Trump visits Republicans on Capitol Hill, says he wants to eliminate taxes on tips
Former President Donald Trump visited Capitol Hill Thursday, June 13, to meet with House and Senate Republicans in two separate meetings. Lawmakers inside the room told Straight Arrow News that Trump discussed his 2024 campaign strategy and policy.
“We have great unity, we have great common sense, a lot of very smart people in this room and a lot of people that love our country,” Trump said after his meeting with senators.
Lawmakers were quick to talk about the former president’s new idea to end taxes on tips.
“Just remove all taxes on tips is basically what he said,” Rep. Tim Burchett, R-Tenn., said. “You don’t need a bunch of Harvard lawyers and accountants in there to tell me to do that.”
The former president also spoke about foreign policy. According to one representative, Trump said he wants to end support for foreign wars, specifically Ukraine, and increase financial support for members of the U.S. military.
“Trump reflected on the fact that it is a travesty in our country that you’ve got troops who are on food stamps, who are not even getting minimum wage when you look at the hours that they’re putting in, and he lamented the fact that we’re sending $60 billion to Ukraine and we’re not paying our troops more,” Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., said. “So President Trump was explicitly a critic of the Ukraine aid and a supporter of the increases in pay for American troops.”
On border security, Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga., said Republicans would make another attempt to get HR 2 signed into law. That bill is the Republicans’ border security bill which they passed in the House but could not move any further. The bill would limit the Department of Homeland Security’s ability to grant immigrant parole and restart border wall construction. However, it also included other measures that critics called harsh.
“We’ve already passed HR 2, our border security plan,” Greene said. “President Trump supports it. I think that would be something that he would get passed literally in his first few days of office.”
Amidst the tight security, there were two small groups of Trump supporters and very loud protesters. Many of the protesters were Palestinian and shouted that the lawmakers were racist Zionists as they left the meeting.
This was Trump’s first time back to the Capitol since the riot on Jan. 6, 2021. Some Democrats criticized his appearance.
“Today, the instigator of an insurrection is returning to the scene of the crime,” Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., told Politico. “January 6th was a crime against the Capitol, that saw Nazi and Confederate flags flying under the dome that Lincoln built. It was a crime against the Constitution and its peaceful transfer of power, in a desperate attempt to cling to power.”
Multiple reporters from foreign outlets asked lawmakers if they too think Trump was returning to the scene of a crime.
“No, it’s not a crime scene man,” Burchett said. “If you think some guy with horns is going to take over our country, ma’am, you need to go back to whatever news source you’re from.”
Republicans also said Trump will be holding at least 100 tele-town halls for members this election season as the GOP attempts to keep its House majority and win a majority in the Senate.
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.
Special counsel Hur says classified docs report doesn’t exonerate Biden
Special counsel Robert Hur defended his description of President Joe Biden’s memory during a hearing with the House Judiciary Committee Tuesday, March 12. Hur, who investigated Biden’s handling of classified information and declined to criminally charge him, had to fend off accusations of political bias during the hearing.
“My assessment and the report about the relevance of the president’s memory was necessary, and accurate and fair,” Hur told the committee. “I did not sanitize my explanation, nor did I disparage the president unfairly.”
In a list of reasons as to why he decided not to charge Biden for having classified documents in his home and personal office, one sentence has received more attention than the rest of the 388-page report.
“We have also considered that, at trial, Mr. Biden would likely present himself to a jury, as he did during our interview of him, as a sympathetic, well-meaning, elderly man with a poor memory,” the report stated.
Democrats called that description gratuitous.
“You’re doing everything you can do to get President Trump reelected so that you can get appointed as a federal judge or perhaps to another position in the Department of Justice,” Rep. Hank Johnson, D-Ga., said to Hur.
“Congressman, I have no such aspirations,” Hur responded. “I can assure you and I can tell you that partisan politics had no place whatsoever in my work.”
“You made a choice,” Rep. Adam Schiff, D-Calif., said to Hur. “That was a political choice. It was the wrong choice.”
“What you are suggesting is that I shape, sanitize, omit portions of my reasoning and explanation to the attorney general for political reasons,” Hur answered.
The Hur report noted that Biden shared classified information with, Mark Zwonitzer, the ghostwriter for his books “Promise me, Dad” and “Promises to Keep.”
Committee Chairman Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, speculated that could be a reason to keep the classified documents.
“Mr. Hur, how much did President Biden get paid for his book?” Jordan asked.
“Off the top of my head, I’m not sure if that information appears in the report,” Hur said.
“It sure does,” Jordan responded. “There’s a dollar amount in there. You remember?”
“I don’t. It may be $8 million,” Hur answered.
“$8 million,” Jordan said. “Joe Biden had 8 million reasons to break the rules. Took classified information and shared it with the guy who was writing the book. He knew the rules but he broke them for $8 million in a book advance.”
Republicans also claimed Biden received more lenient treatment than Donald Trump, who also had classified documents at his Mar-a-Lago residence. Trump is facing 37 charges, including violations of the Espionage Act, conspiracy to obstruct justice and making false statements.
“Biden and Trump should have been treated equally,” Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., said. “They weren’t. And that is the double standard that I think a lot of Americans are concerned about.”
Democrats highlighted differences between the Biden and Trump cases.
“The president allowed your team to seize and review all of the notebooks you found, is that correct?” Zoe Lofgren, D-Calif., asked.
“That is correct,” Hur answered.
“Now that’s in stark contrast to ex-President Trump’s case,” Lofgren said. “He obstructed and diverted all the investigations.”
Democrats also played a video montage of Trump making the same types of gaffes Biden is known for and repeatedly saying “I don’t remember” in depositions.
They also contend that Trump was more careless with the classified documents found at his home compared to Biden.
“We know that he stored that information around Mar-a-Lago in the craziest places — on the ballroom stage, spilled across the floor of an unlocked closet, next to the toilet,” Rep. Jerry Nadler, D-N.Y., said.
However, when Rep. Pramila Jayapal, D-Wash., said the report exonerated the president, Hur interrupted to say it did not.
Jordan out as speaker nominee, Republicans starting from scratch
Rep. Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, is out as the GOP nominee for speaker of the House and Republicans will start the process from scratch. In a secret ballot Friday afternoon, Oct. 20, Republicans voted 112 – 86 that they did not want Jordan to remain as the speaker designee, so he removed himself from the running.
Republicans now have until noon on Sunday, Oct. 22, to declare their candidacy. Multiple members already said they are entering the race, including Rep. Kevin Hern, R-Okla.
“People and their interests are the same,” Hern told reporters. “They want to be heard, they want to be valued and certainly we’ll work hard to do that.”
Other declared candidates include Rep. Jack Bergman, R-Mich., Rep. Byron Donalds, R-Fla., and Rep. Austin Scott, R-Ga.
My hat is in the ring, and I feel confident I can win the votes where others could not. I have no special interests to serve; I’m only in this to do what's best for our Nation and to steady the ship for the 118th Congress. https://t.co/PlAPGakWTk
Scott told reporters that the Republican conference needs to heal deep wounds.
“They’re gonna have to be healed or the Democrats are going to end up controlling the House,” Scott said. “And we can’t allow the Democrats to have the House, the Senate and the presidency. And that is their ultimate goal.”
Other names being considered or floated include Budget Committee Chairman Jody Arrington, R-Texas, and Rep. Mike Johnson, R-La.
A candidate forum is scheduled for Monday night, Oct. 23, and a vote to choose the nominee is scheduled for the next morning. By that time, the House will have gone three full weeks without a speaker.
“What history will look at, the crazy eights led by Gaetz, the amount of damage they have done to this party and to this country is insurmountable,” Rep. Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., said. “Really, it’s astonishing to me and we are in a very bad position as a party.”
Former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) says party is in a very bad place after GOP votes against Jordan as their nominee: “I’m concerned about where we go from here.” pic.twitter.com/uSNPkwGLej
President Biden sent a $106 billion emergency funding request to Congress Friday. It would provide support for Ukraine, Israel, the Indo-Pacific region and border security. But it can’t be approved until the House elects a speaker.
The clock is ticking.
Rep. Ann Wagner
Lawmakers went home for the weekend. They have expressed a sense of urgency to get a speaker elected but said it’s important to give potential candidates the proper time to talk it over with their families and make phone calls to solicit support.
“The clock is ticking.” Rep. Ann Wagner, R-Mo., said. “And people, along with the members of this Republican conference, are growing impatient. We’ve got such a talent pool in our conference. I hope that a number of names will come forward.”
Democrats renewed their calls for Republicans to find a bipartisan speaker. They suggested possibly elevating a speaker pro tempore, which does not have to be Rep. Patrick McHenry, R-N.C.
“There are many good men and women on the Republican side of the aisle who I believe are patriotic, they care about America, they care about our democracy, they care about the communities that they represent, who would be reasonable individuals to consider,” House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., said.
Gaetz willing to be expelled from Republican conference if it helps Jordan
The eight Republicans who led the charge to oust former Speaker Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., said they are willing to be expelled from the Republican conference as punishment if that’s what it takes to get the Republicans who don’t support Rep. Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, to vote for him for speaker. Here’s what they said:
Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla.
“So we’ve made them an offer. The eight of us have said that we are willing to accept censure, sanction, suspension, removal from the Republican conference. We of course will remain Republicans, we will continue to vote with Republicans on Republican principles. But if what these holdouts need is a pound of our flesh, we’re willing to give it to them in order to see them elect Jim Jordan for speaker.”
Rep. Bob Good, R-Va.
“We believe what we did was right, we stand behind what we did. We believe the Republican Party, the Republican conference needs to change. Congress needs to change. However, if we’re the reason that the conference can’t come together and elect our speaker-designee, then we’re willing to submit ourselves to whatever consequence.”
Rep. Tim Burchett, R-Tenn.
“This is not about us, this is bigger than us. That’s why we’re offering ourselves on this thing. I think that needs to be made clear. It’s not about the 435, it’s about the eight of us saying this is what we’ll do.”
Jordan lost support on a third round of ballots Friday — 25 Republicans voted against him compared to 22 during the second round.
Former President Donald Trump endorsed Rep. Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, for House speaker by way of a Truth Social post on Thursday, Oct. 5. The speaker role recently became available after a vote to oust Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., was taken earlier in the week, an initiative spearheaded by Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla.
In his post, Trump said Jordan “has my complete & total endorsement.”
Before leaving office in January 2021, Trump awarded Jordan the Presidential Medal of Freedom. The award is described by the White House as the “nation’s highest civilian honor, presented to individuals who have made especially meritorious contributions to the security or national interests of the United States, to world peace, or to cultural or other significant public or private endeavors.”
Since McCarthy was removed as speaker, Republicans have been trying to find new leadership as the vacated role must be filled before the House can get back to business as usual. Without a speaker, the House cannot pass any bills like those needed to avoid a government shutdown.
Another Republican putting his weight behind Jordan for speaker is Rep. Troy Nehls, R-Texas, who wrote in part on social media, “I fully support Jim Jordan for Speaker of the House.”
According to the Constitution, to become speaker, a member of the House must be nominated by another member and be chosen by a full majority vote. In this case, with two vacant seats in the House, to become speaker a candidate must earn 218 votes.
What’s next for House after McCarthy ousted as speaker: The Morning Rundown, Oct. 4, 2023
What’s next for the House now that Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., has been voted out as speaker? A shooting on a college campus leaves several injured as the suspect remains on the loose – these stories and more highlight The Morning Rundown for Wednesday, Oct. 4, 2023.
McCarthy voted out as speaker in historic vote
For the first time in U.S. history, the speaker of the House has been voted out of office. By a vote of 216 to 210, with eight Republicans joining all the Democrats in the chamber, Kevin McCarthy was ousted from his position on Tuesday, Oct. 3.
Shortly after the vote, McCarthy announced he would not run for speaker again.
“So I may have lost the vote today, but as I walk out of this chamber, I feel fortunate to have served the American people. I believe I can continue to fight, maybe in a different manner. I will not run for speaker again. I’ll have the conference pick somebody else,” McCarthy said during a press conference.
Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., was at the forefront of the effort to remove McCarthy, accusing him of breaking promises to conservatives to cut spending. Now, with McCarthy out of the picture, the House moves into unchartered territory.
While Republicans plan to vote on a new speaker on Oct. 11, Congressman Patrick McHenry, R-N.C., has been appointed temporary speaker after his name was on top of a succession list McCarthy provided earlier this year in the event of his vacancy.
The process to nominate a new speaker could be a lengthy one, as seen back in Jan. when it took 15 rounds for McCarthy to be elected.
Reports: Fulton County defendants approached about plea deals
As the civil fraud trial of Donald Trump continues in New York, reports are coming out concerning another case involving the former president. Citing multiple sources, outlets like ABC News and CNN say several defendants in the Fulton County, Georgia, election interference case are receiving plea deal offers or have been approached about potentially making a deal by the district attorney’s office.
Last week, one of the 19 charged in the case was the first to accept a deal. Scott Hall, a bail bondsman, received five years of probation in exchange for testifying against the other co-defendants. Hall pleaded guilty to five misdemeanors.
The other defendants named in the racketeering indictment, including the former president, have all pleaded not guilty. A spokesperson for Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis declined to comment on the plea deal reports.
5 injured in shooting at Morgan State University
A suspect remains on the loose after a shooting at Morgan State University in Baltimore Tuesday night that left five people injured and sent students running for safety. The victims, four men and one woman, ranging in age from 18 to 22, were taken to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
According to police, four of those injured are students from Morgan State, a historically Black university in a residential area of the city.
The shooting occurred outside a student dorm building during a homecoming event. Those on campus were told to shelter in place as authorities searched the building. Hours later, police lifted the order, and said the active shooter situation was believed to be over, though no arrests were made.
The Federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives is assisting Baltimore police in the investigation and the search for the shooter.
21 killed in fiery bus crash near Venice, Italy
At least 21 people were killed and 18 others injured when a bus crashed off an overpass near Venice, Italy, on Tuesday. The impact resulted in the bus catching fire.
City officials say the bus was carrying 40 foreign tourists on their way to a campground when it veered off the elevated street and fell close to railway lines in Mestre.
Venice Mayor Luigi Brugnaro called the crash scene “apocalyptic” in a post on X, declaring a state of mourning for the city. Firefighters worked late into the night, looking through wreckage to make sure no passengers remained trapped.
Officials say two children were among those killed and warned the death toll could rise as several injured remain hospitalized in critical condition. The cause of the crash has yet to be determined.
Army announces overhaul of its recruitment efforts
The Army is headed to college as part of a new recruitment plan announced Tuesday as it looks to reach its recruiting goals. The Army said it fell about 10,000 recruits short of its goal of adding 65,000 in the past fiscal year that ended Saturday.
As part of its new recruitment efforts, the branch will not only actively recruit high school graduates but also potential candidates on college campuses using digital job boards and will also participate in large career fairs.
Army Secretary Christine Wormuth told the Associated Press they are not abandoning the high school market “by any means,” but the hope is by the year 2028 that, one-third of recruits will have more than a high school diploma, rather than the one-fifth currently.
The Army will be creating a professional recruiting workforce by using a new aptitude test to identify soldiers who have the best potential to be successful recruiters.
Michael Jordan becomes first professional athlete on Forbes 400
Michael Jordan, the former NBA superstar who broke numerous records during his playing days, has earned another first: becoming the only professional athlete ever to make the Forbes 400, the annual list ranking the wealthiest Americans.
According to Forbes, Jordan, who became a billionaire in 2014, is now worth $3 billion, and his place on the list was cemented with the sale of the Charlotte Hornets in August. The 60-year-old Hall of Famer had been the majority owner of the Hornets since 2010, when he purchased the team for $275 million.
However, Jordan just made the list. As the publication notes, the current cutoff to make it onto the Forbes 400 stands at $2.9 billion.
Topping the list are Tesla and X owner Elon Musk, with a net worth of $251 billion, and Amazon founder Jeff Bezos at $161 billion.
Trump attends his NY civil fraud trial: The Morning Rundown, Oct. 3, 2023
Former President Donald Trump attends the opening of his civil fraud trial in New York. And an alert about an important message headed to your cell phone. These stories and more highlight The Morning Rundown for Oct. 3, 2023.
Trump attends civil fraud trial in New York
“This is the continuation of the single greatest witch hunt of all time.”
Former President Donald Trump spoke Monday, Oct. 2, outside a New York City courtroom as he attended the opening of his civil trial where the state attorney general is seeking at least $250 million in fines and a ban on Trump from doing business in New York. Attorney General Letitia James is accusing the former president, his eldest sons and his organization of deceiving banks and misstating his wealth for years.
In opening remarks, lawyers for James said Trump had been lying year after year to get the company better loan rates. Trump’s lawyers argued the financial statements in question are legitimate.
In his remarks outside the courtroom, Trump called the trial a “scam” and “sham.” When asked why he voluntarily attended the proceedings, the Republican frontrunner for the 2024 presidential race responded, “Because I want to watch this witch hunt myself. I’ve been going through a witch hunt for years but this is really now getting dirty – between Jack Smith and between all these DOJ people helping them along. This is a pure witch hunt for purposes of interfering with the elections of the United States of America.”
Last week, the presiding judge ruled Trump had committed fraud in his business dealings. The former president, who is expected to testify in the trial, has denied any wrongdoing.
Gaetz looks to oust McCarthy as speaker
As we mentioned on The Morning Rundown on Oct. 2, Republican Rep. Matt Gaetz said he would try to remove Kevin McCarthy from his position as speaker of the House, and he’s now taking the first step to do so. Gaetz introduced a motion to vacate on Monday, and per house rules, it must be voted on within two days.
Gaetz has been critical of the speaker’s leadership saying the final straw was McCarthy bringing a short-term stopgap funding bill to prevent a government shutdown to the floor which had the support of more Democrats than Republicans. Needing a majority of votes, Gaetz said if his initial efforts fail, he would attempt to remove McCarthy again.
If McCarthy was to be voted out, he would be the first speaker to be removed from the position in this fashion.
McCarthy responded to Gaetz’s move with a post on the social media site X, saying “Bring it on.”
Texas Congressman Henry Cuellar was a victim of an armed carjacking on Monday night. According to a statement from Cuellar’s office and news reports, the robbery happened around 9:30 p.m. near his residence in the Navy Yard area of Washington, D.C. as he was parking his car, about a mile from the U.S. Capitol.
His office said three armed suspects approached the congressman and stole his vehicle. He was unharmed.
Cuellar’s vehicle was recovered by police a short time later. There is no word on any arrests.
The latest data from D.C. police shows there have been 750 carjackings as of Sunday, Oct. 1. Seventy-five percent of those incidents involved guns.
Trial of FTX founder set to begin
Jury selection is set to begin in New York City on Tuesday in the criminal trial of FTX founder Sam Bankman-Fried, who is charged in what federal prosecutors call one of the biggest frauds in U.S. history.
Prosecutors allege the 31-year-old crypto entrepreneur embezzled billions of dollars from thousands of FTX customers to fund his other enterprise, a crypto hedge fund, and defrauded the investors by covering up his scheme. Bankman-Fried has pleaded not guilty to all charges.
With another trial scheduled to begin in March, he faces more than 100 years in federal prison if convicted on all counts.
FTX, once valued at more than $30 billion, filed for bankruptcy last November. Bankman-Fried was arrested the following month at his apartment in the Bahamas. He is currently being held in a detention center in Brooklyn.
Cell phones, TVs, radios to receive emergency alert
Now we want to alert you about an upcoming alert so you won’t be alarmed. Cell phones, televisions and radios will be receiving an emergency alert Wednesday, Oct. 4, as part of a nationwide test conducted by FEMA and the Federal Communications Commission.
The test will occur at 2:20 p.m. ET.
A text message sent to all cell phones that are on and within range of an active cell tower will read: “This is a test of the National Wireless Emergency Alert System.” Phones will also receive a distinctive tone.
Another test message, lasting approximately one minute will be sent to all televisions and radios, saying in part, “This is a nationwide test of the Emergency Alert System…this is only a test. No action is required by the public.”
Paris is known as a tourist destination but the French government is speaking out against some unwanted guests that have been on the rise lately — bedbugs.
With just 10 months to go before the opening of the Summer Olympics, reports have been widespread of the bugs being found in hotels, vacation rentals, movie theaters and most recently on trains. France’s transport minister says he is taking action to reassure and protect the public from the insects’ growing numbers, announcing a meeting this week with several public transport operators.
A report by the French Agency for Food, Environmental and Occupational Health and Safety said there are two main reasons behind the surge of bedbugs in the city: an increase in tourism and a greater resistance to insecticides.
The deputy mayor of Paris is warning against “hysteria” over the issue, adding there is no threat to next summer’s Olympic Games.
Shutdown averted but Congress faces new challenges: The Morning Rundown, Oct. 2, 2023
With a government shutdown averted for now, Congress faces new challenges. And an A-list celebrity is putting out a warning about artificial intelligence. These stories and more highlight The Morning Rundown for Monday, Oct. 2, 2023.
Congress passes stopgap funding bill to avert shutdown; McCarthy is called out
Congress was able to avert a government shutdown by passing a stopgap funding bill late Saturday, Sept. 29, 2023. A shutdown would have meant millions of federal employees not being paid, but, for now, that is not the case. The bill, signed by President Joe Biden before the deadline hit, funds the government through Nov. 17, meaning Congress will have to find a way to pass another funding bill in just a matter of weeks.
This stopgap bill first passed the Republican-led House where it found more support from Democrats than Republicans in a 335 to 91 total vote. While the bill increases federal disaster assistance by $16 billion, the amount Biden was seeking, it does not provide any additional aid to Ukraine which was a White House priority opposed by many Republicans.
On Sunday, Oct. 1, the president pressed Congressional Republicans to back a bill for that very cause, saying he expected Speaker Kevin McCarthy to keep his commitment to secure the funding.
“We’re going to get it done. I can’t believe those who voted for supporting Ukraine, the overwhelming majority of the House and Senate, Democrat and Republican, will, for pure political reasons, let more people die needlessly in Ukraine,” Biden said.
When asked by CNN, McCarthy’s office declined to say whether he gave the president any confirmation on a future Ukraine deal. Meanwhile, McCarthy is facing opposition from his own party over the bill that had majority support from Democrats. Representative Matt Gaetz of Florida said on Sunday that he would try to remove the speaker from his leadership position.
“Speaker McCarthy made an agreement with House conservatives in January and since then he’s been in brazen, material breach of that agreement. This agreement that he made with Democrats to really blow past the spending guardrails we had set up is a last straw,” Gaetz said.
Gaetz announced he would be filing a motion to vacate the chair. McCarthy has responded – saying, “So be it. Bring it on. Let’s get over with it and let’s start governing.”
Trump says he will attend opening of NY civil fraud trial
“I’m going to court tomorrow morning to fight for my name and reputation,” Trump posted on Truth Social on Sunday.
Security preparations were already underway in case the former president was to make an appearance.
The case was brought last year by New York Attorney General Letitia James against Trump, his eldest sons and his companies accusing them of inflating the former president’s net worth.
Last week, the judge overseeing the case issued his first ruling in favor of the attorney general, finding Trump liable for fraud. The judge said Trump misrepresented his wealth to banks for decades for as much as $3.6 billion.
According to court records, Trump is expected to be called as a witness later in the trial.
Newsom to appoint Butler to fill Feinstein’s seat
California Governor Gavin Newsom has announced his choice to fill the Senate seat of late Democratic Senator Dianne Feinstein, the longest-serving female senator in U.S. history who passed away last week at the age of 90.
The governor has chosen Laphonza Butler, the president of EMILYs List, a committee that works to elect Democratic women, and a former adviser to Vice President Kamala Harris.
Newsom issued a statement late Sunday night, after news of the appointment broke, saying Butler “represents the best of California and…will carry the baton left by Senator Feinstein, continue to break glass ceilings, and fight for all Californians in Washington D.C.”
The governor had previously said that he would fill any Senate vacancy with a Black woman. Butler would become the third Black woman to serve in the Senate’s history.
Newsom said the choice is an interim appointment and he would not select any of the candidates who are running to succeed Feinstein in 2024. They include Reps. Barbara Lee, Adam Schiff and Katie Porter.
The Supreme Court begins its new term Monday. The nine justices, six conservative and three liberal, are prepared to tackle several major issues over the next nine months including gun rights, social media, the power of federal agencies, electoral districts and, perhaps, abortion pills.
On Oct. 31, the court will hear arguments concerning whether the First Amendment prohibits public officials from blocking critics on social media sites like Facebook and X.
On Nov. 7, a case will be presented to the court on whether a federal law barring people under domestic violence restraining orders from owning a gun violates the Second Amendment’s right to keep and bear arms.
In addition, the Biden administration has asked the justices to hear its appeal to a ruling by the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in New Orleans on barring telemedicine prescriptions and shipments by mail of the abortion pill mifepristone.
Federal student loan payments resume after 3-year pause
Federal student loan payments resumed on Sunday, Oct. 1, after a three-year pause due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Interest on the loans began accruing again on Sept. 1.
Borrowers will receive a bill saying how much they owe each month, at least 21 days before their due date. There is a yearlong grace period to help borrowers – meaning missed or late payments in the next 12 months won’t be reported to the credit bureaus, but interest will continue to accrue.
Borrowers also have the option to sign up for the new income-driven repayment program, called SAVE, which was announced after the Supreme Court struck down the Biden administration’s loan forgiveness plan. According to the Education Department, the SAVE plan will help the typical borrower save more than $1,000 per year on payments.
If you need more information on your loans, you can log onto the studentaid.gov.
Tom Hanks warns ‘beware’ AI version of himself
Oscar-winner Tom Hanks sent a warning to his fans not to believe everything they see. He posted to Instagram on Sunday an image seemingly of himself but with the caption: “Beware!”
It turns out it was not an actual photo of the “Forrest Gump” actor, but a computer-generated one made from artificial intelligence.
Hanks’ caption went on to explain further, saying, “There’s a video out there promoting some dental plan with an AI version of me. I have nothing to do with it.”
Hanks has previously spoken about the challenges actors face when it comes to AI on a podcast earlier this year.
“I could be hit by a bus tomorrow and that’s it, but performances can go on and on and on and on. Outside of the understanding of AI and deepfake, there’ll be nothing to tell you that it’s not me and me alone. and it’s going to have some degree of lifelike quality. That’s certainly an artistic challenge but it’s also a legal one,” Hanks said on The Adam Buxton Podcast.
The interview was done months before Hollywood actors went on strike in July, with artificial intelligence being one of its key issues. SAG-AFTRA and the Alliance of Motion Picture Television Producers are expected to meet Monday for the first formal bargaining talks.
Our business correspondent Simone Del Rosario has a series on the rise of artificial intelligence and what the future holds for the technology.
Members of Congress still get paid during government shutdown
The federal government employs more than 2 million civilian employees and 1.4 million active duty military service members who do not get paid during a government shutdown. But members of Congress, who make $174,000 a year, continue receiving their regular salary.
That’s because Congress members’ compensation is written directly into the Constitution.
Congressional leadership earns even more than rank-and-file members. House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., makes $223,500, while party leaders in both chambers earn $193,400. President Biden’s $400,000 salary works the same way; he’ll keep getting paid, too.
Straight Arrow News asked members if they should continue receiving paychecks during a shutdown.
“No,” said Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., said.
“Me neither,” Rep. Dan Bishop, R-N.C., added.
“No,” Rep. Juan Ciscomani, R-Ariz., said..
Every lawmaker had an opportunity to put their money where their mouth is earlier in September when Rep. Angie Craig, D-Minn., introduced the McCarthy Shutdown Act. The act would have withheld member pay during an ongoing shutdown — it didn’t pass.
“It’s ridiculous that we still get paid while folks like TSA workers are asked to work without a paycheck,” Craig said in a statement.
During the 35-day shutdown from December 2018 to January 2019, more than 100 members of Congress rejected pay. They donated it to nonprofit organizations or told congressional administrators to withhold it.