Special counsel Jack Smith resigns as fight to block Trump report continues
Special counsel Jack Smith resigned from the Department of Justice after concluding investigations into two criminal cases involving President-elect Donald Trump. His resignation ends a contentious chapter in the Justice Department’s efforts to prosecute a former president.
Smith, a former war crimes prosecutor, led investigations into Trump’s handling of classified documents and alleged attempts to overturn the 2020 election. Both cases faced significant legal setbacks.
A Trump-appointed federal judge in Florida dismissed the classified documents case, citing issues with Smith’s appointment. Separately, the Supreme Court ruled that former presidents have broad immunity for actions taken while in office, which stalled the election-related case.
Smith’s departure became public in a DOJ court filing on Saturday, Jan. 11, where officials also sought to overturn an order from U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannon temporarily blocking the release of Smith’s final report.
Cannon, also appointed by Trump, restricted the Justice Department from sharing findings related to the investigations. The DOJ argued that the judge overstepped her authority and filed an emergency motion with a federal appeals court to reverse the order.
The Justice Department plans to release portions of the report related to the election investigation but will withhold sections on the classified documents case due to ongoing legal proceedings involving Trump associates.
Trump’s November election victory complicated the cases further, as DOJ policy bars the prosecution of a sitting president. Smith dropped both cases but defended their merits, citing “unprecedented circumstances” in court filings.
Throughout the investigations, Trump denied wrongdoing, labeling the probes politically motivated. Following Smith’s resignation, Trump criticized him for achieving “nothing” and accused him of targeting political opponents.
Garland appointed Smith in 2022 to ensure independence in the investigations. Smith, known for prosecuting war crimes at The Hague and high-profile corruption cases, brought charges against Trump that marked the first federal criminal cases against a former U.S. president.
At least 24 dead as strong winds return to fuel California wildfires
Fire crews continue to battle deadly wildfires in Southern California as the death toll rises and strong winds are set to return. And a potential end to the Israel-Hamas war could be in sight as progress was made toward a ceasefire and hostage release deal. These stories and more highlight your Unbiased Updates for Monday, Jan. 13, 2025.
At least 24 dead as strong winds return to fuel Los Angeles area wildfires
At least 24 people are now confirmed dead and dozens more At least 24 people are now confirmed dead and dozens more are missing as multiple fires continue to rage in Southern California. Firefighters said they’re making progress against the wildfires that have now been burning for almost a week in the Los Angeles area.
Still, the threat remains high as dangerous Santa Ana winds will pick up again starting Monday, Jan. 13.
Weary fire crews said it’s not safe enough in many areas to assess the true total damage. Three fires continued to burn into Monday, Jan. 13: the Palisades, Eaton and Hurst fires, all of which broke out last Tuesday, Jan. 7.
The Palisades Fire remained the biggest and least contained, at more than 23,000 acres with only about 13% containment. Officials expanded evacuation orders for the Palisades Fire as it moves east, threatening the Brentwood and Encino areas.
The Eaton Fire was just over 14,000 acres and 27% contained on Monday. According to CalFire, the two fires are now the second and fourth most destructive in state history.
The Los Angeles County Fire Department said flames destroyed more than 7,000 buildings in the Eaton Fire alone. Investigators are only about a quarter of the way through their damage assessment.
The county is now under a public health emergency over smoke and particulate matter, which could cause long-term harm.
Progress made in Israel-Hamas ceasefire talks, officials say
Mediators with the U.S., Qatar and Egypt said they’ve made significant progress in brokering a ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas. However, nothing has been finalized just yet.
The deal would result in the release of dozens of hostages held by Hamas in the Gaza Strip ever since the terror group attacked Israel on Oct. 7, 2023.
It is believed there are a total of 98 hostages; however, as many as three dozen are feared dead.
Officials briefed on the negotiations said there was a breakthrough in Doha early Monday morning following talks between Israel’s spy chiefs, President-elect Donald Trump’s Middle East envoy, Steve Witkoff and Qatar’s prime minister.
In addition, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and President Joe Biden spoke about the cease-fire deal on the phone Sunday, Jan. 12.
Officials said negotiators for Israel and Hamas took a proposed final draft of the deal back to their leaders for approval. However, this is not the first time a deal to end the war has been closely considered. The U.S. has said several times over the past year that a deal was imminent, only for it to fall through.
An Egyptian official said an agreement will likely take a few more days and both sides are aiming for a deal before Trump’s inauguration next Monday, Jan. 20. However, Hamas said there are still issues it says need to be resolved, including an Israeli commitment to ending the war and details about the withdrawal of Israeli troops from Gaza and the hostage-prisoner exchange.
JD Vance, Christopher Wray speak on Jan. 6 ahead of Trump inauguration
Incoming Vice President JD Vance and outgoing FBI Director Christopher Wray shared their thoughts with Fox News and CBS News with just one week until President-elect Donald Trump’s Inauguration Day.
In his first interview since leaving the Senate, Vance spoke to Fox News Sunday of executive orders concerning illegal immigration on day one of the Trump administration and of being hopeful there soon will be a cease-fire deal in the war between Israel and Hamas. Vance was also asked about Trump’s plans to pardon those convicted in connection with the Jan. 6, 2021 storming of the Capitol.
“I think it’s very simple,” Vance said. “Look, if you protested peacefully on January the 6th and you’ve had Merrick Garland’s Department of Justice treat you like a gang member, you should be pardoned. If you committed violence on that day, obviously you shouldn’t be pardoned. And there’s a little bit of a gray area there but we’re very much committed to seeing the equal administration of law and there are a lot of people, we think, in the wake of January the 6th who were prosecuted unfairly. We need to rectify that.”
On 60 Minutes, FBI Director Christopher Wray explained his decision to step down three years before the end of his 10-year term. Trump appointed Wray in 2017, during his first administration.
The FBI director then oversaw investigations into Trump, as well as President Joe Biden and Biden’s son Hunter. Trump intends to replace Wray with former aide Kash Patel.
“Well, my decision to retire from the FBI, I have to tell you it was one of the hardest decisions I’ve ever had to make,” Wray said on 60 Minutes. “I care deeply, deeply about the FBI, about our mission and, in particular, about our people. But the president-elect had made clear that he intended to make a change, and the law is that, that is something he is able to do for any reason or no reason at all. My conclusion was that the thing that was best for the Bureau was to try to do this in an orderly way, to not thrust the FBI deeper into the fray.”
Wray was also asked about Trump’s plans to pardon many of the roughly 1,500 people charged with federal crimes in the Jan. 6 riots.
“I do think it’s important to step back and remember that we’re talking about hundreds of people who are convicted, most of them pled guilty of serious federal crimes,” Wray said. “Heck, I think 170 or so of them pled guilty to assaulting law enforcement, dozens of them with dangerous or deadly weapons. And there’s a whole bunch that were convicted of seditious conspiracy.”
After Vance’s interview aired on Fox, the vice president-elect responded to a critic on X saying Trump will be looking at each case concerning Jan. 6 individually.
Special counsel Jack Smith resigns as fight to block Trump report continues
Special counsel Jack Smith, appointed by Attorney General Merrick Garland to oversee the criminal investigations into Trump, resigned from the Department of Justice. While his departure was expected, it comes as Trump and his allies continue efforts to block the release of Smith’s final report on his investigations.
Smith’s resignation was made public Saturday, Jan. 11, in a brief footnote of a DOJ court filing to U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannon of Florida. She was appointed to the bench by Trump.
Cannon issued an order last week temporarily blocking the DOJ from releasing Smith’s investigation into Trump’s interference in the 2020 election results. The DOJ filed an emergency motion late Friday, Jan. 10, asking a federal appeals court to reverse the order.
Jeff Bezos’ Blue Origin scrubs New Glenn launch attempt
Jeff Bezos’ Blue Origin called off the planned launch of its New Glenn rocket from the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida on Monday morning. The company scrubbed the launch due to a “few anomalies” found during the countdown.
The delay of the rocket’s inaugural attempt to reach orbit could last at least 24 hours or longer. The launch, when it does happen, will include an attempt to land New Glenn’s first stage booster on a barge in the Atlantic Ocean.
In an interview with Reuters before the launch attempt, Bezos said that the booster landing is “the thing we’re most nervous about.”
A wild ending to NFL’s wild-card weekend with 1 more game to go
The NFL’s wild-card weekend saw one wild finish Sunday night. Five teams advanced to the divisional round, and a final wild-card game will be played Monday night.
On Saturday, the Houston Texans defeated the Los Angeles Chargers 32-12 in the opening game of wild-card weekend. Then the Baltimore Ravens moved on with a convincing 28-14 win over the Pittsburgh Steelers.
On Sunday, the Buffalo Bills dominated the Denver Broncos 31-7 while the Philadelphia Eagles defeated the Green Bay Packers 22-10.
Late Sunday night, a last-second field goal — with the ball hitting off the uprights and going through, known as a “doink” — gave the Washington Commanders the 23-20 win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. It was Washington’s first playoff win since 2005.
Monday night, the Minnesota Vikings will meet the Los Angeles Rams in a game that was moved from Los Angeles to Arizona due to the wildfires.
New details in special counsel’s 2020 election case against Trump
We’re getting our most in-depth look so far at Special Counsel Jack Smith’s investigation into former President Donald Trump’s attempts to overturn the 2020 election. And there’s new skin in the game in the battle over who actually caught Shohei Ohtani’s 50th home run ball. These stories and more highlight your Unbiased Updates for Thursday, Oct. 3, 2024.
New details in special counsel’s 2020 election case against Trump
The new filing, revealed Wednesday, Oct. 2, also claims Trump was “fundamentally” acting as a private candidate and not the President of the United States when he sought to overturn his loss.
The latest court filing comes in response to the Supreme Court’s ruling this past summer that said Trump had immunity for official actions taken while still in office. The filing also alleges the former president knew his claims about the 2020 election being stolen were lies, but he spread them anyways as a ploy to stay in power.
It also includes evidence of Trump’s phone usage during the Capitol riot on Jan. 6, 2021 — when, it claims, the former president was scrolling Twitter. The filing also claims Trump pressured then-Vice President Mike Pence to reject Electoral College votes.
“This was a weaponization of government and that’s why it was released 30 days before the election,” he said. “And it’s nothing new in there, by the way, nothing new. They rigged the election. I didn’t rig the election. They rigged the election.”
The new filing was unsealed just 33 days before the election coming up on Nov. 5.
Trump has pleaded not guilty to four criminal charges, accusing him of a conspiracy to obstruct the congressional certification of the election, attempting to defraud the U.S. out of accurate results and interfering with Americans’ voting rights.
At least 6 killed in Israeli strike on central Beirut
It comes after Israeli forces suffered their deadliest day on the Lebanese front since clashes with the Iran-backed militant group Hezbollah started almost a year ago. At least seven Israeli soldiers died in Israel’s recent offensive.
Lebanese health officials say in addition to those killed, at least seven more people were wounded in what Israel says was a precise strike on Lebanon’s capitol, which happened not far from the Lebanese prime minister’s office.
Meanwhile, the Israeli army says it downed at least two drones and more than two dozen rockets fired from Lebanon Thursday.
FEMA warns of funding shortages for Hurricane Helene relief efforts
The death toll from Hurricane Helene has risen to at least 191 across six states, making it the second-deadliest U.S. Hurricane in the past 50 years, behind Hurricane Katrina in 2005. The storm hit Florida last week before sweeping through the southeast, causing widespread flooding and devastation, especially in North Carolina, where at least 95 people have died.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency is providing critical supplies like meals, water, and generators, but Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas has warned FEMA lacks sufficient funding to sustain relief efforts throughout the entire hurricane season. He stressed the need for additional funding, noting FEMA is meeting immediate needs but might not have the resources to continue if another storm hits.
Hurricane season runs from June through November, with most storms occurring in September and October.
Congress recently replenished $20 billion for FEMA’s disaster relief fund, but lawmakers may need to reconvene before the election to approve more money if necessary.
Since Helene hit, more than 150,000 households have registered for FEMA assistance and that number is expected to grow as damage assessments continue.
Prosecutors ask for indefinite delay in would-be Trump assassin’s trial
Federal prosecutors have asked for an indefinite delay in scheduling the trial for the man charged in an apparent assassination attempt on former President Trump. They say they’ve collected a “massive” amount of evidence since the Secret Service, with the help of local police in Florida, arrested Ryan Routh last month after authorities say an agent spotted him with a gun outside the Mar-a-Lago golf course where the former president was playing.
Prosecutors have asked the judge in the case to officially designate the case as “complex,” saying they’ve interviewed hundreds of witnesses across various states and have thousands of videos to review from electronic devices they’ve seized. They also say more than 100 outstanding subpoena returns are still pending.
According to the filing, Routh’s defense attorneys did not oppose the prosecutors’ request to delay the trial date. Routh’s lawyers have entered a not guilty plea on his behalf, on the attempted assassination charges.
ATF says broken power line caused deadly Maui wildfire
We now know what caused the massive and deadly wildfire in Maui, Hawaii that claimed 102 lives and caused more than $5 billion in damage. The U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Firearms, Tobacco and Explosives has classified the fire as accidental, saying it started when a re-energized broken power line sparked, igniting the fire in an unmaintained vegetation area.
ATF also ruled out the possibility there had been two separate fires saying definitively, “This, in fact, was one fire.”
More than 100 people died and flames destroyed much of the historic city of Lahaina. The fire also sparked other investigations centered on police response and the response from state and Maui county agencies.
Second fan files lawsuit over Ohtani’s historic home run ball
The battle over Shohei Ohtani’s 50th home run ball has intensified. A second fan filed a lawsuit claiming ownership of the valuable souvenir.
The ball, hit during Ohtani’s historic Sept. 19 game for the L.A. Dodgers against the Miami Marlins, has reached about $1.5 million in auction bids.
Joseph Davidov, who filed the latest lawsuit in Florida, claims he had possession of the ball before another fan jumped on him, causing it to roll into the hands of Chris Belanski, who later auctioned it. Davidov is seeking more than $50,000 in damages.
This follows 18-year-old Max Matus’ earlier lawsuit, alleging Belanski forcibly took the ball from him during a scramble in the stands. Both fans are pursuing rightful ownership of the ball, which celebrates Ohtani’s achievement as the first player to hit 50 home runs and steal 50 bases in a single season.
The ongoing legal disputes have delayed the auction, with a court hearing scheduled for Oct. 10. The ball’s rising value has garnered widespread attention, rivaling the $1.5 million sale of Aaron Judge’s American League record-breaking 62nd home run ball in 2022.
Russia launches largest air assault on Ukraine since start of war
Russia launches its largest air assault against Ukraine since the war began, targeting critical infrastructure in the country. And the Department of Justice is appealing a judge’s decision last month to toss out former President Donald Trump’s classified documents case. These stories and more highlight The Morning Rundown for Tuesday, Aug. 27, 2024.
Russia launches largest air assault on Ukraine since start of war
At one point the entirety of Ukraine was under air raid alerts and residents were warned to take cover. According to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, there were more than 200 drones and missiles launched at Ukraine’s “critical civilian infrastructure.”
The main target appears to have been Ukraine’s power grid. While one missile missed, another one hit a dam that was providing electricity to Kyiv, causing widespread power outages. The strike also puts millions at risk of devastating flooding.
Civilians’ homes were also hit. At least seven people were said to have been killed in the attack.
While Ukraine says its forces have advanced nearly two miles into the area and seized two more villages, Russia is also making gains in eastern Ukraine.
Moscow’s air assault on Ukraine was the largest seen in more than two and a half years since the war began.
Federal judge temporarily blocks Biden admin’s new ‘parole in place’ policy
A federal judge in Texas has temporarily blocked the Biden administration’s new “parole in place” policy. The ruling sides with 16 Republican-led states that challenged the policy.
Parole in place allows unauthorized immigrants to apply for temporary work permits and deportation protections under an immigration benefit known as “parole” if they’re married to U.S. citizens, have lived in the country for at least 10 years, and pass background checks. The policy also offers a path to citizenship for up to half a million undocumented immigrants who are married to U.S. citizens.
The judge said the Republican states’ complaint raised legitimate questions about the authority of the president to bypass Congress and set immigration policy.
The Biden administration can keep accepting applications for the program, but it can’t approve them, under the judge’s order. That order is set to remain in place for 14 days while both sides submit arguments in the case, but it could be extended.
DOJ appeals to revive Trump’s classified docs case tossed by judge last month
Special Counsel Jack Smith is pushing to revive the classified documents case against former President Donald Trump. This comes after judge Aileen Cannon dismissed the case last month.
Smith is now arguing that Cannon’s decision was flawed and lacked merit.
In a new court filing, Smith contends that Cannon’s ruling — which claimed the prosecutors’ office did not have the constitutional authority to pursue the case — was incorrect. Judge Cannon had ruled that the Justice Department couldn’t appoint or fund special counsels like Smith without congressional approval.
The 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals is now reviewing this decision.
Meanwhile, Trump’s campaign has responded to the DOJ’s appeal, calling for all charges against Trump in different cases to also be dismissed.
1 killed in Alaska landslide; authorities concerned more landslides to come
So far, we know four homes were critically damaged, but homes next to where the landslide went through are still being assessed.
The National Weather Service said Ketchikan got more than 2.5 inches of rain in about 36 hours over the weekend, but rainfall totals at higher elevations ranged from 5 to 9 inches.
Australian airline accidentally sells first-class tickets 85% off
An airline accidentally sold hundreds of first-class tickets for about 85% cheaper than usual — and it wasn’t some sort of sale. A coding error that caused a glitch in its system and customers took advantage of it while they could.
Here’s how that happened: on June 26, Danny Jansen was on the Toronto Blue Jays and up to bat in their game against the Boston Red Sox when the game had to be suspended because of bad weather. On July 27, Jansen was traded from the Blue Jays to the Red Sox.
The unfinished June game finally picked up Monday after a two-month delay, with Jansen behind home plate playing catcher for the Red Sox. So, while it was months apart, it was technically still the same game, earning Jansen a spot in the MLB history books.
Trump plans to sue DOJ for $100 million over FBI raid at Mar-a-Lago
Former President Donald Trump is preparing to sue the Department of Justice (DOJ) over the FBI raid on his Mar-a-Lago property in August 2022. Trump’s legal team argues that the raid was part of “an unconstitutional process” and was “driven by political persecution.” Trump and his team are seeking $100 million in damages, according to a memo first obtained by Fox News.
The FBI raid was part of a broader federal investigation into Trump’s retention of classified documents. Following the raid, special counsel Jack Smith was appointed to lead the investigation, which resulted in 37 felony counts against Trump. The charges include willful retention of national defense information, conspiracy to obstruct justice and making false statements. Trump denied these allegations and pleaded not guilty to all counts.
Recent developments brought a significant turn in the legal battle. In July, U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannon dismissed Smith’s case against Trump. Judge Cannon ruled that Smith’s appointment and funding were unlawful, citing violations of the appointments clause in the Constitution.
In response, Trump’s attorney filed a notice to sue the Justice Department, according to the memo.
“What President Trump is doing here is not just standing up for himself—he is standing up for all Americans who believe in the rule of law and believe that you should hold the government accountable when it wrongs you,” the memo stated.
As of now, the Justice Department has declined to comment on the impending lawsuit.
Trump appears at Republican National Convention; Vance nominated as VP
Days after surviving an assassination attempt, former President Donald Trump made an appearance at the Republican National Convention (RNC) and named J.D. Vance his vice president pick. And the Secret Service director answers questions as the agency is under fire following the deadly shooting. These stories and more highlight The Morning Rundown for Tuesday, July 16, 2024.
Trump appears at Republican National Convention; Vance nominated as VP
The Republican National Convention kicked off Monday, July 15, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, just two days after former President Donald Trump survived the assassination attempt during a campaign rally in Pennsylvania. Day one saw Trump officially secure the GOP’s nominee for president with Ohio Sen. J.D. Vance becoming the party’s nominee for vice president.
While Trump’s presence on the first day was not a guarantee when the event began, all questions were answered just after 9 p.m. central time, when the former president made his entrance. He was wearing a bandage over his ear and met with cheers from the emotional convention crowd along with chants of “we want Trump!” and “fight!”
Trump joined his running mate in the stands. During the Roll Call of the States earlier in the day, Trump received the delegates needed to become the GOP’s nominee, with his son Eric making it official.
“On behalf of our entire family and on behalf of the 125 delegates in the unbelievable state of Florida, we hereby nominate every single one of them for the greatest president that’s ever lived,” Eric Trump said. “And that’s Donald J. Trump, hereby declaring him the Republican nominee for President of the United States of America.”
Speculation surrounding Trump’s VP pick came to an end not long after, with Vance officially joining the ticket.
Secret Service director, President Biden answer questions on security
As the investigation continues into the assassination attempt against former President Trump that left one spectator dead, the Secret Service is facing tough questions on its protocols and how the gunman was able to get so close to the former president. In her first network interview since the July 13, shooting, Secret Service Director Kim Cheatle spoke to ABC News, saying this was an incident that should have never happened.
“What I would say is the Secret Service is responsible for the protection of the former president,” Cheatle said. “The buck stops with me. I am the director of the Secret Service. It was unacceptable and it’s something that shouldn’t happen again.”
.@PierreTABC has an exclusive interview with Kim Cheatle, the Director of the Secret Service, with Cheatle saying, "The buck stops with me." The interview comes as new video shows the alleged gunman climbing onto the roof moments before he fired. https://t.co/mwmiaP88Tbpic.twitter.com/7rZokWLCh4
President Biden has ordered an “independent review” of the agency’s protocol, though Cheatle said she already plans to make immediate changes.
In an interview with NBC News on Monday, July 15, Biden was asked his thoughts on the Secret Service.
“Do you have confidence in the Secret Service,” Nightly News anchor Lester Holt asked. “Do you feel safe?”
“I feel safe with the Secret Service,” Biden assured him. “But look, you saw the — what we did see was the Secret Service who responded risked their lives responding. They were ready to give their lives for the president. The question is: Should they have anticipated what happened? Should they have done what they needed to do to prevent this from happening? That’s the question that’s — that’s an open question.”
In the interview, the president was also pressed on the calls from members of his party for him to step aside as the Democratic nominee. Biden said he’s holding to his decision to remain in the race, reiterating his performance at the June 27 debate was just a bad night.
Elon Musk to donate $45 million a month to new pro-Trump super PAC
Billionaire Elon Musk says he’s planning on donating $45 million a month to a pro-Trump super PAC, according to a Wall Street Journal report. The group, called America PAC, launched in June and is backing former President Donald Trump’s 2024 campaign.
Records show Musk did not donate to it in June, and it’s unclear if he’s donated yet in July. Other backers of the PAC include former U.S. Ambassador to Canada Kelly Craft and crypto billionaires Cameron and Tyler Winklevoss.
In March, Musk said he would not contribute to either former President Trump’s or President Biden’s campaigns. However, on Saturday, July 13, following the assassination attempt, Musk posted to X that he fully endorsed Trump.
Trump-appointed judge drops classified docs case, special counsel to appeal
Special Counsel Jack Smith said he’ll appeal a federal judge’s decision to dismiss former President Trump’s classified documents case. Florida Judge Aileen Cannon — who was appointed to her seat by Trump — dropped the case Monday.
Cannon ruled Smith’s appointment as prosecutor for the case violated the appointments clause of the Constitution because he was given the job by Attorney General Merrick Garland. In her ruling, Cannon said the Constitution’s appointments clause requires “officers of the United States” be appointed by the president and confirmed by the Senate.
Trump was accused of illegally retaining hundreds of classified documents at his Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida after leaving the White House in January 2021. He had denied any wrongdoing.
Hacker group claims it leaked Disney’s Slack, internal info
Data from Disney’s internal Slack communications program has been leaked online by an activist hacking group, including discussions about ad campaigns and studio technology.
According to the Wall Street Journal, the hackers say they also published data that contains information about unreleased projects, interview candidates, some logins and images of employees’ dogs. The leak totaled roughly 1.2 terabytes of information dating back to 2019.
A spokesperson for the group, called NullBulge, said it targeted Disney for how it “handles artists’ contracts, its approach to AI and its blatant disregard for the consumer.”
The cave was found not far from where astronauts Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin landed 55 years ago.
In a paper published in “Nature Astronomy,” an Italian-led team said it found evidence of a sizable cave accessible from the deepest known pit on the moon. The pit is called the Sea of Tranquility, found about 250 miles from Apollo 11’s landing site.
So far, they’ve only gotten a look at the initial part of the cave, but scientists estimate it’s at least 130 feet wide and tens of yards long.
Trump’s trial date for classified docs case could interfere with presidential campaign
A trial date has been set for former President Donald Trump’s classified documents case and it’s being called a compromise. The government requested the trial begin in December, but Trump’s team asked to push the proceeding until after the 2024 election. A federal judge met the two sides in the middle, setting the proceedings for May of next year.
The timing is important because Trump is the front-runner for the Republican presidential nomination. His obligation to be in court during the proceeding will intersect with his campaign schedule. The date that judge Aileen Cannon chose falls after the bulk of the primary race contests. However, it is less than two months before the start of the Republican National Convention and the formal start of the general election season. That said, the trial is likely to get delayed.
Trump’s team has made it clear that it expects to file various motions in the case. His advisers have admitted that winning the presidency is how he hopes to beat the legal charges that he is facing. Judge Cannon, who was appointed by Trump in 2020, called the case “complex.” She sided with his defense lawyers, who argued there is a sizable amount of evidence that needs to be reviewed before trial.
The former president is facing 37 counts in the case, including violations of the Espionage Act and obstruction of justice. Trump has pleaded not guilty to the charges.
In her order on Friday, July 21, Cannon said the trial was to be held in her home courthouse in Fort Pierce, Florida. The same courthouse where prosecutors and lawyers for Trump sparred over the trial date on Tuesday, July 18.
Fort Pierce is north of Miami and the jury pool will be pulled from several counties that Donald Trump easily won in the last two presidential elections.
Trump says he is target in DOJ 2020 election probe: The Rundown July 19
Former President Donald Trump says he could soon be indicted again by the Department of Justice (DOJ) in relation to their 2020 election probe. And the latest on the U.S. soldier detained in North Korea. These stories and more highlight the rundown for Tuesday, July 19, 2023.
Trump says he is target in DOJ election probe
Former President Trump may be facing another indictment related to the DOJ’s election probe. This one over his involvement in the Jan. 6 riot on Capitol Hill. Trump took to his social media platform, Truth Social, to announce that he had received a letter from special counsel Jack Smith. The letter allegedly informed Trump that a DOJ grand jury was investigating whether he tried to overturn the 2020 presidential election results.
In the post, Trump called Smith “deranged” and said he was given four days to report to the grand jury, which, he said, “always means an arrest and indictment.”
Former Trump administration officials have testified that during his final months in office he pressured them to act on what Trump called “widespread voter fraud.”
There are several more developments in the various investigations into Trump. In Michigan, the state’s attorney general filed felony charges against 16 Republicans, accusing them of acting as fake electors on behalf of Trump. The group includes the head of the Republican National Committee’s Michigan chapter and the former co-chair of the Michigan Republican Party.
They allegedly met in December of 2020 and signed their names to certificates stating that they were qualified electors for Trump. These false documents were eventually sent to the Senate and the National Archives.
“These defendants may have believed the now-long-debunked myths of vote tampering or ballot dumps. They may have felt compelled to follow the call to action from a president they held fealty to. They may have even genuinely believed that this was their patriotic duty,” Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel said. “But none of those reasons or feelings provide legal justification to violate the law and upend our constitution and our nation’s traditions of representative government, self-determination and a government by the people.”
Then there’s Trump’s ongoing classified documents case. The judge overseeing the trial has signaled that this year may be too soon for that trial to begin. But she did not say whether she would agree to Trump’s request to put the trial off until after the 2024 election.
What is known about detained U.S. soldier in North Korea
A U.S. soldier is believed to be in North Korean custody. According to reports, he “willfully” and “without authorization” crossed into North Korea while taking a civilian tour at the border line that separates the North from the South.
According to the U.S. Army, 23-year-old Private Travis King was stationed in South Korea and faced disciplinary action for assault. According to the Army, he spent 50 days in a detention facility. King was set to fly back to a base in Texas to potentially face additional military discipline before he reportedly ran across into North Korea’s territory.
At a press conference at the White House, the press secretary was asked how far the administration would be willing to go to get the soldier back, if the soldier willingly crossed boundary-lines. The White House said they are focused on gathering more information on the incident.
Illinois to become first state to end cash bail
Illinois will become the first state in the nation to end cash bail. The state supreme court has upheld a law that was passed by state lawmakers back in 2021.
The elimination of cash bail was part of a criminal justice reform bill from two years ago that was immediately met with legal challenges. Prosecutors and sheriffs in 64 counties filed lawsuits claiming it was unconstitutional to end cash bail. But in a 5-2 decision, the state supreme court disagreed.
Under the new law, criminal defendants won’t have to pay a specific amount of money in order to be released from jail as they await trial. They will only have to remain in custody if a judge thinks they are a danger to the public or flight risk.
The new law will take effect on Sept. 18, 2023.
Johnson & Johnson to pay $18.8 million in baby powder lawsuit
Johnson & Johnson has been ordered to pay nearly $20 million to a California man who claims he developed cancer after being exposed to the company’s baby powder. This is seen as a major blow since the company is facing settlements in thousands of other similar cases, all of which are based on Johnson & Johnson’s talc-based products.
The 24-year-old said he developed mesothelioma after heavy exposure to the baby powder since childhood. The vice president of Johnson & Johnson said they will appeal the verdict and stood by their defense that their baby powder has been scientifically proven to be safe.
Popular phrase “Taco Tuesday” no longer trademarked
The phrase “Taco Tuesday” has now been freed from its trademark shackles. It is now free for “fair use” after solely belonging to Wyoming-based fast food chain Taco John’s.
Two months after Taco Bell filed a petition to challenge the trademark, Taco Johns says it will no longer defend its federal trademark of the phrase.
Russia targets Ukrainian port after pulling out of grain deal: July 18 rundown
A key Ukrainian port city used for grain export was attacked by Russia. And a United plane loses an emergency slide mid-flight. These stories and more highlight the rundown for Tuesday, July 18, 2023.
Russia targets Odesa after suspending grain deal
Russia targeted the Ukrainian port city of Odesa after pulling out of its grain deal with the country. On Tuesday, Russia launched six cruise missiles and 25 exploding drones, all of which were shot down. But the debris and shock waves damaged port facilities and residential buildings. One person was injured.
This incident follows an apparent attack by Ukraine on a bridge in Crimea. Ukraine attempted another drone attack on Crimea on Tuesday, but it was stopped by Russian defense forces.
Western officials denounced Russia’s decision to suspend its grain deal on Monday. The Kremlin said the deal would be suspended until restrictions on Russian exports were lifted.
“Russia’s decision to resume its effective blockade of Ukrainian ports and prevent this grain from getting to markets will harm people all over the world,” said National Security Council Spokesman John Kirby. “Indeed, we are already seeing a spike in global wheat, corn and soybean prices just today as a result of Russia’s suspension. We urge the government of Russia to immediately reverse its decision.”
First pretrial conference in Trump case
The first pretrial conference in the criminal case against former president Donald Trump concerning the mishandling of classified documents begins July 18. U.S. district court judge Aileen Cannon will decide on how classified information will be handled in the case.
The date of the trial could also be announced. While prosecutors have proposed the trial to begin in December, Trump’s lawyers have suggested it be postponed until after the 2024 presidential election since the former president is seeking another run in the White House.
Trump and his aide, Walt Nauta, have pleaded not guilty to an indictment that accused them of storing classified documents at his Mar-a-Lago estate and trying to hide them from the government.
The summer heat wave had been deadly. There were 12 heat-related deaths in the first week of July in Phoenix and 55 heat-related deaths since the start of the summer. And it’s only getting worse. Temperatures are forecast to be 115 degrees or above through July 23.
Greece wildfires tear through coastal communities
Wildfires in Greece, which are common in the summer, have forced thousands of residents to leave their homes. Two large blazes are tearing through coastal communities and a seaside resort area has been evacuated.
FDA approves RSV drug for infants
The FDA has approved the first long-acting drug to protect infants and toddlers from the respiratory virus known as RSV. The antibody preventive therapy, called Beyfortus, was approved Monday for children up to 2-years-old who are vulnerable to severe RSV.
The drug will reportedly be available in the United States before the upcoming cold season. RSV is the leading cause of hospitalization in infants.
Emergency slide on United plane accidentally deploys
An emergency evacuation slide from a United Airlines plane fell off mid-flight on its way to the Chicago O’hare International Airport. The slide was found in a nearby neighborhood in someone’s backyard. Maintenance workers noticed the slide was missing and reported it to the FAA. The flight had just arrived from switzerland. The FAA is investigating how the emergency landing device was deployed.
Australian man and dog survive 3 months lost at sea
An Australian sailor, Timothy Shaddock, became lost at sea after a storm damaged his boat and wiped out his electronics. Shaddock said he and his dog survived on raw fish and rain water for nearly 100 days. A Mexican fishing boat found Shaddock’s vessel 1,200 miles offshore.
Left and right raise concerns over judge, prosecutor in Trump documents case
With former President Donald Trump’s trial imminent, two controversial players who are likely to preside in the historic case are gaining attention. Judge Aileen Cannon has been randomly selected to hear the case. She was appointed to the federal bench by Trump in 2020. Therefore, some Democrats are calling for her recusal from the case.
Judge Cannon previously ruled in favor of Trump to appoint a special master to review the classified documents seized at Mar-A-Lago last year. Critics argue that there is a conflict of interest due to her close ties with Trump.
If he were to be convicted, Cannon would be the one to decide Trump’s sentence and whether or not he would serve any time in prison. She also has the power to rule on motions, dismiss counts and dismiss the indictment all together.
The other controversial figure in the trial is federal prosecutor Karen Gilbert. Gilbert will sit alongside special counsel Jack Smith to represent the Department of Justice. Republicans are questioning her credibility in the case, calling her “corrupt” and “unethical” after once being reprimanded by a federal judge for secretly recording a defense lawyer.
Gilbert resigned from her position after allegations of eavesdropping on phone conversations between witnesses and a defense attorney back in 2009.
Years later, she was prosecuted again after being promoted by the DOJ.
There are very different pictures of how these two major players in the Trump trial are being teed up by the media.
While there is a plethora of coverage on the Trump-appointed judge and the implications that could come from her presiding over the case, mainstream media isn’t reporting Gilbert, who a district judge said acted in “bad faith” and “knowingly and repeatedly violated ethical guidelines.”
Check out the media landscape using the Straight Arrow News Media Miss tool.