Following the U.S. Capitol attack on Jan. 6, 2021, Ward tweeted, “Congress is adjourned. Send the elector choice back to the legislatures.” Ward, a Trump elector, consistently promoted false claims that Arizona’s election results were rigged.
Arizona is one of seven states where “alternate electors” falsely claimed that Trump won. Prosecutors have charged similar “alternate electors” in Nevada, Georgia and Michigan.
The Republican Party of Arizona has criticized the indictments as politically motivated as the 2024 election approaches.
Gov. Newsom hopes to get Arizonans to Calif. to get abortions over 1864 ban
Gov. Gavin Newsom, D-Calif., announced plans Sunday, April 21, to help Arizonans access reproductive rights. The new initiative follows an Arizona Supreme Court ruling that upholds a Civil War-era abortion ban.
Newsom is now pushing a bill that expedites the licensing process to allow Arizona abortion providers to offer services in California.
The California bill comes in response to Arizona’s impending abortion restrictions after the state’s high court upheld a near-total abortion ban dating back to 1864. The ban is set to take effect on May 1.
“A big part of my focus, and why I’m focused on Arizona and providing doctors in Arizona the ability to come into California through emergency legislation we’ll introduce with our Women’s Caucus this week is to address the crisis at hand,” Newsom said on MSNBC.
“We’re now doing that as it relates to being a good neighbor, not just to those that seek reproductive care and reproductive freedom, but also to our neighbors — particularly in Arizona,” Newsom said.
Former President Donald Trump has also criticized the Arizona decision, saying that upholding the ban went “too far.” Trump has also said that he would not sign a national abortion ban if elected president.
However, Newsom expressed skepticism about Trump’s stance. Newsom called Trump “a liar” and claimed that he will say whatever is politically convenient.
In addition to his legislative efforts, Newsom unveiled a new television ad targeting proposed legislation in Alabama.
The ad, titled “Fugitive,” highlighted the proposed criminalization of anyone helping minors obtain an abortion without parental consent.
“Our response must be in real time to be more assertive and proactive,” Newsom said.
The first seven jurors are selected in former President Donald Trump’s hush money trial, and historic rain in the United Arab Emirates leads to major flooding at the Dubai airport and across the region. These stories and more highlight The Morning Rundown for Wednesday, April 17, 2024.
First 7 jurors selected in Trump hush money trial
The second day of the first criminal trial against a former U.S. president saw seven jurors selected, with opening arguments expected soon. Former President Donald Trump observed the process in a Manhattan courtroom as the first seven jurors for his hush money trial were chosen after debate over prospective jurors’ social media postings and their ability to be fair and credible.
The selected jurors include a salesman originally from Ireland who will serve as the foreman, an oncology nurse, two attorneys, an IT consultant from Puerto Rico, an ELA teacher and a software engineer for Disney.
Another 96 prospective jurors were sworn in before proceedings ended Tuesday, April 17. They will return Thursday, April 18, with today being an off day for the trial. The judge indicated that the full jury might be seated by week’s end, with opening arguments potentially beginning Monday, April 22.
Senators swear in as jurors Wednesday, April 17, for the impeachment trial against Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas. The Senate will issue a summons to Mayorkas, informing him of the charges and requesting a written response; he is not required to appear.
House Republicans have charged Mayorkas with failing to enforce immigration laws and betraying public trust. House Speaker Mike Johnson emphasized the need for a full trial to hold those responsible for the border crisis accountable.
Mayorkas, DHS and Democrats have called the charges baseless. With Democrats controlling the Senate, they are expected to attempt to dismiss the charges this week before full arguments are presented.
Columbia University president to testify on antisemitism on campus
Four months after a congressional hearing on antisemitism on college campuses led to the resignation of two Ivy League presidents, the president of Columbia University, Minouche Shafik, is set to appear before that same committee Wednesday, April 17.
Shafik, who was scheduled to testify at the House Education and Workforce Committee’s December hearing but could not due to a scheduling conflict, will respond to questioning on the university’s response to rising campus conflicts since the start of the Israel-Hamas war.
In an op-ed published in The Wall Street Journal titled “What I Plan to Tell Congress Tomorrow,” Shafik wrote of balancing free speech with protecting students, stating that “calling for the genocide of a people — whether they are Israelis or Palestinians, Jews, Muslims or anyone else — has no place in a university community.”
Bob Graham, former U.S. senator and Florida governor, dead at 87
Bob Graham, a prominent figure in Florida politics and a former U.S. senator, has died at 87 in Gainesville. He served as Florida’s governor from 1979 to 1987 and was a U.S. senator until 2005, focusing on education, the environment and immigration.
Known for his practical political style and “work days,” where he performed jobs like a short-order cook and bellhop to connect with voters, Graham also made an unsuccessful bid for the 2004 Democratic presidential nomination, emphasizing his opposition to the Iraq war.
Heavy rain leads to ‘historic weather event’ in United Arab Emirates
Historic flooding in the United Arab Emirates has led to the closure of Dubai’s airport and schools canceling classes. The rain began late Monday, and by Tuesday night, Dubai had received more than 6 inches of rain in over 24 hours, far surpassing the city’s average annual rainfall of just over 3 inches.
At least one person was killed in the floodwaters. The state-run news agency described the rainfall as a “historic weather event” that surpassed “anything documented since the start of data collection in 1949.” The storm also affected other parts of the Middle East, causing at least 19 deaths in Oman.
Participant Media shutting down after 20 years
After 20 years, Participant Media is closing its doors, the company’s founder Jeff Skoll announced Tuesday. The decision affects around 100 employees. Since its inception in 2004, Participant Media has been dedicated to creating films and TV shows aimed at inspiring social change.
The studio was behind Oscar-winning projects like “Spotlight” and “Green Book,” as well as films such as “Lincoln” and “Wonder,” the documentary “An Inconvenient Truth” and the Netflix series “When They See Us.”
In total, Participant won 21 Academy Awards and 18 Emmy Awards during its 20-year run.
This video received mixed reactions. While Trump is facing backlash on both sides of the aisle for taking the position he did, polls show that most Americans want abortion to be legal in some capacity.
“The states will determine by vote or legislation, or perhaps both, and whatever they decide must be the law of the land — in this case the law of the state,” Trump said. “At the end of the day, this is all about the will of the people. You must follow your heart or, in many cases, your religion or your faith.”
Trump said he is proud the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, which once protected abortion at the federal level. President Joe Biden is campaigning to have nationwide abortion protections restored.
“Donald Trump just endorsed every single state ban on reproductive rights nationwide,” Biden said in a response video. “If MAGA Republicans put a federal ban on his desk, he’d sign it. Donald Trump is the reason Roe was ended. If you reelect me, I’ll be the reason it’s restored.”
Many pro-life conservatives and Republicans have called for a federal abortion ban, so as the presumptive Republican nominee for president, some members of Trump’s party are criticizing his decision to back state-by-state restrictions and not a wholesale nationwide ban.
“Unborn children and their mothers deserve national protections and national advocacy from the brutality of the abortion industry,” Marjorie Dannenfelser, Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America president, said.
“President Trump’s retreat on the right to life is a slap in the face to the millions of pro-life Americans who voted for him in 2016 and 2020,” former Vice President Mike Pence said on X.
While it’s not the top issue for voters, in the recent past, Democrats credit abortion issues on ballots for several election victories. This year, Florida will vote on an amendment to its constitution to protect abortion rights just months after a six-week ban went into effect.
Biden has more money from fundraising, Trump has more small donor support
President Joe Biden is out fundraising former President Donald Trump this election season. Biden has about three times as much money on hand compared to Trump, but among small donors, Trump has more support.
Biden has raised $248 million compared to Trump’s $168 million. Not only is he raising more, Biden is also spending less than Trump on his campaign. Biden has spent $92 million, whereas Trump’s campaign spent $125 million.
Last month, Biden and the Democratic Party raised a combined $53 million. On Thursday, March 28, a major fundraising event for Biden featuring former Presidents Obama and Clinton at Radio City Music Hall is predicted to raise more than $25 million.
Comparatively, Trump and the Republican National Committee only raised $31 million in February.
While Trump’s campaign has less money overall, it has raised more money than Biden among small donors — people who donate any amount under $200.
Among this group, Trump out raised Biden by about $10 million in January and February. That pace looks different from what happened in 2020, where Biden raised more in small donations.
Trump is also pulling money from fundraising for expenses unrelated to his campaign, using some to cover legal fees.
According to a donor form reviewed by The Washington Post, of the money in Trump’s joint fundraising with the Republican Party, the first $3,300 someone donates goes towards the primary campaign. If the donation surpasses that amount, the next $3,300 goes to the general campaign.
The next $5,000 someone gives goes towards the “Save America” PAC, which pays for a portion of Trump’s legal fees. According to a Forbes review of filings from Save America, the PAC has spent nearly $50 million since Trump’s first indictment was announced.
So how much does money matter in the 2024 election?
In 2020, Biden’s campaign was the first ever to raise over $1 billion. That year, Trump raised $774 million and Biden won the election. However, in 2016, Hillary Clinton raised twice as much money as Trump and lost.
Todd, now serving as NBC News Chief Political Analyst, raised concerns about McDaniel’s credibility and potential conflicts of interest given her new role as a paid contributor.
“Because I don’t know what to believe,” Todd remarked, questioning whether McDaniel’s responses in a recent interview were influenced by her contractual obligations to NBC News. He highlighted the difficulty in discerning whether she was speaking for herself or on behalf of her payers, suggesting McDaniel still has credibility issues to address.
The hiring has reportedly caused discomfort among NBC News journalists, with Todd noting their previous experiences with the RNC involved “gaslighting” and “character assassination.” He emphasized the network executives owe Welker an apology, following her interview with McDaniel, which took place just minutes before Todd’s commentary.
It is common for news outlets to hire people with political backgrounds. Another example, NBC hired former White House press secretary Jen Psaki as a contributor for its politics coverage and as a host on MSNBC.
Welker, at the start of the show, informed viewers that McDaniel’s booking occurred weeks prior to NBC’s announcement on Friday, March 22, of her hiring. During the interview, McDaniel stated that individuals charged with attacking the Capitol on January 6 should not be released, contradicting former President Trump’s claims of potential pardons. Additionally, McDaniel acknowledged President Biden’s legitimate victory in the 2020 presidential election, while still mentioning there were voting issues.
Rep. Matt Gaetz subpoenaed in defamation lawsuit
Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., has been issued a subpoena for a deposition in a civil defamation lawsuit over allegations of sexual involvement with a minor. Initiated by Chris Dorworth, a close associate of Gaetz, the lawsuit focuses on a woman’s claim of involvement with Gaetz when she was 17 years old.
Attorneys for the woman, who is now in her 20s, have formally issued the subpoena to Gaetz, as reported by ABC News. The lawsuit stems from broader accusations leveled against Gaetz, encompassing sex trafficking claims thoroughly investigated by the Justice Department. In 2023, the DOJ concluded its investigation, deciding against filing any charges against the congressman.
Despite being cleared of charges by the DOJ, Gaetz faces ongoing challenges, including a congressional ethics investigation linked to the initial allegations. Gaetz has not shied away from political engagement amidst these controversies.
In a move that has drawn attention within Republican circles, Gaetz recently endorsed Brandon Herrera in the Texas Republican primary against the incumbent, Rep. Tony Gonzales. This endorsement comes in defiance of GOP leadership wishes. Gaetz’s active campaigning for Herrera in Texas has stirred discussions about party unity during a crucial election season.
Large percentage of Republicans support abortion rights, not top issue for most
As November approaches, voters are revealing their top issues ahead of the 2024 presidential election. The issue of abortion has garnered significant attention recently, however, a new poll by the Kaiser Family Foundation shows that just 12% of voters rate it as their top concern.
The same poll found that 43% of Republicans support abortion in “all or most” cases. While the issue of abortion has divided Americans along party lines, there has been a decline in its influence on voter turnout compared to the 2022 midterm elections.
In 2022, a similar KFF survey found that 24% of voters considered abortion rights their top priority. Now, the latest survey reveals that only 12% view it as their most important issue.
More voters were reportedly motivated by the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe v. Wade in 2022, leading to the issue of abortion rights being left to individual states.
During the 2022 midterms, Democrats maintained control of the U.S. Senate, while Republicans regained control of the U.S. House of Representatives with a slim majority.
According to KFF’s most recent poll, 66% of voters across party lines support guaranteeing a federal right to abortion, including 43% of Republicans.
“If you, the American people, send me a Congress that supports the right to choose, I promise you: I will restore Roe v. Wade as the law of the land,” Biden said.
Since Roe v. Wade was overturned, The New York Times reported that 21 states have implemented restrictions on abortion, while 26 states have expanded abortion rights. Three states have abortion bans currently held up in courts.
Despite differing views with GOP leadership, the new polling by KFF shows that very few Republican voters who support abortion rights are willing to vote against the Republican Party in 2024.
Oregon voters decriminalized drugs; now lawmakers are recriminalizing them
The first-in-the-nation law to decriminalize drug possession is in jeopardy. Oregon lawmakers passed a bipartisan bill Thursday, Feb. 29, that would recriminalize possession of narcotics such as opioids, cocaine and methamphetamine in the state.
According to The Associated Press, House Bill 4002 reintroduces criminal penalties of up to six months in prison and allows police to confiscate drugs in public places, like parks.
The change in Oregon comes four years after 58% of voters approved decriminalizing drugs in 2020. The law decriminalizing drugs — otherwise known as Measure 110 — reportedly pushed hundreds of millions of dollars from cannabis taxes into drug recovery and prevention services.
However, Measure 110 didn’t work as planned. A state audit revealed that the distribution of funds moved too slowly, and the infrastructure needed for more mental health services was never there. Federal data rated Oregon last in the nation in access to drug treatment due to “historic underinvestment.”
Under Measure 110, Oregon drug users would receive a $100 citation instead of facing criminal punishment, with an option to seek help at a drug treatment facility instead of paying the fine. However, there is no penalty for ignoring the citation, and state data reportedly shows that just 4% of people given a citation sought help.
Pressure has been building on lawmakers to act as overdose deaths increased in Oregon and across the U.S. According to Oregon Public Broadcasting, a number of researchers said there is not enough evidence to determine whether decriminalizing drugs impacted overdose deaths.
Meanwhile, Sen. Tim Knopp, R-Ore., told Fox News that voter-approved decriminalization did not work and declared the latest legislation a victory for Oregon voters.
“Instead of treatment that the voters thought they were going to get for their family and friends who are on drugs and are addicted, they ended up getting unbridled drug use, drug sales, all over our major cities across Oregon,” Knopp said.
Sen. Kayse Jama, D-Ore., opposes recriminalization efforts and argues that they will deepen racial disparities.
“This bill will have devastating impacts on communities of color and low-income Oregonians, burdening an already-strained justice system while failing to address the root causes of our addiction crisis,” Jama said.
Jama also claimed that the new rules would lead to more low-level criminal cases than public defenders in the state could handle.
“The governor will review the bill when it reaches her desk,” Elisabeth Shepard, Gov. Tina Kotek’s press secretary, said.
Kotek’s office did not address whether she plans to sign House Bill 4002 or not. Under state law, the governor will have 30 days to veto the bill.
Super Tuesday preview — more than a dozen states holding contests
Super Tuesday is here, with voters in more than a dozen states looking to make a difference in the presidential race. And Elon Musk has been dethroned as the world’s richest person. These stories and more highlight The Morning Rundown for Tuesday, March 5, 2024.
16 states holding contests on GOP, Democratic choice for President
Super Tuesday is underway across America, with the 2024 presidential race becoming clearer as more than a dozen states host contests. Former President Donald Trump, the GOP frontrunner, heads into the day bolstered by a Monday’s victory in North Dakota’s caucuses and a Supreme Court decision that rejected Colorado and other states’ attempts to remove his name from their ballots over the 14th Amendment’s insurrection clause. The justices ruled that such power resides with Congress, not the states.
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While Trump and President Joe Biden aim to edge closer to securing their party’s nominations, Trump’s primary GOP challenger, Nikki Haley, hopes today’s results will sustain her campaign. Despite winning only one primary so far, Haley has pledged to continue her campaign efforts but has made no commitments beyond Super Tuesday.
President Biden, on the other hand, might encounter opposition in some states as seen last week in Michigan, where a faction of Democrats voted ‘uncommitted’ to express their disapproval of his handling of the war in Gaza.
With over 850 Republican and more than 1,400 Democratic delegates at stake, Super Tuesday plays a critical role in the nomination process for both parties.
Supreme Court temporarily blocks new Texas immigration bill
This pause, effective until March 13th, will give the High Court time to review the case. The law, known as Senate Bill 4, was signed into effect by Governor Gregg Abbott in December.
A federal judge had already blocked the law last week, citing concerns that it could prompt states to create their own immigration regulations. A federal appeals court then ruled the law could take effect unless the Supreme Court intervened. Abbott has pledged to continue his efforts to protect Texas.
The Supreme Court’s decision came after the Biden administration raised alarms about the potential for the law to cause racial profiling and enhance state-controlled immigration enforcement.
Vice President Kamala Harris meets with Israel’s Benny Gantz on Gaza aid
Vice President Kamala Harris emphasized the need for Israel to boost its humanitarian efforts in Gaza amidst the conflict with Hamas, in a meeting with a top Israeli official at the White House on Monday, March 4. The meeting with Israeli War Cabinet member Benny Gantz came a day after Harris, in a speech in Alabama, labeled the conditions in Gaza as “inhumane” and called on Israel to do more to aid the people in the territory.
https://twitter.com/VP/status/1764774031343915115
During her discussion with Gantz, the vice president highlighted the situation in Rafah and stressed the importance of having a credible humanitarian plan before considering any major military operation in the border town. Rafah is home to approximately 1.5 million people, most of whom have been displaced from their homes elsewhere due to the fighting.
Gantz, who is a political rival to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, is expected to meet with Secretary of State Antony Blinken today.
Jack Teixeria pleads guilty; Air Force employee charged with sharing info
Massachusetts Air National Guardsman Jack Teixeira pleaded guilty on Monday, March 4, to leaking highly classified military documents on social media, accepting a plea deal that could result in a 16-year prison sentence.
In a separate but related case, a U.S. Air Force employee is expected to make a court appearance in Nebraska today after being accused of sharing classified defense information with a woman he met on a foreign dating platform. David Slater, a retired Army Lieutenant Colonel, could face up to 30 years in federal prison if convicted on all charges.
Both incidents involved the unauthorized release of classified details concerning the ongoing state of the Russia-Ukraine war.
Bitcoin hits record high amid rally following SEC approval
Bitcoin is witnessing a resurgence, reaching an all-time high of $68,791 on Monday, March 4, eclipsing its previous record set in November 2021.
This latest rally has been propelled by the Securities and Exchange Commission’s approval of Bitcoin exchange-traded funds (ETFs) earlier this year, enhancing the cryptocurrency’s accessibility to investors.
Bitcoin now represents more than half of all cryptocurrency in circulation, solidifying its position as the world’s leading digital currency.
Jeff Bezos surpasses Elon Musk to become richest person on Earth
Jeff Bezos, the founder of Amazon, has once again ascended to the top of the Bloomberg Billionaires Index, surpassing Elon Musk to reclaim the title of the world’s richest person.
Bezos’s net worth is currently valued at $200 billion, edging out Musk’s $198 billion, after he experienced a $31 billion decrease over the past year. Bezos last held this prestigious title in the fall of 2021, marking his return to the pinnacle of global wealth.
According to Oxfam’s annual inequality report, the net worth of the five wealthiest people on Earth has surged by 114% to a total of $869 billion, even after adjusting for inflation.