Special counsel Hur says classified docs report doesn’t exonerate Biden
Special counsel Robert Hur defended his description of President Joe Biden’s memory during a hearing with the House Judiciary Committee Tuesday, March 12. Hur, who investigated Biden’s handling of classified information and declined to criminally charge him, had to fend off accusations of political bias during the hearing.
“My assessment and the report about the relevance of the president’s memory was necessary, and accurate and fair,” Hur told the committee. “I did not sanitize my explanation, nor did I disparage the president unfairly.”
In a list of reasons as to why he decided not to charge Biden for having classified documents in his home and personal office, one sentence has received more attention than the rest of the 388-page report.
“We have also considered that, at trial, Mr. Biden would likely present himself to a jury, as he did during our interview of him, as a sympathetic, well-meaning, elderly man with a poor memory,” the report stated.
Democrats called that description gratuitous.
“You’re doing everything you can do to get President Trump reelected so that you can get appointed as a federal judge or perhaps to another position in the Department of Justice,” Rep. Hank Johnson, D-Ga., said to Hur.
“Congressman, I have no such aspirations,” Hur responded. “I can assure you and I can tell you that partisan politics had no place whatsoever in my work.”
“You made a choice,” Rep. Adam Schiff, D-Calif., said to Hur. “That was a political choice. It was the wrong choice.”
“What you are suggesting is that I shape, sanitize, omit portions of my reasoning and explanation to the attorney general for political reasons,” Hur answered.
The Hur report noted that Biden shared classified information with, Mark Zwonitzer, the ghostwriter for his books “Promise me, Dad” and “Promises to Keep.”
Committee Chairman Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, speculated that could be a reason to keep the classified documents.
“Mr. Hur, how much did President Biden get paid for his book?” Jordan asked.
“Off the top of my head, I’m not sure if that information appears in the report,” Hur said.
“It sure does,” Jordan responded. “There’s a dollar amount in there. You remember?”
“I don’t. It may be $8 million,” Hur answered.
“$8 million,” Jordan said. “Joe Biden had 8 million reasons to break the rules. Took classified information and shared it with the guy who was writing the book. He knew the rules but he broke them for $8 million in a book advance.”
Republicans also claimed Biden received more lenient treatment than Donald Trump, who also had classified documents at his Mar-a-Lago residence. Trump is facing 37 charges, including violations of the Espionage Act, conspiracy to obstruct justice and making false statements.
“Biden and Trump should have been treated equally,” Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., said. “They weren’t. And that is the double standard that I think a lot of Americans are concerned about.”
Democrats highlighted differences between the Biden and Trump cases.
“The president allowed your team to seize and review all of the notebooks you found, is that correct?” Zoe Lofgren, D-Calif., asked.
“That is correct,” Hur answered.
“Now that’s in stark contrast to ex-President Trump’s case,” Lofgren said. “He obstructed and diverted all the investigations.”
Democrats also played a video montage of Trump making the same types of gaffes Biden is known for and repeatedly saying “I don’t remember” in depositions.
They also contend that Trump was more careless with the classified documents found at his home compared to Biden.
“We know that he stored that information around Mar-a-Lago in the craziest places — on the ballroom stage, spilled across the floor of an unlocked closet, next to the toilet,” Rep. Jerry Nadler, D-N.Y., said.
However, when Rep. Pramila Jayapal, D-Wash., said the report exonerated the president, Hur interrupted to say it did not.
Donald Trump inches closer to GOP presidential nominee after Super Tuesday
President Biden and former President Trump respond after voters in more than a dozen states went to the polls for Super Tuesday. And, after winning one race last night, Nikki Haley is expected to suspend her campaign today. These stories and more highlight The Morning Rundown for Wednesday, March 6, 2024.
Donald Trump moves closer to being GOP nominee after Super Tuesday wins
In a pivotal night of primary contests, former President Donald Trump and President Joe Biden made significant strides toward their respective party nominations, each securing a substantial number of delegates on Super Tuesday. This development sets the stage for a potential rematch in the upcoming November presidential election.
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Super Tuesday, the most significant day in the primary race with contests in 16 states and one territory, saw both Trump and Biden dominating the field. Among the key victories, both candidates won in California, Texas, Virginia, and North Carolina, which were among the states with the highest number of delegates up for grabs.
NBC News projected Trump as the victor in Virginia, securing its 48 delegates, while Fox News announced Trump’s win in the Texas Republican primary and Biden’s win in the Democratic primary in the same state. CBS News also reported Trump’s win in the North Carolina primary, with Biden winning the Democratic primary there. Additionally, ABC News projected Trump’s victory in the Minnesota Republican primary.
With 850 delegates at stake in the GOP race on Super Tuesday, Trump’s wins brought him closer to becoming the Republican nominee. Currently holding a total of 1,057 delegates, Trump is inching closer to the 1,215 needed to clinch the GOP nomination, a goal he could potentially reach next week.
Celebrating his victories, Trump spoke to supporters at Mar-a-Lago, reflecting on the significance of Super Tuesday and expressing optimism for the future, saying, “Well, thank you very much. They call it Super Tuesday for a reason. This is a big one. And they tell me, the pundits and otherwise, that there’s never been one like this, there’s never been anything so conclusive. This was an amazing, an amazing night, an amazing day. It’s been an incredible period of time in our country’s history. It’s been sad in so many ways, but I think it’s going to be inspiring because we’re going to do something that, frankly, nobody has been able to do for a long time.”
But it was not enough. According to multiple reports, Haley will suspend her campaign today. She is expected to make the official announcement around 10 a.m. ET in Charleston, South Carolina.
In Vermont, Haley garnered 50 percent of the vote, outpacing Trump, who received 46 percent. The state had 17 delegates available for the Republican candidates.
Following the results of the night, a spokesperson for Haley, the former United Nations Ambassador, released a statement addressing the division within the Republican Party: “Unity is not achieved by simply claiming ‘we’re united.’ Today, in state after state, there remains a large block of Republican primary voters who are expressing deep concerns about Donald Trump. That is not the unity our party needs for success.”
Biden wins all states on Super Tuesday, loses one race
On Super Tuesday, President Joe Biden achieved a dominant performance in the Democratic primaries, securing victories in every state with over 80 percent of the vote in many of them. However, his sweep was not without opposition, as a significant protest vote emerged in some states. Activists urged voters to select the ‘uncommitted’ option as a protest against Biden’s handling of the war in Gaza, notably in Minnesota, where the uncommitted vote reached 19 percent.
As the results rolled in, President Biden issued a statement, turning his attention to his likely opponent in November, former President Donald Trump. Biden’s statement outlined the stakes of the upcoming election, saying, “Tonight’s results leave the American people with a clear choice: Are we going to keep moving forward or will we allow Donald Trump to drag us backwards into the chaos, division, and darkness that defined his term in office.”
Despite his widespread success, Biden experienced a setback, losing the Democratic caucuses in American Samoa to entrepreneur Jason Palmer. Palmer won with 56 percent of the vote, although the total vote count was small, with less than 100 votes between the candidates. This surprising outcome highlighted the diverse political landscape and the challenges facing Biden as he prepares for the general election.
Schiff, Garvey to compete in November for Feinstein’s seat
During Super Tuesday, alongside the presidential primaries, voters also turned their attention to several key races, including the competition in California to succeed the late Democratic Senator Dianne Feinstein. In a unique twist, the state placed all candidates on a single ballot, irrespective of party affiliation, leading to a diverse field of contenders.
Democratic Congressman Adam Schiff and Republican Steve Garvey, a former professional baseball player known for his time with the Los Angeles Dodgers and San Diego Padres, emerged as the top two vote-getters. These results set the stage for a November face-off for the coveted Senate seat.
Garvey, addressing his supporters on Tuesday night, remained optimistic despite skepticism about his chances in the general election. He invoked a classic sports mantra, suggesting that despite predictions of failure, “it’s not over until it’s over.”
Meanwhile, Schiff’s victory celebration in Hollywood encountered unexpected interruptions from protesters.
Dartmouth men’s basketball team votes for unionization
In a significant development for college athletics, the Dartmouth men’s basketball team voted overwhelmingly in favor of unionization on Tuesday, with a 13 to 2 vote. This move signals a groundbreaking shift towards establishing the first labor union for college athletes.
The players at Dartmouth have highlighted their unique position as both students and campus workers, advocating for their rights and representation. Their decision to unionize has led them to be represented by the Service Employees International Union Local 560, which also represents other workers at Dartmouth.
However, Dartmouth College has expressed opposition to this move, maintaining that its athletes should be considered students first, with athletics being an integral part of their educational experience. This stance has led Dartmouth to appeal to the National Labor Relations Board, seeking to overturn a decision from last month that classified the basketball players as employees, thereby entitled to unionize.
Booth from ‘The Sopranos’ final scene sells on eBay for $82,600
The booth, where the Soprano family shared a meal while Journey’s “Don’t Stop Believin’” played in the background, sparked a bidding war on eBay, attracting 238 bids. The auction included the seats, table, and divider wall from the scene, though it was noted that the jukebox seen in the series was not part of the sale.
The winning bidder now has the responsibility of picking up this piece of TV nostalgia from a New Jersey ice cream shop, adding a tangible piece of “The Sopranos” to their collection.
Unity and division within the Republican Party were both on display Wednesday, June 21, as House Republicans voted to censure Rep. Adam Schiff, D-Calif., the same day House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., sidelined a resolution calling for the impeachment of President Joe Biden. The censure of Rep. Schiff was for comments he made several years ago about investigations into former President Donald Trump’s ties to Russia.
“The House of Representatives censures Adam Schiff, Representative of the 30th Congressional District of California, for misleading the American public, and for conduct unbecoming of an elected member of the House of Representatives,” Rep. McCarthy said following the 213-209 vote Wednesday. “The Committee on Ethics will conduct an investigation into Representative Adam Schiff’s falsehoods, misrepresentations and abuse of sensitive information.”
With the vote, Schiff becomes the 25th House lawmaker to be censured. During debate, he said he would would wear the censure “vote as a badge of honor.”
“To my Republican colleagues who introduced this resolution, I thank you. You honor me with your enmity. You flatter me with this falsehood,” Schiff said. “You, who are the authors of a big lie about the last election, must condemn the truth tellers, and I stand proudly before you. Your words tell me that I have been effective in the defense of our democracy, and I am grateful.”
Schiff has long been a top Republican political target. Soon after taking back the majority after the 2022 midterm elections, Republicans blocked him from sitting on the House Intelligence Committee.
While Republican united on the Schiff censure vote, the President Biden impeachment resolution revealed a divide. The resolution, brought forward in a surprise effort from Rep. Lauren Boebert, R-Colo., charges Biden with “high crimes and misdemeanors” over his handling of the U.S. border with Mexico.
“The numbers are in for May. 170,000 illegals found at the southern borders. Colorado has over 1,800 deaths from fentanyl poisoning. This crisis continues to rage on and on,” Rep. Boebert tweeted Wednesday. “We’ve offered solutions. Democrats refuse to cooperate. The time has come to impeach the president since he refuses to protect this nation.”
A vote on the resolution, which would’ve happened on Thursday, June 22, was not expected to pass. However, Rep. McCarthy negotiated a deal with Boebert to send the resolution or review to the Judiciary and Homeland Security committees.
“You don’t just put something on the floor and say, ‘I’m going to impeach somebody.’ This is one of the most serious things you can do as a member of Congress. And I think you’ve got to go through the process,” McCarthy said. “You’ve got to have your investigation. And throwing something on the floor actually harms the investigation that we’re doing right now. And I don’t want to do anything to harm the investigation.”
Boebert said if the committees act slowly, she’ll bring her resolution back to the floor “every day for the rest of my time here in Congress.”
Race to find lost submarine as oxygen is running out: June 22 rundown
Search and rescue operations in the North Atlantic for a lost submarine continued as the vessel’s remaining oxygen runs out, and the House of Representative voted to censure Rep. Adam Schiff (D-CA) over his role in investigations of former President Donald Trump. These stories and more highlight the rundown for Thursday, June 22, 2023.
Submarine still missing as deadline approaches
The deadline to find the lost submarine that disappeared on its way to the Titanic wreckage site was fast approaching Thursday morning. The submarine was not only still missing, but running out of oxygen.
Rescue ships and planes have been searching an area twice the size of Connecticut since Sunday, June 18 in waters over 13,000 feet deep. They’ve also had to deal with fog and stormy conditions common to the area of the north Atlantic where the lost submarine vanished.
Underwater sounds had been detected Tuesday, June 20 and Wednesday, June 21, providing hope that there could be a last-minute rescue. While those sounds offered a chance to narrow the search, their exact location and source hasn’t yet been determined.
“The echo from the deep is what’s going to help locate the submarine ultimately. Then a [remotely operated vehicle] is going to need to have to be deployed probably and, hopefully, can assess and maybe assist the submarine in freeing itself if it’s stuck or perhaps somehow helping it drop those weights so it can rise to the surface,” marine geologist Jeffrey Karson said.
Rep. Adam Schiff censured by House Republicans
The House voted along party lines on Wednesday, June 21, to censure Rep. Schiff for pushing claims that former President Donald Trump’s 2016 campaign colluded with Russia.
The resolution passed 213 to 209, with all Democrats voting against the severe condemnation for Schiff. The passed measure also directs the House ethics committee to open an investigation into the California representative. Schiff was also pulled off the intelligence committee earlier this year by the Republican-led House.
Republicans forgo vote to impeach Biden amid internal party struggles
In a surprise motion brought to the House floor, Rep. Lauren Boebert (R-CO) called for an impeachment vote of President Joe Biden. House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) squashed the idea, sending the impeachment resolution to two House committees for review instead.
The move was expected to fend off an impeachment vote for some time. Rep. Boebert’s resolution was introduced on her own, blindsiding even members of her own party.
Court docs: Kohberger DNA matches sample at scene
Newly-filed court documents in the murder of four college students in Idaho revealed new details linking suspect Bryan Kohberger’s DNA to a near-exact match to the DNA found on a knife sheath at the crime scene. Kohberger is accused of murdering the four students at a home near campus in November of 2022.
Law enforcement officials found a knife sheath on the bed next to two of the bodies. A recent cheek swab taken from Kohberger allowed for a direct DNA comparison, which is described to be an overwhelming statistical match.
A preliminary hearing is scheduled for Monday, June 26. A trial date has been set for Monday, Oct. 2.
Tornadoes batter South, 3 dead in north Texas
Another stretch of severe weather has battered parts of the South. At least 11 tornadoes touched down across four states.
Three people died in the small northern Texas town of Matador. At least 10 major structures crumbled during the storm.
Six other tornadoes touched down in Colorado, three in Texas, and one a piece in Wyoming and Nebraska. Hundreds of thousands were left without power following the devastating storm system, all while temperatures in the South lingered in the triple digits.
This was the second time a deadly tornado struck Texas in less than a week. A tornado had left three people dead and more than 100 injured in the state’s panhandle.
FTC sues Amazon, claims millions tricked into prime memberships
Amazon has been sued, accused of tricking millions of people into paying for Amazon Prime subscriptions. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) filed the lawsuit, accusing Amazon of duping customers into signing up for Prime and charging a $139 annual membership fee. The FTC also said Amazon made it difficult for customers to cancel the membership.
Amazon described the FTC’s claims as “false on the facts and the law.” An Amazon spokesperson said they didn’t find out about the lawsuit until the FTC announced it publicly. The spokesperson added that Amazon will prove its case in court.
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Here’s what it would take to replace Sen. Dianne Feinstein
California Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D, is struggling to recover from shingles. She expected to be back at the end of March, but she has had continued complications.
Feinstein asked Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer to appoint a replacement for her on the Judiciary Committee while she’s away, but there are calls for her to step down entirely.
Those calling for her to resign include Democratic Reps. Ro Khanna, Calif, and Dean Phillips, Minn.
“While she has had a lifetime of public service, it is obvious she can no longer fulfill her duties,” Khanna tweeted.
“But I believe it’s now a dereliction of duty to remain in the Senate and a dereliction of duty for those who agree to remain quiet,” Phillips added.
Although calls for Feinstein’s resignation were criticized by Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif.
“I’ve never seen them go after a man who was sick in the Senate in that way,” Pelosi told reporters.
But if it came to it, how would Feinstein be replaced?
First, she would have to resign. But she said in a statement, “I remain committed to the job and will continue to work from home in San Francisco.”
If she did leave office prematurely, Gov. Gavin Newsom, D-Calif, would appoint a replacement to serve out the remainder of her term. California voters would then choose a replacement during the November 2024 election.
Every vote counts in a closely divided Senate that has 51 Democrats and 49 Republicans. As Judiciary Committee Chairman Dick Durbin told reporters, Feinstein’s absence does impact their ability to confirm President Biden’s judicial nominees. The absence of Sen. John Fetterman, D-Penn., makes confirming federal judges even harder. Fetterman is recovering from clinical depression.
Senate Democratic leaders admit, when their colleagues are away because of an illness or any other reason, it’s more difficult to get work done.
Regardless of whether Feinstein resigns, California will choose her replacement in the 2024 election. She already announced she is retiring and candidates to replace her include Democratic Reps. Katie Porter and Adam Schiff.
Morning rundown: New EV charging initiatives; MSU victims identified
The Biden administration is moving the needle forward in the push to go electric; Scotland’s first minister announces her surprise resignation; new details emerge about the shooting at Michigan State; and Americans are polled on how they feel about national news. These stories and more highlight the daily rundown for Wednesday, Feb. 15, 2023.
New EV charging station requirements
The Biden administration wants to see at least half a million electric vehicle chargers on U.S. roads by 2030. To make that happen, the White House is announcing a slate of initiatives that would reward charging networks with federal funding.
Tesla has already jumped on board, vowing to open up 7,500 Tesla charging stations to non-tesla EV’s by the end of 2024. Previously the company’s chargers were mostly only compatible with Tesla electric cars.
New Twitter CEO by end of 2023
In other Elon Musk news, according to the Twitter CEO, he believes a new CEO could be appointed to the position sometime by the end of this year. He said he is making sure the company is in a financially sound place before handing over the reigns.
Scotland’s first minister resigns
Scotland First Minister Nicola Sturgeon announced her resignation Wednesday morning after more than eight years in the country’s highest position. She is the longest serving First Minister in Scotland’s history. The Scottish government held a press conference this morning to deliver the news.
“Part of serving well would be to know almost instinctively, when the time is right to make way for someone else. And when that time came to have the courage to do so, even if there are too many across the country and in my party, it might feel too soon. In my head and in my heart, I know that time is now,” Sturgeon said.
Sturgeon’s administration has faced recent criticism over its gender legislation reforms. But in her address this morning, Sturgeon says her resignation is not a reaction to short-term pressures.
Michigan State victims were students
New details in the Michigan State shooting from Monday night. The three victims were all students at the university. Five other students were critically wounded. The victims ranged from a fraternity leader, a student aspiring to be a doctor, and a high school star-athlete. Alexandria Verner, Brian Fraser, and Arielle Anderson died in the school shooting.
Police say they are still investigating for a motive in the case. But they say the shooter had a note in his pocket that indicated a threat to two New Jersey public schools.
A candlelight vigil will be held Wednesday night at the Michigan State University’s campus in honor of the victims.
NMSU men’s basketball coach fired
New Mexico State University men’s basketball coach has been fired, just one day after the remainder of their season was abruptly canceled due to hazing allegations involving players on the team. The chancellor released a statement, saying the university is fully investigating the serious allegations and will hold people accountable.
According to a campus police report, three players are accused of harassment and criminal sexual contact. Including sexual touching teammates in the locker room and on road trips on multiple occasions.
Dianne Feinstein not seeking reelection
Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., announced she will retire at the end of her current term.
The 89-year-old Feinstein is the oldest sitting U.S. senator and the longest-serving senator from California. Her departure signals the start of a competitive race for Democrats wanting to fill the Senate seat. Democratic Reps. Adam Schiff and Katie Porter had already launched campaigns ahead of Feinstein’s announcement.
Half of Americans distrust national news
A new Gallup poll, released this morning, details Americans’ distrust in national news organizations. According to the survey, half of Americans indicate they believe national news has the intention of misleading and misinforming the masses. All to persuade the public to adopt a particular point of view through their reporting.
Only a quarter of Americans believe journalists have good intentions and serve the public’s best interest.
It’s findings like these that solidify our mission here at Straight Arrow News. A news organization founded on the principles of delivering unbiased straight facts.
Sen. Dianne Feinstein is retiring after 30 years in office
Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., is retiring after more than 30 years in office. The 89-year-old will finish out her term that expires in 2024 and not seek reelection.
In a statement, Feinstein said she still has more to accomplish in her final two years.
“I campaigned in 2018 on several priorities for California and the nation: preventing and combating wildfires, mitigating the effects of record-setting drought, responding to the homelessness crisis, and ensuring all Americans have access to affordable, high-quality health care,” Feinstein said.
Senate Majority leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., praised Feinstein for her bipartisan work on many issues, including the 1994 assault weapons ban and women’s rights.
“She’s a legend. A legend in California as the first woman senator. A legend in the senate. She was the leader on so many different issues,” Schumer said.
“For the past 30 years, California and our country has been magnificently served by the leadership of Senator Feinstein: from our national security and personal safety, to the health of our people and our planet, to the strength of our democracy,” Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi said of her California colleague.
It was widely anticipated that Sen. Feinstein would retire. There have been multiple reports questioning the state of her mental health. Before she announced her retirement, two Democratic members of the House of Representatives announced their candidacy for her seat: Reps. Katie Porter and Adam Schiff. Both of them represent districts in the Los Angeles area. Even more are expected to jump in the race now that Feinstein has officially announced her decision.
40 million people are under winter weather alerts; Congressman George Santos steps down from his committees; and the people have spoke, the government is this country’s No. 1 problem. This is Straight Arrow News. Unbiased. Straight Facts.
Winter weather grounds planes, kills one
More than 40 million people are under winter weather alerts as an ice storm pounds the Midwest. The snow, ice and freezing temperatures are working their way northeast from Texas and Arkansas, all the way up through Tennessee to Pennsylvania. These conditions are expected to last for at least another 48 hours.
Police throughout the region are warning people to stay off the icy roads. There have been hundreds of accidents in multiple states, including one fatal crash in Texas.
Flight delays and cancellations are also adding up. According to Flight Aware, more than 1,200 flights have been canceled and 1,700 delayed. Dallas’ two big airports, DFW and Love Field, are the most impacted.
Santos steps down from committees
Rep. George Santos, who admitted to lying about nearly every aspect of his life, is stepping down from his congressional committee assignments.
Santos informed fellow House Republicans of his decision Tuesday morning, but there is still no indication that he will resign, despite continued calls to do so from his constituents and members of his own party. Santos is under investigation by prosecutors in New York and the House Ethics Committee for possibly lying on his campaign finance forms.
“Again this process is going to play itself out. I’ve already commented on this numerous times and again it’s going to play itself out. But ultimately voters are going to make that decision. whether it’s in the primary election or general election,” said Rep. Elise Stefanik, R-N.Y., Tuesday morning.
House Speaker Kevin McCarthy had been under pressure to remove Santos from committees, especially after he took Reps. Adam Schiff and Eric Swalwell off the Intelligence Committee.
China warns McCarthy to skip Taiwan
On foreign policy, Speaker McCarthy has been warned by China’s Foreign Ministry not to visit Taiwan. The ministry says a visit by the Speaker would violate the U.S.’s long-standing “One China” policy.
It’s been reported that the Pentagon is making preparations for McCarthy to go later this year. Former Speaker Nancy Pelosi visited Taiwan in August. After her visit, China began a week of military drills that surrounded the island.
Death toll from Pakistan bombing grows
Now, an update to a story from Monday. At least 100 people are dead and 225 are wounded after a terrorist attack in Pakistan. A suicide bomber detonated an explosive vest inside a mosque. Some were killed and injured during the initial explosion and when the roof collapsed.
The Pakistani Taliban initially claimed responsibility for the attack, but a spokesperson later walked it back saying it is not their policy to attack mosques. There has been an increase in violence since the terrorist organization called off a cease-fire with government forces in November. The mosque was located inside a secure police compound. Most of the victims were members of law enforcement.
Licenses for undocumented California immigrants
In 2015, California enacted a law that allows immigrants in the country illegally to obtain a driver’s license. Now, seven years later, more than a million people in the state have obtained what’s called an AB60 license. The program is being expanded this month to also provide state ID’s to those who don’t drive or can’t take a drivers test like the elderly or disabled.
The licenses and IDs are only recognized at the state level, they cannot be used at the federal level. They also don’t give anyone the right to vote, work or receive public benefits. They can be obtained at the DMV by providing a passport and other documents like immigration forms, medical bills or employment papers. California is one of 19 states that allow illegal immigrants to get a drivers license.
Americans: ‘government is No. 1 problem’
Before the midterm elections, Americans said their biggest concern was the economy. Well, not anymore. According to a new Gallup poll, the government and poor leadership is the most important problem facing this country today.
In a survey of the U.S. adults, 21% said the government is the top problem, followed by inflation and immigration. Displeasure with leadership is bipartisan, both Democrats and Republicans said it was their top issue.
Midday rundown: Schiff seeks Senate seat, DOJ cracks down on cybercrime
The Justice Department has cracked down on one of the world’s largest cyber criminal groups; and Southwest’s holiday debacle has cost the company hundreds of millions in losses. These stories and more highlight your daily rundown for the afternoon of Thursday, Jan. 26, 2023.
Rep. Adam Schiff announces bid for Senate
Democratic Rep. Adam Schiff announced Thursday he will seek the Senate seat long held by Dianne Feinstein. Feinstein filed reelection paperwork for 2024, but hasn’t yet commented on whether she will seek a sixth term.
Schiff has become a popular name in the Democratic Party, and more and more politicians across the country are announcing their plans for 2024.
Justice Department disrupts major ransomware group
The Justice Department announced Thursday a major cyber crackdown against one of the world’s most prolific ransomware gangs. The Hive gang is known to hack companies’ systems then threaten to leak sensitive information on the internet unless they pay up.
The gang reportedly swindled schools, hospitals and businesses out of more than $100 million in extortion payments. The department was able to seize its website and dismantle its digital infrastructure.
Boeing in court over 737 Max crashes
The families who lost loved ones in the Boeing 737 Max crashes in 2018 and 2019 are finally getting their day in court.
Boeing is being arraigned Thursday in federal court on criminal charges of conspiracy to commit fraud. The charges are related to two crashes that killed 346 people. The judge is allowing family members of those killed to be heard during the proceeding.
Investigators blame both crashes on a flawed automated flight control system that forced the planes into uncontrollable nosedives. Federal prosecutors accuse Boeing of deceiving the FAA about the system.
Two years ago, Boeing avoided criminal prosecution by entering into an agreement with the DOJ. Under the terms of the deal, Boeing admitted to defrauding the FAA by concealing safety problems and agreed to pay $2.5 billion in fines.
Man arrested for Planned Parenthood fire
Wednesday, two people charged for vandalizing pro-life clinics in Florida. Now a man in Illinois has been arrested for setting a Planned Parenthood clinic on fire.
The state of Illinois passed legislation this month protecting rights to an abortion. Two days after the new laws were passed, the Planned Parenthood clinic went up in flames, causing $150,000 worth of damage.
It’s sadly a trend with dozens of clinics, both abortion clinics and pro-life centers, are being attacked.
Southwest posts $220 million loss
Southwest’s holiday meltdown came at a cost for the company. It’s reporting a $220 million loss for the fourth quarter.
More than 16,000 flight delays in the last couple of weeks of December drove up the company’s expenses. That was expected to linger into the first quarter of this year as the company compensates travelers affected by its holiday cancellations.
Louisiana inmates held past release dates
The Justice Department has found the state of Louisiana is holding more than a quarter of inmates beyond their release dates. The department is now investigating the state’s detention issues over the course of several years. The department said it has found what it calls “systemic violations.”
Between January and April of last year, nearly 27% of inmates released from custody were held past their release dates. That’s more than 4,000 inmates. Nearly a thousand were kept behind bars an extra 90 days or longer.
The department largely blames the state’s documentation procedures and says if it’s not corrected in the matter of weeks, it will sue the state of Louisiana.
Shapeshifting robots are among us
Shapeshifting, electrifying robots are walking among us – or at least they could be soon. Scientists have created a liquid metal “droid” in the shape of a man. It can flow through the bars of a cage before rebuilding itself.
It may remind you of the Terminator movies, but engineers say their inspiration actually came from squishy sea cucumbers.
The silver bot was made by embedding magnetic particles in gallium, a metal with a very low melting point.
Swalwell: McCarthy will regret removing me from House Intel panel
Rep. Eric Swalwell, D-Calif., said House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., will regret removing him and Adam Schiff, D-Calif., from the House Intelligence Committee and possibly removing Rep. Ilhan Omar, D-Minn., from the Foreign Affairs Committee.
“But we will not be quiet. We’re not going away. I think he’ll regret giving all three of us more time on our hands,” Swalwell said.
Tuesday night, Speaker McCarthy officially informed House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., that he is rejecting the appointments of Schiff and Swalwell.
I have rejected the appointments of Adam Schiff and Eric Swalwell for the House Intelligence Committee.
I am committed to returning the @HouseIntel Committee to one of genuine honesty and credibility that regains the trust of the American people. pic.twitter.com/ePxlbanxta
McCarthy told Jeffries in a letter, “It is my assessment that the misuse of this panel during the 116th and 117th Congresses severely undermined its primary national security and oversight missions…”
“What Adam Schiff did, use his power as the chairman and lie to the American public. Even the inspector general said it,” McCarthy said. “The FBI never came before this Congress to tell the leadership of this Congress that Eric Swalwell had a problem with a Chinese spy until he served on Intel. So it wasn’t just us who were concerned about it. The FBI was concerned about putting a member of Congress on the Intel Committee, that has the rights to see things that others don’t, because of his knowledge and relationship with a Chinese spy.”
But Swalwell contends former Speakers Boehner, Ryan and Pelosi received the same FBI briefing and still decided to keep him on the committee. While Schiff said McCarthy is misrepresenting the FBI briefing.
“The hypocrisy just grabs you by the throat. This is a Republican speaker who is seating a human fraud, George Santos, on committees,” Schiff said.
McCarthy said if the Ethics Committee discovers Santos broke any laws, he will be removed from Congress entirely. As for Swalwell and Schiff, McCarthy said they can serve on other committees, but not intelligence.