Michigan Democrat Sen. Gary Peters announced he will not seek re-election when his term ends in Jan. 2027.
Peters, a two-term senator and former congressman, told the Detroit News that he will start a “new chapter,” spending more time with family after nearly two decades of public service.
“I always thought there would be a time that I would step aside and pass the reins for the next generation. I also never saw service in Congress as something you do your whole life,” Peters told the outlet.
“And that goes back to 2008 when I first won that House seat. I thought it would be for a matter of a few terms that I would serve, and then I would go back to private life.”
His decision to retire leaves open a senate seat in a state President Donald Trump won in 2024.
This is a breaking news story. Please check back for updates.
Duncan Lock, Dflock, CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons
On Tuesday, the U.S. Supreme Court allowed Texas law permitting state officials to arrest illegal migrants to take effect.
The decision comes one day after the Supreme Court extended an administrative stay on the state law while it considered an emergency appeal by the Biden administration, CNNreported.
Last year, Gov. Greg Abbott signed Senate Bill 4 into law but it was initially blocked by a federal judge before a federal appeals court reversed the judge’s decision and allowed the law to go into effect. However, the Supreme Court intervened earlier this month — first, delaying the law’s implementation and then extending the stay until March 18. (RELATED: Federal Judge Blocks Texas Border Security Law)
SB 4 allows state officials to arrest and jail immigrants suspected of entering the U.S. unlawfully and also grants state judges the power to order deportations.
The Supreme Court’s Monday decision placed a stay on the Texas law “pending further order” from the court, according to NBC News.
“SCOTUS temporarily halted enforcement of SB 4 but Texas is still using its authority to arrest illegal immigrants for criminal trespass and other violations of law,” Abbott said. “We continue building the wall, use [National Guard] to erect razor wire barriers to repel migrants & buoys remain in river.”
Biden’s Justice Department has asserted that the law violates the Supremacy Clause of the U.S. Constitution which prohibits states from interfering with the federal government using its constitutional powers.
The DOJ argued that “SB 4 impedes the federal government’s ability to enforce entry and removal provisions of federal law and interferes with its conduct of foreign relations.”
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has argued that Texas has a constitutional right and duty to protect itself from “violent” cartels who traffick drugs and people across the U.S. southern border.
“[The] Constitution recognizes that Texas has the sovereign right to defend itself from violent transnational cartels that flood the State with fentanyl, weapons, and all manner of brutality,” Paxton said.
Kamala Harris, who has been a key figure in the Biden administration’s handling of immigration, discussed the ongoing border crisis during a taped interview with MSNBC’s Stephanie Ruhle. In the interview, which aired Wednesday, Harris acknowledged that the immigration system is broken but expressed confidence in her vague plan to fix it. She once again reiterated her support for a “pathway to citizenship.”
NEW: Kamala Harris, who let in 15M+ illegals, calls for a "pathway to citizenship" and says the immigration system is broken but she will fix it.
Harris blamed Trump for why so many illegals crossed the border under her leadership.
“When I’m elected president, if the American people give me the opportunity, I will bring back the bill and sign it into law,” Harris told Ruhle. She emphasized the need for a comprehensive plan, not only to strengthen border security but also to provide avenues for immigrants to gain citizenship.
However, Harris’s remarks continue faced criticism. Mediaite’s Colby Hall pointed out that simply repeating cliché talking points in a sit-down interview with a friendly host is unlikely to change public perception that Harris tends to avoid difficult press engagements like the plague:
Hall noted in a column published Wednesday morning that Ruhle announced her interview just days after appearing on Real Time with Bill Maher and openly advocating on behalf of Kamala Harris, or more to the point, against Donald Trump.
In another part of the interview, Harris seemed to struggle when asked about the economic concerns of middle-class Americans, yet again referencing her own middle-class upbringing. She also appeared uncertain when questioned about her plan to raise corporate tax rates, especially if Republicans take control of the Senate – a detail that would greatly affect her ability to push forward left-wing economic policies.
NEW: Kamala Harris gets stumped during her first solo sit-down interview since becoming the Democratic nominee.
Stephanie Ruhle: "If you can't raise corporate taxes or if GOP takes control of the Senate, where do you get the money to do that?"
A New York federal judge threatened to kick former President Trump out of his courtroom for being “disruptive” on Wednesday,
During a trial proceeding to determine how much Trump owes writer E. Jean Carroll for defaming her after she alleged he raped her.
Carroll, 79, alleged that Trump raped her at the Bergdorf Goodman department store across the street from Trump Tower in Manhattan sometime in 1996.
“Mr. Trump has the right to be present here. That right can be forfeited and it can be forfeited if he is disruptive, which what has been reported to me consists of. And if he disregards court orders, Mr. Trump, I hope I don’t have to consider excluding you from the trial,” U.S. District Judge Lewis A. Kaplan said Wednesday, according to CNN.
“I understand you’re probably eager for me to do that,” the judge continued.
“I would love it,” Trump replied, according to severaloutlets.
“I know you would,” Kaplan said back. “You just can’t control yourself in this circumstance, apparently.”
“You can’t either,” Trump muttered, according to the Associated Press.
This is a breaking news story. Please check back for updates.
Outspoken comedian Michael Rapaport is warming up to Trump…
Rapaport, known for his vocal opposition to Trump, told former ESPN host Sage Steele that he “was wrong” about the GOP nominee.
The famous actor admitted during an interview he began to rethink his opinion after his friend, Dr. Enoch Wilf, rated Trump with “100%,” especially relating to his stance on Israel.
“I didn’t like his mouth,” Rapaport told Steele.
“It was low-hanging fruit there,” Steele remarked.
“The mouth and the mean tweets. I didn’t feel like it was appropriate. Yeah, it’s not appropriate. And I would say that to him today. If I would say, like, yo, your mouth, man. You’re the president. You’re also 79. You’re the president, you’re 79. You just got shot in the ear. Like, get some new material. Like, truly, like, bring us together. Like, shut the shit up. Like, you’re the president,” Rapaport said.
Watch:
Rapaport stated that the defense of Israel should be prioritized “first and foremost” and that Iran should face tariffs.
“So honestly, I mean, between your two issues, Israel and your money and the economy, would this be the first time you vote Republican?” Steele inquired.
“I’m not saying I’m gonna vote Republican,” Rapaport replied.
“Here was your quote. ‘Voting for Trump is on the table.’” Steele began.
“Yes,” Rapaport confirmed.
“Does that pain you to say?” Steele asked.
“Yes, it pains me! It pains me! It pains me to be wrong,” Rapaport responded.
“So, you think you were wrong about him?” Steele questioned.
“I was wrong. I wasn’t wrong about my personal feelings, and I wasn’t wrong about everything. And I wasn’t wrong about his behavior,” Rapaport said.
“A lot of people agree with that!” Steele said.
“I’m sure his own family are like, yo, calm down, man. Stop,” Rapaport continued.
“They do say that to him,” Steele commented.
“I’m sure! But I was wrong about Israel, and I was wrong about economy stuff,” Rapaport said. “I was wrong. I was… and I wasn’t even wrong about Israel. I was ill-informed about how he, you know, what he did about Iran and the importance of that and how it was. Put the screws to Iran.”
“I think, you know, as I’m sort of going through this process of understanding and learning, I feel no matter who anyone votes for, it’s never going to be exactly what you want,” Rapaport continued. “You know, I don’t agree with everything my wife says.”
“Yes! And you still love her, and you love the good and she’s working on the bad. So are you,” Steele said.
“But at the end of the day, you know, like I’m clear. I want my interest rates to be down. And I know, ‘Oh, that doesn’t have anything to do with….’ And then Israel needs to be protected more than ever now,” Rapaport said.
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.
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.
Voting systems company Smartmatic is suing conservative media network One America News (OAN) and new evidence shows a direct connection to former President Donald Trump.
According to a report by CNN, an email exchange dated January 8, 2021, between OAN president Charles Herring and Trump lawyer Sidney Powell, who is also being sued by Smartmatic as well as other individuals tied to Trump for spreading misinformation about the 2020 election, purportedly contained a spreadsheet full of passwords for employees of Smartmatic.
The court records don’t reveal how OAN obtained the spreadsheet; according to CNN, lawyers for Smartmatic alleged the possession of the information means OAN executives “may have engaged in criminal activities” by “appear[ing] to have violated state and federal laws regarding data privacy.”
Per CNN:
While Smartmatic’s public filings didn’t identify the sender or recipient of the email, court records from a separate 2020-related lawsuit confirm that Herring and Powell exchanged emails on the same date. The pair’s communications about the purported Smartmatic spreadsheet, which have not been previously reported, resurrect questions that have dogged OAN for years regarding its tendency to blur the lines between opinion journalism and brazen political advocacy.
Smartmatic is seeking billions of dollars in damages from OAN and Fox News after the networks falsely claimed that the company flipped votes during the 2020 election.
Last year, Dominion Voting Systems won nearly $800 million in its similar defamation suit against Fox News.
A federal appeals court on Friday granted former President Donald Trump more time to file a crucial document in his effort to revive his failed lawsuit against Hillary Clinton.
The lawsuit, originally filed in March 2022, accuses Clinton, the Democratic National Committee, former FBI Director James Comey and others of rigging the 2016 presidential election. Trump’s legal team claims the defendants engaged in a conspiracy to “discredit, delegitimize and defame” him during his first presidential campaign.
Trump’s request for additional time was aimed at resuscitating the racketeering (RICO) suit. His legal team also sought to expand their arguments in the case.
Now, in the waning days of his third bid for public office, the underlying lawsuit is long-since dead and gone – dismissed as “frivolous” and “hyperbole” by a district court in Florida in September 2022 – but remains on appellate life support in the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals.
In a terse order, Trump-appointed U.S. Circuit Judge Kevin C. Newsom gave Trump an opportunity to stretch the process a bit further – and to opine about the issues at stake in the appeal at length.
“Appellants’ unopposed motion to exceed the word limitation in their consolidated reply brief and to enlarge the time to file that brief is GRANTED,” the judge’s order reads. “The consolidated reply brief, which may not exceed 10,000 words, is due by September 27, 2024.”
In late August, Trump asked Clinton’s counsel for consent in order to obtain the since-granted extension – citing “pressing hearings occurring in other cases.” The original deadline was Aug. 30. The original word limit, under court rules, was 6,500 words.
Trump’s lawyers replied a few days later with a detailed request for an extension, which the judge found persuasive.
“The interests of justice and judicial economy will be served by permitting this extension of time in the context of the multiple consolidated appeals,” Trump’s attorneys wrote. “Appellants’ counsel conferred with Appellees’ counsel regarding the relief sought in this motion and all Appellees oppose this extension request.”
Following the judge’s decision, Clinton reluctantly agreed to the extension without objection.
This article originally appeared on American Liberty News. It is republished with permission.
On Friday, West Virginia Sen. Joe Manchin (D) revealed he will not launch a presidential campaign this year.
The moderate Democrat who announced he will not seek another term in the Senate has fueled speculation he may launch a third party run for the White House.
“I will not be seeking a third-party run. I will not be involved in a presidential run,” Manchin said in remarks at West Virginia University.
“I will be involved in making sure that we secure a president that has the knowledge and has the passion and has the ability to bring this country together,” he said.
Manchin’s announcement comes days after he floated multiple potential choices for a running mate.
“Hypothetically, if I was picking my running mate, really who I would ask right now is Mitt Romney,” the West Virginia Democrat said during a Q&A at a City Club of Cleveland breakfast Thursday — a stop on the nationwide “listening tour” he launched after announcing he would forgo a reelection bid in 2024. Romney is also not running for reelection this year.
“Rob Portman would be right there, too,” Manchin quickly added.
By Gage Skidmore from Peoria, AZ, United States of America - Pete Hegseth, CC BY-SA 2.0
A significant win…
On Tuesday, Pete Hegseth, President-elect Trump’s nominee to lead the Pentagon, scored a significant endorsement after a grueling hearing with the Senate Armed Services Committee.
According to Fox News, Iowa Republican Sen. Joni Ernst — who previously declared herself being on the fence regarding Hegseth — said Tuesday evening that she was on board with the appointment.
That speaks volumes because Ernst was the only GOP holdout making her reservations public on the Senate Armed Services Committee.
“After four years of weakness in the White House, Americans deserve a strong Secretary of Defense,” Ernst told Fox News via a statement.
“Our next commander in chief selected Pete Hegseth to serve in this role, and after our conversations, hearing from Iowans, and doing my job as a United States Senator, I will support President Trump’s pick for Secretary of Defense,” she added.
“As I serve on the Armed Services Committee, I will work with Pete to create the most lethal fighting force and hold him to his commitments of auditing the Pentagon, ensuring opportunity for women in combat while maintaining high standards, and selecting a senior official to address and prevent sexual assault in the ranks.”
The endorsement is critical, as Ernst had first told the media she was skeptical of Trump’s pick and subsequently issued a statement vaguely supportive of him.
In December Ernst, a combat veteran, told Fox News that she had a “very long, lengthy discussion” with Hegseth in early December and added that “we will continue with the vetting process. I think that is incredibly important.”
When Fox News’ Bill Hemmer responded that it sounded like the Senator hadn’t “gotten to a yes” yet, she responded, “I think you are right.”
🚨Iowa Republican Senator Joni Ernst — who happily voted for LLoyd Austin to run DoD —
