Supreme Court Justice Neil Gorsuch is stepping aside from an upcoming case about environmental regulation over an apparent undisclosed conflict.
On December 10, the court will wade into a legal battle over a proposed railway project in rural Utah, the Uinta Basin Rail. The Supreme Court has to decide the scope of environmental review required by the government for such projects under the National Environmental Policy Act.
Critics of Gorsuch pushed for his recusal because of his ties to billionaire Philip Anschutz, whom Gorsuch represented as a corporate lawyer in the 2000s.
The case, Seven County Infrastructure Coalition v. Eagle County, Colorado, concerns whether the National Environmental Policy Act "requires an agency to study environmental impacts beyond the proximate effects of the action over which the agency has regulatory authority."
Anschutz's company, Anschutz Exploration Corporation, filed a brief in the case arguing for a limited interpretation of NEPA.
"Because NEPA applies to every major federal action—including the authorizations Anschutz needs to develop federal oil-and-gas reserves—far more is at stake in this case than the 88-mile rail line in rural Utah," the company wrote.
A letter from a court clerk said that Gorsuch "has determined that he will not continue to participate in this case."
The proposed 88-mile Utah rail line would connect the oil-rich Uinta Basin with the national rail network.
The project has backing from seven eastern Utah counties and was approved by the Surface Transportation Board, but a lower court struck it down, finding the environmental review didn't go far enough.
Gorsuch's letter did not provide an explanation for his recusal. But the letter cited a code of conduct that the court adopted in 2023 after outrage over gifts that conservatives Samuel Alito and Clarence Thomas received from billionaires.
Democrats have complained the code is not enforceable, and they have called on Congress to impose strict rules requiring recusal in certain situations.
Republicans have dismissed the pressure on the court as a partisan attempt to discredit and weaken the conservative majority that was solidified during President Trump's first term. Gorsuch was Trump's first appointee.
After Gorsuch made public his decision to recuse himself from the railroad case, Democratic congressman Hank Johnson (GA) took a victory lap and suggested, without evidence, that the court is in the pocket of billionaire benefactors.
"I think it is essential to maintaining the public's respect in the integrity of the Court, and I applaud Justice Gorsuch for doing the right and honorable thing," Johnson said.
"It is important that the Court show the public that it is not in the pocket of billionaire benefactors."
It has been decades since six-year-old JonBenet Ramsey was murdered, but her father, John Ramsey, believes the case can be solved.
JonBenet's now 80-year-old father told NewsNation that the killing has a "good chance" of being solved with the latest DNA technology.
“We want them (police) to do more,” Ramsey said during an appearance on NewsNation's Elizabeth Vargas Reports.
John and his late wife Patsey Ramsey became the prime suspects in the eyes of police and the media after the killing of JonBenet, which became an international story.
A new Netflix series has reignited interest in the 1996 murder and the theory that an intruder was responsible.
John Ramsey believes that new methods of DNA analysis, like genetic genealogy, can help lead the police to the killer.
“If they use the latest DNA technology, collaborate with labs, and use familial genealogy research, which successfully finds solutions to old cold cases. If they do that, there’s a good chance we can solve it," he said.
John Ramsey discovered the dead body of his six-year-old in the basement of his Boulder, Colorado home, hours after her parents found a strange ransom note and reported the girl missing.
John said he and Patsey understood the initial suspicion of him and his wife, but the cops pinned them as the killers early on and never considered other possibilities.
“We were in the home. We think it’s horrible, but we accept that,” Ramsey said. “But don’t stop there. That was their conclusion.”
Some have speculated that an intruder killed JonBenet, possibly a pedophile who developed an interest in the child beauty queen.
John Ramsey has been making the rounds of the media to build pressure to solve the killing, as a new Netflix series, Cold Case: Who Killed JonBenet Ramsey sparks fresh interest in the tragedy.
The series looks at alternative suspects, including John Mark Karr, a teacher who was arrested in Thailand after confessing to killing JonBenet in 2006. But his DNA did not match the crime scene, and he was ruled out.
In 2008, the Ramseys were ruled out by a former prosecutor after DNA pointed to an unidentified third party.
Responding to the renewed public interest in the case, Boulder Police have denied claims that they are withholding evidence.
“The assertion that there is viable evidence and leads we are not pursuing — to include DNA testing — is completely false,” Boulder Police said.
While praised for his strong leadership, no one would describe President-elect Trump as a modest figure. According to a celebrity surgeon, the Donald has spent a pretty penny on preserving his appearance over the years.
Dr Gary Motykie claimed to MailOnline that the Trump clan has spent nearly $1 million on plastic surgeries over the years. He claimed Trump spent $160,000 on his teeth and iconic hairdo.
The doctor has never treated anyone in the Trump family. He based his analysis on photos and his own knowledge of the industry.
The surgeon claimed that Trump spent $80,000 on restoring his hairline using various techniques like the flap method. Considered an older technique, it involves removing hair-bearing skin to cover bald patches on the scalp. However, it can leave bald patches on the side, which could explain Trump's famous combover.
"And then, I do think we have some older techniques too — like flap techniques, which he tries to cover with this strange parting and combing over," he said.
While some in Trump's orbit appear to have received extensive plastic surgery, Donald's glamorous wife Melania is a notable exception. She maintains a natural appearance, having previously admitted she prefers to "age gracefully."
Motykie speculated that Melania has spent about $50,000 on subtle "maintenance work," including face fillers and some Botox.
While President-elect Trump has denied having plastic surgery, he is no stranger to poking fun at his personal vanity. At a campaign rally for his re-election, Trump joked to the crowd about his haircut.
"That’s very severe, that comb over that’s a severe sucker," Trump joked.
"It looks OK from the other side, but that is very severe. I apologize. Man, I looked up there, I said, ‘Whoa, look at that.’ Wow. That’s like a work of art."
Of course, the Trumps are far from the only famous people to receive plastic surgery. Just look at Joe Biden or his son Hunter - who received a set of veneers after extensive drug use destroyed his teeth.
Trump, despite his famous love of fast food, does not suffer from any known medical issues, and he possesses a level of stamina for his age that has left many people amazed.
The 78-year-old recovered quickly from an assassination attempt in July that left him with a bloody ear. Trump's courageous reaction to the shooting created an instantly iconic image of fearless leadership.
"The fact that he attended 120 events in 7 months — often multiple rallies in a single day in different states — is proof-positive that Trump has a tremendous amount of stamina, mentally and physically," Dr. Brett Osborn, a Florida neurosurgeon and longevity expert, told Fox News Digital.
Every teenager has had moments where they felt embarrassed by their parents - even Barron Trump.
A video of President-elect Trump's youngest child smiling awkwardly at the Thanksgiving dinner table has gone viral - with some labeling the college freshman mortified by his father's dance moves.
In the clip, Donald raps the table to the beat of unofficial MAGA anthem "YMCA," then turns to ally Elon Musk to give a tap on the shoulder.
Musk reacts by pumping two fists in the air as Trump flashes a big grin and turns to Barron, seated next to his mother Melania Trump.
The famously stoic Barron appeared uncomfortable as the impromptu dance party went on - and then came to an abrupt stop.
🇺🇸Hope you had a great Thanksgiving!🇺🇸 https://t.co/CQMGaAODKq
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) November 29, 2024
The clip caused a stir online, as observers noted the peculiar dynamic between Trump and Musk, who has become a fixture at Mar-A-Lago after supporting Trump's successful bid for re-election.
While the video led to predictable jeers from critics, reactions were not necessarily negative.
Some saw the interaction as a wholesome, if awkward moment that humanizes the president-elect and his family.
“Barron’s thinking, ‘Okay, have we had enough of this song yet, Father?’” one user wrote. Another added, “The poor kid is stuck between his dad and Elon Musk—let him leave the table!”
On the campaign trail, Trump successfully created silly, viral moments that were celebrated for their humor and authenticity - with Trump famously donning a garbageman's outfit and performing a shift at McDonald's in an apron.
Trump has continued to influence popular culture, with his goofy dance moves inspiring imitators in professional sports and on TikTok.
While Barron does not show much of his personality to the public, he is said to have played a significant, if quiet, role in his father's historic re-election.
In particular, Barron has been credited with helping his father appeal to disenfranchised young men with a series of freewheeling podcast appearances.
It's hard to imagine Barron has anything but admiration for his father after Donald pulled off the greatest political comeback in American history. But Barron still has to absorb his fair share of uncomfortable family moments.
At the end of the day, the Trump family is a family like any other - and moments like these, while embarrassing, will be appreciated by many for their sincerity.
President-elect Donald Trump just did it again.
In a bombshell announcement that had his supporters cheering, the soon-to-be 47th president finally selected the person he wants to lead the FBI, and the Washington D.C. establishment is already shaking in its boots.
According to Breitbart, Trump chose the highly popular lawyer and investigator Kash Patel to head up the agency under his incoming administration.
Patel, a longtime Trump supporter and "America First" proponent, thanked the incoming president in a social media post and hinted that his goal for the federal agency is reform.
Trump released a lengthy statement announcing Patel as his top FBI man, and praised the lawyer for his work leading up to the nomination.
"I am proud to announce that Kashyap 'Kash' Patel will serve as the next Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Kash is a brilliant lawyer, investigator, and 'America First' fighter who has spent his career exposing corruption, defending Justice, and protecting the American People," Trump wrote.
Trump added, "He played a pivotal role in uncovering the Russia, Russia, Russia Hoax, standing as an advocate for truth, accountability, and the Constitution. Kash did an incredible job during my First Term, where he served as Chief of Staff at the Department of Defense, Deputy Director of National Intelligence, and Senior Director for Counterterrorism at the National Security Council."
The president-elect also touted his legal experience, and highlighted his vision for the reformation of the FBI.
"Kash has also tried over 60 jury trials. This FBI will end the growing crime epidemic in America, dismantle the migrant criminal gangs, and stop the evil scourge of human and drug trafficking across the Border. Kash will work under our great Attorney General, Pam Bondi, to bring back Fidelity, Bravery, and Integrity to the FBI."
Trump was praised across social media for picking Patel for the job, with many expressing hope that the tarnished agency can once again be restored to what it once was.
For his part, Patel responded to Trump's announcement indicating that he's ready and willing to take on the job.
"It is the honor of a lifetime to be nominated by President Trump to serve as Director of the FBI. Together, we will restore integrity, accountability, and equal justice to our justice system and return the FBI to its rightful mission: protecting the American people," Patel wrote.
He was also praised by several other members of Trump's incoming administration.
Patel undoubtedly has a tough job ahead of him, but by all accounts, there's no better person to tackle it.
The amount of crazies in the world who want to do harm to President-elect Donald Trump is off the charts, and that was evidenced once again over the past week.
According to the New York Post, federal authorities arrested an Arizona man for making bizarre and disgusting threats against Trump, threatening to kill him in several videos.
Manuel Tamayo-Torres, who was arrested in San Diego, had just posted another one of his deranged videos in which he threatened to "put a hole" in Trump's face.
Disturbingly, federal agents revealed that Torres posted numerous videos threatening Trump on nearly a "near-daily basis."
The suspect had posted several videos targeting Trump and making disgusting comments about his children, even claiming falsely that Trump was involved in a sex-trafficking his own children.
The Post noted:
Charging documents, which refer to Trump as “Individual 1,” described the threats as “vague yet direct,” and accused Tamayo-Torres of posting “numerous” videos “on a near-daily basis” over several months.
In the series of profane videos posted to Facebook, the suspect claimed that Trump kidnapped and sex-trafficked his kids, though it’s unclear whether Tamayo-Torres has children, according to the outlet.
"[Y]ou’re gonna die," the suspect allegedly said in a video posted last week, referring to the president-elect. “[Y]our son’s gonna die. Your whole family is going to die … I’m going to put a hole in your face."
In several of the threat videos, the suspect brandished what "appears to be a white AR-15-style rifle with a 30-round magazine inserted into it."
Feds arrest Manuel Tamayo-Torres of Arizona who allegedly threatened to kill Donald Trump
"(Y)ou're gonna die," he allegedly said in a video he posted. "(Y)our son's gonna die. Your whole family is going to die... I'm going to put a hole in your face."
🔻https://t.co/SfX3UBi7zV pic.twitter.com/0ATXu5GFBa— Blue Owl (@BlueOwlHoots) November 29, 2024
Torres even filmed one of his videos from outside of a Trump rally in Arizona, making crude comments about his children.
The suspect had also been charged by federal agents "with making false statements while purchasing a firearm after he allegedly lied on federal forms last year."
He had indicated on the form required to purchase the firearm that he had not been convicted of a felony, when in fact he had, in 2003.
According to court documents, evidence showed that the man owned several firearms.
Thank goodness he was captured before he tried something stupid that could have put Trump and his family in grave danger.
Prince Johnson, the African rebel warlord who infamously tortured Liberia's former president to death and later became a powerful senator, has died. He was 72.
Notorious for his brutality, Johnson was seen sipping beer while his forces sliced off President Samiel Doe's ear in a video that was broadcast to the world.
Johnson's forces captured, tortured, and executed Doe in September 1990, plunging Liberia into years of civil war that killed 250,000.
In December 1989, Johnson allied with rebel leader Charles Taylor to overthrow Doe, launching what became the First Liberian Civil War.
The war ended in 1997 with Taylor as president of Liberia. Johnson broke with Taylor during the war and fled to neighboring Nigeria, where Johnson remained for 12 years.
Johnson converted to Christianity and returned to Liberia after the Second Liberian Civil War, which culminated in Taylor going into exile.
Eventually, Taylor was convicted of crimes against humanity by the Sierra Leone Tribunal and sentenced to 50 years in prison, but Jonhson's post-war life followed a different course.
He became an influential politician in Liberia, winning election to the senate in 2006.
While accused of war crimes by the post-war Truth and Reconciliation Commission, Johnson never faced trial. He died at a local hospital in Paynesville, a suburb of the capital Monrovia.
President Joseph Boakai, an ally of Johnson, called him a "figure who played a pivotal role in Liberia's complex historical evolution and contributed to national discourse through his service in the Senate."
In 2011, Johnson ran for the presidency and placed third. He had insisted he was a changed man, but he defended his actions during the civil war as a justified response to Doe's repression.
Doe had ruled Liberia with an iron fist and was known for showing favoritism towards his tribe, the Krahns.
"I cannot be sued. I have done nothing criminal... I fought to defend my country, my people who were led to the slaughterhouse, as if they were chickens and goats, by the Doe regime," Johnson said in 2011.
"There are circumstances that change people, that regenerate them... I have changed, my action proves it. See the enormous support I have in the country."
In 2021, the Biden administration sanctioned Johnson for his role in an alleged multi-million dollar pay-to-play scheme, as well as selling votes for money.
A scramble has begun for J.D. Vance’s Senate seat as the vice-president elect prepares to join the second Trump administration.
Whoever Republican governor Mike DeWine appoints will serve until a special election in 2026, which will decide who serves the remainder of Vance’s term. Another election will then follow in 2028 for a new six-year term.
The list of candidates includes Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose, former Ohio Republican chair Jane Timken, and state senator Matt Dolan, who all ran unsuccessfully for Senate seats in either 2022 or 2024.
Some new possible contenders include Ohio Attorney General David Yost, Congressman Mike Carey and attorney Mehek Cooke, who was a Trump 2024 surrogate.
Although floated for the Senate role, Vivek Ramaswamy confirmed he isn't seeking the job after being tapped to co-lead "DOGE" with Elon Musk.
Trump has turned Ohio, a former swing state, solidly red over the last few election cycles since his first presidential run. This year, he won the state by double digits and helped Republican Bernie Moreno defeat incumbent senator Sherrod Brown (D).
Despite Ohio’s shift to the right, special elections can sometimes be unpredictable. Whoever DeWine picks will have to ensure Democrats do not claw back power in a state where they have recently been shut out.
“It has to be someone who could win a primary. It has to be somebody who could win a general election, and then two years later, do it all again,” DeWine said. “So this is not for the fainthearted. This is not for someone who just wants a seat.”
Vance was elected to the Senate just two years ago after winning a contentious and crowded primary with help from Trump, who gave Vance a crucial endorsement. The field of candidates that year included Matt Dolan and Jane Timken.
Trump has previously endorsed several of the candidates currently vying to replace Vance, with the notable exception of Dolan, who ran as a moderate and anti-Trump Republican in 2022 and 2024.
DeWine, an establishment Republican, endorsed Dolan this year against Bernie Moreno. DeWine also did not endorse Trump in 2024.
With DeWine playing gatekeeper, it's not guaranteed that his choice for Vance's seat will have the same MAGA pedigree. Trump will want not just any Republican, but someone who is loyal to him and his agenda.
“We’re not expecting someone to be appointed who is as ideologically connected to President Trump’s agenda as JD was, but there is an expectation that whoever gets it is broadly supportive of his policies, and publicly supporting his Cabinet nominees should be a given for anyone who wants the job,” a Trump operative told NBC.
While DeWine will get first dibs, there's still a primary coming up in 2026 for the seat. Trump was the kingmaker for the last two Senate races in the state, and it's a role he could play again.
As Donald Trump prepares for a historic return to Washington D.C., many are crediting his low-key son Barron as the "secret weapon" to the president-elect's success.
Barron has long been kept out of the political spotlight, with his father first entering the White House when Barron was just a child. Like his mother Melania, he is seen as an enigmatic and silent figure, creating intrigue about his private life and aspirations.
As Barron continues to maintain a low profile, he has been credited with helping to make his father "cool" among young voters who put him over the top in the election.
The college freshman is studying business at New York University, where he is commuting to class from his family's Trump Tower residence.
"It's Barron's mystique that does it," one social media user wrote of his appeal. Another added: "Barron is his dad's secret weapon. He helped him win the votes."
In particular, Barron has been praised for connecting his 78-year-old father with popular "bro" podcasters like Joe Rogan.
"Recognizing the growing influence of online media on younger voters, Barron recommended that his dad embrace new forms of communication, that his dad went on popular podcasts and shows that would resonate with Gen Z and millennial audiences," a source told the Irish Star.
The mounting public interest in Barron comes as his father's approval ratings have surged - with many labeling President-elect Trump "cool" as his famous "Trump dance" is widely adopted in popular culture.
The pro-Trump culture shift has also impacted Barron's popularity, as TikTok remixes featuring a young Slovenian-accented Barron take the internet by storm.
Barron's sister-in-law Lara Trump, the wife of his half-brother Eric, called Barron a significant influence on his father during a recent interview.
“He’s so cool. That’s like the one word I’d use for Barron. He’s very cool. He’s like the sleeper a little bit. He’s kind of stayed out of the spotlight, probably intentionally," she said.
During the campaign, Barron would offer his own ideas on how his father could get votes, Lara said, piling praise on the young, reserved man - who bears a striking resemblance to his father.
“He’s always throwing ideas out there,” Lara said. “We’ve got to give Barron some serious credit.”
"He’s his father’s son, there’s no doubt about it, and he’s going to do really incredible things.”
Joe Biden has pardoned a Thanksgiving turkey for the final time, marking another "last" for the lame duck as his presidency nears its sad end.
The New York Post noted the "unusually somber" tone of the event, which is traditionally known for levity, as Biden shared his gratitude for the time he served in office.
The 82-year-old president pardoned two Minnesota turkeys named Peach and Blossom, who will live out their days at Farmamerica — Minnesota Agricultural Interpretive Center.
Peach, Biden quipped, lives by the motto "keep calm and gobble on" while Blossom follows the mantra, "No foul play, just Minnesota Nice.”
"Based on your temperament and commitment to being productive members of society, I hereby pardon Peach and Blossom!” Biden said to applause.
While Biden came equipped with the usual jokes expected during the annual event, he struck a wistful note as he acknowledged the coming end of his time in office.
“Let me close on a more serious note,” Biden said.
“This event marks the official start of the holiday season here in Washington. It’s also my last time to speak here as your president during this season and give thanks and gratitude. So let me say to you, it’s been the honor of my life. I’m forever grateful.”
Many have questioned whether Biden will pardon his son, Hunter, who was convicted on felony gun charges this year and pled guilty to tax offenses in a case that touched on his family's influence peddling.
The White House has said that Biden will not give his son a break, which would likely be perceived as unethical - but Biden also doesn't have much to lose, at this point.
Biden's plans for re-election were upended in June when his performance in a presidential debate set off alarms in his own party about his cognitive health. After weeks of resistance, Biden gave in to pressure from Democrats to forgo a second term.
Since then, Biden has been blamed by many Democrats for sabotaging the party's efforts to defeat Donald Trump - who won a historic second term after beating vice president Kamala Harris in a landslide.
Despite his bitter rivalry with Biden, President-elect Trump has not ruled out pardoning Hunter Biden as a gesture of goodwill.
“There’s no question about it, he’s been a bad boy. All you had to do is see the laptop from hell. But I happen to think it’s very bad for our country,” Trump added.