Trump Highlights Manufacturing Agenda in Pennsylvania as Midterm Elections Approach 
Bessent Says U.S. Must Strengthen Supply Chains and Economic Security 
US Urges States and Businesses to Strengthen Taiwan Ties Amid China Pressure 
Andy Burnham Emerges as Favorite After Keir Starmer Resigns 
Peru Election Dispute Deepens as Roberto Sanchez Rejects Runoff Results 
U.S. Eases Iran Team Travel Restrictions Ahead of Seattle World Cup Match 
US Delivers $13M Autonomous Maritime Drones to Philippines 
Japan Signals Preference for Low Interest Rates as BOJ Policy Debate Intensifies 
US Seeks Gulf Support for Iran Peace Deal Amid Regional Tensions 
US Mobilizes Aid After Powerful Earthquakes Devastate Venezuela 
White House Seeks $1.4 Billion to Combat Growing Ebola Outbreak 
Marco Rubio Reassures Gulf Allies Over U.S.-Iran Peace Deal 
Trump Requests $11 Billion More in Farm Aid as Rising Costs Pressure U.S. Farmers 
Young Brazilian Voters Shift Right Ahead of 2026 Election 
Pelosi Discloses Major Intel and Uber Call Option Purchases Worth Up to $6 Million 
US Senate Approves War Powers Resolution Urging Trump to End Iran Military Action 
Rubio Faces Gulf Skepticism Over U.S.-Iran Peace Deal 
Under Joe Biden’s administration, several ambassadorial posts have yet to be filled out with dozens of nominations yet to be confirmed. This week, progressive Democrat Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez criticized Biden’s nomination of former Chicago mayor Rahm Emanuel for the US ambassador to Japan.
The New York Democrat, also popularly known as AOC, released a statement criticizing Biden’s nomination of Emanuel for the ambassadorial post citing Emanuel’s record during his tenure as Chicago mayor. AOC also urged the Senate to vote against Emanuel’s confirmation, saying that his nomination is “deeply shameful.”
“As mayor of Chicago, Rahm Emanuel helped cover up the murder of Laquan McDonald -- a mere teenager when he was shot 16 times in the back by a Chicago police officer. This alone should be flatly disqualifying for any position of public trust, let alone representing the United States as an ambassador,” AOC said in the statement.
“That the Biden administration seeks to reward Emanuel with an ambassadorship is an embarrassment and betrayal of the values we seek to uphold both within our nation and around the world,” added the New York congresswoman.
Emanuel was already known for being a controversial politician, especially among progressives despite having served as President Barack Obama’s White House chief of staff. Earlier this year, progressive advocates and civil rights groups have lobbied the Biden administration not to consider Emanuel for any diplomatic post.
AOC and other fellow progressive democrats have also called on Biden to replace the current chair of the Federal Reserve, Jerome Powell, who was appointed by Biden’s predecessor Donald Trump. The group added that the Biden administration should conduct an overhaul of the US central bank that would put some focus on climate risks as well as tackling racial and economic justice.
While they acknowledged that Powell prioritized the goal of full employment and his quick response to the economic crisis brought on by the pandemic, they said that not much action was taken regarding mitigating climate change.
The Biden White House has yet to announce whether Powell, whose term expires in February 2022, will be reappointed for the post. However, it would not be unusual for Biden to do so as part of a change in the administration.
