Biden and Trump: President Biden welcomed President-elect Donald Trump to the White House yesterday and pledged to do everything possible to ensure a smooth transition of power in January. Trump thanked Biden for his kindness. The two men held a private meeting that lasted about an hour. Melania Trump declined an invitation from First Lady Jill Biden to visit the White House. The White House announced today that President Biden will meet with Chinese President Xi in Lima, Peru, on Saturday. This will be the third meeting between the two leaders.
House: CBS News projected this morning that Republicans will continue to maintain control of the House of Representatives. CBS said that even though some congressional contests have yet to be decided, it is clear that the Republicans now have at least 218 seats, the number needed for control. Republicans have won control of the Senate with at least 52 seats. This gives the Republicans under a Trump Administration what is known as a trifecta — control of both houses of Congress as well as the White House. Â
Matt Gaetz: There is widespread bipartisan disbelief and criticism today surrounding Donald Trump’s selection of former Congressman Matt Gaetz to be attorney general. Gaetz resigned from Congress yesterday after his selection was announced, which has the effect of preventing the House Ethics Committee from releasing a report on him, which was reported to include details of his alleged involvement in a sex trafficking scandal. The Department of Justice investigated charges that Gaetz had sex with and trafficked an underage girl but did not prosecute Gaetz. Gaetz has called for abolishing the Department of Justice, which includes the FBI.
Thune: Republican Senator John Thune of South Dakota has been selected by his Republican colleagues to be the next Senate Majority Leader. Thune ran against Senators John Cornyn and Rick Scott. Donald Trump had favored Scott, who represents Florida. Trump worked to try to defeat Thune when he ran for reelection in 2022. Thune had said Trump should drop out of the 2016 race for president after the “Access Hollywood” tape became public. On the tape, Trump was heard bragging about sexual encounters with women.
Swatting: According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Tampa, Florida, 18-year-old Alan Filion of Lancaster, California, has pleaded guilty to four counts of making interstate threats. What he did is known as “swatting,” sending police swat teams to places where there is no real threat. He could be sent to prison for 20 years. Filion made hundreds of prank calls causing police to send armed swat teams to churches, schools, and homes of government officials around the country. Filion initially had been identified as the caller who resulted in police being dispatched to protect a Florida mosque.
Advanced Auto Parts: Advanced Auto Parts said today that it is closing 523 corporate-owned stores, ending deals for 204 independent locations, and closing four of its 17 distribution centers. It also said it will be working to bring down the cost of merchandise it stocks and plans to bring parts to market faster. Advanced Auto Parts said its third quarter 2024 net sales from continuing operations totaled $2.1 billion, compared with $2.2 billion in the third quarter of last year. Comparable store sales decreased 2.3%. There was a net loss for the quarter of just over $6 million.
