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Trump Moves For Hush Money Mistrial

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Donald Trump via Gage Skidmore Flickr

On Tuesday, Donald Trump’s attorneys moved for a mistrial in his first criminal case, citing the salacious testimony of ex-porn star Stormy Daniels.

“The guardrails for this witness, answering questions from the government, were just thrown to the side,” Trump attorney Todd Blanche said.

Prosecutors called Daniels, a porn star, to the stand on Tuesday.

“I do think some things were better unsaid,” Judge Juan Merchan said. “I don’t believe we are at the point where a mistrial is warranted.” 

The Hill reports:

Blanche asked for a mistrial after the court reconvened following the lunch break. Daniels had taken the stand in the morning, testifying in sordid detail about the alleged sexual encounter.

Blanche suggested that Daniels’ story has changed since 2016 from a consensual affair to be more dubious and that some of the details the jury was allowed to hear, including that he didn’t use a condom, were inappropriate.

“How can you just let them ring the bell?” Blanche said.

Susan Hoffinger, a prosecutor with the Manhattan district attorney’s office, pushed back against Blanche’s accusations.

“In your motions, your honor did not put any guardrails on the testimony,” she said, claiming that Daniels’s story has been public for several years and the defense should not be surprised by her testimony.

This is a breaking news story. Please check back for updates.

Texas Rep. Files Resolution To Remove Biden

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Joe Biden via Gage Skidmore Flickr

Biden’s got to go…

Rep. Chip Roy (R-Texas) is crafting a resolution urging Vice President Harris to convene the Cabinet and declare President Biden unable to carry out the duties of the Oval Office after the poor debate performance Thursday.

“I intend to put forth a resolution calling upon the @VP to immediately use her powers under section 4 of the 25th Amendment to convene & mobilize the principal officers of the Cabinet to declare the @POTUS is unable to successfully discharge the duties and powers of his office,” Roy wrote on X.

Roy told reporters Friday morning that, ”I think anybody with eyes and anybody observing objectively last night saw an individual that is not capable of carrying out the duties the commander-in-chief in a world in which we’re, you know, facing increasing dangers.”

He added, “for those of us who follow this stuff internally, it has been very clear the declining status of the of the capacity of the president, but last night put it all out for all to see. Our colleagues on their side of the aisle can’t hide from it. And frankly, I don’t do this through a political lens, right. I mean, I don’t view it through the lens of well, is the timing good and bad for what happens in November or anything else? It’s just the simple fact of the matter is the president United States is not capable of doing the job.”

Section 4 of the 25th Amendment — which has never been used — says that if the vice president and a majority of the Cabinet or Congress deem the president as “unable to discharge the powers and duties of his office,” the vice president should “immediately assume the powers and duties of the office as Acting President.”

“Whenever the Vice President and a majority of either the principal officers of the executive departments or of such other body as Congress may by law provide, transmit to the President pro tempore of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives their written declaration that the President is unable to discharge the powers and duties of his office, the Vice President shall immediately assume the powers and duties of the office as Acting President,” the amendment reads.

Lisa Ferdinando via Wikimedia Commons

Harris defended Biden’s debate performance on CNN immediately after Thursday night’s event, conceding he had a “slow start” but arguing he had a “strong finish” and had laid out a strong contrast between himself and Trump.

Watch:

Rep. Roy’s move is among the harshest responses to Thursday’s debate which has prompted widespread concern among Democrats.

Several leading columnists for the New York Times are urging President Biden to drop out of the race, citing his poor performance during Thursday night’s debate.

“President Biden is a good man who capped a long career in public service with a successful presidential term. But I hope he reviews his debate performance Thursday evening and withdraws from the race, throwing the choice of a Democratic nominee to the convention in August,” Times columnist Nicholas Kristof wrote.

Thomas Friedman, another Times columnist, made a similar argument.

“I cannot remember a more heartbreaking moment in American presidential campaign politics in my lifetime,” he wrote, saying Biden “a good man and a good president, has no business running for re-election.”

Article Published With The Permission of American Liberty News

Report: Winner Projected in Arizona Gubernatorial Race

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Nearly one week after Election Day and a winner has been announced in the highly-anticipated Arizona gubernatorial election.

The Associated Press called the race for Democrat Katie Hobbs Tuesday evening.

What was expected to be a Republican tsunami has resulted in a ripple as Donald Trump-endorsed MAGA firebrand Kari Lake has reportedly lost to Democrat Secretary of State Katie Hobbs, per NBC News.

On Sunday, Hobbs’ campaign released a statement calling the Arizona Democrat the “unequivocal favorite to become the next Governor of Arizona.”

“Katie has led since the first round of ballots were counted, and after tonight’s results, it’s clear that this won’t change,” the statement read.

“As the county election officials finalize tabulating the results, I want to again thank every staffer, every volunteer, and every supporter on this campaign. Every door knock, every phone call, and every conversation made the difference in this close race,” the statement continued.

This story is developing. Stay with Great America News Desk for updates.

Fox News Host Defies Conservative Line On Trump’s Christmastime Move

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Brian Kilmeade isn’t on board.

The Fox & Friends co-host recently broke with several conservative allies after blasting President Trump’s newly unveiled “Presidential Walk of Fame” plaques at the White House, warning the displays go too far — and could come back to haunt Republicans.

Installed along the White House Colonnade, the plaques feature blunt and often mocking descriptions of former presidents. While some on the right have praised the move as funny and overdue, Kilmeade says it crosses a line.

“I’m not for this at all,” he said.

What’s on the plaques

The displays take direct aim at multiple Trump predecessors:

  • Joe Biden: Replaced with an autopen image and labeled “by far, the worst President in American history.”
  • Barack Obama: Called “one of the most divisive political figures in American history.”
  • Bill Clinton: Noted mainly for Hillary Clinton’s 2016 loss to Trump.
  • George W. Bush: Also targeted with critical commentary.

The plaques first sparked debate on The Five, where Jessica Tarlov called them “repulsive behavior.”

Why Kilmeade objects

Kilmeade warned that today’s trolling could become tomorrow’s problem.

“They’re just going to mock President Trump or put something on his plaque,” he said, arguing the displays could fuel endless political payback as power shifts.

He was especially critical of the autopen image used for Biden.

“I am not for the autopen,” Kilmeade said, calling it juvenile and unfit for a historic setting.

“If you’re going to do it,” he added, “just put the profiles up there.”

History — and consequences

Kilmeade also noted that presidential reputations often change, pointing to Ulysses S. Grant as a leader once derided but later reassessed.

Even so, he made clear he opposes using the White House for political trolling.

“I don’t think it’s going to happen with Joe Biden,” he said, “but I am not for the trolling.”

Conservatives divided

Kilmeade’s stance puts him at odds with Fox colleagues Jesse Watters and Greg Gutfeld, who defended the plaques as entertaining and brushed off concerns about decorum or future blowback.

What do you think? Is this harmless trolling that is long overdue in response to the left’s taunts, or is it inappropriate for the president to display on the side of the White House? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

Judge Rules Trump Hush Money Case Will Head To Trial

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Gavel via Wikimedia Commons Image

Bad news for Donald Trump…

On Thursday, a judge rejected Trump’s attempt to have his hush-money case tossed. Instead, the case is scheduled to begin next month.

Judge Juan Merchan said “at this point” he will move ahead with jury selection beginning on March 25 as scheduled, a timeline that would enable a jury to return a verdict well in advance of July’s Republican National Convention and November’s general election.

Trump’s lawyers then began insisting the trial be delayed, noting Trump’s other cases, quickly turning the hearing into a fiery back-and-forth.

“We have been faced with extremely compressed and expedited schedules in each and every one of those trials,” said Trump attorney Todd Blanche.

Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg (D) charged Trump in the case with 34 counts of falsifying business records last spring over reimbursements Trump made to his then-fixer, Michael Cohen.

Cohen had paid porn actress Stormy Daniels to keep quiet about an affair she alleged to have had with Trump. The indictment accuses Trump of improperly deeming the reimbursements a legal retainer to conceal damaging information from the public ahead of the 2016 presidential election. 

Trump, who denies the affair, pleaded not guilty.

This is a breaking news story. Please check back for updates.

Report: US Attorney Will Attempt To Charge Former FBI Director James Comey

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Image via Wikimedia Commons

In what will likely be an uphill legal battle, the Trump administration’s U.S. attorney in Virginia is reportedly planning to ask a grand jury in the coming days to indict former FBI Director James Comey for allegedly lying to Congress.

Halligan’s apparent plan to seek charges against Comey follows a clear directive from Trump, who over the weekend directly called for prosecutions against Comey, Sen. Adam Schiff and New York Attorney General Letitia James. 

“Nothing is being done. What about Comey, Adam ‘Shifty’ Schiff, and Leticia???” Trump wrote in a social media post on Saturday evening, directly addressing Attorney General Pam Bondi. “We can’t delay any longer, it’s killing our reputation and credibility. They impeached me twice, and indicted me (5 times!), OVER NOTHING. JUSTICE MUST BE SERVED, NOW!!!”

Earlier this week, prosecutors presented Lindsey Halligan – Trump’s former personal attorney whom he appointed to lead the United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia – with a detailed memo recommending that she decline to bring perjury and obstruction charges against Comey, the sources familiar with the memo said according to ABC News.

A monthslong investigation into Comey by DOJ prosecutors failed to establish probable cause of a crime — meaning that not only would they be unable to secure a conviction of Comey by proving the claims beyond a reasonable doubt, but that they couldn’t reach a significantly lower standard to secure an indictment, the sources said

According to sources, Halligan’s deputy — a prosecutor who was briefly assigned to lead the office just a day before Trump appointed Halligan to the high-profile position — has also expressed reservations about bringing the politically charged case. 

Erik Siebert, Trump’s previous nominee to the position, resigned from the office after sources said he refused to bring charges against New York Attorney General Letitia James over unfounded allegations of mortgage fraud.

Trump later claimed he “fired” Siebert and quickly installed Halligan into the position, as he continued to make unprecedented calls for the speedy prosecution of his political foes.  

“I just want people to act, they have to act, and we want to act fast,” Trump said on Saturday. “They were ruthless and vicious. I was impeached twice. I was indicted five times. It turned out to be a fake deal. And we have to act fast, one way or the other, one way or the other: they’re guilty, they’re not guilty. We have to act fast. If they’re not guilty, that’s fine. If they are guilty, or if they should be charged, they should be judged. And we have to do it now.”

Trump has criticized Comey for years after he briefly served as the director of the FBI during Trump’s first term before being fired over his handling of an investigation into alleged Russian interference in the 2016 U.S. election. 

The Department of Justice launched an investigation into Comey earlier this year after FBI Director Kash Patel claimed to discover “burn bags” containing sensitive documents at the FBI headquarters related to the Russia probe.

Hunter Biden Indicted In California Tax Probe, Faces 17 Years In Prison

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President Joe Biden hugs his family during the 59th Presidential Inauguration ceremony in Washington, Jan. 20, 2021. President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris took the oath of office on the West Front of the U.S. Capitol. (DOD Photo by Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Carlos M. Vazquez II)

On Thursday, the President’s son Hunter Biden was indicted in California on numerous tax charges.

Special Counsel David Weiss has been using a federal grand jury in Los Angeles to gather evidence of possible criminal tax charges against Hunter Biden. 

CNN reported that Hunter was hit with nine counts on charges that include failure to file and pay taxes; evasion of assessment; and false or fraudulent tax return.

Biden is facing up to 17 years in prison for his crimes.

Read the indictment below:

Prosecutors said that Hunter Biden made more than $7 million during that period, which included money that he received from Burisma, CEFC China Energy, and others.

“Between 2016 and October 15, 2020, the Defendant spent this money on drugs, escorts and girlfriends, luxury hotels and rental properties, exotic cars, clothing, and other items of a personal nature, in short, everything but his taxes,” prosecutors said.

Hunter Biden pleaded not guilty in October to federal gun charges in U.S. District Court for the District of Delaware after being charged out of Weiss’ years-long investigation. 

House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer attributed Thursday’s indictment to the efforts of “two brave IRS whistleblowers, Gary Shapley and Joseph Ziegler.” 

“The Department of Justice got caught in its attempt to give Hunter Biden an unprecedented sweetheart plea deal,” Comer said. “Every American should applaud these men for their courage to expose the truth.”

“Unless U.S. Attorney Weiss investigates everyone involved in the Bidens’ fraud schemes and influence peddling, it will be clear President Biden’s DOJ is protecting Hunter Biden and the big guy.”

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

Ex-White House Lawyer Says This Is What Could Land Trump In Jail

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Image via Pixabay

Could this be what sinks Trump?

Former Trump White House lawyer Ty Cobb said his former boss could soon end up in jail over extreme rhetoric regarding his New York business fraud trial and other cases.

“It’s much like what he did on Jan. 6. It continues to be off the rails in terms of the extent to which his invective infects these proceedings and is the potential to intimidate witnesses,” Cobb said in a CNN interview Tuesday

“I believe that, you know, at some point, comments like this will result in Trump not only being sanctioned,” he continued. “But at some point, these types of comments will result in him being put in jail pending some of these trials.”

Trump and his attorneys are facing a limited gag order in the New York case, which prevents him from demeaning the court or discussing witnesses publicly. But Trump has frequently flouted the order

New York Attorney General Sues Trump

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Alec Perkins from Hoboken, USA, CC BY 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons

New York attorney general Letitia James has filed a lawsuit against former president Trump and three of his children, alleging business fraud.

The move by James’ office comes on the heels of a years-long civil investigation into the Trump family’s real estate business, the Trump Organization. The investigation has centered on whether the former president’s company misled investors and tax authorities by inflating property values to get investments and subsequently deflating them to get tax and loan benefits.

The lawsuit also targets Trump’s three adult children: Eric, Ivanka, and Donald Jr. who have all held senior executives at the Trump Organization.

The New York AG’s lawsuit comes after she rejected an offer from the former president’s legal team to settle the civil investigation into his business.

If the case goes to trial and Trump loses, a judge could potentially impose financial penalties and restrict the former president’s business operations in New York — all potentially in the midst of a 2024 presidential campaign that he is expected to join.

It is possible that James, as part of her lawsuit, could seek to curtail Trump’s Manhattan real estate portfolio, though she has given mixed signals publicly about what sort of punishment she will seek to impose.

Trump has long dismissed the investigation as a “phony years-long crusade” against him and criticized James for the inquiry.

“Today’s filing is neither focused on the facts nor the law — rather, it is solely focused on advancing the Attorney General’s political agenda,” Alina Habba, a Trump attorney who has represented the former president in New York-based and Trump Organization litigation. “It is abundantly clear that the Attorney General’s Office has exceeded its statutory authority by prying into transactions where absolutely no wrongdoing has taken place. We are confident that our judicial system will not stand for this unchecked abuse of authority, and we look forward to defending our client against each and every one of the Attorney General’s meritless claims.”

This story is developing. Stay with Great America’s News Desk for the latest updates.

US Judge Dismisses DNC Election Commission Lawsuit

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A federal judge on Tuesday dismissed a lawsuit from the Democratic National Committee (DNC) claiming President Donald Trump’s executive orders had threatened the independence of the Federal Election Commission (FEC).

In his ruling, U.S. District Judge Amir Ali, a Biden appointee, said the DNC failed to demonstrate “concrete and imminent injury” – or the burden needed to justify their request for a preliminary injunction. He said that the concerns raised by the party about the FEC’s independence as a result of Trump’s executive order were far too speculative to satisfy the court’s higher bar for emergency relief. 

At issue in the case was the executive order Trump signed on Feb. 18, titled, “Ensuring Accountability for All Agencies.” 

Democrats filed the lawsuit just 10 days after the order was signed, arguing that the order threatened to encroach on the independence of the FEC and risked subjecting it to the whims of the executive branch.

The lawsuit focused largely on the claim that the FEC is an independent regulatory agency and argued that the credibility of the entire regulatory enterprise would be “fatally undermined if the party controlling the White House can unilaterally structure campaign rules and adjudicate disputes to disadvantage its electoral competitors.”

Notably, Ali said Tuesday that he had not found any evidence to date that the White House or the Trump administration had taken steps to change or undermine how the FEC interprets federal election law, or target its independent role.

The “possibility that the president and attorney general would take the extraordinary step of issuing a directive to the FEC or its Commissioners purporting to bind their interpretation of FECA is not sufficiently concrete and imminent to create Article III injury,” Ali said Tuesday.

Ali said the DNC was welcome to submit an amended filing to the court to reconsider the case.

“This Court’s doors are open to the parties if changed circumstances show concrete action or impact on the FEC’s or its Commissioners’ independence,” Ali said.