Trump’s threat to impose tariffs on Mexico, Canada and China sends global markets into turmoil: Live updates
President-elect flexes muscles on world stage after securing brace of legal wins
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.President-elect Donald Trump has vowed to impose massive tariffs on China, Canada and Mexico with the aim of stopping drug smuggling, an announcement that left the markets reeling in fear of a new trade war with Beijing.
The threatened double-digit tariffs would likely have major impacts on key sectors of the US economy, including auto manufacturing, crude oil and agriculture, all of which involve trade with the targeted countries.
The measures could also further drive inflation, hitting the American consumer.
Meanwhile, Trump is reportedly planning to grant his cabinet nominees “sweeping security clearances” and delay their being subjected to FBI background checks until his own officials have taken over the bureau.
The Republican spent Monday evening celebrating a major legal victory after Justice Department Special Counsel Jack Smith moved to drop the the federal election interference and classified documents cases against him.
Citing a precedent that prevents a sitting president from being charged, Smith said his team is treating Trump as a current president and asked for the cases to be abandoned.
Smith stressed that the reason for the motions had nothing to do with the strength of the evidence collected, which he believes is strong.
Trump lashes out at NYT and its ‘third rate writer’ after report on president-elect’s aide’s adoring letters
Trump threatens China, Mexico and Canada with new tariffs. But what does this actually mean for Americans’ pockets?
Trumpworld turns on one of its own: Boris Epshteyn faces internal probe over pay-to-play scheme
Trump’s Cabinet and staff tracker: Here’s who is among the White House appointments so far
Trump’s federal election interference case is dismissed
Judge Tanya Chutkan has granted Jack Smith’s request to dismiss the federal election interference indictment against Donald Trump, officially ending the case – at least for the next four years.
Following the precedent that sitting presidents cannot be indicted or prosecuted, Chutkan agreed to dismiss the charges against Trump ahead of his inauguration.
“Dismissal without prejudice is also consistent with the Government’s understanding that the immunity afforded to a sitting President is temporary, expiring when they leave office,” Chutkan wrote.
Bird flu virus found in raw milk on California farm as RFK Jr continues to advocate its use
As Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the incoming administration’s pick to lead the Department of Health and Human Services, continues to tout the use of raw milk, California health authorities acted Sunday to recall raw milk that had been contaminated with bird flu.
While no illnesses have been reported, the state’s Department of Public Health warned residents against drinking the batch of cream top, whole raw milk from Fresno County’s Raw Farm LLC and advised consumers to return the product to where it was purchased.
Julia Musto reports:
Bird flu found in raw milk on California farm as RFK Jr continues to advocate its use
California health authorities also reported the nation’s first case of H5 bird flu in a child last week
Some GOP senators hope more of Trump’s cabinet picks follow Gaetz’s lead
Some Republican senators are “privately hoping” that other controversial Trump cabinet nominees will follow Matt Gaetz’s lead and drop out of the running, according to a report.
Gaetz bowed out of consideration to be attorney general last Thursday following intense scrutiny over resurfaced sexual allegations from his past. The former congressman said he was “unfairly becoming a distraction” to the Trump administration’s agenda.
Now some GOP lawmakers are turning their attention to Trump’s cabinet picks of Pete Hegseth, tapped for defense secretary, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. for health and human services secretary and Linda McMahon as education secretary, The Hill reports.
Hegseth and Kennedy Jr are likely to face tough questions over sexual misconduct allegations, which they deny, at Senate hearings next year, while McMahon could be asked about accusations of failing to prevent the sexual abuse of teenage WWE workers.
“My expectation, not just my hope, is that some of these people may be weeded out in the process before they ever get to a hearing,” one Republican senator who requested anonymity told The Hill.
Adam Schiff says Justice Department ‘failed'
Congressman Adam Schiff reprimanded the Justice Department and court system for failing after Jack Smith motioned to dismiss the cases against Donald Trump.
“The Justice Dept and the court system failed to uphold the principle that no one is above the law. DOJ by neglecting to promptly investigate the events of Jan 6, and the courts by willfully delaying progress of the case and providing immunity. The public deserved better,” Schiff wrote.
New York City district attorney resigns ahead of Trump inauguration
Damian Williams, the US Attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced he will step down from his position, effective December 13, ahead of Donald Trump taking off in January.
“Today is a bittersweet day for me, as I announce my resignation as United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York. It is bitter in the sense that I am leaving my dream job, leading an institution I love that is filled with the finest public servants in the world. It is sweet in that I am confident I am leaving at a time when the Office is functioning at an incredibly high level – upholding and exceeding its already high standard of excellence, integrity, and independence,” Williams said.
Williams pursued cases against Senator Bob Menendez, FTX founder Sam Bankman-Fried, Ghislaine Maxwell, and recently Sean “Diddy” Combs.
Edward Kim, the Deputy United States Attorney, will become the Acting United States Attorney upon Williams’ departure.
Trump endorses CFO of Florida to replace Gaetz
Trump, on Monday, endorsed Jimmy Patronis – the chief financial officer to the state of Florida – to replace outgoing congressman Matt Gaetz to represent Florida’s 1st congressional district, despite Patronis not launching a bid for the seat yet.
Patronis, who has served as chief financial officer of Florida since 2017, is a Republican who promoted a bill that would give Trump up to $5 million in taxpayer funds to pay his legal bills. Although the bill was filed, it was later withdrawn after Governor Ron DeSantis threatened to veto it.
Trump called Patronis a “wonderful friend” and highlighted his stance on protecting gun rights, bolstering the military, securing the border and growing the border.
Patronis has until Monday to submit his notice of resignation to run in the Republican primary.
“Should he decide to enter this Race, Jimmy Patronis has my Complete and Total Endorsement. RUN, JIMMY, RUN!” Trump wrote on Truth Social.
Smith asks to abandon classified documents case
Smith also asked the 11th Circuit Appeals Court to abandon his appeal to re-instate the classified documents case against Trump on Monday – but noted he would continue pursuing the case against co-defendants Walt Nautu and Carlos de Oliveira.
The classified documents case accused Trump and his co-defendants of knowingly and willfully retaining boxes that contained classified information, some containing national security information, at Trump’s home Mar-a-Lago home after leaving office.
Prosecutors said Trump did not cooperate with authorities’ attempt to give the documents back to the National Archives when he left office. Trump denied all wrongdoing and all three co-defendants pleaded not guilty.
A district judge in Florida initially dismissed the case against the three earlier this year, claiming Smith was improperly appointed. Prosecutors were in the midst of appealing that ruling when Trump was elected president.
Trump team celebrates motion to dismiss election interference case
“The American People re-elected President Trump with an overwhelming mandate to Make America Great Again. Today’s decision by the DOJ ends the unconstitutional federal cases against President Trump, and is a major victory for the rule of law. The American People and President Trump want an immediate end to the political weaponization of our justice system and we look forward to uniting our country,” Steven Cheung, Trump Communications Director, said in a statement
Understanding the federal election interference case against Trump
Last year, the Justice Department brought a criminal indictment against Trump for his actions leading up to and after the 2020 presidential election. Now, that indictment – and the damning accusations – are likely to be thrown out.
Alex Woodward explains the case here:
Trump’s election interference case, explained
A sprawling Justice Department probe into the former president and his allies yielded four criminal charges in a stunning indictment outlining a path to power at whatever cost, Alex Woodward reports
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments