President Trump pardons Steve Bannon and 141 others in final hours in office

On Tuesday, President Donald Trump granted clemency to dozens of people, including his former adviser Stephen Bannon and top election fundraiser Elliott Broidy.

In his final hours at the White House, Trump pardoned 73 people and commuted the prison sentences of 70 others in one of his final actions as president of the United States. 

The White House said in a statement that Trump granted a full pardon to Bannon as prosecutors pursued “charges related to fraud stemming from his involvement in a political project,” adding, “Mr. Bannon has been an important leader in the conservative movement and is known for his political acumen.”

Bannon, a former senior White House adviser, was arrested and charged in August for allegedly defrauding donors of hundreds of thousands of dollars in connection to an online crowdfunding campaign known as “We Build the Wall” in 2018.

Trump had previously granted clemency in the months leading up to his final day in office to close aides, associates and friends including his former campaign adviser Roger Stone, his former campaign chairman Paul Manafort and his former foreign policy adviser George Papadopoulos, among others.

Trump pardons Bannon, other allies on final night in office

Via abcnews.go.com
President Donald Trump late Tuesday issued a final batch of pardons and commutations to a group…
 

Editorial credit: Michael Candelori / Shutterstock.com

President Trump pardons Steve Bannon and 141 others in final hours in office

On Tuesday, President Donald Trump granted clemency to dozens of people, including his former adviser Stephen Bannon and top election fundraiser Elliott Broidy. In his final hours at the White House, Trump pardoned 73 people and commuted the prison sentences of 70 others in one of his final actions as president of the United States.

The White House said in a statement that Trump granted a full pardon to Bannon as prosecutors pursued “charges related to fraud stemming from his involvement in a political project,” adding, “Mr. Bannon has been an important leader in the conservative movement and is known for his political acumen.” Bannon, a former senior White House adviser, was arrested and charged in August for allegedly defrauding donors of hundreds of thousands of dollars in connection to an online crowdfunding campaign known as “We Build the Wall” in 2018.

Trump had previously granted clemency in the months leading up to his final day in office to close aides, associates and friends including his former campaign adviser Roger Stone, his former campaign chairman Paul Manafort and his former foreign policy adviser George Papadopoulos, among others.

Trump pardons Bannon, other allies on final night in office

Via abcnews.go.com
President Donald Trump late Tuesday issued a final batch of pardons and commutations to a group…

Editorial credit: Michael Candelori / Shutterstock.com

President Trump wishes new administration luck in taped farewell address

President Donald Trump released a taped farewell address before leaving office, saying: “We did what we came to do – and so much more.”  In a video posted on YouTube (which can be viewed here), he said he took on “the tough battles, the hardest fights… because that’s what you elected me to do.”

The last two weeks of Trump’s term have been dominated by the fallout from the deadly riot on Capitol Hill, when a mob of his supporters stormed Congress, seeking to overturn the election result. Trump said in his video, “Political violence is an attack on everything we cherish as Americans. It can never be tolerated.”

Also in his message, Trump said his administration built “the greatest economy in the history of the world.” He said, “Our agenda was not about right or left, it wasn’t about Republican or Democrat, but about the good of a nation, and that means the whole nation.”

Trump releases taped ‘farewell address’

Via abcnews.go.com
The White House on Tuesday released a taped ‘farewell address’ from President Donald Trump on…

Editorial credit: noamgalai / Shutterstock.com

President Trump wishes new administration luck in taped farewell address

President Donald Trump released a taped farewell address before leaving office, saying: “We did what we came to do – and so much more.” In a video posted on YouTube (which can be viewed here), he said he took on “the tough battles, the hardest fights… because that’s what you elected me to do”.

The last two weeks of Trump’s term have been dominated by the fallout from the deadly riot on Capitol Hill, when a mob of his supporters stormed Congress, seeking to overturn the election result. Trump said in his video, “Political violence is an attack on everything we cherish as Americans. It can never be tolerated.”

Also in his message, Trump said his administration built “the greatest economy in the history of the world.” He said, “Our agenda was not about right or left, it wasn’t about Republican or Democrat, but about the good of a nation, and that means the whole nation.”

Trump releases taped ‘farewell address’

Via abcnews.go.com
The White House on Tuesday released a taped ‘farewell address’ from President Donald Trump on…

Editorial credit: noamgalai / Shutterstock.com

President Trump wishes new administration luck in taped farewell address

President Donald Trump released a taped farewell address before leaving office, saying: “We did what we came to do – and so much more.” In a video posted on YouTube (which can be viewed here, he said he took on “the tough battles, the hardest fights… because that’s what you elected me to do”.

The last two weeks of Trump’s term have been dominated by the fallout from the deadly riot on Capitol Hill, when a mob of his supporters stormed Congress, seeking to overturn the election result. Trump said in his video, “Political violence is an attack on everything we cherish as Americans. It can never be tolerated.”

Also in his message, Trump said his administration built “the greatest economy in the history of the world.” He said, “Our agenda was not about right or left, it wasn’t about Republican or Democrat, but about the good of a nation, and that means the whole nation.”

Trump releases taped ‘farewell address’

Via abcnews.go.com
The White House on Tuesday released a taped ‘farewell address’ from President Donald Trump on…
 

Editorial credit: noamgalai / Shutterstock.com

Minnesota Wild trade Greg Pateryn to Colorado Avalance for defenseman Ian Cole

The Minnesota Wild sent defenseman Greg Pateryn for Colorado in exchange for defenseman Ian Cole on Tuesday. 

Pateryn signed a three-year deal with Minnesota in 2018. He logged one goal, 11 assists and 47 penalty minutes in 103 games with the Wild. Pateryn was limited to 20 contests in 2019-20 due to a lower-body injury.  Cole, who won a pair of Stanley Cups with Pittsburgh in 2015-16 and 2016-17, was in his third season with Colorado. He’s registered 26 goals and 112 assists (138 points) in 543 career NHL games. Cole racked up 122 blocked shots and 83 hits in 65 contests with the Avalanche in 2019-20.

Avalanche Trade Ian Cole to Wild for Greg Pateryn

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The Colorado Avalanche have traded defenseman Ian Cole to the Minnesota Wild for defenseman Greg…
 

Mets fire GM Jared Porter for sending explicit images to female reporter

NY Mets general manager Jared Porter was fired on Tuesday morning, hours after acknowledging in a report by ESPN that he sent unsolicited sexually explicit images to a female reporter while employed by the Chicago Cubs as their director of pro scouting in 2016. An explicit image was the final message in a string of 62 consecutive unanswered texts.

Mets owner Steve Cohen announced on Twitter, “We have terminated Jared Porter this morning. In my initial press conference I spoke about the importance of integrity and I meant it. There should be zero tolerance for this type of behavior.”

Reached by ESPN on Monday evening, Porter acknowledged texting with the woman. He initially said he had not sent any pictures of himself. When told the exchanges show he had sent selfies and other pictures, he said that “the more explicit ones are not of me. Those are like, kinda like joke-stock images.”

Mets GM acknowledges sending explicit images

Via www.espn.com
New York Mets general manager Jared Porter sent explicit, unsolicited texts and images to a…
 

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Harry Brant, Son of Stephanie Seymour and Peter Brant, Dies at 24

Harry Brant, the younger son of billionaire publisher Peter Brant and model Stephanie Seymour, has died. The 24-year-old socialite and fashionista was found dead Sunday of an accidental drug overdose, his parents said in statement.  Brant’s parents said Brant died just days before he was to re-enter rehab.

Brant and Seymour said: “It is with enormous sorrow that we share with you the news that our beloved son, Harry Brant, lost his battle with addiction and died due to an accidental overdose of prescription medication. Our hearts are shattered. We will forever be saddened that Harry’s life was cut short by this devastating disease. We ask that you please allow our family privacy as we attempt to cope with the loss of our beautiful, beautiful boy.”

Brant was a staple of New York’s fashion scene, along with his brother, Peter Brant II. Brant modeled for Balmain and Italian Vogue, and launched a unisex makeup line for MAC with his brother in 2015. His parents said he had hoped to expand his role creatively at Peter Brant’s Interview magazine.

Stephanie Seymour’s son, Harry Brant, dies at 24 from accidental overdose, family says

Via www.usatoday.com
Harry Brant, a rising model and son of supermodel Stephanie Seymour and publisher Peter M….
 

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All five seasons of ‘The Muppet Show’ coming to Disney+ this February

Disney+ said in a press release Tuesday that all five seasons of The Muppet Show is coming to Disney+ in February. The variety series will start streaming Feb. 19.

The Muppet Show, created by Jim Henson and featuring his Muppet puppet characters, aired from 1976 to 1981. Seasons 4 and 5 were previously unreleased on home entertainment. The Muppet Show features beloved Muppets characters, including Kermit the Frog, Miss Piggy, Fozzie Bear, Gonzo and the Swedish Chef, as well as a variety of famous guest stars.

Kermit the Frog said, “It’s going to be great to welcome back longtime fans, and to give a new generation of fans a chance to see how we got our start, how Miss Piggy became a star and so much more. Today, I’m proud to say: ‘It’s time to play the music, light the lights and meet the Muppets on Disney Plus tonight!’ And as for Statler and Waldorf, the two old guys in the balcony, I can only add: ‘Sorry, guys, but… here we go again.'”

The Muppet Show is getting a long-awaited streaming release on Disney+

Via www.msn.com
Disney+ is finally ready to play the music and light the lights. All five seasons of The Muppet…
 

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Inauguration rehearsal interrupted by security alert due to nearby fire

Inauguration rehearsals in Washington, D.C., were interrupted and the U.S. Capitol was locked down Monday after a nearby fire caused a temporary security alert. The U.S. Secret Service said in an announcement that the Capitol complex was shut down “out of an abundance of caution” in response to “a small fire in the area of 1st and F streets SE.” The emergency alert was issued just as a dress rehearsal for the swearing-in of President-elect Joe Biden and Vice president-elect Kamala Harris was about to begin. Participants for the outdoor event were rushed back into the building; when the threat was cleared, rehearsals resumed.

The actual inauguration will take place Wednesday on the West front of the U.S. Capitol building at noon. Biden will deliver an inaugural address, though most of the events will be virtual this year, because of the pandemic and security threats after the storming of the U.S. Capitol by a mob on Jan. 6.

On Wednesday afternoon, the oaths of office will be followed by the Pass In Review on the East front of the building with members of the military, which is the traditional ceremony for the peaceful transfer of power to a new commander-in-chief.

“Celebrating America,” a 90-minute live special, will air Wednesday evening and will feature remarks from Biden and Harris, as well as tributes to COVID-19 first responders.

Live Updates: Nearby fire prompts brief security scare at Capitol

Via www.cbsnews.com
Capitol Police said a fire under a highway several blocks south of the Capitol prompted a lockdown.
 

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