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☆ Do You Know a Politically Motived Prosecution When You See One? - The New York Times
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-26 | by ( Jesse Wegman | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +2 min

If you’re feeling bewildered by all the claims and counterclaims of politicization, you’re not alone. The Justice Department will always be led by a political appointee, and most state and local prosecutors are elected. That means extremely clear rules for investigators and prosecutors and eternal vigilance for the rest of us. So how to distinguish an investigation or prosecution based solely on the facts from one motivated improperly by politics? More often, though, it takes some work to determine whether an investigation or prosecution is on the level.

Persons: you’re, Jim Jordan of, it’s, McCarthy, Hillary Clinton, James Comer of, Hunter Biden, Biden’s, Comer Organizations: Trump, Democratic, The, Fox News Locations: Russia, Jim Jordan of Ohio, Benghazi, James Comer of Kentucky

☆ Hunter Biden to plead guilty to federal tax crimes on Wednesday
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-26 | by ( Marshall Cohen | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

As part of the plea agreement, Justice Department prosecutors are expected to recommend a sentence of probation for the president’s son. While the investigation was ongoing, Hunter Biden fully paid his federal tax bill, along with interest and penalties, his lawyers have previously said. Federal investigators also looked into Hunter Biden’s unpaid taxes and lavish spending, which came amid a struggle with addiction. In a late twist, the judge threatened to sanction Hunter Biden’s lawyers over the matter. House Republicans have zeroed in on Hunter Biden’s finances as part of their broader oversight probes into the Biden family.

Persons: Joe Biden’s, Hunter Biden, Maryellen Noreika –, Donald Trump, Hunter, Joe Biden, David Weiss, Hunter Biden’s, Jason Smith, Trump, Biden, Weiss, General Merrick Garland, –, ’, “, Garland, They’ve, ” Organizations: Delaware CNN, Justice Department, Senate, CNN, White House, -, Trump, Republican, GOP, House Republicans Locations: Wilmington, Delaware, Wilmington , Delaware, politicization

Hunter Biden, appearing in court wearing a dark suit and sporting slicked back hair, appeared agitated and worried as the plea deal began to unravel. She said she has “concerns about the constitutionality” of the gun deal because it might violate separation of powers principles. Noreika also has the ultimate decision on what sentence Hunter Biden will receive if a plea deal is accepted or he is tried and convicted. “At least there is some scrutiny going on,” Texas Rep. Chip Roy told CNN in reaction to the Hunter Biden plea deal being refined. GOP Rep. Jim Jordan of Ohio credited IRS whistleblowers critical of the investigation for the collapse of a plea deal, although the issue did not come up during a hearing.

Persons: Hunter Biden, Joe Biden, Hunter, Maryellen Noreika –, Donald Trump, Senate Democrats –, Noreika, Hunter Biden’s, Chris Clark, FARA, ” Noreika, isn’t, –, plop, couldn’t, Judge Maryellen Noreika, Bill Hennessy, Will DOJ’s, Justice Department’s, “, Chip Roy, Delaware’s Trump, David Weiss, Jim Jordan, Weiss, Jordan Organizations: CNN, US, Senate Democrats, Justice Department, Justice, ” Texas, GOP, Committee Locations: FARA, Wilmington , Delaware, Ohio

☆ Opinion: Don’t expect history to be kind to Netanyahu
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-25 | by ( Frida Ghitis | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +8 min

CNN —There is no question that history books will dedicate considerable space to the impact that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had on the fate of his embattled nation. But in Israel’s parliamentary system, the prime minister controls not just the executive but also the legislature through his majority coalition in parliament. Without judiciary oversight, the prime minister and his bloc have little to stop them as they push their agenda. Frida GhitisTo become prime minister, Netanyahu had to enlist the support of enough parties to have 61 votes out of the 120 seats in the Knesset. When asked whom they would prefer as prime minister, just 34% said Netanyahu over the center-right Benny Gantz, with opposition leader Yair Lapid also beating the Israeli leader.

Persons: Frida Ghitis, Benjamin Netanyahu, Netanyahu, “ Bibi, ”, –, it’s, Itamar Ben Gvir, Bezalel Smotrich, Benny Gantz, Yair Lapid, Joe Biden, Ron DeSantis, Biden, Facebook Netanyahu, Donald Trump’s politicization, toying Organizations: CNN, Washington Post, Politics, Frida Ghitis CNN, West Bank, Florida Gov, Twitter, Facebook, Israel Locations: Israel’s, United States, Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, Israel

☆ Powerful right-wing radicals are testing democratic checks and balance in both Israel and the US
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-25 | by ( Stephen Collinson | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +10 min

CNN —White House criticism of Israel after its right-wing coalition embarked on a plan to target judicial power is bringing a new kind of turbulence to one of America’s oldest friendships. It shows that Israel, like the United States, is experiencing an era of right-wing politicians seeking to aggressively flex power and test enshrined democratic constraints. The drama is likely to further worsen the long-standing but increasingly brittle relationship between President Joe Biden and Netanyahu. Yet there is deep concern in the White House about the implications of any successful attempt to subvert checks and balances in Israel. And Netanyahu appeared to align himself politically with Trump while he was in the White House.

Persons: CNN —, Israel, Biden, Benjamin Netanyahu’s, Joe Biden, Netanyahu, Donald Trump, Biden’s, ”, shockwaves, Jordan, –, Martin Indyk, “, ” Indyk, Lynda Kinkade, hasn’t, Thomas Friedman, ” Biden’s, Karine Jean, Pierre, Isaac Herzog, ” Aaron David Miller, Isa Soares, don’t, Mitch McConnell, “ Mr, Obama, Trump, Mike Pence, Hugh Hewitt, Ron DeSantis, “ Biden, Pramila Jayapal, didn’t Organizations: CNN, –, White House, Trump, Republicans, Democratic, House, West Bank, Biden, CNN International, “, New York Times, Republican, Israel, -, Republican Party, Netanyahu’s Likud Party, Florida Gov, Congressional, Democrat Locations: Iran, Israel, United States, Washington, Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, Florida

☆ Trump: Why a third indictment of the former president could be such a profound stain on his legacy
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-19 | by ( Stephen Collinson | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +11 min

Smith has not tipped his hand over what charges Trump could face. Former Trump lawyer Ty Cobb told CNN’s Erin Burnett on Tuesday that any potential indictment relating to election interference ought to be viewed as a particularly historic stain. How a new indictment could impact the GOP presidential raceThe possibility of another indictment against Trump also raises new political questions. “If you notice recently, President Trump went up in the polls and was actually surpassing President Biden for reelection. A third indictment would also further fuse Trump’s legal campaign and political one.

Persons: Donald Trump, Trump, Jack Smith’s, Smith, who’s, –, “, ” Trump, Joe Biden, ”, Trump’s, Ty Cobb, CNN’s Erin Burnett, ” Cobb, J, Michael Luttig, Jack Smith, ” Luttig, Jeffrey Sloman, Dana Nessel, CNN’s Jake Tapper, Ron DeSantis, we’ll, I’ll, ” DeSantis, Nikki Haley, ” Haley, Kevin McCarthy –, Biden, ” McCarthy, he’s, he’d, Hillary, Aileen Cannon, Cannon, David Harbach Organizations: CNN, Justice Department, GOP, Democratic, Congress, Trump, Law, Southern, Southern District of, Democrat, Wolverine State, Florida Gov, ” Former South Carolina Gov, Fox News, Republican, Capitol, Oval, Republican National Convention Locations: Manhattan, Lago, Florida, Iowa, United States, Southern District, Southern District of Florida, ”, Trump’s, Georgia, Trump

☆ Opinion | Why We Should Politicize the Weather
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-17 | by ( Paul Krugman | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +2 min

But extreme weather events have always been with us. Can we prove that climate change caused any particular disaster? But the burgeoning field of “extreme event attribution” comes close. Event attribution compares the odds of experiencing an extreme event given global warming with the odds that the same event would have happened without climate change. Which brings me back to the “politicization of the weather.” Worrying about the climate crisis shouldn’t be a partisan issue.

Persons: hasn’t, I’d, doesn’t Organizations: Texas Republicans Locations: Italy, America, Texas

☆ FBI chief Wray defends against US House Republicans' accusations
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-12 | by ( Sarah N. Lynch | Thomson Reuters | Sarah N. Lynch Is The Lead Reporter For Reuters Covering The U.S. Justice Department Out Of Washington | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Wray appeared before the Republican-led U.S. House of Representatives Judiciary Committee panel for the first time since former President Donald Trump was indicted for retaining highly classified documents and obstructing justice. Republicans have repeatedly accused the FBI and other federal agencies of "weaponizing" their law enforcement and regulatory powers to silence critics on the right, target political enemies and protect political allies. House Republicans have claimed without evidence that the documents case against Trump is politically motivated. "Absolutely not," replied Wray, a fellow Republican who has increasingly become the target of Republicans' wrath. "The idea that I am biased against conservatives seems somewhat insane to me, given my own personal background," Wray said.

Persons: Chris Way, Hunter Biden, Wray, Donald Trump, Joe Biden's, Hunter, General Merrick Garland, Christopher Wray, Jonathan Ernst, Matt Gaetz, Trump, Terry Doughty, Biden, Sarah N, Lynch, Scott Malone, Susan Heavey Organizations: Republicans, Republican, House, FBI, House Republicans, Trump, U.S, Federal Bureau of, Capitol, REUTERS, District, Wednesday, Thomson Locations: Washington , U.S, Louisiana, Missouri, U.S

Christopher A. Wray, the F.B.I. Mr. Wray, who is appearing for the first time before the House Judiciary Committee since Republicans won the House, is likely girding for the worst. The committee, led by Representative Jim Jordan, Republican of Ohio, says it “will examine the politicization” of the F.B.I. under Mr. Wray and Attorney General Merrick B. Garland. That criticism was once trained on the bureau’s investigation into the Trump campaign’s ties to Russia during the 2016 election.

Persons: Christopher A, Wray, Donald J, Trump, Jim Jordan, General Merrick B, Garland, Stoked, Department’s, Hunter Biden Organizations: Republicans, Committee, Republican, Trump Locations: Ohio, Russia, Lago

☆ The Supreme Court makes almost all of its decisions on the 'shadow docket.' An author argues it should worry Americans more than luxury trips.
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-07 | by ( Erin Snodgrass | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +10 min

The Supreme Court makes nearly all its decisions on the emergency relief docket or "shadow docket." What is the Supreme Court 'shadow docket?' Capitol Police watch an abortion-rights rally from behind the security fence surrounding the Supreme Court on June 23, 2022. Public trust in the Supreme Court is at a historic lowNadine Seiler attends a rally for voting rights while the U.S. Supreme Court hears oral arguments in the Moore v. Harper case December 7, 2022. The dangers posed by the shadow docket are more perilous than the wrongs of individual justices, Vladeck argues, because the shadow docket's ills are inherently institutional.

Persons: Steve Vladeck, —, Vladeck, Sonia Sotomayor, Clarence Thomas, John Roberts, Amy Coney Barrett, Neil Gorsuch, Brett Kavanaugh, Scott Applewhite, mifepristone, William Baude, Nathan Howard, it's, Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Anthony Kennedy, Stephen Breyer, Elena Kagan, Ketanji Brown Jackson, Joe Biden's, Chip Somodevilla, Roe, Wade, Obama, Bush, Trump, Nadine Seiler, Harper, Drew Angerer, stokes Organizations: Service, Supreme, Supreme Court, AP, University of Chicago, Capitol Police, Getty, Former, — Locations: United, Joe Biden's State, Texas, U.S, Moore

☆ Nearly all of the Supreme Court's decisions are made on the 'shadow docket.' It poses an even bigger ethical concern than luxury trips and disclosure forms.
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-06 | by ( Erin Snodgrass | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +10 min

The Supreme Court makes nearly all its decisions on the emergency relief docket or "shadow docket." What is the Supreme Court "shadow docket?" The court's emergency docket is where justices make quick decisions to address emergency relief requests and other procedural matters. But the vast majority of orders that reach the emergency docket are of little interest to the general public. The dangers posed by the shadow docket are more perilous than the wrongs of individual justices, Vladeck argues, because the shadow docket's ills are inherently institutional.

Persons: Steve Vladeck, —, Vladeck, mifepristone, William Baude, Nathan Howard, it's, Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Roe, Wade, Obama, Bush, Trump, Nadine Seiler, Harper, Drew Angerer, stokes Organizations: Service, Supreme, Supreme Court, University of Chicago, Capitol Police, Getty, — Locations: Texas, U.S, Moore

☆ Departing CDC Director Rochelle Walensky Warns of Politicized Science
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-02 | by ( Sarah Toy | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

This copy is for your personal, non-commercial use only. Distribution and use of this material are governed by our Subscriber Agreement and by copyright law. For non-personal use or to order multiple copies, please contact Dow Jones Reprints at 1-800-843-0008 or visit www.djreprints.com. https://www.wsj.com/articles/cdc-director-rochelle-walensky-politicization-science-9c291c7e

Persons: Dow Jones Organizations: rochelle Locations: walensky

“I think presidents have bought into this canard that they’re independent, and that’s one of the reasons why they’ve accumulated so much power over the years,” Mr. DeSantis said. Mr. Trump has portrayed his legal troubles as stemming from politicization, although there is no evidence Mr. Biden directed Attorney General Merrick Garland to investigate Mr. Trump. Under Mr. Garland, Trump-appointed prosecutors are already investigating Mr. Biden’s handling of classified documents and on Tuesday secured a guilty plea from Mr. Biden’s son, Hunter, on tax charges. Especially since Watergate, there has been an institutional tradition of Justice Department independence from White House control. This is particularly seen as true for cases involving a president’s personal or political interests, such as an investigation into himself or his political opponents.

Persons: ” Mr, DeSantis, “, DeSantis’s, Griffin, Trump, Biden, General Merrick Garland, Garland, Biden’s, Hunter Organizations: Justice Department Locations: White

When Donald J. Trump responded to his latest indictment by promising to appoint a special prosecutor if he’s re-elected to “go after” President Biden and his family, he signaled that a second Trump term would fully jettison the post-Watergate norm of Justice Department independence. “I will appoint a real special prosecutor to go after the most corrupt president in the history of the United States of America, Joe Biden, and the entire Biden crime family,” Mr. Trump said at his golf club in Bedminster, N.J., on Tuesday night after his arraignment earlier that day in Miami. “I will totally obliterate the Deep State.”Mr. Trump’s message was that the Justice Department charged him only because he is Mr. Biden’s political opponent, so he would invert that supposed politicization. In reality, under Attorney General Merrick Garland, two Trump-appointed prosecutors are already investigating Mr. Biden’s handling of classified documents and the financial dealings of his son, Hunter. But by suggesting the current prosecutors investigating the Bidens were not “real,” Mr. Trump appeared to be promising his supporters that he would appoint an ally who would bring charges against his political enemies regardless of the facts.

Persons: Donald J, Trump, he’s, “, ” President Biden, Joe Biden, Biden, ” Mr, Mr, General Merrick Garland, Hunter Organizations: ”, Trump, Justice Department Locations: United States of America, Bedminster, N.J, Miami, State

☆ Trump's defenders have launched a plan months in the making that ignores the substance of the indictment while attacking the credibility of federal prosecutors
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-10 | by ( Associated Press | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +9 min

Supporters of Trump in Congress have now launched a plan months in the making to discredit federal prosecutors. McCarthy called it a "grave injustice" and said that House Republicans "will hold this brazen weaponization of power accountable." "God bless President Trump." As special counsel Jack Smith was preparing this week to release the indictment, Trump's allies on Capitol Hill were working overtime to prepare the defense of the former president. Jordan issued a series of letters to the Justice Department, demanding documents related to his investigation into Trump's handling of classified records.

Persons: —, Donald Trump's, skims, Joe Biden —, Kevin McCarthy, Trump, McCarthy, Biden, Department's, Biden's, Hunter Biden, Jim Jordan of, Andy Biggs, Chuck Schumer, Hakeem Jeffries, Jamie Raskin, Alvin Bragg, Jordan, Jack Smith, Trump's, John Durham, General Merrick Garland, Garland, Steven D'Antuono, Nancy Mace, Donald Trump, James, Republican Sen, Ted Cruz, Cruz's, Mitch McConnell, Mitt Romney, Romney Organizations: Trump, Service, Justice Department, Department, Republican, Republicans, FBI, Twitter, GOP, America, Department of Justice, Democratic, Capitol, Ohio Republican, Washington Field Office, South Carolina, CNN, ABC Locations: Congress, Florida, United States of America, Jim Jordan of Ohio, Arizona, New York, Russia, York, Manhattan, Bragg's New York, Trump's, Lago, Georgia, Washington, Texas, Utah

☆ The twice-impeached Trump now faces his second criminal indictment as he looks to recapture White House
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-09 | by ( Stephen Collinson | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +12 min

CNN —Donald Trump, who has often lied, unquestionably told the truth when he said Thursday was a “dark day” for America. Why the new indictment could be more serious than the firstAmazingly, this was not the first time Trump was indicted. This undercut his arguments that he declassified everything he took from the White House. — On Thursday, CNN’s Zachary Cohen revealed that a key former White House official who worked in both the Trump and Obama administrations was interviewed by special counsel prosecutors earlier this year. “The weaponization of federal law enforcement represents a mortal threat to a free society,” he tweeted before making his own White House pitch.

Persons: Donald Trump, Trump, it’s, Simply, Joe Biden –, he’s, Trump’s, “ It’s, That’s, ”, Stormy Daniels, Jim Trusty, Kevin McCarthy, “, Elise Stefanik, parroted, Joe Biden, GOP Sen, Josh Hawley, Jack Smith’s, —, Andrew McCabe, Smith, Mark Meadows, CNN’s Zachary Cohen, thrall, Alvin Bragg’s, Ron DeSantis, Mike Pence –, – Organizations: CNN, Republican, Justice Department, Biden’s Justice Department, Trump, “, ”, ” New York, GOP, — CNN, FBI, Mar, White, New York Times, White House, Obama, Biden’s, Florida Gov, DOJ, Republican Party Locations: America, Miami, Manhattan, United States of America, Missouri, Iran, Washington ,, Florida, —, Georgia

☆ Republican primary candidates tap-dance around second Trump indictment charges
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-09 | by ( Gregory Krieg | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +9 min

For his rivals, though, the campaign has been frozen in place, with Trump again seizing the spotlight and relegating them to supporting roles. So when word of the indictment broke, DeSantis sprinted to Trump’s corner – along with the loyalists he is ultimately hoping will break for him. Look, look at this.”Among the 2024 field, DeSantis and longshot primary candidate Vivek Ramaswamy emerged overnight as Trump’s most ardent defenders. Ahead of a new ad launch, its first of the 2024 primary, a senior adviser to the group said the new indictment furthered Christie’s political case against Trump. “While Donald Trump is entitled to the presumption of innocence, the ongoing criminal proceedings will be a major distraction,” Hutchinson said.

Persons: Donald Trump –, –, Trump, Ron DeSantis, Justice “ weaponized ”, Joe Biden, Donald, DeSantis, ” DeSantis, Clinton, Hunter, Biden, Trump’s, Attorney Alvin Bragg, ” Trump, Vivek Ramaswamy, Ramaswamy, ”, Mike Pence, Hugh Hewitt, “ We’re, ” Pence, “, Pence, General Merrick Garland, Nikki Haley, ” Haley, Haley, South Carolina Sen, Tim Scott, demurred, ” Scott, Chris Christie, ” Christie, Colin Reed, Asa Hutchinson, Donald Trump, ” Hutchinson Organizations: CNN, Trump, Florida Gov, Department, Justice, Republican, Republican Party, Manhattan, Attorney, Justice Department, FBI, United Nations, South Carolina Gov, Fox, Department of Justice, Former New Jersey Gov, “, GOP, Arkansas Gov Locations: Florida, Iowa’s, New York City, “, South Florida, Iran, ”, South Carolina, Arkansas

The Department of Justice reportedly indicted former President Donald Trump in the Mar-a-Lago records case. With the indictment, Trump became the first current or former president in American history to face federal criminal charges. Prior to Trump's indictment, federal prosecutors told his attorneys in early June that he was a target of the investigation. Smith's indictment is the second pending criminal case against Trump. In September, he said there would be "problems" like "we've never seen" before in the event of his criminal indictment.

Persons: Donald Trump, Trump, —, weren't, MAGA, Trump's, Mark Meadows, Taylor Budowich, Stormy Daniels, General Merrick Garland, Jack Smith, Garland, he's, Smith, Department's, Biden, Joe Biden, Kimberly Leonard, Fani Willis, Brad Raffensperger, Willis, Jean Carroll, Michael Cohen Organizations: of Justice, Service, Justice Department, New York Times, Times, Department, New, Truth, White, Trump, Manhattan District, FBI, feds, National Archives, Republican, GOP, Washington Post, Capitol, Fulton, Georgia, Trump Organization, New York Attorney Locations: Miami, New York, United States, Manhattan, Mar, Lago, Florida, Iran, Washington , DC, Atlanta, Fulton County

The Department of Justice indicted former President Donald Trump in the Mar-a-Lago records case. With the indictment, Trump became the first current or former president in American history to face federal criminal charges. Prior to Trump's indictment, federal prosecutors told his attorneys in early June that he was a target of the investigation. In September, he said there would be "problems" like "we've never seen" before in the event of his criminal indictment. Editor's note: Portions of this article were prepared in the weeks preceding Trump's indictment.

Persons: Donald Trump, Trump, —, weren't, Jim, hasn't, I'm, MAGA, Trump's, Mark Meadows, Taylor Budowich, Stormy Daniels, General Merrick Garland, Jack Smith, Garland, he's, Smith, Department's, Biden, Joe Biden, Kimberly Leonard, Fani Willis, Brad Raffensperger, Willis, Jean Carroll, Michael Cohen Organizations: Justice, Service, Justice Department, New York Times, CNN, Times, Department, New, Truth, White, Trump, Manhattan District, FBI, feds, National Archives, Republican, GOP, Washington Post, Capitol, Fulton, Georgia, Trump Organization, New York Attorney Locations: Miami, New York, United States, Manhattan, Mar, Lago, Florida, Iran, Washington , DC, Atlanta, Fulton County

☆ Why Is Disney Fighting DeSantis? I Know the Answer. - The New York Times
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-07 | by ( Sean Griffin | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

Even Chick-fil-A, the chicken-sandwich seller that has historically been aligned with conservative causes, drew sudden condemnation for an existing diversity, equity and inclusion policy. Companies are rarely exemplars of courage, and some — particularly Anheuser-Busch, Bud Light’s brewer — switched course almost immediately. But the noise is obscuring a bigger transformation amid the growing politicization of big business. Ron DeSantis of Florida last year attacked the Walt Disney Company for criticizing his anti-L.G.B.T.Q. Why would one of America’s largest corporate entities, particularly one lacking a long history of taking grand positions on social issues, go to the mat for L.G.B.T.Q.

Persons: Bud Light, Bud Light’s, —, Ron DeSantis, Disney, Donald Trump Organizations: America, Pride, Anheuser, Busch, Walt Disney Company, Republican Locations: Orlando, Fla, Florida

☆ Netanyahu convenes Iran war drill, scorns UN nuclear watchdog
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-04 | by ( Dan Williams | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

Israel has long maintained that for diplomacy to succeed, Iran must be faced with a credible military threat. The agency's capitulation to Iranian pressure is a black stain on its record," Netanyahu told his cabinet in televised remarks. After then U.S. President Donald Trump quit the Iran nuclear deal in 2018, Tehran ramped up uranium enrichment. In a 2012 U.N. speech, Netanyahu deemed 90% enrichment by Iran a "red line" that could trigger preemptive strikes. Focussing domestic attention on Iran might provide Netanyahu with respite from a months-long crisis over his proposals to overhaul Israel’s judiciary.

Persons: Benjamin Netanyahu ramped, U.N, Israel, Netanyahu, Donald Trump, Dan Williams, Angus MacSwan, Grant McCool Organizations: Iran's, UN, International Atomic Energy Agency, IAEA, Thomson Locations: Tehran, Iran, Israel, Tel Aviv, Syria, IRAN, Soviet, Vienna

☆ Former SEC chief Harvey Pitt passes away at 78
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-31 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

May 31 (Reuters) - Harvey Pitt, a former chairman of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, passed away on Tuesday, according to a statement from the director of the SEC Historical Society shared with Reuters. At the time, fellow SEC Commissioner Roel Campos said: "There has certainly never been anyone who loved this agency more than Chairman Pitt." Pitt was a graduate of St. John's University School of Law and the City University of New York, according to the SEC's website. He passed away on Tuesday, according to the statement from Jane Cobb, executive director of the SEC Historical Society. "Over the years, Harvey has been extremely generous with his time and sage advice," said Michael Piwowar, a former SEC commissioner.

Persons: Harvey Pitt, Pitt, George W, Bush, Roel Campos, Jane Cobb, Harvey, Michael Piwowar, Chris Prentice, Douglas Gillison, Niket, Shinjini Ganguli, Paul Simao Organizations: U.S . Securities, Exchange Commission, SEC Historical Society, Reuters, SEC, FBI, Enron, San Francisco Chronicle, Oxley, St, John's University School of Law, City University of New, Georgetown University, University of Pennsylvania, Kalorama Partners, Thomson Locations: City University of New York, Washington, New York, Bengaluru

☆ UFC maintains links with Russian fighters and fighters connected to sanctioned Chechen warlord despite Ukraine invasion
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-17 | by ( Ben Morse | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +17 min

We have been saying for some time that these sports organizations need to prohibit Kadyrov’s fighters to perform,” he said. There’s also its decision to allow Russian fighters in general to compete in the world’s premium mixed martial arts organization. Some critics have suggested Russian fighters in general should be suspended, like has happened in some other sports, for the country’s involvement in the invasion of Ukraine. Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC/Getty ImagesUFC’s primary focusThere are 20 active Russian fighters currently competing in their organized events, according to the UFC website. CNN approached all 20 of those Russian fighters, only two responded initially and ultimately none of them agreed to an interview.

☆ Debt ceiling threat: Time to take this political football off the field
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-17 | by ( Christine Romans | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

In theory, the debt ceiling should act as a fiscal restraint during the budgeting process. Deciding later not to pay the bills by not raising the debt ceiling is not sound fiscal policy. Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell, a Republican, has said the debt ceiling is counterproductive. And the CEO of the nation’s biggest bank, JPMorgan Chase’s Jamie Dimon turns visibly frustrated at the subject of the debt ceiling. KPMG Chief Economist Diane Swonk says the politicization of the debt ceiling has weakened America.

☆ Opinion | The Courts Should Be More Political, Not Less
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-17 | by ( Jedediah Britton-Purdy | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +3 min

The North Carolina gerrymandering decision made that scandal impossible to ignore: What else but rank partisan allegiance could account for such an abrupt switch on a question that determined political power in the state? In other words, the vote for Supreme Court justices may have been the most important of the year, and it was a black box to most voters. Like it or not, the courts are another political branch, most of all when they decide basic constitutional questions, such as whether freedom and equality forbid extreme gerrymandering. On April 4, Judge Janet Protasiewicz won a seat on Wisconsin’s Supreme Court and switched the court’s ideological balance, by openly emphasizing her support for reproductive rights and broadly liberal commitments. Deep political conflicts over constitutional vision have always existed in American law, particularly when courts are called upon to judge what a fair election system looks like.

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