Homan named: Donald Trump has named Tom Homan to be in charge of the U.S. southern border and the country’s border with Canada during his administration beginning Jan. 20. Homan was acting director of ICE, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, during the first Trump Administration. During a speech to the Republican National Convention this summer, Homan warned illegal immigrants in the U.S. to start packing because they would be thrown out if Trump got into office. Homan proclaimed that he had spent 34 years throwing people out of the U.S. Â
Appointments: Donald Trump spent at least part of the weekend working with his transition team at his Mar-a-Lago resort planning ways to bypass Congress and push through thousands of appointments to fill government jobs with loyalists. Reporting indicates they will make acting appointments and use the recess appointment process to avoid the normal Congressional confirmation process for appointees. This would prevent Congress from being able to determine whether a person is qualified for a job and either confirm or reject an appointment.
Ukraine: Russia has denied a report by The Washington Post that Donald Trump spoke with Russian President Vladimir Putin and told Putin not to escalate the war in Ukraine. A Kremlin spokesman said today the report is pure fiction and that there was no conversation between Putin and Trump. Trump said during the campaign that if he was elected he would end the war between Russia and Ukraine in one day. There were reports that Trump’s plan to end the war is based on giving Putin the Ukrainian territory his troops have captured.
Shootings: One person has been arrested in the shootings yesterday on the campus of Tuskegee University in Atlanta. One person was killed and 16 others wounded in the shootings. A 25-year-old man identified as Jaquez Myrick was arrested. The FBI has joined the investigation. Classes were cancelled for today at Tuskegee University. The shootings came at the end of the university’s 100th Homecoming Week celebration.
Yemen: Over the weekend, the U.S. carried out strikes on Houthi strongholds in the country of Yemen. Houthis based in Yemen have fired on ships in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden. The Houthis, backed by Iran, have interfered with global shipping through their attacks on commercial ships. They also have fired on U.S. Navy ships. The U.S. has staged periodic attacks on Houthi positions in Yemen.
British Royals: The Princess of Wales, Kate Middleton, who has recovered from cancer treatments, appeared with her husband Prince William at Britain’s Remembrance Day ceremonies yesterday and Saturday that honor Britain’s armed forces and veterans. King Charles and other members of the Royal Family also made appearances over the weekend. King Charles also has been treated for cancer. Queen Camilla did not appear in public and was said to be recovering from a chest infection.
