Cuba Reaffirms Anti-Drug Cooperation as Tensions Rise in the Caribbean 
Drones Spotted Near Zelenskiy’s Flight Path in Ireland Trigger Security Alert 
U.S.-Russia Talks Leave Ukraine Peace Efforts Uncertain 
Honduras Election Turmoil Intensifies as Nasralla Blames Trump for Shift in Results 
Pentagon Probe Finds Hegseth’s Use of Signal Risked Exposing Sensitive Yemen Strike Details 
U.S. Justice Department Orders Intensified Probe Into Antifa and Domestic Extremist Groups 
Honduras Election Turmoil Deepens as Nasralla Alleges Fraud in Tight Presidential Race 
Trump and Lula Discuss Trade, Sanctions, and Security in “Productive” Phone Call 
Australia and Japan Strengthen Defence Cooperation Amid Rising Regional Tensions 
China Urged to Prioritize Economy Over Territorial Ambitions, Says Taiwan’s President Lai 
Taiwan Signals Openness to Renew Ties with Honduras as Election Unfolds 
California Launches Portal for Reporting Alleged Misconduct by Federal Immigration Agents 
China’s Expanding Maritime Military Presence Alarms Taiwan and Japan 
U.S. Repatriation Flight Carrying 266 Venezuelan Migrants Lands in Caracas 
Taiwan Opposition Criticizes Plan to Block Chinese App Rednote Over Security Concerns 
Trump Claims He Will Void Biden Documents Signed with Autopen 
U.S. Expected to Expand Travel Ban to More Than 30 Countries 
In the months leading up to the inauguration in January 2021, Joe Biden is already assembling his incoming administration for when he finally moves into the White House. With Donald Trump facing several investigations upon leaving the presidency and pressures from within the Democratic party, Biden has reportedly revealed he wants to steer clear from investigations into his predecessor.
According to people knowledgeable in the matter, Biden revealed to his advisers that he does not want investigations related to Trump to take up his presidency out of concerns that it would further divide the country. The former vice president also said to his advisers that he is especially wary of the federal tax investigations surrounding Trump as well as any orders Trump may give to grant immunity to members of his staff prior to leaving office.
A Biden adviser revealed that the president-elect is determined to move forward. Another Biden adviser shared that he will be more focused on fixing problems rather than prosecute. However, it should also be noted that decisions or investigations from Biden’s incoming Justice Department surrounding Trump including his staff, associates, policies, and businesses would not interfere with the current investigations on him.
Aides have also said that Biden will want the Justice Department to work independently. This means he will not tell the federal law enforcement who or what to investigate. Overall, Biden’s priorities will not include looking back at the administration that preceded his. However, according to another person knowledgeable on the matter, “They do want to make sure that people don’t think there are no ramifications for any of their actions between now and the new presidency.”
Meanwhile, as the former vice president is already in the process of appointing people, he has also assembled a team that will tackle the Senate confirmation battles for his Cabinet nominees. This is in line with what may be the administration’s first political battles with the Senate, especially if Republicans maintain control after the January runoffs. The Biden team is also set on putting together a “public relations blitz” to introduce nominees to the public, including what may be an opportunity for Biden nominees to speak publicly before their confirmation hearings.
Some of the members included in the team are Obama administration White House Communications Director Jen Psaki, Biden’s former Senate aide Olivia Alair Dalton, Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin’s floor director Reema Dodin, former Biden campaign adviser Jorge Neri, and Biden campaign rapid response director Andrew Bates.
