By CHRISTINE FERNANDO CHICAGO (AP) — As Donald Trump’s Cabinet begins to take shape, those on both sides of the abortion debate are watching closely for clues about how his picks might affect reproductive rights policy in the president-elect’s second term . Trump’s cabinet picks offer a preview of how his administration could handle abortion after he repeatedly flip-flopped on the issue on the campaign trail. He attempted to distance himself from anti-abortion allies by deferring to states on abortion policy, even while boasting about nominating three Supreme Court justices who helped strike down the constitutional protections for abortion that had stood for half a century. In an NBC News interview that aired Sunday, Trump said he doesn’t plan to restrict medication abortion but also seemed to leave the door open, saying “things change.” “Things do change, but I don’t think it’s going to change at all,” he said. The early lineup of his new administration , including nominations to lead health agencies, the Justice Department and event the Department of Veterans Affairs, has garnered mixed — but generally positive — reactions from anti-abortion groups. Abortion law experts said Trump’s decision to include fewer candidates with deep ties to the anti-abortion movement could indicate that abortion will not be a priority for Trump’s administration. “It almost seems to suggest that President Trump might be focusing his administration in other directions,” said Greer Donley, an associate law professor at the University of Pittsburgh School of Law. Karen Stone, vice president of public policy at Planned Parenthood Action Fund , said while many of the nominees have “extensive records against reproductive health care,” some do not. She cautioned against making assumptions based on Trump’s initial cabinet selections. Still, many abortion rights groups are wary, in part because many of the nominees hold strong anti-abortion views even if they do not have direct ties to anti-abortion activists. They’re concerned that an administration filled with top-level officials who are personally opposed to abortion could take steps to restrict access to the procedure and funding. After Trump’s ambiguity about abortion during his campaign, “there’s still a lot we don’t know about what policy is going to look like,” said Mary Ruth Ziegler, a law professor at the University of California, Davis School of Law. That approach may be revealed as the staffs within key departments are announced. Trump announced he would nominate anti-vaccine activist Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to lead the Health and Human Services Department, which anti-abortion forces have long targeted as central to curtailing abortion rights nationwide. Yet Kennedy shifted on the issue during his own presidential campaign. In campaign videos, Kennedy said he supports abortion access until viability , which doctors say is sometime after 21 weeks, although there is no defined timeframe. But he also said “every abortion is a tragedy” and argued for a national ban after 15 weeks of pregnancy, a stance he quickly walked back. The head of Health and Human Services oversees Title X funding for a host of family planning services and has sweeping authority over agencies that directly affect abortion access, including the Food and Drug Administration and Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. The role is especially vital amid legal battles over a federal law known as EMTALA, which President Joe Biden’s administration has argued requires emergency abortion access nationwide, and FDA approval of the abortion pill mifepristone. Mini Timmaraju, president of the national abortion rights organization Reproductive Freedom for All, called Kennedy an “unfit, unqualified extremist who cannot be trusted to protect the health, safety and reproductive freedom of American families.” His potential nomination also has caused waves in the anti-abortion movement. Former Vice President Mike Pence , a staunch abortion opponent, urged the Senate to reject Kennedy’s nomination. Marjorie Dannenfelser, president of the national anti-abortion group Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America, said the group had its own concerns about Kennedy. “There’s no question that we need a pro-life HHS secretary,” she said. Fox News correspondent Marty Makary is Trump’s pick to lead the FDA, which plays a critical role in access to medication abortion and contraception. Abortion rights groups have accused him of sharing misinformation about abortion on air. Russell Vought , a staunch anti-abortion conservative, has been nominated for director of the Office of Management and Budget. Vought was a key architect of Project 2025 , a right-wing blueprint for running the federal government. Among other actions to limit reproductive rights, it calls for eliminating access to medication abortion nationwide, cutting Medicaid funding for abortion and restricting access to contraceptive care, especially long-acting reversible contraceptives such as IUD’s. Despite distancing himself from the conservative manifesto on the campaign trail, Trump is stocking his administration with people who played central roles in developing Project 2025. Trump acknowledged that drafters of the report would be part of his incoming administration during the Sunday interview with NBC News, saying “Many of those things I happen to agree with.” “These cabinet appointments all confirm that Project 2025 was in fact the blueprint all along, and the alarm we saw about it was warranted,” said Amy Williams Navarro, director of government relations for Reproductive Freedom for All. Dr. Mehmet Oz , Trump’s choice to lead the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, is a former television talk show host who has been accused of hawking dubious medical treatments and products. He voiced contradictory abortion views during his failed Senate run in 2022. Oz has described himself as “strongly pro-life, praised the Supreme Court decision overturning Roe v. Wade , claimed “life starts at conception” and referred to abortion as “murder.” But he also has echoed Trump’s states-rights approach, arguing the federal government should not be involved in abortion decisions. “I want women, doctors, local political leaders, letting the democracy that’s always allowed our nation to thrive to put the best ideas forward so states can decide for themselves,” he said during a Senate debate two years ago. An array of reproductive rights groups opposed his Senate run. As CMS administrator, Oz would be in a key position to determine Medicaid coverage for family planning services and investigate potential EMTALA violations. Related Articles National Politics | Trump promises to end birthright citizenship: What is it and could he do it? National Politics | In promising to shake up Washington, Trump is in a class of his own National Politics | Election Day has long passed. In some states, legislatures are working to undermine the results National Politics | Trump taps his attorney Alina Habba to serve as counselor to the president National Politics | How they voted: Ryan, Molinaro on Matt Gaetz report, regulatory procedures As Florida’s attorney general, Pam Bondi defended abortion restrictions, including a 24-hour waiting period. Now she’s Trump’s choice for attorney general . Her nomination is being celebrated by abortion opponents but denounced by abortion rights groups concerned she may revive the Comstock Act , an anti-vice law passed by Congress in 1873 that, among other things, bans mailing of medication or instruments used in abortion. An anti-abortion and anti-vaccine former Florida congressman, David Weldon, has been chosen to lead the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which collects and monitors abortion data across the country. Former Republican congressman Doug Collins is Trump’s choice to lead the Department of Veterans Affairs amid a political battle over abortion access and funding for troops and veterans. Collins voted consistently to restrict funding and access to abortion and celebrated the overturning of Roe v. Wade. “This is a team that the pro-life movement can work with,” said Kristin Hawkins, president of the national anti-abortion organization Students for Life.Energy chief Granholm warns against 'unfettered exports' of liquefied natural gas
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Daniel Penny , a 26-year-old former U.S. Marine, was found not guilty of criminally negligent homicide in the high-profile case surrounding the subway death of Jordan Neely. The trial, which captured national attention, revolved around Penny's actions on a New York City subway train in May 2023 and raised critical questions about mental health, public safety, and the boundaries of self-defence, as reported by CBS News . Penny served in the U.S. Marine Corps from 2017 to 2021, earning praise from former platoon leaders who testified to his discipline and empathy. His martial arts instructor detailed the training he received in chokeholds, explaining that Marines are taught to release the hold after five seconds to avoid injury or death. However, the instructor admitted during cross-examination that real-world scenarios can make precise application difficult, according to CNN . After leaving the military, Penny pursued a degree in architecture, attending New York City College of Technology while working as a swim instructor and restaurant server in Brooklyn. His mother, Gina, testified about his upbringing, describing him as honest, kind, and humble, traits she believed guided his actions on the subway that day. READ MORE: BLM Leader Issues Chilling Warning After Daniel Penny Acquittal in Chokehold Death of Jordan Neely On 1 May 2023, Jordan Neely, a 30-year-old homeless man, entered an F train in Manhattan, shouting threats and alarming passengers. Witnesses testified that Neely threw his jacket to the ground and declared he was hungry, thirsty, and willing to die. Penny, fearing for his safety and that of others, approached Neely from behind and restrained him in a chokehold. Penny held Neely in the chokehold for several minutes. When Neely became unresponsive, Penny released him, but by then, Neely had sustained fatal injuries. The medical examiner determined the cause of death to be "compression of neck (chokehold)." Bystander footage of the incident spread rapidly, sparking polarised reactions. Some hailed Penny as a protector, while others accused him of excessive and unnecessary force, as highlighted by CNN. Jordan Neely was a well-known subway performer who imitated Michael Jackson. He struggled with homelessness and severe mental illness following his mother's murder in 2007. Neely's erratic behaviour on the train was consistent with his history of untreated schizophrenia, substance abuse, and repeated arrests, according to CBS News. Neely's death became a rallying point for activists and politicians who criticised systemic failures in addressing mental health crises. Figures like Rev. Al Sharpton and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez highlighted his humanity, while others questioned how society allowed his downward spiral to continue unchecked. Penny was initially charged with second-degree manslaughter, but the jury deadlocked on that charge. The case proceeded on a lesser charge of criminally negligent homicide, for which he was ultimately acquitted. Prosecutors argued Penny acted recklessly, holding Neely in the chokehold for far too long. They pointed to video evidence and testimony from witnesses who advised Penny to loosen his grip. The defence countered that Penny acted in self-defence, responding to a credible threat. Penny himself stated in a video released shortly after the incident, "I was scared for myself, but I looked around and saw women and children. I couldn't just sit still and let him carry out these threats." Penny maintained that race was not a factor, emphasising that he saw a threatening individual, not a Black man. The jury's decision sparked mixed reactions. Neely's father expressed anguish, calling the system "rigged" and accusing it of failing his son. His family's attorney criticised the jury, arguing they let the family down by failing to hold Penny accountable, as detailed by CBS News . Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg acknowledged the jury's thorough deliberation, stating, "The jury has now spoken. At the Manhattan D.A.'s Office, we deeply respect the jury process and their verdict." Mayor Eric Adams connected the case to broader mental health issues, calling for systemic reforms to prevent future tragedies.
Can Ethereum Maintain Its Lead Over Competitors?Nov 24 (Reuters) - Ukrainian investigators are studying the debris of a new Russian intermediate-range ballistic missile that was fired at the city of Dnipro on Thursday, the first time such a powerful weapon has been used in the war. Reuters was among a small group of reporters given access to the wreckage of the missile on Sunday. Reporters were asked not disclose the exact location of the site for security reasons. The scorched and crumbled pieces of debris were laid out in a hanger at a facility which conducts weapons forensics. Ukrainian experts study such debris to gain insight into Russian military supply chains, production and how to develop counter-measures. Russia has dubbed the missile the Oreshnik (Hazel Tree) and said it is impossible to intercept it with air defences. Ukraine has said the weapon reached a top speed of more than 13,000 kph (8,000 mph) on its way towards Dnipro on Thursday. Intermediate-range ballistic missiles have a range of up to 5,500 kilometres. Two state experts provided cautious assessments, saying only that the weapon was ballistic, flew on a ballistic trajectory and that the strike resulted in civilian damage. They declined to take questions or give their surnames. "These are preliminary conclusions and to say something more concrete requires time and careful study of the remains of the missile," said Ivan, one of the experts. "This is the first time that such remnants of such a missile have been discovered on the territory of Ukraine," said Oleh, an investigator for the Security Service of Ukraine. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy has called the use of the weapon a severe escalation and urged his allies to respond. Ukraine originally said the weapon appeared to be an intercontinental ballistic missile. The Kremlin later said it fired a new intermediate-range missile at a Ukrainian military target in Dnipro in response to Kyiv striking Russia with U.S. and British made missiles for the first time after the U.S. granted its approval. The U.S. military has said the missile's design is based on the longer-range RS-26 Rubezh intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM). The new missile was experimental and Russia likely possessed only a handful of them, they have said. Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Friday Moscow would keep testing the missile in combat and had a stock ready to use. Much remains unclear for now, including the extent of the damage caused by the missile. Ukraine seldom discloses damage to military targets, fearing such information would help Moscow. Sign up here. Reporting by Tom Balmforth; editing by Elaine Hardcastle Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles. , opens new tab