Menendez trial begins while Cuellar indictment flies under the radar
Jury selection began in Sen. Bob Menendez’s, D-N.J., corruption trial on Monday, May 13. The former chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee is accused of using his position to help three New Jersey businessmen and the governments of Egypt and Qatar.
Prosecutors said Menendez received more than $500,000 in cash and gold bars in exchange for facilitating an arms deal and pressuring state and local officials to go easy on friends.
However, there’s another congressional Democrat facing similar charges that has not received as much attention.
Rep. Henry Cuellar, D-Texas, is facing 14 charges including acting as a foreign agent, bribery of a federal official, wire fraud and money laundering. A guilty verdict could land him in prison for 20 years or more.
The Justice Department stated Cuellar and his wife are accused of accepting approximately $600,000 in bribes from an oil and gas company owned by Azerbaijan and a bank in Mexico.
Cuellar denied the charges in a statement.
“I want to be clear that both my wife and I are innocent of these allegations,” Cuellar said. “Before I took any action, I proactively sought legal advice from the House Ethics Committee, who gave me more than one written opinion, along with an additional opinion from a national law firm. The actions I took in Congress were consistent with the actions of many of my colleagues and in the interest of the American people.”
Straight Arrow News is working to obtain those opinions with the intent to publish them upon receipt.
According to Punchbowl News, the announcement of the indictment is leading to even more problems.
Political advisers have turned on Cuellar, and they are cooperating with the Justice Department. Meanwhile, the National Republican Congressional Committee is pressuring Democrats who have received donations from Cuellar to return them.
Cuellar’s super PAC, Texas First, has raised $150,000 this election cycle and gave some of that money to Democrats in swing districts including Reps. Jared Golden, Maine; Susie Lee, Nev.; and Marcy Kaptur, Ohio.
However, Cuellar and Menendez’s cases differ in one key way. So far only one member of Congress is calling for Cuellar to resign, Rep. Dean Phillips, D-Minn. On the other hand, more than 30 Senate Democrats said Menendez should step down and multiple said Cuellar deserves his day in court like every other American.
Cuellar said he will not resign. He stills plans to run for reelection in November and win.
The campaign employee and motive behind fake robocall impersonating Biden
The individual responsible for the Biden robocall scam, which circulated prior to the New Hampshire primary election, has come forward in an exclusive interview with NBC News. The man discussed his motive behind the AI-generated robocall.
Steve Kramer claims to have pulled the stunt in order to bring attention to the dangers of AI ahead of the 2024 election. Kramer compared himself to American Revolutionary heroes in the interview.
United States officials believe the robocall incident marks the first attempt to interfere with an election process by using artificial intelligence.
The robocall impersonating President Joe Biden was sent to 20,000 voters in January before the New Hampshire primary.
The call told voters to “save their vote for November” in an attempt to deter primary voters from showing up to the polls. In the beginning of the investigation, authorities didn’t know who made the call. However, Kramer has recently claimed responsibility for the operation.
Kramer, a long-time election campaign employee, was working for Rep. Dean Phillips, the Democratic challenger to Biden in New Hampshire’s primary. Kramer paid a magician $150 to create a Biden voice message, according to Venmo transactions and text messages shared with NBC News.
Before deploying Biden’s fake call, Kramer first commissioned a fake call that impersonated Sen. Lindsey Graham as a test.
Authorities in New Hampshire are investigating the robocall for potentially violating state laws against voter suppression. Kramer said he received a subpoena from the Federal Communications Commission and welcomes the House of Representatives to call on him to publicly testify.
“This is a way for me to make a difference, and I have,” Kramer told NBC News in part. “I’m not afraid to testify, I know why I did everything. If I had come out right away, it takes away from the goal of the call. Even individuals acting alone can quickly and easily use AI for misleading and disruptive purposes.”
Several news outlets previously reported Life Co., a Texas telemarketing company, was linked to delivering the fake call. Kramer said the company had no knowledge of the content of the call prior to its delivery and he’d use the company again, except it is now done with his business.
Fake robocalls, push for Biden write-in: What’s happening with Dems in NH
Voters will cast their ballots in the nation’s first primary of the 2024 presidential election on Tuesday, Jan. 23. However, Democrat incumbent President Joe Biden will not be on the ballot. Twenty-one other Democratic candidates will be present, but there are zero delegates up for grabs due to the Democratic National Committee’s new rules for 2024.
The DNC, under pressure from Biden, declared South Carolina would be the first official primary for Democrats. However, New Hampshire refused to budge, citing a state law that its contest must be held seven days before any other primary.
Biden elected to skip the primary, choosing to not even campaign there. The DNC deemed the New Hampshire contest “meaningless” and declared no delegates would be up for grabs this time around.
New Hampshire Gov. Chris Sununu, R, is fighting back against those decisions.
“After Joe Biden and the Democratic Party tried and failed to strip New Hampshire of its first-in-the-nation presidential primary, they are now so worried that Joe Biden will suffer further embarrassment that they have called our primary ‘meaningless.,’” Sununu said. “New Hampshire voters have always turned national expectations on their head. This year will be no different, whether Joe Biden and the DNC like it or not.”
Other Democratic candidates who will appear on the primary’s ballot, such as Rep. Dean Phillips, D-Minn., and author Marianne Williamson, called the DNC’s decision “voter suppression.”
“The Democratic Party should be investing in democracy,” Phillips said during the Democratic primary debate. “Promoting debate, promoting candidates and promoting voters.”
“It should be you, the people of New Hampshire, the people of every other state should decide who is the best Democratic nominee,” Williamson said.
Phillips also mocked Biden for his New Hampshire absence since his last official visit in April 2022.
Over the last several months, there’s been a grassroots effort by Democratic volunteers to get independents and Democrats to write in Biden’s name on the ballot in New Hampshire.
“You know the value of voting Democratic when our votes count. It’s important that you save your vote for the November election,” a call obtained by NBC News said.
At this time, it is unclear who is behind the robocalls.
Phillips and Williamson are hoping the write-in effort will fail as they seek to gain some notoriety heading into South Carolina’s primary.
There’s been heavy focus on the Republican side, as former President Donald Trump and former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley try to win over the Granite State’s delegates.
Phillips, 54, has been a loud critic of Biden’s re-election efforts, calling on other, younger Democrats to step up to run against and replace the 80-year-old president.
“My real call to action right now is not about me. The call to action is to ask the president to pass the torch,” Phillips said in an interview on NBC’s “Meet the Press” in August 2023.
Earlier this month, Phillips stepped down from his leadership role as co-chair of the Democratic Policy and Communications Caucus after unsuccessfully calling on younger Democrats with national recognition to challenge Biden for the Democratic nomination.
Phillips is not the only lawmaker to call on the next generation of leaders to step up. On the other side of the aisle, Sen. Mitt Romney, R-Utah., recently announced his retirement citing his age as the reason adding that it is time to pass the torch.
“The fact that at the end of a second term, I would be in my mid 80s and I think it’s time for guys like me to get out of the way and have people of the next generation step forward,” Romney said.
Though the White House has not commented on Phillips’ announcement, on Tuesday, Oct. 24, press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre responded to reports of Phillips joining the race by saying the administration appreciates the congressman’s “almost 100% support of the president.”
US strikes back at Iran-linked groups in Syria after troops attacked: The Morning Rundown, Oct. 27, 2023
The United States carries out airstrikes on Iranian-backed groups in Syria after attacks on U.S. troops. And a new Democratic candidate steps forward to challenge President Biden in 2024. These stories and more highlight The Morning Rundown for Friday, Oct. 27, 2023.
US strikes against Iranian-backed groups in Syria after troops attacked
The United States has carried out airstrikes in Eastern Syria on two facilities associated with Iranian-backed militant groups believed to be responsible for 19 rocket and drone attacks over the past week against U.S. personnel.
According to the Pentagon, the U.S. airstrikes in Syria were at President Biden’s direction, with two U.S. Air Force F-16 fighter jets striking two facilities, a weapon storage area and an ammunition storage area, used by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and affiliated groups.
“These precision self-defense strikes are a response to a series of ongoing and mostly unsuccessful attacks against U.S. personnel in Iraq and Syria by Iranian-backed militia groups that began on Oct. 17,” Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said in a statement Thursday night, Oct. 26.
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Austin added that these Iranian-backed attacks on U.S. forces are “unacceptable and must stop.”
U.S. officials said America’s response in Syria was not related to the ongoing war between Israel and Hamas. They were about protecting U.S. troops.
The U.S. military has deployed two aircraft carriers to the Middle East to show its support for Israel and to deter Iran or the Iran-backed militant group Hezbollah in Lebanon from getting involved in the conflict.
Speaking at a United Nations Security Council meeting earlier this week, Secretary of State Antony Blinken spoke about the U.S. not wanting the war to spread while letting Iran know it will defend itself.
“The United States does not seek conflict with Iran. We do not want this war to widen,” Blinken said. “But if Iran or its proxies attack U.S. personnel anywhere, make no mistake: we will defend our people, we will defend our security, swiftly and decisively.”
The Pentagon said all U.S. troops injured in the attacks by the Iranian-backed groups have returned to duty. There are approximately 900 U.S. troops stationed in Syria and 2,500 in Iraq.
Chinese fighter jet nearly collides with us B-52 bomber
The U.S. released a video of the near-collision on social media on Thursday, Oct. 26.
U.S. officials said the Chinese pilot “flew in an unsafe and unprofessional manner” and “demonstrated poor airmanship” as he flew his J-11 jet within 10 feet of the B-52 bomber, which was conducting routine nighttime operations.
The Pentagon said the Chinese fighter jet’s intercept “violated international air safety rules.”
News of this latest incident comes as President Biden is expected to meet with Chinese foreign minister Wang Yi at the White House Friday, Oct. 27.
Manhunt continues for Maine mass shooting suspect
The search continues this morning for the suspect in a mass shooting in Maine that killed 18 people and injured 13 others.
The multistate manhunt is underway for Robert Card, 40, accused of opening fire at a bar and a bowling alley in Lewiston, Maine, on Wednesday, Oct. 25.
THREAD: In response to the tragedy in Lewiston, Maine, Troopers from the New Hampshire State Police have responded to assist our law enforcement partners.
➡️The SWAT team is assisting the Maine State Police SWAT team with ground searches throughout the area. pic.twitter.com/vmE5jv5Mjf
Residents of Lewiston and surrounding towns are being told to shelter in place.
Card is a Sergeant First Class in the U.S. Army Reserve and is considered to be armed and dangerous.
Democratic Rep. Dean Phillips announces bid for White House
A new candidate has entered the 2024 presidential election race and is challenging President Biden for the Democratic nomination. Rep. Dean Phillips, D-Minn., announced his White House bid in an interview with CBS on Thursday, Oct. 26.
BREAKING: Rep. Dean Phillips (D-MN) is running for president, challenging Pres. Biden in the Democratic primary race.
Phillips has been a loud critic of Biden’s re-election efforts, calling on other, younger Democrats to step up to run against and replace the 80-year-old president.
“My real call to action right now is not about me. The call to action is to ask the president to pass the torch,” Phillips said in a “Meet the Press” interview in August 2023.
Earlier this month, Phillips stepped down from his leadership role as co-chair of the Democratic Policy and Communications Caucus after unsuccessfully calling on younger Democrats to challenge Biden for the Democratic nomination.
According to a recent CNN poll, two-thirds of Democrats agree with Phillips, wanting the party to choose another candidate besides Biden, with nearly half citing Biden’s age as the main concern.
Though the White House has not commented on Phillips’ announcement, on Tuesday, Oct. 24, press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre responded to reports of Phillips joining the race by saying the administration appreciates the congressman’s “almost 100% support of the president.”
Toyota recalls more than 750,000 vehicles over bumpers
According to the automaker, the recall covers certain Toyota Highlanders from 2020 to 2023, including gas-electric hybrid models.
According to Toyota, the vehicles have front lower bumper covers connected with mounting tabs that could detach on even minor impacts, causing parts of the assembly to fall into the road and creating hazardous conditions for drivers.
Dealers will inspect the bumper cover tabs for damage and install new hardware. Toyota said it will contact all owners affected by the recall by December 2023.
The track, titled “Now and Then,” was written and sung by John Lennon in the 70s, with Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr, and George Harrison working on the song again in the 90s.
But because of technological issues on the recorded track, where Lennon’s voice could not be separated from a piano, it was shelved for decades. The song needed help. Fast forward down the long and winding road to last year when director Peter Jackson and his team would not let it be, using artificial intelligence to hear Lennon’s clear vocals.
“In 2023, to still be working on Beatles music, and about to release a new song the public haven’t heard, I think it’s quite an exciting thing,” McCartney said in a press release.
“Now and Then” will be released across the universe on Nov. 2. A 12-minute documentary film will premiere the day before on The Beatles’ YouTube channel, where fans will come together to watch.
Dem. Rep. Phillips leaves leadership post after pushing for Biden challenger
Rep. Dean Phillips, D-Minn., is stepping down from his House Democratic leadership role over his party’s support for President Joe Biden to be the 2024 Democratic presidential nominee. According to Axios, Phillips is relinquishing his role as co-chair of the Democratic Policy and Communications Caucus after unsuccessfully calling for a younger viable challenger for the primary election.
Phillips has been among several younger lawmakers calling on the parties to make way for the next generation of leaders.
“Increasingly, we are devoid of a generation that has the competency to deal with issues like artificial intelligence, like fintech issues, like climate issues,” Phillips said in response to Sen. Mitt Romney’s, R-Utah, retirement announcement.
Romney cited his age and his desire to pass the baton to the next generation of leaders as his main reasons for leaving a Senate seat that he would have been favored to win. Romney also called for Biden and former President Donald Trump to make way for the next group of leaders.
“The fact that at the end of a second term, I would be in my mid 80s and I think it’s time for guys like me to get out of the way and have people of the next generation step forward,” Romney said.
Congressman Phillips, 54, has not ruled out running against Biden, but has called on Democrats with more national attention to step up.
“I am concerned that something could happen between now and next November that would make the Democratic Convention in Chicago an unmitigated disaster, and for a party that is acting as the adults in the room, thank goodness, I am concerned we are not as it relates to our electoral strategy,” Phillips said.
Phillips has drawn criticism from other Democrats for his stance. Still, according to a CNN poll released in September, two-thirds of Democratic-leaning voters agree with Phillips.
Despite calling for a younger nominee, during a radio interview in 2022, Phillips called Biden “a man of decency, of good principle, of compassion of empathy and of strength.”
Phillips said he will step down as co-chair of the Democratic Policy and Communications Caucus to avoid unnecessary distractions as the primary grows closer while remaining a member of the Democratic Caucus.
Romney says his generation should step aside. Younger lawmakers react.
Sen. Mitt Romney, R-Utah, is retiring. He cited his age as one of the main reasons.
“The fact that at the end of a second term I would be in my mid 80s and I think it’s time for guys like me to get out of the way and have people in the next generation step forward,” Romney told reporters, according to C-SPAN.
About 100 members of Congress are older than 70. The average age in the Senate is 64. The average age in the House is 57. So SAN asked younger lawmakers if they think the older generation is doing enough to prepare the next generation.
Rep. Dean Phillips, D-Minn.
“There is little political reward for preparing the next generation. Because nobody here wants to be replaced. It’s just the way it works. People, that’s why we have people in their 90s in this institution.”
“I think it’s good to have some institutional knowledge and experience to help us with that. But increasingly, we are devoid of a generation that has the competency to deal with issues like artificial intelligence, like FinTech issues, like climate issues.”
Phillips called for 18 year term limits in the House, Senate and Supreme Court.
New York Times Editorial Board calls on Sen. Feinstein to resign
Members of the New York Times Editorial Board joined a growing number people calling on Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., to resign. Sen. Feinstein has been absent from Capitol since late February as she recovers from a shingles infection. The board published an opinion piece titled “Dianne Feinstein Has to Act” on Friday, May 5.
“If she cannot fulfill her obligations to the Senate and to her constituents, she should resign and turn over her responsibilities to an appointed successor,” the board wrote in the piece. “If she is unable to reach that decision on her own, Mr. Schumer, the majority leader, and other Democratic senators should make it clear to her and the public how important it is that she do so.”
With the piece, the New York Times’ opinion board joined several Democratic lawmakers who are also calling on Feinstein to resign. They include:
Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y.
Rep. Rashida Tlaib, D-Mich.
Rep. Ro Khanna, D-Calif.
Rep. Dean Phillips, D-Minn.
Earlier in the week of April 30, Sen. Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., said he spoke to Feinstein over the previous weekend. He added he was “hopeful” she can return to Capitol Hill next week.
“While the Senate Judiciary Committee has advanced eight strong nominees during my absence, I’m disappointed that Republicans are blocking a few in committee,” Feinstein tweeted on Thursday, May 4. “I’m confident that when I return, we will be able to move the remaining qualified nominees to the Senate floor for a vote.”