The presidential, House, and Senate elections have come to a close in the U.S., with the Republican party winning control over these sectors. However, many races remain in limbo. The Biden Administration has requested $100 billion from Congress in hopes of helping Americans that have been devastated by recent “record-breaking” natural disasters. Trump’s recent appointee, Elon Musk is hosting a SpaceX “Starship” rocket launch on Tuesday, one that the presidential-elect plans to attend. President Joe Biden has made remarks at the G20 Summit to World Leaders, urging them to support Ukraine and to up the pressure on Hamas. In Maryland, the first announced candidate for chair of the Democratic National Party has been announced, former Maryalnd governor Martin O’ Malley. 

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President Biden visited a nature reserve in Brazil to advocate for continued climate action in future administrations, urging support for his policies and implying that former President Trump should not reverse progress. Biden also authorized Ukraine to use long-range U.S. weapons inside Russia as tensions escalate, with reports of nearly 50,000 Russian troops moving to Kursk. Pete Hegseth, Trump’s pick for defense secretary, has reached a settlement with a woman who accused him of sexual assault, though he has not been charged. In Pennsylvania, a recount dispute is unfolding as some counties defy state Supreme Court directives. Meanwhile, Trump received a standing ovation at a UFC event in New York, accompanied by UFC president Dana White.

Biden says “nobody can reverse” his climate agenda. But Trump is poised to try. (Politico)

Biden authorizes Ukraine to use long-range U.S. weapons in Russia (CNN)

Trump’s defense secretary nominee paid accusser but denies sexual assault, attorney says (CNN)

In Pennsylvania, election litigation continues, with a twist (NYT)

Trump attends UFC championship fight in New York, taking a break from cabinet picks (AP)

Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy have been chosen to lead the new “Department of Government Efficiency” in a potential second Trump administration, raising concerns about conflicts of interest due to their ties to companies with large government contracts. Trump has also tapped Tulsi Gabbard as director of national intelligence, though her past pro-Russia rhetoric may face scrutiny. Republican congressman Matt Gaetz has been nominated as attorney general, despite recent controversy over allegations of misconduct. Meanwhile, the Justice Department has charged Asif W. Rahman with leaking classified U.S. intelligence on Israel's retaliation plans against Iran. In Michigan, a technical glitch in Calhoun County has led to a lawsuit halting the counting of thousands of votes.

Republicans win House majority of 218 seats (AP)

Trump taps Gabbard for director of national intelligence (The Hill)

President-elect wants Matt Gaetz for attorney general (NYT)

FBI arrests alleged leaker of US intelligence documents related to Israel’s attack plans against Iran (CNN)

Lawsuit temporarily pauses recount of votes in Michigan county, officials say (MLive)

Arizona, which just became Trump's latest swing state, gained a new senator. Democrat Ruben Gallego beat Republican Kari Lake. He will become the first Latino senator to represent Arizona in the US senate. Georgia has begun to certify the results of this presidential election. The Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger has classified Georgia's election as “free, fair, and fast”. A New York judge has postponed a decision on whether to undo Trump’s hush money conviction as prosecutors debate on how to proceed, after last week election results, while Trump lawyers ask for dismissal. A US state department statement has been released stating that the Biden administration has not assessed that Israel is in violation of US law and will not change its policy at this time, on the US- mandated 30-day deadline for the Netanyahu government to take specific steps to improve the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. President-elect Donald Trump has demanded that Senate Republicans surrender their role in vetting his nominees. While there are no legal obstacles to this request, it would be a violation of constitutional norms. 

Democrat Ruben Gallego defeats Republican Kari Lake in Arizona Senate race (BCC) 

Certifying this year’s presidential results begins quietly, in contrast to the 2020 election (AP) 

Judge delays ruling on whether to scrap Trump’s conviction in hush money case (AP) 

U has not assessed Israel is violating law on Gaza Aid, will not change policy despite humanitarian group’s findings (CNN)

Trump demand to skirt senate confirmations poses early test of a radical second term (NYT, NPR)

Russian President Putin congratulated newly elected president Donald Trump, praising his bravery, in his first comment regarding the U.S. vote. President Biden gave a full address from the White House, after his party’s defeat. He announced that he’s directed his administration to work with Trump for a smooth transition of power, labeling the election as “honest, fair, and transparent”. Some of Kamala Harris' allies are pointing fingers at President Biden and his reluctance to withdraw from the Presidential race, despite concerns about his age and doubts regarding recent inflation and border policies. While the nation prepares to shift into a new presidency, promises made by Trump regarding granting clemency for those that were prosecuted in the Jan 6th incident at the Capitol, are being called into question.  Bernie Sanders issued a statement Wednesday, seemingly not surprised by the election results. He stated that “it should come as no great surprise that a democratic party which has abandoned working class people would find that the working class people has abandoned them.” 

Putin congratulates Trump on his election victory in his first public comments on the US vote (AP)

Joe Biden tells nation: “you can't love your country only when you win” (ABC) 

Jan 6th defendants are already angling for pardons from Trump (NYT) 

Bernie Sanders blasts Democratic Party following Harris Loss (POLITICO) 

Biden gets blamed by Harris allies for the vice president’s resounding loss to trump (AP) 

Vice President Kamala Harris conceded the election to Donald Trump on Wednesday, delivering a message of hope to supporters at Howard University. Trump, who secured 270 electoral votes, was congratulated by Biden and Harris, with Biden inviting him to the White House for the transition. Trump’s win was bolstered by a significant rightward shift among Latino voters, who gave him 45% support, up 13 points from 2020. Trump also won Michigan, thanks to strong rural turnout. In local news, Delta Township Supervisor Ken Fletcher, reelected with 85.5% of the vote, faced controversy after resigning in September over felony charges related to inappropriate conversations with a decoy posing as a minor.

Kamala Harris concedes the election but not the fight (Politico)

Trump receives congratulations and an invitation to the White House as Biden nudges on transition (AP)

Record voter gains among Latinos for Trump mainly boiled down to the economy (NBC)

How Donald Trump found an unprecedented path to victory in Michigan (The Detroit News)

Former township supervisor charged in child sex sting wins reelection (MLive)

By Tuesday afternoon, the anxieties surrounding Election Day disruptions were not proven right, despite the widespread misinformation and months of partisan attacks. Voters residing in Florida, North and South Dakota hold the power on election day whether to legalize the recreational use of cannabis. If more than one of the proposed measures pass, it would mean a majority of U.S. states have recreational marijuana laws “on the books”. Further up the East Coast, in New Jersey, at the Westampton Municipal Building, people stood in outrageously long lines, waiting for their turn to vote, as polling locations experienced technical glitches. Former Trump lawyer Rudy Giuliani shows up to fulfill his civic duty in the Mercedes he was ordered to hand over to the two election workers he defamed, according to their lawyers. The car was among the items a federal judge had ordered to turn over to Rudy Freeman and Wandrea “Shaye” Moss, to begin paying the $146 million he owes. North Carolina Attorney General Josh Stein defeated Republican Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson in the state’s governor’s race, keeping the seat in the Democratic favor.

Despite rampant anxiety, voting begins relatively smoothly (NYT) 

Voters could make recreational weed legal in a majority of the U.S. (NPR) 

Burlington County voters face long lines after technical glitch on Election Day (ABC) 

Rudy Giuliani shows up to vote in the Mercedes he was ordered to surrender (NBC) 

Democratic Josh Stein defeats Republican Mark Robison in N.C. governor’s race (NBC)

As the presidential election nears, betting markets have narrowed between Trump and Biden, with platforms like Kalshi and Polymarket seeing a surge in activity. Election officials are preparing for potential protests during the December Electoral College meetings, expecting heightened security. In Pennsylvania, a judge allowed Elon Musk’s $1 million giveaway to continue despite legal challenges. Trump, campaigning for a second term, proposed placing Herschel Walker in charge of a new missile defense system, aimed at protecting the U.S. from threats like North Korea and Russia. Meanwhile, in Gaza, an Israeli airstrike on Kamal Adwan Hospital, one of the few medical facilities still operating, has worsened the region’s healthcare crisis.

Trump’s lead over Harris in betting market erodes as platforms tighten odds (The Guardian)

States prepare for Electoral College violence (Politico)

Pennsylvania judge allows Elon Musk’s $1 million voter giveaway (Reuters)

Trump says he’ll put ex-NFL player in charge of U.S. missile shield (The Hill)

Israeli strikes damage a major hospital in Northern Gaza, officials say (NYT)

Trump said in Pennsylvania on Sunday that he regrets leaving the White House in 2021, ending his 2024 presidential campaign with repeated warnings about not accepting defeat if it comes. Trump engaged in a phone interview with NBC news, stating that Rober F. Kennedy Jr. (who also ran for president this year) would “have a big role in the administration”. A recent political ad has been circulating social media, aimed at letting women know that they are free to vote for Kamala Harris without telling their spouses, has caused an uproar with prominent conservatives. Harris declined to comment on how she voted on a key ballot measure in California that would reverse criminal justice reforms. The Supreme Court’s decision on Wednesday kept Virginia’s purge of voter registrations intact, which the state says is aimed at “stopping people who are not U.S. citizens from voting” 

Trump says he shouldn't have left the white house as he closes campaign with increasingly dark message (CNN)

Trump doesn't rule out banning vaccines if he becomes president: I’ll make a decision ( NBC) 

Political ad ignites conservative anger over women possibly hiding their votes from their husbands (NBC) 

Harris wont say how she voted on California measure that would reverse criminal justice reforms (AP NEWS) 

Supreme Court conservative justices leave on place Virginia’s purge of voter registration (AP)

As Election Day approaches, the 2020 “Stop the Steal” movement is organizing a plan to contest Trump’s potential loss, involving legal challenges and protests on January 6th. Meanwhile, false claims about voting irregularities in Michigan are being promoted by the Election Integrity Network. In response to pro-Palestine protests, Kamala Harris is using the situation to highlight her stance on a Gaza ceasefire. Additionally, a federal court is now involved in a legal battle over Elon Musk’s political giveaways aimed at boosting Trump’s campaign. Republican Senators are optimistic about regaining a 52-seat majority in the Senate.

SOURCES

How MAGA activists are planning to undermine the election if Trump loses (CNN)

Michigan election denial activists seize on voter report glitch (NYT)

Harris tries to turn Gaza protests into a way to energize crowds at her rallies (AP)

Pennsylvania challenge of Elon Musk’s $1M-a-day voter sweepstakes moves to federal court (AP)

GOP: Anything short of a 52-seat Senate majority would be a ‘failure’ (The Hill)