Pelosi’s Future Uncertain as Dems Weigh Options

Faced with the unexpected task of rebuilding their party under a Donald Trump presidency, Democrats are deliberating whether their path forward includes Nancy Pelosi at the helm of the House caucus. Under significant pressure from frustrated rank-and-file members, Minority Leader Pelosi postponed leadership elections until after the Thanksgiving holiday.

All lobbyists have been cut from Trump’s transition team

Vice President-elect Mike Pence reportedly ordered the removal of all lobbyists from president-elect Donald Trump's transition team, The Wall Street Journal wrote on Tuesday night. The decision was one of Pence's first since formally taking over the team's lead role.

How Democrats, media are pushing ‘white nationalism’ on Trump team

Alan Dershowitz, who is a famed professor of law and advocate of human rights, defended Stephen Bannon today against accusations that the Executive Chairman of Breitbart News is an anti-Semite. In an interview today with Steve Kornacki of MSNBC, Dershowitz said that there is "no evidence to support that" Bannon is anti-Semitic.

GOP seeks the return of earmarks after pas…

A trio of respected Republicans is pushing for the return of some earmarks to Capitol Hill, saying it's time to restore Congress' full power of the purse - and drawing passionate pushback from conservative groups who say the GOP would betray its voters if it returned to pork barrel spending. A vote on the rules change is expected behind closed doors among House Republicans on Wednesday, and if it's successful, the GOP will try to make a change for the entire Congress.

Governor ditches Medicaid expansion after Mike Pence meeting

Republican Gov. Dennis Daugaard said Tuesday that he won't pursue an expansion of Medicaid in 2017 after a discussion with Vice President-elect Mike Pence. The South Dakota governor said in a statement that his decision is based on a Monday meeting in which he and Pence talked about the Trump administration's plans for repealing or reforming the Affordable Care Act.

‘You are safe, you are secure’

Chicago on Monday joined several major US cities in affirming that it will remain a "sanctuary city" for immigrants, in defiance of President-elect Donald Trump. Los Angeles, New York, Seattle and San Francisco have made similar affirmations since Trump's election on Tuesday, vowing to refuse to jail undocumented immigrants in jail for deportation purposes and pledging that public services will continue to be offered regardless of legal status.

Trump to reverse Obama policies on energy, environment

President-elect Donald Trump is considering an oil billionaire and a North Dakota lawmaker for top posts as he moves to roll back President Barack Obama's environmental and energy policies and allow unfettered production of oil, coal and natural gas. Trump has vowed to rescind "all job-destroying Obama executive actions" and pledges to sharply increase oil and gas drilling on federal lands, while opening up offshore drilling in the Atlantic Ocean and other areas where it is blocked.

Mnuchin Said to Be Top Treasury Pick Among Trump’s Advisers

Former Goldman Sachs Group Inc. partner Steven Mnuchin has been recommended by Donald Trump's transition team to serve as Treasury secretary, according to two people familiar with the process, and the choice is awaiting the president-elect's final decision. Mnuchin, the campaign's national finance chairman, has been considered the leading candidate for the job.

Chicago mayor, Los Angeles police chief pledge to not deport immigrants

Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel and Los Angeles Police Chief Charlie Beck both said Monday they will resist any efforts to deport illegal immigrants under the presidency of Donald Trump. Emanuel said Chicago will remain a "sanctuary city," NPR reports , which basically means the city's police will not work with federal officials to deport undocumented immigrants.

‘Knife fight’ as Trump builds cabinet

Donald Trump's transition is being marked by sharp internal disagreements over key cabinet appointments and direction, both for internal West Wing positions and key national security posts, sources involved in the transition team tell CNN. The split has put traditional Republican operatives such as Reince Priebus -- named Trump's chief of staff Sunday -- against more non-traditional influences such as Steve Bannon -- the alt-right leader of Breitbart News -- who will be Trump's chief strategist.

US Vice president-elect Mike Pence looms as the smooth, savvy power behind Donald Trump

London: US Vice President-elect Mike Pence is shaping up to be the most important man in the new US administration, apart from his boss. The long presidential campaign revealed sharp differences between Donald Trump and Mike Pence, which may yet cause difficulties between the now President-elect and Vice-President-elect.

GOP under pressure to defend Trump’s appointment of Steve Bannon

Congressional Republicans are already on the defensive about President-elect Donald Trump's decision to give former Breitbart News chief Steve Bannon a senior job in his White House. House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy was pressed by reporters in Washington Monday on the appropriateness of Trump's choice of someone who has been a leading figure in the so-called alt-right conservative movement.

FEMA Letter Latest Setback For Homeowners With Failing Foundations

In the latest roadblock for homeowners with failing foundations, the Federal Emergency Management Agency has denied Gov. Dannel P. Malloy 's request for assistance, for a second time. In a Nov. 8 letter, FEMA administrator Craig Fugate said the agency could not provide funding or open a field office in north central Connecticut, as Malloy had requested for homeowners, but will make a senior liaison available to facilitate the state's options with other federal agencies.

Trump considering woman, openly gay man for leadership posts

President-elect Donald Trump is considering a woman and an openly gay man to fill major positions in his administration, history-making moves that would inject diversity into a Trump team. The incoming president is considering Richard Grenell as United States ambassador to the United Nations.