Trump pardons Texas Democratic Rep. Cuellar in bribery and conspiracy case

WASHINGTON (AP) — Democratic congressman Henry Cuellar of Texas is thanking President Donald Trump for pardoning him and his wife in a federal bribery and conspiracy case. Trump says without presenting evidence that Cuellar and his wife, Imelda Cuellar, were prosecuted because the congressman had been critical of President Joe Biden’s immigration policies. The Republican president said Wednesday on social media Cuellar “bravely spoke out against Open Borders.” Trump accuses the Democratic Biden administration of going after the congressman “for speaking the TRUTH.” Trump says Cuellar’s “nightmare is finally over!” Cuellar says Trump’s pardon gives him “a clean slate” and lets him “move forward for South Texas.”

House GOP subpoenas Jack Smith for closed-door interview about his prosecutions of Trump

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Republican-led House Judiciary Committee has subpoenaed former Justice Department special counsel Jack Smith for a closed-door interview later this month even though he had earlier volunteered to appear for an open hearing about his prosecutions of President Donald Trump. The committee’s Republican chairman, Rep. Jim Jordan of Ohio, directed Smith in a letter dated Wednesday to appear for a private deposition on Dec. 17 as part of the panel’s investigations into the prosecutor’s work. A lawyer for Smith says the prosecutor offered nearly six weeks ago to appear before the committee in an open hearing but would nonetheless appear as scheduled for the deposition.

Nearly 40 babies sickened in infant botulism outbreak tied to contaminated formula

(AP) — Nearly 40 babies have been sickened in an infant botulism outbreak tied to contaminated formula, federal health officials say. The Food and Drug Administration on Wednesday reported 39 cases of confirmed or suspected illness in 18 states among babies who consumed ByHeart formula since August. The most recent illness occurred on Nov. 19. No deaths have been reported in the outbreak, which was announced Nov. 8. ByHeart, a New York-based manufacturer of organic infant formula, recalled all its products sold in the U.S. on Nov. 11.

Trump proposal would weaken vehicle mileage rules that limit air pollution

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump has announced a proposal to weaken vehicle mileage rules for the auto industry. If the plan announced Wednesday is finalized next year, it would ease pressure on automakers to control pollution from gasoline-powered cars and trucks. The proposal would significantly reduce fuel economy requirements through the 2031 model year. Those requirements set rules on how far new vehicles need to travel on a gallon of gasoline. It’s the Trump administration’s latest move to reverse Biden-era policies that encouraged cleaner-running cars and trucks, including electric vehicles. Environmentalists said the rule change would increase pollution and raise prices for consumers by allowing less fuel-efficient cars.