Trump fills his top posts with loyalists and government skeptics as he readies move to White House: Live
President-elect taps protégé of first term trade chief as US trade representative after announcing proposed tariffs on US’ three biggest trade partners
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Donald Trump has announced a string of nominations for his incoming administration as he continues to opt for loyalty over experience, including several hires who are critical of the agencies they have been assigned to lead.
On Tuesday, Trump picked Jamieson Greer as US trade representative, Jim O’Neill as deputy secretary of Health and Human Services, Jay Bhattacharya as National Institutes of Health director, Kevin Hassett as National Economic Council director, Vince Haley as Domestic Policy Council chief and John Phelan as Navy secretary.
Bhattacharya, a Covid-19 lockdown skeptic, called for reduced powers of the 27 institutes and centers that constitute the NIH. Phelan, a businessman and Republican megadonor, has no military experience.
Grier will be charged with “reining in the country’s massive trade deficit,” in light of Trump vowing to impose massive tariffs on “all products” imported from China, Canada and Mexico – with growing fears it may set the stage for a bitter global trade war.
The threatened double-digit tariffs from the three countries – which account for about 40 percent of goods brought into the US – would likely have major impacts on the economy, including auto manufacturing, crude oil and agriculture.
Trump threatens China, Mexico and Canada with new tariffs. But what does this actually mean for Americans’ pockets?
Trump picks Covid lockdown skeptic as head of key national health agency
Trump escaped the consequences of his alleged crimes. Now his allies are after the prosecutors who brought the charges
‘A real horror show’: Democrats on the Hill react to Trump’s proposed tariffs
Trump’s Cabinet and staff tracker: Here’s who is among the White House appointments so far
Watch LIVE: Trump’s incoming border czar serves meal to Texas National Guard
Full story: Trump team reaches deal with White House to begin transition process
Nearly one month after he won the 2024 presidential election, President-elect Donald Trump and his team have reached a deal to formally begin the transition process while avoiding the use of any federal resources or taxpayer dollars.
Andrew Feinberg reports from West Palm Beach, Florida.
Trump team reaches deal with White House to begin transition process
Trump and his aides have wanted to avoid using government systems that could be subject to Freedom of Information Act requests or other federal oversight
UK hints trade war risks one million American jobs in veiled warning to Trump
Keir Starmer has hit back at Donald Trump’s tariff threats with an apparent warning one million Americans working for British companies stand to be affected.
It comes as the president-elect indicated that he will slap tariffs on Canada, Mexico and China as soon as he re-enters the White House in January raising fears that the UK is next.
The prime minister is facing continued warnings that the UK faces economic isolation unless it chooses between a trade deal with Trump’s US or closer ties with the EU.
Kate Devlin and David Maddox report from London.
UK hints trade war risks one million American jobs in veiled warning to Trump
But Labour insists it will resist Brexit concessions with EU despite Trump tariff threat
Second alleged Trump assassin writes jailhouse letter and name checks first gunman
The man charged with the second alleged assassination attempt on Donald Trump has said he and the gunman who first tried to kill the president-elect in July were both “ready to die for freedom and democracy” in a bizarre letter written from prison.
Ryan Routh penned the letter from a federal detention center in Miami and addressed it to a Politico reporter prior to the presidential election.
Rhian Lubin has the story.
Second alleged Trump assassin writes jailhouse letter and name checks first gunman
Ryan Routh drew a comparison between himself and Thomas Matthew Crooks, who almost killed Trump during a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania
Trump team signs transition agreement with Biden’s White House
The Trump-Vance Transition Team released the following statement after signing a memorandum of understanding with the outgoing Biden administration.
After completing the selection process of his incoming Cabinet, President-elect Trump is entering the next phase of his administration’s transition by executing a Memorandum of Understanding with President Joe Biden’s White House. This engagement allows our intended Cabinet nominees to begin critical preparations, including the deployment of landing teams to every department and agency, and complete the orderly transition of power.
Per the agreement:
- The Transition will not utilize taxpayer funding for costs related to the transition, which is consistent with President Trump’s commitment to save taxpayers’ hard-earned money,
- The Transition will not use government buildings or technology provided by GSA and will operate as a self-sufficient organization. This organizational autonomy means a streamlined process that guarantees the Trump Administration is ready on Day 1.
- The Transition already has existing security and information protections built in, which means we will not require additional government and bureaucratic oversight.
- The Transition has an existing Ethics Plan for those involved, which will meet the requirements for personnel to seamlessly move into the Trump Administration. Pursuant to the Transition Enhancement Act, that Ethics Plan will be posted to the website of the General Services Administration website.
- The Transition landing teams will quickly integrate directly into federal agencies and departments with access to documents and policy sharing.
- Per the agreement, the Transition will disclose the landing team members to the Biden Administration.
- The agreement dictates that the Trump-Vance Transition will utilize private funding, again, providing cost savings to American taxpayers. Donors to the Transition will be disclosed to the public. Consistent with Transition policy already in place, the Transition will not accept foreign donations.
Watch: CNBC host sounds the alarm about Trump’s economic proposals
In conversation with former House speaker Kevin McCarthy this morning, CNBC host Joe Kernen sounded the alarm about Donald Trump’s economic proposals: “Don’t a lot of things have to go right for us not to reignite inflation?”
Presidents have used immigration 'parole' since the 1950s. Now it could disappear under Trump
Half a million Cubans, Haitian, Nicaraguans and Venezuelans were welcomed by President Joe Biden using a legal tool known as humanitarian parole, granted for seven decades by Republican and Democratic administrations to people unable to use standard immigration routes because of time pressure or their government’s poor relations with the U.S.
President-elect Donald Trump appears certain to dismantle this legal tool, saying during his campaign that he would end the “outrageous abuse of parole.”
Continue reading...
Presidents have used immigration 'parole' since the 1950s. Now it could disappear under Trump
Cuba’s at one of its lowest points since the 1959 revolution
Marjorie Taylor Greene makes bogus suggestion Biden could be trying to start nuclear war
Republican Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene has baselessly suggested that President Joe Biden may be trying to start a nuclear war in Europe before he leaves office in order to sabotage Donald Trump’s incoming administration.
The Georgia populist, who is never short of a wild conspiracy theory, took to X on Monday to respond to a thinly-sourced post by conservative influencer Mario Nawfal on the Russia-Ukraine war.
Joe Sommerlad reports.
Marjorie Taylor Greene suggests Biden ‘trying to start a nuclear war’ to thwart Trump
MAGA Republican baselessly claimed the president is seeking to sabotage his successor’s incoming administration by dramatically escalating conflict in Europe
What does the US import from Canada, Mexico and China?
Oil, toys, vegetables and electronics are just some of the items imported to the U.S. from Mexico, Canada and China that could soon cost Americans more under Donald Trump’s proposed tariffs.
Trump has announced that Canada and Mexico could soon see a 25 percent tariff added to all imported goods while China could face an additional 10 percent tariff – something Trump says is part of an effort to curtail “crime and drugs” coming into the U.S. and slow the number of illegal border crossings.
Though tariffs are designed to promote domestic production and purchasing by taxing imported goods, the increase in cost typically falls on consumers, not foreign governments.
Ariana Baio reports.
Trump’s new tariffs: What does the US import from Canada, Mexico and China?
Canada, Mexico and China are the U.S.’s three largest trade partners
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments