International

Who rings for Trump’s cabinet 2.0?

The appointment of Susie Wiles as chief of staff of the White House is the first position announced by the next president of the United States, Donald Trump, for a second term in which he is expected to surround himself with very loyal collaborators.

Trump, who ended up fighting with many members of his first cabinet, especially after the assault on the Capitol, will have as vice president JD Vance, a senator from Ohio who was critical of him in the past but now fully supports him.

Meanwhile, Wiles, the first woman appointed chief of staff of the White House, one of the most important positions in Washington, has been one of the main advisors of the Republican campaign and Trump himself attributes credit to her for last Tuesday’s victory over Democratic candidate Kamala Harris.

Elon Musk, Trump’s key ally

One of the people who could have a great prominence is the richest man in the world, Elon Musk, director of Tesla and SpaceX and owner of the social network X, from where he has promoted a strong campaign in favor of the Republican.

Trump offered Musk to run an office for “government efficiency” with the aim of cutting the expenses of the bureaucracy and fulfilling the Republican’s goal of eliminating what he calls the “deep state.”

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Kennedy Jr.

Some charge is also expected for Robert F. Kennedy Jr., nephew of former Democratic President John F. Kennedy (1961-1963), who withdrew his presidential candidacy as an independent to support Trump, a gesture rejected by the Kennedy dynasty.

This controversial businessman, known for his anti-vaccine positions, has said that he could play an important role in the health policies of the next Trump Administration.

Stephen Miller, one of the great ideologists of Trump’s anti-immigration policy, could also have an important position in the White House.

Attorney General, Trump’s trusted men

One of the most important decisions that the next president must make is the appointment of the attorney general who will lead the Department of Justice and close the two criminal cases that weigh on the Republican for the assault on the Capitol and for having taken classified documents from the White House.

After a tense relationship with the prosecutors of his first term, Jeff Sessions and William Barr, he is expected to choose very loyal people who never turn their backs on him, including Jeff Clark, former deputy attorney general who was charged with Trump for electoral interference in the state of Georgia, or the current Texas attorney general, Ken Paxton.

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Secretary of State

One of the names with which the most speculation is made to lead US diplomacy is that of Marco Rubio, a Florida senator who was on the list of possible vice presidents for a second term of the Republican

Rubio, of Cuban origin, exerted from the Senate Foreign Relations Committee a remarkable influence on the policy towards Latin America of Trump’s first term, but some advisors to the future president believe that his ‘hawk’ profile contrasts with the isolationist policy of “United States first” promoted by Trump.

Also in the pools is Richard Grenell, controversial former ambassador of Trump to Germany, a man very loyal to the Republican who was involved in his attempt to reverse his 2020 electoral defeat in the state of Nevada. He also participated in a recent meeting between Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.

Secretary of Defense

Trump is considering the possibility of putting Mike Pompeo at the head of the Pentagon, who was Secretary of State in his first term and is one of the few members of his first cabinet who could repeat in the Government.

Other names on the table are those of Mike Waltz, a Florida congressman and retired National Guard colonel; and Arkansas Senator Tom Cotton, who had already sounded as Secretary of Defense for Trump’s first term.
Secretary of the Treasury

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At the head of the US Treasury could be Robert Lighthizer, who was already a representative of Foreign Trade in Trump’s first term and is considered a skeptic of free trade and a supporter of the tariff war with China.
Important donors of the Trump campaign also sound for the position, such as businessmen Howard Lutnick, Scott Bessent or John Paulson.

The governor of North Dakota, Doug Burgum, is on the list of possible energy secretaries and former Secretary of Education Betsy Devos could return to that department to fulfill Trump’s promise to eliminate it.

International

Gustavo Petro increases Colombia’s minimum wage by 9.54%

Colombian President Gustavo Petro signed a decree on Tuesday to increase the minimum wage in the country by 9.54% (following a lack of consensus with business sectors and labor unions), meaning that starting January 1, it will be 1,423,500 Colombian pesos (about US$322).

“This is an improvement in the standard of living for all people who tie their income to the minimum wage,” Petro celebrated as he signed the decree in Zipaquirá, during an event where he participated in the last Novena de Aguinaldo and reconnected with several friends and colleagues in the Bolívar 83 neighborhood, which holds personal significance for the president.

Currently, the minimum wage in Colombia is 1,300,000 pesos (about US$294).

Petro also responded to criticisms from the business sector regarding the minimum wage increase, after the president of the National Association of Entrepreneurs of Colombia (Andi), Bruce Mac Master, warned that it would lead to “a great number of consequences.”

International

Silent Christmas in Bethlehem as Gaza conflict overshadows celebrations

Hundreds of faithful gathered on Tuesday around the Church of the Nativity in the Palestinian town of Bethlehem, which is preparing for another quiet Christmas, with no major celebrations due to the ongoing war in Gaza.

Local authorities decided to suspend large public celebrations for the second consecutive year, and in Manger Square, there are neither decorations nor the traditional giant Christmas tree, reflecting the somber mood of its residents since the war between Israel and Hamas broke out in Gaza. At the Vatican, Pope Francis will inaugurate the Holy Year 2025 on Tuesday, a major international pilgrimage expected to draw over 30 million faithful from around the world to Rome.

Afterwards, he will preside over the Christmas Eve Mass at St. Peter’s Basilica, an occasion in which the pontiff often highlights global conflicts.

Over the weekend, Francis’ remarks calling Israeli airstrikes in Gaza “cruel” sparked criticism from the Israeli government.

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International

Pope Francis to open jubilee year in Vatican, calls for global peace amid conflict

Pope Francis will open the Catholic Church’s “Holy Year” 2025 on Tuesday, a major international pilgrimage expected to bring over 30 million faithful from around the world to Rome, under the sign of the Jubilee.

On this Christmas Eve, at 7:00 PM (6:00 PM GMT), in the presence of around 30,000 people and with worldwide broadcast, the Argentine Jesuit will open the Holy Door of St. Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican, symbolizing the start of this “ordinary” Jubilee. Throughout the year, pilgrims will be able to pass through this heavy and imposing bronze door, closed during ordinary times, to receive the “plenary indulgence,” the forgiveness of sins according to tradition.

The 88-year-old pope, who faces frequent health issues, will preside over the Christmas Eve Mass at St. Peter’s Basilica, before delivering his traditional “Urbi et Orbi” blessing (to the city and the world) on Wednesday at noon. It is expected that he will address global conflicts and renew his calls for a ceasefire in the Middle East, three days after condemning the “cruelty” of the attacks in Gaza, comments which provoked protests from Israeli diplomats.

Security around the Vatican has been reinforced following the deadly attack on a Christmas market in Germany. About 700 additional officers have been deployed to Rome, as announced by the Ministry of the Interior.