News

Summary

Republicans have won control of both the House and Senate, solidifying their alignment with President-elect Donald Trump and his aggressive “America First” agenda.

Trump’s allies, including new House Speaker Mike Johnson, aim to overhaul federal programs, enact conservative policies, and investigate Trump’s legal adversaries.

Trump nominated loyalist Rep. Matt Gaetz as attorney general, raising concerns among Democrats and some Republicans.

The GOP’s slim House majority could complicate legislative unity, while the Senate’s 53-seat majority provides leeway for confirming Trump’s Cabinet, including potential Supreme Court nominees.

> But Hegseth, with his heavily gelled hair and impressive bone structure, looks a lot like a movie star of Trump's 1950s childhood. CNN reporter Alayna Tree confirmed that those cheekbones were a major factor in this pick: “Trump also thinks he has the look,” one source told her.

Yes, really.

> Hegseth served in the Army, a history he has channeled into endless moaning about the supposedly "woke" military. He has complained about military recruitment ads that feature diverse service members, arguing that the threat of being exposed to different kinds of people would scare off "guys in Kentucky and Colorado and Ohio." It's a drum he beats repeatedly, arguing that "patriots" — meaning, of course, white men — are unwilling to serve lest they be exposed to "CRT, DEI nonsense, all the gender nonsense." All those words function as right-wing euphemisms for workplaces where people of color, LGBTQ people and women are treated equally.

Welcome to historically low recruitment levels. And it's apparently because he's bitter:

> While he's oblique about the reasons, it appears Hegseth couldn't hack it in the Army, either. He complained in his book that the Army "spit me out," adding, "I didn’t want this Army anymore either." It is reminiscent of every guy who says "you're not that hot" when a woman turns him down. > > With Hegseth, this is obvious in his longing to kick women out of combat roles. He falsely claims that "standards have lowered" to let women in, and that "men in those positions are more capable." The truth, however, is the opposite. As Barack Obama explained when the military first opened up combat roles for women, the urban and guerrilla nature of most modern warfare means that female service members were already "in a war theater" and "at great risk." But while many women were performing the duties of combat soldiers, they weren't getting the promotions or pay that go with that status. > >Banning women from combat roles epitomizes the MAGA version of manhood, where weakness gets reskinned as "toughness," mostly through aesthetic trickery. Women will keep on doing the work of combat jobs, but will be denied the titles, honors and rewards of doing so, just to prop up the illusion that only men have the toughness to handle it. The real purpose here is to insulate the snowflake-fragile egos of men who cannot feel mighty unless a woman pretends — or is forced to pretend — that she's weak. It's a direct substitution of fool's gold for the real thing.

These people all live in a fantasy world.

> Hegseth's model for the ideal military man is not a real person from history or even someone he knows, but a movie character. In his typically whiny book "The War on Warriors: Behind the Betrayal of the Men Who Keep Us Free," Hegseth writes, "Our ‘elites’ are like the feckless drug-addled businessmen at Nakatomi Plaza, looking down on Bruce Willis’s John McClane in ‘Die Hard,’" adding, "But there will come a day when they realize they need John McClane." > >No one "needs" John McClane. He is a make-believe tough guy, built out of special effects and the comedic acting skills of Bruce Willis. But this kind of ludicrous fantasy allows Hegseth to elide the deep paradox of his argument. He wants us to imagine straight male American soldiers are "honorable, powerful and deadly," but also portrays them as too feeble to handle the diverse modern military. He believes they must be sheltered from any evidence that people with different identities can be strong, too. So he retreats to this phony masculine idea of "strength," constructed through Hollywood magic. It's like a little boy's dream, created to avoid the underwhelming reality of MAGA manhood.

A small bright spot in a dark timeline.

Summary

Following the recent presidential election, online misogynistic and abusive attacks targeting women have surged, with phrases like "Your body, my choice" and "Repeal the 19th" (constitutional amendment that allowed women to vote) going viral.

Far-right influencer and white nationalist Nick Fuentes contributed to this trend with a social media post celebrating Trump’s victory, which amassed over 90 million views.

Reports indicate the harassment has extended to classrooms and campuses.

Experts warn parents to discuss these harmful online trends with children as social media increasingly shapes young people's perspectives.

Summary

A new report warns that Trump’s plan to dismantle Biden-era climate policies could hinder the U.S.’s potential as a clean energy superpower.

It could result in significant economic losses, including up to $80 billion in investments and billions more in forfeited exports. Trump’s plan would also cede leadership in the clean energy sector to China and other nations.

In contrast, policies like the Inflation Reduction Act have driven $150 billion in new U.S. manufacturing, particularly in Republican-dominated regions. These policies have also created about 300,000 jobs.

Trump’s proposed rollback threatens the U.S.’s competitiveness in the solar, wind, and electric vehicle industries, further reinforcing China’s dominance in the clean energy markets.

Summary

Four women are suing Idaho over its strict abortion laws, seeking clarification on exceptions that would allow abortions for serious pregnancy complications before the mother’s life is in immediate danger.

Represented by the Center for Reproductive Rights, the plaintiffs described having to leave Idaho to terminate pregnancies after receiving fatal fetal diagnoses and facing health risks.

The state argued the ban protects “unborn children” and asserted current exceptions suffice.

Doctors testified Idaho’s law creates confusion and delays, potentially worsening health outcomes for pregnant patients needing urgent care.

Summary

New College of Florida has reinstated a controversial course on "wokeness," led by British media personality Andrew Doyle, amid criticism over its one-sided portrayal of "wokeness" as a cult.

The course’s reading list includes Doyle's own books and works by rightwing figures like Christopher Rufo, who has claimed that antiracist government policies would bring about “an end to the constitutional order.”

The college, under Governor Ron DeSantis's influence, is undergoing a conservative transformation that has sparked backlash from students and staff, who report discomfort with the new administration’s ideological agenda.

The course's reinstatement reflects the college's shift toward rightwing educational reforms.

Ice cream brand Ben & Jerry’s said in a lawsuit filed Wednesday that parent company Unilever has silenced its attempts to express support for Palestinian refugees, and threatened to dismantle its board and sue its members over the issue.

The lawsuit is the latest sign of the long-simmering tensions between Ben & Jerry’s and consumer products maker Unilever. A rift erupted between the two in 2021 after Ben & Jerry’s said it would stop selling its products in the Israeli-occupied West Bank because it was inconsistent with its values, a move that led some to divest Unilever shares.

The ice cream maker then sued Unilever for selling its business in Israel to its licensee there, which allowed marketing in the West Bank and Israel to continue. That lawsuit was settled in 2022.

About 50 years ago, a man named Hans Bauer who worked in marketing for a German carmaker came up with the slogan Vorsprung durch Technik or “advantage through technology”. Poetry it wasn’t. The slogan seemed a little clumsy and too heavy on consonants, sounding harsh even to German ears. But it stuck because it captured something that rang true. The Germans had an edge in manufacturing cars and other machines.

The company that employed Bauer was Audi, which has used the slogan ever since. For a long time, there seemed to be no need for adjustment. True, whenever the Germans experienced an economic downturn, they asked themselves whether the all-important carmakers had lost their edge. But then some tweaks would be made, and the engine would roar back to life. This time feels different. And that’s not just because of recent bad news, which includes BMW and Mercedes posting profit warnings, Volkswagen pondering massive job cuts and, on top of it all, Donald Trump threatening to slap steep tariffs on US imports. It’s because the Germans are now realising they may have lost that special something called Vorsprung.

The history of the country’s car industry goes back to Gottlieb Daimler and Carl Benz, inventors whose pioneering work didn’t translate into immediate business success. Throughout the first half of the 20th century, German carmakers were run by engineers who cared more about technology than sales. The production was time-intensive, and there weren’t enough buyers for the expensive and carefully crafted automobiles.

For years, neighbors who lived near a factory in Louisville, Kentucky, complained amongst themselves and to local officials about a variety of strange smells coming from the plant, which produces colorings for food and drinks.

Some described it as an ammonia-like smell, while others said it was more like burnt sugar or burnt caramel. They worried a bit about living so close to the plant, but never expected what happened Tuesday, when an explosion killed two workers, and blew out windows and ripped pieces off the roofs of nearby homes.

In April 2003, while the plant was owned by D.D. Williamson, a tank exploded and killed a worker. Federal investigators determined the tank exploded because it was missing its pressure relief valve, which had been removed when it was moved to the Louisville plant in 1989.

Summary

Tulsi Gabbard, Trump’s nominee for Director of National Intelligence, faces backlash over claims she promoted Russian disinformation, though she denies these accusations.

With no intelligence experience, Gabbard has previously clashed with U.S. officials over foreign policy, including controversial stances on Syria’s Assad and Ukraine.

In 2022, she was accused of echoing Russian propaganda by sharing unverified claims about U.S.-funded labs in Ukraine, which she insists were misinterpreted.

Critics, including Rep. Abigail Spanberger, argue her nomination raises serious national security concerns.

> According to court documents and statements made in court, beginning in 2018, Romanyuk, who operated Estonia-based BY Trade OÜ, conspired with Vadims Ananics and Eriks Mamonovs, both citizens of Latvia who operated CNC Weld, a Latvia-based corporation, and with individuals in Russia and a Russian company, to violate U.S. export laws and regulations to smuggle a 500 Series CPWZ Precision Jig Grinder that was manufactured in Connecticut to Russia.

> “The defendant used her position of trust as an employee to steal nearly a half-million dollars from a small New Hampshire business. Among other items, she used the stolen money to purchase a hot tub and she spent over $5,600 on lavish tickets to watch Tom Brady’s return to Gillette Stadium,” said U.S. Attorney Jane E. Young. “The defendant’s criminal conduct was bold, as she began her fraud only six months after serving a sentence for stealing from a previous employer. The defendant will spend the next two and a half years in federal prison for her deceit along with the financial and emotional turmoil she caused her employer.”

Summary

Elon Musk’s estranged transgender daughter, Vivian Wilson, announced her intention to leave the U.S. after Donald Trump’s 2024 election win, citing concerns over anti-trans sentiment and her lack of a future in the country.

Vivian, who legally separated from Musk in 2022, has openly criticized him, labeling him a “serial adulterer.”

Musk, a prominent Trump supporter who donated heavily to his campaign, has expressed regret over her gender transition, claiming he was “tricked” into supporting puberty blockers.

Meanwhile, Musk has purchased a $35 million compound in Austin, Texas, where he plans to house his children and their mothers.

Summary

A group of masked men with Nazi flags protested outside a performance of “The Diary of Anne Frank” in Howell, Michigan, shouting antisemitic slurs.

Audience members were reportedly frightened and needed escorts to their cars. The Fowlerville Community Theatre, which staged the play, described the protesters' presence as a disturbing reminder of the fear faced by Holocaust victims.

The Anti-Defamation League condemned the display. The incident follows other recent displays of racism in the area.

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> In what will likely be his farewell appearance on the world stage, President Joe Biden faces a daunting question: what to tell world leaders wondering about potential changes in U.S. policies when President-elect Donald Trump returns to the White House with his America First agenda.

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"A few days later, DFCS presented Patterson with a "safety plan" for her to sign. It would require her to delegate a "safety person" to be a "knowing participant and guardian" and watch over the children whenever she leaves home. The plan would also require Patterson to download an app onto her son's phone allowing for his location to be monitored. (The day when it will be illegal not to track one's kids is rapidly approaching.)"

Miller was a senior adviser in Trump’s first term and has been a central figure in many of his policy decisions, notably his move to separate thousands of immigrant families as a deterrence program in 2018. Miller helped craft many of Trump’s hard-line speeches and plans on immigration.

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Summary

President-elect Donald Trump’s proposed mass deportation plan could severely impact California’s agriculture, where many of the farm workers are undocumented immigrants.

Experts warn that deporting these workers could disrupt the U.S. food supply chain, drive up prices, and increase reliance on imports.

California’s $24.7 billion agricultural industry heavily depends on immigrant labor for producing key crops like almonds, strawberries, and lettuce.

Farm worker advocates argue Trump’s immigration policies aim to discourage labor organizing by creating a more vulnerable workforce. California leaders, including Governor Gavin Newsom, are taking steps to safeguard immigrant rights amid growing concerns.

Summary

Democratic Congressman Ruben Gallego has won the Arizona Senate race, becoming the state’s first Latino senator and defeating far-right candidate Kari Lake.

Gallego will replace Kyrsten Sinema, a former Democrat turned independent who did not seek re-election.

Gallego’s lead in fundraising and consistent polling advantage helped secure his 50% to 48% victory. Lake struggled to attract moderate Republicans and independents, partly due to her past criticisms of John McCain.

This win gives Republicans a 52-47 Senate majority, as Democrats lost seats in West Virginia, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Montana.

Summary

Avery Davis Bell faced severe complications with a miscarriage in Georgia, where restrictive abortion laws delayed her necessary medical care.

At 18 weeks pregnant, she was forced to wait for life-saving treatment due to Georgia’s abortion restrictions, which prevent immediate intervention unless a medical emergency escalates.

Bell’s experience highlights the risks imposed by post-Dobbs state laws, with maternal deaths rising faster in states with strict abortion bans.

The law’s impact on Bell’s experience highlights the inhumane consequences of abortion restrictions, which can lead to unnecessary suffering and even death.

Summary

Following Donald Trump’s recent election victory, Google searches for “4B,” a South Korean feminist movement advocating a “no sex, no dating, no marriage, no children” stance, surged in the U.S.

The 4B movement, popular among young women on social media, promotes individual resistance against conservative politics and the erosion of reproductive rights.

The trend reflects a broader ideological divide between young men and women in the U.S., where women under 30 are significantly more liberal than men.

Archived at https://web.archive.org/web/20241112131551/https://slate.com/news-and-politics/2024/11/donald-trump-election-immigration-deportation-border-policy-sanctuary-cities-daca-dreamers.html