Trump Makes His First Moves

Also, an attack on Israeli soccer fans. Here’s the latest at the end of Friday.

by · NY Times
Credit...Haiyun Jiang for The New York Times

Signs of change under Trump

Early signs emerged today of how quickly President-elect Donald Trump’s second administration would shift the government’s legal positions on a wide range of issues facing the Supreme Court, as speculation swirled about whom Trump would tap for critical positions in the government.

Legal experts said they expected the Justice Department under Trump to rapidly reverse its position on a transgender rights case pending before the court. People who follow the court are also bracing for a flip in the positions taken under President Biden on environmental issues, gun rights, criminal sentencing and employment discrimination. Trump’s transition team for climate and the environment is considering relocating the E.P.A. out of Washington and other drastic changes.

In his first job announcement, Trump last night named Susie Wiles, the Florida strategist who has run his political operation for nearly four years, as the White House chief of staff for his incoming administration.

Trump has said he wants Elon Musk to play a role in recommending ways to slash government spending. On Wednesday, during a call with President Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine, he put Musk on the phone. It is not clear what the three men discussed, but Musk has been a vital supplier of communications capability to Ukraine in its war with Russia.

Several names began circulating today as possible candidates for attorney general, including a former national intelligence director, John Ratcliffe, and Senator Mike Lee of Utah. Robert F. Kennedy Jr., a vaccine and science denier, has said he believes he will have a big role in shaping health policy.

In other political news:


Iranian agents plotted to kill Trump, U.S. said

Federal prosecutors said today that Iranian plotters had discussed a plan to assassinate Trump before he could be re-elected. One of the plotters said that he was assigned in September to carry out the plan by the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps, the prosecutors said in a criminal complaint filed in Manhattan.

The man prosecutors said was tasked with the plot to kill Trump is Farhad Shakeri, who is believed to reside in Iran. Two other men from New York were arrested in the case and face conspiracy charges.


Israeli soccer fans were attacked in Amsterdam

The authorities in Amsterdam are investigating violence tied to a soccer game last night between the Dutch club Ajax and Maccabi Tel Aviv, an Israeli team. Israeli and Dutch officials said the attacks were antisemitic.

Five Israelis were hospitalized and later discharged, and between 20 and 30 others sustained light injuries. The police said the violence, which unfolded over two tense days, included assaults on Israeli fans by people, some riding scooters, who kicked and beat them. In all, 62 people were arrested. Ten remained in custody as of this afternoon.


More top news

TIME TO UNWIND

Beyoncé and young women lead the Grammy nominees

Beyoncé is the top nominee for the 67th annual Grammy Awards with 11 nods for her genre-crossing “Cowboy Carter.” The nominees also featured buzzy young female stars, including Sabrina Carpenter and Chappell Roan — two of this year’s fresh pop sensations. Billie Eilish picked up seven nominations and Taylor Swift six.

Here’s a full list of the nominees. The Times’s pop music team took a look at the snubs and surprises.


The Clint squint

Many actors have distinguishing features — sunburst smiles, rolling walks — that become their trademarks. But few performers have held our gaze as powerfully as Clint Eastwood, with his big guns, tough lines and an indelible signature: the Clint Squint.

Our film critic Manohla Dargis explored Eastwood’s signature squint through the years.


Dinner table topics

WHAT TO DO THIS WEEKEND

Cook: There are no rules on Friendsgiving. Here’s a menu that breaks with tradition.

Read: Rapunzel has nothing on the African heroines in these picture books.

Watch: Stream these five great movies for kids.

Laugh: Here’s who to see at the New York Comedy Festival.

Travel: These luxury apartments let you enjoy the Swiss mountains in style.

Play: Today’s Spelling Bee, Wordle and Mini Crossword. For more, find all our games here.

ONE LAST THING

When Christmas movies get sexy

Christmas romances often follow a well-worn script: A city slicker returns to her immaculately decorated small hometown, a local guy sweeps her off her feet, and the characters all wear cozy sweaters. This year, however, some holiday films are stripping down. Literally.

“Hot Frosty” and “The Merry Gentlemen” on Netflix and “A Carpenter Christmas Romance” on Lifetime are going for steamy visuals. Men are often shirtless and on display to be ogled by the female townsfolk. Such scenes can feel downright verboten in a family-friendly arena where any suggestion of eroticism has long been off-limits.

Have an alluring weekend.


Thanks for reading. We’re off Monday for Veterans Day. Matt will be back Tuesday. Have a great weekend. — Jonathan

Scott Nelson was our photo editor.

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