Funeral for Pope Francis Held in Vatican City

Roman Catholic Church officials and foreign dignitaries gathered at St. Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City Saturday to bid farewell to Pope Francis, who died at 88 this past week after suffering a stroke.

Francis was the first pope born outside Europe since 741.

Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, dean of the College of Cardinals, emphasized in his homily Pope Francis’s legacy as a bridge-builder and advocate for the marginalized. He recalled Francis’s repeated exhortation to “build bridges, not walls,” and his unwavering commitment to social justice, peace, and dialogue across divides.

Notable people in attendance included current US President Donald Trump and former President Joe Biden, French President Emmanuel Macron, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky (with whom Trump met while in Rome), and Argentinian President Javier Milei.

Pope Francis was born as Jorge Mario Bergoglio in Buenos Aires in 1936 into an Italian Argentinian family. He was the eldest of five children. As part of his schooling, he earned a chemical technician’s diploma, working in a laboratory. He also worked as a janitor and as a bouncer.

In his twenties, he entered seminary and joined the Society of Jesus, better known as the Jesuits. By 1998, he had become the archbishop of the Diocese of Buenos Aires, and he was made a cardinal in 2001.

Bergoglio was considered a contender for the papacy in the 2006 conclave to replace the late John Paul II, in which German cardinal Joseph Ratzinger was elected and became Benedict XVI. When Benedict stepped down from the papacy in 2013, Bergoglio was elected and chose Francis as his papal name in honor of St. Francis of Assisi, who inspired his dedication to serving the needs of the poor.

 

Trump Administration Deals With Fallout from Leaked Chat

A leaked Signal chat involving senior Trump administration officials, including National Security Adviser Mike Waltz, Vice President JD Vance, and Defense secretary Pete Hegseth, has sparked controversy over its discussion of airstrikes against Houthi militants in Yemen. The chat, which inadvertently included The Atlantic editor-in-chief Jeffrey Goldberg, revealed sensitive details about US military planning and intelligence-sharing with Israel. Israeli officials reportedly expressed anger over the exposure of intelligence provided by their sources in Yemen, while critics argue the leak may have compromised U.S. intelligence operations and endangered lives.

The Trump administration has denied that classified information was shared, with CIA Director John Ratcliffe testifying that no sources or methods were disclosed.

President Trump so far has defended Waltz, who is believed to have added Goldberg to the chat, as a "good man.” Trump has continued to refuse calls to remove Waltz from his administration.

 

US Government Vows to Crack Down on Tesla Attacks

Tesla vehicles and dealerships have faced escalating attacks, including arson, vandalism, and gunfire, as protests grow against CEO Elon Musk's role in the Trump administration’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). Critics blame Musk for federal agency cuts and workforce reductions, sparking the ‘Tesla Takedown’ movement.

 The Trump administration has responded forcefully, with Attorney General Pam Bondi labeling the acts "domestic terrorism" and promising severe penalties. The FBI has launched a task force to investigate and prosecute those responsible for the attacks.

 

Musk’s Role in DOGE Ignites Layoff Wave, Controversy

Elon Musk, in his role as de facto head of the new Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), has continued his controversial role in aggressively pursuing federal workforce reductions, which have already impacted tens of thousands of federal workers in layoffs and buyout offers.

The Trump administration has escalated these efforts, ordering federal agencies to submit plans for "large-scale reductions in force" by mid-March, as well continuing its return to office mandates for federal workers.

Musk's leadership style, which includes demanding productivity justifications from employees via email, has drawn criticism. At a recent Cabinet meeting, Trump hinted at further dismissals for those who fail to respond to Musk's directives.

These actions have raised concerns and sparked legal challenges about the impact on public services. Critics argue that many of Musk has too much power in the administration and questioned his authority to make these decisions. Musk has been classed as a “special government employee” in his role in the administration.

 

Tense Trump/Zelensky Meeting Ends Without Deal

Tensions flared during a high-stakes meeting at the White House Friday amongst President Donald Trump, Vice President JD Vance, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky during an Oval Office meeting in front of the press. The discussion, meant to serve as precursor to a press conference later in the afternoon, started out positively before devolving into a near shouting match among the three leaders.

After discussing the potential mineral rights deal during the meeting, Zelensky expressed concerns about trusting Russian President Vladimir Putin as part of any potential deal to end hostilities, which both Trump and Vance pushed back against. Vance accused Zelensky of being ungrateful for the military and economic aid provided by the US during the war. Trump also pushed back against Zelensky’s assertion that Putin would not honor a peace deal, though he declined to lay out specific consequences should Putin not honor the terms of any peace deal that is signed.

After the meeting, Trump asked Zelensky and the Ukrainian delegation to leave the White House, canceling the planned lunch and press conference. In a subsequent Truth Social post, Trump accused Zelensky of disrespecting the United State, saying he would only he would only work with Zelensky again when Zelensky “is ready for Peace.”

In an interview with Bret Baier on Fox News, Zelensky said the argument at the White House was “no good,” but continued to praise the US for its partnership. Zelensky also responded that he did not feel like he owed Trump an apology while also defending his earlier statements about distrusting Putin as a partner in diplomatic talks.

 

Trump Administration Kicks Off With Immigration Enforcement, Federal Workforce Changes

Newly inaugurated US President Donald Trump has kicked off his administration with deportation efforts, federal workforce restructuring, and a brief effort to temporarily freeze a host of government funding programs. Supporters of the president are hailing what they perceive as Trump fulfilling his campaign promises, while his opponents criticize what they call a chaotic start to his nascent presidency.

Trump, following his declaration of an emergency at the southern border in response to a high level of border crossings, has green lit military presence along the border. The deployment of at least 1,500 troops aims to provide logistical and surveillance support to regular Border Patrol units.

Across the US, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has conducted raids targeted those residing illegally in the US. While the administration has promised to target those with criminal histories as a priority for arrest and removal, many of those arrested do not have criminal histories aside from their initial illegal crossing.

Trump has also aimed to shake up the federal workforce, instituting a return to office mandate in an aim to induce attrition and to more fully utilize federal office space. The administration has also offered voluntary severance packages, giving an early February deadline to accept. The same email announcing those voluntary severance packages implied that layoffs are expected in the future and that workers should not expect their positions are guaranteed.

The administration also controversially froze federal funding to programs not providing direct payments to US citizens. The directive, both broad and vague, created confusion over its scope, though the administration said Medicare and Social Security would not be affected. The order was later halted by a federal judge.

 

H-1B Visa Debate Exposes Division in Conservative Ranks

A heated debate over H-1B visas has emerged among conservatives, highlighting tensions between right-leaning tech industry advocates and "America First" supporters within President-elect Donald Trump's base. The controversy has been particularly visible on social media, where figures like Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy, both Trump advisers, have faced backlash for supporting the visa program. Musk has emphasized what he calls a "permanent shortage of excellent engineering talent" in the U.S., while in an X post Ramaswamy criticized American culture for prioritizing mediocrity over excellence, suggesting a need for foreign tech talent.

This stance has sparked the ire of other osn the right,  many of whom view the H1-B program as undercutting wages of American citizens through. Opponents of the program have posted screenshots of H-1B jobs, many of which have listed salaries close to the American median or even below.

As this debate unfolds, it may pose a significant challenges for Trump as he navigates between the GOP’s newfound tech industry support and the expectations of his broader voter base.

 

Trump Rounds Out His Administration, Threatens New Tariffs

President-elect Donald Trump has largely filled major administration positions after his victory over Kamala Harris earlier this month.

Major picks include Florida Sen. Marco Rubio as secretary of state, Army National Guard major and political commentator Pete Hegseth as defense secretary, hedge fund manager Scott Bessent as treasury secretary, and former Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi as attorney general (replacing the withdrawn nominee Matt Gaetz).

Susie Wiles, his co-campaign manager and daughter of sportscasting legend Paul Summerall, will become his chief of staff, the first woman to hold that position.

On the policy front, Trump has threatened to raise tariffs on Canada, Mexico, and China, intending to implement a 25% tariff on all goods entering the United States from Canada and Mexico, as well as a 10% tariff on all Chinese imports, on top of existing tariffs. These sweeping measures would affect a wide range of products, potentially impacting automotive manufacturing, agriculture, and consumer goods.

Trump has stated that these tariffs will remain in place until certain conditions are met. For Canada and Mexico, the tariffs would be lifted when the flow of illegal immigrants and drugs, particularly fentanyl, into the United States is controlled. For China, the country would need to halt the export of illegal drugs to the US before the additional tariff would be removed.

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has visited Mar-a-Lago in an effort to begin talks with Trump prior to the tariff implementation. Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum has taken a more aggressive approach, threatening retaliatory tariffs and blaming American drug consumption for the opioid crisis.

 

Trump Poised to Regain Presidency After Clinching 270 Votes

Former President Donald Trump is projected by Decision Desk HQ to win the 2024 presidential election, defeating his Democratic rival Vice President Kamala Harris. As of 12:30 AM CST, Trump is projected to win Georgia, Pennsylvania, and North Carolina, giving him the 270 electoral votes needed to win. He is also leading in Nevada, Arizona, Michigan, and Wisconsin. 

Harris Campaign Co-Chair Cedric Richmond told the crowd at Harris's election night party at Howard University that Harris would not be addressing the crowd this night and for them to return home.

Trump meanwhile is heading towards his election night watch party in Palm Beach, Florida. He was previously at Mar-a-Lago watching election results.

Trump, Harris Making Closing Arguments Ahead of Nov. 5

Former President Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris are making last minute appeals to get their supporters to the polls as election day approaches. Both candidates are effectively tied nationwide and in seven key swing states, though Trump has an advantage in the polling aggregate nationwide and in 5 of the 7 states, according to the RealClearPolitics polling aggregate as of October 30th.

Both recently held what could be considered capstone rallies, with Trump holding his at Madison Square Garden in Manhattan and Harris at the Ellipse in Washington, D.C. In both rallies, the candidates largely reiterated their familiar campaign talking points. Trump’s focused his on combatting illegal immigration along with his proposals to eliminate taxes on taxes on tips, overtime, and social security benefits. Harris focused hers on protecting abortion rights and fighting against what she sees as threats to democracy emanating from Trump’s actions and rhetoric, particularly after the 2020 election.

Betting markets as of October 30th place Trump as the slight favorite to win the election, with a Trump victory paying out approximately 65 cents to a Harris victory’s approximate 35 cents.

 

Harris Slightly Ahead of Trump Nationally as Campaign Enters Final Stretch

Vice President Kamala Harris continues to hold a narrow but steady lead over former President Donald Trump in the RealClearPolitics polling average, edging Trump by 2 points nationally. Trump and Harris are essentially tied in the battleground states that will determine the election, with Trump slightly ahead in Georgia, Arizona, and North Carolina. If Trump wins all three states, he only needs to win in Pennsylvania to beat Harris, where Harris holds a very slight lead in polling. Harris has small but slightly larger leads in Wisconsin, Michigan, and Nevada.

Harris also picked up some polling momentum after the ABC News presidential debate, with Trump’s performance criticized as unfocused. Trump in turn criticized the debate moderators for only factchecking him and not Harris for untrue statements.

Vice presidential candidates Minnesota Governor Tim Walz and Ohio Senator JD Vance will meet this Thursday for the vice presidential debate hosted by CBS.

Harris has led Trump in fundraising since Biden’s July withdrawal from the race, raising over $540 million. In August, the DNC and Harris campaign raised $257 million to the RNC and Trump’s $85 million.

 

Harris Seeks to Continue Campaign Momentum Following DNC, CNN Interview

The 2024 Democratic National Convention in Chicago concluded with Vice President Kamala Harris accepting her party's presidential nomination, capping a drama-filled effort to replace Biden of the ticket following his June debate performance. The four-day event featured speeches from prominent Democrats and supporters, aiming to energize the party base and appeal to undecided voters.

Notable speakers included Oprah Winfrey, former Presidents Bill Clinton and Barack Obama, and former First Ladies Hillary Clinton and Michelle Obama. Each emphasized their party's vision for the country while critiquing Trump and Republican policies.

Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, Harris's running mate, addressed the convention on the third day, highlighting his background as a teacher and governor.

In her acceptance speech on the last day, Harris sought to introduce herself to the American people by highlighting her personal background and career experiences. While she provided a broad overview of policy goals, such as strengthening the middle class, combatting climate change, and ending the war in Gaza, she largely avoided detailed policy changes in her speech.

According to the RealClearPolitics polling aggregates, the race between Harris and Trump remains competitive. National polls show a tight contest, with Harris holding a slight edge. In battleground states, the margins are narrow. Pennsylvania, a considered a must-win state by both campaigns, shows Harris leading by just 0.5 points. Trump continues to lead narrowly in Georgia and North Carolina.

Harris did sit down for a joint interview with CNN that included Walz this past week, the first she has given since Biden’s withdrawal. In the interview, she said that her values have not changed since her 2019 campaign, but that she did change her position on banning fracking (from for to against such a ban during the 2020 campaign). She also said she had no regrets for her comments supporting Biden’s fitness to run for reelection following Biden’s widely panned debate performance.

Both campaigns are expected to focus heavily on battleground states in the coming months ahead of the September 10th debate with ABC News.

Joe Biden Exits Presidential Race, Endorses Kamala Harris

President Joe Biden’s withdrawal from the presidential race on July 21 upended the general election campaign with just months to go until Election Day. His endorsement of Kamala Harris has allowed the Democratic Party to rally around Harris, who has largely united the party around her candidacy.

Biden’s decision came after sharply declining support from his fellow Democrats, lagging poll numbers against Trump, and concerns about his health. The 81-year-old president faced increasing pressure following a lackluster debate performance against former President Donald Trump on June 27, which heightened concerns about his capacity to lead for another term.

In a letter posted on social media, Biden expressed gratitude for the opportunity to serve and emphasized his commitment to fulfilling his duties for the remainder of his term. "While it has been my intention to seek re-election, I believe it is in the best interest of my party and the country for me to stand down," Biden wrote.

The general reaction from fellow Democrats has been a mix of praise for Biden’s service and enthusiasm for Harris’s candidacy. Prominent Democrats, including potential presidential contenders California Governor Gavin Newsom and Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer, quickly echoed Biden’s endorsement of the vice president.

Harris has since clinched the presumptive nomination based on pledges from the delegates attending to the Democratic National Convention in August.

 

Republican National Convention Concludes with JD Vance as VP Nominee

Republicans held their national convention earlier this month in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Following the attempted assassination of Trump, the convention featured more subdued rhetoric, aiming to demonstrate unity in preparation for the general campaign.

In a break with recent tradition, Trump announced Ohio Senator JD Vance as his running mate while the convention was underway, rather than in the days leading up to it. Vance, a 39-year-old political newcomer and author of the bestselling memoir "Hillbilly Elegy," has completed a transformation from staunch Trump critic (once referring to Trump as “reprehensible” and “cultural heroin” to a trusted ally who can carry on Trump’s vision after a possible second term.

Trump’s announcement, made via Truth Social just as the convention was kicking off, praised Vance as "the person best suited" to be his potential vice president. The former president highlighted Vance’s Marine Corps service and his memoir, positioning him as a champion for hardworking Americans, particularly in key swing states. 

Other notable speakers included UN Ambassador and presidential candidate Nikki Haley, who formally endorsed Trump following their heated primary rivalry; and Peter Navarro, a former Trump trade adviser. Navarro delivered his remarks just hours after being released from federal prison, where he was held following his contempt of Congress conviction.

The convention concluded with Trump formally accepting the GOP nomination, delivering an emotional recount of the assassination attempt and calling for unity, while also touching upon familiar talking points often heard in his campaign rallies. Trump’s 93-minute speech set the record for the longest acceptance speech by a presidential nominee.

 

Investigation Continues into Motive Behind Attempted Trump Assassination

Federal investigators continue to piece together the motives behind the attempted assassination of former President Donald Trump at a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania on July 13. Despite extensive investigative efforts, including over 200 interviews and a thorough review of Crooks’s digital footprint, his exact motivations remain unknown.

Thomas Matthew Crooks, a 20-year-old from Bethel Park, Pennsylvania, has been described as an intelligent yet unassuming loner with an interest in guns. He did not openly express strong political views, leading investigators to speculate whether his motives were political. Crooks may have been targeting high-profile figures, with Trump being the most accessible target due to the rally’s proximity to Crooks’s home.

Crooks had visited the rally location twice before the day of the attack and had images of both Trump and President Joe Biden on his phone. His search history included dates for the Democratic National Convention and future Trump events, providing some evidence that he was looking for high-profile opportunities to target.

 

Kamala Harris Launches Campaign GOP Retools Their Strategy

Vice President Kamala Harris has launched her campaign for the White House following President Joe Biden’s stunning withdrawal from the race on July 21. With the political landscape dramatically altered, with both the Democratic and Republican parties scrambling to adjust their strategies and messaging.

Harris wasted no time in capitalizing on the momentum generated by Biden’s endorsement, with her campaign announcing a record-breaking fundraising haul of $200 million in the 10 days after Biden’s withdrawal. This massive influx of support, much of it coming from new donors, has energized the party’s base and signaled a potential resurgence of enthusiasm among voters who had previously expressed dissatisfaction with a Biden candidacy.

Harris does face headwinds, however, as she currently polls below Trump in general election polling, according to the RealClearPolitics polling aggregate. Harris’s supporters counter that the polling has not yet taken into account shifting voters’ attitudes now that she is the likely Democratic nominee, and they argue that she will overtake Trump as the campaign continues.

On the Republican side, former President Donald Trump and his newly minted running mate, Senator JD Vance of Ohio, are recalibrating their approach. Trump’s recent rallies have signaled a departure from unity message that followed his assassination attempt two weeks ago, with the former president reverting to his more combative style as they seek to highlight Harris’s 2020 positions on crime and immigration. The GOP is eyeing traditionally Democratic strongholds, hoping to expand the electoral map in their favor.

Democrats are also adopting a new line of attack against the Republican ticket, characterizing Trump and Vance’s policies, as well as the men themselves, as “weird.” Harris herself has echoed this sentiment, describing Republican policies as “just plain weird” during a recent rally in Atlanta. Republicans have countered that this strategy distracts from real policy disagreements between the two candidates and from Harris’s record as vice president.

Harris has not yet selected a running mate, with possible contenders being PA Gov. Josh Shapiro, KY Gov. Andy Beshear, MN Gov. Tim Walz, and AZ Sen. Mark Kelly.

 

Biden’s Debate Performance Prompts Calls to Drop Out, President Vows to Remain

President Joe Biden’s debate performance against former President Donald Trump on Thursday some calling it one of the worst debate performances by a presidential candidate in American history. During the debate, Biden spoke in a low, hoarse voice, frequently delivering meandering answers and often confusing topics. During periods when Trump was talking, he appeared at times to close his eyes and have his mouth open. In one response to a question, he ended it by saying, “We finally beat Medicare,” which he did not later attempt to correct. 

During the debate, the White House reached out to media organizations, claiming a cold had been causing his voice issues.

His performance quickly led to calls by some fellow Democrats to drop out of the race or consider doing so, a sharp reversal from the previous stance from many Democrats that Biden was sharp and able to serve a second term. On Friday, The New York Times Editorial Board called on Biden to drop out. While praising his record in office, the board said he is “engaged in a reckless gamble” that could allow Trump a second term, which they call “a danger.”

Biden’s team has dismissed these calls so far, dismissing the New York Times editorial and trying to refocus the attention to Trump.

If Biden were to drop out of the race, his campaign cash could only be transferred to Harris presidential campaign. Should the party’s delegates choose not to proceed with a Harris nomination, the new nominee would need to raise new funds for the campaign against Trump.

While most of the post-debate focus has been on Biden, Trump’s performance has also been discussed. While Trump’s answers were far more forceful than Biden’s and he did not appear to lose his train of thought, he faced criticism for dodging questions on the environment, January 6th, and other topics, as well as providing misleading or false responses to other questions. His non-committal answer on whether he would accept the results of election (only if it is ‘fair and legal and good’), also attracted criticism.

A Morning Consult poll after the debate showed that 60% of respondents believe Biden should drop out of the race. A similar CBS News poll showed 54% of registered voters do not believe Trump should run for president, with 46% saying he should.

 

Trump Makes Unorthodox Stops in the Bronx and at LNC

Former President Donald Trump made two unorthodox stops as a Republican presidential candidate last week, holding a rally in the heavily Democratic Bronx in New York City as well as making a speaking appearance at the Libertarian National Convention.

Trump spoke to several thousand rallygoers in Crotona Park in the Bronx on May 23, making Trump the first Republican to campaign in the Bronx since Ronald Reagan. His speech’s content was standard fare for one of his rallies, with additional references to the struggles facing black and Hispanic families, which make up the majority of the Bronx’s population. His rally was also met with a number of counter protesters.

Trump also spoke Sunday to delegates at the Libertarian National Convention, the day after Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. also addressed delegates. Both men highlighted their agreements with the Libertarian platform, with Trump asking delegates to make him the nominee, a request met with jeers and boos. Trump promised to commute the sentence of Ross Ulbright, founder of dark net marketplace Silk Road, which was met with loud cheering. 

 

Trump Found Guilty on All 34 Charges in NY Hush Money Trial

Former President Donald Trump was found guilty on all 34 felony charges in his hush money trial in Manhattan on Thursday, capping a weeks-long dramatic legal showdown that saw the testimony of his former lawyer Michael Cohen and former porn star Stormy Daniels (real name Stephanie Clifford).

The convictions stem from 2016 payments made to Daniels by Cohen as part of a non-disclosure agreement over an alleged affair in 2006, which Trump later reimbursed. Prosecutors alleged that the payments were aimed at influencing the 2016 election and thus should have been labeled as campaign contributions rather than legal expenses. Because the false entries in business records were used to conceal another crime (federal campaign finance violations), it upgraded the violations to felonies and allowed the charges to be brought within the statute of limitations, which tolled when Trump left New York for Florida.

Trump is widely expected to appeal the verdict, with his team likely to claim a pro-prosecution bias by Judge Juan Merchan in his decisions during the trial and in his jury instructions.

President Joe Biden was expected to speak on the Trump verdict in an official White House address, but has since said he will address the verdict in answers to reporters during typical press questioning. His campaign communications director Michael Tyler released a statement saying, “In New York today, we saw that no one is above the law.”

Biden’s son, Hunter, will face his own trial on firearms charges in June over alleged false statements on federal firearms forms. He also faces pending federal tax charges in California.

 

Biden Ramps Up Campaign as Trump Faces Financial Headwinds

The Biden campaign raised around $26 million from a New York City fundraiser last week attended by celebrities and two of the three former Democratic presidents. This adds to the president’s and the Democrats’ large fundraising advantage over Donald Trump and the Republicans.

The fundraiser consisted of musical performances by Queen Latifah and Lizzo, along with a panel discussion with Biden, Barack Obama, and Bill Clinton and hosted by comedian Stephen Colbert.

Biden’s team has tapped into their funds for a $30 million ad blitz in the swing states, where he largely trails Trump. Biden has closed some of the gap with Trump in these states, but he still trails Trump in the RealClearPolitics polling aggregate, both in the swing states and nationally.

Trump, facing financial setbacks as a result of his legal troubles, may have gotten a needed boost when his social media company, Truth Social, went public last week under the ticker DJT. The long-awaited listing allowed the company to reach a market capitalization of over $8 billion. Trump’s 58% stake in the company gives the former president $5.2 billion, in addition to his existing wealth from real estate and other investments.

However, a large selloff of his holdings may cause the stock price of Trump Media & Technology Group to fall, reducing the liquid wealth from which he can draw. Trump also faces a lock up period in which he cannot sell his shares for six months. He may, however, obtain a waiver from this restriction or borrow money against his holdings.