Tillerson’s the man for Trump’s approach of trade over politics

Jesse Friedlander says the seasoned businessman appears set to be a formidable negotiator who will shake up the Washington establishment, with his close ties to Putin and a focus on economics and trade over politics US President-elect Donald Trump has chosen Rex Tillerson, the CEO of Exxon Mobil Corporation, to lead US foreign relations as secretary of state. In the modern era, every secretary of state has been part of the Washington political and/or military establishment.

Assange: Clinton win would have been a ‘consolidation of power’ in the U.S.

Hillary Rodham Clinton Assange: Clinton win would have been 'consolidation of power' Assange praises Trump for bringing 'opportunities for change' America's Jews are at war MORE in a new interview, denying that any documents he released during the presidential campaign were damaging to the former Democratic nominee. Assange said he has been publishing documents on Clinton "for years" and that the leaks during the campaign were no different, he told Italian newspaper la Repubblica in an interview first published by The Guardian.

Top story of 2016 in Maine: Legalized marijuana

In this Dec. 19, 2016 file photo, Lorry Fleming, center, of Bath, Maine, a supporter of Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton, shouts at Donald Trump supporter Tom Thompson, left, of Topsham, Maine, outside the State House in Augusta, Maine, where the electoral college was meeting to elect the president. The split of Maine's presidential electoral votes for the first time was among the state's top stories in 2016.

Trump adopting same behavior he criticized Clinton for

In this Dec. 13, 2016, file photo, President-elect Donald Trump speaks during a rally at the Wisconsin State Fair Exposition Center in West Allis, Wis. Trump is embracing some of his top attacks on Hillary Clinton as he forms his new administration, engaging in some of the same behavior he used against his rival during the presidential campaign.

Trump to Dissolve Foundation

President-elect Donald Trump said Saturday he will dissolve his charitable foundation amid efforts to eliminate any conflicts of interest before he takes office next month. The revelation comes as the New York attorney general's office investigates the foundation following media reports that foundation spending went to benefit Trump's campaign.

Trump exhibiting Clinton-like behavior as president-elect

From installing Wall Street executives in his Cabinet to avoiding news conferences, the president-elect is adopting some of the same behavior for which he criticized Clinton during their fiery presidential campaign. Then : "I know the guys at Goldman Sachs," Trump said at a South Carolina rally in February, when he was locked in a fierce primary battle with Texas Sen. Ted Cruz.

Smerconish: Rights, wrongs, and a few surprises in ’16

A Philadelphia lawyer turned political commentator, Michael Smerconish is a nationally syndicated radio host, best-selling author and weekly contributing columnist to The Philadelphia Inquirer's Sunday Currents section. The Michael Smerconish Program is heard exclusively on SiriusXM - POTUS Channel 124 from 9a12p ET - reairing again 6-9p ET.

Stars Celebrate Holidays With New Baby

Actors Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds attend the 2016 amfAR New York Gala at Cipriani Wall Street, on Feb. 10, 2016, in New York City Model Behati Prinsloo and musician Adam Levine arrive at the 2015 Vanity Fair Oscar Party Hosted By Graydon Carter at Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts, on Feb. 22, 2015, in Beverly Hills, California. There is nothing like baby's first Christmas , even if it's the parents who will remember it more than the kids.

Trump to shut down questionable charity

President-elect Donald Trump said Saturday he will dissolve his charitable foundation amid efforts to eliminate any conflicts of interest before he takes office next month. The revelation comes as the New York attorney general's office investigates the foundation following media reports that foundation spending went to benefit Trump's campaign.

Trump says he intends to dissolve charitable foundation

US President-elect Donald Trump said Saturday he intends to dissolve his controversial philanthropic foundation to avoid conflicts of interest, but the move was quickly complicated by an ongoing legal probe. Trump's sprawling portfolio of US and overseas business interests and holdings, as well as his Donald J. Trump Foundation, have come under increased scrutiny in the weeks since his election, and the shuttering of his charity would be his first big step to avoid a brewing storm of potential conflicts of interest.