House Republicans’ majority just got smaller with Waltz’s resignation
House Republicans lost another member after Rep. Mike Waltz, R-Fla., resigned to take his post as President Donald Trump’s national security adviser. The GOP majority in the chamber is now 218-215.
A special election to replace Waltz will occur in April. At the same time, residents of the Florida panhandle will also elect former Rep. Matt Gaetz’s replacement.
Republicans are on track to lose more members to the Trump administration. Trump nominated Rep. Elise Stefanik, R-N.Y., to serve as United Nations ambassador. Assuming the Senate votes to confirm her, the GOP can only lose one vote to pass legislation without Democratic support.
Each departing member comes from safe Republican districts. Their seats will likely remain in Republican hands after the special elections.
The shrinking Republican majority could significantly impact the passage of key pieces of legislation. That includes the government spending bill, which needs approval by March, and also a budget reconciliation package that Republicans want signed into law by Memorial Day, which falls on May 26.
Even with Waltz and Stefanik, passage was not guaranteed. Their departures will make it necessary to bring forward a bill that can draw some Democratic support to make up for conservative fiscal hawks who say they’ll vote against it.
Senate Republicans are also losing members to the Trump administration. However, the constitution allows state governors to appoint replacements before the election, meaning those positions have already been filled.
Trump calls on Voight, Stallone and Gibson for Hollywood revamp
President-elect Donald Trump has announced a new approach to Hollywood. He is appointing three well-known actors to serve as his “eyes and ears” in the entertainment industry.
Trump introduced Jon Voight, Mel Gibson and Sylvester Stallone as part of his team. He believes these industry veterans can help address what he describes as a “troubled place.”
In a Truth Social post Thursday, Jan. 16, Trump said in part, “They will serve as Special Envoys to me for the purpose of bringing Hollywood, which has lost much business over the last four years to Foreign Countries, BACK—BIGGER, BETTER, AND STRONGER THAN EVER BEFORE!”
The exact roles of the trio remain unclear. However, all three actors have previously expressed public support for Trump.
Voight has been one of Trump’s most outspoken advocates in Hollywood. In a 2019 video, Voight said, “I know you will agree with me when I say our president has our utmost respect and our love.”
Voight’s loyalty to Trump was also recognized when the president awarded him the National Medal of Arts in 2019.
Stallone has also demonstrated support for Trump. Recently, he attended the America First Policy Gala in Palm Beach, Florida. During the event, Stallone introduced Trump as the “second George Washington.”
Gibson joined the list of supporters during the 2024 presidential election. He publicly endorsed Trump, stating his concerns about the opposition. In an interview referring to Vice President Kamala Harris, Gibson said, “I know what it’ll be like if we let her in, and that ain’t good.”
For now, the specific plans and goals for this team remain unclear. However, Trump has stated he intends to consider any ideas they propose for revitalizing the entertainment industry.
California joins GOP-led states in raising US flags for Trump inauguration
California Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom is joining Republican-led states in raising American flags to full height for President-elect Donald Trump’s inauguration ceremony. Flags have been ordered at half-staff across the U.S. to honor the late President Jimmy Carter, who died on Dec. 29.
The standard period for lowering flags in honor of a deceased president is 30 days, under an Eisenhower-era proclamation setting the length of the honor. However, Trump expressed his desire to have flags raised for the inauguration, and fellow Republicans supported the move.
Trump posted on Truth Social, writing, “The Democrats are all ‘giddy’ about our magnificent American Flag potentially being at ‘half mast’ during my inauguration. They think it’s so great, and are so happy about it because, in actuality, they don’t love our country … Nobody wants to see this, and no American can be happy about it.”
Newsom’s office confirmed that flags will be raised to full height on Monday, Jan. 20, making California the first Democrat-led state to do so.
States raising American flag to full height for Inauguration Day:
On Tuesday, Jan. 14, House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., also announced that flags at the U.S. Capitol will fly at full staff on Monday, Jan. 20, and be lowered Tuesday, Jan. 21, to continue honoring former President Carter.
Adams’ public schedule said he’s in Palm Beach, Florida, where Trump’s Mar-a-Lago estate is located.
His spokesperson, Fabien Levy, said the two will discuss “New Yorkers’ priorities.”
“The mayor looks forward to having a productive conversation with the incoming president on how we can move our city and country forward,” Levy posted on X.
Tomorrow, Mayor Adams will sit down with President-elect Trump and discuss New Yorkers’ priorities. The mayor looks forward to having a productive conversation with the incoming president on how we can move our city and country forward.
Adams previously said he wants to work with the incoming Trump administration, especially on immigration and border security after his city has struggled to address an influx of migrants.
The mayor’s office said last week that more than 229,000 migrants have arrived in New York City seeking city services since the spring of 2022.
DeSantis details proposals for Florida’s role in Trump’s immigration plan
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis outlined several proposals for how the state can support incoming President Donald Trump’s immigration plan, which includes mass deportations. The proposals come just a few days after DeSantis announced his intention to call a special session to address illegal immigration.
DeSantis proposed giving local and state law enforcement full authority to enforce immigration laws. It would include the power to arrest and detain immigrants who are in the country illegally. He also suggested appointing a state immigration officer to oversee coordination efforts with federal immigration authorities.
Additionally, the Florida governor recommended implementing a criminal penalty for anyone entering the state illegally. Currently, illegal entry into the United States is only a federal crime.
“We should do this so that we have an ability to hold them accountable in ways,” DeSantis said. “And my thing on this when people say, ‘Oh, well, deport the criminals.’ The problem with that is if somebody is here and they’re in a gang and they haven’t committed a crime yet, are you just supposed to sit there and wait until somebody is victimized? No, your illegal entry into our state was a crime. We get that on the books, and then we send you back home where you belong. So we need to do that.”
DeSantis expressed skepticism that Congress would pass immigration reform. He said it would be up to state leaders to proactively assist the federal government when Trump returns to the White House on Monday, Jan. 20.
However, some Florida state lawmakers have said they are not interested in a special session, complicating if and when the session will be held.
Meanwhile, other state leaders are either preparing to align with Trump’s immigration plan or outlining a defense against mass deportations.
Gov. Newsom convenes special session in California
California Gov. Gavin Newsom convened a “Trump-proofing” special session of the state legislature.
On Monday, Jan. 13, California State Sen. Scott Wiener announced amended legislation allocating $25 million for legal aid to those at risk of deportation. Lawmakers also proposed setting aside $25 million for state and local lawsuits against the Trump administration.
“Senate Democrats are particularly proud to provide funding for providers of legal aid services, which know our communities’ needs best and are best positioned to defend at scale the millions of individuals and families that will be impacted by the incoming administration’s extreme agenda,” Wiener said in a statement.
Idaho bill targets undocumented immigrants
In Idaho, lawmakers introduced a bill Tuesday, Jan. 14, that, if passed, would allow local law enforcement to arrest and charge migrants who are in the country illegally. ACLU officials have stated that they will challenge the legislation if it becomes law. They argue that it is unconstitutional and could lead to racial profiling.
Gov. Hochul, Mayor Adams address immigration in New York
In New York, Gov. Kathy Hochul reaffirmed her commitment to protecting migrants working and living in the country for years. However, she stated that immigrants living in the country illegally who commit crimes should be deported.
“If someone breaks the law, I’ll be the first one to call up [U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement] and say, ‘Get them out of here,’” Hochul said.
New York City Mayor Eric Adams echoed a similar sentiment. After meeting with Trump’s incoming “border czar,” Tom Homan, last month, Adams said they both want to get criminal migrants off the streets of New York.
“We’re going to protect the rights of immigrants in this city that are hard-working, giving back to this city in a real way,” Adams said at the time. “We’re not going to be a safe haven for those that commit repeated violent crimes against innocent migrants, immigrants and long-standing New Yorkers.”
Texas offers land for detention facilities
In Texas, Gov. Greg Abbott’s administration has offered land to the Trump administration where it can build detention facilities and carry out its mass deportations.
Trump’s mass deportation plan
Homan, who Trump tapped to help facilitate the deportations, has said the federal government has a “zero tolerance” policy when it comes to unlawful migration. He also emphasized that sanctuary cities and states undermine the rule of law. Homan warned Democratic lawmakers in November “to get the hell out of the way” if they oppose Trump’s deportation plans.
Trump has stated that he plans to implement his mass deportation plan on his first day in office. The inauguration will take place Monday.
Biden warns of ‘oligarchy’ and ‘tech-industrial complex’ in farewell speech
President Joe Biden’s farewell speech to America on Wednesday included several warnings. And a ceasefire deal to end more than a year of fighting in the Middle East between Israel and Hamas hit a snag. These stories and more highlight your Unbiased Updates for Thursday, Jan. 16, 2025.
Biden warns of ‘oligarchy,’ ‘tech-industrial complex’ in farewell speech
Speaking from the Oval Office one last time, President Joe Biden delivered his farewell address Wednesday night, Jan. 15. Biden spoke on reforms he would like to see in Washington and issued a stark warning detailing his concerns about what he sees as a concentration of power among the ultra-wealthy and the risks of technology.
In what is likely his final address to the nation after a political career spanning five decades, Biden opened his speech with the ceasefire deal in Gaza announced earlier in the day. He said he kept the incoming administration fully informed during the process.
He said some of his top accomplishments in office include job growth following the pandemic, infrastructure modernization and Medicare reform, telling Americans it will take time to feel the full impact of what has been achieved.
With the inauguration of President-elect Donald Trump just days away, Biden said he would ensure a peaceful transfer of power, but he did have a warning.
“Today, an oligarchy is taking shape in America of extreme wealth, power and influence that literally threatens our entire democracy, our basic rights and freedoms, and a fair shot for everyone to get ahead,” Biden said. “We see the consequences all across America, and we’ve seen it before. More than a century ago, the American people stood up to the robber barons back then and busted the trusts. They didn’t punish the wealthy. They just made the wealthy play by the rules everybody else had. Workers want rights to earn their fair share.”
Referencing former President Dwight Eisenhower’s concerns about a military-industrial complex six decades ago, Biden said he’s equally concerned about the dangers of a potential rise of a tech-industrial complex.
“Americans are being buried under an avalanche of misinformation and disinformation enabling the abuse of power,” he said. “The free press is crumbling. Editors are disappearing. Social media is giving up on fact-checking. The truth is smothered by lies told for power and for profit. We must hold the social platforms accountable to protect our children, our families and our very democracy from the abuse of power.”
Biden remarked on the rise of artificial intelligence, calling it the most consequential technology of our time. He emphasized that the U.S., not China, must lead the race.
The president also spoke of his hopes for change in the nation’s capital, calling for an end of hidden funding called “dark money” from campaign contributions, a ban on stock trading from members of Congress and for the U.S. to enact an 18-year term limit on Supreme Court justices. He also called for the U.S. Constitution to be amended.
“We need to amend the Constitution to make clear that no president, no president is immune from crimes that he or she commits while in office,” Biden asserted. “The president’s power is not limit[less] — it is not absolute. And it shouldn’t be.”
In closing, Biden called on Americans to stay engaged in democracy. Telling the story of a veteran who worked at the Statue of Liberty, known as the Keeper of the Flame, he said America will always be defined by one word: “possibilities.”
“My eternal thanks to you, the American people,” Biden said. “After 50 years of public service, I give you my word, I still believe in the idea for which this nation stands [for] — a nation where the strength of our institutions and the character of our people matter and must endure. Now it’s your turn to stand guard. May you all be the keeper of the flame. May you keep the faith. I love America. You love it, too.”
Republicans, Democrats react to Biden’s farewell address
Rep. Nancy Mace, R-S.C., wrote on X, “Joe Biden discussing democracy, a free press, institutions and the abuse of power in his final farewell speech is rich.”
Rep. Darrell Issa, R-Calif., also weighed in, writing, “Joe Biden’s going out of office the same way he went in: petty, partisan and frankly not telling the truth.”
“President Biden’s ‘farewell address’ should have been a formal apology for the endless lawfare, inflation-fueling policies and reckless decisions made during his administration,” Republican Sen. Rick Scott of Florida added.
Democrats responded differently.
“Tonight, President Biden delivered his farewell address to a nation that is stronger because of his leadership,” former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said. “In doing so, he honored the vision of founders, the sacrifice of our men and women in uniform and the aspirations of our children.”
Former President Barack Obama also responded to his former vice president.
“Four years ago, in the middle of a pandemic, we needed a leader with the character to put politics aside and do what was right. That’s what Joe Biden did… I’m grateful to Joe for his leadership, his friendship and his lifetime of service to this country we love,” Obama said.
Netanyahu says cabinet won’t meet over ceasefire deal with Hamas yet
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office said his cabinet will not meet to approve the deal for a ceasefire in Gaza until Hamas ends a “last-minute crisis.” The decision comes after Netanyahu’s office said Hamas retracted on some of the terms of the agreement but did not specify which.
Even as a deal seems close or even imminent, Israeli strikes continued in the Gaza Strip, with the territory’s health ministry reporting at least 48 people killed over the past day.
Under the three-phase ceasefire agreement, fighting will stop in Gaza for 42 days. Thirty-three Israeli hostages, including two Americans, and hundreds of Palestinian prisoners will be freed during the first phase. It is set to go into effect Sunday, Jan. 19.
The remainder of the hostages, including Israeli male soldiers, are to be released during the second phase. Hamas said it will not release the remaining captives without a lasting ceasefire and a full Israeli withdrawal.
Israeli troops will pull back to the edges of Gaza and many Palestinians will be able to return to what remains of their homes — something many people took to the streets to celebrate. Israel is also set to allow a flood of humanitarian aid into the region.
The Associated Press reported Thursday morning that mediators from Egypt, Qatar and the U.S. will meet in Cairo on Thursday for talks on implementing the deal.
On Truth Social, Trump said his administration will continue to work closely with Israel to make sure Gaza never again becomes what he called a “terrorist safe haven.”
Crews work to control Los Angeles area wildfires as winds die down
The National Weather Service lifted the red flag warning for the Los Angeles area Wednesday night as winds died down. Strong winds have made it harder for fire crews to battle the flames.
However, dangerous fire and weather conditions are expected to return next week.
Good news: We are expecting a much-needed break from the fire weather concerns to close this week. Bad News: Next week is a concern. While confident that we will NOT see a repeat of last week, dangerous fire weather conditions are expected. #cawx#PalisadesFire#EatonFirepic.twitter.com/zhXmHUWtgp
This comes as firefighters still work to contain the two biggest, deadliest and most destructive fires in Southern California. The Palisades and Eaton fires continue to rage in the Los Angeles area.
Plus, a new vegetation fire broke out in the San Bernardino area Wednesday afternoon.
The Eaton and Palisades fires have not grown much over the past few days, but they are both still largely uncontained. Fire officials reported some progress in the desperate fight to extinguish the flames.
Meanwhile, the Little Mountain fire in San Bernardino spans over 30 acres at 0% containment. Police arrested a man in connection with that fire on two felony charges, including one of reckless burning.
Senate confirmation hearings continue as Inauguration Day nears
Senate confirmation hearings continue Thursday, Jan. 16, as President-elect Donald Trump’s picks for interior secretary, EPA administrator, housing and urban development secretary and treasury secretary answer questions from lawmakers.
“To my knowledge, Donald Trump has never acknowledged the legal results of the 2020 election,” Democratic Illinois Sen. Dick Durbin said to Bondi. “Are you prepared to say today, under oath without reservation, that Donald Trump lost the presidential contest to Joe Biden in 2020?”
Bondi replied, “Ranking Member Durbin, President Biden is the president of the United States. He was duly sworn in, and he is the President of the United States. There was a peaceful transition of power. President Trump left office and was overwhelmingly elected in 2024.”
Republican Sen. Marco Rubio, Trump’s pick for secretary of state, also had his hearing Wednesday. Straight Arrow News political correspondent Ray Bogan has a complete breakdown of what happened here.
Blue Origin’s New Glenn rocket lifts off on first space flight
Thursday morning saw a big win for billionaire Jeff Bezos’ space company, Blue Origin, as its New Glenn rocket blasted off into orbit.
The company’s first rocket powerful enough to launch satellites into space took off just after 2 a.m. ET from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida. All seven of its engines fired successfully.
Blue Origin marked the mission a success after demonstration technology on board, called the Blue Ring Pathfinder, was safely carried to orbit.
However, the company did not reach its bonus goal of guiding part of the New Glenn rocket back to a safe landing on a platform in the middle of the ocean after takeoff.
It took rival SpaceX four tries to get a similar maneuver right.
Still, Blue Origin stressed its most important goal was for the test satellite to reach orbit. NASA intends to use the New Glenn rocket to launch two orbiters to Mars in the future.
Democrats and Republicans criticize Biden over Cuba terror list removal
One of President Biden’s final foreign policy decisions in the White House to remove Cuba from the state sponsor of terrorism list has caused criticism from both sides of the political aisle. Sources tell The Associated Press that senior Biden administration officials who previewed the plan say dozens of political prisoners and others considered by the U.S. to be unjustly detained would be released by the end of the Biden administration at noon on Jan. 20.
The Catholic Church has been negotiating with Cuba’s communist-run government to facilitate the prisoner release.
The plan would also ease some economic pressure on Cuba, as well as a 2017 memorandum issued by then-President Donald Trump toughening U.S. position toward Cuba.
Reaction from Republicans
Republican officials are criticizing Biden’s choice, including Rep. María Elvira Salazar, R-Fla., who said on X, “Cuba is a leading sponsor of terrorism harboring, training and enabling Hamas, Hezbollah and other terrorist enemies of the U.S.”
Once again, the Democrats have BETRAYED the Cubans!
Shame on the entire Biden Administration for taking Cuba off the State Sponsor of Terrorism list.
Cuba is a LEADING sponsor of Terrorism, harboring, training & enabling Hamas, Hezbollah & other terrorist enemies of the USA. pic.twitter.com/4u9slVJCae
Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, also weighed in on the decision.
“These moves do incredible damage to American national security and send a message to our adversaries that they can rely on outgoing democrat administrations – and wait out pressure from republican administrations – to continue engaging in terrorism and other aggression against Americans,” Cruz said in a statement.
Florida Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis condemned the decision.
“The Biden administration continues on its quest to leave as much wreckage behind on its way out the door as possible,” DeSantis said on X.
The Biden Administration continues on its quest to leave as much wreckage behind on its way out the door as possible. Cuba should not be removed from the list of state sponsors of terrorism. The communist dictatorship in Cuba is one of the most repressive regimes in the world and…
Florida’s Democratic Party is also criticizing Biden. Democratic Party chair, Nikki Fried, released a statement disagreeing with the action.
“While any return of political prisoners from the clutches of communist Cuba is cause for celebration, the regime’s treatment of the Cuban people continues to be one of the biggest human rights violations of the last century,” Fried said on X.
The Florida Democratic Party condemns the removal of Cuba from the list of state sponsors of terrorism.
Rep. Ritchie Torres, D-N.Y. disagrees with the administration’s decision as well.
“Do the majority of Cuban Americans support the removal of Cuba, an adversary of the U.S., from the list of state sponsors of terrorism?” Torres said on X. “If the answer is ‘no,’ then why is the Biden administration unnecessarily alienating Cuban Americans?”
Do the majority of Cuban Americans support the removal of Cuba, an adversary of the US, from the list of state sponsors of terrorism?
If the answer is ‘no,’ then why is the Biden Administration unnecessarily alienating Cuban Americans? I agree with the Florida Democratic… https://t.co/X9YDDl67gE
However, Rep. Ilhan Omar, D-Minn., applauds the decision.
“I welcome the Biden administration’s steps to remove Cuba from the state sponsor of terrorism list – a long overdue action that will help normalize relations with our neighbor,” Omar said in a statement.
Will the decision stay?
The move probably won’t last though, with President-elect Trump’s team likely to reverse the decision.
His choice for secretary of state, Marco Rubio, has backed punitive measures against the island’s government.
Former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo designated Cuba as a state sponsor of terrorism in January 2021. He said Cuba hadn’t followed through on commitments it made to President Barack Obama in 2015.
Cuba was one of just four nations designated as state sponsors of terrorism, along with North Korea, Iran and Syria.
They said even though the law is meant to keep kids from accessing sexually explicit content online, it’s vague and “imposes significant burdens on adults’ access to constitutionally protected expression.” Opponents also said it also presents privacy and security concerns because adults are forced to share personally identifying information to access the sites.
The law, signed by Texas Gov. Greg Abbott in 2023, requires porn sites to verify official documentation like government-issued IDs or face large fines. The law says any website that contains “one-third” sexual material is considered a site that requires age verification, though social media sites are exempt.
The Texas law also requires sites to display health notices on their landing page that says viewing pornography is potentially addictive, weakens brain function and is associated with low self-esteem and body image, among other issues.
A U.S. district judge temporarily blocked the law in September 2024, but then the U.S. Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals undid that, saying requiring age verification does not violate the First Amendment.
The Supreme Court’s ruling will impact more than just Texas. Multiple other states have passed laws mandating age-verification for porn sites including Louisiana, Florida, South Carolina and Tennessee.
Florida sues company tied to Dem congresswoman over $5M COVID overpayment
If the government puts a decimal point in the wrong place and overpays you by $5 million, what would you do with it? In the case of one Florida business, it may have been cashing the check and loaning money to help their CEO get elected to Congress.
It’s a decision which left the business in trouble with the law.
Florida is suing healthcare services company Trinity Health Care Services, which the state paid to register people for COVID-19 vaccinations.
Except instead of paying the planned amount of $50,578.50… Florida paid them $5,078,500.00.
And now, the state wants the money back, alleging the company took the money despite knowing it was an overpayment.
But the money may help explain a years-long mystery about how a congresswoman’s ethical report showed a massive jump in funding from 2020 to 2021.
Reporter Jacob Rubashkin with the non-partisan newsletter Inside Elections noted Trinity’s then-CEO, Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick, loaned herself $6.2 million to fund a congressional campaign. Chefilus-McCormick has served as a Democratic member of the House since 2022.
In the case against Trinity, the state is asking for the company to cover state costs including damages and attorney’s fees. The company did not comment to a USA Today affiliate in Tallahassee when they broke the news about the lawsuit.
Cherfilus-McCormick faces a separate, unrelated investigation by the House’s independent Office of Congressional Ethics, which is looking at whether she failed to report possibly illegal payments to a political action committee and other possible misuses of campaign funds.
Democratic Sen. Fetterman to discuss nominees in first meeting with Trump
Acknowledging that President-elect Donald Trump invited him and he accepted, Pennsylvania Sen. John Fetterman, D, has confirmed that he will travel to south Florida and meet with Trump at his Mar-a-Lago resort. It will be the first meeting between the incoming president and a sitting Democratic U.S. senator.
Trump won the key battleground state of Pennsylvania in the November election and its 19 electoral votes. During the campaign, Fetterman endorsed Kamala Harris, but acknowledged that Trump had momentum in his state and a connection to Pennsylvania voters, saying he could see the intensity and it was astonishing.
Most recently, Fetterman was the first Democrat to sponsor the Laken Riley Act, which stipulates that federal authorities detain immigrants charged with or convicted of such crimes as burglary, larceny, theft or shoplifting. The bill passed in the House and is now headed for the Senate.
In an interview on Fox News this week, the Democrat appeared to be open to Donald Trump’s desire to acquire Greenland and make it part of the United States. Fetterman said he would not favor taking Greenland by force, but said it’s worth having a conversation about acquiring or buying it.
During their upcoming meeting, President-elect Trump is expected to talk with Fetterman about nominees who need U.S. Senate confirmation, including Pete Hegseth for secretary of the Department of Defense.