Texas state Rep. Dade Phelan (R-Beaumont) announced on Friday that he will not seek reelection as Speaker of the Texas House. Phelan’s decision comes after claiming last month that he had enough support to defeat both Republican and Democratic challengers.
Sen. Joni Ernst (R-IA) denied allegations on Thursday that she is spearheading a campaign to block Pete Hegseth’s nomination as Defense Secretary and seek the position for herself. Speaking to RealClearPolitics reporter Philip Wegmann, Ernst insisted she supports a fair confirmation process for Hegseth.
Former President Barack Obama suggested that Republicans rig elections by warning that "one side tries to stack the deck and lock in a permanent grip on power."
Elon Musk spent more than $250 million to support President-elect Donald Trump, according to filings with the Federal Election Commission (FEC) reported by The New York Times.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu criticized Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s Labor government on Friday, accusing its anti-Israel policies of fostering antisemitism after an arson attack on a Melbourne synagogue. The Adass Israel synagogue was firebombed during morning prayers, injuring one and causing extensive damage. Worshippers inside reported masked assailants throwing incendiary devices through the windows.
President-elect Donald Trump reiterated his support for Pete Hegseth as Secretary of Defense on Friday, dismissing reports that the nomination might be reconsidered. In a post on Truth Social, Trump praised Hegseth’s qualifications, calling him “a fantastic, high-energy Secretary of Defense” and emphasizing his confidence in the Fox News host.
Canada has banned 324 additional assault-style firearms, continuing its push for stricter gun control. This decision builds on a 2020 ban of 1,500 firearm models, which was expanded to over 2,000 last month as more weapons were identified. Public Safety Minister Dominic LeBlanc announced the new restrictions, which take effect immediately, stating, “Firearms designed for the battlefield plainly do not belong in our communities.”
A group of transgender rights activists staged a protest Thursday near House Speaker Mike Johnson's office on Capitol Hill, opposing a new policy that restricts bathroom use based on biological sex.
Democratic Rep. Jasmine Crockett of Texas sharply criticized the redistricting process in her state during a Thursday House Oversight Committee hearing on the 2020 Census.
