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Alberto Gonzales, Bush’s attorney general, endorses Kamala Harris, warning of Donald Trump’s “threat to the rule of law”
Washington — Former Attorney General Alberto Gonzales on Thursday endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris for president, writing in an op-ed of the “serious threat” Donald Trump poses to the rule of law.
“As the United States approaches a critical election, I can’t sit quietly as Donald Trump — perhaps the most serious threat to the rule of law in a generation — eyes a return to the White House,” Gonzales wrote in an op-ed in Politico Magazine. “For that reason, though I’m a Republican, I’ve decided to support Kamala Harris for president.”
Gonzales, who served as attorney general under George W. Bush’s administration and as White House counsel, drew on his experience to argue that Harris is the “best suited, able and committed to unite us in a manner consistent with the rule of law,” citing her appearances at the Democratic National Convention last month and on the debate stage this week.
The former attorney general, who resigned as attorney general in 2007 amid accusations that he had lied in front of Congress and a scandal over the firing of nine U.S. attorneys, argued that the “character of the person we elect in November” is of particular importance because members of Congress “have proven spectacularly incapable or unwilling to check abuses of executive power.”
He noted that while the Supreme Court has the ability to check presidential power, the high court’s recent ruling in the presidential immunity case “might allow a president to take official actions for personal, self-serving reasons.”
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“Power is intoxicating and based on Trump’s rhetoric and conduct it appears unlikely that he would respect the power of the presidency in all instances; rather, he would abuse it for personal and political gain, and not on behalf of the American people,” he added.
Gonzales cited the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the Capitol as one of the “most revealing” examples of Trump’s conduct, saying the former president “failed to do his duty” that day. The former attorney general also pointed to the convictions and criminal charges Trump faces, saying they “show that Trump is someone who fails to act, time and time again, in accordance with the rule of law,” and casting doubt on whether he “has the integrity and character to responsibly wield the power of the presidency within the limits of the law.”
On Harris, Gonzalez said that Americans don’t know exactly how she will govern, saying voting for the vice president will require Americans to put their “faith in her character and judgment.” But he added that Harris “has sworn fidelity to the rule of law” in her role as a prosecutor and California attorney general — a record that he said “shows a clear commitment to pursuing justice.”
The endorsement comes as a number of prominent Republican officials have backed Harris in recent days, including former Vice President Dick Cheney and former Rep. Liz Cheney, his daughter.
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In the third quarter of 2023, U.S. mortgage holders collectively held $17.2 trillion in home equity, according to the November 2024 ICE Mortgage Monitor report. This includes $11.2 million in “tappable” equity, or equity homeowners can borrow against without dropping below an 80% loan-to-value ratio.
For homeowners, this translates to an average of $319,000 in total equity and $207,000 in tappable equity. Rising home prices provided this big pot of accessible cash and, for some, using it to upgrade their space could increase home values further — especially now that home equity loan and home equity line of credit (HELOC) rates have dropped steadily since their post-pandemic peak and are expected to fall further in the coming months.
Taking out a home equity loan or a HELOC to fund improvements allows you to borrow at an affordable rate, and both HELOC interest and home equity loan interest may be tax-deductible if funds are used to improve a qualifying primary or second home. If you’re thinking about using some of your equity to improve your living quarters, though, there are some home improvement projects in particular that experts say could boost your home’s value.
Compare today’s top home equity borrowing options online now.
3 strategic home projects that can boost your home’s value in 2025
The following home projects could pay off by boosting the value of your home in the new year:
1. Build an accessory dwelling unit
If you’re hoping your home could bring in some extra cash, or if you want to make room for extended family and household help, adding an accessory dwelling unit could be the ideal upgrade for you.
Andrea Saturno-Sanajna, a broker with Coldwell Banker Warburg, says that many localities are enacting legislation or creating programs to encourage the building of ADUs to create more affordable housing. In some cases, these programs even come with government funding to help cover the costs. However, even without this bonus, Saturno-Sanajna believes this is a project worth thinking about if it’s allowed in your area.
“The ADU could be rented out for additional income or used for aging parents or college students to be near family while maintaining some autonomy, for au pairs, exchange students or carers, or even for income-generating, short-term holiday accommodation where permitted,” Saturno-Sanajna says.
MyHome by Freddie Mac reports that ADUs increase your home’s value by as much as 35%, but they must fulfill certain requirements including having a kitchen, bathroom, and separate entrance. If you have the space and the equity available to create this type of dwelling, the payoff could be substantial.
Learn what your best home equity borrowing rates could be today.
2. Increase your energy efficiency
With the growing threat of climate change and the rising cost of electricity, projects that improve your home’s energy efficiency should be top on your list in 2025, says Michael C. Weiner, an agent at Coldwell Banker Warburg.
“Infrastructure changes that improve energy efficiency aren’t just helpful in boosting value but also can start paying for themselves from day one,” Weiner says.
His suggestions included upgrading your windows, adding insulation or installing a smart thermostat.
Weiner also recommends switching out older appliances with newer, more energy-efficient ones that can both give your home an updated look and reduce your utility bills for a double payoff. With the Department of Energy reporting that a new Energy-Star-certified fridge could save you more than $220 during its 12-year lifetime, this upgrade alone could be worth making.
3. Invest in wellness
The COVID-19 pandemic brought a renewed focus on maintaining good health, so incorporating wellness features in your home could be an upgrade worth considering in 2025.
Broker Sean Adu-Gymafi of Coldwell Banker Warburg advises installing upgrades like whole-house water filtration systems and air purification systems throughout the home.
“Water filtration systems will provide better water quality and are better for the environment as they can reduce the amount of bottled water used,” Adu-Gymafi says. “Similarly, installing air purification systems throughout the home can also add value. As more people prioritize health and their well-being, these features are becoming very desirable.”
The bottom line
These upgrades could help you to improve your financial situation immediately as you bring in rental income, improve your health and lower your monthly bills. They may also make your property more desirable to future buyers. Tapping into equity to complete them could be a smart financial choice in the new year, especially if you shop around for loans at competitive rates and take advantage of new, more affordable borrowing opportunities.
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