Good afternoon,

The buzz in Washington continues to center around President-elect Donald Trump building his Cabinet, with his latest picks being Chad Chronister to lead the Drug Enforcement Administration and Kash Patel to serve as FBI director. While Vice President Kamala Harris campaigned on the promise of moving America forward, Trump seems to be out for revenge or, in other words, taking the country in a backwards direction. Trump's selections are stacking up to look like an "Anti-#MeToo Cabinet," especially with the recent withdrawal of Matt Gaetz for attorney general. Sadly, there are still several Cabinet picks wrapped up in sexual abuse or misconduct allegations. We are holding our breath as things are looking pretty grim with this new administration and Trump in the driver seat.

Here are a few important updates ...

TRUMP'S TARIFF-YING THREATS

• President-elect Donald Trump is threatening to impose tariffs left and right. On Saturday, he threatened the BRIC alliance, saying he would impose 100% tariffs if they do anything to undermine the U.S. dollar. The BRIC alliance is made up of Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, and the United Arab Emirates. Of course, Trump took to his phony platform, Truth Social, to lash out. Anxiety is rising not only among American consumers, but also some of our country's biggest trading partners.

• Over the weekend, Trump had dinner with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, right after the president-elect warned he was ready to impose sweeping tariffs on Canadian, Mexican, and Chinese goods on his first day in office. These tariffs would be aimed at preventing an invasion of drugs and migrants into the U.S. According to the U.S. Trade Representative, Mexico and Canada are the second and third top suppliers of goods to the U.S. Economists have criticized the high tariffs, warning the cost would be passed on to consumers eventually. Trump hasn't even been sworn in yet and he's already ruffling feathers around the world. Among several things, Trump is notorious for the trade wars of his first presidency, and now the whole world is bracing for what his second term holds.

RAGING RURAL HEALTH DISPARITIES

• According to recent data from the County Health Rankings report, rural counties are less healthy than urban areas. This disparity is driven, in part, by unequal access to infrastructure like high-speed internet and public libraries. Notably, health outcomes also vary by region with rural and metro counties in the South being much less healthy in comparison to some of the healthiest counties located in New England. It's clear that more action must be taken to address these large health disparities impacting countless Americans.

• Unfortunately, President-elect Donald Trump is continuing to nominate highly unqualified individuals to run government agencies and oversee integral government programs. Trump's choice of TV's Dr. Oz to lead the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services is case and point. Similarly, Trump nominated Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to lead the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. However, since he was nominated, several unfavorable stories about RFK Jr.'s personal life have surfaced, including an accusation of sexual assault and his struggles with drug addiction. Both the County Health Rankings report and these recent developments around potential new leaders in the federal health space are clear indications that our country is in trouble when it comes to rural health.

• The leadership race for the DNC is beginning to take shape with former Maryland Governor Martin O'Malley and Minnesota-DFL Chair Ken Martin throwing their hats in the ring. Wisconsin Democratic Party Chair Ben Wickler is expected to join the race as well. As many as 16 candidates have expressed interest in succeeding outgoing Chair Jamie Harrison of South Carolina. The DNC chair election will be held on February 1, 2025.

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