Seth McLaughlin
Articles by Seth McLaughlin
Biden’s pardon of Hunter hands leverage to Republicans on tax cuts, gun laws
President Biden's decision to give his son Hunter a get-out-of-jail-free card undermines Democrats' attempt to claim the moral high ground on debates over gun laws and taxes. Published December 2, 2024
Trump fills out health care, national security and economic teams with flurry of moves
President-elect Donald Trump has filled out his economic, health care and national security teams with a flurry of appointments and pending nominations, including hedge fund manager Scott Bessent for Treasury secretary and former White House budget director Russell Vought to serve in the same role. Published November 24, 2024
Trump names Gorka to White House counter-terror post, picks Scott Turner to lead HUD
President-elect Donald Trump is bringing back Sebastian Gorka into the White House to serve as deputy assistant to the president and senior director for counterterrorism, marking his latest back-to-the-future pick as he fills out his inner circle. Published November 22, 2024
Rahm’s return? Emanuel looms as candidate for DNC chair
Rahm Emanuel, the hard-charging Democratic operative from Chicago now serving as U.S. ambassador to Japan, is trying to sort out where he could best serve his party -- fueling speculation he could be interested in taking over the reins of the Democratic National Committee. Published November 22, 2024
Trump world makes clear Mike Rogers to FBI: ‘Not happening’
President-elect Donald Trump's team is throwing cold water on the idea that former Rep. Mike Rogers is in line to lead the FBI. Published November 22, 2024
State court derails Philadelphia’s push for stricter gun laws
Gun rights advocates celebrated a victory this week after the highest court in Pennsylvania shot down Philadelphia's push for stricter gun laws. Published November 21, 2024
Bondi replaces Gaetz as Trump’s pick for attorney general, removes ‘distraction’
Former Rep. Matt Gaetz said Thursday that he is withdrawing from consideration to be President-elect Donald Trump's attorney general, amid persistent allegations he had sex with a minor and paid women for sex. Published November 21, 2024
In major antitrust action, Justice Department wants court to consider forcing Google to break up
The Department of Justice will ask a federal judge Wednesday to consider breaking up Google, months after the technology giant was found to have illegally monopolized the online search market by spending billions of dollars on deals with manufacturers that required it to be their default search engine. Published November 19, 2024
Voters OK with Trump Cabinet picks except for Gaetz; Democrats urge release of ethics report
Former Rep. Matt Gaetz is the least popular of President-elect Donald Trump's Cabinet picks, and faces growing calls for the House Ethics Committee to release the report of its probe into him. Published November 19, 2024
Voters OK with Trump Cabinet picks except for Gaetz, poll shows
Former Rep. Matt Gaetz is the least popular of President-elect Donald Trump's Cabinet picks, according to a new poll. Published November 19, 2024
O’Malley sets sights on leading DNC out of 2024 debacle, kicks off race for chair
Former Maryland Gov. Martin O'Malley is running to lead the Democratic National Committee following the party losing the presidential election and seats in Congress. Published November 18, 2024
RNC chair promises to defend McCormick’s Senate win in Pennsylvania
The head of the Republican National Committee on Monday vowed to fight "as long as it takes" to certify Dave McCormick's victory over Sen. Bob Casey in Pennsylvania and stop Democrats from counting votes that the courts deemed illegal. Published November 18, 2024
RFK Jr. vows as HHS secretary he’ll Make America Healthy Again
Robert F. Kennedy Jr. says if he's confirmed as secretary of Health and Human Services, he's committed to making "Americans once again the healthiest people on Earth." Published November 15, 2024
Trump to nominate RFK Jr. as Health and Human Services secretary
President-elect Donald Trump on Thursday announced that he will nominate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to head the Department of Health and Human Services. Published November 14, 2024
Why did Musk back Trump? Democratic lawmaker points to political abandonment
Rep. Ro Khanna says billionaire Elon Musk drifted away from the Democratic Party partially because he felt neglected. Published November 14, 2024
Trump turns heads by nominating Gaetz for attorney general, Gabbard for top intelligence post
President-elect Donald Trump startled much of Washington Wednesday by selecting Rep. Matt Gaetz for attorney general, putting the Florida firebrand and MAGA loyalist in line to be the nation's chief law enforcement officer, a nomination that some Republicans doubt will survive. Published November 13, 2024
Trump formally announces his choice of Sen. Marco Rubio for Secretary of State
President-elect Donald Trump confirmed on Wednesday that he will nominate Republican Sen. Marco Rubio of Florida for Secretary of State. Published November 13, 2024
Border-tough Stephen Miller joins 3 others to top Trump posts
President-elect Donald Trump announced on Wednesday that Stephen Miller will serve as his deputy chief of staff for policy and homeland security. Published November 13, 2024
Hegseth’s nomination as defense secretary puts renewed focus on women in combat
President-elect Donald Trump's nomination of Pete Hegseth as defense secretary has rekindled a thorny debate over women's role in combat that Democrats sought to put to bed nearly a decade ago. Published November 13, 2024
Day One orders will open gates to Trump vision, shake status quo
President-elect Donald Trump vowed on his first day in office to sign an executive order to end birthright citizenship for the children of illegal immigrants and kick-start the largest deportation effort in the nation's history. Published November 12, 2024
