Featured

Home Featured
Featured posts

Florida Judge Rules On Request To Dismiss Trump’s Classified Docs Probe

1
Image via Gage Skidmore Flickr

On Thursday, Florida District Court Judge Aileen Cannon rejected former President Donald Trump’s motion to dismiss charges of retaining classified documents.

This is only one of two motions from Trump’s legal team. The judge has not ruled on the other motion to dismiss based on the Presidential Records Act (PRA). 

Trump’s attorney Todd Blanche initially asserted that the PRA gives the president the authority to retain documents he sees fit. However, later the judge one point remarked that the Trump defense team’s view of the Presidential Records Act would essentially “gut the PRA.”

Fox News continues:

“Presidents since George Washington have taken material out of the White House,” said Blanche, adding that the PRA was passed in the late ’70s and nothing in the statute says anything about documents with markings or anything that gives the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) the ability to challenge a president’s decision about which documents are personal versus presidential.

Trump’s attorney also pointed out often that the then-president caused these boxes to be moved while he was still president and that this is the first time NARA has challenged a decision made by a president about which documents are personal versus presidential. They claim NARA only took this action because the president in question was Donald Trump.

Blanche replied that it is up to Congress to change the law. “That’s what’s supposed to happen. DOJ can’t just decide… [what is personal versus presidential],” he said. 

“We don’t have a lot of case law on this because this has never been done before,” added Blanche. “While he was the president he took records, like many presidents… For the first time ever, NARA took a different path and made a criminal referral,” instead of negotiating with the president as had been done in the past.

Cannon at one point said, “Correct… the seizure of a president’s records was seen to be an extraordinary act.”

Meadows Ally Plans to Plead Guilty

    0
    Office of Congressman Mark Meadows, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

    A Republican who ran to replace former Rep. Mark Meadows (R-N.C.) after he joined the Trump White House will plead guilty to accepting an illegal campaign contribution.

    Federal prosecutors have charged Lynda Bennett for knowingly accepting a $25,000 campaign contribution from a relative that was made in someone else’s name.

    Monday’s court filing indicated Bennett’s plan to plead guilty. Details surrounding the illegal contribution have largely been kept secret.

    “This case involves a technical violation of campaign-finance regulations, based on a loan from a family member. Lynda looks forward to putting it behind her,” Bennett’s attorney, Kearns Davis, told Fox News Digital by email Monday. 

    Sentencing guidelines for violations of 52 USC 30122 list maximum penalties of five years imprisonment and/or a fine of up to $50,000.

    Bennett, an outspoken GOP activist ultimately lost her 2020 Congressional campaign to controversial firebrand Madison Cawthorn by about 32 percentage points, or 15,000 votes.

    Federal campaign finance laws prohibited individual contributions that exceeded $2,800 for the 2020 primary cycle or $2,800 for that year’s general election cycle.

    According to The Hill, Meadows’s wife, Debbie was close with Bennett and reportedly encouraged the former president to endorse her in the primary.

    This story is breaking. Click refresh for the latest updates.

    Star Witness Michael Cohen Admits He Wanted Top Role In Trump Admin.

      0
      Gage Skidmore Flickr

      On Thursday, former Donald Trump “fixer” Michael Cohen admitted he would have liked to have been considered to fill the role of chief of staff during the Trump Administration.

      Cohen, who testified Thursday that he was offered a role in the White House, said he didn’t want to go to the White House and rather wanted to serve as Trump’s personal attorney.

      When asked if he wanted to work in the White House, Cohen responded, “No sir.”

      Trump’s lawyer Todd Blanche asked Cohen if the truth is that he really wanted to work in the White House. Cohen responded, “No sir.”

      Blanche then asked Cohen if he had hoped to be named the White House chief of staff, to which he denied.

      Blanche then outlined several conversations Cohen had with other individuals, including his daughter, about the possibility of serving as chief of staff under Trump.

      Cohen, who testified that he spoke with Trump about serving as his personal attorney, said he wanted a hybrid position, one with access to Trump but not considered a White House employee.

      Top Trump Admin Official Shares Big Prediction About Energy Prices

      1

      Energy markets could see a sharp reversal if tensions ease in the Middle East, as U.S. officials signal that a diplomatic breakthrough with Iran may be within reach.

      The outlook comes after President Donald Trump said earlier Monday that negotiations with Iran have been “very good and productive,” announcing a five-day pause on planned U.S. strikes against Iranian energy infrastructure to allow talks to continue.

      Against that backdrop, U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright said oil prices could fall significantly if a deal leads to the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global shipping route that has faced disruptions in recent weeks.

      Wright made the comments during an appearance on FOX Business’ “Varney & Co.” with host Lauren Simonetti, emphasizing how closely energy markets are tied to developments in the region.

      “They would go down quite a bit. If we see a pathway to have the Strait of Hormuz open soon and energy flowing again, you’d see energy prices drop pretty significantly,” Wright said.

      Global markets have been reacting to reduced traffic through the strategic waterway, one of the world’s most important energy chokepoints. Even temporary disruptions have driven fuel costs higher for consumers.

      Wright suggested that the trajectory of energy prices will depend largely on whether Iran chooses to de-escalate and engage in negotiations.

      “That could happen if a peace agreement is reached… If Iran thinks enough is enough, and they’re willing to make a deal… Then there’ll be a deal,” Wright said.

      For now, officials caution that short-term volatility is likely to continue as negotiations unfold, though a sustained diplomatic breakthrough could quickly stabilize markets.

      Trump Calls to Primary Republican Senators Who Voted for Omnibus Spending Bill

        8
        Donald Trump via Gage Skidmore Flickr

        Donald Trump has a strong message for Senate Republicans.

        The former President called for the ouster of roughly a third of the Republican Senate caucus following the passing of a massive $1.7 trillion omnibus spending bill.

        According to Mediaite, Trump initially took to social media to congratulate Kevin McCarthy on becoming Speaker after 15 rounds of votes before changing his tune.

        He then turned his ire to “Mitch McConnell and his China flagrant boss, Coco Chow.” Of course he is making another racialized reference to Elaine Chao, who served as Secretary of Transportation in his own administration. “Something is wrong with McConnell, and those Republican Senators that Vote with him,” he wrote. “PRIMARY THEM ALL!!!”

        His full message reads:

        Great job Kevin! We must now stop Mitch McConnell and his China flagrant boss, Coco Chow. It’s as though he just doesn’t care anymore, he pushes through anything the Democrats want. The $1.7 TRILLION quickly approved Bill of the week before was HORRIBLE. Zero for USA Border Security. If he waited just ten days, the now “United Republican Congress” could have made it MUCH BETTER, or KILLED IT. Something is wrong with McConnell, and those Republican Senators that Vote with him. PRIMARY THEM ALL!!!

        Following is a list of the 18 Republican Senators who voted to pass the spending bill, however, Senators Blunt and Shelby have since retired.

        • Roy Blunt (Missouri)
        • John Boozman (Arkansas)
        • Shelley Capito (West Virginia)
        • Susan Collins (Maine)
        • John Cornyn (Texas)
        • Tom Cotton (Arkansas)
        • Lindsey Graham (South Carolina)
        • Jim Inhofe (Oklahoma)
        • Mitch McConnell (Kentucky)
        • Jerry Moran (Kansas)
        • Lisa Murkowski (Alaska)
        • Rob Portman (Ohio)
        • Mitt Romney (Utah)
        • Mike Rounds (South Dakota)
        • Richard Shelby (Alabama)
        • John Thune (South Dakota)
        • Roger Wicker (Mississippi)
        • Todd Young (Indiana)

        This story is developing. Click refresh for the latest details.

        Trump Walks Out Of Court During Closing Arguments

          3
          Photo via Gage Skidmore Flickr

          Trump is out!

          Donald Trump walked out of the Manhattan courtroom just after a lawyer for writer E. Jean Carroll had begun issuing closing remarks Friday.

          Federal Judge Lewis Kaplan is overseeing the ongoing sexual abuse defamation trial against the former President. Carroll is suing the former President for defamation over his 2019 denials that he sexually abused her decades earlier. The former Elle columnist secured a verdict last year finding Trump liable for sexual abuse and awarding her $5 million.

          Now, she’s seeking some $10 million in damages for Trump’s denials.

          According to The Hill, it’s unclear why Trump left the courtroom, though it occurred shortly after Carroll’s lawyer Roberta Kaplan said the former president “has tried to normalize conduct that is abnormal.”

          After Trump left, Judge Lewis Kaplan directed the defense — and, by name, adviser Boris Epshteyn — to remain seated, CNN and ABC News reported.

          “The record will reflect that Mr. Trump just rose and walked out of the courtroom,” said Kaplan, who is not related to Carroll’s lawyer.

          Earlier Friday morning, Kaplan called out Trump’s attorney Alina Habba for continuing to talk when he told her she was finished.

          “You are on the verge of spending some time in the lockup. Now sit down,” the judge told Habba.

          Report: Brothers Plead Guilty To Insider Trading Tied to Trump Media Company

            1
            Arrest image via Pixabay

            Two brothers pleaded guilty in federal court Wednesday for their roles in an insider trading scheme.

            Florida venture capitalist Michael Shvartsman, 53, and his brother, Gerald, 46, each pleaded guilty to one count of securities fraud, which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison. U.S. District Judge Lewis Liman set the brothers’ sentencing hearing for July 17.

            According to the Department of Justice, the brothers obtained confidential information about details of the deal, including the timeline of its announcement, and then bought millions of dollars’ worth of DWAC securities on the open market before the merger with Trump Media went public.

            The Hill reports:

            “Michael and Gerald Shvartsman admitted in court that they received confidential, inside information about an upcoming merger between DWAC and Trump Media and used that information to make profitable, but illegal, open-market trades,” U.S. Attorney Damian Williams said in a press release Wednesday from the Department of Justice.

            “Insider trading is cheating, plain and simple, and today’s convictions should remind anyone who may be tempted to corrupt the integrity of the stock market that it will earn them a ticket to prison,” Williams added.

            The Shvartsmans were arrested last June, along with a third individual, Bruce Garelick, who had worked at Michael Shvartsman’s Rocket One Capital venture firm. Garelick, who was placed on DWAC’s board of directors, is accused of providing critical information to the brothers about the forthcoming deal in 2021. Garelick is set to go to trial at the end of this month.

            DeSantis, Aides Involved in Minor Car Wreck On Campaign Trail

              6
              Police image via Pixabay free images

              Republican Presidential candidate Ron DeSantis was involved in a minor car accident while traveling to a campaign stop on Tuesday morning.

              DeSantis and his team were uninjured, according to his campaign. 

              “This morning, the governor was in a car accident while traveling to an event in Chattanooga, Tennessee,” said Bryan Griffin, press secretary for DeSantis’s campaign. 

              “We appreciate the prayers and well wishes of the nation for his continued protection while on the campaign trail.”

              This is a breaking news story. Click refresh for the latest updates.

              The other Soros: Senator Reveals How this Liberal Swiss Billionaire Has Been Funneling Cash into US Elections

              2
              Image via Pixabay free images

              A left-wing Swiss billionaire has been bankrolling the voting systems used in American elections, with an alleged bias toward liberals, a U.S. senator reveals.

              United States Senator Bill Hagerty (R-TN), a member of the Senate Rules Committee, pressed Benjamin Hovland, Vice Chair of the U.S. Election Assistance Commission (EAC), on foreign influence in U.S. elections through what he called “a new form of Zuckerbucks: partisan, foreign-backed funding for local election administrators through the U.S. Alliance for Election Excellence.”

              Hagerty calls it a “highly problematic scheme in which left-wing organizations provide substantial, foreign-funded resources for conducting American elections at the local level.”

              Much of the funding comes from Hansjörg Wyss, a Swiss billionaire and multi-million dollar donor to left-wing causes through his “Hub Project.”

              “This is an $80 million initiative, funded by a web of left-wing entities, to ‘help’ local election administrators conduct elections,” Hagerty explained. “It’s a new form of ‘Zuckerbucks,’ is what it is. This network of entities has received tens—if not hundreds—of millions of dollars from a foreign left-wing billionaire named Hansjörg Wyss. He’s not a U.S. Citizen, so he can’t contribute directly to our elections, but he’s found a way to be involved in our elections.”

              “After being repeatedly pressed by Hagerty to acknowledge whether foreign donations used to conduct American elections are acceptable, Vice Chair Hovland conceded that this interference is inappropriate,” a statement from Hagerty’s office reveals.

              “Absolutely not. Of course not,” Vice Chair Hovland answered. 

              “I want to be clear with that because what this is is Zuckerbucks 2.0 coming from a foreign billionaire involving themselves in our elections. What I want to make certain is that this Commission—that no Election Assistance Commission dollars are commingled in any way with these foreign funds,” said Hagerty.

              Opinions expressed by contributors do not necessarily reflect the views of Great America News Desk.

              Man Accused of Plotting Trump Assassination Challenges President To Golf Match

                4

                Ryan Routh, the accused would-be assassin of President Donald Trump, challenged the president to a round of golf with deadly consequences in a bizarre court filing on Tuesday.

                Routh, who is suspected of trying to assassinate President Donald Trump at his Florida golf course has filed a motion challenging him to a round on the links — with the winner getting the White House.

                Last September, a Secret Service agent spotted Ryan Routh in the shrubbery at Trump International Golf Club in West Palm Beach.

                Routh aimed a rifle at the agent before dropping the weapon and running off. At the time, Trump was golfing but had not yet come into Routh’s view.

                That assassination plot came three months after Trump was shot in the ear during a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania.

                On Tuesday, Routh filed a motion making several odd requests — including strippers, a golf match for the presidency, and even a “beatdown session” from Trump:

                To present new evidence two weeks before court when it has been almost a year for them to gather all they needed, need I say more — it is absurd. The deadline has passed. If you would like to trade admitting the evidence for my subpoena of that baboon Donald J. Trump, bring that idiot on; it is a deal. If you do not want to trade for dumbass, then give me all the others on my recent subpoena list, but I think a beatdown session would be more fun and entertaining for everyone; give me shackles and cuffs and let the old fat man give it his worst. We must beat down crime in America. Carpet is red, isn’t it, no harm in blood. If I am housed at Fort Lucie can it be in a far off, quiet room and can I have access to documents, phone, visitation, email, and maybe a computer and printer, or a fancy typewriter like this one; some female strippers would be great too(model parent): OR perhaps a putting green so I can work on my putting (a golf joke). A round of golf with the racist pig, he wins he can execute me, I win I get his job. (sorry hillbilly Vance)

                Routh was charged with attempted assassination of a major presidential candidate, assaulting a federal officer, and multiple firearm violations.

                A judge recently approved his request to represent himself, and jury selection for his trial is set to begin next week on Sept. 8.

                During a hearing, Routh presented about a dozen additional witnesses that he would like to subpoena, including Trump himself. The court had already approved four character witnesses for Routh, but he requested several more, including a former romantic partner, to testify on his gentleness.

                “That is clearly absurd,” Judge Aileen Cannon said.

                Routh also wanted to question several Harvard professors who he believes could testify that his actions were justified, but Cannon previously ruled that she would not allow Routh to use a justification defense.

                Routh has previously presented other strange requests to the judge.

                Fox News reported in July that Routh wrote an unusual letter to the judge asking why the death penalty isn’t on the table—and proposing that he be included in a prisoner swap with U.S. adversaries, even suggesting he be sent to freeze in Siberia in exchange for a Ukrainian soldier.