Axios

Rudy Giuliani was held in contempt of court Friday for continuing to defame two Georgia election workers, multiple outlets reported.

The big picture: It's the second time this week the former Trump lawyer was held in contempt in the same case, more than a year after he was ordered to pay the women $148 million in damages.

Stephen Miller, President-elect Trump's deputy chief of staff, is asserting himself as the key player in the White House's plan to pass Trump's sweeping agenda through Congress.
 
Why it matters: Trump trusts Miller implicitly, as does incoming Chief of Staff Susie Wiles, with whom Miller worked hand-in-glove on the campaign.

The Department of Homeland Security on Friday announced it would extend Temporary Protected Status for immigrants from Venezuela, El Salvador, Ukraine and Sudan for 18 months.

Why it matters: The extensions protect immigrants before the start of the incoming administration, as President-elect Trump has promised hardline immigration policies and threatened ending TPS.

The Supreme Court seemed inclined Friday to uphold a law that would ban TikTok in the U.S.

Why it matters: One of the most popular social media apps in the country may disappear next week.

The U.S. economy added 2.23 million jobs in 2024, including 256,000 in the final full month of Joe Biden's presidency.

The big picture: There have been more jobs gained under Biden's term than under the full terms of former Presidents Trump, Obama, or George W. Bush.

President-elect Trump received a no-penalty sentence in his New York hush money case Friday after the Supreme Court refused to intervene.

Why it matters: Trump is the first former (and returning) president convicted of a felony. The expected sentence of unconditional discharge — also recommended by prosecutors — means the conviction remains on his legal record.

The U.S. economy added 256,000 jobs in the final month of 2024, while the unemployment rate ticked down to 4.1%, the Labor Department said on Friday.

Why it matters: Hiring unexpectedly roared in December, capping a year of resilient labor market conditions that defied naysayers and kept the economy humming.

President-elect Trump said late Thursday that a meeting is in the works with Russian President Vladimir Putin to discuss ending the Kremlin's invasion of Ukraine.

Why it matters: Trump said on the campaign trail that he would swiftly end the nearly three-year-old war in Ukraine within 24 hours of taking office.

Fact-checking suddenly looks quaint, inadequate and practically irrelevant.

• Whole realities — the supposed culprits for the LA inferno, a new MAGA map of the world, a child sex-abuse scandal ("grooming gangs") in Britain — now sweep the internet overnight.
• We no longer need fact-checkers. We need reality-checkers.

Why it matters: When President-elect Trump takes office 10 days from now, he'll be more impervious than ever to metaphysical truth — long the purview of traditional, rigorous news reporting.

President-elect Trump understands the U.S. auto industry better now than he did during his first term, says Ford chairman Bill Ford, who's hopeful that Tesla CEO Elon Musk will use his close relationship with Trump to advocate for all automakers.

Why it matters: Trump had a fraught relationship with Detroit carmakers during his first term, and the companies often sparred with the president over labor, trade, tariffs and regulations.

Axios CEO Jim VandeHei writes:

I got the best Christmas present ever. To regift it, I need to share the backstory...

When my oldest, Sophie, was a teenager, I started a tradition of writing down my observations about each of my three kids, and some life lessons animating them. Think character, grit, free thinking and courage.

A federal appeals court paved the way Thursday for special counsel Jack Smith to release a final report on President-elect Trump's two dismissed federal criminal cases.

The big picture: Trump and two of his former co-defendants have fought the release of the report on his alleged attempts to overturn the 2020 election and handling of classified documents. The ruling leaves open the possibility of a further appeal.

The Supreme Court on Thursday denied President-elect Trump's request to delay his Friday sentencing in his criminal hush money case.

Why it matters: Though Trump faces no jail time for his 34 felony convictions, the Supreme Court's decision is the final blow to his efforts to sideline his sentencing just days before he returns to the White House.

The Senate Republican Steering Committee will have a new chair for the 119th Congress, with Sen. Mike Lee (R-Utah) stepping down to lead the Energy committee, Axios has learned.

Why it matters: The committee includes many of the most conservative senators — serving as a sort of Freedom Caucus in the Senate. It will be a critical voting bloc for Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) over the next two years.

Their own leaders privately say it's dangerous, but 31 Senate Democrats voted Thursday to advance the Laken Riley Act.

Why it matters: Democrats, including Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.), are struggling to find a coherent position on immigration after their blowout loss in 2024.

Some moderate House Democrats are keeping the door open to supporting the massive tax, border and energy package President-elect Trump and Republicans are concocting — if the price is right.

Why it matters: House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) has virtually no room for error to pass the bill along party lines, and some of his right-wing hardliners are harshly conditioning their votes.