Thomas Frank unhappy with officials in game with BrightonIf the nosy grandma peering out the window were a government entity, it would be the Global Engagement Center. The priciest hall monitor in history has just been given a pink slip. The Global Engagement Center, created by then President Barack Obama’s executive order in 2016, was supposed to help fight terrorist messaging. But the neocon majority in Congress successfully pushed for it to become more involved in fighting “Russian election interference” – or, more like flooding voters’ brains with the idea of it. Its speech and narrative policing under the guise of combating fake news ultimately became so intolerable that its spending was just cut from the latest budget bill and its operations have now been shut down. The center’s demise also may or may not have had something to do with the fact that it was exceptionally lazy and stupid, even as far as government initiatives go. American taxpayers have been paying $61 million a year for this entity to crank out a grand total of about eight reports over as many years. Yep, that’s about $61 million per report, one of which was called “Gendered Disinformation.” Other activities include issuing press releases with titles like, “Faces of Kremlin Propaganda: Dmitri Peskov.” Oh wow, guys, you found one! And it’s none other than the public official whose actual job title is communications chief for the Kremlin. How many Americans would have otherwise been duped! Imagine Russians paying one of their government agencies tens of millions a year to “expose” the White House Press Secretary as speaking for Washington. The center also spent a lot of resources promoting Russian-linked media as Russian-linked. And also as totally badass. They wouldn’t shut up about it, effectively generating one giant free advertising campaign targeting citizens who might be curious about this thing that’s managed to get under Washington’s skin so badly. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, citing the work of the center, called for the entire world to unite against RT. “We know that RT possesses cyber capabilities and engaged in covert information influence operations and military procurement,” he said in September 2024. Guess he was referring to my bulk ordering of missiles on Amazon Prime. China was another obsession. “Every country should have the ability to tell its story to the world,” began a report from 2023 titled “How the People’s Republic of China Seeks to Reshape the Global Information Environment.” It then proceeded to tell China exactly how it shouldn’t be telling its story to the world. The Center accused China of “digital authoritarianism” and using “intimidation to silence dissent and encourage self-censorship.” Sounds like US academia. Or the Global Engagement Center. How about France’s arrest of Telegram founder Pavel Durov last summer, now charged with enabling crimes like pedocriminality, fraud, and drug trafficking just for having created the platform? President Emmanuel Macron wined and dined Durov personally from 2018 to 2021, even giving him fast track French citizenship, and is now behaving like a psycho ex who didn’t get what he wanted. Like maybe the encryption keys. No statement from the center on that one, huh? Or on the comments by Durov’s former PR guy suggesting that Macron is just acting as a wingman for Washington in all this. The center’s latest partner is Kiev, with which they set up the Ukraine Communications Group, along with Poland, to fight Russia informationally. If they have such a crack team, then why is it all over social media that the latest campaign out of Kiev, honoring Ukrainian fighters killed in Russia’s Kursk region at schools and social centers, shows supporters holding up “hero” headshots of porn stars Johnny Sins of “Brazzers” fame and Billy Harrington, instead? How about the whole Azov neo-Nazi rebranding initiative? There’s such a lack of clarity or historical truth on that issue from the center that the entire Canadian parliament was brainwashed into clapping for a bona fide World War II-era Ukrainian Nazi last year. What about the Ghost of Kiev and the heroes of Snake Island? Any interest in correcting those myths out of Kiev from the early days of the conflict? Or perhaps the center could have come to Kiev’s rescue when it was being blamed all over the Western press, from Germany to the US, for a covert operation to blow up the Nord Stream pipeline and taking out the Russian fuel for the EU’s economic engine along with it. Nothing but radio silence on that one. So is it true, then? Or is it just a much more convenient narrative to leave hanging out there in the public domain than the suggestion that Washington had anything to do with it? In June 2024, the Center made a deal for cooperation with Romania to counter foreign election manipulation. The presidential election there was just recently cancelled, in the wake of a populist with a PhD in agronomy winning the first round of voting. Hardly surprising amid a farmers’ uprising against the EU’s heavy-handed regulations and favoritism for Ukrainian imports. Russian election interference via a paid TikTok campaign was blamed, which the investigative outlet Snoop.ro now says was actually paid for by the party of the current president – the same one that complained about the results and demanded a do-over. Guess the center never considered that on the meddling front, the call would be coming from inside the house. Speaking of which, Mark Zuckerberg, founder of Facebook and its parent company, Meta, admitted in a letter to the House Judiciary Committee in August that the Biden administration asked Facebook to censor Covid-19 content, including humor and satire, and that his teams complied. He also said that the FBI warned them about Russian disinformation on the Biden family’s dealings with Burisma (the Ukrainian energy company where Hunter Biden served on the board), which ultimately turned out not to be Russian fake news, even though Facebook had agreed to demote the story at the time. What’s that complaint about Chinese censorship again? People are increasingly fed up with these efforts by Washington to obsessively patrol narratives in order to enforce its “rules based order” that primarily just serves special interests. All you need to know about how annoyed Americans are is that they just voted for a first-class online troll as president, who has spent the last few days tweeting up a storm to everyone’s amusement, suggesting that the Panama Canal is American, Canada should be the 51st state, and Greenland should be owned by the US. The Global Engagement Center and its likeminded proponents have irritated everyone so much with their hounding attempts to impose their vision for the decor, that the bulldozer has now just straight-up ripped right through their own house.Union Home Minister Amit Shah reviewed the implementation of the three new criminal laws in Uttarakhand in New Delhi on Tuesday. Uttarakhand chief minister Pushkar Singh Dhami was also present at the meeting. Union Home Minister Shah said that Uttarakhand chief minister should review the progress of implementation of the three new criminal laws after every 15 days. Dehradun : Union Home Minister Amit Shah, who reviewed the implementation of the three new criminal laws-the Bhartiya Nagrik Suraksha Sanhita-2023, the Bhartiya Nyay Sanhita-2023, and the Bhartiya Sakshya Adhiniyam-2023 – in Uttarakhand in presence of the Uttarakhand chief minister Pushkar Singh Dhami in New Delhi on Tuesday, underlined the need for regular monitoring of the total number of Zero FIRs, registered in other states and subsequently, transferred to the state concerned. He gave emphasis on ensuring justice in all such FIRs. Union Home Minister Shah also said that Uttarakhand chief minister should review the progress of implementation of the three new criminal laws after every 15 days. He also directed the Chief Secretary and the DGP to hold a meeting with the officials concerned once a week in this regard. Apart from reviewing the implementation of three new criminal laws, the status of various new provisions related to police, jails, courts, prosecution, and forensic departments in Uttarakhand was also discussed at the meeting. Top officials of the central as well as the state governments attended the meeting Those who attended the meeting included the Union Home Secretary, the Chief Secretary, and the Director General of Police (DGP) of Uttarakhand, Director General of the Bureau of Police Research and Development (BPR&D), Director General of the National Crime Record Bureau (NCRB) and several senior officials of the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) and the State government. Fill the gaps between technologies and other areas The Union Home Minister Shah said that under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, three new criminal laws are becoming the protectors of civil rights and the basis of ‘ease of justice’. He asked the Uttarakhand CM Dhami to ensure 100 per cent implement the new criminal laws at the earliest possible. Shah also asked the Uttarakhand government to fill the gaps between the technology and other areas for proper implementation of the three new laws. Focus on the use of technologies Giving emphasis on the use of technology, the Union Home Minister Shah said that more than one forensic mobile van should be available in every district of the state. Shah said that the forensic teams should be divided into three categories – serious, normal, and very normal -during their visits. It will help better utilization of the resources, he further said. Click for more latest India news . Also get top headlines and latest news from India and around the world at News9. Namita is an Assistant News Editor at News9 Live. She has reported on a range of issues from Uttarakhand for mainstream papers such as The Hindu and websites such as Firstpost.com. She has also covered elections in the hill state for both Deccan Herald and The Hindu. Her passion is dissecting the politics of Uttarakhand and meeting and understanding the principal political actors of the state. Namita did PG Diploma in Journalism from AMU and later she pursued MJMC, when not busy writing, she loves to spend time with books, poetry and fiction as well as nonfiction.
Judge Delays Trump Hush Money Sentencing in Order to Decide Where Case Should Go NowClinical and regulatory success in 2024 expected to drive value in 2025 CRANFORD, N.J. , Dec. 27, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Citius Pharmaceuticals, Inc. ("Citius Pharma" or the "Company") (Nasdaq: CTXR), a biopharmaceutical company dedicated to the development and commercialization of first-in-class critical care products today reported business and financial results for the fiscal full year ended September 30, 2024 . Fiscal Full Year 2024 Business Highlights and Subsequent Developments Financial Highlights "In fiscal year 2024 we drove tremendous progress in our pipeline. It was a transformative year, marked by our first FDA approval and significant clinical milestones. The approval of LYMPHIRTM and the positive Phase 3 results for Mino-Lok® underscore our commitment to developing innovative therapies. Our team successfully responded to FDA comments related to the biologics license application for LYMPHIR and ultimately gained FDA approval. Productive engagement with the FDA regarding the positive results of our Phase 3 Mino-Lok® trial and Phase 2 Halo-Lido trial clarified our next steps for both programs. We anticipate continued engagement with the agency in the coming year and look forward to their guidance. Additionally, we are exploring strategic partnerships and licensing opportunities to maximize the potential of our portfolio and bring these important therapies to market efficiently," stated Leonard Mazur , Chairman and CEO of Citius Pharma. "Looking ahead, our priorities for fiscal year 2025 include launching LYMPHIRTM through our majority-owned subsidiary, Citius Oncology, driving the clinical and regulatory strategies for Mino-Lok® and Halo-Lido, fortifying our financial position, and applying a disciplined approach to resource allocation. We expect to launch LYMPHIR in the first half of 2025 and distribute CTOR shares to Citius Pharma shareholders by the end of the year, pending favorable market conditions. Our goal remains to deliver value for patients, healthcare providers, and shareholders. With a clear vision and a strong team, we are well-positioned to execute on our mission of bringing innovative therapies to market," added Mazur. FULL YEAR 2024 FINANCIAL RESULTS: Liquidity As of September 30, 2024 , the Company had $3.3 million in cash and cash equivalents. As of September 30, 2024 , the Company had 7,247,243 common shares outstanding, as adjusted for the 1-for-25 reverse stock split of the Company's common stock, effected on November 25, 2024 . During the year ended September 30, 2024 , the Company received net proceeds of $13.8 million from the issuance of equity. The Company expects to raise additional capital to support operations. Research and Development (R&D) Expenses R&D expenses were $11.9 million for the full year ended September 30, 2024 , compared to $14.8 million for the full year ended September 30, 2023 . The decrease in R&D expenses primarily reflects the completion of the Halo-Lido trial and completion of activities related to the regulatory resubmission for LYMPHIR, offset by shutdown costs associated with the end of the Phase 3 trial for Mino-Lok. We expect research and development expenses to decrease in fiscal year 2025 as we continue to focus on the commercialization of LYMPHIR through our majority-owned subsidiary, Citius Oncology and because we have completed the Phase 3 trial for Mino-Lok. General and Administrative (G&A) Expenses G&A expenses were $18.2 million for the full year ended September 30, 2024 , compared to $15.3 million for the full year ended September 30, 2023 . The increase was primarily due to costs associated with pre-launch and market research activities associated with LYMPHIR. General and administrative expenses consist primarily of compensation costs, professional fees for legal, regulatory, accounting and corporate development services, and investor relations expenses. Stock-based Compensation Expense For the full year ended September 30, 2024 , stock-based compensation expense was $11.8 million as compared to $6.6 million for the prior year. The increase of $5.2 million is largely due to the grant of options under the Citius Oncology stock plan. Stock-based compensation expense under the Citius Oncology stock plan was $7.5 million during the year ended September 30, 2024 , compared to $2.0 million for the year ended September 30, 2023 , as the plan was initiated in July 2023 . For the years ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, stock-based compensation expense also includes $47,547 and $130,382 , respectively, for the NoveCite stock option plan. In fiscal years 2023 and 2024, we granted options to our new employees and additional options to other employees, our directors, and consultants. Net loss Net loss was $39.4 million , or ($5.97) per share for the year ended September 30, 2024 , compared to a net loss of $32.5 million , or ($5.57) per share for the year ended September 30, 2023 , as adjusted for the reverse stock split. The increase in net loss reflects an increase in operating expense of $5.3 million offset by a decrease of $1.6 million in other income. Operating expense increased due to increases in stock-based compensation and general and administrative expenses, which were offset by decreased research and development expense. About Citius Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Citius Pharma is a biopharmaceutical company dedicated to the development and commercialization of first-in-class critical care products. In August 2024 , the FDA approved LYMPHIRTM, a targeted immunotherapy for an initial indication in the treatment of cutaneous T-cell lymphoma. Citius Pharma's late-stage pipeline also includes Mino-Lok®, an antibiotic lock solution to salvage catheters in patients with catheter-related bloodstream infections, and CITI-002 (Halo-Lido), a topical formulation for the relief of hemorrhoids. A Pivotal Phase 3 Trial for Mino-Lok and a Phase 2b trial for Halo-Lido were completed in 2023. Mino-Lok met primary and secondary endpoints of its Phase 3 Trial. Citius Pharma is actively engaged with the FDA to outline next steps for both programs. For more information, please visit www.citiuspharma.com . Forward-Looking Statements This press release may contain "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Such statements are made based on our expectations and beliefs concerning future events impacting Citius Pharma. You can identify these statements by the fact that they use words such as "will," "anticipate," "estimate," "expect," "plan," "should," and "may" and other words and terms of similar meaning or use of future dates. Forward-looking statements are based on management's current expectations and are subject to risks and uncertainties that could negatively affect our business, operating results, financial condition and stock price. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those currently anticipated, and, unless noted otherwise, that apply to Citius Pharma are: our ability to raise additional money to fund our operations for at least the next 12 months as a going concern; our ability to commercialize LYMPHIR through our majority-owned subisity and any of our other product candidates that may be approved by the FDA; the estimated markets for our product candidates and the acceptance thereof by any market; the ability of our product candidates to impact the quality of life of our target patient populations; risks related to research using our assets but conducted by third parties; risks relating to the results of research and development activities, including those from our existing and any new pipeline assets; our ability to maintain compliance with Nasdaq's continued listing standards; our dependence on third-party suppliers; our ability to procure cGMP commercial-scale supply; our ability to obtain, perform under and maintain financing and strategic agreements and relationships; uncertainties relating to preclinical and clinical testing; the early stage of products under development; market and other conditions; risks related to our growth strategy; patent and intellectual property matters; our ability to identify, acquire, close and integrate product candidates and companies successfully and on a timely basis; government regulation; competition; as well as other risks described in our Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") filings. These risks have been and may be further impacted by any future public health risks. Accordingly, these forward-looking statements do not constitute guarantees of future performance, and you are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. Risks regarding our business are described in detail in our SEC filings which are available on the SEC's website at www.sec.gov , including in Citius Pharma's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended September 30, 2024 , filed with the SEC on December 27, 2024 , as updated by our subsequent filings with the SEC. These forward-looking statements speak only as of the date hereof, and we expressly disclaim any obligation or undertaking to release publicly any updates or revisions to any forward-looking statements contained herein to reflect any change in our expectations or any changes in events, conditions or circumstances on which any such statement is based, except as required by law. Investor Contact: Ilanit Allen ir@citiuspharma.com 908-967-6677 x113 Media Contact: STiR-communications Greg Salsburg Greg@STiR-communications.com -- Financial Tables Follow – CITIUS PHARMACEUTICALS, INC. CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS SEPTEMBER 30, 2024 AND 2023 2024 2023 ASSETS Current Assets: Cash and cash equivalents $ 3,251,880 $ 26,480,928 Inventory 8,268,766 — Prepaid expenses 2,700,000 7,889,506 Total Current Assets 14,220,646 34,370,434 Property and equipment, net — 1,432 Operating lease right-of-use asset, net 246,247 454,426 Other Assets: Deposits 38,062 38,062 In-process research and development 92,800,000 59,400,000 Goodwill 9,346,796 9,346,796 Total Other Assets 102,184,858 68,784,858 Total Assets $ 116,651,751 $ 103,611,150 LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY Current Liabilities: Accounts payable $ 4,927,211 $ 2,927,334 License payable 28,400,000 — Accrued expenses 17,027 476,300 Accrued compensation 2,229,018 2,156,983 Operating lease liability 241,547 218,380 Total Current Liabilities 35,814,803 5,778,997 Deferred tax liability 6,713,800 6,137,800 Operating lease liability – non current 21,318 262,865 Total Liabilities 42,549,921 12,179,662 Commitments and Contingencies Stockholders' Equity: Preferred stock - $0.001 par value; 10,000,000 shares authorized; no shares issued and outstanding — — Common stock - $0.001 par value; 16,000,000 shares authorized; 7,247,243 and 6,354,371 shares issued and outstanding at September 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively 7,247 6,354 Additional paid-in capital 271,440,421 253,056,133 Accumulated deficit (201,370,218) (162,231,379) Total Citius Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Stockholders' Equity 70,077,450 90,831,108 Non-controlling interest 4,024,380 600,380 Total Equity 74,101,830 91,431,488 Total Liabilities and Equity $ 116,651,751 $ 103,611,150 Reflects a 1-for-25 reverse stock split effective November 25, 2024. CITIUS PHARMACEUTICALS, INC. CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS FOR THE YEARS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2024 AND 2023 2024 2023 Revenues $ — $ — Operating Expenses: Research and development 11,906,601 14,819,729 General and administrative 18,249,402 15,295,584 Stock-based compensation – general and administrative 11,839,678 6,616,705 Total Operating Expenses 41,995,681 36,732,018 Operating Loss (41,995,681) (36,732,018) Other Income: Interest income, net 758,000 1,179,417 Gain on sale of New Jersey net operating losses 2,387,842 3,585,689 Total Other Income Net 3,145,842 4,765,106 Loss before Income Taxes (38,849,839) (31,966,912) Income tax expense 576,000 576,000 Net Loss (39,425,839) (32,542,912) Net loss attributable to non-controlling interest 287,000 - Deemed dividend on warrant extension (1,047,312) (1,151,208) Net Loss Applicable to Common Stockholders $ (40,186,151) (33,694,120) Net Loss Per Share Applicable to Common Stockholders - Basic and Diluted $ (5.97) (5.57) Weighted Average Common Shares OutstandingJonah Goldberg: What if most Americans aren't bitterly divided?
Clinical and regulatory success in 2024 expected to drive value in 2025 CRANFORD, N.J. , Dec. 27, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Citius Pharmaceuticals, Inc. ("Citius Pharma" or the "Company") (Nasdaq: CTXR), a biopharmaceutical company dedicated to the development and commercialization of first-in-class critical care products today reported business and financial results for the fiscal full year ended September 30, 2024 . Fiscal Full Year 2024 Business Highlights and Subsequent Developments Financial Highlights "In fiscal year 2024 we drove tremendous progress in our pipeline. It was a transformative year, marked by our first FDA approval and significant clinical milestones. The approval of LYMPHIRTM and the positive Phase 3 results for Mino-Lok® underscore our commitment to developing innovative therapies. Our team successfully responded to FDA comments related to the biologics license application for LYMPHIR and ultimately gained FDA approval. Productive engagement with the FDA regarding the positive results of our Phase 3 Mino-Lok® trial and Phase 2 Halo-Lido trial clarified our next steps for both programs. We anticipate continued engagement with the agency in the coming year and look forward to their guidance. Additionally, we are exploring strategic partnerships and licensing opportunities to maximize the potential of our portfolio and bring these important therapies to market efficiently," stated Leonard Mazur , Chairman and CEO of Citius Pharma. "Looking ahead, our priorities for fiscal year 2025 include launching LYMPHIRTM through our majority-owned subsidiary, Citius Oncology, driving the clinical and regulatory strategies for Mino-Lok® and Halo-Lido, fortifying our financial position, and applying a disciplined approach to resource allocation. We expect to launch LYMPHIR in the first half of 2025 and distribute CTOR shares to Citius Pharma shareholders by the end of the year, pending favorable market conditions. Our goal remains to deliver value for patients, healthcare providers, and shareholders. With a clear vision and a strong team, we are well-positioned to execute on our mission of bringing innovative therapies to market," added Mazur. FULL YEAR 2024 FINANCIAL RESULTS: Liquidity As of September 30, 2024 , the Company had $3.3 million in cash and cash equivalents. As of September 30, 2024 , the Company had 7,247,243 common shares outstanding, as adjusted for the 1-for-25 reverse stock split of the Company's common stock, effected on November 25, 2024 . During the year ended September 30, 2024 , the Company received net proceeds of $13.8 million from the issuance of equity. The Company expects to raise additional capital to support operations. Research and Development (R&D) Expenses R&D expenses were $11.9 million for the full year ended September 30, 2024 , compared to $14.8 million for the full year ended September 30, 2023 . The decrease in R&D expenses primarily reflects the completion of the Halo-Lido trial and completion of activities related to the regulatory resubmission for LYMPHIR, offset by shutdown costs associated with the end of the Phase 3 trial for Mino-Lok. We expect research and development expenses to decrease in fiscal year 2025 as we continue to focus on the commercialization of LYMPHIR through our majority-owned subsidiary, Citius Oncology and because we have completed the Phase 3 trial for Mino-Lok. General and Administrative (G&A) Expenses G&A expenses were $18.2 million for the full year ended September 30, 2024 , compared to $15.3 million for the full year ended September 30, 2023 . The increase was primarily due to costs associated with pre-launch and market research activities associated with LYMPHIR. General and administrative expenses consist primarily of compensation costs, professional fees for legal, regulatory, accounting and corporate development services, and investor relations expenses. Stock-based Compensation Expense For the full year ended September 30, 2024 , stock-based compensation expense was $11.8 million as compared to $6.6 million for the prior year. The increase of $5.2 million is largely due to the grant of options under the Citius Oncology stock plan. Stock-based compensation expense under the Citius Oncology stock plan was $7.5 million during the year ended September 30, 2024 , compared to $2.0 million for the year ended September 30, 2023 , as the plan was initiated in July 2023 . For the years ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, stock-based compensation expense also includes $47,547 and $130,382 , respectively, for the NoveCite stock option plan. In fiscal years 2023 and 2024, we granted options to our new employees and additional options to other employees, our directors, and consultants. Net loss Net loss was $39.4 million , or ($5.97) per share for the year ended September 30, 2024 , compared to a net loss of $32.5 million , or ($5.57) per share for the year ended September 30, 2023 , as adjusted for the reverse stock split. The increase in net loss reflects an increase in operating expense of $5.3 million offset by a decrease of $1.6 million in other income. Operating expense increased due to increases in stock-based compensation and general and administrative expenses, which were offset by decreased research and development expense. About Citius Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Citius Pharma is a biopharmaceutical company dedicated to the development and commercialization of first-in-class critical care products. In August 2024 , the FDA approved LYMPHIRTM, a targeted immunotherapy for an initial indication in the treatment of cutaneous T-cell lymphoma. Citius Pharma's late-stage pipeline also includes Mino-Lok®, an antibiotic lock solution to salvage catheters in patients with catheter-related bloodstream infections, and CITI-002 (Halo-Lido), a topical formulation for the relief of hemorrhoids. A Pivotal Phase 3 Trial for Mino-Lok and a Phase 2b trial for Halo-Lido were completed in 2023. Mino-Lok met primary and secondary endpoints of its Phase 3 Trial. Citius Pharma is actively engaged with the FDA to outline next steps for both programs. For more information, please visit www.citiuspharma.com . Forward-Looking Statements This press release may contain "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Such statements are made based on our expectations and beliefs concerning future events impacting Citius Pharma. You can identify these statements by the fact that they use words such as "will," "anticipate," "estimate," "expect," "plan," "should," and "may" and other words and terms of similar meaning or use of future dates. Forward-looking statements are based on management's current expectations and are subject to risks and uncertainties that could negatively affect our business, operating results, financial condition and stock price. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those currently anticipated, and, unless noted otherwise, that apply to Citius Pharma are: our ability to raise additional money to fund our operations for at least the next 12 months as a going concern; our ability to commercialize LYMPHIR through our majority-owned subisity and any of our other product candidates that may be approved by the FDA; the estimated markets for our product candidates and the acceptance thereof by any market; the ability of our product candidates to impact the quality of life of our target patient populations; risks related to research using our assets but conducted by third parties; risks relating to the results of research and development activities, including those from our existing and any new pipeline assets; our ability to maintain compliance with Nasdaq's continued listing standards; our dependence on third-party suppliers; our ability to procure cGMP commercial-scale supply; our ability to obtain, perform under and maintain financing and strategic agreements and relationships; uncertainties relating to preclinical and clinical testing; the early stage of products under development; market and other conditions; risks related to our growth strategy; patent and intellectual property matters; our ability to identify, acquire, close and integrate product candidates and companies successfully and on a timely basis; government regulation; competition; as well as other risks described in our Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") filings. These risks have been and may be further impacted by any future public health risks. Accordingly, these forward-looking statements do not constitute guarantees of future performance, and you are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. Risks regarding our business are described in detail in our SEC filings which are available on the SEC's website at www.sec.gov , including in Citius Pharma's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended September 30, 2024 , filed with the SEC on December 27, 2024 , as updated by our subsequent filings with the SEC. These forward-looking statements speak only as of the date hereof, and we expressly disclaim any obligation or undertaking to release publicly any updates or revisions to any forward-looking statements contained herein to reflect any change in our expectations or any changes in events, conditions or circumstances on which any such statement is based, except as required by law. Investor Contact: Ilanit Allen ir@citiuspharma.com 908-967-6677 x113 Media Contact: STiR-communications Greg Salsburg Greg@STiR-communications.com -- Financial Tables Follow – CITIUS PHARMACEUTICALS, INC. CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS SEPTEMBER 30, 2024 AND 2023 2024 2023 ASSETS Current Assets: Cash and cash equivalents $ 3,251,880 $ 26,480,928 Inventory 8,268,766 — Prepaid expenses 2,700,000 7,889,506 Total Current Assets 14,220,646 34,370,434 Property and equipment, net — 1,432 Operating lease right-of-use asset, net 246,247 454,426 Other Assets: Deposits 38,062 38,062 In-process research and development 92,800,000 59,400,000 Goodwill 9,346,796 9,346,796 Total Other Assets 102,184,858 68,784,858 Total Assets $ 116,651,751 $ 103,611,150 LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY Current Liabilities: Accounts payable $ 4,927,211 $ 2,927,334 License payable 28,400,000 — Accrued expenses 17,027 476,300 Accrued compensation 2,229,018 2,156,983 Operating lease liability 241,547 218,380 Total Current Liabilities 35,814,803 5,778,997 Deferred tax liability 6,713,800 6,137,800 Operating lease liability – non current 21,318 262,865 Total Liabilities 42,549,921 12,179,662 Commitments and Contingencies Stockholders' Equity: Preferred stock - $0.001 par value; 10,000,000 shares authorized; no shares issued and outstanding — — Common stock - $0.001 par value; 16,000,000 shares authorized; 7,247,243 and 6,354,371 shares issued and outstanding at September 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively 7,247 6,354 Additional paid-in capital 271,440,421 253,056,133 Accumulated deficit (201,370,218) (162,231,379) Total Citius Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Stockholders' Equity 70,077,450 90,831,108 Non-controlling interest 4,024,380 600,380 Total Equity 74,101,830 91,431,488 Total Liabilities and Equity $ 116,651,751 $ 103,611,150 Reflects a 1-for-25 reverse stock split effective November 25, 2024. CITIUS PHARMACEUTICALS, INC. CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS FOR THE YEARS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2024 AND 2023 2024 2023 Revenues $ — $ — Operating Expenses: Research and development 11,906,601 14,819,729 General and administrative 18,249,402 15,295,584 Stock-based compensation – general and administrative 11,839,678 6,616,705 Total Operating Expenses 41,995,681 36,732,018 Operating Loss (41,995,681) (36,732,018) Other Income: Interest income, net 758,000 1,179,417 Gain on sale of New Jersey net operating losses 2,387,842 3,585,689 Total Other Income Net 3,145,842 4,765,106 Loss before Income Taxes (38,849,839) (31,966,912) Income tax expense 576,000 576,000 Net Loss (39,425,839) (32,542,912) Net loss attributable to non-controlling interest 287,000 - Deemed dividend on warrant extension (1,047,312) (1,151,208) Net Loss Applicable to Common Stockholders $ (40,186,151) (33,694,120) Net Loss Per Share Applicable to Common Stockholders - Basic and Diluted $ (5.97) (5.57) Weighted Average Common Shares Outstanding
Ceasefire Deal Between Israel, Hezbollah Takes Effect Wednesday: BidenWASHINGTON — The House Ethics Committee's long-awaited report on Matt Gaetz documents a trove of salacious allegations, including sex with an underage girl, that tanked the Florida Republican's bid to lead the Justice Department. Citing text messages, travel receipts, online payments and testimony, the bipartisan committee paints a picture of a lifestyle in which Gaetz and others connected with younger women for drug-fueled parties, events or trips, with the expectation the women would be paid for their participation. The former congressman, who filed a last-minute lawsuit to try to block the report's release Monday, slammed the committee's findings. Gaetz has denied any wrongdoing and has insisted he never had sex with a minor. And a Justice Department investigation into the allegations ended without any criminal charges filed against him. "Giving funds to someone you are dating — that they didn't ask for — and that isn't 'charged' for sex is now prostitution?!?" Gaetz wrote in one post Monday. "There is a reason they did this to me in a Christmas Eve-Eve report and not in a courtroom of any kind where I could present evidence and challenge witnesses." Here's a look at some of the committee's key findings: 'Sex-for-money arrangements,' drug-fueled parties and trips The committee found that between 2017 and 2020, Gaetz paid tens of thousands of dollars to women "likely in connection with sexual activity and/or drug use." He paid the women using through online services such as PayPal, Venmo and CashApp and with cash or check, the committee said. The committee said it found evidence that Gaetz understood the "transactional nature" of his relationships with the women. The report points to one text exchange in which Gaetz balked at a woman's request that he send her money, "claiming she only gave him a 'drive by.'" Women interviewed by the committee said there was a "general expectation of sex," the report said. One woman who received more than $5,000 from Gaetz between 2018 and 2019 said that "99 percent of the time" that when she hung out with Gaetz "there was sex involved." However, Gaetz was in a long-term relationship with one of the women he paid, so "some of the payments may have been of a legitimate nature," the committee said. Text messages obtained by the committee also show that Gaetz would ask the women to bring drugs to their "rendezvous," the report said. While most of his encounters with the women were in Florida, the committee said Gaetz also traveled "on several occasions" with women whom he paid for sex. The report includes text message exchanges in which Gaetz appears to be inviting various women to events, getaways or parties, and arranging airplane travel and lodging. Gaetz associate Joel Greenberg, who pleaded guilty to sex trafficking charges in 2021, initially connected with women through an online service. In one text with a 20-year-old woman, Greenberg suggested if she had a friend, the four of them could meet up. The woman responded that she usually does "$400 per meet." Greenberg replied: "He understands the deal," along with a smiley face emoji. Greenberg asked if they were old enough to drink alcohol, and sent the woman a picture of Gaetz. The woman responded that her friend found him "really cute." "Well, he's down here for only for the day, we work hard and play hard," Greenberg replied. 'Substantial evidence' indicates that Gaetz had sex with an underage girl, the committee said The report details a party in July 2017 in which Gaetz is accused of having sex with "multiple women, including the 17-year-old, for which they were paid." The committee pointed to "credible testimony" from the now-woman herself as well as "multiple individuals" who corroborated the allegation. The then-17-year-old — who had just completed her junior year in high school — told the committee that Gaetz paid her $400 in cash that night, "which she understood to be payment for sex," according to the report. The woman acknowledged that she had taken ecstasy the night of the party, but told the committee that she was "certain" of her sexual encounters with the then-congressman. There's no evidence that Gaetz knew she was a minor when he had sex with her, the committee said. The woman told the committee she didn't tell Gaetz she was under 18 at the time and he didn't ask how old she was. Rather, the committee said Gaetz learned she was a minor more than a month after the party. But he stayed in touch with her after that and met up with her for "commercial sex" again less than six months after she turned 18, according to the committee. Gaetz said evidence would 'exonerate' him but provided none of it In sum, the committee said it authorized 29 subpoenas for documents and testimony, reviewed nearly 14,000 documents and contacted more than two dozen witnesses. But when the committee subpoenaed Gaetz for his testimony, he failed to comply. "Gaetz pointed to evidence that would 'exonerate' him yet failed to produce any such materials," the committee said. Gaetz "continuously sought to deflect, deter, or mislead the Committee in order to prevent his actions from being exposed." The report details a months-long process that dragged into a year as it sought information from Gaetz that he decried as "nosey" and a "weaponization" of government against him. In one notable exchange, investigators were seeking information about the expenses for a 2018 getaway with multiple women to the Bahamas. Gaetz ultimately offered up his plane ticket receipt "to" the destination, but declined to share his return "from" the Bahamas. The report said his return on a private plane and other expenses paid by an associate were in violation of House gift rules. In another Gaetz told the committee he would "welcome" the opportunity to respond to written questions. Yet, after it sent a list of 16 questions, Gaetz said publicly he would "no longer" voluntarily cooperate. He called the investigation "frivolous," adding, "Every investigation into me ends the same way: my exoneration." The report said that while Gaetz's obstruction of the investigation does not rise to a criminal violation it is inconsistent with the requirement that all members of Congress "act in a manner that reflects creditably upon the House." Justice Department didn't cooperate with the committee The committee began its review of Gaetz in April 2021 and deferred its work in response to a Justice Department request. It renewed its work shortly after Gaetz announced that the Justice Department had ended a sex trafficking investigation without filing any charges against him. The committee sought records from the Justice Department about the probe, but the agency refused, saying it doesn't disclose information about investigations that don't result in charges. The committee then subpoenaed the Justice Department, and after a back-and-forth between officials and the committee, the department handed over "publicly reported information about the testimony of a deceased individual," according to the report. "To date, DOJ has provided no meaningful evidence or information to the Committee or cited any lawful basis for its responses," the committee said. Many of the women who the committee spoke to had already given statements to the Justice Department and didn't want to "relive their experience," the committee said. "They were particularly concerned with providing additional testimony about a sitting congressman in light of DOJ's lack of action on their prior testimony," the report said. The Justice Department, however, never handed over the women's statements. The agency's lack of cooperation — along with its request that the committee pause its investigation — significantly delayed the committee's probe, lawmakers said.Thanks to the current volatility, retail investors are increasingly jittery about investing directly in the stock market. With benchmark indices already lower by 10 per cent from their all-time high, there are fewer reasons for investors to get exposure to equity than there were earlier. Typically, wary investors tend to opt for safer options such as fixed deposits (FDs) or debt mutual funds . However, experts try to calm investors' nerves by clarifying that volatility is the best tool for assessing their risk appetite. “Market volatility is the best tool to check investors' risk-taking ability. It's a reality check of patience for many retail investors. For the last few months, we have witnessed continuous volatility. The naive investors would naturally get fearful because of the negative performance of their portfolio but this is, in fact, a good time to continue the SIPs in order to accumulate more units at lower NAV,” says Preeti Zende, founder of Apna Dhan financial Services. As far as different options that exist now, it is recommended to explore flexi cap funds, wherein allocation to different categories can be tweaked to align with changing market conditions. What are flexi cap funds? These refer to mutual funds which invest at least 65 per cent in equity and equity-related instruments. They enjoy the flexibility of investing in the stocks across market capitalisation — large cap, mid cap and small cap. There are 39 flexi cap schemes with total AUMs of ₹ 4.35 lakh crore, second highest after sectoral or thematic funds which have a total AUMs of ₹ 4.61 lakh crore. In November alone, flexi caps received an inflow of ₹ 5,084 crore while the corresponding figure for multi cap funds stood at ₹ 3,626 crore and for large caps, it stood at ₹ 2,547 crore. Popular among investors There is no denying the fact that flexi caps are among the most popular categories of mutual funds among investors. “When the domestic economy does better, a broader market index such as Nifty 500 (represented in the flexi cap fund) tends to do better than the large cap index such as Nifty50. Besides, these funds give a lot of flexibility to the fund managers who can decide where to invest. The scope of stock picking is better across sectors and across market cap,” says Mihir Vora, Chief Investment Officer, TRUST Mutual Fund. “Due to the uncertain future, it is always better to stick to large cap and/or flexi cap funds. In flexi cap funds, fund managers take their calls to have exposure in all equity and debt allocation sections or even prefer to sit on cash. So, in a single fund, you can get allocation to large cap, mid cap, small cap, and if needed in debt funds,” says Zende of Apna Dhan. Need for caution It is recommended to invest in flexi caps to take advantage of volatility. However, one should exercise caution and opt for schemes with fund managers who have a deep understanding. “If you are a seasoned investor, then you can continue your flexicap investments. But select only those flexi caps whose fund managers have a deep understanding of investing in a sideways market. The skill of fund managers matters a lot in such a volatile situation,” explains Zende. 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This Samsung 2.1-channel soundbar is only $100 at Best Buy today!RIYADH: The Diriyah Gate Development Authority has signed an agreement with tech giant Amazon to enhance cooperation in cultural and technical fields. This collaboration will enrich the visitor experience at historical sites in Diriyah, and expand cultural and historical content through Amazon Alexa, a virtual assistant technology. The deal was signed by Group CEO of DGDA, Jerry Inzerillo, and Amazon Saudi Arabia Country Manager, Abdo Chlala. Inzerillo said: “This day represents the beginning of an ongoing collaboration that will help make Diriyah a global destination for culture and heritage as we connect the past to the future by investing in modern technologies, highlighting the rich heritage of Diriyah and the authentic culture of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.” Eric King, Amazon’s managing director of Alexa International for EMEA & APAC, said: “We are excited to team up with the Diriyah Gate Development Authority to celebrate the cultural heritage of Saudi Arabia. “This collaboration will showcase the Kingdom’s rich traditions and history through our innovative technology that continues to delight our customers and enhance their experiences.”United States President-elect Donald Trump is bringing Silicon Valley’s influence to the forefront of his administration, by appointing tech Titans for prominent positions. Recently, Trump announced the appointment of a managing partner at Venture Capital (VC) firm Andreessen, Scott Kupor, for the Office of Personnel Management. This key agency oversees recruitment and provides resources for federal employees. Speaking on his appointment, Trump said, Tekedia Mini-MBA edition 16 (Feb 10 – May 3, 2025 ) opens registrations; register today for early bird discounts. Tekedia AI in Business Masterclass opens registrations here. Join Tekedia Capital Syndicate and i nvest in Africa’s finest startups here . “Scott will bring much needed reform to our federal workforce”. Scott Kupor is an investing partner focused on growth-stage companies building in the bio and healthcare industries. He manages the firm’s investor relations team, and is responsible for the firm’s growth initiatives. He was the first employee at Andreessen Horowitz and managed the firm’s growth from $300 million in AUM to more than $40 billion. Prior to joining the firm, Scott worked as vice president and general manager of software-as-a-service at Hewlett Packard. Before that, he held numerous executive management positions at Opsware, including senior vice president of global field operations, vice president of financial planning and vice president of corporate development. In another high-profile appointment, Trump named Indian-American internet entrepreneur, Sririam Krishnan, as senior policy advisor for artificial intelligence at the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy. Krishnan, a former general partner at Andreessen Horowitz, has an extensive tech background with roles at companies such as Microsoft, Meta, Twitter, Snap, and Yahoo. He also has a close working relationship with Musk, having temporarily managed Musk’s social media platform, X, following its acquisition in 2022. Trump’s administration has also seen the appointment of seasoned technology expert and former Uber executive Emil Michael, as undersecretary of Defense for Research and Engineering. Trump highlighted Michael’s background in his announcement, stating, “Emil has lived the American Dream by building several successful Tech companies. He will ensure that our Military has the most technologically sophisticated weapons in the World, while saving A LOT of money for our Taxpayers.” Tech industry leaders have praised Trump’s appointments, with former Meta executive David Marcus calling them “remarkable picks” and Box CEO Aaron Levie describing them as “very strong.” In a twist of event during which several tech leaders often clashed with Trump, many of these Silicon Valley executives have now shown their support for the president-elect. Major tech leaders which include Meta, and OpenAl’s Sam Altman, have donated $1 million each to Trump’s inaugural committee, and many Silicon Valley leaders have made visits to His residence in Palm Beach, Florida, in recent weeks. The appointment of tech leaders to key positions in Trump’s administration signals a strong shift toward incorporating Silicon Valley’s influence into government operations. By selecting prominent figures from major tech companies, Trump is emphasizing a more business-oriented and innovation-driven approach to governance. These appointments suggest that the administration will prioritize government efficiency, cutting regulations, and leveraging technology to improve federal operations. Additionally, his close ties with Billionaire Tech Entrepreneur Elon Musk, who has become one of his closest advisors, could lead to stronger collaboration between the government and tech giants, potentially reshaping policies related to Al, cryptocurrency, and other emerging technologies. These appointments also reflect a more business-friendly environment, which could attract further support from the tech industry, shifting the administration’s stance from its earlier, more adversarial approach. Overall, the selection of Silicon Valley executive positions m Trump’s administration to drive tech-driven reforms, streamline government processes, and foster closer connections between the private sector and public policy.
WASHINGTON — The House Ethics Committee's long-awaited report on Matt Gaetz documents a trove of salacious allegations, including sex with an underage girl, that tanked the Florida Republican's bid to lead the Justice Department. Citing text messages, travel receipts, online payments and testimony, the bipartisan committee paints a picture of a lifestyle in which Gaetz and others connected with younger women for drug-fueled parties, events or trips, with the expectation the women would be paid for their participation. President-elect Donald Trump's nominee to be attorney general, former Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., closes a door to a private meeting with Vice President-elect JD Vance and Republican Senate Judiciary Committee members, at the Capitol in Washington, Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2024. The former congressman, who filed a last-minute lawsuit to try to block the report's release Monday, slammed the committee's findings. Gaetz has denied any wrongdoing and has insisted he never had sex with a minor. And a Justice Department investigation into the allegations ended without any criminal charges filed against him. "Giving funds to someone you are dating — that they didn't ask for — and that isn't 'charged' for sex is now prostitution?!?" Gaetz wrote in one post Monday. "There is a reason they did this to me in a Christmas Eve-Eve report and not in a courtroom of any kind where I could present evidence and challenge witnesses." Here's a look at some of the committee's key findings: The committee found that between 2017 and 2020, Gaetz paid tens of thousands of dollars to women "likely in connection with sexual activity and/or drug use." He paid the women using through online services such as PayPal, Venmo and CashApp and with cash or check, the committee said. The committee said it found evidence that Gaetz understood the "transactional nature" of his relationships with the women. The report points to one text exchange in which Gaetz balked at a woman's request that he send her money, "claiming she only gave him a 'drive by.'" Women interviewed by the committee said there was a "general expectation of sex," the report said. One woman who received more than $5,000 from Gaetz between 2018 and 2019 said that "99 percent of the time" that when she hung out with Gaetz "there was sex involved." However, Gaetz was in a long-term relationship with one of the women he paid, so "some of the payments may have been of a legitimate nature," the committee said. Text messages obtained by the committee also show that Gaetz would ask the women to bring drugs to their "rendezvous," the report said. Former Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., attends the cocktail hour of New York Young Republican Club's annual gala at Cipriani Wall Street, Sunday, Dec. 15, 2024, in New York. While most of his encounters with the women were in Florida, the committee said Gaetz also traveled "on several occasions" with women whom he paid for sex. The report includes text message exchanges in which Gaetz appears to be inviting various women to events, getaways or parties, and arranging airplane travel and lodging. Gaetz associate Joel Greenberg, who pleaded guilty to sex trafficking charges in 2021, initially connected with women through an online service. In one text with a 20-year-old woman, Greenberg suggested if she had a friend, the four of them could meet up. The woman responded that she usually does "$400 per meet." Greenberg replied: "He understands the deal," along with a smiley face emoji. Greenberg asked if they were old enough to drink alcohol, and sent the woman a picture of Gaetz. The woman responded that her friend found him "really cute." "Well, he's down here for only for the day, we work hard and play hard," Greenberg replied. The report details a party in July 2017 in which Gaetz is accused of having sex with "multiple women, including the 17-year-old, for which they were paid." The committee pointed to "credible testimony" from the now-woman herself as well as "multiple individuals" who corroborated the allegation. The then-17-year-old — who had just completed her junior year in high school — told the committee that Gaetz paid her $400 in cash that night, "which she understood to be payment for sex," according to the report. The woman acknowledged that she had taken ecstasy the night of the party, but told the committee that she was "certain" of her sexual encounters with the then-congressman. There's no evidence that Gaetz knew she was a minor when he had sex with her, the committee said. The woman told the committee she didn't tell Gaetz she was under 18 at the time and he didn't ask how old she was. Rather, the committee said Gaetz learned she was a minor more than a month after the party. But he stayed in touch with her after that and met up with her for "commercial sex" again less than six months after she turned 18, according to the committee. Former Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., center, attends the cocktail hour of New York Young Republican Club's annual gala at Cipriani Wall Street, Sunday, Dec. 15, 2024, in New York. In sum, the committee said it authorized 29 subpoenas for documents and testimony, reviewed nearly 14,000 documents and contacted more than two dozen witnesses. But when the committee subpoenaed Gaetz for his testimony, he failed to comply. "Gaetz pointed to evidence that would 'exonerate' him yet failed to produce any such materials," the committee said. Gaetz "continuously sought to deflect, deter, or mislead the Committee in order to prevent his actions from being exposed." The report details a months-long process that dragged into a year as it sought information from Gaetz that he decried as "nosey" and a "weaponization" of government against him. In one notable exchange, investigators were seeking information about the expenses for a 2018 getaway with multiple women to the Bahamas. Gaetz ultimately offered up his plane ticket receipt "to" the destination, but declined to share his return "from" the Bahamas. The report said his return on a private plane and other expenses paid by an associate were in violation of House gift rules. In another Gaetz told the committee he would "welcome" the opportunity to respond to written questions. Yet, after it sent a list of 16 questions, Gaetz said publicly he would "no longer" voluntarily cooperate. He called the investigation "frivolous," adding, "Every investigation into me ends the same way: my exoneration." The report said that while Gaetz's obstruction of the investigation does not rise to a criminal violation it is inconsistent with the requirement that all members of Congress "act in a manner that reflects creditably upon the House." The committee began its review of Gaetz in April 2021 and deferred its work in response to a Justice Department request. It renewed its work shortly after Gaetz announced that the Justice Department had ended a sex trafficking investigation without filing any charges against him. The committee sought records from the Justice Department about the probe, but the agency refused, saying it doesn't disclose information about investigations that don't result in charges. The committee then subpoenaed the Justice Department, and after a back-and-forth between officials and the committee, the department handed over "publicly reported information about the testimony of a deceased individual," according to the report. "To date, DOJ has provided no meaningful evidence or information to the Committee or cited any lawful basis for its responses," the committee said. Many of the women who the committee spoke to had already given statements to the Justice Department and didn't want to "relive their experience," the committee said. "They were particularly concerned with providing additional testimony about a sitting congressman in light of DOJ's lack of action on their prior testimony," the report said. The Justice Department, however, never handed over the women's statements. The agency's lack of cooperation — along with its request that the committee pause its investigation — significantly delayed the committee's probe, lawmakers said. Among President-elect Donald Trump's picks are Susie Wiles for chief of staff, Florida Sen. Marco Rubio for secretary of state, former Democratic House member Tulsi Gabbard for director of national intelligence and Florida Rep. Matt Gaetz for attorney general. Susie Wiles, 67, was a senior adviser to Trump's 2024 presidential campaign and its de facto manager. Trump named Florida Sen. Marco Rubio to be secretary of state, making a former sharp critic his choice to be the new administration's top diplomat. Rubio, 53, is a noted hawk on China, Cuba and Iran, and was a finalist to be Trump's running mate on the Republican ticket last summer. Rubio is the vice chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee and a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. “He will be a strong Advocate for our Nation, a true friend to our Allies, and a fearless Warrior who will never back down to our adversaries,” Trump said of Rubio in a statement. The announcement punctuates the hard pivot Rubio has made with Trump, whom the senator called a “con man" during his unsuccessful campaign for the 2016 GOP presidential nomination. Their relationship improved dramatically while Trump was in the White House. And as Trump campaigned for the presidency a third time, Rubio cheered his proposals. For instance, Rubio, who more than a decade ago helped craft immigration legislation that included a path to citizenship for people in the U.S. illegally, now supports Trump's plan to use the U.S. military for mass deportations. Pete Hegseth, 44, is a co-host of Fox News Channel’s “Fox & Friends Weekend” and has been a contributor with the network since 2014, where he developed a friendship with Trump, who made regular appearances on the show. Hegseth lacks senior military or national security experience. If confirmed by the Senate, he would inherit the top job during a series of global crises — ranging from Russia’s war in Ukraine and the ongoing attacks in the Middle East by Iranian proxies to the push for a cease-fire between Israel, Hamas and Hezbollah and escalating worries about the growing alliance between Russia and North Korea. Hegseth is also the author of “The War on Warriors: Behind the Betrayal of the Men Who Keep Us Free,” published earlier this year. Trump tapped Pam Bondi, 59, to be attorney general after U.S. Rep. Matt Gaetz withdrew his name from consideration. She was Florida's first female attorney general, serving between 2011 and 2019. She also was on Trump’s legal team during his first impeachment trial in 2020. Considered a loyalist, she served as part of a Trump-allied outside group that helped lay the groundwork for his future administration called the America First Policy Institute. Bondi was among a group of Republicans who showed up to support Trump at his hush money criminal trial in New York that ended in May with a conviction on 34 felony counts. A fierce defender of Trump, she also frequently appears on Fox News and has been a critic of the criminal cases against him. Trump picked South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem, a well-known conservative who faced sharp criticism for telling a story in her memoir about shooting a rambunctious dog, to lead an agency crucial to the president-elect’s hardline immigration agenda. Noem used her two terms leading a tiny state to vault to a prominent position in Republican politics. South Dakota is usually a political afterthought. But during the COVID-19 pandemic, Noem did not order restrictions that other states had issued and instead declared her state “open for business.” Trump held a fireworks rally at Mount Rushmore in July 2020 in one of the first large gatherings of the pandemic. She takes over a department with a sprawling mission. In addition to key immigration agencies, the Department of Homeland Security oversees natural disaster response, the U.S. Secret Service, and Transportation Security Administration agents who work at airports. The governor of North Dakota, who was once little-known outside his state, Burgum is a former Republican presidential primary contender who endorsed Trump, and spent months traveling to drum up support for him, after dropping out of the race. Burgum was a serious contender to be Trump’s vice presidential choice this summer. The two-term governor was seen as a possible pick because of his executive experience and business savvy. Burgum also has close ties to deep-pocketed energy industry CEOs. Trump made the announcement about Burgum joining his incoming administration while addressing a gala at his Mar-a-Lago club, and said a formal statement would be coming the following day. In comments to reporters before Trump took the stage, Burgum said that, in recent years, the power grid is deteriorating in many parts of the country, which he said could raise national security concerns but also drive up prices enough to increase inflation. “There's just a sense of urgency, and a sense of understanding in the Trump administration,” Burgum said. Robert F. Kennedy Jr. ran for president as a Democrat, than as an independent, and then endorsed Trump . He's the son of Democratic icon Robert Kennedy, who was assassinated during his own presidential campaign. The nomination of Kennedy to lead the Department of Health and Human Services alarmed people who are concerned about his record of spreading unfounded fears about vaccines . For example, he has long advanced the debunked idea that vaccines cause autism. Scott Bessent, 62, is a former George Soros money manager and an advocate for deficit reduction. He's the founder of hedge fund Key Square Capital Management, after having worked on-and-off for Soros Fund Management since 1991. If confirmed by the Senate, he would be the nation’s first openly gay treasury secretary. He told Bloomberg in August that he decided to join Trump’s campaign in part to attack the mounting U.S. national debt. That would include slashing government programs and other spending. “This election cycle is the last chance for the U.S. to grow our way out of this mountain of debt without becoming a sort of European-style socialist democracy,” he said then. Oregon Republican U.S. Rep. Lori Chavez-DeRemer narrowly lost her reelection bid this month, but received strong backing from union members in her district. As a potential labor secretary, she would oversee the Labor Department’s workforce, its budget and put forth priorities that impact workers’ wages, health and safety, ability to unionize, and employer’s rights to fire employers, among other responsibilities. Chavez-DeRemer is one of few House Republicans to endorse the “Protecting the Right to Organize” or PRO Act would allow more workers to conduct organizing campaigns and would add penalties for companies that violate workers’ rights. The act would also weaken “right-to-work” laws that allow employees in more than half the states to avoid participating in or paying dues to unions that represent workers at their places of employment. Scott Turner is a former NFL player and White House aide. He ran the White House Opportunity and Revitalization Council during Trump’s first term in office. Trump, in a statement, credited Turner, the highest-ranking Black person he’s yet selected for his administration, with “helping to lead an Unprecedented Effort that Transformed our Country’s most distressed communities.” Sean Duffy is a former House member from Wisconsin who was one of Trump's most visible defenders on cable news. Duffy served in the House for nearly nine years, sitting on the Financial Services Committee and chairing the subcommittee on insurance and housing. He left Congress in 2019 for a TV career and has been the host of “The Bottom Line” on Fox Business. Before entering politics, Duffy was a reality TV star on MTV, where he met his wife, “Fox and Friends Weekend” co-host Rachel Campos-Duffy. They have nine children. A campaign donor and CEO of Denver-based Liberty Energy, Write is a vocal advocate of oil and gas development, including fracking — a key pillar of Trump’s quest to achieve U.S. “energy dominance” in the global market. Wright also has been one of the industry’s loudest voices against efforts to fight climate change. He said the climate movement around the world is “collapsing under its own weight.” The Energy Department is responsible for advancing energy, environmental and nuclear security of the United States. Wright also won support from influential conservatives, including oil and gas tycoon Harold Hamm. Hamm, executive chairman of Oklahoma-based Continental Resources, a major shale oil company, is a longtime Trump supporter and adviser who played a key role on energy issues in Trump’s first term. President-elect Donald Trump tapped billionaire professional wrestling mogul Linda McMahon to be secretary of the Education Department, tasked with overseeing an agency Trump promised to dismantle. McMahon led the Small Business Administration during Trump’s initial term from 2017 to 2019 and twice ran unsuccessfully as a Republican for the U.S. Senate in Connecticut. She’s seen as a relative unknown in education circles, though she expressed support for charter schools and school choice. She served on the Connecticut Board of Education for a year starting in 2009 and has spent years on the board of trustees for Sacred Heart University in Connecticut. Brooke Rollins, who graduated from Texas A&M University with a degree in agricultural development, is a longtime Trump associate who served as White House domestic policy chief during his first presidency. The 52-year-old is president and CEO of the America First Policy Institute, a group helping to lay the groundwork for a second Trump administration. She previously served as an aide to former Texas Gov. Rick Perry and ran a think tank, the Texas Public Policy Foundation. Trump chose Howard Lutnick, head of brokerage and investment bank Cantor Fitzgerald and a cryptocurrency enthusiast, as his nominee for commerce secretary, a position in which he'd have a key role in carrying out Trump's plans to raise and enforce tariffs. Trump made the announcement Tuesday on his social media platform, Truth Social. Lutnick is a co-chair of Trump’s transition team, along with Linda McMahon, the former wrestling executive who previously led Trump’s Small Business Administration. Both are tasked with putting forward candidates for key roles in the next administration. The nomination would put Lutnick in charge of a sprawling Cabinet agency that is involved in funding new computer chip factories, imposing trade restrictions, releasing economic data and monitoring the weather. It is also a position in which connections to CEOs and the wider business community are crucial. FILE - Former Rep. Doug Collins speaks before Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump at a campaign event at the Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre, Oct. 15, 2024, in Atlanta. Karoline Leavitt, 27, was Trump's campaign press secretary and currently a spokesperson for his transition. She would be the youngest White House press secretary in history. The White House press secretary typically serves as the public face of the administration and historically has held daily briefings for the press corps. Leavitt, a New Hampshire native, was a spokesperson for MAGA Inc., a super PAC supporting Trump, before joining his 2024 campaign. In 2022, she ran for Congress in New Hampshire, winning a 10-way Republican primary before losing to Democratic Rep. Chris Pappas. Leavitt worked in the White House press office during Trump's first term before she became communications director for New York Republican Rep. Elise Stefanik, Trump's choice for U.S. ambassador to the United Nations. Former Hawaii Rep. Tulsi Gabbard has been tapped by Trump to be director of national intelligence, keeping with the trend to stock his Cabinet with loyal personalities rather than veteran professionals in their requisite fields. Gabbard, 43, was a Democratic House member who unsuccessfully sought the party's 2020 presidential nomination before leaving the party in 2022. She endorsed Trump in August and campaigned often with him this fall. “I know Tulsi will bring the fearless spirit that has defined her illustrious career to our Intelligence Community,” Trump said in a statement. Gabbard, who has served in the Army National Guard for more than two decades, deploying to Iraq and Kuwait, would come to the role as somewhat of an outsider compared to her predecessor. The current director, Avril Haines, was confirmed by the Senate in 2021 following several years in a number of top national security and intelligence positions. Trump has picked John Ratcliffe, a former Texas congressman who served as director of national intelligence during his first administration, to be director of the Central Intelligence Agency in his next. Ratcliffe was director of national intelligence during the final year and a half of Trump's first term, leading the U.S. government's spy agencies during the coronavirus pandemic. “I look forward to John being the first person ever to serve in both of our Nation's highest Intelligence positions,” Trump said in a statement, calling him a “fearless fighter for the Constitutional Rights of all Americans” who would ensure “the Highest Levels of National Security, and PEACE THROUGH STRENGTH.” Kash Patel spent several years as a Justice Department prosecutor before catching the Trump administration’s attention as a staffer on Capitol Hill who helped investigate the Russia probe. Patel called for dramatically reducing the agency’s footprint, a perspective that sets him apart from earlier directors who sought additional resources for the bureau. Though the Justice Department in 2021 halted the practice of secretly seizing reporters’ phone records during leak investigations, Patel said he intends to aggressively hunt down government officials who leak information to reporters. Trump has chosen former New York Rep. Lee Zeldin to serve as his pick to lead the Environmental Protection Agency . Zeldin does not appear to have any experience in environmental issues, but is a longtime supporter of the former president. The 44-year-old former U.S. House member from New York wrote on X , “We will restore US energy dominance, revitalize our auto industry to bring back American jobs, and make the US the global leader of AI.” “We will do so while protecting access to clean air and water,” he added. During his campaign, Trump often attacked the Biden administration's promotion of electric vehicles, and incorrectly referring to a tax credit for EV purchases as a government mandate. Trump also often told his audiences during the campaign his administration would “Drill, baby, drill,” referring to his support for expanded petroleum exploration. In a statement, Trump said Zeldin “will ensure fair and swift deregulatory decisions that will be enacted in a way to unleash the power of American businesses, while at the same time maintaining the highest environmental standards, including the cleanest air and water on the planet.” Trump has named Brendan Carr, the senior Republican on the Federal Communications Commission, as the new chairman of the agency tasked with regulating broadcasting, telecommunications and broadband. Carr is a longtime member of the commission and served previously as the FCC’s general counsel. He has been unanimously confirmed by the Senate three times and was nominated by both Trump and President Joe Biden to the commission. Carr made past appearances on “Fox News Channel," including when he decried Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris' pre-Election Day appearance on “Saturday Night Live.” He wrote an op-ed last month defending a satellite company owned by Trump supporter Elon Musk. Trump said Atkins, the CEO of Patomak Partners and a former SEC commissioner, was a “proven leader for common sense regulations.” In the years since leaving the SEC, Atkins has made the case against too much market regulation. “He believes in the promise of robust, innovative capital markets that are responsive to the needs of Investors, & that provide capital to make our Economy the best in the World. He also recognizes that digital assets & other innovations are crucial to Making America Greater than Ever Before,” Trump wrote on Truth Social. The commission oversees U.S. securities markets and investments and is currently led by Gary Gensler, who has been leading the U.S. government’s crackdown on the crypto industry. Gensler, who was nominated by President Joe Biden, announced last month that he would be stepping down from his post on the day that Trump is inaugurated — Jan. 20, 2025. Atkins began his career as a lawyer and has a long history working in the financial markets sector, both in government and private practice. In the 1990s, he worked on the staffs of two former SEC chairmen, Richard C. Breeden and Arthur Levitt. Jared Isaacman, 41, is a tech billionaire who bought a series of spaceflights from Elon Musk’s SpaceX and conducted the first private spacewalk . He is the founder and CEO of a card-processing company and has collaborated closely with Musk ever since buying his first chartered SpaceX flight. He took contest winners on that 2021 trip and followed it in September with a mission where he briefly popped out the hatch to test SpaceX’s new spacewalking suits. Rep. Elise Stefanik is a representative from New York and one of Trump's staunchest defenders going back to his first impeachment. Elected to the House in 2014, Stefanik was selected by her GOP House colleagues as House Republican Conference chair in 2021, when former Wyoming Rep. Liz Cheney was removed from the post after publicly criticizing Trump for falsely claiming he won the 2020 election. Stefanik, 40, has served in that role ever since as the third-ranking member of House leadership. Stefanik’s questioning of university presidents over antisemitism on their campuses helped lead to two of those presidents resigning, further raising her national profile. If confirmed, she would represent American interests at the U.N. as Trump vows to end the war waged by Russia against Ukraine begun in 2022. He has also called for peace as Israel continues its offensive against Hamas in Gaza and its invasion of Lebanon to target Hezbollah. President-elect Donald Trump says he's chosen former acting Attorney General Matt Whitaker to serve as U.S. ambassador to NATO. Trump has expressed skepticism about the Western military alliance for years. Trump said in a statement Wednesday that Whitaker is “a strong warrior and loyal Patriot” who “will ensure the United States’ interests are advanced and defended” and “strengthen relationships with our NATO Allies, and stand firm in the face of threats to Peace and Stability.” The choice of Whitaker as the nation’s representative to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization is an unusual one, given his background is as a lawyer and not in foreign policy. President-elect Donald Trump tapped former Sen. David Perdue of Georgia to be ambassador to China, saying in a social media post that the former CEO “brings valuable expertise to help build our relationship with China.” Perdue lost his Senate seat to Democrat Jon Ossoff four years ago and ran unsuccessfully in a primary against Republican Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp. Perdue pushed Trump's debunked lies about electoral fraud during his failed bid for governor. A Republican congressman from Michigan who served from 1993 to 2011, Hoekstra was ambassador to the Netherlands during Trump's first term. “In my Second Term, Pete will help me once again put AMERICA FIRST,” Trump said in a statement announcing his choice. “He did an outstanding job as United States Ambassador to the Netherlands during our first four years, and I am confident that he will continue to represent our Country well in this new role.” Trump will nominate former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee to be ambassador to Israel. Huckabee is a staunch defender of Israel and his intended nomination comes as Trump has promised to align U.S. foreign policy more closely with Israel's interests as it wages wars against the Iran-backed Hamas and Hezbollah. “He loves Israel, and likewise the people of Israel love him,” Trump said in a statement. “Mike will work tirelessly to bring about peace in the Middle East.” Huckabee, who ran unsuccessfully for the Republican presidential nomination in 2008 and 2016, has been a popular figure among evangelical Christian conservatives, many of whom support Israel due to Old Testament writings that Jews are God’s chosen people and that Israel is their rightful homeland. Trump has been praised by some in this important Republican voting bloc for moving the U.S. embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. Guilfoyle is a former California prosecutor and television news personality who led the fundraising for Trump's 2020 campaign and became engaged to Don Jr. in 2020. Trump called her “a close friend and ally” and praised her “sharp intellect make her supremely qualified.” Guilfoyle was on stage with the family on election night. “I am so proud of Kimberly. She loves America and she always has wanted to serve the country as an Ambassador. She will be an amazing leader for America First,” Don Jr. posted. The ambassador positions must be approved by the U.S. Senate. Guilfoyle said in a social media post that she was “honored to accept President Trump’s nomination to serve as the next Ambassador to Greece and I look forward to earning the support of the U.S. Senate.” Trump on Tuesday named real estate investor Steven Witkoff to be special envoy to the Middle East. The 67-year-old Witkoff is the president-elect's golf partner and was golfing with him at Trump's club in West Palm Beach, Florida, on Sept. 15, when the former president was the target of a second attempted assassination. Witkoff “is a Highly Respected Leader in Business and Philanthropy,” Trump said of Witkoff in a statement. “Steve will be an unrelenting Voice for PEACE, and make us all proud." Trump also named Witkoff co-chair, with former Georgia Sen. Kelly Loeffler, of his inaugural committee. Trump said Wednesday that he will nominate Gen. Keith Kellogg to serve as assistant to the president and special envoy for Ukraine and Russia. Kellogg, a retired Army lieutenant general who has long been Trump’s top adviser on defense issues, served as National Security Advisor to Trump's former Vice President Mike Pence. For the America First Policy Institute, one of several groups formed after Trump left office to help lay the groundwork for the next Republican administration, Kellogg in April wrote that “bringing the Russia-Ukraine war to a close will require strong, America First leadership to deliver a peace deal and immediately end the hostilities between the two warring parties.” (AP Photo/Mariam Zuhaib) Trump asked Rep. Michael Waltz, R-Fla., a retired Army National Guard officer and war veteran, to be his national security adviser, Trump announced in a statement Tuesday. The move puts Waltz in the middle of national security crises, ranging from efforts to provide weapons to Ukraine and worries about the growing alliance between Russia and North Korea to the persistent attacks in the Middle East by Iran proxies and the push for a cease-fire between Israel and Hamas and Hezbollah. “Mike has been a strong champion of my America First Foreign Policy agenda,” Trump's statement said, "and will be a tremendous champion of our pursuit of Peace through Strength!” Waltz is a three-term GOP congressman from east-central Florida. He served multiple tours in Afghanistan and also worked in the Pentagon as a policy adviser when Donald Rumsfeld and Robert Gates were defense chiefs. He is considered hawkish on China, and called for a U.S. boycott of the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing due to its involvement in the origin of COVID-19 and its mistreatment of the minority Muslim Uighur population. Stephen Miller, an immigration hardliner , was a vocal spokesperson during the presidential campaign for Trump's priority of mass deportations. The 39-year-old was a senior adviser during Trump's first administration. Miller has been a central figure in some of Trump's policy decisions, notably his move to separate thousands of immigrant families. Trump argued throughout the campaign that the nation's economic, national security and social priorities could be met by deporting people who are in the United States illegally. Since Trump left office in 2021, Miller has served as the president of America First Legal, an organization made up of former Trump advisers aimed at challenging the Biden administration, media companies, universities and others over issues such as free speech and national security. Thomas Homan, 62, has been tasked with Trump’s top priority of carrying out the largest deportation operation in the nation’s history. Homan, who served under Trump in his first administration leading U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, was widely expected to be offered a position related to the border, an issue Trump made central to his campaign. Though Homan has insisted such a massive undertaking would be humane, he has long been a loyal supporter of Trump's policy proposals, suggesting at a July conference in Washington that he would be willing to "run the biggest deportation operation this country’s ever seen.” Democrats have criticized Homan for his defending Trump's “zero tolerance” policy on border crossings during his first administration, which led to the separation of thousands of parents and children seeking asylum at the border. Customs and Border Protection, with its roughly 60,000 employees, falls under the Department of Homeland Security. It includes the Border Patrol, which Rodney Scott led during Trump's first term, and is essentially responsible for protecting the country's borders while facilitating trade and travel. Scott comes to the job firmly from the Border Patrol side of the house. He became an agent in 1992 and spent much of his career in San Diego. When he was appointed head of the border agency in January 2020, he enthusiastically embraced Trump's policies. After being forced out under the Biden administration, Scott has been a vocal supporter of Trump's hard-line immigration agenda. He appeared frequently on Fox News and testified in Congress. He's also a senior fellow at the Texas Public Policy Foundation. Former Rep. Billy Long represented Missouri in the U.S. House from 2011 to 2023. Since leaving Congress, Trump said, Long “has worked as a Business and Tax advisor, helping Small Businesses navigate the complexities of complying with the IRS Rules and Regulations.” Former Georgia Sen. Kelly Loeffler was appointed in January 2020 by Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp and then lost a runoff election a year later. She started a conservative voter registration organization and dived into GOP fundraising, becoming one of the top individual donors and bundlers to Trump’s 2024 comeback campaign. Even before nominating her for agriculture secretary, the president-elect already had tapped Loeffler as co-chair of his inaugural committee. Dr. Mehmet Oz, 64, is a former heart surgeon who hosted “The Dr. Oz Show,” a long-running daytime television talk show. He ran unsuccessfully for the U.S. Senate as the Republican nominee in 2022 and is an outspoken supporter of Trump, who endorsed Oz's bid for elected office. Elon Musk, left, and Vivek Ramaswamy speak before Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump at an Oct. 27 campaign rally at Madison Square Garden in New York. Trump on Tuesday said Musk and former Republican presidential candidate Ramaswamy will lead a new “Department of Government Efficiency" — which is not, despite the name, a government agency. The acronym “DOGE” is a nod to Musk's favorite cryptocurrency, dogecoin. Trump said Musk and Ramaswamy will work from outside the government to offer the White House “advice and guidance” and will partner with the Office of Management and Budget to “drive large scale structural reform, and create an entrepreneurial approach to Government never seen before.” He added the move would shock government systems. It's not clear how the organization will operate. Musk, owner of X and CEO of Tesla and SpaceX, has been a constant presence at Mar-a-Lago since Trump won the presidential election. Ramaswamy suspended his campaign in January and threw his support behind Trump. Trump said the two will “pave the way for my Administration to dismantle Government Bureaucracy, slash excess regulations, cut wasteful expenditures, and restructure Federal Agencies.” Russell Vought held the position during Trump’s first presidency. After Trump’s initial term ended, Vought founded the Center for Renewing America, a think tank that describes its mission as “renew a consensus of America as a nation under God.” Vought was closely involved with Project 2025, a conservative blueprint for Trump’s second term that he tried to distance himself from during the campaign. Vought has also previously worked as the executive and budget director for the Republican Study Committee, a caucus for conservative House Republicans. He also worked at Heritage Action, the political group tied to The Heritage Foundation, a conservative think tank. Trump says he’s picking Kari Lake as director of Voice of America, installing a staunch loyalist who ran unsuccessfully for Arizona governor and a Senate seat to head the congressionally funded broadcaster that provides independent news reporting around the world. Lake endeared herself to Trump through her dogmatic commitment to the falsehood that both she and Trump were the victims of election fraud. She has never acknowledged losing the gubernatorial race and called herself the “lawful governor” in her 2023 book, “Unafraid: Just Getting Started.” Dan Scavino, deputy chief of staff Scavino, whom Trump's transition referred to in a statement as one of “Trump's longest serving and most trusted aides,” was a senior adviser to Trump's 2024 campaign, as well as his 2016 and 2020 campaigns. He will be deputy chief of staff and assistant to the president. Scavino had run Trump's social media profile in the White House during his first administration. He was also held in contempt of Congress in 2022 after a month-long refusal to comply with a subpoena from the House committee’s investigation into the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol. James Blair, deputy chief of staff Blair was political director for Trump's 2024 campaign and for the Republican National Committee. He will be deputy chief of staff for legislative, political and public affairs and assistant to the president. Blair was key to Trump's economic messaging during his winning White House comeback campaign this year, a driving force behind the candidate's “Trump can fix it” slogan and his query to audiences this fall if they were better off than four years ago. Taylor Budowich, deputy chief of staff Budowich is a veteran Trump campaign aide who launched and directed Make America Great Again, Inc., a super PAC that supported Trump's 2024 campaign. He will be deputy chief of staff for communications and personnel and assistant to the president. Budowich also had served as a spokesman for Trump after his presidency. Jay Bhattacharya, National Institutes of Health Trump has chosen Dr. Jay Bhattacharya to lead the National Institutes of Health. Bhattacharya is a physician and professor at Stanford University School of Medicine, and is a critic of pandemic lockdowns and vaccine mandates. He promoted the idea of herd immunity during the pandemic, arguing that people at low risk should live normally while building up immunity to COVID-19 through infection. The National Institutes of Health funds medical research through competitive grants to researchers at institutions throughout the nation. NIH also conducts its own research with thousands of scientists working at its labs in Bethesda, Maryland. Dr. Marty Makary, Food and Drug Administration Makary is a Johns Hopkins surgeon and author who argued against pandemic lockdowns. He routinely appeared on Fox News during the COVID-19 pandemic and wrote opinion articles questioning masks for children. He cast doubt on vaccine mandates but supported vaccines generally. Makary also cast doubt on whether booster shots worked, which was against federal recommendations on the vaccine. Dr. Janette Nesheiwat, Surgeon General Nesheiwat is a general practitioner who serves as medical director for CityMD, a network of urgent care centers in New York and New Jersey. She has been a contributor to Fox News. Dr. Dave Weldon, U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Weldon is a former Florida congressman who recently ran for a Florida state legislative seat and lost; Trump backed Weldon’s opponent. In Congress, Weldon weighed in on one of the nation’s most heated debates of the 1990s over quality of life and a right-to-die and whether Terri Schiavo, who was in a persistent vegetative state after cardiac arrest, should have been allowed to have her feeding tube removed. He sided with the parents who did not want it removed. Jamieson Greer, U.S. trade representative Kevin Hassett, Director of the White House National Economic Council Trump is turning to two officials with experience navigating not only Washington but the key issues of income taxes and tariffs as he fills out his economic team. He announced he has chosen international trade attorney Jamieson Greer to be his U.S. trade representative and Kevin Hassett as director of the White House National Economic Council. While Trump has in several cases nominated outsiders to key posts, these picks reflect a recognition that his reputation will likely hinge on restoring the public’s confidence in the economy. Trump said in a statement that Greer was instrumental in his first term in imposing tariffs on China and others and replacing the trade agreement with Canada and Mexico, “therefore making it much better for American Workers.” Hassett, 62, served in the first Trump term as chairman of the Council of Economic Advisers. He has a doctorate from the University of Pennsylvania and worked at the right-leaning American Enterprise Institute before joining the Trump White House in 2017. Ron Johnson, Ambassador to Mexico Johnson — not the Republican senator — served as ambassador to El Salvador during Trump's first administration. His nomination comes as the president-elect has been threatening tariffs on Mexican imports and the mass deportation of migrants who have arrived to the U.S.-Mexico border. Johnson is also a former U.S. Army veteran and was in the Central Intelligence Agency. Tom Barrack, Ambassador to Turkey Barrack, a wealthy financier, met Trump in the 1980s while helping negotiate Trump’s purchase of the renowned Plaza Hotel. He was charged with using his personal access to the former president to secretly promote the interests of the United Arab Emirates, but was acquitted of all counts at a federal trial in 2022. Trump called him a “well-respected and experienced voice of reason.” Andrew Ferguson, Federal Trade Commission Ferguson, who is already one of the FTC's five commissioners, will replace Lina Khan, who became a lightning rod for Wall Street and Silicon Valley by blocking billions of dollars worth of corporate acquisitions and suing Amazon and Meta while alleging anticompetitive behavior. “Andrew has a proven record of standing up to Big Tech censorship, and protecting Freedom of Speech in our Great Country,” Trump wrote on Truth Social, adding, “Andrew will be the most America First, and pro-innovation FTC Chair in our Country’s History.” Jacob Helberg, undersecretary of state for economic growth, energy and the environment Dan Bishop, deputy director for budget at the Office of Budget and Management Leandro Rizzuto, Ambassador to the Washington-based Organization of American States Dan Newlin, Ambassador to Colombia Peter Lamelas, Ambassador to Argentina Stay up-to-date on the latest in local and national government and political topics with our newsletter.
A local driver seems to not be worried about driving without insurance. Vancouver police pulled over a Tesla on Nov. 21, 2024, for driving without insurance. It wasn't the first time for this driver this year, according to a social media post by the VPD's traffic section. Or the second. Or the third. In the last year, the driver had been pulled over four times across Metro Vancouver, with incidents in Vancouver, Burnaby, and Coquitlam. Police note he was operating as a rideshare driver at the time he was pulled over. In fact, according to a photo shared by the police, it was the fourth time since May, meaning he's been pulled over more than once every two months for the same issue. "Traffic enforcement used ALPR (Automated Licence Plate Recognition) to catch this driver for no vehicle insurance," state police. Officers issued a $598 for the infraction, and the vehicle was towed. If the driver pays in under 30 days, the fine is reduced to $573; altogether, the fines for driving with no insurance four times add up to at least $2,292. However, while it was the fourth such infraction for the driver this year, his Tesla wasn't impounded, according to the VPD traffic section. "A vehicle with no insurance could be towed to a person’s residence if it can’t be parked on public property," Sgt. Steve Addison tells V.I.A. A note has been sent to the Superintendent of Motor Vehicles and Passengers about the driver, according to the traffic section. The Superintendent of Motor Vehicles and Passengers is a provincial office that acts as the authority for drivers in B.C. and has different powers from the police and can prohibit a person from driving if they have an "unsatisfactory driving record," according to the government .
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