Rheinmetall CEO targeted in foiled Russian assassination attempt
U.S. and German authorities successfully disrupted a Russian plot to assassinate Armin Papperger, the CEO of Rheinmetall, according to reports from CNN and The New York Times. The major arms manufacturer supplies military equipment to Ukraine.
The attempted assassination is part of Russia’s broader strategy to undermine Western support for Ukraine by targeting significant figures in the defense industry.
Rheinmetall, Europe’s largest producer of ammunition, has been pivotal in strengthening Ukraine’s military response against Russian forces. The company plans to manufacture artillery rounds and armored vehicles within Ukraine.
The thwarted assassination attempt on Papperger is seen as a direct response to his company’s increased involvement in Ukraine. Rheinmetall’s upcoming projects include producing the Lynx infantry fighting vehicle and a substantial number of artillery rounds.
This incident reflects a broader pattern of aggressive Russian operations in Europe, which include sabotage, cyberattacks and disinformation campaigns. All of those attacks aim to weaken the resolve of NATO countries supporting Ukraine.
In response to these escalating threats, the White House and NATO officials have reinforced their commitment to safeguard their nations and continue their support for Ukraine. This includes increasing security measures and intelligence sharing among NATO members to prevent further Russian sabotage efforts.
Biden health concerns lead to 25th Amdt talk, lawmakers’ questions for WH staff
According to a new poll conducted for Newsweek, a majority of Americans, 51% of respondents, express openness to invoking the 25th Amendment to remove President Joe Biden from office, should his Cabinet deem it necessary. This sentiment extends beyond political opponents to include 41% of voters who supported Biden in the 2020 election.
The controversy surrounding Biden’s presidency has intensified since the June 27 debate. The debate also triggered the House Oversight Committee’s decision to issue subpoenas to several of the president’s top aides.
The committee, chaired by Rep. James Comer, R-Ky., seeks clarity on the roles and responsibilities assumed by first lady Jill Biden’s top aide Anthony Bernal, Deputy Chief of Staff Annie Tomasini and Senior Adviser Ashley Williams. This comes amidst concerns about Biden’s mental acuity.
“The Committee is concerned that Mr. Bernal appears to be one of several White House staffers who have taken it upon themselves to run the country while the president cannot,” Comer wrote in a letter. “To be clear, the American people did not elect Mr. Bernal or any White House staffer to do President Biden’s job for him.”
In response, the White House has dismissed these actions as political maneuvers.
“Like everything Congressman Comer has done over the past year, these subpoenas are a baseless political stunt intended for him to get media attention instead of engage in legitimate oversight,” Ian Sams, a White House spokesperson, said.
“The Committee seeks this information to explore whether the time has come for Congress to revisit potential legislation to address the oversight of presidents’ fitness to serve pursuant to its authority under Section 4 of the Twenty-Fifth Amendment,” Rep. Comer stated in his letter.
The 25th Amendment covers presidential disability and succession. It specifies who will take over if a president dies or resigns as well as what it would take for a president to be removed if they are “unable to discharge the powers and duties of his office.”
The poll findings highlight broader uncertainties within the Democratic Party about Biden’s leadership as the election approaches. In the same Newsweek poll, about 56% of Biden’s 2020 supporters also reportedly favor the president ending his campaign for reelection.
Biden’s physician responds to reports on Parkinson’s expert visits
President Joe Biden’s physician releases a letter as questions surround a Parkinson’s expert’s repeated visits to the White House. And former President Donald Trump’s deadline to pick a vice president nears with the Republican National Convention just days away. These stories and more highlight The Morning Rundown for Tuesday, July 9, 2024.
Biden’s physician responds to reports on Parkinson’s disease expert visits
Ever since President Joe Biden’s self-described “bad night” at the presidential debate, he and his team have had to field questions about his health. That was no different on Monday, July 8, when the concerns centered on a Parkinson’s disease expert who had recently visited the White House on several occasions.
According to public visitor logs, Dr. Kevin Cannard — a neurologist and “movement disorders specialist” from Walter Reed National Military Medical Center — visited the White House eight times in the eight-month span between July 2023 and March 2024, including a visit with the president’s personal physician.
White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre was asked repeatedly about the visits during Monday’s press briefing. Jean-Pierre said Biden has seen a neurologist three times as part of annual physicals but would not confirm much else, saying the White House medical unit serves multiple personnel along with the president.
“I can tell you this — just going back to Parkinson’s for a little bit, so, to give you some answers here: Has the president been treated for Parkinson’s? No. Is he being treated for Parkinson’s? No, he’s not,” Jean-Pierre told reporters. “Is he taking medication for Parkinson’s? No. So those are the things that I can give you full-blown answers on but I’m not going to confirm a specialist, any specialist that comes to come comes to the White House, out of privacy.”
Hours later, White House physician Kevin O’Connor released a letter addressing the issue, saying Dr. Cannard was “the neurological specialist that examined President Biden for each of his annual physicals,” including one in February that showed no signs of any neurological disorders. O’Connor also confirmed the president has not seen a neurologist outside of those physicals.
The president himself wrote a letter earlier in the day to Democrats in Congress amid growing calls for him to step aside, saying he is “firmly committed to staying in the race.” He added he “wouldn’t be running again if” he did not “absolutely believe” he was the “best person to beat Donald Trump.”
A defiant Biden joined MSNBC’s Morning Joe shortly after sending the letter, saying it’s the voters who chose him as the Democratic nominee, and he is not concerned about those calling for him to drop out of the race.
“I’m getting so frustrated by the elites — not you guys — the elites in the party, oh, they know so much more,” the president said. “Any of these guys that don’t think I should run, run against me. Announce for president, challenge me at the convention.”
Biden to host NATO summit, will take questions from media
President Biden will look to answer critics’ calls for him to step aside as he welcomes world leaders to Washington, D.C. for the NATO summit that begins Tuesday, July, 9. Leaders from more than 30 NATO countries, as well as partners Australia, Japan, New Zealand, South Korea, the European Union and Ukraine, will join the president to mark 75 years of the global alliance.
The summit will focus on supplying additional military and financial aid to Ukraine, including new steps to strengthen its air defenses. During the week, Biden will host an event with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and two dozen other leaders. He’ll also take part in his first bilateral meeting with new U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer.
On Thursday, July 11, the president will hold a press conference where he will take questions from the media.
Trump’s vice president search enters final days
Former President Trump is getting back on the campaign trail with a rally in Florida as the deadline to announce his pick for vice president looms. In an interview with Fox News’ Sean Hannity Monday, July 8 night, Trump did confirm Sen. J.D. Vance, R-Ohio, Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., Sen. Tim Scott, R-S.C., and North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum, R, are under consideration.
But as to when we’ll find out who the official pick is, it seems even the former president isn’t quite sure.
“I think probably within the next week, week and a half, probably sometime — I’d love to do it during the convention,” he told Hannity. “My people say that’s a little complicated. You know, in the old days, they would announce the vice president during the convention. Today, with modern day technology you can’t do things that you could’ve done 50 years ago very easily. But probably a little before the convention but not much. It could even be during the convention that we’ll do it. I’d love to do it during the convention. I think it would be a very interesting build up and important for the convention and would make it even more exciting.”
The Republican National Convention kicks off Monday, July 15, in Milwaukee.
At least 6 dead in Texas after Beryl, millions without power
At least six people have been confirmed dead and millions are without power after Hurricane Beryl made landfall in Texas as a Category 1 storm on Monday, July 8. Dozens of people across the state also had to be rescued from flood waters after Beryl dropped up to ten inches of rain in some areas and tornadoes could be spotted across the state.
Officials in Texas said it’ll take “several days” to restore power, but they should be getting a clearer timeline at some point Tuesday.
Since making landfall, Beryl has weakened to a tropical depression. It’s now moving toward Arkansas, but rain from the storm is expected to hit as far north as Detroit by Tuesday night then dump heavy rain in Vermont by Wednesday, July 10.
Jury selection begins in Alec Baldwin’s involuntary manslaughter trial
On Monday, a judge ruled jurors will not hear evidence related to his status as a producer on the film, only his role as an actor in the movie.
Baldwin admitted he was holding a prop gun when a live bullet discharged. He’d previously stated that he did not intentionally pull the trigger and that the gun “went off.”
If convicted, Baldwin faces up to 18 months in prison.
Price of Forever stamps to increase starting next week
The price of stamps is going up again. Starting on Sunday, July 14, one Forever stamp will cost 73 cents — up five cents from its current price.
US, Panama reach deal to shut down Darién Gap, launch deportation flights
Panama is taking decisive action to address migration challenges in the Americas. Newly inaugurated President José Raúl Mulino has committed to curbing the flow of migrants through the Darién Gap, a perilous jungle corridor linking South and Central America. It has become a key route for hundreds of thousands of migrants heading to the U.S.
In a landmark move, Mulino’s administration signed a bilateral agreement with the United States. Panama will increase its border security and shut down the route. In exchange, the U.S. will finance the repatriation of migrants entering Panama illegally.
“I won’t allow Panama to be an open path for thousands of people who enter our country illegally, supported by an international organization related to drug trafficking and human trafficking,” Mulino said during his inauguration.
The Darién Gap is notorious for its dense jungle and lawlessness, making it a dangerous yet popular route for migrants. To strengthen Panama’s ability to enforce its immigration laws, the U.S. will provide logistical and technical assistance, including equipping and training Panamanian officials.
For migrants set to be removed, the U.S. will cover the cost of charter or commercial flights, though the government has not shared the price tag for these tickets.
The White House said its focus is on reducing illegal crossings while respecting the rights and safety of individuals.
“By returning such individuals to their country of origin, we will help deter irregular migration in the region and at our Southern border, and halt the enrichment of malign smuggling networks that prey on vulnerable migrants,” the Biden administration said is a press release.
More than 170,000 migrants crossed the Darién Gap in the first five months of this year, according to Panama’s migration agency. This figure is 2% higher than the nearly 167,000 who made the same journey last year, indicating that 2024 could once again set new records.
Biden looks to solidify support from Democrats after debate
The White House released President Joe Biden’s next plans to reassure concerned Democrats after last week’s debate. And July 4 holiday travelers are expected to break records on the road amid soaring temperatures. These stories and more highlight The Morning Rundown for Wednesday, July 3, 2024.
Biden looks to solidify support from Democrats after debate
President Joe Biden and his team are taking this holiday week to reassure supporters that his decision to remain in the presidential race is the right one after his performance during the June 27 debate left some in his party questioning his candidacy. During a campaign fundraiser event in Virginia Tuesday, July 2, Biden blamed his poor performance on jet lag from back-to-back European trips, telling donors that “he wasn’t very smart” that he “didn’t listen” to his staff.
Reports also said Biden added that he almost “fell asleep during the debate.” To what extent the president was joking is not clear.
Previously, Biden’s campaign had said the president had a cold going into the debate.
On Wednesday, July 3, the president will speak with Democratic governors and party leaders as he looks to calm their fears. The White House reportedly will also be holding an all-staff meeting which the Associated Press describes as a “morale-booster.”
Biden has also agreed to sit down for an interview ABC News on Friday, July 5.
White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said the administration really wants to turn the page on this topic with Biden heading to Wisconsin and Pennsylvania in the coming days, but that didn’t stop reporters from pressing the issue.
“I think the American people need to get a yes or no answer on this: Does President Biden, at 81 years old, have Alzheimer’s any form of dementia or degenerative illness that would cause these sorts of lapses?” Andrew Feinberg, a reporter with The Independent, said. “And it’s a yes or no question and if you don’t know, why don’t you, as one of his senior staff members, know?”
Jean-Pierre fired back, “I have an answer for you. Are you ready for it? It’s a ‘no’ and I hope you’re asking the other guy the same exact question.”
This all comes as some members of the Democratic party are calling for Biden to step aside.
“I thought it was time for me to speak up, not for any self-gain, but because I think the risk to our country is so great we need to have the strongest candidate possible in order to ensure that the values that we hold for our democracy are not traded for an authoritarian strongman bent on revenge against his opponents,” Doggett told NBC News.
In a Newsweek opinion column, former Ohio congressman and presidential candidate Tim Ryan promoted the idea for Vice President Kamala Harris to replace Biden on their party’s ticket.
Speaking to CBS News after leaving a fundraiser in California, the vice president confirmed President Biden remains the Democratic nominee.
“Look, Joe Biden is our nominee,” Harris said. “We beat Trump once and we’re going to beat him again. Period.”
Harris added, “I am proud to be Joe Biden’s running mate.”
Judge delays sentencing in Trump criminal case
Former President Donald Trump’s sentencing in his New York criminal trial has been pushed back to at least September. The judge’s decision came out Tuesday, July 2, a day after the U.S. Supreme Court handed the former president a big win, ruling he has some immunity from being criminally prosecuted on charges of attempting to overturn the 2020 election.
Trump’s sentencing in New York was originally scheduled for next Thursday, July 11. Now, the judge overseeing the trial says Trump will be sentenced on Sept. 18 “if such is still necessary.”
That’s an “if” because Trump’s lawyers say the Supreme Court ruling should not only delay the sentencing but lead to tossing out his conviction completely.
Trump took to his social media platform Truth Social after the decision came down, saying the Supreme Court’s decision awarded him “total exoneration” in this and other criminal cases he faces.
Trump became the first former president to be convicted of a felony in May, when a Manhattan jury found him guilty of 34 counts of falsifying business records.
The Supreme Court’s decision has cast doubt on Special Counsel Jack Smith’s indictment of Trump on election subversion charges, and a trial before the November election is highly unlikely now.
Giuliani disbarred in New York for 2020 election interference efforts
Former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani has been disbarred in New York after a Manhattan appeals court found he repeatedly made false statements about former President Trump’s loss in the 2020 election. The court said Giuliani “flagrantly misused” his position.
Giuliani, once a legal adviser to Trump, has been banned from practicing law in “any form” in New York. Giuliani’s lawyer said his legal team was disappointed by the court’s decision.
Island-wide emergency declared in Jamaica ahead of Beryl
As Hurricane Beryl hurtles toward Jamaica, the country’s prime minister preemptively declared the whole island a disaster area. He’s also instated an island-wide curfew for Wednesday, July 3.
Beryl has been downgraded to a Category 4 storm now, but it’s already caused at least six deaths in the Caribbean.
Beryl is forecast to weaken more as it gets closer to Jamaica, but is still expected to be a major hurricane — at least a Category 3 — when it hits, bringing life-threatening winds and storm surge.
Eli Lilly’s drug has been shown in clinical trials to slow a decline in memory and thinking abilities in people in the early stages of the disease. The drug, which will be sold in the coming weeks under the brand name Kisunla, is an infusion given every four weeks that targets a protein buildup in the brain — considered to be the main indicator of Alzheimer’s.
According to the Alzheimer’s Association, an estimated 6.7 million people in the U.S. 65 and older were living with Alzheimer’s last year. That number’s expected to increase to 13.8 million by 2060.
Watch for heat, rain, busy roads this July 4 holiday
The July 4 holiday is almost here, and while people get set to celebrate America’s independence, they may find themselves having to face two separate issues — the weather and the roads. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) said the brief break from the heat in the eastern U.S. is over, with heat and humidity pushing through New England.
In California and portions of the southwest, triple-digit temperatures are expected throughout the holiday week. Meanwhile in the Midwest, NOAA said rain could spoil the cookouts.
Then there’s the jam-packed roadways. AAA projects a record 60.6 million people will drive over the July 4 week. That’s nearly 3 million more than last year and would surpass 2019’s pre-pandemic levels, when around 55 million traveled by car.
Supreme Court to hear challenge to ban on gender-affirming care for minors
On Monday, June 24, the U.S. Supreme Court announced it will review the constitutionality of Tennessee’s prohibition on gender-affirming care for minors. This case marks the first opportunity for the high court to decide on such restrictions, which have been enacted in 23 states since 2021.
Additionally, some states limit care for transgender adults, and several conservative states have pending legislation to completely ban gender-affirming care. The central question is whether these bans constitute sexual discrimination.
Tennessee’s ban on puberty blockers, hormone therapy, and transgender surgeries for adolescents and teens has led to numerous legal challenges, prompting the Biden administration to encourage the Supreme Court to address the issue.
The White House highlighted that inconsistent rulings in lower courts have created significant uncertainty for approximately 100,000 transgender minors.
A federal appeals court allowed the bans in Tennessee and Kentucky to proceed, while Florida is contesting a federal judge’s decision that prevents the enforcement of state restrictions on gender-affirming care.
“The absence of the Court’s intervention means that families in Tennessee and other states where laws like SB1 are in effect will be deprived of critical medical care,” the Justice Department said in its appeal to the Supreme Court.
Advocacy groups supporting transgender youth have urged the Supreme Court to invalidate Tennessee’s ban on gender-affirming care.
“The matter is clear: All individuals are entitled to the medical care they require, and this includes transgender and non-binary youth,” Kelley Robinson, the president of the Human Rights Campaign, told CNN. “Politicians should not interfere with decisions that should be made by families and doctors, especially when such care is necessary and considered best practice.”
Tennessee Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti said that he looks forward to defending the law at the Supreme Court, adding that the decision will provide “much-needed clarity” on whether the Constitution provides “special protections for gender identity.”
Person appears to faint from heat during White House press briefing
The record-breaking heatwave hitting the U.S right now is more than just sweltering — it’s downright dangerous. A scare at the White House in the middle of a daily press briefing is highlighting just how dangerous heat can be, even indoors.
White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre stepped off the podium Tuesday, June 18, after someone can be heard saying, “We have an emergency.” Jean-Pierre then went to check the person who appeared to have overheated, before she returned to the briefing. “Does anybody need water?” she asked the reporters in attendance, agreeing that it was hot in the briefing room.
AccuWeather is reporting the high temperature reached 94 degrees in Washington Tuesday, June 18. It’s also expected to get hotter as the week goes on, with the National Weather Service predicting a potential high of 99 degrees by Saturday, June 22.
The heat in D.C. is part of a bigger heatwave sweeping over the eastern U.S. right now. Meteorologists say around 270 million people will experience temperatures at or above 90 degrees this week.
The heat is not the only big severe weather event facing the U.S. right now. At least one person has been confirmed dead in New Mexico as two wildfires continue to burn.
The fires forced thousands to quickly flee their homes and fire officials say more than 500 structures have been destroyed by those fires so far.
However, forecasters said incoming cooler weather and the chance of rain could bring some relief this week to firefighters battling the blazes.
The Texas coast is under a tropical storm watch as what could soon become the first named storm of the 2024 Atlantic hurricane season approaches. The National Hurricane Center said heavy, potentially flooding rain is expected, with as much as 15 inches possible.
Putin, Kim sign comprehensive partnership agreement in North Korea
Russian President Vladimir Putin receives a grand welcome from North Korean leader Kim Jong Un as the two leaders strengthen their partnership. And tense moments during the White House briefing as someone appeared to faint as dangerous temperatures grip the nation’s capital. These stories and more highlight The Morning Rundown for Wednesday, June 19, 2024.
Putin, Kim sign comprehensive partnership agreement in North Korea
Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un signed a comprehensive partnership agreement on Wednesday, June 19, strengthening the ties between the two countries as Putin visits the north for the first time in 24 years. Putin was welcomed by Kim with a lavish ceremony filled with music and cheering crowds around midday local time.
The two then headed off for a summit where Putin thanked Kim for the North’s support in Russia’s war with Ukraine, adding Moscow is fighting the “imperialist policy” of the United States and its allies. In reply, Kim promised “full support and solidarity” to Russia in what he calls Russia’s “special military operation” in Ukraine.
The two leaders sat down for a two-hour meeting before signing the partnership agreement. Putin said the agreement includes a pledge that the nations help each other if either one is attacked.
The two countries are strengthening their relationship as both face multiple global sanctions — North Korea over its weapons program and Russia over the conflict in Ukraine.
U.S. officials believe North Korea is providing weapons to Russia in the war. Both Russia and North Korea deny those allegations.
U.S. soldier sentenced to nearly 4 years in Russian penal colony
A U.S. soldier has been sentenced to nearly four years in a Russian penal colony after being found guilty by a Russian court of stealing money from his girlfriend and threatening to kill her. Army Staff Sgt. Gordon Black was sentenced to three years and nine months Wednesday.
The judge also ordered black to pay 10,000 rubles (about $115) in damages.
According to Russian media, Black partially admitted guilt to theft charges but not to the threats.
Black’s case is just the latest to go to sentencing in a string of Russian arrests of Americans, including two the U.S. has declared as wrongfully detained: former Marine Paul Whelan and Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich.
Person appears to faint from heat during White House press briefing
The record-breaking heatwave hitting the U.S right now is more than just sweltering — it’s downright dangerous. A scare at the White House in the middle of a daily press briefing is highlighting just how dangerous heat can be, even indoors.
White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre stepped off the podium Tuesday, June 18, to check on someone who appears to have overheated, before returning to the briefing.
AccuWeather is reporting the high temperature reached 94 degrees in Washington Tuesday. It’s also expected to get hotter as the week goes on, with the National Weather Service predicting a potential high of 99 degrees by Saturday, June 22.
The heat in D.C. is part of a bigger heatwave sweeping over the eastern U.S. right now. Meteorologists say around 270 million people will experience temperatures at or above 90 degrees this week.
The heat is not the only big severe weather event facing the U.S. right now. At least one person has been confirmed dead in New Mexico as two wildfires continue to burn.
The fires forced thousands to quickly flee their homes and fire officials say more than 500 structures have been destroyed by those fires so far.
However, forecasters said incoming cooler weather and the chance of rain could bring some relief this week to firefighters battling the blazes.
The Texas coast is under a tropical storm watch as what could soon become the first named storm of the 2024 Atlantic hurricane season approaches. The National Hurricane Center said heavy, potentially flooding rain is expected, with as much as 15 inches possible.
Los Angeles school district moves to ban cell phones during school day
People saying, “Back in my day, we weren’t using cell phones in school” may soon see that as a reality because of a case in the second-largest school district in America.
The Los Angeles Unified School District board moved forward with a plan Tuesday, June 18, to ban cell phones all day on campus. They said the devices distract students from learning, lead to anxiety and allowed cyberbullying.
“I’ve been struck in prior years just how our students are glued to their cellphones, not unlike adults,” school board member Nick Melvoin said. “They’re surreptitiously scrolling in school, in class time, or have their head in their hands, walking down the hallways. They’re not talking to each other or playing at lunch or recess because they have their AirPods in.”
The ban could soon spread even further. California Gov. Gavin Newsom, D, vowed Tuesday to severely restrict the use of phones during the school day statewide.
The move comes on the heels of the U.S. Surgeon General’s op-ed in the New York Times Monday, June 17, calling on Congress to approve “tobacco style” warnings on social media.
Nvidia becomes most valuable company in the world
Move aside Microsoft and Apple — Nvidia is now the most valuable company in the world. Propelled by its role in artificial intelligence, the computer chipmaker jumped to the top on Tuesday.
The company’s share price rose more than 3%, giving the company an overall market valuation of $3.34 trillion.
Nvidia controls approximately 80% of the market for chips used to power AI systems.
In the first quarter of the year, the company saw its revenue rise to $26 billion — up from $7 billion from 2023.
Baseball great Willie Mays passes away at 93
The baseball world is mourning the loss of one of the most legendary players of all time: Willie Mays. Mays passed away Tuesday in the Bay Area at 93 years old.
Nicknamed the “Say Hey Kid,” Mays spent 22 seasons in the big leagues, the majority with the Giants — both in New York and San Francisco.
He was part of the 1954 World Series championship team, highlighted by his over-the-shoulder catch during Game 1. That catch is considered to be the greatest in baseball history.
Among those remembering Mays is baseball Hall of Famer Derek Jeter, who called Mays “one of the best ever to play the game and even a better person.”
One of the best to ever play the game and even a better person. Thoughts and prayers are with Willie’s family and loved ones. https://t.co/kiyCbfBqOi
Trump targets Black voters with attack on Biden immigration policy
President Joe Biden is flying high coming off his G7 trip to Italy. He flew straight to LA where he raised $30 million Saturday, June 15, at a star-studded fundraiser attended by George Clooney, Julia Roberts, Barbara Streisand and other celebrities.
Tickets ranged from $250 to $250,000. The night included a 40-minute conversation with the president and former President Barack Obama, moderated by comedian Jimmy Kimmel. All the money raised will be used to hire staffers, open new offices and pay for advertisements.
During the event, President Biden talked about the importance of the Supreme Court and said it’s likely whoever wins in November will appoint two more justices. He said to prevent Donald Trump from appointing two more conservative justices, elect him, not Trump.
“He’s already appointed two that have been very negative in terms of the rights of individuals,” Biden said. “The idea that if he’s reelected he’s going to appoint two more flying flags upside down. The Supreme Court has never been as out of kilter as it is today.”
In the current political climate, every step the president takes on camera is analyzed for signs of aging and Saturday night was no different.
The White House is rebutting a New York Post report claiming Biden appeared to freeze up at the end of the event and had to be led off stage by Obama.
The report is based on this video posted on X by reporter Chris Gardner. In the video, Obama grabs the president’s wrist and puts his arm around him as they walk off.
The White House said the president was taking a moment to enjoy an applauding crowd.
“Rupert Murdoch’s sad little super pac, the New York Post, is back to disrespecting it’s readers & itself once again,” deputy press secretary Andrew Bates said in a statement. “Their ethical standards could deal with a little unfreezing.”
Donald Trump also hit the campaign trail this weekend and made his case to a group that is vital to President Biden’s reelection: Black voters in Michigan.
Trump was in Detroit where he criticized Biden’s immigration policy. He said the record immigration under President Biden has disproportionately hurt the Black community.
“They’re coming into your community and they’re taking your jobs,” Trump said during a roundtable at an African American church in Detroit. “They’re affecting the African Americans and then after that the Hispanic Americans more than any other group.”
The outlet Bridge Michigan explained why Trump would visit such a Democratic stronghold.
“Trump’s campaigning in the predominantly Democratic city shows that Michigan is crucial in the race for the White House — and Republicans’ belief that he can make inroads in Black voters skeptical of President Joe Biden,” the outlet reported. “Recent polls suggest some slippage in Black voter support for Biden. In a close race, a few thousand votes could make a big difference.”
As Trump campaigns, he’s also vetting running mates. The Republican National Convention, where Trump will formally accept the nomination, begins on July 15. It’s reported that there are four potential vice presidents on a shortlist: North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum, R, former Rep. Tulsi Gabbard, D-Hawaii, businessman Vivek Ramaswamy and Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla.
19.5% pay raise for junior enlisted troops faces White House opposition
A bipartisan push in Congress that aims to provide junior enlisted troops with a 19.5% pay raise is facing a significant obstacle: the White House. The proposal, which supplements the 4.5% raise requested by President Joe Biden in his budget, would grant junior enlisted troops an additional 15% pay increase. The estimated cost of this raise over the period from 2025 to 2029 is $24.4 million.
The House Armed Services Committee overwhelmingly approved the pay raise as part of the 2024 National Defense Authorization Act. Committee Chair Mike Rogers, R-Ala., emphasized that the package is grounded in research conducted by the Bipartisan Quality of Life Panel in collaboration with the Defense Department.
Rogers expressed concern about military families relying on food banks, SNAP and WIC to put food on the table. According to the Servicemember Compensation Report, 25% of service members face food insecurity and their pay has not kept pace with inflation since 2020.
The White House Budget Office reaffirmed its commitment to service members and their families but opposes making a significant, permanent change to the basic pay schedule before the Pentagon completes its quadrennial compensation review.
In January, service members received a 5.2% basic pay increase, the largest since 2003, according to the Biden administration. Rogers criticized Biden for holding off on making the change.
“Instead of supporting this commonsense proposal, President Biden is once again turning his back on our service members,” Rogers said. “I believe wholeheartedly that the brave Americans who serve in our armed forces shouldn’t have to worry about making ends meet, unfortunately, President Biden doesn’t feel the same.”
Rep. Adam Smith, D-Wash., highlighted the struggles of junior enlisted troops in affording housing costs. He praised the proposed pay hike as a bold step to support service members, which would aid recruitment and retention efforts.
The House of Representatives will likely vote on the defense bill on Friday, June 14. The Senate is also working on similar legislation.