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☆ Exclusive: DOJ civil rights leader says she was a victim of abuse in extraordinary statement
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-01 | by ( Hannah Rabinowitz | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

CNN —The leader of the Justice Department’s civil rights division, Kristen Clarke, said in an extraordinary personal statement shared with CNN that she was a victim of years-long domestic abuse and chose not to disclose an expunged arrest record from that period during the Senate confirmation process. “Nearly 2 decades ago, I was subjected to years-long abuse and domestic violence at the hands of my ex-husband,” Clarke wrote in the statement on Wednesday. “This was a terrorizing and traumatizing period that I have sought to put behind me to promote my personal health, healing and well-being. “When given the option to speak about such traumatic incidents in my life, I have chosen not to,” Clarke wrote. Clarke said she has brought her “personal experience and perspective of being a survivor of domestic violence” to her work.

Persons: Kristen Clarke, “, ” Clarke, Republican Sen, Tom Cotton, Clarke, ” Sen, Mike Lee, ”, CNN’s Devan Cole Organizations: CNN, Justice, Republican, The Daily, Utah Republican Locations: Utah

☆ Biden administration restores protections for gay and transgender Americans seeking health care
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-27 | by ( Avery Lotz | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

CNN —The Biden administration announced a new rule Friday expanding safeguards against potential discrimination of gay and transgender Americans seeking medical care, in a reversal of Trump-era limitations that nixed federal health protections for members of the LGBTQ+ community. In a set of expansive new rules unveiled by the Department of Health and Human Services, the department moved to advance civil rights protections for patients by barring health providers and insurers receiving federal funding from discriminating against those seeking care on the basis of gender identity or sexual orientation. The HHS rule restores Obama-era protections for transgender patients that the Trump administration rolled back in 2020 — a move that was condemned by LGBTQ+ advocacy and human rights organizations. The finalized rule comes as access to gender-affirming care for transgender youth has been tangled in political controversy, with more than 20 states in recent years attempting to restrict youth access to such care. The Biden administration in 2021 announced its intention to protect transgender Americans from health care discrimination through Section 1557 and Title IX regulations, citing a 2020 Supreme Court ruling that affirmed federal civil rights law bars discrimination against gay, lesbian and transgender workers.

Persons: CNN —, Trump, Obama, “, Xavier Becerra, Barack Obama, ”, Biden, Kelley Robinson, Harris, CNN’s Devan Cole Organizations: CNN, Biden, Department of Health, Human Services, HHS, Affordable, Trump, Congress, Human Rights

☆ Your questions about Trump’s immunity claim at the Supreme Court, answered
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-24 | by ( Zachary B. Wolf | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +14 min

The US Supreme Court, after refusing to hear the claim on an expedited basis, took up the case after a lower court tore Trump’s immunity claim to shreds. We asked for your questions about the immunity claim, some of which I’ve tried to answer below with help from CNN’s reporting and Supreme Court reporters. When Smith asked justices to expedite the case and consider Trump’s immunity claim before an appeals court, they declined. If Trump’s immunity claim is upheld by the Supreme Court, what can anybody or any government body do to challenge the decision? MichaelThe Supreme Court is the final word on legal matters, so there is no higher authority to overrule its decision.

Persons: Donald Trump, Trump, I’ve, Chris, CNN’s, Joan Biskupic, Jack Smith, Donald Trump’s, Biden, Here’s, Thomas, Jan, Greg, Clarence Thomas, John Eastman, Gilbert None, Trump – Neil Gorsuch, Brett Kavanaugh, Amy Coney Barrett –, he’ll, Randall, Smith, it’s, Shouldn’t, Gore, John, Devan Cole, ” Cole, Cole, Juan Here’s Biskupic’s, Nixon, Fitzgerald, Richard Nixon, ”, It’s, acquit, ’, Curt Trump’s, George Washington’s, Nixon’s, Gerald Ford, Ford, Michael, Charles, SCOTUS, Sheryl, Massachusetts Nobody, convicting, Joe, Johnson Organizations: CNN, US, Trump, DC, DC Circuit, Supreme, Iowa Trump, White, House, Department Locations: Iowa, Arizona, Bush, California, Colorado, Brady, United States, New Jersey, New York, Georgia, The, York, Washington , DC, Massachusetts, Mississippi

☆ Key players in Trump’s hush money trial
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-15 | by ( Kaanita Iyer | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

CNN —Donald Trump’s criminal New York hush money trial begins Monday, more than a year after the former president was indicted in the case. Stormy DanielsAdult-film star Stephanie Clifford, better known as Stormy Daniels, received a $130,000 payment just days before the 2016 presidential election. Michael CohenThe $130,000 payment to Daniels was made by Cohen, then Trump’s personal attorney, who landed in federal prison over that transaction for breaking campaign finance laws. Cohen, now a critical witness, has said that Trump directed him to make the payment to Daniels. Judge Juan MerchanNew York Supreme Court Judge Juan Merchan, who is known for maintaining control of his courtroom even when his cases draw considerable attention, will preside over this case.

Persons: Donald Trump’s, Donald Trump, Trump, ” Trump, Stephanie Clifford, Stormy Daniels, Daniels, Michael Cohen, Cohen, he’s, David Pecker, Pecker, Karen McDougal, Hope Hicks, Hicks, Attorney Alvin Bragg, Alvin Bragg, Bragg, Juan Merchan, Steve, Trump’s, Allen Weisselberg, Merchan, Sydney Kashiwagi, CNN’s Devan Cole, Kara Scannell, Lauren del Valle, Jeremy Herb, Marshall Cohen, Kaitlan Collins Organizations: CNN, Prosecutors, Trump, American Media Inc, National Inquirer, AMI, Manhattan, Attorney, Juan Merchan New, Trump Organization, Democratic Locations: York, Manhattan

☆ Texas’ controversial immigration law has become a blueprint for other states
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-14 | by ( Catherine E. Shoichet | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +14 min

It’s likely to face legal challenges, which means its implementation could be delayed or even blocked in court, like the Texas law that inspired it has been so far. In addition to Iowa’s new law, Cid says several recent immigration proposals in the state failed to clear the legislature. This bill gives Iowa law enforcement the power to do what he is unwilling to do: enforce immigration laws already on the books. A similar trend unfolded after Arizona passed a controversial immigration law in 2010, says Anand Balakrishnan, a senior staff attorney at the American Civil Liberties Union’s Immigrant Rights Project. Estefania Mondragon, executive director of PODER of Idaho, hopes a proposed immigration law won't pass there.

Persons: CNN — Maria, “, Acosta, ”, ” Acosta, they’ve, Maria Acosta, It’s, Erica Johnson, Enya Cid doesn’t, Cid, she’s, wouldn’t, they’ve “, Enya Cid, Todd Bailey, who's, ” Cid, “ I’ve, “ We’re, ‘ Let’s, ’, Kim Reynolds, who’s, Joe, Biden, ” Reynolds, Iowa's, Donald Trump, Greg Abbott, Sergio Flores, Anand Balakrishnan, ” Balakrishnan, ‘, Estefania Mondragón, who’ve, PODER, Estefania Mondragon, Mondragón, ” Mondragón, what’s, Fabiola Schirrmeister, that’s, Charlie Neibergall, Johnson, I’m, CNN’s Devan Cole, Alisha Ebrahiji, Alexandra Ross Organizations: CNN, ”, Iowa Migrant Movement for Justice, National Conference of State Legislatures, Iowa Migrant Movement, Grand View University, Iowa, View University, University of Iowa, Republican, Democratic, Iowa Gov, Republicans, GOP, Texas Gov, Bloomberg, Getty, American Civil Liberties, state’s Senate, The Associated Press Locations: Iowa, ” Iowa, Texas, Des Moines, Mexico, Arizona, New Mexico, Idaho , Kansas , Louisiana , Missouri, South Carolina, Mississippi, West Virginia, Mission , Texas, United States, ’ In Idaho, PODER of Idaho, Idaho, state’s

CNN —Former President Donald Trump and several of his co-defendants in the Georgia election subversion case are appealing a judge’s ruling that let Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis remain on the election subversion case. The defense attorneys on Friday asked the Georgia Court of Appeals to overturn Judge Scott McAfee’s initial decision that allowed Willis and her office continue to pursue the case but only if Nathan Wade, the special prosecutor with whom she had a romantic relationship, resigned. While Wade has since left the case, defense attorneys still want the appellate court to disqualify the entire Fulton County DA’s office. “DA Willis has covered herself and her office in scandal and disrepute, as she has squandered her credibility and repeatedly and flagrantly violated the heightened ethical standards demanded of her position,” the appeal states. However, the judge added, “Georgia law does not permit the finding of an actual conflict for simply making bad choices – even repeatedly.”The district attorney’s office declined to comment.

Persons: Donald Trump, Fani Willis, Judge Scott McAfee’s, Willis, Nathan Wade, Wade, Trump, “ DA Willis, flagrantly, McAfee, ” McAfee, CNN’s Devan Cole Organizations: CNN, Trump Locations: Georgia, Fulton, Fulton County

☆ If Peter Navarro goes to prison, he’ll hear the lions roar
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-18 | by ( Katelyn | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

“Not only can you hear the lions … you can hear the lions roar every morning,” said Sam Mangel, Navarro’s prison consultant. Navarro is still appealing, asking the Supreme Court to intervene before he turns himself in on Tuesday morning. Another Trump adviser, Steve Bannon, has also been sentenced to four months in prison for contempt of Congress related to the same investigation, but his prison report date is on hold as he too pursues appeals. Mangel said Navarro will have to take classes and get a job inside the prison. US Federal Bureau of PrisonsDOJ asks Supreme Court to reject Navarro’s last-ditch effortThe Justice Department asked the Supreme Court on Monday to reject Navarro’s last-ditch effort to avoid reporting to prison.

Persons: Peter Navarro –, –, Navarro, “, ”, Sam Mangel, ” Mangel, Steve Bannon, ” Stanley Brand, doesn’t, Mangel, Navarro “ acclimate, He’ll, Navarro’s, Elizabeth Prelogar, meritless ”, ” Prelogar, ” CNN’s Devan Cole Organizations: CNN, Trump White House, White House, of Prisons, Trump, White, Congress, Prisons, US Federal Bureau of Prisons, FCI Miami, US Federal Bureau of, DOJ, Justice Department Locations: Miami, Puerto Rico

☆ Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s family dissents after award in her name is given to Elon Musk and Rupert Murdoch
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-15 | by ( Tierney Sneed | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

CNN —The family of the late liberal Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg wants her name pulled off an award after the foundation in charge of doling it out named SpaceX CEO Elon Musk and conservative media mogul Rupert Murdoch among this year’s recipients. In addition to Musk and Murdoch, lifestyle icon Martha Stewart, actor Sylvester Stallone and financier Michael Milken are also recipients of the award. The Ginsburg award “celebrates leaders who have demonstrated extraordinary accomplishments in their chosen fields,” according to an announcement by the foundation on Wednesday. “Justice Ginsburg fought not only for women but for everyone,” said Julie Opperman, chair of the foundation, in a statement accompanying the announcement this week. Barbra Streisand receives The Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg Woman of Leadership Award on July 1, 2023 in Malibu, California.

Persons: Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Elon Musk, Rupert Murdoch, Ginsburg’s, Ginsburg, ”, Trevor Morrison, Murdoch, Martha Stewart, Sylvester Stallone, Michael Milken, “, Barbra Streisand, “ Justice Ginsburg, Julie Opperman, Stewart, ” Murdoch, Kevin Mazur, Dwight D, Morrison, CNN’s Devan Cole Organizations: CNN, SpaceX, Opperman, ”, New York University School of Law Locations: Malibu , California

But McAfee’s 23-page opinion was a scathing rebuke of the district attorney’s actions, and it remains unclear if Trump will face trial before November on his actions after the 2020 presidential election. McAfee ruled that either Wade or Willis would have to leave the case, as an “odor of mendacity remains” over the circumstances of their relationship. “A perceived conflict in the reasonable eyes of the public threatens confidence in the legal system itself,” McAfee wrote Friday. “An outsider could reasonably think that the District Attorney is not exercising her independent professional judgment totally free of any compromising influences. As long as Wade remains on the case, this unnecessary perception will persist,” McAfee wrote.

Persons: Scott McAfee, Fani Willis, Donald Trump –, Nathan Wade, Willis, Wade, It’s, Trump, McAfee, ”, Mike Roman, Willis ’, ” McAfee, Willis wasn’t, Willis –, SADA, untruthfully, Wade “, “, Will Wade, there’s, –, ” CNN’s Devan Cole Organizations: CNN, White House, Trump, Manhattan District, US, Attorney, District, District Attorney, ” Locations: Fulton County, Georgia, Washington, New York, –, reimbursements, Atlanta

☆ Takeaways from Robert Hur’s testimony on Biden’s mishandling of classified documents
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-12 | by ( Jeremy Herb | Marshall Cohen | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +8 min

which found evidence Biden willfully retained classified materials but that the evidence did not rise to the level of proof beyond a reasonable doubt. And he took on criticism directly over his inclusion of the state of Biden’s memory. On the Republican side, lawmakers pressed Hur on why he didn’t charge Biden despite the evidence of classified documents in Biden’s possession. “In short, to borrow a phrase from the last administration, the Hur report represents the complete and total exoneration of President Biden,” Nadler said. Hur found some evidence that Biden willfully retained classified materials after he left the Obama White House.

Persons: Robert Hur, Joe Biden’s, Hur, Biden, Donald Trump, Jim Jordan’s, Jerry Nadler, Jordan, misremembering, Trump, Viktor Orbán, ” Nadler, Jacquelyn Martin, AP Hur, ” Hur, “, Robert Mueller, Mueller, Eric Swalwell of, ” Swalwell, isn’t, ”, Hank Johnson, Adam Schiff, ” Schiff, didn’t, I’m, ’ ”, Tom McClintock, Joe Biden, Biden “, Obama, “ Joe Biden, he’s, Mr, ” Jordan, Nadler, Biden’s, CNN’s Devan Cole, Hannah Rabinowitz, Holmes Lybrand, Evan Perez Organizations: Committee, Republicans, Biden, Trump, Rep, Department of Justice, Capitol, Democratic, Georgia Democrat, ”, California Democrat, Senate, Republican, California Republican, Democrat, Ohio Republican, Obama Locations: Egypt, Mexico, Hungary, Turkey, Washington ,, Russia, Eric Swalwell of California, Georgia, California, House, Ohio

☆ How the fall of Roe v. Wade led to the Alabama Supreme Court ruling that frozen embryos are children
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-24 | by ( Jacqueline Howard | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +8 min

CNN —An Alabama Supreme Court ruling that decided frozen embryos are children, and those who destroy them can be held liable for wrongful death, shows a new way in which the overturning of Roe v. Wade can affect how embryos are viewed under certain state laws. That decision is the first known case in which a US court has ruled that frozen embryos are human beings. Events leading up to the Alabama Supreme Court decision can be traced to 2006, when the criminal statute for homicide in the state was changed to include in utero. President Joe Biden said in a statement Thursday that the Alabama Supreme Court decision was a “direct result” of the overturning of Roe. “From the beginning, I’ve been warning that the fall of Roe v. Wade wasn’t just about abortion – and the recent Alabama Supreme Court ruling proves that,” Illinois Sen. Tammy Duckworth, who introduced the legislation with Pennsylvania Rep. Susan Wild, wrote in an email Thursday.

Persons: Roe, Wade, Mack, Carmack, ” Dr, Shaun Williams, ”, Williams, Joe Biden, ” Biden, “, Dr, Sanjay Gupta, I’ve, Wade wasn’t, –, Illinois Sen, Tammy Duckworth, Susan Wild, ” CNN’s Devan Cole Organizations: CNN, An, An Alabama Supreme, Alabama, of, Democratic, Senate, CNN Health, “, Pennsylvania Locations: An Alabama, US, Alabama, Connecticut, of Alabama, “, America, Illinois

Washington and Atlanta CNN —Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis and Nathan Wade, her lead prosecutor on the 2020 election case, both acknowledge in court papers that they have a “personal” relationship but strongly pushed back on claims that she financially benefitted from hiring him. “The District Attorney received no funds or personal financial gain from my position as Special Prosecutor,” he said. Willis said in the court filing that the “salacious” allegations do not reach the legal grounds required for her to be disqualified from the Georgia election interference case. Willis, Wade and some of their colleagues could be forced to testify at the hearing after receiving subpoenas this week. Willis appointed Wade special prosecutor in 2021.

Persons: Fani Willis, Nathan Wade, Willis, Donald Trump, Wade, Willis “, ” Wade, ” Willis, “, ”, …, Trump’s, Wade’s, Attorney Willis, Nathan, there’s, Mike Roman, Trump, San, CNN’s Devan Cole Organizations: Atlanta CNN —, District Attorney, Attorney, ”, “, CNN, Miami, Trump Locations: Washington, Atlanta, Atlanta CNN — Fulton County, Georgia, San Francisco

☆ What we know about Alabama execution of Kenneth Smith by nitrogen gas
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-26 | by ( Elizabeth Wolfe | Dakin Andone | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

CNN —Alabama inmate Kenneth Smith was put to death Thursday night by nitrogen hypoxia, marking the nation’s first known execution to be carried out using that method. The execution process began at 7:53 p.m. CT Thursday, and Smith was pronounced dead at 8:25 p.m., according to Alabama Department of Corrections officials. Smith made a lengthy statement in front of the witnesses before the execution started, according to the pool reporters. A new method of capital punishmentAhead of Smith’s execution, a tense debate unfolded about whether America’s wholly new execution method is humane and whether the procedure would cause undue pain. The family has forgiven everyone involved in the killing, including Smith, Michael Sennett said at a news conference Thursday night.

Persons: Kenneth Smith, Smith, United Nations –, William C, John Hamm, gurney, “, writhed, Hamm, ” Hamm, Jeff Hood, who’d, ” Smith, gurney ”, Hood, ”, ’, Elizabeth Sennett's, Elizabeth Sennett, Sennett, Charles Sennett, Michael, ” Elizabeth Sennett’s, What’s, ” Chuck Sennett, “ He’s, Michael Sennett, CNN’s Devan Cole, Christina Maxouris, Isabel Rosales, Lauren Mascarenhas, Jamiel Lynch Organizations: CNN, United Nations, Holman Correctional, Alabama Department of Corrections, “ Locations: Alabama, Oklahoma, Mississippi, Atmore, Alta

☆ Trump’s legal team asks for federal election subversion trial to be televised
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-11 | by ( Katelyn | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —Former President Donald Trump’s legal team has formally told a federal court that he would like his election subversion trial in Washington, DC, to be televised. Court rules do not allow for broadcasting of federal proceedings, and the Justice Department is opposed to allowing cameras. Several media outlets have asked the court to consider allowing cameras at the historic trial, set for March. “President Trump absolutely agrees, and in fact demands, that these proceedings should be fully televised,” his attorneys wrote in the filing late Friday night. Special counsel Jack Smith, who brought the case, opposes televising the federal election subversion trial.

Persons: Donald Trump’s, Trump, ”, let’s, Tanya Chutkan, Jack Smith, Prosecutors, CNN’s Devan Cole, Holmes Lybrand, Ali, Alayna Treene Organizations: CNN, Justice Department, “, NBCUniversal Media, Trump Locations: Washington ,, New Hampshire, teleconferences, United States

☆ Trump claims Jack Smith and his family ‘despise’ him
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-11 | by ( Ali Main | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —Former President Donald Trump continued his attacks on special counsel Jack Smith on Saturday, including a reference to Smith’s family, at a rally in Claremont, New Hampshire. Referring to the alleged ill -will Smith and his family have for Trump, the former president said Smith is “about at 10” and his family is “about a 15 on a scale of 10.”Some of Trump’s attacks against Smith stem from the activities of his wife, filmmaker Katy Chevigny. I just want to do what’s right for the country,” Trump told the crowd. Trump quickly appealed and sought to have the gag order paused while the appeal unfolded. A federal appeals court later temporarily froze the limited gag order, allowing him to again speak freely with criticism of possible witnesses in the case.

Persons: Donald Trump, Jack Smith, Smith, ”, “, ” Smith, Katy Chevigny, Chevigny, Biden, Michelle Obama, hasn’t, “ There’s, ” Trump, Tanya Chutkan, Trump, Chutkan, CNN’s Devan Cole, Katelyn Polantz, Marshall Cohen, Daniel Dale Organizations: CNN, Trump, Netflix, Democratic, US DC Circuit, Appeals Locations: Claremont , New Hampshire, Washington ,

☆ What to know about Day 2 of the Trump disqualification trial in Colorado
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-31 | by ( Marshall Cohen | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

While the trial played out in Colorado, Trump filed a lawsuit to shut down a similar case in Michigan. The 14th Amendment says US officials who take an oath to uphold the Constitution are disqualified from office if they “engaged in insurrection” or aided the country’s enemies. Then, fighting would be understood as requiring violent action.”The relationship between Trump and far-right extremists is “unprecedented,” Simi said. 14th Amendment scholar to testify nextThe anti-Trump challengers said they’ll feature additional expert testimony from one of the preeminent scholars on the history of the 14th Amendment, Gerard Magliocca. “Despite President Trump’s tremendous popularity, there are people who want to deny Michigan voters the opportunity to express their choice by voting for him,” Trump’s lawyers wrote.

Persons: Donald Trump, Trump, ’, Peter Simi, ” Simi, Simi, Eric Olson, ’ Trump, Scott Gessler, Joe Biden, Biden, Kamala Harris, Hillary Clinton, Chuck Schumer, Nancy Pelosi, Sen, Bernie Sanders, Elizabeth Warren, Pete Buttigieg, Jamie Raskin, Gerard Magliocca, Marjorie Taylor Greene, isn’t, Troy Nehls, “, ” Trump, Jocelyn Benson, Benson doesn’t, Trump’s, ”, CNN’s Devan Cole, Avery Lotz Organizations: CNN, Trump, Chapman University, Colorado, Capitol, Simi, Transportation, GOP Rep, Trump isn’t, Texas Rep, Michigan, ” CNN, People Locations: Colorado, Michigan, Minnesota, Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia

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