The U.S. Supreme Court has rejected a lawsuit backed by President Donald Trump to overturn Joe Biden’s election victory, ending Trump’s attempt to get legal issues rejected by other judges before the high court. (Dec. 11)
USA TODAY’s coverage of the 2020 election and President-elect Joe Biden’s transition continues this week as he rolls out more of his picks for top jobs in his administration. With the final vote counts certified, the Electoral College will meet in statehouses across the U.S. Monday where the 538 electors will cast the ballots making Biden’s victory official.
President Donald Trump has cleared the way for Biden’s team to use federal resources and get briefings during the transition, although Trump has yet to formally concede the race.
Be sure to refresh this page often to get the latest information on the election and the transition.
Trump says Biden would be ‘illegitimate’ president
President Donald Trump still won’t say whether he will attend President-elect Joe Biden’s inauguration.
“I don’t want to talk about that,” Trump said in an interview broadcast Sunday on “Fox & Friends.”
Trump instead focused on his protests against the election in the brief interview taped Saturday in West Point, New York, right before the Army-Navy football game.
While reciting baseless claims of organized voter fraud, Trump suggested that Biden would not be a legitimate president. “I worry about the country having an illegitimate president, that’s what I worry about,” he said.
The president also attacked the Supreme Court and other judges for rejecting his team’s claims of voter fraud. He criticized Attorney General William Barr for not announcing before the election that Biden’s son Hunter is under investigation for tax issues. He protested media coverage of the election.
“It’s not over,” Trump told Fox. “We keep going. And we’re going to continue to go forward.”
Meanwhile, members of the Electoral College meet Monday to certify Biden’s win. Trump told Fox he doesn’t know how that vote will affect his protests.
“I don’t know,” he said. “We’re going to speed it up as much as we can.”
“Were this any other human being, it would be incredible,” tweeted attorney George Conway, co-founder of an anti-Trump organization called the Lincoln Project. “But it’s not. It’s classic @realDonaldTrump, the worst narcissistic psychopath the country’s political life has ever seen, but who we’ve gotten to know all too well.”
– David Jackson
At least two dozen arrests around US amid pro-Trump protests
Washington, D.C., police say they arrested 23 people in connection with violent clashes between Trump supporters who gathered near the White House Saturday to protest President Donald Trump’s election defeat and counter-protesters.
And another person was arrested in Olympia, Washington, following a shooting at demonstrations near the state Capitol that included a group that wanted COVID-19 restrictions lifted, another protesting Trump’s loss in the presidential election last month, and a Black Lives Matter counter-protest.
Lt. Paul Lower of the Olympia Police Department said the opposing groups were “heavily armed,” including firearms.
“They were fighting amongst themselves, two factions with opposing political beliefs,” Lower said.
Saturday’s rally in Washington’s Freedom Plaza was smaller than a similar election protest that was held on Nov. 14 in the nation’s capital, but it also drew a larger contingent of the Proud Boys, a neo-fascist group known to incite street violence.
After the rallies ended, downtown Washington quickly devolved into crowds of hundreds of Proud Boys and combined forces of antifa and local Black activists — both sides seeking a confrontation in an area flooded with police officers. As dusk fell, they faced off on opposite sides of a street, with multiple lines of city police and federal Park Police, some in riot gear, keeping them separated.
New Brunswick voters have elected a Liberal majority government, tossing out the incumbent Progressive Conservatives after six years in power and handing the reins to the first woman ever to lead the province. Liberal Leader Susan Holt spent much of the campaign rolling out proposed fixes for a health-care system racked by a doctor shortage, overcrowded emergency rooms and long wait-times. She promised to open 30 community health clinics across the province by 2028. (Oct. 22, 2024)
Susan Holt has made history in New Brunswick by becoming the first woman to serve as the leader of the province’s Liberal Party, a significant milestone in the province’s political landscape. Holt’s leadership victory signals a new era of representation, gender equality, and change in the region, which has long been dominated by male politicians.
Holt’s journey to the top has been one of perseverance and dedication. Before entering politics, she built a distinguished career in the private sector, where she held numerous leadership positions. Her experience in business development and public policy has equipped her with the skills needed to navigate the complex world of politics.
In a province where women have historically been underrepresented in politics, Holt’s election represents a watershed moment. Women’s involvement in leadership roles has been steadily increasing nationwide, but New Brunswick, like many parts of Canada, has seen slower progress in achieving gender parity. Holt’s rise to the top of the Liberal Party not only shatters a glass ceiling but also serves as an inspiration for future generations of women aiming for political leadership.
As the leader of the New Brunswick Liberal Party, Holt has laid out a vision of inclusivity and progress. Her policies focus on economic development, healthcare reform, environmental sustainability, and addressing social issues that have plagued the province. She has also emphasized the importance of transparent governance and creating opportunities for underrepresented communities, making her platform both modern and forward-thinking.
Holt’s leadership arrives at a time when many voters are calling for change, especially in the face of challenges like economic uncertainty and the need for healthcare improvements. She aims to bring fresh ideas to tackle these issues while ensuring that all citizens, regardless of their background, have a voice in government decisions.
Susan Holt joins the ranks of other trailblazing women across Canada who have led provincial parties and governments. Women like former Alberta Premier Rachel Notley and Ontario’s Kathleen Wynne have paved the way, and now Holt is contributing to this growing legacy of female political leadership in Canada.
Her achievement highlights not only the growing number of women entering politics but also the demand for leaders who can bring diverse perspectives to the table. In a field often dominated by entrenched traditions, Holt’s election is a step toward a more inclusive and representative political landscape in New Brunswick.
Holt’s leadership signals a broader shift in Canadian politics, where more women and diverse voices are gaining prominence. For young women across the country, her rise serves as a powerful reminder that leadership roles are within reach, even in traditionally male-dominated spheres.
With her election, Susan Holt has proven that perseverance, skill, and a vision for change can break even the toughest barriers. Her leadership will not only reshape New Brunswick’s political future but also inspire others across Canada to pursue leadership positions and continue to challenge the status quo.
NDP Leader Carla Beck has two planned campaign events today, starting the day with an availability in Moose Jaw and then later this evening attending an event in the capital with the Regina Medical Staff Association.
Saskatchewan Party Leader Scott Moe, meanwhile, will speak in Prince Albert at the start of Voting Week in the province.
Saskatchewan residents can vote for five days starting today in the lead-up to next week’s provincial election, although polls won’t be open Sunday.
The NDP and the Saskatchewan Party are urging voters to cast their ballots early.
Voters can find their polling stations on their information cards or by visiting the Elections Saskatchewan website.
Chief electoral officer Michael Boda says there are about 810,000 registered voters in Saskatchewan.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 22, 2024.
