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NEW YORK (AP) — President-elect Donald Trump’s lawyers formally asked a judge Monday to throw out his hush money criminal conviction , arguing that continuing the case would present unconstitutional “disruptions to the institution of the Presidency.“ In a filing made public Tuesday, Trump’s lawyers told Manhattan Judge Juan M. Merchan that anything short of immediate dismissal would undermine the transition of power, as well as the “overwhelming national mandate" granted to Trump by voters last month. They also cited President Joe Biden’s recent pardon of his son, Hunter Biden, who had been convicted of tax and gun charges . “President Biden asserted that his son was ‘selectively, and unfairly, prosecuted,’ and ‘treated differently,’" Trump’s legal team wrote. Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg, they claimed, had engaged in the type of political theater "that President Biden condemned.” Prosecutors will have until Dec. 9 to respond. They have said they will fight any efforts to dismiss the case but have indicated a willingness to delay the sentencing until after Trump’s second term ends in 2029. In their filing Monday, Trump's attorneys dismissed the idea of holding off sentencing until Trump is out of office as a “ridiculous suggestion.” Following Trump’s election victory last month, Merchan halted proceedings and indefinitely postponed his sentencing, previously scheduled for late November, to allow the defense and prosecution to weigh in on the future of the case. He also delayed a decision on Trump’s prior bid to dismiss the case on immunity grounds. Trump has been fighting for months to reverse his conviction on 34 counts of falsifying business records to conceal a $130,000 payment to porn actor Stormy Daniels to suppress her claim that they had sex a decade earlier. He says they did not and denies any wrongdoing. The defense filing was signed by Trump lawyers Todd Blanche and Emil Bove, who represented Trump during the trial and have since been selected by the president-elect to fill senior roles at the Justice Department. Taking a swipe at Bragg and New York City, as Trump often did throughout the trial, the filing argues that dismissal would also benefit the public by giving him and “the numerous prosecutors assigned to this case a renewed opportunity to put an end to deteriorating conditions in the City and to protect its residents from violent crime.” Clearing Trump, the lawyers added, would also allow him to “to devote all of his energy to protecting the Nation.” Merchan hasn’t yet set a timetable for a decision. He could decide to uphold the verdict and proceed to sentencing, delay the case until Trump leaves office, wait until a federal appeals court rules on Trump’s parallel effort to get the case moved out of state court or choose some other option. An outright dismissal of the New York case would further lift a legal cloud that at one point carried the prospect of derailing Trump’s political future. Last week, special counsel Jack Smith told courts that he was withdrawing both federal cases against Trump — one charging him with hoarding classified documents at his Florida estate, the other with scheming to overturn the 2020 presidential election he lost — citing longstanding Justice Department policy that shields a president from indictment while in office. The hush money case was the only one of Trump’s four criminal indictments to go to trial, resulting in a historic verdict that made him the first former president to be convicted of a crime. Prosecutors had cast the payout as part of a Trump-driven effort to keep voters from hearing salacious stories about him. Trump’s then-lawyer Michael Cohen paid Daniels. Trump later reimbursed him, and Trump’s company logged the reimbursements as legal expenses — concealing what they really were, prosecutors alleged. Trump has said the payments to Cohen were properly categorized as legal expenses for legal work. A month after the verdict, the Supreme Court ruled that ex-presidents can’t be prosecuted for official acts — things they did in the course of running the country — and that prosecutors can’t cite those actions to bolster a case centered on purely personal, unofficial conduct. Trump’s lawyers cited the ruling to argue that the hush money jury got some improper evidence, such as Trump’s presidential financial disclosure form, testimony from some White House aides and social media posts made during his first term. Prosecutors disagreed and said the evidence in question was only “a sliver” of their case. If the verdict stands and the case proceeds to sentencing, Trump’s punishments would range from a fine to probation to up to four years in prison — but it’s unlikely he’d spend any time behind bars for a first-time conviction involving charges in the lowest tier of felonies. Because it is a state case, Trump would not be able to pardon himself once he returns to office. ___ Michael R. Sisak And Jake Offenhartz, The Associated Press
In the United States, retirees must meet certain criteria established by Social Security to maintain their benefits. Beneficiaries are required to update personal information, adhere to taxable income limits, and report any relevant changes to avoid fines or suspension of their Social Security checks. In addition, new income limits will be implemented by 2025 that may affect some beneficiaries’ eligibility. SSA requires all beneficiaries to disclose any significant changes in their circumstances. This includes a relocation, a new job that changes reported income, marital status, or any other change that impacts family composition. This information is important since it has a direct impact on the amount of Social Security checks received each month . Social Security checks will change, and some retirees could be left without their $1,960 check Serious repercussions may result from breaking the previously mentioned assignment, which could include anything from a brief suspension of Social Security checks to the permanent termination of payments. Similarly, if significant changes are not communicated, money that was wrongfully obtained may have to be repaid. For instance, failing to disclose a change of address, a new job, or an increase in income may result in payment suspension. Beneficiaries also need to make sure that the registration residence is accurate and that they don’t leave the country for longer than 30 days without telling the authorities. An additional deciding aspect is immigration or legal status. To prevent issues with Social Security checks, any change in citizenship status or the presence of a criminal record must be disclosed right away. Social Security confirmed changes in taxable income limits for next year The Social Security Administration will raise the taxable earnings cap for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) starting in 2025 . This cap will rise from $168,600 to $176,100, meaning that Social Security taxes will be paid on a greater percentage of workers’ income. This change will impact both contributions and SSDI beneficiaries. To remain eligible, they must comply with the new income limits. Those who surpass this amount may lose their Social Security checks, emphasizing the significance of cautious planning and monitoring of annual income. Compliance with regulations and frequent communication with the Social Security Administration (SSA) are critical for ensuring that benefits are not terminated. The following are the primary steps recommended by the agency on its official website: More than 100,000 beneficiaries will no longer receive Social Security checks Figures from the SSA show that last year more than 100,000 people were removed from the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) lists across the country. For example, approximately 7,380,740 Americans were getting SSI payments in May 2023, and 7,261,340 received Social Security checks in May 2024, a reduction of 119,395 from May 2023 to this past May. If you are presently receiving SSI benefits or want to apply for this Social Security program, find out more about the causes that have contributed to this reduction of recipients. Most of the 7.2 million recipients of Social Security checks are from this population, with 6 million aged 65 and over and 1.1 million aged 65 and over. The number of blind or disabled recipients no longer receiving Social Security checks fell by 140,034 from 6,281,068 in May 2023 to 6,141,034 in May 2024, while the 65+ group increased by 20,639 from the previous year. It is challenging to identify the reason behind the drop in the number of blind and low-vision users throughout this time. According to Newsweek, more than 10,000 people in several states have been denied SSI benefits, raising serious worries about the impact of this dramatic decision on their well-being. In California, nearly 17,000 disabled recipients, mostly blind or disabled, will be ineligible for SSI between May 2023 and 2024, resulting in 16,573 fewer applications.From wealth and success to murder suspect, the life of Luigi Mangione took a hard turn
“And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.” – Hebrews 13:16 I n retirement, many seek to fill our days with meaning, purpose, and connections. Having led productive lives, we finally have the time to give back in new ways. This gift of time can be transformative, both for retirees sharing their skills and for the communities that benefit from them. Across the Caribbean, I’ve seen retirees who engage in volunteer work experience remarkable reciprocity—the more they help others, the more enriched their own lives become. Retirees I’ve spoken with often share a common sentiment—a deep sense of belonging when they actively support their communities. When they volunteer, they don’t just contribute time or expertise; they reestablish meaningful ties with society. They find purpose in nurturing others and experience joy from being needed and valued. A retired educator recently told me: “When I mentor students, I’m reminded that the future is bright. It keeps me hopeful and connected.” One unexpected benefit of volunteering as a retiree is forging new friendships. As we grow older, our social circles may dwindle. But volunteering brings a refreshing change, introducing us to new people who share our values and passions. These new friends, sometimes younger and from different walks of life, add vibrancy to our lives. Sharing stories, challenges, and laughter creates lasting bonds that stave off loneliness and provide much-needed emotional support. Staying connected with younger generations is another invaluable aspect of volunteering. This exchange of ideas and knowledge keeps us in tune with the world’s rapid pace. While young people face new challenges and opportunities, retirees bring wisdom to the table, learning about trends and innovations in return. This mutual learning bridges generational divides, reinforcing we are all part of one human community. I also find that retirees who volunteer are better at adapting to rapidly changing technology. Volunteering may require learning new tools and systems, like navigating digital platforms for virtual tutoring or social media to promote a local cause. Embracing these technologies keeps retirees intellectually engaged and current, boosting self-confidence and ensuring we remain an integral part of our digital world. You Might Be Interested In Shoring up good ideas I resolve to... Wellness for life: The importance of self-care Moreover, volunteering offers a powerful sense of connection to the places we call home. Retirees bring years of experience and a profound understanding of their communities’ histories and challenges. By volunteering, we invest in the future of our neighbourhoods, helping to shape them into places where everyone can thrive. We become part of the solutions to decades-long issues, from environmental conservation to supporting local education. Ultimately, giving back isn’t a one-way street. Volunteering enriches the lives of retirees in deeply personal ways, nurturing a fulfilment that can’t be measured. We help others, yes, but in doing so, we find our own lives become fuller, brighter, and more meaningful. Let us encourage more retirees to step up, lend a hand, and discover the boundless joy of helping others—and, in doing so, helping themselves. Dr Basil Springer GCM is a corporate governance adviser. His email address is basilgf@marketplaceexcellence.com.MIAMI (AP) — The top United Nations human rights watchdog on Tuesday ordered Venezuela to avoid destroying tally sheets and other electoral material as it investigates allegations that President Nicolás Maduro stole this summer's election . The U.N. Human Rights Council announced the opening of the probe in a letter to several Latin American jurists who in October petitioned the U.N. agency to take action in the face of what is said was widespread evidence of electoral fraud that violates the political rights of millions of Venezuelans. Maduro claimed he won the July contest by a large margin and is preparing to start a third, six-year term in January. But electoral authorities have so far refused to publish voting records to back such claims, as they have in the past, amid calls by the U.S., European Union and even leftist allies from Brazil, Colombia and Mexico to do so. Meanwhile, the opposition has published online what appear to be authentic tallies from 80% of polling machines showing that its candidate, Edmundo González , won by a more than 2-to-1 margin. The October petition, made on behalf of a regular Venezuelan citizen, alleges that Maduro officials committed multiple human rights violations by restricting the ability of millions of Venezuelans abroad, publishing false results and blocking any challenges in court. Paulo Abrao, a Brazilian attorney who was among those behind the complaint, said the decision comes as a crucial time, as the Maduro government is seeking to "normalize its nebulous electoral process” in the hopes the rest of the world will move on amid so many other pressing international crises. “We cannot allow that to happen,” said Abrao, the former head of the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights. “Now there is a formal case being processed in an international body with binding force. Venezuela has the obligation to comply with the decision.” Follow AP’s coverage of Latin America and the Caribbean at https://apnews.com/hub/latin-america
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Mayor Eric Adams doubled down Tuesday on the unsubstantiated claim that President Biden’s Justice Department indicted him on federal corruption charges earlier this fall purely for political reasons. Adams made the remarks during his weekly “off-topic” news conference on Dec. 3, when a reporter asked for his reaction to Biden pardoning his son, Hunter Biden, on Sunday evening. The younger Biden was facing possible jail time after being convicted on federal gun and tax evasion charges. In a statement accompanying Biden’s pardon of Hunter on Sunday, he said he believes “raw politics has infected this process and it led to a miscarriage of justice.” But Mayor Adams, when asked about the pardon on Tuesday, said that it had “a level of irony” as he held up a copy of Tuesday’s New York Times and read a line from one of the front-page stories . “‘President Biden and President-elect Donald J. Trump now agree on one thing: The Biden Justice Department has been politicized,'” Adams read from the Times story. “Does that sound familiar? I rest my case.” Adams has pleaded not guilty to a five-count federal indictment that includes charges of bribery, soliciting foreign campaign donations and wire fraud. Prosecutors allege that he received unregistered luxury travel perks and illegal campaign donations from Turkish businessmen in exchange for political favors. He is set to go on trial in April of next year. The mayor first floated his theory that the investigation was political retribution for his criticisms of the White House’s handling of the migrant influx on the night before he was indicted . He recorded a short video , saying, “I always knew that if I stood my ground for all of you, I would become a target, and so a target I became.” Adams then appeared to largely avoid repeating that claim in the weeks since he was charged. That was until a Wall Street Journal opinion piece published last week, in which he resurfaced the idea that he was targeted for being outspoken about migrants. Although Adams has repeatedly contended that his indictment is entirely based on politics, he has never provided evidence to support that claim. It also does not jibe with federal prosecutors saying in court that the investigation began in 2021, before Adams was elected mayor. President-elect Trump has, also without evidence, said that Adams is the victim of political persecution at the hands of Biden’s Justice Department. When asked about that specific point by a reporter, Adams said he wants to respond “to all that has unfolded for the last couple of months” but cannot on the advice of his attorneys. “I’m just a fighter, I believe in fighting for my rights,” Adams said. “This is the hardest thing I’ve ever done in my entire life, of the onslaught of this, and I have to remain silent, and I can’t answer and defend myself. That’s the hardest thing. But life is kind. It’s going to be an opportunity one day to really dig into all that has unfolded.”
The Sweden midfielder hailed Saturday’s 4-0 thrashing of the champions as the best game of his career. The 24-year-old delivered an outstanding performance as Spurs shattered the champions’ 52-game unbeaten home run, helping start the rout with a superb cross for James Maddison’s opening goal. Kulusevski said: “I believed (we would win) this because in the past years, we’ve come here and played really well. “So this is the game I look forward to most in the year and, once again, it happened – glory to God. “I’d say it’s the best result ever in my career. It’s a big night for the whole club, for the coach, for the players. “Because City have a lot of the ball sometimes, we can rest when we defend. There’s also so much space up there, we play one against one and then it’s always dangerous because we have a lot of quality. “It’s always great to play great teams because they always want to play football. When you play lower teams, sometimes it’s not. There’s not much football played because they are a lot of fouls, a lot of injuries and it’s slow going.” Maddison stole the show with two goals in quick succession in the first half while Pedro Porro and Brennan Johnson later got on the scoresheet. Kulu-chef-ski cooked 👨🍳 📊 @KumhoTyreUK pic.twitter.com/CsrTh5oUgn — Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) November 24, 2024 Yet Kulusevski’s performance was also eye-catching and the player himself believes there is plenty more to come from him. Asked if his form made him feel “unstoppable”, Kulusevski said: “I feel like that. I feel very good and I’m trying to keep this way. I’m very happy, I’m trying to improve. “I started the season good but there is over half of the season left and I hope I can do much better. “I think I have something that no other player has. With my engine, with my heart – I don’t get tired – I feel like I can do a lot still in my career.” Spurs have won more matches against Pep Guardiola's Man City than any other side 👀 pic.twitter.com/BHLZqde9sP — Premier League (@premierleague) November 23, 2024 Tottenham’s scintillating performance marked a spectacular return to form after their dismal loss to Ipswich in their previous Premier League outing. Kulusevski said: “We have to be much more consistent. It’s not a turning point. We just have to be better in other games. “This game suited us perfectly but we have a lot of improvement to make in the other games.”WILMINGTON, Delaware, Dec 17 (Reuters) - Attorneys for Arm (O9Ty.F) , opens new tab , and Qualcomm (QCOM.O) , opens new tab grilled a former Apple (AAPL.O) , opens new tab executive on Tuesday about a key question for the future of the chip industry: Who owns the intellectual property built on top of Arm's computing architecture? At stake in a trial in U.S. federal court in Delaware this week is the fate of Qualcomm's push into the laptop business, where it is helping partners such as Microsoft (MSFT.O) , opens new tab try to regain ground that Windows computers lost to Apple after the iPhone maker introduced its own custom chips. Arm's flagship product is a computing architecture that competes against Intel's architecture and is ubiquitous in smartphones and increasingly used in laptops and data centers. Competing computing architectures are the reason that, until relatively recently, most smartphone apps did not work on most laptops. Massive companies like Apple design their own computing cores based on Arm's architecture, but Arm also offers its own off-the-shelf core designs that are used by smaller firms such as MediaTek (2454.TW) , opens new tab . Where Arm's ownership of the core designs based on its architecture begins and ends is at the heart of the dispute between Arm and Qualcomm. The companies disagree over whether Nuvia, a firm Qualcomm paid $1.4 billion for in 2021 , had the right to transfer its computing core designs to Qualcomm after the sale. In U.S. federal court in Delaware on Tuesday, attorneys for both sides pressed Gerard Williams, a former Apple engineer who founded Nuvia in 2019, over whether Nuvia's cores were ultimately derivatives of Arm's technology or whether Arm's technology played only a trivial role in Nuvia's work. Arm's attorney pressed Williams to acknowledge that the licensing contract at the heart of the dispute covered Arm technology and "derivatives" and "modifications" made from it. Williams repeatedly said he did not believe the contract meant that all of Nuvia's work was a derivative or modification of Arm's technology, but acknowledged that was what the words on the page appeared to say. Daralyn Durie, the Arm attorney, pointedly asked Williams to agree that "maybe you wouldn’t say that, but that’s what the contract says." “I wouldn’t say that," Williams responded, "but I’m not a legal expert.” Durie immediately said she was finished with her questioning. The exchange with Durie followed questioning by Qualcomm's attorney, who guided Williams to describe how little Arm technology was in Qualcomm chips that power phones, laptops and cars. Williams said his team of developers started with Arm architecture and was asked to estimate the amount of Arm's technology in Nuvia's final designs. "One percent or less," Williams responded. Analysts have told Reuters that Qualcomm pays Arm about $300 million per year, and evidence introduced at trial on Monday showed Arm executives believed they were missing out on $50 million per year in additional revenue because of Qualcomm's acquisition of Nuvia. A jury verdict could come as soon as this week in the trial, and Qualcomm CEO Cristiano Amon also might take the witness stand. Sign up here. Reporting by Tom Hals in Wilmington, Delaware, writing by Stephen Nellis in San Francisco; Editing by Lisa Shumaker Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles. , opens new tabIn a thrilling opener of their three-match ODI series, Zimbabwe delivered a stunning performance against Pakistan, securing an 80-run victory using the Duckworth–Lewis–Stern system at the Queens Sports Club. Initially in trouble at 125-7, Zimbabwe rallied with significant contributions from Pakistan-born Sikandar Raza and tailender Richard Ngarava, who partnered for a crucial 62-run stand, propelling them to a total of 205. Pakistan's batting order faltered right from the start, courtesy of Zimbabwe's bowler Blessing Muzarabani, before rain curtailed their innings at 60-6. The teams are set to clash again in Bulawayo on Tuesday and Thursday. (With inputs from agencies.)
In both real estate, and in politics, timing is everything. For Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, he of the once impeccable political judgement, that timing has gone a little awry of late. Albanese’s decision to buy a $4.3 million clifftop home in the Central Coast in the midst of a housing and cost-of-living crisis that has dented his government’s bid for re-election left several of the prime minister’s Labor colleagues scratching their heads. It meant the government wasted another week defending Albanese from the “out of touch” allegations, rather than prosecuting its agenda. Tough market: Anthony Albanese is struggling to sell his Dulwich Hill investment property. Those allegations had been furnished by news in May that a Sydney man, who had lived as a tenant in the prime minister’s Dulwich Hill investment property, was left blindsided after receiving an eviction notice . That, too, left the prime minister on the defensive, forced to waste time discussing his record as a landlord. That property was set to go under the hammer with a $1.9 million price guide last month. Not a bad return given Albanese purchased it in 2015 for $1.175 million. But the property was abruptly pulled from auction, and the asking price lowered to $1.85 million. Now, the asking price has fallen to $1.75 million, with Albo’s real estate agent, Shad Hassen, telling us it was the victim of a changing market. “I think the reason for it is quite simple. There’s been a slight change in the market, and the PM’s property is not immune to that change,” he said, adding that he anticipates the property will be sold soon. When it does, it’ll still leave a tidy profit for the former housing-commission-boy-made-good. And the fact that an unsightly three-bedroom red brick semi in Dulwich Hill is pushing the $2 million mark says it all about the housing challenges the Albanese government faces. You can get a French chateau for less. Pistols at dawn On Friday, Australia’s politicians finally got a chance to return fire against the country’s journalists. It didn’t end well for them. About a dozen MPs had gathered at the Canberra International Clay Target Club for the pollies versus press gallery shoot-out, organised by former Olympic shooter turned Labor’s man mountain member for Hunter Dan Repacholi and Coalition frontbencher Bridget McKenzie. Loading The duo are co-chairs of the Parliamentary Friends of Shooting, and had worked hard to get the tournament together. Other MPs in attendance included Regional Development Minister Kristy McBain, Labor’s Alison Byrnes, and Perin Davey , Colin Boyce and Ian Goodenough from the Coalition. But that bipartisan might was no match for the journos – not usually the most athletic bunch. In just his second time shooting, Channel Nine cameraman Luke Nicolaou shot a blinder, with both sides finishing on equal points. Things then proceeded to a tiebreaker between Repacholi and a ring-in from the National Press Club. The big man was the first to miss, giving the journos bragging rights. Lovely Rita “On social media, bad behaviour is good for business.” So spoke News Corp executive chair Michael Miller at a National Press Club address earlier this year, where he laid into the big tech giants. But we wonder who exactly the online behaviour of some of News Corp’s highest-profile opinionators is good for. Take Rita Panahi, the Herald Sun columnist who also co-hosts a Sky News show called Outsiders on one of the world’s biggest multinational media companies. Rita Panahi’s controversial Instagram story. Credit: Instagram Last week, Panahi’s Instagram story featured the Appeal to Heaven Flag, or Pine Tree Flag, an American Revolutionary War symbol popularised by the rioters who tried to storm the United States Capitol in 2021, inspired by the conspiracy theory that the previous year’s presidential election was “stolen” from Donald Trump . US Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito caused a bit of a storm when the flag was seen flying outside his Virginia beach house earlier this year. Panahi’s flag went even better, and was captioned with the words: “AN APPEAL TO HEAVEN TO SEND THE JOURNOS TO GITMO”. It was accompanied by the caption “fair”. So, does Panahi really reckon her hardworking colleagues at the Hun, and Sky ought be shipped off to an offshore military prison synonymous with torture and other nastiness? Perhaps it was an off-colour attempt at trolling. Either way, neither Herald Sun editor Sam Weir nor Sky News’ representatives responded to our questions. And Rita didn’t take up our offer to clarify things either. No doubt, we’ll get a scolding in her other Sky News after-dark show, Lefties Losing It. Bush boutique Gina Rinehart’s evolution from Australia’s richest person to art aficionado and wannabe fashion mogul has seen the billionaire buy up bushwear brands including coatmaker Driza-Bone, and RM Williams’ challenger Rossi Boots, managing to get the likes of Peter Dutton and Barnaby Joyce to play influencer . Now, the mining magnate’s S Kidman & Co has opened a bricks-and-mortar store in Tamworth, NSW, “bringing country style to the heart of fashion”. No, we’ve never heard anybody talk about Tamworth like that either. Rinehart, whom we last encountered at Mar-a-Lago , toasting Donald Trump’s election victory and hanging out with Elon Musk, was in town for the ribbon-cutting, along with former Northern Territory chief minister Adam Giles (who is chief executive of her Hancock Agriculture) and Joyce, decked out in his custom Gina-sponsored bush hat. Start the day with a summary of the day’s most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up for our Morning Edition newsletter . Save Log in , register or subscribe to save articles for later. License this article CBD For subscribers Anthony Albanese Kishor Napier-Raman is a CBD columnist for The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age. Previously he worked as a reporter for Crikey, covering federal politics from the Canberra Press Gallery. Connect via Twitter or email . Most Viewed in National LoadingThe practice of using AI to write police reports has come under attack from the American Civil Liberties Union — and its new paper on the issue could end up influencing competition among suppliers of technology to law enforcement. The report is a fusillade against Axon, which makes body cameras and other products, along with software for AI-powered police reports. has faced controversy before about its products. In 2022, most of its AI Ethics Board resigned over the company’s plan to put . But the nearly century-old civil rights organization goes beyond criticism of that one company and says that police departments should avoid using artificial intelligence in most instances when crafting police reports. Many officers consider that task as among the most time-consuming chores they have, providing an opening to sellers of government technology. The need to be legally and factually precise — to create writing that will withstand scrutiny in court — adds pressure to the process. Not only that, but writing doesn’t come naturally to all police officers. That’s why gov tech companies such as have developed products designed to make that part of policing more efficient, using as a prompt and automation tool for police reports. The ACLU report, “ ” takes direct aim at Axon to make the case that AI can be sloppy and biased when used to guide the report-writing process. The ACLU bases its argument around several common criticisms of AI found in all industries: potential unreliability and bias, a lack of transparency around AI learning models and inputs, and the absence of privacy protections. In its paper, the ACLU anchored those concerns in the group’s analysis of Axon’s . The product takes audio files from body cameras, runs them through OpenAI’s GPT-4 large language model and produces what the ACLU report calls a “first-person narrative for the officer in the typical format of a police report.” Described by Axon as a “force multiplier” because, the company says, officers can spend up to 40 percent of their time on reports, Draft One prompts officers to insert specific details such as speed limits and driver’s license status to complete the famously dry narratives. As the ACLU analysis notes, Draft One also includes what amounts to a safety valve: The random insertion of “silly sentences” — say, a mention of a flying squirrel — into the reports to ensure that officers fix it. The idea is to make sure police officers are really reading and checking the veracity of these AI-generated reports. The ACLU, citing a comment from Axon leadership, is skeptical that all police departments would use that safeguard. The group also worries that and “absorb the racism, sexism and other biases” picked up by AI as it takes in vast amounts of data from the digital world. Data from body cameras also could provide less-than-complete data, depending on the sensitivity and placement of the microphone and other factors, the ACLU says. And since corporate use of AI training models are not subject to Freedom of Information requests, the civil rights group worries about the ability of defendants to fully challenge one of the tools involved in their prosecutions. The ACLU did not respond to a request for comment about the report. Earlier this year, Draft One underwent trials in Colorado and Louisiana and is now widely available in the U.S., an Axon spokesperson tells via email. Police in Maine and California also are interested in buying the product, a type of purchase that often requires a long lead time and substantial civic debate. For police in Fort Collins, Colo., the tool resulted in a 67 percent reduction in the time spent on report writing, which in turn frees up officers for more street duty, the spokesperson said, adding that “success stories” about the product “mostly center on how much quicker officers can complete their paperwork while maintaining quality.” The Axon spokesperson did not directly dispute any facts from the ACLU report but painted a picture of a solid, safe and supervised product. “Critical safeguards require every report to be edited, reviewed and approved by a human officer, ensuring accuracy and accountability of the information,” the spokesperson said, adding that the company asks ethical and other experts to provide feedback and testing. The spokesperson emphasized that Draft One requires officers to “review, edit and sign off on [the] accuracy” of their reports, and that use of the software leaves a digital audit trail. As well, use of the tool for now is “restricted” to minor incidents that do not include felonies and arrests, so that client agencies can get “comfortable with the tool before expanding to more complex cases.” The company’s double-blind study of the tool showed that Draft One produced equal or better reports than those written 100 percent by officers, at least when judged by such factors as completeness, neutrality, objectivity, terminology and coherence. The study included 24 experts from law enforcement and court systems. Axon’s own research also found “no statistically significant racial bias toward a particular race,” the spokesperson said. “As we look to the future, we believe that the responsible innovation of real-time operations, drones and robotics and artificial intelligence will enable public safety to observe, communicate and act like they have never done before, ultimately protecting more lives in more places,” the spokesperson said. The ACLU report comes at a sensitive, trying time for public safety. Law enforcement still faces staffing challenges and distrust from citizens over racism, brutality and associated issues in the aftermath of the . Meanwhile, Nashville recently rejected a police-backed using Axon tech, the latest example of and against relatively . No matter what happens, AI in policing — and report writing — seems unlikely to fade. One example of that comes from Missoula, Mont., where officials recently moved forward with a . "I'm pretty cautious about AI and how that might look, but we will consider it," said Missoula Police Chief Mike Colyer, according to the report. The ACLU report has the potential to shape how gov tech suppliers try to stand out in the crowded public safety tech space, where and AI is making its way to even . For instance, , an Axon competitor, all but welcomed the ACLU’s findings, even though Truleo uses AI for reports, too. CEO and co-founder Anthony Tassone says his company’s offers more safeguards than Draft One. Officers use Truleo to dictate a narrative of an incident — something they can do while driving — and the company’s technology then uses AI to “enhance” that information and come back with “suggestions.” Officers then make edits and finish the report on their own. Truleo had already positioned itself as the “ethical” alternative to Axon, and Tassone repeated that point during an interview with conducted after the release of the ACLU report. In his view, a “weapons manufacturer” — Axon sells Tasers — should not be in the business of AI-generated reports, as that can lead to conflicts of interests in the case of mishaps or fatalities. The AI could help an officer or department to basically clean up a report in favor of law enforcement. Another pitch used by Truleo is that Axon’s AI goes too far, and that body-cam transcripts can be severely unreliable. “They are asking AI to make determinations,” he said, adding that Truleo has opened its AI to “random studies” and privacy checks. “You can’t ask AI to properly attribute criminality to people. That’s an officer’s job.” The ACLU report recommends that no police department use AI to “replace the creation of a record of the officer’s subjective experience.” But the report did leave wiggle room that would seem to offer a company such as Truleo a boost during client sales meetings and city council debates about law enforcement purchases. The ACLU said that “safer and more limited” uses of AI could help with the “dull chore” of writing police reports. “For example, officers could make an audio recorded verbal narrative of what took place ... and computers could transcribe those accounts and perhaps perform some light cleanup and formatting to create an editable first draft,” the report states, adding that “like most people, [police] probably find it faster and easier to speak than to write.”
Support our high school sports coverage by becoming a digital subscriber. Subscribe now The suspension of Edison running back Julius Gillick for the CIF-SS Division 3 final against Simi Valley is one of the biggest storylines heading into the championships on Friday. Here’s what four Orange County coaches familiar with Simi Valley said about the Chargers’ chances to compete or win the section title without the 2,000-yard rusher: Frank Mazzotta, La Habra (lost to Simi Valley 41-34 in playoffs) “Edison is very well coached and they are physical. They have played and beaten a lot of good teams.” Jeff Bailey, Yorba Linda (beat Simi Valley 38-21 last season in regular season) “Well, it’s hard to say because I have not seen Simi Valley this year. But I’m sure Edison can compete because they have a quality team around the running back. And I’m sure their backup is pretty good. Next man up mentality. And their style of football would be conducive to keeping the game close and giving them a chance to win at the end. Big opportunity for a team win. Win on special teams, which they are good at.” Rick Curtis, Crean Lutheran (lost to Simi Valley 27-7 last season in playoffs) “Jeff Grady was my offensive coordinator while I was at Santa Margarita, so I am partial to my good friend. However, I was able to see Edison play North Torrance in the first round and I was impressed with their defense and with how Jeff’s quarterback (Sam Thomson) managed the game. During that game, Edison’s backup running back (Sam Edmisten) played, as Julius was nursing an injury. I believe he’s a sophomore and he impressed me. I haven’t seen Simi Valley play this year, but we saw them last year and as you know, Jim Benkert is a great coach. With Troy Thomas dialing up the defense and with Jeff’s creativity on offense, I think they have a good chance of bringing home the championship. I think it will be a great game. To me, Edison is a Division 2 team. Edison by 10 is my call.” Brett Brown, Huntington Beach (lost to Simi Valley 32-29 last season in playoffs and lost to Edison 47-20 in regular season last season) “Edison has played really well defensively all year and they have depth at RB. Obviously it is a big loss with Gillick being out, but I think they will definitely compete. Both teams are well coached, play hard, and it should be a really good game.” Related Articles
MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. (AP) — Mike McDaniel has seen a change in quarterback Tua Tagovailoa over the past month. “He's found a way to improve the way he plays the position throughout the game,” the Dolphins coach said Sunday, after Tagovailoa threw for four touchdowns in a dominant 34-15 win over the New England Patriots. “The most monumental thing that you have to overcome as a quarterback is playing the position regardless of the ebbs and flows," McDaniel added, "so not changing how you play based upon positive or negative results and letting every play stand on its own.” Tagovailoa has mastered that ability to remain even-keeled during Miami's three-game winning streak, McDaniel noted, highlighted by his 317-yard passing performance on Sunday. The Dolphins (5-6) have a thin margin for error the rest of the season but have kept themselves afloat with a strong stretch that includes two-straight 30-point games. With their win at New England (3-9) in Week 5, the Dolphins have swept their division rivals in consecutive seasons for the first time since 1999-2000. Tagovailoa, who moved to 7-0 in his career against New England, entered the game with a league-high 73.4% completion rate and went 29 for 40. He has 11 passing touchdowns and just one interception since returning from injured reserve in Week 8. “We’re still below the .500 threshold, and it’s a long way to where we want to get to," Tagovailoa said. “We’ll enjoy this win, but this next one is going to be big for us.” The Dolphins have a short turnaround with a game at Green Bay on Thursday. Backup Skylar Thompson replaced Tagovailoa with about 11 minutes left in what was already a blowout, but a bad handoff on his first play resulted in a fumble that was recovered by cornerback Christian Gonzalez and returned 63 yards for a touchdown. It cut New England's deficit to 31-15, and Tagovailoa returned the next drive. Miami's defense held the rest of the way. Linebacker Tyrel Dodson intercepted rookie quarterback Drake Maye on New England's penultimate drive, then Miami stopped the Patriots on fourth down on the next. Jaylen Waddle caught eight passes for a season-high 144 yards and a 23-yard touchdown that stretched Miami's lead to 31-0 entering the fourth. Running back De'Von Achane scored on a 9-yard screen pass and then walked into the end zone for an 11-yard TD in the first half. Jonnu Smith finished with 87 yards on nine catches to continue his strong first season as a Dolphin. One week after catching two touchdowns with a career-high 101 yards receiving, Smith found the end zone for a 7-yard TD catch on the Dolphins' second drive. New England was shut out until tight end Austin Hooper got behind the Dolphins defense for a wide-open 38-yard touchdown catch from Maye to make it 31-7 with 13:43 left. Maye completed 22 of 37 passes for 221 yards with 26 yards rushing. But he couldn't overcome an overall sloppy performance by the Patriots in which they got nothing going offensively until the final quarter and had 10 penalties accepted against them. “I always say I hate losing more than I like to win," Maye said. "We got our butts whipped today, and it’s only up from here. We’ve got a bright future and the right players in there for the Patriots.” New England's best drive of the first half lasted 12 plays and covered 80 yards but included three accepted offensive penalties and ended in a missed 45-yard field goal by Joey Slye. The Patriots forced a Dolphins punt and moved down the field again on the opening drive of the second half, with Maye completing an improvised 10-yard throw on third down to receiver Kendrick Bourne. New England then tried a double pass with Bourne, whose cross-field throw fell short of Rhamondre Stevenson on 3rd-and-17. DeMario Douglas led the Patriots with 61 yards receiving. Antonio Gibson had six rushes for 30 yards. With the loss, the Patriots will finish their third straight season below .500. Its the first time since 1991-93 New England has had three straight losing seasons. “Once those guys cross the white lines, there’s nothing I can do for them,” coach Jerod Mayo said. "There’s nothing any coach can do for them. It’s my job to continue to prepare not only them, but our coaches as well.” Dolphins: LB Anthony Walker Jr. sustained a noncontact hamstring injury in the second quarter. He was helped slowly off the field by trainers and did not return. Patriots: Host Indianapolis next Sunday. Dolphins: At Green Bay on Thursday. AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/NFL
Ottawa man charged with attempted murder, assaulting police in Orleans attackTrump team signs agreement to allow Justice to conduct background checks on nominees, staff
WASHINGTON — President-elect Donald Trump's transition team on Tuesday signed an agreement to allow the Justice Department to conduct background checks on his nominees and appointees after a weekslong delay. The step lets Trump transition aides and future administration staffers obtain security clearances before Inauguration Day to access classified information about ongoing government programs, an essential step for a smooth transition of power. It also allows those nominees who are up for Senate confirmation to face the background checks lawmakers want before voting on them. Teams of investigators have been standing by to process clearances for Trump aides and advisers. FILE - Susie Wiles watches as Republican presidential candidate former President Donald Trump speaks at a caucus night party in Des Moines, Iowa, Jan. 15, 2024. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik, File) "This agreement with the Department of Justice will ensure President Trump and his team are ready on Day 1 to begin enacting the America First Agenda that an overwhelming majority of our nation supported on Election Day," said Susie Wiles, Trump's designate to be White House chief of staff. The announcement came a week after the Trump transition team signed an agreement with the Biden White House to allow transition staff to coordinate with the existing federal workforce before taking office Jan. 20. The White House agreement was supposed to have been signed by Oct. 1, according to the Presidential Transition Act, and the Biden White House issued both public and private appeals for Trump's team to sign on. Security clearances are required to access classified information, including on ongoing operations and threats to the nation, and the Biden White House and outside experts emphasized to Trump's team the importance of having cleared personnel before Inauguration Day so they could be fully briefed and ready to run the government. President-elect Donald Trump arrives before the launch of the sixth test flight of the SpaceX Starship rocket Tuesday, Nov. 19, 2024 in Boca Chica, Texas. (Brandon Bell/Pool via AP) Republican Senators also insisted on FBI background checks for Trump's nominees before they face confirmation votes, as has been standard practice for decades. Lawmakers were particularly interested in seeing the findings of reviews into Trump's designated nominee for defense secretary, former Fox News host Pete Hegseth, and for Rep. Tulsi Gabbard to be director of national intelligence. "That's why it's so important that we have an FBI background check, a committee review of extensive questions and questionnaires, and a public hearing," Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, said Monday. John Thune, incoming Senate Republican leader, said the Trump team "understands there's going to have to be a thorough vetting of all these nominees." 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, 67, was a senior adviser to Trump's 2024 presidential campaign and its de facto manager. 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, 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. 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. 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. 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. 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, 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. 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 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 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. 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. 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, 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. 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 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, 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. 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. 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.” 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.” 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. 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. 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. A Republican congressman from Michigan who served from 1993 to 2011, Hoekstra was ambassador to the Netherlands during Trump's first term. “In my Second Term, Pete will help me once again put AMERICA FIRST,” Trump said in a statement announcing his choice. “He did an outstanding job as United States Ambassador to the Netherlands during our first four years, and I am confident that he will continue to represent our Country well in this new role.” 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. 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. Trump said Wednesday that he will nominate Gen. Keith Kellogg to serve as assistant to the president and special envoy for Ukraine and Russia. Kellogg, a retired Army lieutenant general who has long been Trump’s top adviser on defense issues, served as National Security Advisor to Trump's former Vice President Mike Pence. For the America First Policy Institute, one of several groups formed after Trump left office to help lay the groundwork for the next Republican administration, Kellogg in April wrote that “bringing the Russia-Ukraine war to a close will require strong, America First leadership to deliver a peace deal and immediately end the hostilities between the two warring parties.” (AP Photo/Mariam Zuhaib) 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, 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. 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, 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, 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 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. Dan Scavino, deputy chief of staff 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. James Blair, deputy chief of staff 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. Taylor Budowich, deputy chief of staff 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. William McGinley, White House counsel 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.” Jay Bhattacharya, National Institutes of Health Trump has chosen Dr. Jay Bhattacharya to lead the National Institutes of Health. Bhattacharya is a physician and professor at Stanford University School of Medicine, and is a critic of pandemic lockdowns and vaccine mandates. He promoted the idea of herd immunity during the pandemic, arguing that people at low risk should live normally while building up immunity to COVID-19 through infection. The National Institutes of Health funds medical research through competitive grants to researchers at institutions throughout the nation. NIH also conducts its own research with thousands of scientists working at its labs in Bethesda, Maryland. Jamieson Greer, U.S. trade representative Kevin Hassett, Director of the White House National Economic Council Trump is turning to two officials with experience navigating not only Washington but the key issues of income taxes and tariffs as he fills out his economic team. He announced he has chosen international trade attorney Jamieson Greer to be his U.S. trade representative and Kevin Hassett as director of the White House National Economic Council. While Trump has in several cases nominated outsiders to key posts, these picks reflect a recognition that his reputation will likely hinge on restoring the public’s confidence in the economy. Trump said in a statement that Greer was instrumental in his first term in imposing tariffs on China and others and replacing the trade agreement with Canada and Mexico, “therefore making it much better for American Workers.” Hassett, 62, served in the first Trump term as chairman of the Council of Economic Advisers. He has a doctorate from the University of Pennsylvania and worked at the right-leaning American Enterprise Institute before joining the Trump White House in 2017. Stay up-to-date on the latest in local and national government and political topics with our newsletter.Kane hat trick against Augsburg hides Bayern's concerning lack of goals