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    Activists Seek to Disqualify Trump From 2024 Ballot

    By
    Madeleine Jackson
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    10
    Photo via Gage Skidmore Flickr

    Two activist groups want to keep former President Donald Trump from the White House by any means necessary.

    The groups say secretaries of state are empowered by the 14th Amendment to bar Trump from running for office because of the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol insurrection. The groups are calling their campaign “Trump is Disqualified,” and are timing it to coincide with the 155th anniversary of the 14th Amendment.

    The Hill has more:

    Starting Sunday, Mi Familia Vota and Free Speech for People will stage a week of rallies and banner drops outside the offices of the secretaries of state of California, Oregon, Colorado and Georgia.

    The groups also penned a letter to Nevada Secretary of State Cisco Aguilar last month, calling on him to block Trump under what’s known as the Insurrectionist Disqualification Clause.

    “We’re really focusing on Nevada and California and [Oregon, Colorado and Georgia] to make sure that they are taking a stand by disqualifying Trump in those spaces, which is something that the secretary of state can do,” said Héctor Sánchez, executive director of Mi Familia Vota.

    “Trump is responsible for the January 6th insurrection, plain and simple,” said Alexandra Flores-Quilty, campaign director for Free Speech For People. 

    “Failing to hold him responsible not only violates the Constitution, but it also sets a dangerous precedent for permitting violent attacks on our democracy. That’s not a risk we can afford to take.”

    Secretaries of state are charged with certifying eligibility of candidates and counting the votes in their state. Though Trump has been indicted twice and is under investigation in other cases, the groups say those are not disqualifying facts under Section 3 of the 14th Amendment.

    Trump Valet Pleads Not Guilty in Mar-A-Lago Case

    By
    Madeleine Jackson
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    3
    Gavel via Wikimedia Commons Image

    On Thursday, former President Donald Trump’s valet Walt Nauta pleaded not guilty in a Miami, FL courtroom over his role in the ongoing Mar-A-Lago classified documents case.

    Nauta, a former White House military valet, is facing charges on six counts in the case after he was spotted on security cameras moving boxes in and out of the storage room at Trump’s Florida residence according to The Hill.

    Court filings describe Nauta as moving boxes in advance of a visit by former Trump attorney Evan Corcoran, who was set to retrieve documents in order to comply with a subpoena from the Justice Department seeking the return of all records with classified markings.

    Nauta is accused of coordinating with Trump to conceal the documents from Corcoran and investigators.  

    Nauta appeared in court alongside Trump on June 13, but was not arraigned as he had yet to secure counsel in Florida.

    Nauta, who remains a valet to Trump, has been ordered not to discuss the case with the former president except through their attorneys.

    This story is breaking. Click refresh to stay updated on the latest news.

    Republican Hopeful Refuses to Sign RNC Pledge to Support 2024 Nominee

    By
    Madeleine Jackson
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    3
    Photo via Gage Skidmore Flickr

    Former Texas Congressman William Hurd is refusing to sign on to the rules laid out by the Republican National Committee (RNC) to support the 2024 presidential nominee, therefore disqualifying him from the 2024 debate stage.

    In an appearance on CNN, Hurd, who has positioned himself as a centrist, anti-Trump contender for the Republican nomination, said that he was fine meeting all the other criteria for attending the Republican presidential debates, but would not pledge to support Trump if he is the eventual nominee.

    “That’s right,” he answered when asked if it was true that he would not pledge to support the eventual 2024 Republican nominee. “I’m gonna work towards hitting all the requirements, but I can’t lie to get access to a microphone.”

    “I’ve taken one oath, and that’s to protect the Constitution,” he continued. “I’m not going to support Donald Trump. I recognize the impact that it has on on on my ability to get access to the debate stage, but I can’t lie. It’ll be easy to say I’ll do it, and then when it comes down, you know, change your mind. But I just can’t, I can’t do that.”

    The RNC laid out its requirements for Republican candidates to secure a spot on the debate stage last month. In the RNC rules, candidates must poll at least 1% in three national polls, sign a pledge to support whoever the 2024 nominee ends up being, and reach a minimum of 40,000 unique donors, among other qualifications.

    Hurd, one of the most recent entries into the Republican field, fails to register in most recent polls. 

    Report: Koch-Linked Group Reportedly Raised Over $70 Million to Bring Down Trump

    By
    Madeleine Jackson
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    4
    Gage Skidmore Flickr

    As former President Trump continues to dominate in the polls some powerful Republicans are desperate to prevent another term in the White House.

    The New York Times reported on Thursday that the “political network established by the conservative industrialists Charles and David Koch” raised the eye-popping sum ahead of its decision to work to actively influence the GOP presidential primary for the time in its 20 years.

    “The network spent nearly $500 million supporting Republican candidates and conservative policies in the 2020 election cycle alone,” the Times wrote of Americans for Prosperity Action adding this cycle will be the first time it “throws its weight into” the primary – with the aim of stopping Trump.

    “Two groups closely affiliated with Charles Koch contributed $50 million of the more than $70 million that has been raised,” reported the Times article

    The article added:

    The Koch Network’s goal in the 2024 presidential primaries, which has been described only indirectly in written internal communications, is to stop Mr. Trump from winning the Republican nomination. In February, a top political official in the network, Emily Seidel, wrote a memo to donors and activists saying it was time to ‘have a president in 2025 who represents a new chapter.’

    Trump Sues E. Jean Carroll for Defamation

    By
    Madeleine Jackson
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    5
    Donald Trump via Gage Skidmore Flickr

    Donald Trump filed a lawsuit against E. Jean Carroll this week for defamation.

    The lawsuit comes after a federal jury in New York City ruled last month that Trump was not liable for rape but was liable for sexual abuse and defamation. The former president vowed to appeal the ruling, according to Fox News.

    Trump’s lawyers Alina Habba and Michael Madaio filed the lawsuit this week said the rape “clearly was not committed,” pointing to the jury verdict last month.

    Habba and Madaio said that Carroll’s “repeated falsehoods and defamatory statements” have brought “significant harm” to Trump’s reputation, which has “yielded an inordinate amount of damages sustained as a result.”

    Habba and Madaio is demanding Carroll “retract her defamatory statements” against the former president; deny all relief and purported damages sought by Carroll; and award Trump “compensatory and punitive damages.”

    Habba and Madaio also demanded Trump be awarded “counsel fees, costs, and any further relief as this Court may be deem just and proper.”

    Carroll, 79, alleged that Trump raped her at the Bergdorf Goodman department store across the street from Trump Tower in Manhattan sometime in 1996. 

     Trump and his legal team insist that Carroll’s allegations are fabricated, with the former president’s initial reaction including an accusation that Carroll was motivated by wanting to sell copies of her book.

    In an exclusive interview last month just after the jury delivered the verdict, Trump told Fox News Digital that he has “absolutely no idea who this woman is.”

    “This verdict is a disgrace,” he told Fox News Digital. “It is a continuation of the greatest political witch hunt in history.”

    Carroll has a second defamation suit against Trump that will go to trial early next year.

    Fox News Host Suggests Trump is Behind Leaked Audio Footage

    By
    Madeleine Jackson
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    5
    Photo via Gage Skidmore Flickr

    The plot thickens…

    On Tuesday, Fox News host Steve Doocy suggested former President Trump may have been behind the leak of an audio recording showing Trump talking about his handling of classified documents.

    In newly obtained audio former president Donald Trump can be heard discussing classified documents with people not cleared to have access to the highly sensitive information.

    On Monday’s edition of Anderson Cooper 360, the host claimed that the audio from 2021, exposes Trump sharing US military war plans against Iran despite the former president telling Fox News host Bret Baier earlier this month that there was no such document. (RELATED: Trump Responds After New Audio Tapes Discussing Classified Docs Surface)

    “You know what? If Trump thinks it’s an exoneration of him, perhaps somebody on his side actually did the leaking to CNN and Maggie Haberman,” Doocy said Tuesday morning.

    “That makes sense,” co-host Brian Kilmeade chimed in.

    “It does, actually,” Doocy said. “He’s admitting he’s got classified documents.”

    Trump was federally indicted earlier this month in connection to his handling of classified documents. He said Monday night the audio is “actually an exoneration” and accused the Department of Justice of intentionally leaking the recording.

    “The Deranged Special Prosecutor, Jack Smith, working in conjunction with the DOJ & FBI, illegally leaked and ‘spun’ a tape and transcript of me which is actually an exoneration, rather than what they would have you believe,” he said in a post on Truth Social. 

    Former Navy SEAL Issues Challenge to Montana Dem Senator

    By
    Madeleine Jackson
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    2

    Former Navy SEAL officer Tim Sheehy launched a Senate bid in Montana on Tuesday.

    “I’ve proudly fought for our country to defend our freedoms, and I’m once again answering the call to serve,” Sheehy, a Republican, said in a statement. “I will fight to bring real leadership to Washington to save our country and protect our Montana way of life.”

    Sheehy, who serves as CEO of Bridger Aerospace, accused Tester of having “lost sight of our Montana values.”

    “Like any good politician, Jon talks one way but votes another,” Sheehy said. “Montanans have had enough of these career politicians who are full of empty promises and are not representing our Montana values. It’s time for a new generation of leadership to rebuild America.”

    The former Navy SEAL officer has received the endorsement of fellow Montanan and head of the Senate Republicans’ campaign arm, Sen. Steve Daines (R-Mont.). Sheehy’s announcement marks the first Republican to jump into the race, potentially teeing up a fight against incumbent Sen. Jon Tester.

    Montana Gov. Greg Gianforte (R) threw his support behind former Navy SEAL officer Tim Sheehy on Thursday in the race to take on Sen. Jon Tester (D-Mont.) next year.

    “Tim Sheehy is a good friend, and I’m glad he decided to run for the U.S. Senate. Tim’s business experience and commitment to public service is what we need in Washington,” Gianforte said in a statement shared by Sheehy’s campaign.

    “I know Tim Sheehy will serve Montana well in the U.S. Senate, and he has my full support,” he added.

    Trump Responds After New Audio Tapes Discussing Classified Docs Surface

    By
    Madeleine Jackson
    -
    6
    Photo via Gage Skidmore Flickr

    Donald Trump is in hot water yet again.

    In newly obtained audio former president Donald Trump can be heard discussing classified documents with people not cleared to have access to the highly sensitive information.

    On Monday’s edition of Anderson Cooper 360, the host claimed that the audio from 2021, exposes Trump sharing US military war plans against Iran despite the former president telling Fox News host Bret Baier earlier this month that there was no such document.

    “These are the papers,” Trump can be heard saying in the recording while discussing the Pentagon documents. The former president referenced Chairman of the Joint Chiefs Gen. Mark Milley, who he said had provided a plan of attack for Iran through the Pentagon.

    “He said that I wanted to attack Iran, Isn’t it amazing?” Trump says of Milley. “I have a big pile of papers, this thing just came up. Look. This was him. They presented me this – this is off the record but – they presented me this. This was him. This was the Defense Department and him.”

    “I was just thinking, because we were talking about it. And you know, he said, ‘He wanted to attack Iran, and what…,'” Trump said.

    “These are the papers,” Trump continued.

    A Trump spokesperson responded to the leaked tape Monday night, arguing it proves that Trump committed no crime.

    “The audio tape provides context proving, once again, that President Trump did nothing wrong at all. The President is speaking rhetorically and also quite humorously about a very perverted individual, Anthony Weiner, who was deep inside the corrupt Clinton campaign,” the spokesperson told the Daily Caller. “The media and the Trump-haters once again were all too willing to take the bait, falling for another Democrat-DOJ hoax, hook, line, and sinker.”

    Trump, who is running for another term in the White House, slammed special prosecutor Jack Smith in a Truth Social post and also claimed the audio recording has been manipulated to make Trump look guilty.

    “The Deranged Special Prosecutor, Jack Smith, working in conjunction with the DOJ & FBI, illegally leaked and ‘spun’ a tape and transcript of me which is actually an exoneration, rather than what they would have you believe,” he said in a post on Truth Social. 

    “This continuing Witch Hunt is another ELECTION INTERFERENCE Scam,” Trump added. “They are cheaters and thugs!”

    Police Arrest Democrat Lawmaker After Allegedly Vandalizing Trump Supporter’s Property

    By
    Madeleine Jackson
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    2
    Arrest image via Pixabay

    Rhode Island police reportedly arrested a Democrat state lawmaker last week for allegedly keying a Trump supporter’s vehicle.

    According to The Daily Wire, Cranston Police placed State Senator Joshua Miller (D) in custody after he was accused of “keying” an SUV in the Garden City Center parking lot around 3:30 p.m.

    The vehicle’s owner identified the 69-year-old politician to authorities after suspecting him of allegedly damaging the car, claiming they saw a man standing beside their vehicle holding a keychain and gripping a single key while quickly walking away after confronting him about the incident.

    The unidentified victim noticed a vehicle parked near his with a “Re-elect Senator Josh Miller” bumper sticker. Following the incident, the victim looked up Miller online and identified him as the suspect to authorities. However, Millier initially denied any wrongdoing.

    “He was blocking my way, saying I scratched his car, I didn’t scratch his car,” Miller said in a video posted on social media. “I’m a state senator — I think he’d recognize. I think he’s one of the gun nuts.”

    An unidentified male in the video responded, saying he doesn’t “know any of the senators, to be honest.”

    Miller appeared to admit the crime to police after an officer showed up at his house saying police obtained video of the incident.

    Miller was charged with vandalism and malicious injury to property and was released on $1,000 personal recognizance.

    “Nobody is above the law, including those who make and enforce the laws,” Cranston Police Chief Michael Winquist said in a news release Friday. “The officers who handled this investigation did so with fairness, integrity, and without preferential treatment.”

    Rhode Island GOP Chairman Joe Powers said Miller should leave office after the arrest.

    “This behavior is unbecoming of anyone holding a leadership position,” Powers wrote on Twitter. “State Senator Joshua Miller has proven once again the he does not have the composure required to represent every constituent in his district and must resign immediately.”

    Cranston Police Col. Michael Winquist on Tuesday told local media that city attorneys are now also “looking at a possible obstruction-of-justice charge” for the 69-year-old politician.

    Winquist added that he and city solicitor Christopher Millea “had a discussion about if that charge is appropriate and the elements of the crime are there.”

    DeSantis Lays Out Border Plan During Texas Campaign Stop

    By
    Madeleine Jackson
    -
    2

    Republican presidential candidate Ron DeSantis unveiled his plans to address illegal immigration and the border crisis on Monday.

    Following in rival candidate Donald Trump’s footsteps the Florida governor also pledged to end birthright citizenship if elected President.

    “We will take action to end the idea that the children of illegal aliens are entitled to birthright citizenship if they are born in the United States,” the plan, which is titled “No Excuses,” reads. 

    “Dangling the prize of citizenship to the future offspring of illegal immigrants is a major driver of illegal migration. It is also inconsistent with the original understanding of 14th Amendment, and we will force the courts and Congress to finally address this failed policy.” 

    Last month, Trump vowed to end birthright citizenship for children born in the U.S. to parents who entered the country illegally. 

    However, constitutional experts have raised concerns over the plan, arguing the President does not have the authority to end birthright citizenship because it is enshrined in the Constitution. The 14th Amendment grants citizenship to those “born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof.”

    DeSantis argued in its plan that current practice is “inconsistent with the original understanding of 14th Amendment.” 

    DeSantis also vowed to end catch-end-release, reimpose the Remain in Mexico policy, increase border patrol pay and penalties for human trafficking, and sanction and restrict visas of citizens from countries who do not accept deportees on “day one. 

    “I have listened to people in DC for years and years and years, going back decades. Republicans and Democrats always chirping about this, and yet never actually bringing the issue to a conclusion,” DeSantis told a crowd in Eagleton, Texas, announcing the plan on Monday. 

    “So what we’re saying is no excuses on this,” he continued. “Get the job done. Make it happen. We want results. We don’t want hollow rhetoric. We don’t want empty promises. When we go in on day one, we’re going to marshal every bit of authority that we have.” 

    The Trump campaign was quick to respond to DeSantis’s immigration platform, accusing the governor of “copying” the former president.

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