International

Trump appoints new members to his government cabinet

The president-elect of the United States, Donald Trump, announced four new nominations for his government cabinet, some of which will have to be ratified by the US Senate starting January 20, 2025.

The most controversial of them is that of Russell Thurlow Vought, one of the “architectures” of the ultra-conservative government program Project 2025, to be at the head of the Office of Management and Budget of his future Administration.

Vought, 48, was already in charge of that same portfolio during part of Trump’s first term (2017-2021).

“He did an excellent job: we removed four regulations for each new regulation, and it was a great success!” he said in a statement from his transition team.

A “cost reducer” in the cabinet

Trump recalled that Vought has spent many years working on public policies in Washington and is an “aggressive cost reducer and deregulator” who will help his government cabinet implement his “United States first” agenda in all agencies.

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“He knows exactly how to dismantle the deep State (…) and will help us return self-government to the people,” added the future president about his chosen one.

An ex-NFL to Urban Planning and Housing

He also nominated in the Urban Planning and Housing portfolio of his future Administration the former American football player Scott Turner, who spent nine seasons in the National League of American Football (NFL) with the Washington Redskins, the San Diego Chargers and the Denver Broncos.

During Trump’s first term (2017-2021) Turner served as the first executive director of the White House’s revitalization and opportunity office, dedicated to the most needy communities.

According to the statement of the transition team, these areas received thanks to their work about 50 billion dollars (about 48 billion euros) in private investment.

Trump also pointed out that Turner, originally from Texas, is a pastor at the Prestonwood Baptist Church.

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“He will work with me to make the United States great again for EVERY American,” said the New York tycoon, who also congratulated the appointment of the woman and the son of his chosen one.

The Work portfolio at the hands of a Latina

On the other hand, the congresswoman of Latin origin Lori Chavez-DeRemer will be his next Secretary of Labor.

“He has worked tirelessly with the business and labor sector to develop the workforce of the United States and support working men and women,” said the former president, who won the elections on November 5 against Democrat Kamala Harris.

As the congresswoman explained so far, her grandmother’s family emigrated to the United States from Mexico so that her children could live a better life and achieve their American dream.

“I am proud of my Latin roots and the achievements achieved by the Hispanic community in our great country,” she said in a Facebook post.

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Chavez-DeRemer began her career in public service in 2002 at the Parks Committee of the city of Happy Valley, Oregon, and later won a position on the City Council, of which she was later president.

She was elected mayor in 2010, becoming the first Latino mayor of the municipality, and re-elected in 2014.
In 2022 she was elected to the US House of Representatives to represent the fifth district of the Oregon Congress.

A billionaire to take care of the Treasury

For the cabinet’s Treasury portfolio, Trump trusted billionaire Scott Bessent, investor and fund manager.

Bessent is the founder of the macro-investment firm Key Square Group, in the last election campaign he hosted a fundraising event for the Republican in South Carolina and Trump has described him in the past as one of the brightest minds on Wall Street.

In the event that his nomination is confirmed and validated by the Senate, Bessent awaits Bessen a crucial role in overseeing a broad portfolio that will cover international trade, taxes, financial regulation and US sanctions.

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The Washington Post newspaper pointed out that people close to Trump’s transition team point out that the financier caught his attention in part because of his negative predictions about the impact of a possible Democratic victory in the elections of last November 5.

Bessent, who studied at Yale, was manager of George Soros’ fortune, but left the investor and philanthropist’s firm to set up his own fund.

International

Florida judge sets 2027 trial in Trump’s $10 billion lawsuit against BBC

A federal judge in Florida has scheduled February 2027 for the trial in the lawsuit filed by U.S. President Donald Trump against the BBC, in which he is seeking $10 billion in damages for defamation.

Trump accuses the British broadcaster of airing a misleading edit of a speech he delivered on January 6, 2021, which, he says, made it appear that he explicitly urged his supporters to attack the U.S. Capitol in Washington.

The president filed the suit in December in federal court in Florida, alleging defamation and violations of a law governing business practices when the program was broadcast ahead of the 2024 election.

Trump is seeking $5 billion in damages for each of the two claims.

Lawyers for the BBC unsuccessfully asked the court to dismiss the case, arguing that Trump had not suffered a “legally recognizable harm,” since the investigative program Panorama, which included the edited footage, aired outside the United States.

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International

Head-of-state diplomacy key to guiding China–U.S. ties, Beijing says

Head-of-state diplomacy plays an irreplaceable strategic guiding role in China–United States relations, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said on Thursday during a regular press briefing, when asked about high-level exchanges between the two sides.

Lin added that in a recent phone call, U.S. President Donald Trump once again expressed his intention to visit China in April, while Chinese President Xi Jinping reiterated his invitation.

Both sides remain in communication regarding the matter, the spokesperson said.

Lin noted that the essence of China–U.S. economic and trade ties lies in mutual benefit and win-win outcomes.

“Both parties should work together to implement the important consensus reached by the two heads of state, injecting greater certainty and stability into China–U.S. economic and trade cooperation, as well as into the global economy,” he said.

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International

Trump administration to end special immigration operation in Minnesota

The administration of Donald Trump is bringing to a close its special operation targeting illegal immigration in the northern state of Minnesota, border czar Tom Homan announced Thursday, following weeks of unrest and the fatal shootings of two activists by federal agents.

Thousands of federal officers had been deployed to Minnesota in December to carry out large-scale raids against undocumented immigrants.

The operations triggered strong reactions from residents and advocacy groups, leading to daily confrontations and the deaths of two people who were shot by federal agents.

“I proposed, and President Trump agreed, that this special operation should end in Minnesota,” Homan said during a press conference in the state capital, Minneapolis.

“A significant drawdown began this week and will continue into next week,” he added.

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Homan indicated that similar enforcement efforts could be launched in other cities.

“Next week we will redeploy the agents currently here back to their home stations or to other parts of the country where they are needed. But we will continue to enforce immigration laws,” he said.