64 islands that lie under another country’s territory.
The Philippine Presidential Office for Maritime Concerns stated, “The establishment of the baselines by China around the shoal is a continuation of its 2012 illegal seizure of the shoal, which the Philippines continues to strongly oppose.”
A foreign ministry spokesperson in Beijing said, “This is a natural step by the Chinese government to lawfully strengthen marine management and is consistent with international law and common practices.” He further added that the Chinese declaration of baselines adjacent to Huangyan Dao is “in accordance with international law,” as reported by Radio Free Asia.
In 2016, a UN arbitration tribunal rejected China’s assertion over the reefs in the South China Sea, including the Scarborough Shoal.
Scarborough Shoal or Bajo de Masinloc is a triangular-shaped line of reefs situated 125 nautical miles away from the main island of the Philippines, Luzon. Presently, this shoal is under Philippine, Chinese and Taiwanese territorial claims; however, since 2012, China has had de facto control over this territory.
A baseline under the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, or UNCLOS, is a line that parallels the coastline of a country or an island from which distances for the territorial sea and other zones, including the exclusive economic zone and the extended continental shelf, are measured. (ANI)
