Jack Smith drops Trump election case: live updates

One of Donald Trump’s most trusted aides reportedly wrote him a series of adoring letters including one in which she told the President-elect: “You are all that matters to me.”

She later joined his staff in 2022 as a devoted aide, though she has no official title. It is also uncertain what role, if any, Harp will have in the forthcoming administration.

Former Fox News host Megyn Kelly attacked her ex-colleague Pete Hegseth’s marriage history but still defended him against sexual assault allegations.

Hegseth, President-elect Donald Trump’s pick for defense secretary, worked at Fox News alongside Kelly from 2014 to 2017. Kelly appeared on The Charlie Kirk Show, telling the far-right influencer she doesn’t “recommend marrying” Hegseth – before defending him against allegations of sexual assault.

“I’m gonna be honest, like looking at his marital history, it’s not an example of fidelity,” Kelly told Kirk. “I’m just gonna be honest and admit that upfront.”

Former Trump White House official Olivia Troye has issued a stark warning for women entering the incoming administration.

“The Trump White House’s chauvinistic male-dominated culture will be exacerbated by the presence of Elon Musk, JD Vance, Donald Trump Jr., Matt Gaetz, Pete Hegseth, and other ‘bros’ in positions of authority or influence,” Troye, who served as former Vice President Mike Pence’s national security adviser, wrote on her Substack on Thursday.

“It will be an intimidating environment, but stay true to your values, even when it is uncomfortable or unpopular. Remember, you have only yourself to face in the mirror every day.”

Influential conservatives are joking about buying liberal news network MSNBC and standing in for top hosts. In a series of posts on Friday, Elon Musk, Donald Trump, Jr., and Joe Rogan fantasized about what they would do if they owned the channel and mocked host Lawrence O’Donnell with a vulgar comment.

Musk then asked how much the network would cost.

“If you buy MSNBC I would like Rachael Maddow’s job,” Rogan chimed in. “I will wear the same outfit and glasses, and I will tell the same lies.”

“Ok @elonmusk & @joerogan. Since this is getting interesting I’ll throw my hat in the ring as well,” Trump responded. “I’ll mimic Lawrence O’Donnell… minus the castration of course. That’s a bridge too far.”

More details in our full story.

Kamala Harris has told her aides to keep her options open in case she decides to run for president again in 2028, according to reports.

The sources said Harris would be pondering her path forward over the coming holiday season, but has told allies and advisers she doesn’t want to rule anything out.

Donald Trump is threatening to impose serious tariffs on Mexico, Canada, and China once he takes office to crack down on drug smuggling and immigration.

Here’s his full message:

As everyone is aware, thousands of people are pouring through Mexico and Canada, bringing Crime and Drugs at levels never seen before. Right now a Caravan coming from Mexico, composed of thousands of people, seems to be unstoppable in its quest to come through our currently Open Border. On January 20th, as one of my many first Executive Orders, I will sign all necessary documents to charge Mexico and Canada a 25% Tariff on ALL products coming into the United States, and its ridiculous Open Borders. This Tariff will remain in effect until such time as Drugs, in particular Fentanyl, and all Illegal Aliens stop this Invasion of our Country! Both Mexico and Canada have the absolute right and power to easily solve this long simmering problem. We hereby demand that they use this power, and until such time that they do, it is time for them to pay a very big price! I have had many talks with China about the massive amounts of drugs, in particular Fentanyl, being sent into the United States – But to no avail. Representatives of China told me that they would institute their maximum penalty, that of death, for any drug dealers caught doing this but, unfortunately, they never followed through, and drugs are pouring into our Country, mostly through Mexico, at levels never seen before. Until such time as they stop, we will be charging China an additional 10% Tariff, above any additional Tariffs, on all of their many products coming into the United States of America. Thank you for your attention to this matter.

Representative Darrell Issa penned the letter on November 19 after The Free Beacon, a conservative media outlet, reported the State Department offered stress management webinars on November 8 and November 13 to employees.

At least one of the sessions was titled “Managing stress during change” and offered “tips and practical strategies for managing stress and maintaining your well being,” according to the Beacon.

Special counsel Jack Smith has announced that he will be dropping both his 2020 election interference case and classified documents case against Donald Trump, following the President-elect’s victory.

The sudden, but somewhat surprising decisions were announced in two separate motions filed on Monday.

In the first, Smith wrote that there was precedent to not bring an indictment or proceedings against a sitting president, but stressed that the decision had been made due to the recommendations of the Justice Department rather than the strength of the case.

Boris Epshteyn, a longtime Trump adviser aiding with the presidential transition process, has been accused of trying to profit off his position within Trump’s circle, according to a CBS News report. 

Former Missouri Governor Eric Greitens submitted a sworn declaration to the transition team claiming Epshteyn implied he would advocate for Greitens to have an appointed position unless it benefited him financially.

“Mr. Epshteyn’s overall tone and behavior gave me the impression of an implicit expectation to engage in business dealings with him before he would advocate for or suggest my appointment to the President,” the sworn declaration, seen by CBS News, said.

Epshteyn denied all wrongdoing calling the allegations “fake and defamatory” as a way to “distract” people.

Judge Tanya Chutkan has granted Jack Smith’s request to dismiss the federal election interference indictment against Donald Trump, officially ending the case – at least for the next four years.

Following the precedent that sitting presidents cannot be indicted or prosecuted, Chutkan agreed to dismiss the charges against Trump ahead of his inauguration.

“Dismissal without prejudice is also consistent with the Government’s understanding that the immunity afforded to a sitting President is temporary, expiring when they leave office,” Chutkan wrote.