By CHRIS MEGERIAN and COLLEEN LONG WASHINGTON (AP) — In the two weeks since Donald Trump won the presidency, he’s tried to demonstrate his dominance by naming loyalists for top administration positions, even though many lack expertise and some face sexual misconduct accusations. It often seems like he’s daring Congress to oppose his decisions. But on Thursday, Trump’s attempt to act with impunity showed a crack as Matt Gaetz , his choice for attorney general, withdrew from consideration. Trump had named Gaetz, a Florida congressman, to be the country’s top law enforcement official even though he was widely disliked by his colleagues, has little legal experience and was accused of having sex with an underage girl, an allegation he denied. After being plagued by investigations during his first presidency, Trump wanted a devoted ally in charge of the Justice Department during his second. However, it was never obvious that Gaetz could win enough support from lawmakers to get confirmed as attorney general. Trump chose for a replacement Pam Bondi, a former Florida attorney general who defended him during his first impeachment trial and supported his false claims of voter fraud. Now the question is whether Gaetz was uniquely unpalatable, or if Trump’s other picks might exceed his party’s willingness to overlook concerns that would have sunk nominees in a prior political era. The next test will likely be Pete Hegseth, who Trump wants to lead the Pentagon despite an allegation of sexual assault that he’s denied. So far, Republicans are rallying around Hegseth , an Army veteran and former Fox News host. Sen. Thom Tillis, a North Carolina Republican who serves on the Senate Judiciary Committee, said the controversy over Gaetz would have little bearing on Trump’s other choices. He said they would be considered “one at a time.” Sen. Richard Blumenthal, a Connecticut Democrat, suggested otherwise, claiming “the dominoes are falling.” “The drip drip of evidence and truth is going to eventually doom some others,” he said. Trump’s election victory was a sign that there may not be many red lines left in American politics. He won the presidential race despite authoritarian, racist and misogynist rhetoric, not to mention years of lies about election fraud and his role in sparking the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol. He was also criminally convicted of falsifying business records to pay hush money, and he was found liable for sexual abuse in a civil case. Empowered by voters who looked past his misconduct and saw him as a powerful agent of change, Trump has shown no deference to Washington norms while working to fill his second administration . The transition team hasn’t pursued federal background checks for Trump’s personnel choices. While some of his selections have extensive experience in the areas they’ve been chosen to lead, others are personal friends and Fox News personalities who have impressed and flattered Trump over the years. Several have faced allegations involving sexual misconduct . Hegseth is facing the most scrutiny after Gaetz. Once Trump announced Hegseth as his nominee for Pentagon chief, allegations emerged that he sexually assaulted a woman in California in 2017. The woman said he took her phone, blocked the door to the hotel room and refused to let her leave, according to a police report made public this week. Hegseth told police at the time that the encounter had been consensual and denied any wrongdoing, the report said. However, he paid the woman a confidential settlement in 2023. Hegseth’s lawyer said the payment was made to head off the threat of a baseless lawsuit. Trump’s choice for secretary of health and human Services, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., has faced allegations of misconduct too. A woman who babysat for him and his second wife told Vanity Fair magazine that Kennedy groped her in the late 1990s, when she was 23. Kennedy did not deny the allegation and texted an apology to the woman after the article was published. That isn’t the only hurdle for Kennedy; he’s spent years spreading misinformation and conspiracy theories about vaccines, raising fears about making him a top health official in the new administration. Linda McMahon, chosen by Trump to be education secretary, is fighting a lawsuit connected to her former company, World Wrestling Entertainment. She’s accused of knowingly enabling sexual exploitation of children by an employee as early as the 1980s, and she denies the allegations. Tulsi Gabbard is another person who could face a difficult confirmation battle, but for very different reasons. The former Democratic representative from Hawaii has been a vocal Trump ally, and he chose her to be national intelligence director. But there’s grave concern by lawmakers and national security officials over Gabbard’s history of echoing Russian propaganda. Critics said she would endanger relationships with U.S. allies. Gaetz was investigated by federal law enforcement for sex trafficking, but the case was closed without charges and Republicans have blocked the release of a related report from the House Ethics Committee. However, some allegations leaked out, including that Gaetz paid women for sex. One of the women testified to the committee that she saw Gaetz having sex with a 17-year-old girl, according to a lawyer for the woman. As Gaetz met with senators this week, it became clear that he would face stubborn resistance from lawmakers who were concerned about his behavior and believed he was unqualified to run the Justice Department. “While the momentum was strong, it is clear that my confirmation was unfairly becoming a distraction,” Gaetz wrote on social media when announcing his withdrawal. Sen. Mike Braun, an Indiana Republican, said he believed there were four to six members of the caucus who would have voted against Gaetz, likely dooming his nomination, and “the math got too hard.” He said some of the issues and allegations around Gaetz were “maybe beyond the pale.” “I think there were just too many things, it was like a leaky dike, and you know, it broke,” Braun said. Trump thanked Gaetz in a post on Truth Social, his social media website, without addressing the substance of the allegations against him. “He was doing very well but, at the same time, did not want to be a distraction for the Administration, for which he has much respect,” Trump wrote. Associated Press writers Mary Clare Jalonick, Stephen Groves and Lisa Macaro contributed from Washington. Jill Colvin in New York and Adriana Gomez Licon in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, also contributed.
Amidst the chaos and confusion that ensued, Mr. X and Ms. Y found themselves in a precarious situation. Their attempted deception had backfired spectacularly, leading not only to the confiscation of their prized possessions but also to potential legal repercussions for their fraudulent actions.This season, the Paris Ladycats volleyball team, led by first year head coach Alex Ecsh, made history as they won 26 games for the first time since 2021. Recently, the Ladycats found out their hard work resulted in several honors on the annual 14-4A All-District awards. Javascript is required for you to be able to read premium content.
CeeDee Lamb’s season is over. The Cowboys shut down their star wide receiver due to the ongoing shoulder injury that he had played through since the middle of the season. “Additional examinations and scans this week on CeeDee Lamb’s shoulder have determined that his injury has now progressed to a point that he will be listed as ‘Out’ for the remaining two games of the season,” NFL Network reported Thursday , citing a team update. “[Lamb] will undergo a process of treatment and rehabilitation for his shoulder,” the update read. “[The injury] is not currently expected to require surgery and [Lamb] is projected to make a full recovery.” A three-time Pro Bowler, Lamb, 25, has been one of the Cowboys’ lone bright spots amid a season of disappointments. The fifth-year wideout will finish his 2024 campaign with 101 receptions, 1,194 yards and six touchdowns, making the fourth consecutive season in which Lamb eclipsed the 1,000-yard mark. The Cowboys, sitting at 7-8 and mathematically eliminated from postseason contention, have no reason to leave their best player out on the field and risk worsening the shoulder injury. Lamb has reportedly been playing through the pain since Week 9, when he sustained the injury during a loss to the Falcons. The shoulder was re-aggravated on Thanksgiving when the Cowboys topped the Giants and was then hurt again during their most recent game, a Week 16 win over the Buccaneers . The former first-round selection paced Dallas’ wideouts last week, hauling in seven of eight targets for 105 yards. “My shoulder is out of whack. I’m not even gonna lie to you,” Lamb told reporters after the game. “I’m just out there battling and doing what I gotta do.” During his weekly appearance on 105.3 the Fan, owner Jerry Jones was asked if he’d keep Lamb in the lineup for Dallas’ final two inconsequential games of the season — in Philadelphia in Week 17, then home against the Commanders in Week 18. “We will leave it up to the player,” Jones said. “Obviously, we will also listen to the medical staff, but we will leave that up to [Lamb].”
In conclusion, Wang Chuqin's rise to the top of the world rankings with 8825 points is a testament to his talent, hard work, and commitment to excellence. His success, along with the continued dominance of the Chinese National Table Tennis Team, underscores China's position as the leading force in international table tennis. As they set their sights on future victories and achievements, one thing is certain – the Chinese team's legacy of success will continue to inspire generations of table tennis players around the world.The woman's current situation has sparked discussions about the social and economic disparities that exist within society, highlighting the challenges faced by individuals from marginalized backgrounds. Her story serves as a reminder of the importance of providing equal opportunities for all, regardless of one's background or circumstances.
Dr. Liu's case serves as a stark reminder of the importance of upholding ethical standards and following legal guidelines in all aspects of professional practice. The trust and confidence placed in healthcare professionals come with a responsibility to prioritize patient well-being, adhere to established protocols, and maintain the highest standards of professionalism.