politics

Summary

Pete Hegseth, Donald Trump’s pick for secretary of defense, was reportedly forced out of leadership roles at two veteran-focused non-profits, Concerned Veterans for America and Vets for Freedom, due to allegations of financial mismanagement, drunkenness, and fostering a hostile work environment.

Whistleblower reports detailed incidents including misuse of funds and inappropriate behavior at events.

Hegseth also faced past sexual assault allegations, which he settled privately in 2023.

Critics, including Senator Richard Blumenthal, have raised concerns about Hegseth’s suitability.

Summary

Anti-Trump Americans, especially on the left, are showing a more subdued response to Trump’s 2024 reelection compared to the activism of 2016.

Exhaustion, disillusionment with repeated setbacks, and negative media coverage have led many to disengage from politics or shift focus to personal priorities.

Activist groups, like Women’s March, are planning protests but acknowledge lower enthusiasm and more localized efforts.

Experts suggest this “tune-out” may be a coping mechanism, with some hoping new, non-political participants will lead change.

Many feel drained but believe activism will eventually regain momentum.

"President Biden must use the power of the pen to protect those seeking sanctuary from the coming deportation machine that will crush the human rights of our immigrant neighbors," said one Amnesty leader.

The decision by President Joe Biden to pardon his son, Hunter, despite previously suggesting he would not do so, has reopened debate over the use of the presidential pardon.

Idaho’s Failed Coroner Reform Attempts: Timeline

Fake behind-the-scenes maneuvering, supposed electoral necessity: all cover to avoid the unseemly fact that Biden simply supports genocide in Gaza because he thinks it’s justified.

Summary

President Joe Biden pardoned his son Hunter Biden, prompting strong backlash from Republicans.

GOP lawmakers criticized the move as an abuse of power and an attempt to avoid accountability, with figures like Rep. James Comer and Sen. Chuck Grassley calling it hypocritical and corrupt.

Biden defended the pardon, citing “selective prosecution” and claiming Hunter was unfairly targeted due to their family connection.

Hunter faced convictions for federal gun and tax charges.

Vacancies in the Federal Judiciary

118th Congress

Last updated on12/02/2024

Total Vacancies:42

Total Nominees Pending:12

IMHO, the only "hypocrisy" is with the conservative-owned press holding Biden to standards LONG since tossed aside for Trump. The people have made it clear they only respect a government who fights dirty, and WAY effing past time they get what they asked for. In the scheme of things, this is positively mundane - but they'll try to attack anything that Dems do that they'd gleefully make excuses for Trump doing since that pisses off Dems. I congratulate Biden for finally saying "fuck it," and doing the same thing they would do.

President Biden's hypocrisy on full display: Pardons his own son after making a point about 'independent' justice"

In a move that's being hailed as a "full and unconditional" pardon, President Joe Biden has announced that he's granting his son Hunter Biden a free pass for all federal charges related to his time between 2014-2024. Just 50 days before leaving office, Biden had previously declared that he wouldn't be making the move, stating he'd abide by the jury's decision. But now, it seems he was just playing a different tune.

TL;DR

President Biden pardoned his son Hunter Biden, who was facing up to 25 years in prison for lying on a federal form about his drug addiction. This comes after months of saying he wouldn't make the move, and is being met with criticism from politicians and others who called him out on his earlier stance. A case of "my family is more important than I am" - how about keeping your promises for once?

cross-posted from: https://lemmy.world/post/22637320

Summary

Donald Trump has exempted himself from key ethics guidelines required under the Presidential Transition Act, which he signed into law in 2020.

By rejecting federal funding for his transition team, Trump avoids donor limits and disclosure requirements, raising concerns about conflicts of interest and transparency.

Critics, including Senator Elizabeth Warren and government watchdogs, warn that Trump’s refusal to submit an ethics plan undermines accountability and could open the door to corruption.

This move marks a break from precedent and has sparked alarm over potential personal enrichment during his presidency.

This guy is going to be nominated to head the FBI.

“We will go out and find the conspirators, not just in government but in the media. Yes, we’re going to come after the people in the media who lied about American citizens, who helped Joe Biden rig presidential elections – we’re going to come after you,” Patel said on a podcast hosted by another former Trump adviser, Steve Bannon.

“Whether it’s criminally or civilly, we’ll figure that out. But yeah, we’re putting you all on notice,” Patel added. “We’re actually going to use the Constitution to prosecute them for crimes they said we have always been guilty of but never have.”

It's worth noting that Patel is extreme as people loyal to Trump go — he seems interested in doing Trumps' bidding, rather than what's required by law or what's right.