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Ex-Trump Organization CFO Pleads Guilty To Perjury Charges

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Gavel via Wikimedia Commons Image

On Monday, former Trump Organization CFO Allen Weisselberg appeared in Manhattan Criminal Court to plead guilty to charges related to Donald Trump’s civil fraud case.

Weisselberg pleaded guilty to perjury charges stemming from his testimony in former President Trump’s civil fraud trial. 

The top executive was ordered to pay more than $1.1 million, plus interest.

The Hill reports:

Weisselberg’s charges stem from his testimony in October during the civil fraud trial, where he testified that he “never focused on” Trump’s Manhattan triplex that was listed on the former president’s financial statements as 30,000 square feet in size – despite actually being less than 11,000 square feet.  

But after Weisselberg testified, Forbes published an article accusing him of lying under oath, citing years old correspondence between the magazine and Trump Organization executive. 

“A review of old emails and notes, some of which the attorney general’s office does not possess, show that Weisselberg absolutely thought about Trump’s apartment—and played a key role in trying to convince Forbes over the course of several years that it was worth more than it really was,” Forbes wrote in its Oct. 12 article.  

When confronted by state lawyers about the Forbes article, Weisselberg conceded that the triplex in the former president’s 5th Avenue Trump Tower was only 10,996 square feet. 

Weisselberg is among several top executives at the Trump organization who were barred last month from operating their business in New York for a range of two to three years. That ruling came from Judge Aurthur Engoron, who also banned Trump and his children from operating the business. 

A New York Appeals Court allowed Trump and his sons to maintain control of the company temporarily while they attempt to appeal Engoron’s decision.

Engoron also “permanently” barred defendants Weisselberg and former corporate controller Jeffrey McConney from “serving in the financial control function of any New York corporation or similar business entity registered and/or licensed in New York State” and as a director of any New York corporation or other legal entity in New York for three years.

“There was never an option to choose a jury trial,” a Trump spokesperson told Fox News Digital last month. “It is unfortunate that a jury won’t be able to hear how absurd the merits of this case are and conclude no wrongdoing ever happened.”

New York Attorney General Letitia James (D) sued Trump in 2022, alleging he falsely altered his net worth on key financial statements to receive tax and insurance benefits. The documents, which detailed the value of the Trump Organization’s various assets, were sent to banks and insurers to secure loans and deals, which the state purports is evidence of fraud.  

Supreme Court Rules On Trump’s Eligibility

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    Duncan Lock, Dflock, CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons

    The Supreme Court unanimously ruled Colorado cannot disqualify former President Trump from the ballot under the 14th Amendment’s insurrection ban. A significant victory for Trump as he seeks another term in the White House.

    “Former President Trump challenges that decision on several grounds. Because the Constitution makes Congress, rather than the States, responsible for enforcing Section 3 against federal officeholders and candidates, we reverse,” reads the unsigned opinion from the court. 

    Trump celebrated the Supreme Court ruling to restore him to the ballot in Colorado a “BIG WIN FOR AMERICA.”

    “A great win for America. Very, very important!” Trump told Fox News Digital in an exclusive interview Monday morning. 

    “Equally important for our country will be the decision that they will soon make on immunity for a president — without which, the presidency would be relegated to nothing more than a ceremonial position, which is far from what the founders intended,” Trump told Fox News Digital. “No president would be able to properly and effectively function without complete and total immunity.” 

    He added, “Our country would be put at great risk.” 

    Read the unsigned ruling below:

    The Colorado Supreme Court ruled in December that Trump is disqualified from being president again and ineligible for the state’s primary

    The state’s highest court was the first to invoke Section 3 of the 14th Amendment, a post-Civil War constitutional provision aimed at preventing those who “engaged in insurrection” from holding office. Until now, the Supreme Court has never ruled on the provision.

    The 14th Amendment, Section 3 of the Constitution states, “No person shall… hold any office… under the United States… who, having previously taken an oath, as a member of Congress, or as an officer of the United States… to support the Constitution of the United States, shall have engaged in insurrection or rebellion against the same, or given aid or comfort to the enemies thereof.”

    The former president faces more than 90 criminal charges in four prosecutions. Of those, the only one with a trial date is his state case in New York in which he’s charged with falsifying business records in connection with hush-money payments to a porn actor. That case is set for trial on March 25, and the judge has signaled his determination to press ahead.

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

    Haley Defeats Trump In DC Republican Primary

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    Former United Nations Ambassador Nikki Haley has secured her first victory in the Washington, D.C. Republican presidential primary contest

    Haley garnered 1,274 votes to former President Trump’s 676 with all precincts reporting, according to Decision Desk HQ.

    The win for the former United Nations ambassador breaks a streak of more than a half dozen victories for Trump to start out the GOP contests for the nomination. 

    Despite trailing behind former President Trump throughout the race Haley has pledged to remain in the race at least until Super Tuesday when more than a dozen states will vote.

    the win in the winner-take-all D.C. primary will give her all of its 19 delegates. Voting in the District took place across three days from Friday to Sunday. 

    Candidates need at least 1,215 delegates to mathematically clinch the Republican nomination. 

    Biden Torches Fox News In Letter Over Recent Hunter Coverage

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      Photo via Gage Skidmore Flickr

      President Joe Biden is not happy…

      In the wake of the federal indictment of informant Alexander Smirnov President Biden is demanding Fox News issue retractions regarding its coverage of “bribery” allegations against President Joe Biden and his son Hunter Biden.

      Smirnov, who was originally a key informant behind Republicans’ recent investigation into the Bidens, was recently indicted for lying to the FBI. (RELATED: FBI Informant Indicted Over Hunter Biden)

      In a letter to Fox News Chief Executive Suzanne Scott, President Jay Wallace, and Washington Bureau Chief Bryan Boughton this week, White House spokesperson for investigations Ian Sams demanded the network make immediate changes:

      We feel strongly that all Fox News Digital articles on this topic should at a minimum be updated with editor’s notes informing readers that the source of this allegation has been federally indicted for making it up. We also feel strongly that Fox News Channel television personalities like Hannity and Watters, among others, should inform their viewers on air that they have been sharing a discredited allegation from a source who has been federally indicted for making it up.

      A Fox spokesperson told Mediaite “FOX News Media has reported on all key developments since the announcement that Alexander Smirnov was charged with lying to the FBI, featuring the story prominently. We will continue to report on developments in all aspects of the ongoing investigations, hearings, and trials.”

      Read the official letter with links and citations below.

      This article originally appeared on American Liberty News. Republished with permission.

      Supreme Court Takes Up Trump Immunity Claim

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        Duncan Lock, Dflock, CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons

        On Wednesday, the U.S. Supreme Court announced it will take up the issue of whether former President Donald Trump can invoke presidential immunity to shield himself from federal prosecution.

        The high court scheduled an oral argument for the week of April 22, 2024.

        The high Court’s decision comes after a U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit panel ruled against the immunity claim in the 2020 election case against Trump brought by special counsel Jack Smith.

        The Daily Wire has more:

        Andrew Weissmann, a former federal prosecutor who worked in special counsel Robert Mueller’s Russia inquiry into Trump, said, “The SCOTUS stays DC case and expedites hearing the Trump appeal on immunity. But every day of delay operates as granting Trump de facto immunity.”

        The Supreme Court denied a bid by Smith in December to fast-track consideration of the immunity claim while Trump’s lawyers argued the question should be considered in a “cautious, deliberative manner.”

        Trump has pleaded not guilty in the federal case in which he is accused of unlawfully plotting to overturn the results of the 2020 election. His lawyers filed to dismiss the case in October by arguing that Trump’s actions were “within the heartland” of his “official duties.”

        U.S. District Judge Tanya Chutkan, an appointee of former President Barack Obama, rejected Trump’s immunity claim, saying that the defendant’s “four-year service as Commander in Chief did not bestow on him the divine right of kings to evade the criminal accountability that governs his fellow citizens.”

        Trump is facing three other criminal cases, including another one led by Smith over the former president’s handling of classified documents.

        Trump recently cited presidential immunity in a request to get the documents case dismissed.

        Illinois Judge Removes Trump from Ballot

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        Gavel via Wikimedia Commons Image

        Donald Trump has been removed from a third state’s ballot…

        On Wednesday, Cook County Circuit Judge Tracie Porter barred Trump from the Illinois ballot one month after the anti-Trump challenge was dismissed by the Illinois State Board of Elections. 

        According to court documents obtained by Fox News, the order urged the board to remove Trump or “cause any votes cast for him to be suppressed,” for violating section three of the 14th Amendment, or the “disqualification clause,” for engaging in insurrection.

        Porter’s ruling reverses last month’s decision by the Illinois Board of Elections to keep Trump’s name on the primary ballot after a group of Illinois voters accused the former president of engaging in insurrection. 

        However, the order is put on hold until Friday, in case of an appeal from Trump’s attorneys to the Illinois Appellate Court, First District or the Illinois Supreme Court. 

        A campaign spokesperson for Trump issued a statement to Reuters saying it “is an unconstitutional ruling that we will quickly appeal.”

        For the first time, the Supreme Court is considering the meaning and reach of Section 3 of the Constitution’s 14th Amendment, which bars former officeholders who “engaged in insurrection” from holding public office again.

        The 14th Amendment, Section 3 of the Constitution states, “No person shall… hold any office… under the United States… who, having previously taken an oath, as a member of Congress, or as an officer of the United States… to support the Constitution of the United States, shall have engaged in insurrection or rebellion against the same, or given aid or comfort to the enemies thereof.”

        Impeachment Critic Introduces Resolution Urging VP To Remove President With 25th Amendment

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        Kamala Harris via Wikimedia Commons

        Colorado Republican Ken Buck announced a resolution on Monday calling for Vice President Kamala Harris to invoke the 25th Amendment to remove Biden from office.

        The resolution is unexpected as Rep. Buck has fiercely criticized Republicans’ effort to impeach President Joe Biden.

        “Calling on Vice President Kamala Harris to convene and mobilize the principal officers of the executive departments of the Cabinet to activate section 4 of the 25th Amendment to declare President Joseph R. Biden incapable of executing the duties of his office and to immediately exercise powers as Acting President,” Buck’s resolution read.

        Rep. Buck’s resolution cites several examples of why Buck believes President Biden to be no longer capable of executing his office.

        Mediaite has more:

        Whereas President Joseph R. Biden is the oldest sitting President in United States history at 81 years old;
        Whereas President Joseph R. Biden has been televised wandering aimlessly at events, including an event with the King of Jordan at the White House in February 2024, an Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit event in November 2023, and a Global Fund conference in September 2022;
        Whereas President Joseph R. Biden frequently speaks publicly in an incoherent and indiscernible manner, often with the aid of a teleprompter, including speeches he gave at a brewery in Wisconsin in January 2024, a speech in Vietnam in September 2023, and a Presidential townhall with CNN in July 2021;

        Buck’s resolution concludes by declaring Harris must “immediately use her powers under section 4 of the 25th Amendment to convene and mobilize the principal officers of the executive departments in the Cabinet to declare what is obvious to a horrified Nation: That the President is unable to successfully discharge the duties and powers of his office.”

        Buck will not seek reelection to his heavily Republican district in 2024 and expressed his disappointment with the GOP. Vocal Republicans have also voiced frustration over Buck’s opposition to the Biden impeachment as well his decision to vote against impeaching Homeland Security Sec. Alejandro Mayorkas.

        “I think that we have three committees that are working very hard on uncovering evidence of Hunter Biden’s wrongdoing,” Buck said in September of 2023.

        “They are looking to see if there is a connection with Joe Biden. If they reach that point where they could find evidence of a connection, fine. I think that the Republicans will move forward with an impeachment inquiry. Right now, I’m not convinced that that evidence exists. And I’m not supporting an impeachment inquiry,” he concluded.

        This article originally appeared on American Liberty News. Republished with permission.

        Rep. Boebert’s Son Arrested On Federal Charges

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        Yikes…

        The eldest son of Rep. Lauren Boebert, R-Colo., was arrested Tuesday in connection with multiple reported property thefts.

        Tyler Jay Boebert, 18, faces five felony charges and more than a dozen misdemeanor offenses in connection to a recent string of vehicle trespass and property thefts, the Rifle Police Department said

        He is charged with four counts of criminal possession of ID documents belonging to multiple victims, one count of conspiracy to commit a felony and “over 15 additional misdemeanor and petty offenses,” the department stated. 

        He is charged with four counts of criminal possession of ID documents belonging to multiple victims, one count of conspiracy to commit a felony and “over 15 additional misdemeanor and petty offenses,” the department stated. 

        “This is an ongoing investigation, no further information will be released at this time,” Rifle police said, adding that all suspects are considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. 

        Rep. Boebert told Fox News in a statement, “I love my son Tyler, who has been through some very difficult, public challenges for a young man and the subject of attention that he didn’t ask for.”

        “It breaks my heart to see my child struggling and, in this situation, especially when he has been provided multiple opportunities to get his life on track,” she said in a statement to Fox News Digital. “I will never give up on him and I will continue to be there for him. As an adult and father, Tyler will take responsibility for his actions and should be held accountable for poor decisions just like any other citizen.”

        Mitch McConnell To Step Down As GOP Leader

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          Mitch McConnell via Gage Skidmore Flickr

          On Wednesday, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) announced he will step down from his leadership position in November.

          McConnell, who turned 82 this month, is announcing the decision in a speech on the Senate floor.

          The news was first reported by The Associated Press, which obtained a copy of his prepared remarks.

          “One of life’s most underappreciated talents is to know when it’s time to move on to life’s next chapter,” McConnell said in prepared remarks obtained by the AP. “So I stand before you today … to say that this will be my last term as Republican leader of the Senate.”

          Biden To Make Unannounced Visit To Walter Reed Hospital

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            President Joe Biden delivers remarks in National Statuary Hall on the one-year anniversary of the January 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol, Thursday, January 6, 2022, in Washington, D.C. (Official White House Photo by Cameron Smith)

            On Wednesday, President Biden revealed that he is making an unannounced trip to Walter Reed National Military Medical Center for a physical exam.

            Earlier this month, White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre stated that Biden’s physician, Dr. Kevin O’Connor, does not believe a cognitive test is necessary. She said O’Connor believes Biden proves his cognitive ability “every day [in] how he operates and how he thinks.” 

            “Does the White House think that the idea of the president taking a cognitive test as a part of this physical is a legitimate idea?” a reporter asked.

            “I’m just gonna say what Dr. O’Connor said to me about a year ago when [Biden’s physical] was released,” Jean-Pierre responded. “The president proves every day [in] how he operates and how he thinks, by dealing with world leaders, by making difficult decisions on behalf of the American people – whether it’s domestic or it’s national security.”

            Biden received his last physical on Feb. 16 of last year, when his physician gave him a clean bill of health in a letter that said Biden was “fit to successfully execute the duties of the presidency.”

            The Wednesday physical will likely be the final update on Biden’s health before the November presidential elections.

            Walter Reed, the hospital used by all presidents for routine medical care and examinations, is located in Bethesda, Maryland.

            The President’s health and age have been contentious topics throughout his presidency.