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Trump lawyers blast Georgia DA Fani Willis for ‘Hail Mary’ effort to avoid scrutiny of her ‘misconduct’

Trump lawyers blast Georgia DA Fani Willis for ‘Hail Mary’ effort to avoid scrutiny of her ‘misconduct’

Fulton County, Georgia, District Attorney Fani Willis’ “Hail Mary” court filing to halt a court appeal is “an obvious attempt” to prevent discovery of her “misconduct,” according to attorneys for former President Trump. Last week, Wills argued that the Fulton County Superior Court found there was no sufficient evidence to support their claims that she had a conflict of interest, saying there is “no basis” to appeal Judge Scott McAfee’s March ruling allowing the Atlanta prosecutor to stay on the case. However, in a legal filing Thursday, Trump attorneys told the Georgia Court of Appeals that “without citation to any applicable authority, the State filed this ‘Hail Mary’ motion to dismiss these meritorious appeals, accusing this Court of ‘improvidently’ granting interlocutory review. There is no proper procedural vehicle for the State to relitigate this Court’s sound decision to hear the merits.”  “President Trump has filed his response in opposition to the State’s meritless motion to dismiss the interlocutory appeal,” Steve Sadow, lead counsel for Trump said in a statement. “The Georgia Court of Appeals granted us the right to appeal after due and proper consideration. The State’s “Hail Mary” motion is an obvious attempt to stop appellate review of DA Willis’ misconduct.” GEORGIA PROSECUTOR FANI WILLIS APPEALS AFTER JUDGE DROPS MULTIPLE TRUMP CHARGES “We are optimistic that the Court will deny the motion and proceed to favorably decide the appeal on the merits,” he said. Trump and several co-defendants alleged earlier this year that Willis and special prosecutor Nathan Wade were romantically involved prior to his hiring and that she financially benefited from the relationship, allegations they both have denied. Judge McAfee’s order in March said that Wade had to be removed in order to keep Willis from disqualification in the Trump election interference case in Georgia. McAfee allowed the defense to appeal his ruling, and the appeals court announced last week that it will hear the defense’s case to still have Willis disqualified.  The appeals court agreed to hear the case on Oct. 4 and paused all other litigation concerning Trump and those defendants until the disqualification matter is settled.  “The State’s motion to dismiss the interlocutory appeal, which has already been permitted by the Court of Appeals, appears to be a last ditch effort to stop any appellate review of DA Willis’ misconduct,” Sadow said in a statement Wednesday.  TRUMP’S APPEAL TO DISQUALIFY FANI WILLIS FROM GA CASE GETS OCTOBER HEARING DATE “The State’s motion deliberately failed to mention that Judge McAfee’s ruling stated an ‘odor of mendacity remains’ from the hearing testimony by the DA and the State’s witnesses. The judge also said there were “reasonable questions” as to whether Willis and former prosecutor Wade testified untruthfully. The State has tried this gambit before with no success,” he said.  Both Wade and Willis denied they were in a romantic relationship prior to his hiring and insisted that the couple split the costs of their shared travels. Willis said she reimbursed Wade for her share of the trips in cash. In his March order, McAfee said while Willis’ “reimbursement practice” was “unusual and the lack of any documentary corroboration understandably concerning,” he ultimately decided that the defendants did not present “sufficient evidence” that expenses were not “roughly divided evenly.”  He also said that “the evidence demonstrated that the financial gain flowing from her relationship with Wade was not a motivating factor on the part of the District Attorney to indict and prosecute this case.” In February, Judge McAfee held a two-day evidentiary hearing where the defense, led by attorney Ashley Merchant, set out to expose a money trail that would mean Willis has a conflict of interest in the case against Trump and should be disqualified. FANI WILLIS’ EX-STAFFER TESTIFIES SHE WAS FIRED AFTER BLOWING WHISTLE ON DA’S SPENDING “[T]he Court finds that the record made at the evidentiary hearing established that the District Attorney’s prosecution is encumbered by an appearance of impropriety,” McAfee wrote in his order. “As the case moves forward, reasonable members of the public could easily be left to wonder whether the financial exchanges have continued resulting in some form of benefit to the District Attorney, or even whether the romantic relationship has resumed.” “Put differently, an outsider could reasonably think that the District Attorney is not exercising her independent professional judgment totally free of any compromising influences. As long as Wade remains on the case, this unnecessary perception will persist,” he said. Wade resigned from the DA’s office after McAfee’s ruling. When the defense in March submitted a joint motion for a Certificate of Immediate Review, McAfee said that his Order on the Defendants’ Motions to Dismiss and Disqualify the Fulton County District Attorney issued March 15 “is of such importance to the case that immediate review should be had” and allowed the defendants to ask the Georgia appeals court for an opportunity to appeal, which the court granted last month.  

Dem staffer blasted for spending habits after going viral for thanking Biden for erasing 8K student debt

Dem staffer blasted for spending habits after going viral for thanking Biden for erasing 8K student debt

A House Democratic staff member who was ripped for praising President Biden after his $8,000 student loan debt was erased is facing even more scrutiny on social media over posts displaying expensive spending habits while earning a salary upwards of $90,000 per year. Ben Kamens, communications director for longtime Democratic Rep. Marcy Kaptur, sparked a social media firestorm that received almost 20 million views this week when he posted a piece of paper showing his $8,250 in student loans dating back to 2010 had been wiped away following Biden’s latest student loan bailout. “Just got a call to let me know my student debt has been canceled,” Kamens wrote. “This is why elections matter. Thanks @JoeBiden.” Conservatives on social media blasted Kamens for working in government and seemingly boasting about taxpayers footing the bill for his debt. Kamens earned $80,000 last year and is on track to make closer to $90,000 this year, according to Legistorm. VULNERABLE HOUSE DEM UNDER FIRE FOR INTRODUCING ONLY 5 BILLS THAT BECAME LAW IN 41 YEARS: ‘HASN’T DONE SQUAT’ The criticism of Kamens intensified when social media users noticed past posts that showed Kamens posting at high-priced restaurants and purchasing high-dollar items. “Phone eats first,” Kamens posted earlier this month along with photos of a seafood tower containing lobster and oysters next to a cocktail.  “At the Grill from Ipanema, phone eats first,” Kamens posted in May along with pictures of food presumably from the high-end Brazilian steakhouse. Last July, Kamens posted that he was a season ticket holder for the Philadelphia Eagles, which the New York Post reported costs $2,692 annually on average.  ‘MUST APOLOGIZE’: VULNERABLE HOUSE DEM FACES RENEWED BACKLASH OVER COMPARISON INVOLVING 9/11 TERRORIST Kamens has posted several times about taking trips and staying at AirBnb locations in recent years, including a post from last month when he was sitting in a hot tub with the caption, “Hot tub with a view.” Kamens has also posted several pictures out on the town with drinks, including a post of him smoking a cigar with the caption “we out here” at what appeared to be an event from Washington, D.C.’s “Nerd Prom” in April. “The median income in OH-09 is $62k,” NRCC Communications Director Jack Pandol posted on X in response to Kamens’ post with the seafood tower. “Ohioans who work hard, save, and pay off their own loans are priced out of brunch seafood towers.” “The student loan debate in two tweets,” Red State Editor Bill “Streiff” Crews posted with a picture of the seafood tower and the letter Kamens posted on X. “Kamens makes $90K a year and works for Rep. Marcy Kaptur.” “Remember this, every time you think those who went to technical and vocational schools should be paying the freight for student loans taken out by Congressional staffers eating and drinking as they mock you,” James Madison Institute Senior Vice President Sal Nuzzo posted on X. “Because that is what’s happening, and it is absolutely disgusting.” “Rarely is the Democratic political vision so clearly on display,” Dominic Pino wrote about Kamens in an article for National Review. MINNESOTA MAYOR THANKS PRESIDENT BIDEN FOR CANCELING HIS STUDENT LOANS Kamens was spotted outside Kaptur’s office on Thursday in a video posted online by journalist Matthew Foldi. In the video, Kamens is approached with questions about his viral post and he declines to speak before entering Kaptur’s office and slamming the door shut. Additionally, Rep. Kaptur is facing criticism as a result of the post due to inconsistent positions on student loan bailouts. “What about the people who paid off their loans?” Kaptur said while speaking out against Biden’s plan to cancel student loan debt back in 2022. “There was no consultation with Congress,” Kaptur said. “The last time I checked the Constitution, you can’t impact the bottom line of the federal treasury without some bill moving through Congress. I think the president probably overreached his authority on this one. My expectation is it will go to the courts. I’m not sure how that will happen.” Kaptur previously voted against legislation that would have canceled Biden’s student debt forgiveness plan. “It’s obvious Joe Biden’s unconstitutional student loan forgiveness sham is the easiest way for him to buy votes, but Marcy Kaptur’s voting record in support for this scheme shows just how out of touch she is with the voters of Northwest Ohio,” NRCC Spokesman Mike Marinella told Fox News Digital. CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP Kaptur is involved in what is expected to be a tight re-election race this fall against Republican challenger Derek Merrin, who told Fox News Digital that “Marcy Kaptur refuses to stand up for Ohio values of hard work and personal responsibility. “Her voting record on Biden’s student loan bailout is the latest example. Northwest Ohioans that work hard everyday are not responsible for paying off others student loan bills. Period.”  Fox News Digital reached out to Kaptur’s office for comment but did not receive a response.

Video shows Israeli destruction of Gaza’s Rafah crossing

Video shows Israeli destruction of Gaza’s Rafah crossing

NewsFeed A video released by an Israeli journalist shows Gaza’s Rafah crossing burnt and destroyed, just over a month since Israel captured it. The crossing had been a vital route for aid. Published On 21 Jun 202421 Jun 2024 Adblock test (Why?)

Israel’s Nuseirat massacre and Gaza’s wounds that won’t heal

Israel’s Nuseirat massacre and Gaza’s wounds that won’t heal

Deir el-Balah, Gaza – The two weeks that have passed since the June 8 Nuseirat massacre, when Israeli forces killed at least 274 Palestinians to free four Israeli captives, have not brought any healing to the survivors. More than 500 more Palestinians were injured in the attack, filling Deir el-Balah’s Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital, with every inch of the floors covered with people in pain bleeding and screaming. Many of the injured still lie at the hospital. Here are some of their stories. Raghad Raghad al-Assar, a 12-year-old girl, lay motionless with her head bandaged. She was struck in the Israeli bombardment that targeted her home during the massacre. Her father Mohammad, 46, stood near her, barely able to talk. Two of his daughters were killed in the massacre, and his wife and another daughter, Rahaf, are in critical condition in intensive care. Mohammad, who sells clothes at the Nuseirat camp market, described the sudden chaos as drones and quadcopters targeted people in the market, explosions everywhere. He huddled in his shop as he tried to call his family to check on them, to no avail. Raghad [Abdelhakim Abu Riash/Al Jazeera] “I was looking out at the street and seeing people falling and hearing them screaming and pleading … no one understood what was happening,” Mohammad said. His eyes filled with tears as he recalled a relative calling to tell him that their home had been hit and two of his daughters killed. “I didn’t understand what I was hearing. I ran out under the shelling, trying to take a shortcut, but it was too crazy. People were running, falling under the heavy shooting, right in front of me.” About two hours later, Mohammad finally got to Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital – and to scenes of carnage. “There was blood everywhere, victims, injured, body parts, and cries of agony… everywhere… there was nowhere to set your foot down. It was like the Day of Resurrection,” he said. Mohammad searched desperately for his family, eventually finding his injured wife and daughter. But Raghad was missing. Mohammad was frantic, relatives joining him in looking everywhere, peering at wounded people lying in corridors and checking the bodies being prepared for a hasty burial. “We finally found her past midnight. She was on the ground, unconscious. There were dead bodies and injured people everywhere. They had presumed she was dead at first. “I lost two daughters so they could free four Israeli captives. Now, I’m afraid I’m going to lose my wife and remaining daughter due to lack of medical care,” Mohammad lamented. Ahmed Ahmed Abu Hujair, 32, was going to the market for some vegetables and essentials when the world turned upside down around him. “Suddenly, quadcopters and helicopters appeared. I saw armed men disguised as vendors appearing in the market and opening fire directly at people,” Ahmed said. “The market was packed, especially at that hour. So many people were being hurt, falling, screaming.” Before Ahmed could comprehend what was happening, he was felled by five bullets to his legs. Ahmed’s legs were shattered by bullets fired directly at them [Abdelhakim Abu Riash/Al Jazeera] He lay there, bleeding, with hundreds of injured people for more than an hour before ambulances were able to enter and take them to the hospital, and explained that he was slipping in and out of consciousness because of the blood loss. It was like Black Hawk Down, Ahmed said, real life mimicking the famous 2001 war movie. But the choppers weren’t there to help Ahmed. “They were shooting directly at us, with huge bullets,” Ahmed says. “My right leg was nearly shattered from top to bottom by three bullets, and my left leg was severely wounded by two bullets.” Seven of Ahmed’s family were killed by Israeli bombs on their home in Nuseirat about two months ago – his mother, sisters, and brothers. “My father and I miraculously survived, but he still suffers,” Ahmed said. “How much more must we endure? Was this massacre truly inflicted so four people could be retrieved?” Ghazal Sixteen-year-old Ghazal al-Ghussein gazed out with unseeing eyes. Shrapnel hit her in the head as Israel bombed indiscriminately during the massacre. Her 15-year-old brother was killed, and her parents suffered head wounds and extensive burns. Her six-month-old sister has a severe eye injury, a corneal laceration. Her aunt, 48-year-old Hayat al-Ghussein, sat beside her. “I was planning to go see my sister, Ghazal’s mother, at their makeshift tent near the market,” she started. “I was just at the market to buy a few things on the way when shelling and gunfire erupted from all directions. I ran… [there were] screams everywhere, I saw children, women, many injured people. I ran, screaming, barely comprehending what was going around.” According to Hayat, the bombing and gunfire targeted the displaced persons’ tents, including the one where her sister’s family lived. “People were running out of their tents. I was shocked when I got to my sister’s tent, they were all wounded and bleeding – my sister, her husband, their children, even their baby was hit in the eye.” Ghazal lies on her cot, unseeing, while her aunt Hayat frets beside her [Abdelhakim Abu Riash/Al Jazeera] Hayat tried to reach them, but the shooting was too close and she had to run. When calm finally returned, she went back to the tent as ambulances arrived to take the injured and deceased. “My nephew bled to death; no one could save him,” she sobbed. “Ghazal can’t move, stand, speak, or hear. How does this happen to a young girl? What wrong did she commit?” Because of the enormous number of injuries, the al-Ghusseins could not stay together at Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital. Some family members had to be moved to the equally underequipped and overloaded European Hospital in Khan Younis. “How can this happen before the eyes of the world?” Hayat asked. Adblock test (Why?)

‘Against violence towards civilians’: Armenia recognises Palestinian state

‘Against violence towards civilians’: Armenia recognises Palestinian state

Significant move prompts Israel to summon Armenian ambassador for ‘harsh reprimand’. Armenia has formally recognised a Palestinian state, the latest country to do so during the war in Gaza, prompting Israel to summon the Armenian ambassador. In announcing the move on Friday, Armenia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs also condemned Israel’s military conduct in the Gaza Strip and Palestinian group Hamas’s taking of captives. “Armenia deplores using civilian infrastructure as shields during armed conflicts and violence towards civilian populations,” the ministry said, adding that it joined the international community in demanding the release of the captives. More than 37,400 people have been killed in Israel’s war on Gaza since October 7. The death toll in Israel from the Hamas-led attacks stands at 1,139, with dozens of people still being held captive in Gaza. 📢 #Armenia recognizes State of #Palestine 🔹Our position has consistently been in favour of a peaceful & comprehensive settlement of the Palestinian issue, & we support the “two-state” solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Reaffirming our commitment to int’l law &… pic.twitter.com/SoF7KLLGr7 — MFA of Armenia🇦🇲 (@MFAofArmenia) June 21, 2024 Shortly after the former Soviet republic announced the recognition, Israel’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs summoned Armenia’s ambassador. “Following Armenia’s recognition of a Palestinian state, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs summoned the Ambassador of Armenia to Israel for a harsh reprimand conversation,” according to a ministry spokesperson. In May, Spain formally recognised Palestine as a state, joining Ireland, Norway and 143 other countries in acknowledging Palestinian statehood. Speaking in Madrid, Qatar’s Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani said recognition of a Palestinian state was an important message to reject double standards. Hussein al-Sheikh, a senior official from the Palestinian Authority, welcomed the move. “This is a victory for right, justice, legitimacy and the struggle of our Palestinian people for liberation and independence,” he said on social media. “Thank you, our friend Armenia,” he said. Armenia said it also supported a United Nations resolution on an immediate ceasefire in Israel’s war on Gaza and was in favour of a two-state solution to the Palestinian-Israeli conflict. The Palestinian Authority, which exercises limited self-rule in the occupied West Bank, said in a statement that Armenia’s recognition contributed to “preserving the two-state solution, which faces systematic challenges, and promotes security, peace and stability for all parties involved”. Israel is a major arms supplier to Armenia’s arch foe and neighbour Azerbaijan, with which it has been locked in a decades-long territorial dispute over the Nagorno-Karabakh region that Baku recaptured last year from Armenian separatists. Adblock test (Why?)