Reuters US Domestic News Summary
Following is a summary of current US domestic news briefs.
Explainer-What comes next for Trump's hush money criminal case?
New York prosecutors this week are expected to tell a judge how they think President-elect Donald Trump's already decided criminal case should proceed in light of his election victory. Below is an explanation of the current status of the case, and the options prosecutors have.
RFK Jr. vaccine views 'dangerous', says cousin and US ambassador Caroline Kennedy
Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s views on vaccines are dangerous, his cousin and outgoing U.S. ambassador to Australia Caroline Kennedy said on Monday, days after Donald Trump picked him to head the United States' top health agency. Caroline Kennedy said RFK Jr.'s views on vaccines are "dangerous" and at odds with that of most Americans, including the Kennedy clan.
Explainer-How Trump could bypass the Senate to install his cabinet picks
President-elect Donald Trump has said he might install his picks for top administration posts without first winning approval in the U.S. Senate. This would erode the power of Congress and remove a significant check on his authority as president. HOW IS A CABINET APPROVED?
Trump taps Big Tech critic Carr to chair Federal Communications Commission
President-elect Donald Trump has picked Brendan Carr, a critic of the Biden administration's telecom policies and Big Tech, as chairman of the Federal Communications Commission, he said in a statement on Sunday. Carr, 45, is currently the top Republican on the FCC, the independent agency that regulates telecommunications.
Record 80 million Americans expected to travel for Thanksgiving holiday, industry group says
Americans are expected to set a new record for Thanksgiving travel, with nearly 80 million to hit the roads, catch flights and board cruises over the holiday period, travel group AAA said on Monday. About 1.7 million more people will travel this year from Tuesday, Nov. 26 to Monday, Dec. 2, compared to a similar period in 2023.
Biden allows Ukraine to use US arms to strike inside Russia
President Joe Biden's administration has allowed Ukraine to use U.S.-made weapons to strike deep into Russia, two U.S. officials and a source familiar with the decision said on Sunday, in a significant reversal of Washington's policy in the Ukraine-Russia conflict. Ukraine plans to conduct its first long-range attacks in the coming days, the sources said, without revealing details due to operational security concerns.
Exclusive-Medicaid fuels US coverage of Novo, Lilly weight-loss drugs
U.S. government health plans account for the lion's share of coverage for popular new weight-loss drugs, far beyond the reimbursement available from private employers and insurers, according to an analysis shared with Reuters. State Medicaid programs for low-income families are the single biggest source of coverage, giving 31.6 million people access to Novo Nordisk's Wegovy or Eli Lilly's Zepbound, according to the AXIACI Obesity Coverage Nexus, a database produced by the Leverage consulting firm.
Biden aims to finalize clean fuel rule before leaving White House
Democratic U.S. President Joe Biden aims to finalize a rule on a clean fuel tax credit before leaving office on Jan. 20, a senior White House official said on Sunday. The clean fuel program, which would provide credits for the production of sustainable aviation fuel and other lower-emission transportation fuels, is set to begin in 2025.
Republican senator calls on House to share Matt Gaetz ethics report
Republican U.S. Senator Markwayne Mullin called on the House of Representatives on Sunday to share an unreleased ethics report into alleged sexual misconduct involving a 17-year-old girl by Matt Gaetz, President-elect Donald Trump's pick for attorney general. Gaetz, 42, resigned his seat in the Republican-controlled House on Wednesday, hours after Trump unveiled his choice of the lawmaker and two days before the House Ethics Committee was expected to release its report, which also looked into allegations of illegal drug use. Gaetz denies any wrongdoing.
Trump spends hours at UFC fight at Madison Square Garden
President-elect Donald Trump celebrated his election victory on Saturday night by attending an Ultimate Fighting Championship event with billionaire friend Elon Musk and cheering fans at a heavily guarded Madison Square Garden in New York City. Known by some in the mixed martial arts world as the "Combatant in Chief," Trump counts UFC President Dana White as a close friend and considers fans of the sport part of his political base.
