Sunday political news updates

By Robert A. Vella

American political news is coming at a feverish pace these days, and concerned people are having a hard time keep up with it.  Here are some updates for this Sunday which I’ll try to keep short and to the point.

After suffering a pivotal defeat in last week’s midterm elections, and receiving widespread condemnation for replacing the nation’s Attorney General (Jeff Sessions) with an unqualified political hack (Matthew Whitaker) who opposes Special Counsel Robert Mueller’s ongoing criminal investigation, President Trump traveled to Paris ostensibly to participate in commemorations for the 100th anniversary of the armistice which ended World War I.  However, observers have reported that Trump appears disinterested and preoccupied with his troubles back home;  and, speculation continues to focus on whether he intends to meet secretly with Russian President Vladimir Putin.  See:

Critics pile on after Trump cancels visit to U.S. military cemetery outside Paris, citing weather

Suspense Over Trump-Putin Talks as Leaders Crowd Paris Ceremony

Back in America, the remaining races which were or still are unresolved continue to look bad for Republicans.  Dana Rohrabacher has now lost his seat in Orange County, California which has been a Republican stronghold since the long ago heyday of Richard Nixon.  Democrat Kyrsten Sinema has extended her lead over Republican Martha McSally for the U.S. Senate seat vacated by Jeff Flake, and mandatory recounts have begun in the Florida governor and senate contests which both appeared to be GOP victories on election day.  See:

Longtime California GOP congressman loses seat to executive

Sinema extends lead in Arizona race

Florida Begins Vote Recounts in Senate and Governor’s Races