Hunter Biden is indicted on nine tax-related charges as a special counsel’s investigation into the president’s son continues. And, a judge grants an emergency order allowing a pregnant woman to get an abortion in Texas. These stories and more highlight The Morning Rundown for Friday, Dec. 8, 2023.
Based on the facts and the law, if Hunter’s last name was anything other than Biden, the charges in Delaware, and now California, would not have been brought.
Abbe Lowell, Hunter Biden’s attorney
Hunter Biden indicted on 9 tax-related charges
Hunter Biden was indicted on nine tax-related charges in California on Thursday, Dec. 7, as a special counsel investigation continues into the business dealings of the president’s son. The nine charges, three felonies, and six misdemeanors, brought by special counsel David Weiss, alleged Hunter Biden failed to file and pay taxes and also filed a false return to evade an assessment.
According to the special counsel’s team, Hunter Biden “engaged in a four-year scheme to not pay at least $1.4 million” while spending millions on “an extravagant lifestyle.”
The 56-page indictment read: “Between 2016 and Oct. 15, 2020, Hunter Biden spent money on drugs, escorts and girlfriends, luxury hotels, rental properties, exotic cars, clothing, and other items of personal nature, in short, everything but his taxes.”
Hunter Biden faces a maximum penalty of 17 years in prison if convicted.
The tax-related charges are in addition to federal firearm charges filed in Delaware that allege Hunter Biden was in possession of a gun while using narcotics. He pleaded not guilty to those charges in October following the collapse of a plea deal.
In response to the new charges, Hunter Biden’s attorney, Abbe Lowell, released a statement that read in part:
“Based on the facts and the law, if Hunter’s last name was anything other than Biden, the charges in Delaware, and now California, would not have been brought.”
The White House has declined to comment on Thursday’s Dec. 7 indictment. An official said the White House learned of the charges from reporting and did not get advanced notice.
Report: White House considering new asylum restrictions for Ukraine aid
The Biden administration is considering backing new restrictions on who can seek asylum in America as the president looks to secure additional aid for Ukraine and Israel, according to a new report from Reuters.
A source familiar with the discussions told Reuters on Thursday, Dec. 7, that the White House would be open to heightening the standard for initial asylum screenings. In addition, the source said the administration would consider some form of a “safe third country” provision, denying asylum to migrants who pass through another country on the way to the U.S.
With only a week left before Congress departs for Christmas break, the White House is trying to come to an agreement with Senate Republicans over Ukraine aid while confronting the rising numbers of migrants crossing the U.S. border illegally.
Earlier this week, Senate Republicans blocked the $110 billion emergency package requested by the president, arguing it failed to address stricter border security measures. According to a White House spokesperson, “The president has said he is open to compromise.”
Judge grants emergency order allowing Texas woman to get an abortion
A Texas judge ruled in favor of a woman who says she is in need of an abortion after her fetus was diagnosed with a genetic abnormality that typically leads to a miscarriage, stillbirth, or death soon after birth. Texas law bans abortions under nearly all circumstances, bans that went back into place following the Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe v. Wade in June 2022.
Under Texas law, anyone who performs an abortion could face felony charges punishable by a sentence of up to life in prison. In this case, 31-year-old Dallas mother Kate Cox, who is 20 weeks pregnant, filed for a temporary restraining order that would block the state’s abortion ban. A judge granted the emergency order on Thursday, Dec. 7.
In arguing for her case, attorneys for the Dallas mother said she has already undergone two cesarean sections for her two children. On top of her fetus’ diagnosis, they said another C-section could put her at risk of serious medical issues.
Still, even with Thursday’s Dec. 7 ruling, the Texas attorney general has threatened that anyone who performs the abortion would be prosecuted and could face civil and criminal liability under Texas abortion laws.
Son of U.S. Senator charged with manslaughter after death of deputy
The son of Sen. Kevin Cramer, R-N.D., has been charged with manslaughter after a police chase ended in a high-speed crash killing a deputy in North Dakota.
We ask the public for prayers for the lost officer’s family and colleagues who serve us every day and are grateful for all they do for us.
Sen. Kevin Cramer, R-N.D.
Ian Cramer, 42, was charged on Thursday, Dec. 7, one day after police allege he attempted to flee from authorities, leading them on a chase hitting speeds over 100 miles per hour.
According to police, the chase began after Ian Cramer’s mother brought him to the hospital over concerns about his mental health. Ian Cramer took the car and crashed through a door to get out of an enclosed ambulance bay.
According to charging documents, during the chase, North Dakota deputy Paul Martin laid out a tire deflation device and took cover behind his squad car. Ian Cramer, who had already been driving on flat tires, crashed head-on into Martin’s squad car, pushing it into Martin and launching the deputy about 100 feet, killing him.
Ian Cramer is set to make his first appearance in court on Friday, Dec. 8.
“We ask the public for prayers for the lost officer’s family and colleagues who serve us every day and are grateful for all they do for us,” Sen. Cramer said in a statement.
House committee launches probe after college presidents’ testimonies
The House Education Committee has launched an investigation into Harvard, MIT, and the University of Pennsylvania following a hearing this week where lawmakers questioned the universities’ presidents about the rise of antisemitism on their campuses amid the war between Israel and Hamas.
Members of Congress were dissatisfied with the three presidents’ responses, especially to questions on disciplining student protesters calling for the genocide of Jews. The committee called their testimony “absolutely unacceptable.”
House GOP Conference Chair Elise Stefanik announced the investigation Thursday, Dec. 7, and said the three presidents’ responses were “morally bankrupt.”
After receiving backlash from the hearing, Harvard released a post on social media explaining President Claudine Gay’s stance.
“Let me be clear: calls for violence or genocide against the Jewish community, or any religious or ethnic group are vile, they have no place at Harvard, and those who threaten our Jewish students will be held to account,” the post read.
Penn President Liz Magill released a video message to clarify her remarks. She called for a review of the university’s policies and said that such language would be considered “harassment or intimidation.”
Meanwhile, the University of Pennsylvania board of trustees held an emergency meeting on Thursday, Dec. 7, as advisors with Penn’s Wharton School of Business called for a leadership change following Magill’s testimony.
‘Project Menorah’ goes viral amid rise in antisemitism
Friday, Dec. 8, is the first day of Hanukkah for Jews worldwide. The joyous celebration comes amid a rise in antisemitic acts in the U.S. and the world since the Oct. 7 Hamas terror attack on Israel.
A story published on Thursday, Dec. 7, in the Wall Street Journal focused on how American Jews are grappling with how to express themselves amid the acts of hate and the ongoing war. One grassroots movement looks to answer that question while bringing communities together.
It’s called “Project Menorah.” It was started by a single father in California whose 6-year-old son asked if they could decorate their home for Hanukkah.
Adam Kulbersh said he was reluctant to do so due to the rise in antisemitism. When he shared his story with his friend, Jennifer Marshall, who is not Jewish, she had an idea and told him she’d put a menorah on her window to show “you are not alone.”
The movement has since gone viral on social media, with Kulbersh saying he’s hearing about “Project Menorah” from people all over the U.S. and France, Australia, Germany, England, and other countries. Those who want to participate can go out and purchase a menorah or print one from the “Project Menorah” website.
