Politics and Government News

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Listen: New York Times reporter Reid Epstein on Ken Martin’s bid for DNC chair
Reid Epstein, a reporter with The New York Times, spoke with Martin, who argued Democrats’ downfall was their message failing to land with voters ahead of the 2024 election.
Veteran news editor expects Trump ‘to go after the press in every conceivable way’
Former Washington Post executive editor Marty Baron says he thinks Trump is “salivating for the opportunity to prosecute and imprison journalists.” New Yorker editor David Remnick agrees.
Hennepin County commissioners delay vote on proposal to reduce jail population
The state’s Department of Corrections ordered Hennepin County to reduce the number of inmates at some of its jails by Dec. 5. However, the county board balked at the $8 million proposal to board inmates at jails in other counties, saying it needs more time to get staff input and seek less costly alternatives.
House Ethics Committee is deadlocked on whether to release Gaetz report
The U.S. House Committee on Ethics is deadlocked on whether to release its report into former Rep. Matt Gaetz, whose nomination to serve as Trump’s attorney general has been plagued by controversy.
Trump picks Matthew Whitaker for ambassador to NATO
President-elect Donald Trump tapped Matthew Whitaker as his ambassador to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, which Trump has long criticized for taking advantage of U.S. defense spending.
Trump picks business executive Linda McMahon to lead the Education Department
McMahon is a professional wrestling business magnate and co-chair of President-elect Donald Trump's transition team. She has limited experience working with K-12 public schools.
Trump picks Dr. Oz to lead Medicare and Medicaid
In announcing his pick, Trump said Oz will work closely with RFK, Jr. “to take on the illness industrial complex.” Oz, a celebrity physician, ran unsuccessfully for the U.S. Senate in 2022.
A GOP lawmaker introduces a Capitol bathroom rule before her trans colleague arrives
South Carolina Rep. Nancy Mace says the resolution aims to protect women's rights. Democratic Rep.-elect Sarah McBride, the first out trans person elected to Congress, has slammed it as a distraction.