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☆ Trump doubles down on provocative Cabinet picks as their fates hang in the balance
▼ + stars: | 2024-11-18 | by ( Stephen Collinson | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +11 min

Not all of Trump’s picks are causing uproar. But in a conventional administration, controversies raging around at least four key Cabinet picks would be seen as a disaster. The president-elect’s son explains the planGaetz and several other Trump picks have caused consternation in some circles given the questions about their qualifications and past behavior. That’s what the American people want.”It would take a handful of Republican senators to block the most provocative Trump nominees early next year, given that Democrats are likely to vote en masse against them. If he’s qualified, he’s qualified.”Missouri Sen. Eric Schmitt said he believed Trump’s nominees would get confirmed.

Persons: Donald Trump, Matt Gaetz, Tulsi Gabbard, Pete Hegseth, Robert F, Kennedy Jr, Hegseth, Trump’s, Intrigue, Gaetz, —, Kennedy, Florida Sen, Marco Rubio, Trump, he’s, ” Johnson, South Dakota Sen, John Thune, Mike Johnson, CNN’s Jake Tapper, “, ” Sen, Adam Schiff, Jim Himes, they’re, Matt Gaetz —, Robert Kennedy, Tulsi, ” Trump, Donald Trump Jr, ”, Sen, Markwayne Mullin, “ I’ve, … I’ve, Matt, ” Missouri Sen, Eric Schmitt, Alabama Sen, Tommy Tuberville, Pennsylvania Sen, John Fetterman Organizations: CNN, Washington, Republican Senate, Office, Fox News, Florida Republican, of Justice, Department of Health, Human Services, Senate, Trump, South, Louisiana Republican, California Democrat, Democrat, House Intelligence, Sunday, Connecticut Democrat, CBS, Republican, Fox Business, Oklahoma Republican, Press, ” Locations: Gaetz, — Russia, Washington, Florida, South Dakota, “ State, Louisiana, United States, California, Connecticut, ” Missouri, Alabama, Pennsylvania

☆ House Speaker Johnson calls ethics report on Matt Gaetz a 'rough draft' and says it shouldn't be released
▼ + stars: | 2024-11-17 | by ( Yun Li | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

House Speaker Mike Johnson said Sunday that House Ethics Committee's probe into Matt Gaetz, President-elect Donald Trump's pick for U.S. attorney general, is a "Pandora's box" and said the report from it should not be released. The House Ethics Committee was investigating allegations that Gaetz engaged in sexual misconduct, illicit drug use and other wrongdoing. I don't think we want the House Ethics Committee using all of its vast resources and powers to go after private citizens, and that's what Matt Gaetz is now," Johnson said. Gaetz's resignation effectively ends the Ethics Committee probe because the panel's reach is limited to members of the House. On Friday, a lawyer for a woman told the Ethics committee she saw Gaetz have sex with a minor, NBC News reported.

Persons: Mike Johnson, Matt Gaetz, Donald Trump's, Gaetz, Johnson, Gaetz's, Gaetz didn't, Department of Justice —, Joel Leppard, —, Kevin Breuninger Organizations: Republican, U.S . Capitol House, U.S, Louisiana Republican, Punchbowl News, Department of Justice, NBC News Locations: Washington , U.S, Louisiana, Florida, Orlando

☆ White House races to dole out funding from key legislation before Trump takes office
▼ + stars: | 2024-11-11 | by ( Arlette Saenz | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +8 min

CNN —The White House is racing to dole out remaining funds appropriated from key legislation President Joe Biden signed before President-elect Donald Trump takes office in 10 weeks. The implementation efforts reflect one slice of how the Biden administration is working to shore up key initiatives as the second Trump presidency approaches. Speaking to reporters on Monday, the first official day at COP29, Podesta said the Biden administration is “fully committed” to obligating outstanding funding under Biden’s climate law, the Inflation Reduction Act. About $103 billion in Inflation Reduction Act funding, which makes up 92% of the law’s total, has been announced as of late October. While Trump has criticized the CHIPS legislation as “so bad,” it has enjoyed bipartisan support because the plans could create jobs and infuse money into local communities.

Persons: Joe Biden, Donald Trump, Biden, Trump, ramping, White, Natalie Quillian, “, ”, ” Quillian, John Podesta, Podesta, it’s, ” “, Andrew Harnik, Mike Johnson, he’d, Betsy Klein, Ella Nilsen Organizations: CNN, Commerce Department, Law, White House, White, UN, Act, House Republicans, American, Congress, Trump, Semiconductor, The Commerce Department, Polar Semiconductor, Intel, Micron Technology, Samsung, Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Commerce, Louisiana Republican Locations: Ukraine, America, Baku, Azerbaijan, COP29, ”, Washington , DC, New York, Corning, Pennsylvania, Minnesota, Louisiana

☆ 10 House races to watch on election night (and beyond)
▼ + stars: | 2024-11-03 | by ( Terence Burlij | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +17 min

With so much at stake, CNN has identified 10 races to watch on Tuesday – grouped into buckets that nod to broader themes across the House landscape. Democratic Rep. Abigail Spanberger decided against seeking a fourth term, instead launching a campaign for governor in 2025. Democratic Rep. Jared Golden has crafted a moderate profile by challenging his party on issues ranging from spending to immigration. This year she faces a challenge from GOP state Rep. Gabe Evans, a fellow Mexican American and a former Army helicopter pilot and police officer. GOP Rep. Zach Nunn, an Air Force officer, was first elected in 2022 – defeating Democratic Rep. Cindy Axne by about 2,000 votes.

Persons: CNN —, Mike Johnson, Hakeem Jeffries, Donald Trump, Kamala Harris, Eugene Vindman, Derrick Anderson, Abigail Spanberger, Biden, Vindman, Anderson, Trump’s, Alexander –, Volodymyr Zelensky, Jen Kiggans, Missy Cotter Smasal, Don Bacon, Tony Vargas, –, Joe Biden, Brad Ashford, Bacon, Vargas, Harris, Jared Golden, Austin Theriault, Golden, Theriault, Elissa Slotkin’s, Curtis Hertel, Tom Barrett –, Barrett, Gretchen Whitmer, Michigan’s, Dan Kildee, Yadira Caraveo, Gabe Evans, Hyoung Chang, Yadira, Evans, Scott Perry, Janelle Stelson, Stelson, Josh Shapiro, Perry, Marc Molinaro, Josh Riley, Sen, Al Franken, Trump, Michelle Steel, Derek Tran, Don Davis, Davis, Laurie Buckhout, Zach Nunn, Cindy Axne, Lanon Baccam, CNN’s David Wright, Matt Holt, Molly English, Renée Rigdon, Andrew Menezes Organizations: CNN, Congress, Republicans, GOP, Louisiana Republican, New York Democrat, White, Republican, Democratic, Labor, Army, National Security Council, NSC, Biden, Nebraska Rep, GOP Rep, Air Force, Democrats, Electoral College, Harris, Capitol, Trump, Marine Corps, Trump voters, NASCAR, Democrats outpacing Republicans, Republican Democratic Rep, Army helicopter, Slotkin, Hertel, CIA, Central Michigan, Colorado Rep, Denver Post, crosscurrents, Colorado, Latina, Caucus, – Trump, MAGA, Empire, Democrats outspending Republicans, District :, US Army, North, North Carolina –, an Air Force, Iowa’s, Dallas County, US Department of Agriculture Locations: Louisiana, Virginia’s, Washington, Virginia, District, Virginia Beach, Omaha, Maine’s, Canada, Lewiston –, AdImpact, Michigan’s, Michigan, Lansing, Central, Denver, exurbs, Mexican, Aurora, Central Pennsylvania, New York, Empire, Hudson, It’s, California’s, District : California, California, Orange, Los Angeles, Korean, North Carolina’s, North Carolina, Alabama, Iowa’s, Des Moines, Laos

☆ Vance insists Trump’s ‘enemy from within’ comments weren’t directed at political rivals
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-27 | by ( Kit Maher | Gregory Krieg | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +9 min

“What he’s talking about is marauding gangs,” House Speaker Mike Johnson told Tapper last week when asked about Trump’s comments. “I did not hear President Trump in that clip say he’s going to sic the military on Adam Schiff. Cheney, a former Wyoming congresswoman, and her father, former Vice President and Iraq war architect Dick Cheney, have both endorsed Harris. “Mike Pence thought he could control Donald Trump? And when he found out that he couldn’t, they all turned on Donald Trump,” Vance said.

Persons: Vance, Donald Trump’s, lunatics ”, Jake Tapper, “ He’s, ” Tapper, ” “, Jake, ”, “, ” Trump, Trump, Adam Schiff, Nancy Pelosi, Joe Rogan, Kim Jong Un, lunatics, …, ” Vance, Mike Johnson, Tapper, Johnson –, Trump’s, Pelosi, Schiff –, That’s, Glenn Youngkin, –, Kamala Harris –, Harris, Donald Trump, ” Harris, John Kelly, ” Kelly, Adolf Hitler’s, Kelly, Liz Cheney, Cheney, Dick Cheney, Mike Pence, Mark Milley, Bob Woodward’s, “ Mike Pence, CNN’s Dana Bash, Pence, Tim Walz, that’s, Donald J, Kamala Harris, don’t Organizations: CNN, Republican, Democratic Party, “, Union, Fox, California Rep, Louisiana Republican, Virginia Gov, Democratic, GOP Trump, Trump, New York Times, Nazi, Republicans, Joint Chiefs, Staff Locations: ”, “ State, Ohio, California, Louisiana, Virginia, America, Wyoming, Iraq, Waterford , Michigan, Springfield , Ohio, Washington ,, Raeford , North Carolina, Michigan

WASHINGTON — As Speaker Mike Johnson marks one year on the job Friday, he’s fighting hard to preserve House Republicans’ razor-thin majority — and his speakership. I’m going to be the speaker of the House,” Johnson said in a recent sit-down interview with NBC News at a campaign stop in Hellertown, Pennsylvania. "It's going to be a free-for-all" if Republicans lose the House and Trump loses the White House, a third House GOP lawmaker added. 2 GOP leader, Scalise also has not spoken publicly about what he’d run for in the minority. House Majority Leader Steve Scalise, R-La., is expected to run for minority leader if Republicans lose the House.

Persons: Mike Johnson, Republicans ’, Johnson, Johnson —, ”, Nancy Pelosi, Johnson’s, Steve Scalise, Jim Jordan, hasn’t, “, I’m, ” Johnson, Al Drago, Tom Emmer, Elise Stefanik, eyeing, Donald Trump, Jordan, They’ve, Scalise, John James, Tom Barrett, Joe McGraw of, “ Jordan, Kevin McCarthy’s, Emmer, —, Republicans —, Tom Williams, Trump, Republicans eke, “ He’s, Thomas Massie, Paul Gosar, Marjorie Taylor Greene, Scott Perry, Perry wouldn’t, ” Perry, Mike, he’s, David Valadao, ” Valadao, Patrick McHenry, McCarthy, Derrick Van Orden, ” Van Orden Organizations: WASHINGTON, Republicans, Louisiana Republican, GOP, Republican, NBC News, Trump, Bloomberg, Getty, National Republican Congressional, Joe McGraw of Illinois, Inc, Capitol Hill, FISA, Freedom Caucus, Intelligence, Democratic, Washington , D.C, Wisconsin GOP Locations: Louisiana, Ohio, Hellertown , Pennsylvania, Pacific Northwest, Washington, Michigan , Illinois, Minnesota, Michigan, Jordan, Israel, Ukraine, Ky, Trump, Perry’s, Washington ,, R, Wisconsin

☆ Trump calls Schiff and Pelosi ‘enemy from within’
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-20 | by ( Jack Forrest | Veronica Stracqualursi | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

CNN —Donald Trump called Democratic Reps. Adam Schiff and Nancy Pelosi each “an enemy from within,” even as the former president’s Republican allies attempt to argue that his previous comments labeling political opponents as such are being misinterpreted. But when you look at ‘Shifty Schiff’ and some of the others, yeah, they are, to me, the enemy from within,” Trump said in an interview on Fox News’ “MediaBuzz” that aired Sunday. Fox News’ Howard Kurtz gave Trump an opportunity to clarify — “He’s a political opponent of yours, but is he an enemy?” — to which Trump responded, “Of course he’s an enemy, he’s an enemy.”Trump also called Pelosi an “enemy from within,” falsely claiming the then-speaker of the House had the opportunity to protect the US Capitol on January 6, 2021. “I did not hear President Trump in that clip say he’s going to sic the military on Adam Schiff. He’s talking about using the National Guard and the military to keep the peace in our streets.”And Virginia Gov.

Persons: Donald Trump, Adam Schiff, Nancy Pelosi, Shifty Schiff, ” Trump, Fox News ’ Howard Kurtz, Trump, Pelosi, ”, “, California Democrat “ didn’t, Chris Miller, ” Miller, Maria Bartiromo, Kamala Harris ’, Harris, Tim Walz, Mike Johnson, ” Johnson, CNN’s Jake Tapper, Tapper, Schiff, Johnson, That’s, Jake, Glenn Youngkin, ” Tapper, Adam Schiff … who’s, CNN’s Priscilla Alvarez, Eric Bradner, Ali Main, Daniel Dale, Zachary B, Wolf Organizations: CNN, Democratic, Republican, Fox News, Capitol, National Guard, California Democrat, Capitol Police Board, US Capitol Police, Trump, Minnesota Gov, GOP, Union, Louisiana Republican Locations: California, ”, “ State, Louisiana, Virginia

☆ Congress votes to avert shutdown, setting up chaotic funding fight in December
▼ + stars: | 2024-09-25 | by ( Clare Foran | Lauren Fox | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +8 min

The stopgap spending bill, which will fund the government until December 20, will next be sent to President Joe Biden to be signed into law. Johnson had said that he believes Trump understands that House Republicans don’t have the votes to pass the SAVE Act. The House vote was 341 to 82 with 132 Republicans and 209 Democrats voting in favor and 82 Republicans voting against. As that internal contest nears, Johnson’s own leadership deputies are working to shore up their own relationships across the House GOP. In recent days, for instance, Emmer’s team gave personally engraved hockey sticks to several House Republicans that thanked them for their service to the chamber.

Persons: Joe Biden, Mike Johnson, Johnson, Donald Trump, Trump, Republicans don’t, –, ” Rep, Don Bacon, ”, Kevin McCarthy, Republicans –, “, Scott Perry, ” Johnson, It’d, Johnson’s, Tom Emmer, Emmer’s, Ted Barrett, Annie Grayer, Morgan Rimmer Organizations: Washington CNN —, Senate, SAVE, Republicans, GOP, ”, Republican, CNN, Democrats, Caucus, Pennsylvania Republican, Freedom Caucus, US, Service, Trump, House Republican Locations: Louisiana, Nebraska, Pennsylvania

☆ Why Trump’s election fraud falsehoods might cost the GOP the House
▼ + stars: | 2024-09-19 | by ( Stephen Collinson | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +9 min

CNN —Donald Trump’s obsession with election fraud that doesn’t exist in any significant form could drive the country into a government shutdown — and may even put the Republican House majority at risk. But given the tiny House GOP majority and Trump’s looming presence, every step the speaker takes will be perilous – especially if he hopes to cling to his job if Republicans succeed in holding the House in November. Trump seems to be setting the GOP up for an intra-party fight that could turn into a disaster in November. Win McNamee/Getty ImagesA potential self-inflicted wound for the GOP in Trump’s birth stateIronically, Trump was on Wednesday in the state where his stand could wreak the most political damage for House Republicans. Johnson has been happy to indulge Trump’s voter fraud claims – both after the 2020 election and this cycle.

Persons: Donald Trump’s, Mike Johnson, Trump, Johnson, shutdowns, isn’t, Mitch McConnell, ”, Win McNamee, Mike Lawler, Kaitlan Collins, ” Lawler, Marc Molinaro, ” Molinaro, –, we’ll, Marjorie Taylor Greene, Johnson –, —, Kevin McCarthy, Kamala Harris, Republicans don’t, Donald Trump, Frank Franklin II, it’s, relishes, Harris, Joe Biden’s, ” Trump Organizations: CNN, Republican, GOP, Democrats, Capitol, House Republicans, Congressional, New York Republican, Louisiana Republican, Georgia Republican, Democratic, Social Network, Republicans, SAVE, Nassau Coliseum, Trump, New, New York, State, Teamsters Union, “ Locations: Washington, Kentucky, New York, Uniondale, Uniondale , New York, Long, New York City, New, Florida

☆ GOP House Speaker Johnson backs keeping some of Biden's clean energy tax credits
▼ + stars: | 2024-09-17 | by ( Emily Wilkins | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Speaker of the House Mike Johnson, R-La., talks with reporters in the U.S. Capitol after the last votes of the week on Thursday, September 12, 2024. U.S House Speaker Mike Johnson said he would preserve some of the clean energy tax credits enacted under President Joe Biden but would seek to eliminate others, as an upcoming battle over taxes next year comes into focus in Washington. Johnson declined to specify which provisions he would support keeping in place, saying he's "not putting any of that on the table yet." More than a dozen members of Johnson's own party, many of whom face difficult re-election fights, asked the speaker in a letter last month to preserve some of the tax credits and deductions in the IRA. "Prematurely repealing energy tax credits, particularly those which were used to justify investments that already broke ground, would undermine private investments and stop development that is already ongoing," the 18 lawmakers wrote in the letter.

Persons: Mike Johnson, Joe Biden, You've, Johnson Organizations: U.S, Capitol, CNBC, Louisiana Republican, Riggs, D.C, Republican Locations: Washington, Louisiana

Spokesperson Jillian Cowherd said the voter registration process is started at the DMV, but completed at the Virginia Elections Department. It’s also used to verify voter rolls. But user and data errors in the DHS system — such as confusing people who share the same name — have led to people being inaccurately flagged on voter rolls, Clapman said. She said Youngkin’s announcement of noncitizen voters “stokes election denial generally, undermining faith in election results. Last October, election officials under Youngkin removed nearly 3,400 legal Virginia voters from the rolls, after misclassifying probation violators as felons.

Persons: Glenn Youngkin, “, Donald Trump, Mike Johnson, noncitizens, Youngkin, Trump, ”, Alice Clapman, Brennan, Johnson, Griffin Neal, Christian Martinez, Jossie Flor Sapunar, Jillian Cowherd, It’s, Clapman, it’s, Tony Castrilli, Castrilli, Gretchen Reinemeyer, Reese Brogdon, don’t, Reinemeyer, she’s, ” Reinemeyer, Brennan Center’s Clapman, “ stokes, ” Clapman, Virginia, Trump’s, J.Christian Adams Organizations: Virginia Gov, NBC News, NBC, stoke, Brennan Center for Justice, Louisiana Republican, SAVE, CASA, Social, Virginia Elections Department, Elections Department, Social Security Administration, of Homeland Security, DHS, Fairfax County, Local, The League, United Latin, “ Locations: Virginia, Local Virginia, Louisiana, Fairfax County, Arlington County, Manassas, Richmond

☆ Trump’s continued attacks on Harris’ rise stir fears he could question election outcome if he loses in November
▼ + stars: | 2024-08-14 | by ( Eric Bradner | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

But some of Trump’s critics warn that the former president could be laying the groundwork to question the outcome of the 2024 election if he loses a second time. Convention delegates held a virtual roll call ahead of the convention, with Harris receiving 99% support from the participating delegates. Republicans have acknowledged that after the DNC vote, there is no longer any path to challenge Harris’ placement on ballots. One of Trump’s intraparty foes said the former president’s efforts to question the legitimacy of Harris as the Democratic nominee could be a way to lay the groundwork to question the legitimacy of this year’s election. He also criticized Democrats in a news conference last week, stating that Harris taking over from Biden “seems to me, actually, unconstitutional.

Persons: CNN — Kamala Harris, Donald Trump, ”, Harris, Joe Biden’s, Tim Walz, “, hasn’t, Trump, Biden –, Biden, he’s, ” John Bolton, CNN’s Kaitlan Collins, ” Bolton, Elon Musk, ‘, ’ ” Trump, Biden “, it’s, Mike Johnson, CNN’s Jake Tapper, ” Johnson, Johnson, CNN’s Manu Raju, ” Ben Ginsberg Organizations: CNN, Democratic, Democratic National Committee, Minnesota Gov, Republicans, DNC, Trump, Louisiana Republican, Republican Locations: Chicago, United States, “, Florida, Montana

☆ Israel-Gaza War: Latest News
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-18 | by ( Ephrat Livni | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +5 min

His speech there before a divided Congress figures to be contentious, particularly if he cannot close a deal with Hamas to end the war before he travels. Image Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel at the Knesset, Israel’s Parliament, in Jerusalem on Wednesday. Credit... Ammar Awad/ReutersSome in Mr. Netanyahu’s governing coalition have urged him to oppose a deal with Hamas. Mr. Netanyahu’s grip on power relies on the support of two far-right parties opposed to any agreement that would leave Hamas in power in Gaza. The war has killed more than 38,000 people and led to widespread hunger, according to Gazan health authorities.

Persons: Benjamin Netanyahu, Israel, Netanyahu, Ronen Zvulun, Yair Lapid, Mr, Lapid, ” Ella Ben, Ami, Ohad Ben, Ben, Be’eri, Raz Ben, Ella Ben, Yoav Gallant, ”, Gallant, Ammar Awad, “, Matthew Miller, Mike Johnson, Dani Elgarat, Nir Oz, Noa Argamani, Elgarat Organizations: Protesters, Hamas, ., Families, Wednesday, Credit, Reuters, Shas, Department, Democratic, Louisiana Republican, Mr Locations: Israel, Washington, Qatar, Egypt, Israel’s, Jerusalem, Tel Aviv, Gaza, Louisiana, United States

☆ A nation traumatized and a campaign transformed as Trump is set to reemerge
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-15 | by ( Stephen Collinson | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +11 min

The uproar over the Trump assassination attempt may pause the intraparty rebellion against Biden for now, especially as he assumes his role as the leader of a nation in sudden crisis. In a nation that was already deeply divided, the core vote for both Trump and Biden was probably locked in. There can be no justification for an assassination attempt on a candidate — an assault on democracy. Many Republican politicians issued calls for calm and an easing of political rhetoric after the shooting — as did Democrats. And Johnson accompanied his calls for calm by implying that Democrats — in advancing their arguments against Trump — had somehow abetted the assassination attempt.

Persons: Donald Trump, MAGA, Joe Biden, “, ” Biden, Corey Comperatore, Mike Johnson, we’ve, ”, ” Trump, Salena Zito, Trump, Biden, Ronald Reagan, —, he’s, Doug Burgum, Florida Sen, Marco Rubio, Ohio Sen, J.D, Vance, he’d, Barack Obama, Paul Pelosi, Nancy Pelosi, Trump’s, Johnson, Trump —, Abraham Lincoln, CNN’s Anderson Cooper, ’ it’s, Gretchen Whitmer Organizations: CNN, Republican, Convention, Trump, RNC, Washington Examiner, White, GOP, Service, The New York, Milwaukee Bucks, North Dakota Gov, Ohio, Truth, Capitol, —, Louisiana Republican, Republican National Convention Locations: American, America, Atlanta, Washington, Butler , Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, Florida, New York, Louisiana, Michigan

☆ Mike Johnson condemns attempted Trump assassination, denounces political violence: 'We've got to turn the rhetoric down'
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-14 | by ( John L. Dorman | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Read previewHouse Speaker Mike Johnson on Sunday strongly condemned the shooting at former President Donald Trump's Pennsylvania rally Saturday evening, decrying the "horrific" violence that occurred while also urging political leaders to "turn the rhetoric down." "We've got to turn the rhetoric down," Johnson said. Related stories"This is a horrific act of political violence. Speaker of the House Mike Johnson shares his thoughts on Trump's assassination attempt. Johnson, a political ally of Trump, said hours after the shooting that the House would hold a "full investigation" into the events surrounding Saturday's shooting.

Persons: —, Mike Johnson, Donald Trump's, Joe Biden, Trump, We've, Johnson Organizations: Service, Louisiana Republican, Business, Trump, Department of Homeland Security, FBI Locations: Donald Trump's Pennsylvania, Louisiana, America

☆ Hunter Biden conviction shatters Trump’s persecution narrative
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-12 | by ( Stephen Collinson | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +10 min

In his first reaction to the verdict, Hunter Biden didn’t attack the judge or prosecutors, simply saying he was grateful for the love and support of his family and blessed to be clean again. The Hunter Biden verdict also contradicted the central rationale of Trump’s multiple legal defenses in his four criminal cases, several civil matters and his entire presidential campaign. “So much for the weaponization of the Justice Department to go after just the enemies of the other side,” Michael Zeldin, a former senior Justice Department official and federal prosecutor, said on CNN Max on Tuesday. Stephen Miller, Trump’s former White House domestic policy adviser, argued that the Justice Department had actually shown favoritism toward Hunter Biden by not charging him with 50 felonies over foreign influence peddling. “Hunter Biden just became the Deep State’s sacrificial lamb to show that Justice is ‘balanced’ while the other Biden crimes remain ignored,” she wrote on X.

Persons: Joe Biden, Donald Trump, Biden, Hunter, “, ”, Hunter Biden, Trump, ” Trump, Phil McGraw, couldn’t, ” Michael Zeldin, CNN Max, General Merrick, Garland, David Weiss, Weiss, “ Hunter Biden, ” Ken Buck, CNN’s Erin Burnett, ” Julian Zelizer, he’s, who’s, He’s, ” Zelizer, Democratic Sen, Robert Menendez, Henry Cuellar, Jamie Raskin, James Comer, Big Guy, ” Comer, Mike Johnson, Stephen Miller, Trump’s, ” Miller, Marjorie Taylor Greene, baselessly Organizations: CNN, Justice Department, Fox News, Trump, Democratic, Department, White House, Republican, Justice, Princeton University, “, Robert Menendez of New, Biden, Maryland Democrat, Kentucky Republican, Big, Louisiana Republican, BIG, Georgia Locations: America, Manhattan, Delaware, Robert Menendez of, Robert Menendez of New Jersey, New York, Henry Cuellar of Texas, Mexican, United States, Kentucky, Ukraine, China, Louisiana

☆ Analysis: Trump conviction heralds a somber and volatile moment in American history
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-31 | by ( Stephen Collinson | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +12 min

“Today’s verdict does not change the fact that the American people face a simple reality,” said campaign communications director Michael Tyler. Convicted felon or not, Trump will be the Republican nominee for president,” Tyler said. Supporters hold placards and flags following the announcement of the verdict in Trump's criminal trial. Or, the guilty verdict could play into Biden’s campaign theme that his predecessor is too corrupt and extreme to serve as president again. In another age, a guilty verdict would have immediately ended Trump’s campaign.

Persons: Donald Trump’s, ” Trump, foreperson, Trump, “, Joe Biden’s, ”, Michael Tyler, Donald Trump, ” Tyler, he’s, he’ll, he’d, jubilation, He’s, Biden, Andrew Kelly, ignominy, Timothy Naftali, ” Naftali, Stormy Daniels, —, Attorney Alvin Bragg, Prosecutors, Michael Cohen, Todd Blanche, CNN’s Kaitlan Collins, Eric Trump, Justin Lane, Elise Stefanik, Joe Biden, ” Stefanik, Mike Johnson, South Carolina Sen, Lindsey Graham, ” Graham, Larry Hogan, who’s, ” Hogan, Chris LaCivita, hasn’t Organizations: CNN, Trump Tower, Republican, Republican National Convention, Reuters, Trump, Manhattan, Attorney, Manhattan Criminal, New York, GOP, ”, Louisiana Republican, Senate, “ Locations: United States, New York, York, America, South Carolina

☆ Stakes are high for prosecutors to rescue Cohen testimony as Trump trial enters endgame
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-20 | by ( Stephen Collinson | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +9 min

Defense lawyers say they expect to complete their bruising cross-examination of Cohen, Trump’s former lawyer and enforcer, on Monday morning. In dramatic testimony, Cohen last week directly implicated Trump in the alleged scheme, saying the former president directed him to hand over $130,000 to Daniels and promised him reimbursement. With the end of Cohen’s testimony looming, there is uncertainty over the extent of Trump’s defense case. Blanche referred to the possibility of Trump’s testimony on Thursday, the last day the court was in session. After the defense case wraps up, the prosecution has a chance to put on its own rebuttal.

Persons: Donald Trump’s, Michael Cohen —, Cohen, Trump’s, Trump, Stormy Daniels, Daniels, ” Cohen, Todd Blanche, Keith Schiller, Blanche, President Trump, Schiller, ’, Randy Zelin, Republican nominee’s, Joe Biden, Mike Johnson, — Bradley Smith, Judge Juan Merchan, Merchan, Smith, —, backtrack, “, ” Blanche, Arthur Engoron, president’s, Engoron Organizations: CNN, Prosecutors, Trump, Cornell Law School, Central ”, Republican, Louisiana Republican, Republicans, Commission Locations: New York, Lago, Manhattan, Louisiana, Lake Tahoe

☆ Analysis: Cohen gets a breather after bruising cross-examination as Trump looks on
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-15 | by ( Stephen Collinson | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +8 min

Blanche took Cohen through a long list of the insults he’s unleashed at Trump since becoming estranged from his former mentor, highlighting his penchant for serial lying. He drew jurors’ attention to a social media post in which Cohen wore a T-shirt that depicted Trump in jail, as he spun a narrative of bias and obsession. A key legal conundrum is whether prosecutors have so far succeeded in validating the legal theory behind the case. That foreboding realization was exacerbated by a new posse of Trump supporters at the courthouse on Tuesday, including House Speaker Mike Johnson. While Cohen’s reluctance to offer yes-and-no answers came across at times as flippant and confrontational, he did not appear to say or do anything to torpedo the prosecution case.

Persons: Donald Trump’s, Michael Cohen, don’t, Cohen, ”, Todd Blanche, president’s, didn’t, he’s, Trump, Stormy Daniels, Blanche, ” Cohen, he’d, ” Blanche, douchebag, ” Michael Moore, “, Moore, Juan Merchan, Will Trump’s, ” Shira Scheindlin, CNN’s Jake Tapper, ” Scheindlin, “ Cohen, Mike Johnson, ” Johnson, Andrew McCabe, Cohen’s, ” Moore, Daniels, Susan Hoffinger, reimbursements, ’ ” Cohen Organizations: CNN, GOP, Trump, Middle, Middle District of, Louisiana Republican, Defense, FBI Locations: Ohio, Kentucky, Middle District, Middle District of Georgia, New York, Louisiana, Blanche, Manhattan

“Sounds like something I would say,” responded Cohen, Trump’s former lawyer and fixer. The question set the tone for the cross-examination of the Manhattan district attorney’s key witness in the hush money trial against the former president. For roughly two hours, Blanche began a cross-examination to try to discredit Cohen’s allegations against Trump. Blanche then asked whether Cohen called Trump a “Cheeto-dusted cartoon villain.”“That also sounds like something that I said,” Cohen said. “You were telling the truth, correct?” Blanche asked in regards to the compliments Cohen gave Trump.

Persons: Donald Trump’s, Todd Blanche, Michael Cohen, Blanche, Cohen, Cohen “, ”, Trump’s, Stormy Daniels, Trump, Daniels, Joshua Steinglass, Juan Merchan, ” Cohen, “, Donald Trump, ’ ” Cohen, Trump Blanche, ” Blanche, Blanche . Trump, Robert Mueller’s, Jay Sekulow, –, Susan Hoffinger, Florida Sen, Rick Scott, Sen, J.D, Vance of Ohio, Doug Burgum, Mike Johnson, Byron Donalds, Cory Mills, Vivek Ramaswamy, Johnson, Lara Trump, Eric Trump, ” Ramaswamy, ” Trump Organizations: CNN, Trump, Trump . Assistant, Trump –, Federal, Commission, FBI, Trump Organization, North Dakota Gov, Republican National Committee Locations: Manhattan, Russia, United States, New York, Florida, Louisiana

☆ Why Johnson’s appearance at Manhattan courthouse stands out among Republicans backing up Trump
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-14 | by ( Stephen Collinson | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

CNN —House Speaker Mike Johnson is not waiting for ex-President Donald Trump to be judged by a jury of his peers. Vance, a possible VP contender, was there along with Alabama Sen. Tommy Tuberville, a famed former college football coach. The speaker’s appearance is different, given the constitutional heft of his office and the figurative connotations it evokes. Some experts have questioned whether any other defendant besides Trump would face the same indictment at the hands of a prosecutor, Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg, a Democrat. Trump is exercising his right to mount a defense and is considered innocent until proven guilty.

Persons: Mike Johnson, Donald Trump, He’s, Trump, Johnson, Michael Cohen, Ohio Sen, J.D, Vance, Alabama Sen, Tommy Tuberville, Doug Burgum, ”, he’s, Stormy Daniels, Daniels, Cohen, Trump’s, –, ” Johnson, Attorney Alvin Bragg, “ Organizations: CNN —, Republican, Louisiana Republican, Trump, ”, Ohio, Alabama, North Dakota Gov, GOP, Attorney, Democrat Locations: Louisiana, New York, Manhattan

Washington CNN —The House voted swiftly Wednesday evening to kill Republican Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene’s effort to oust Speaker Mike Johnson from his leadership post. Johnson spoke briefly with reporters following the vote, calling Greene’s campaign against him “misguided” and thanking colleagues for a “show of confidence” in his leadership. The House on Wednesday voted to table – or kill – Greene’s push to remove Johnson by a tally of 359 to 43. Eleven Republicans voted against tabling. House Republicans were completely caught off guard by Greene’s decision to trigger her motion, multiple Republican sources told CNN.

Persons: Marjorie Taylor, Mike Johnson, –, Johnson, “, ”, “ I’ve, ” Greene, Kevin McCarthy, Greene, Johnson –, Thomas Massie, Kentucky –, Austin Scott of, CNN’s Haley Talbot Organizations: Washington CNN, Republican, Louisiana Republican, GOP, tabling, House Democratic, Republicans, CNN Locations: Louisiana, Austin Scott of Georgia

☆ Biden’s antisemitism speech leaves no doubt he’s standing by Israel despite tension with Netanyahu
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-07 | by ( Stephen Collinson | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +10 min

CNN —The political rawness of the moment, as Israel pounds Gaza and outrage rocks American college campuses, means President Joe Biden’s big speech Tuesday condemning antisemitism is most notable for what he left unsaid. The speech was closely watched given the turmoil in the Middle East and its stunning political reaction in the US. “My commitment to the safety of the Jewish people, the security of Israel, and its right to exist as an independent Jewish state is ironclad. While praising the right to free speech as a fundamental American value, he condemned reported instances when some Jewish students have faced antisemitic taunting. Understanding history and preventing it from being manipulated for political gain was a major focus of Biden’s speech, which was delivered on the 79th anniversary of VE Day, when the allies defeated Nazism in World War II.

Persons: Joe Biden’s, movingly, you’re, ” Biden, Biden, Benjamin Netanyahu, ”, Joe ”, We’re, Biden’s, Donald Trump, Trump, Stormy Daniels, “, ” Johnson, Netanyahu, —, Mike Johnson, ’ Organizations: CNN, Jewish, Hamas, Holocaust Memorial, Capitol, Arab, Israel, Gaza Health Ministry, Democratic, Trump, Republicans, Republican, Louisiana Republican, White, GOP, Nazism Locations: Israel, Gaza, Nazi, Rafah, Michigan, Manhattan, Nazi Germany, United States, Louisiana, Charlottesville , Virginia, Gestapo

☆ Johnson looks to unify GOP with crack down on college campus protests
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-02 | by ( Annie Grayer | Melanie Zanona | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +9 min

“Anti-Israel protests on college campuses threaten Jewish students,” says the ad, which was shared first with CNN. While supporters of the legislation say it will help combat antisemitism on college campuses, opponents argue it overreaches and threatens to chill free speech. Some Democrats see the new investigative effort into college campuses and Johnson’s recent visit to Columbia University as a divisive political ploy. “Clearly it’s a very high priority for him,” GOP Rep. Frank Lucas of Oklahoma, the chairman of the House Science Committee, told CNN. House GOP Conference Chairwoman Elise Stefanik, who sits on the Education panel, is also expected to play a prominent role in the effort.

Persons: Mike Johnson, Johnson, speakership, ” Johnson, “, ”, Marjorie Taylor Greene, Donald Trump, Nick Fuentes, Pramila Jayapal, Joe Biden, James Comer, Lisa McClain, Biden, “ I’ve, Frank Lucas of Oklahoma, Virginia Foxx, Elise Stefanik, Jim Jordan, Comer, ” Comer, ” CNN’s Haley Talbot Organizations: CNN, Republican, House Democratic, GOP, Louisiana Republican, Columbia University, Democrats, White, Department, Education, International Holocaust, Alliance, Columbia, Michigan, House Education, Workforce Committee, House Science, North Carolina, Yale University, University of California, University of Michigan, House GOP, New York Republican, Science, Republicans, George Washington University, Kentucky Republican Locations: Louisiana, Israel, Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia, Lago, Washington, Columbia, University of California Los Angeles, “, Ohio

Washington CNN —GOP Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene announced Wednesday she will force a vote over House Speaker Mike Johnson’s ouster next week – a move that comes after Democrats have said they will vote to kill the effort and ensure Johnson doesn’t lose his job. “This motion is wrong for the Republican Conference, wrong for the institution, and wrong for the country,” the speaker said in a statement after Greene’s announcement. Greene originally filed the motion to oust Johnson in March amid conservative anger over the Louisiana Republican’s handling of the government funding fight. A floor vote to oust Johnson would require a majority to succeed, but it can still be preempted. It was a warning to stop serving the Democrats and support our Republican conference and support our agenda.

Persons: Marjorie Taylor Greene, Mike Johnson’s, Johnson doesn’t, “, ”, Johnson, Kevin McCarthy, Greene, Donald Trump, Trump, President Trump, ” Greene, Marjorie Taylor Greene’s, Hakeem Jeffries, Mike Johnson, Jeffries, CNN’s Melanie Zanona, Aileen Graef Organizations: Washington CNN, GOP, Republican Conference, Republican, House Democratic, ”, Democratic Locations: Louisiana, Ukraine

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