A kinder, gentler Trump? President-elect taking a more moderate stance
Donald Trump is making a deliberate effort to soften his tone. Or is he? I’ve given this a lot of thought, having interviewed Trump twice this year, including two weeks before the election. He was focused and substantive, trying to reach a more independent audience, and while he took some campaign-style shots, he was relatively restrained by Trumpian standards. Now that he’s the de facto president, I saw a similar Trump on display in the “Meet the Press” interview. Kristen Welker’s follow-ups must have annoyed him, because he told her she had asked “nasty” questions. HOW BIDEN – AND TRUMP – HELPED MAKE THE PARDON GO HAYWIRE During the campaign, such episodes were overshadowed by Trump’s rock-n-roll rallies, where he’d ramble on about the great Hannibal Lecter or Arnold Palmer’s genitalia. But his declaration on NBC that he also wants to represent those who didn’t vote for him is a long way from his 2017 “American carnage” inaugural address. And yet, the president-elect has also mastered the art of saying things that can be interpreted two ways, or sending not-so-coded messages. The Washington Post editorial board, not a big fan, says Trump “tried to sound a conciliatory tone” with Welker, backed by substance. Trump declared he wouldn’t oust Fed chief Jerome Powell, and wants to work with Democrats to protect the Dreamers. Trump said he “would not restrict the national availability of abortion medication, and that the United States will ‘absolutely’ remain in NATO, as long as other member states spend what they have pledged on defense.” And why shouldn’t he appear more reasonable? He’s got the job he believes was unfairly taken from him. He can’t run again. He knows his first term was savaged by the left-leaning media establishment. If he can have a more successful second term – after turning on some top aides in the last go-round – he could modify history’s verdict. And that brings us to the question of retribution. He said on NBC that the best retribution is success, the same line he used with me. On “Meet the Press” he even retracted a campaign declaration that he would name a special prosecutor to go after Joe Biden. BIDEN, TRUMP BOTH RIP DOJ AFTER PRESIDENT PARDONS HUNTER When Welker asked whether he’d order the Justice Department, which he sees as having persecuted him, to investigate Biden and his administration, Trump gave a response that I doubt he would have offered in the first term. No, he said, that would be up to his attorney general and FBI director, which will definitely be Pam Bondi and probably Kash Patel. Would he tell them to do it? Nope. It’s called distancing. Now one could argue that he was in effect suggesting they do it by announcing it on national television. But I’m sure they knew his views anyway. Trump’s one misstep on NBC was lashing out at members of the House Jan. 6 Committee. He said Liz Cheney “did something that’s inexcusable, along with [Bennie] Thompson and people on the Un-Select Committee of political thugs and, you know, creeps,” Trump told moderator Kristen Welker, arguing without proof that they “deleted and destroyed” testimony. “Honestly, they should go to jail.” So that was a gift to his critics, enabling most journalists to lead with him wanting the lawmakers behind bars. By the way, their investigation and hearings are protected by the Speech and Debate clause, which gives the members immunity. Trump senior adviser Jason Miller told CNN that his boss’ words had been taken “out of context,” that he “wants everyone who he puts into key positions of leadership … to apply the law equally to everybody,” mentioning Bondi and Patel. In a similar vein, Trump has mainly avoided attacks on individual journalists, this after saying he would reach out to even hostile outlets. But he made an exception and mocked Maggie Haberman of the New York Times when she co-authored a couple of stories he didn’t like. So will we be getting Trump 2.0, or Trump 1.0 with plenty of fancy packaging? SUBSCRIBE TO HOWIE’S MEDIA BUZZMETER PODCAST, A RIFF ON THE DAY’S HOTTEST STORIES Veteran Trump watchers know that he can slip off the high road when he gets angry, that it’s not just about mass deportations, slashing inflation and drill, baby, drill. But I still believe we’re seeing a more disciplined, restrained and moderate Trump so far. He campaigned on shaking things up, so there are plenty of clashes to unfold. What’s fascinating is that he’s already essentially running the country while Biden has faded and, since the pardon fiasco, is refusing to talk to the press.
Delhi Assembly Polls: AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal rules out possibility of alliance with Congress
The recent buzz over the alliance between the two Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA) partners was fuelled by cancellation of the Congress ‘Nyay Chaupal’ event scheduled on Wednesday in which party leader Rahul Gandhi was to participate.
Kerala Lottery Results December 11 Wednesday: Fifty Fifty FF-121 winners soon; first prize Rs 1 crore
This popular lottery is conducted weekly, with draws taking place every Wednesday at 3 PM at Gorky Bhavan in Thiruvananthapuram.
Delhi-NCR Weather: National Capital records coldest morning of this winter so far with temperatures dropping to…
Meanwhile, air quality in Delhi remained in the poor category on Wednesday morning, even as the readings were closer to the moderate range.
Shillong Teer Results TODAY December 12, 2024 Live Updates: Check winning numbers here
The Shillong Teer lottery not only provides an opportunity for players to win cash prizes but also promotes archery among youth, encouraging them to engage more actively in the sport. Tickets for the lottery are available at prices ranging from Rs 1 to Rs 50 from authorised vendors.
Kenyan police tear gas protesters marching against femicide
Police in Nairobi used tear gas to disperse protesters, demanding an end to femicide. Several people were injured, and others were arrested. Activists say President Ruto’s $700K pledge to end the crisis is not enough because cases in Kenya continue to rise. Adblock test (Why?)
Police fire tear gas at Kenya protesters rallying against femicide
Hundreds gather in Kenya’s capital to rally against gender-based violence. Police in Kenya have fired tear gas to disperse hundreds of people who gathered to protest against gender-based violence and femicide. Protesters blew whistles and chanted “stop killing women” as they marched in the capital, Nairobi, on Tuesday, and police repeatedly dispersed the crowds. The rally gathered pace as hundreds of women marched towards parliament, with many chanting, “shame on you” and “teach your sons”. At least three people were arrested, the Reuters news agency reported. The protests in Nairobi were peaceful and it was not immediately clear why the police intervened. There was no immediate comment from the police. Protests also took place in the cities of Mombasa and Lodwar, according to videos posted on social media. Among those arrested in Nairobi was Irungu Houghton, executive director of Amnesty International Kenya. Amnesty International and the Law Society of Kenya released a joint statement condemning the police actions, saying it sent a “chilling message” to peaceful protesters. Advertisement “The violent response by police, including the arrest of these peaceful protesters, is a direct attack on Kenya’s democratic principles and the human rights of its citizens,” the statement said. One activist, Mwikali Mueni, told The Associated Press that she suffered a neck injury at the hands of police officers. “It is very sad that I was injured while championing for women not to be injured or killed. If the president is serious about ending femicide, let him start by taking action on the officers who have brutalised us today,” she said. Last month, President William Ruto committed more than $700,000 for a campaign to end femicide. Following the publication of a report by the Kenyan National Commission for Human Rights in November, Ruto labelled gender-based violence “tragic and unacceptable”. Silent epidemic For years, Kenya has experienced an epidemic of gender-based violence. Between August and October, at least 97 women in Kenya were killed in femicides, according to the National Police Service. The police do not provide statistics for earlier periods, but according to figures compiled by the Africa Data Hub, there were at least 75 femicides in 2022 and 46 the year before. According to Kenyan charity The Gender Violence Recovery Centre, one in three Kenyan women have been abused by the age of 18. Acts of abuse mainly come from intimate male partners or male family members. Patriarchal views and insufficient legal protections are major factors behind Kenya’s high levels of gender-based violence, researchers say. Advertisement Police in Kenya have also faced criticism for their actions during antigovernment protests, when at least 60 people were killed in June and July. Adblock test (Why?)
How can Syria be rebuilt and who will pay?
Years of war and sanctions have left much of the country in ruins. Years of war and sanctions mean Syria is in dire need of reconstruction. Foreign funding is essential, along with political stability so work vital to the country’s future can begin. So how can this be achieved? And who will pay? Presenter: Nick Clark Guests: Sinan Hatahet – Non-resident fellow with the Syria Project at the Atlantic Council Tamer Qarmout – Associate professor at the Doha Institute for Graduate Studies Fadi Dayoub – Executive director of the Syrian NGO Local Development and Small Projects Support Adblock test (Why?)
Trump names former El Salvador ambassador Ron Johnson as choice for Mexico envoy
Former U.S. ambassador to El Salvador Ronald Johnson has been tapped by President-elect Trump to serve as ambassador to Mexico in his upcoming administration. Like many of his picks, Trump announced the news on his Truth Social network. “Ron will work closely with our great Secretary of State Nominee, Marco Rubio, to promote our Nation’s security and prosperity through strong America First Foreign Policies,” he wrote. TRUMP’S PROPOSED TARIFFS ON MEXICO, CANADA, CHINA WILL INCREASE INFLATION, GOLDMAN SACHS WARNS “During my First Term, Ron served as the Ambassador to El Salvador, where he worked tirelessly with Salvadoran authorities and our team to reduce violent crime and illegal migration to the lowest levels in History,” he added. Johnson, a former official with the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) and U.S. Army Green Beret, would serve in one of the high-profile diplomatic posts in the Trump administration. TRUMP TARIFFS WILL BRING MEXICO TO THE TABLE, TEXAS DEMOCRAT SAYS Trump has threatened to impose steep tariffs on Mexico if it doesn’t do more to prevent the flow of illegal immigrants and illegal drugs across the southern border. He’s also threatened to impose tariffs on Canada and China as well. In his announcement, Trump said Johnson would help put an end to “migrant crime, stop the illegal flow of Fentanyl and other dangerous drugs into our Country and, MAKE AMERICA SAFE AGAIN!”
Capitol Police arrest suspect after allegedly assaulting Rep Nancy Mace
Rep. Nancy Mace, R-S.C., said she was physically accosted on Capitol grounds Tuesday night, and the suspect has since been arrested. The U.S. Capitol Police said that just before 6 p.m. the office of a member of Congress, later identified as Mace, reported an incident in the Rayburn House Office Building. House division officers and agents with the Threat Assessment Section of the police department tracked down the suspect, identified as 33-year-old James McIntyre of Illinois. NANCY MACE’S EFFORT TO BAN TRANSGENDER DELAWARE DEMOCRAT FROM CAPITOL WOMEN’S RESTROOMS GAINS SUPPORT Police interviewed McIntyre and ultimately arrested him on the grounds of assaulting a government official. “I was physically accosted tonight on Capitol grounds over my fight to protect women. Capitol police have arrested him,” Mace said in a post on X. “All the violence and threats keep proving our point. Women deserve to be safe. Your threats will not stop my fight for women!” Mace has been vocal about her opposition to transgender individuals using bathrooms not assigned to their biological gender. MACE FACES BACKLASH OVER EFFORT TO BAN TRANSGENDER MEMBER OF CONGRESS FROM WOMEN’S BATHROOMS She led the charge against allowing Rep.-elect Sarah McBride, a Democrat from Delaware, to use the women’s restrooms on Capitol Hill. McBride is a biological man who identifies and presents as a woman. Mace said last month she was receiving death threats, adding that she was being “unfairly targeted.” Mace also drafted resolution H.R. 1579, which would prohibit members, officers and employees of the House from using facilities other than those corresponding to their biological sex. CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP Mace’s office did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital’s request for comment. Fox News Digital’s Charles Creitz contributed to this report.