Trump requests NY judge overturn guilty verdict, indictment after SCOTUS immunity ruling
Former President Trump on Thursday evening formally requested Judge Merchan overturn his guilty verdict in New York v. Trump after the Supreme Court ruled that presidents have immunity for official acts. Trump was found guilty in an unprecedented criminal trial last month on all counts of falsifying business records in the first degree, following a six-week trial stemming from Bragg’s investigation. The formal motion was filed Thursday evening. NEW YORK V. TRUMP: MERCHAN DELAYS SENTENCING HEARING UNTIL SEPTEMBER “The Court should dismiss the indictment and vacate the jury’s verdicts based on violations of the Presidential immunity doctrine and the Supremacy Clause,” Trump defense attorney Todd Blanche wrote in the motion. Trump signaled last week that he would move to overturn his criminal conviction in the Manhattan case after the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that a former president has substantial immunity for official acts committed while in office. In the formal motion Thursday evening, Blanche pointed to the Supreme Court’s immunity decision, and argued that certain evidence of “official acts” should not have been admitted during the trial. Specifically, Blanche argued that testimony from former White House Communications Director Hope Hicks; former Special Assistant to the President Madeleine Westerhout; testimony regarding The Special Counsel’s Office and Congressional Investigations and the pardon power; testimony regarding President Trump’s response to FEC Inquiries; his presidential Twitter posts and other related testimony was impermissably admitted during trial. Trump attorneys also pointed to Trump’s disclosures to the Office of Government Ethics as president. Blanche said that “official-acts evidence” that Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg presented to the grand jury “contravened the holding in Trump because Presidents ‘cannot be indicted based on conduct for which they are immune from prosecution,’” the motion reads. “The Presidential immunity doctrine recognized in Trump pertains to all ‘criminal proceedings,’ including grand jury proceedings when a prosecutor ‘seeks to charge’ a former President using evidence of official acts.” Blanche argued that Bragg “violated the Presidential immunity doctrine by using similar official-acts evidence in the grand jury proceedings that gave rise to the politically motivated charges in this case.” “Because an Indictment so tainted cannot stand, the charges must be dismissed,” Blanche argued. Blanche also explained that the Supreme Court’s decision does not allow for an “overwhelming evidence” or “harmless error” exception to “the profound institutional interests at stake.” “Indeed, Trump contemplates a pretrial interlocutory appeal of an adverse Presidential immunity determination precisely because even the prospect of such a trial is constitutionally unacceptable,” Blanche wrote. “It necessarily follows that the results of a trial conducted in breach of these holdings is invalid.” Trump was set to be sentenced Thursday, just days before the Republican National Convention where he is set to be formally nominated the 2024 GOP presidential nominee. But Merchan, last week, granted Trump’s request to delay that sentencing. Merchan moved the sentencing hearing to September 18, “if such is still necessary.” The Supreme Court’s 6-3 decision on presidential immunity came from a question that stemmed from charges brought against Trump in a separate, federal case brought by special counsel Jack Smith related to the events of the Jan. 6 U.S. Capitol breach and any alleged efforts to overturn the results of the 2020 election. Trump pleaded not guilty to all charges in that case.
Colin Allred punts on whether he thinks Biden should continue reelection bid
Allred, who is running for U.S. Senate against Ted Cruz, is one of only a few House Democrats from Texas who has yet to say whether they support the president’s reelection bid.
Biden stumbles over Zelenskyy introduction, calls Ukrainian leader ‘President Putin’
In his latest embarrassing gaffe, President Biden on Thursday introduced Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at the NATO conference in Washington, D.C., as “President Putin.” “And now I want to hand it over to the president of Ukraine, who has as much courage as he has determination,” Biden said, before starting to leave the podium. “Ladies and gentlemen, President Putin.” Biden seemed to realize his embarrassing verbal stumble mentioning Russian President Vladimir Putin, and attempted to quickly correct himself. “He’s going to beat President Putin. President Zelenskyy. I’m so focused on beating Putin,” he said. “We got to worry about it. Anyway, Mr. President.” HOUSE DEMOCRAT SUGGESTS BIDEN SHOULD RESIGN, SAYS PRESIDENCY ‘MUST COME TO AN END’ Zelenskyy then appeared on stage and shook Biden’s hand and said, “I’m better.” “You are a hell of a lot better,” Biden said. Biden’s botched introduction of Zelenskyy comes after the Russian leader waged war on their Eastern European neighbor in February 2022. BATTLEGROUND DEMS TESTER, KAINE TO SKIP BIDEN CAMPAIGN MEETING AS 2024 FEARS GROW On Feb. 24, 2022, the world watched as Russia invaded Ukraine, prompting an escalation to conflict in the region that has caused hundreds of thousands of military casualties and tens of thousands of Ukrainian civilian casualties. The Biden administration has given Ukraine billions in aid since the start of the war. Biden’s gaffe comes as his first news conference since his debate debacle that has left the Democratic Party scrambling before the presidential election in November. Biden has bucked calls to drop out, vowing to remain in the race as his campaign and the White House ramp up his number of public events in an apparent effort to quell concerns the president isn’t up for another four-year term in the Oval Office. CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP Following his introduction of Zelenskyy, Biden was scheduled to conduct a “big boy” solo news conference sans teleprompters. The news conference was highly anticipated, with lawmakers saying that Biden’s presser would serve as an “ultimate test” following his disastrous debate two weeks ago with former President Trump.
US set to wind down Gaza pier operations
National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan says US ‘will wind down pier operations’ in ‘relatively short order’. The United States has said it will soon end operations from its pier designed to increase the flow of humanitarian aid into the Gaza Strip amid Israel’s continuing war. The $230m pier has repeatedly been detached from the shore because of weather conditions since its initial installation in mid-May, and the project also faced problems with the distribution of assistance due to conditions onshore. “I do anticipate that in relatively short order, we will wind down pier operations,” National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan told journalists on Thursday. Pentagon spokesman Major-General Pat Ryder said in a statement that “the pier will soon cease operations, with more details on that process and timing available in the coming days”. A United Nations report says 96 percent of Gaza’s population is food insecure, and one in five Palestinians, or about 495,000 people, face starvation amid Israel’s nine-month war on the territory. While the pier has brought in 8,100 metric tonnes of aid to a marshalling area on Gaza’s shore since it started operating in May, the 370m (1,200-foot) floating pier has had to be removed multiple times because of bad weather. Sullivan said the pier helped bring urgently needed food and other aid to Gaza, but additional supplies are now coming into the Palestinian enclave via land routes. “The real issue right now is not about getting aid into Gaza. It’s about getting aid around Gaza effectively,” he told reporters. A satellite image shows an overview of the Trident Pier in Gaza [File: Maxar Technologies/Handout via Reuters] Military personnel attempted to re-anchor the temporary Gaza pier to the beach on Wednesday after technical and weather-related issues, but were unable to do so. The project has also been hampered by security threats that prompted aid agencies to halt distribution of the food and other supplies into Gaza. The aid groups have said that while any amount of food for Gaza is welcome, many have criticised the project as a costly distraction, saying the US should concentrate on pressuring Israel to allow more aid through land borders, which have long been considered the most productive option. The UN suspended all World Food Programme (WFP) deliveries from the pier after a June 8 Israeli military raid that secured the release of four Israeli hostages but killed hundreds of Palestinians, citing concerns that troops used an area near there for flying out the rescued hostages by helicopter. Aid flowing through the pier then began piling up in the secure area on the beach, but the WFP eventually hired contractors to move it into storage areas for further distribution. The US Defense Department said this week that a significant amount of the aid had been cleared out. Adblock test (Why?)
Israel military says it failed to protect kibbutz during Hamas-led attack
The report stated that the military was unprepared and slow to respond to the attack while fighting was uncoordinated. The Israeli military has acknowledged it did not protect the community of Kibbutz Be’eri during the Hamas-led attack on October 7, in its first investigation into its own security failings on the day of the attacks. More than 100 people were killed in the attack on Be’eri, a community of about 1,000 people, and 32 were taken as captives to Gaza, 11 of whom are still being held there. The military said on Thursday the probe examined the day’s chain of events, fighting and security forces’ conduct. While acknowledging its own failure in protecting the kibbutz civilians, the military hailed the bravery of Be’eri residents, including its rapid response team. Israel’s military was unprepared for the scenario of a massive infiltration of Hamas fighters into Israel, had inadequate forces in the area, did not have a clear picture of the events until noon – several hours after the attack began, did not properly alert Be’eri’s residents, and its fighting was uncoordinated, the investigation found. A member of ZAKA International Rescue Unit cleans up a room after Hamas attacked Holit on October 7 [File: Nils Adler/Al Jazeera] The probe, however, did not find fault in tank fire towards a house where fighters were holding some 15 people captive, an incident that has drawn criticism in Israel for having put civilians in harm’s way. “After shooting was heard from the house and the terrorists announced their intent to kill themselves and the hostages, the forces decided to storm it in order to save the hostages,” the military’s summary said. “The team found that the civilians inside the house were not hurt by the tank shells,” the summary said; however, it argued that further investigation is needed to determine how hostages inside died, with signs pointing to them having been killed by the gunmen. Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant [File: Jacquelyn Martin/AP Photo] Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant on Thursday called for a state inquiry into the security failings of the October 7 attack. He said the probe should investigate Gallant himself and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Netanyahu has dismissed past calls to form a state inquiry. The military presented its report to Be’eri’s residents, many of whom are among the tens of thousands of Israelis still displaced since the October 7 attack, which precipitated Israel’s war on Gaza. “I didn’t need all these details,” said Miri Gad Mesika, a kibbutz member. “What matters to me is why what happened happened, how we can prevent it from happening again, how we can bring back our hostages and how we can feel secure again.” Adblock test (Why?)
How is climate change affecting food prices and inflation?
Disruption to food supplies hits both wealthy and poor nations. Climate change is disrupting food production and supply worldwide. Crops, fruit, livestock and transport are all affected. It could lead to higher inflation, as well as food security threats. What are the implications for people around the world? Presenter: Elizabeth Puranam Guests:George Monbiot – Environmental and political activist Carin Smaller – Executive director of the Shamba Centre for Food and Climate Thin Lei Win – Food systems and climate change journalist Adblock test (Why?)
Kamala Harris is even less popular among Texans than Joe Biden, poll shows
Harris is being floated as Biden’s potential replacement at the top of the Democratic ticket amid calls for the president to step aside.
Biden drags down Michigan Senate race as Cook Political Report declares ‘toss up’
The Senate race in Michigan was moved to a “Toss Up” on Thursday by a top nonpartisan political handicapper, who cited the continued concerns surrounding President Biden and his candidacy as a potential “drag” on Democrats. The Cook Political Report changed the Senate race from “Lean Democratic” to “Toss Up,” putting Senate Democrats at greater risk of losing the majority in the next Congress. The seat is currently occupied by Sen. Debbie Stabenow, D-Mich., who is retiring after her term ends. BLUMENTHAL SAYS SOME CONCERNS ‘DEEPENED’ AFTER MEETING WITH BIDEN CAMP ADVISERS The race was already more competitive due to the loss of the Democrats’ incumbent advantage and only made more so by former President Trump’s performance in the swing state. The state’s Senate primaries will be held on Aug. 6, leaving just months for the general election campaigns. DEM SENATOR HELPS BLOCK BIDEN JUDICIAL NOMINEE AMID CONTROVERSY OVER TRANSGENDER INMATE For the Democrats, Rep. Elissa Slotkin, D-Mich., is considered the frontrunner for the nomination. She notably flipped a Republican district in the state when she was elected to the House. She will face actor Hill Harper in the primary, who is currently considered an underdog but has made significant efforts to appeal to the large Arab population in Michigan and contrast himself with Slotkin, particularly on the war in Gaza between Israel and terrorist group Hamas. BATTLEGROUND DEMS TESTER, KAINE SKIP BIDEN CAMPAIGN MEETING AS 2024 FEARS GROW Republicans also have several choices. Former Rep. Mike Rogers is the frontrunner and enjoys the endorsement of Trump. However, he still has to beat two challengers, businessman Sandy Pensler and former Rep. Justin Amash. BATTLEGROUND DEM FEELS HEAT AFTER BIDEN’S DEBATE AS PARTY TURMOIL CONTINUES In Cook’s rationale for changing the race’s rating, analyst Jessica Taylor wrote, “Following Joe Biden’s debate performance two weeks ago, many Democrats’ concerns turned to not whether the president would win reelection — a diminishing prospect — but if he would drag down-ballot Democrats down with him.” A Fox News Poll from April, several months prior to Biden’s poor debate showing, showed Trump defeating the president, 49% to 46%. In April 2020, before Biden flipped the swing state, he polled ahead of Trump, 49%-41%. Get the latest updates from the 2024 campaign trail, exclusive interviews and more at our Fox News Digital election hub.
Biden admin slaps restrictions on releasing migrants from Central Asian country amid terror concerns: report
The Biden administration has reportedly slapped new restrictions on the release of migrants into the interior from at least one Central Asian country amid ongoing concerns about terrorism. The New York Post reported this week that Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has received orders that migrants from Tajikistan shouldn’t be released from custody, and if they are, they need to be first interviewed by intelligence officials. It comes after a series of terror-related concerns connected to some nationals from the Central Asian country. DHS did not respond to a request for comment from Fox News Digital. BIDEN DHS REVEALS 50 MIGRANTS STILL AT LARGE AS ISIS-AFFILIATED SMUGGLING NETWORK BRINGS HUNDREDS TO US Last month, eight Tajikistan nationals with ties to ISIS were busted by federal authorities in New York City, Los Angeles and Philadelphia. All eight came in via the southern border illegally, but no derogatory information was flagged during processing. The suspected terrorists were “fully vetted” and nothing was flagged, according to a federal source. The source said after the suspected terrorists were released into the U.S., information was flagged with national security concerns, including the individuals’ ties to ISIS. Since then, the Department of Homeland Security has identified more than 400 individuals brought to the U.S. from Eastern European and Central Asian countries by an ISIS-affiliated smuggling network in the past several months. ICE SOUNDS ALARM ON WHAT MIGRANTS ARE FAILING TO BRING TO BORDER AS FEARS MOUNT AFTER ISIS ARRESTS A senior DHS source told Fox last month that more than 150 people so far have either been removed, placed in removal proceedings or are currently receiving additional screening. The source would not confirm if or how many matched the terror watch list. Of the remaining 50 people at large, they acknowledged that a small number “may match the terrorism watch list.” “There is no intelligence that suggests the remaining individuals pose an imminent threat to the homeland,” the official said. DHS does not believe this is an ISIS terror operation but rather a network taking advantage of migrants seeking entry to the U.S., the source said. However, there is heightened security risk due to their countries of origin. Fox was told at that time that border officials were instructed to detain any people coming from certain countries or associated with the network so that additional vetting could be carried out. The Post report appears to confirm that nationals from Tajikistan are included. It comes amid an ongoing crisis at the southern border now into its fourth year, although numbers have dropped recently. San Diego has been one of the hot spots for arrivals this year, San Diego County Supervisor Jim Desmond told Fox News Digital on Wednesday in response to a question about the report of new restrictions, that the issue is one of vetting. AUTHORITIES NAB 8 SUSPECTED TERRORISTS WITH TIES TO ISIS IN MULTI-CITY STING OPERATION “Border Patrol has been overwhelmed, there just has not been enough proper vetting of people coming across our borders,” he said in an interview. “And I think that’s the number one issue: the safety of the people here in our country, of who is being let in and unfortunately, we don’t know we don’t know a lot of the people [or] their background.” “Our Border Patrol just has not been able to properly vet people coming across our border. And to me, that’s not only just a security issue for San Diego County but also for the entire country,” he said. CLICK HERE FOR MORE COVERAGE OF THE BORDER SECURITY CRISIS Federal officials have noted the difficulties in correctly vetting migrants coming across the border. Acting ICE Director Patrick Lechleitner recently said that “sometimes there is just no information on individuals” when they’re being vetted. “It is quite common where there is just nothing, you don’t have anything. There’s no criminal convictions, no threat information or whatever on these individuals. Or maybe these individuals are from an area that is particularly of concern but that pops up later when you get information later on,” he said. Fox News’ Griff Jenkins contributed to this report.
House Democrat suggests Biden should resign, says presidency ‘must come to an end’
A moderate House Democrat said President Biden’s White House tenure must “come to an end” on Thursday, the most significant voicing of opposition to his leadership from a member of his own party so far. Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez, D-Wash., previously said she believed Biden would lose to Trump, but now she is the 15th congressional Democrat to call on the president to end his re-election bid. “I’ve spent the past two weeks listening to my constituents express their concerns about the President’s age and health,” she said in a statement to local outlet KGW, an NBC affiliate. “Americans deserve to feel their president is fit enough to do the job. The crisis of confidence in the President’s leadership needs to come to an end. The President should do what he knows is right for the country and put the national interest first.” BATTLEGROUND DEMS TESTER, KAINE TO SKIP BIDEN CAMPAIGN MEETING AS 2024 FEARS GROW Gluesenkamp Perez is one of the most vulnerable Democrats of this election cycle and has frequently broken from her own party on votes. Biden, meanwhile, is fighting for his political life in the wake of his disastrous debate performance against former President Trump late last month. Biden spoke with a hoarse voice, which he attributed to a cold, and stumbled over his answers several times during the primetime event. Viewers also observed him appearing tired and noticeably less sharp than he looked the last time he faced Trump in 2020. DAVE PORTNOY MOCKS GEORGE CLOONEY FOR WAITING 3 WEEKS AFTER FUNDRAISER TO ACKNOWLEDGE BIDEN IS A ‘VEGETABLE’ It spurred concerns among members of his party that he would lose to Trump in November and may not be fit to serve another four years. Gluesenkamp Perez told KATU after the debate, “About 50 million Americans tuned in and watched that debate. I was one of them for about five very painful minutes. We all saw what we saw, you can’t undo that, and the truth, I think, is that Biden is going to lose to Trump.” Biden, for his part, has maintained several times that he is not budging. Gluesenkamp Perez’s statement comes just a few hours before Biden’s 6:30 p.m. Eastern Time press conference. It’s a pivotal event for the president as he seeks to fight back doubts that he’s not physically or mentally fit for the White House. House Democrats left Capitol Hill around noon on Thursday to return to their districts for a week-long break. Before that, left-wing lawmakers spent the week huddled as both a caucus and in smaller groups to discuss the path forward for Biden. BIDEN’S CANDIDACY REMAINS UNDER THREAT AS TOP DEMOCRATIC DONORS GET COLD FEET CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., who has said he is behind the presidential ticket, told reporters earlier Thursday that he did not believe Biden was a drag on vulnerable Democrats. “House Democrats are engaged in conversations with House Democrats at this moment in time. Those conversations have been candid, clear eyed and comprehensive, and that’s important for us to do as a House Democratic caucus family. And as long as those conversations are ongoing, I’m going to respect the sanctity of those conversations until we conclude that process,” he said.