Trump legal tab hits 91 charges in four months: |
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© AP Photo/Artie Walker Jr
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While you were sleeping… A Georgia grand jury indicted former
President Trump late Monday night on charges related to his alleged attempts to overturn the state’s results in the 2020 presidential election. The indictment paints a broad picture of Trump and his allies attempting to overturn the Georgia results while making false claims about a stolen election.
Where things stand: The Hill has broken down here the whole Trump legal web, if you need a refresher. The Georgia situation went down around midnight, so there are still a lot of moving pieces.
Trump, the GOP frontrunner in the 2024 presidential race, is facing multiple counts, along with 18 of his allies in Georgia for their various alleged attempts to challenge President Biden‘s narrow win in the traditionally conservative state.
Trump on the attack: Trump quickly went after Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis after she handed up the indictment.
“So, the Witch Hunt continues! 19 people Indicated tonight, including the former President of the United States, me, by an out of control and very corrupt District Attorney who campaigned and raised money on, ‘I will get Trump.,’” Trump posted on Truth Social early this morning.
Peachy: As he noted in his statement, Trump isn’t the only person facing scrutiny in Georgia over efforts to stay in power after he lost the 2020 election. The Hill has broken down details on the 18 others charged alongside him in the latest case.
What the Democrats are saying: In a joint statement, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) are urging people from both sides to avoid interfering during the Georgia legal process.
“As a nation built on the rule of law, we urge Mr. Trump, his supporters, and his critics to allow the legal process to proceed without outside interference,” the top Democrats in Congress said Monday. (The Hill) |
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Heard this one before? House GOP eyes stopgap plan to avoid shutdown: |
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As September creeps closer — and with Congress largely away from D.C. this month — the annual budget dance is about to commence: Government shutdown or temporary spending deal?
There’s little chance they will come together on a larger agreement on the federal budget for the fiscal year that begins Oct. 1. But, if lawmakers don’t approve legislation to keep government finances afloat, there will be a shutdown, a potentially dangerous choice heading into the 2024 election cycle.
The Hill’s Emily Brooks and Mychael Schnell have the latest on where negotiations stand: “Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) said on a GOP conference call Monday evening that the House will likely have to pass a short-term solution known as a continuing resolution, according to two sources on the call.”
But, but, but: Nobody said it would be easy… Lawmakers (and voters) are not fans of these Band-Aid budgets, though they rely on them often. As Brooks and Schnell report, the narrow GOP majority in the House, which has seen its far-right flank flex its muscle in previous fights, isn’t yet ready to go along with the stopgap plan.
From their report: “Some members of the party’s right flank have stressed they will only vote for bills that set funding at fiscal 2022 levels, and a CR would keep spending the same as in fiscal 2023.”
More here from The Hill. |
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Biden says IRA is about ‘economic growth’ — but polls suggest no one knows what it is |
Tomorrow will be the one-year anniversary of President Biden signing the “Inflation Reduction Act” into law, and though he’s stepped back from the name (to seemingly embrace the “Bidenomics” moniker), the White House has hoped the effort will help springboard his reelection campaign as Trump, the current GOP frontrunner, faces mounting legal issues.
The Hill’s Brett Samuels and Al Weaver have parsed out how Biden’s team is trying to play up the monumental legislation with administration officials fanning out across the country, while navigating a myriad of other issues they face as the 2024 campaign ramps up.
Notable quotable: “The ‘Inflation Reduction Act’ — I wish I hadn’t called it that, because it has less to do with reducing inflation than it does to do with dealing with providing for alternatives that generate economic growth,” Biden told donors last week in Utah. Public perception: Samuels and Weaver note, “a Washington Post-University of Maryland poll conducted in mid-July found 71 percent of Americans surveyed said they know little or nothing about the law.” Troubled waters: “The inability of Democrats to successfully message on the bill’s features has handed Republicans an opportunity to define it themselves, especially in red states and districts that could decide control of the House and Senate next year,” Samuels and Weaver write. Read more from their deep dive here. |
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Hunter Biden, the president’s son who has also been facing his own set of legal troubles, has another one to add to the list. The younger Biden’s attorney has withdrawn from his tax case because he could ultimately be a witness related to the failed attempt securing a deal with prosecutors.
Hunter Biden has been under legal scrutiny over alleged tax evasion and gun possession charges. Attorney Christopher Clark is now off the case. (The Hill) |
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In or out? Countdown to the first GOP presidential debate: |
The first Republican presidential primary debate is about one week away in Milwaukee.
Here’s where things stand:
➡️ IN: Former President Trump, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, former Vice President Pence, U.S. Sen. Tim Scott, former S.C. Gov. Nikki Haley, former N.J. Gov. Chris Christie, North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum and biotech entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy, all say they’ve reached the GOP threshold levels to make it to the stage, though it’s still unclear whether Trump or others will agree to take part.
⬅️ OUT/Not yet there: Talk radio host Larry Elder, former U.S. Rep. Will Hurd (Texas), former Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson, Miami Mayor Francis Suarez and former Montana Secretary of State Corey Stapleton. Those candidates could make it just in time, but thus far have come up short on the requirements needed to participate.
Remember: The Republican National Committee told candidates that to make it onto the Aug. 23 stage, they must poll at least 1 percent in multiple eligible polls, receive donations from at least 40,000 supporters — including 200-plus from 20 different states — and sign a loyalty pledge agreeing to back the eventual GOP nominee. Worth noting: Trump said he won’t sign such a pledge, and others have appeared to question whether it will mean anything in the end. |
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Helping Hawaii — Giving now versus later: |
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The devastating Maui wildfires have many people looking for ways to help. But what’s the right time and way to contribute?
The Associated Press reports: “[E]xperts say immediate donations may not be the most useful following a natural disaster like the Maui wildfires. They suggest standing by a week or two until needs are assessed and support lines have been established. But they know that some people will not be able to wait.
The AP notes that, “donations tend to drop off after the initial burst of media attention ends, even though many of the needs of those affected haven’t been met yet … Waiting a few weeks also allows the government and nonprofits to figure out what rebuilding priorities have been funded and which haven’t.” (More from The AP via The Hill) |
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💰 Money moves: Ohio’s next big abortion vote boosts political spending: |
Last week, voters in Ohio resoundingly shot down an attempt to make it harder to amend the state’s constitution ahead of a vote this fall on an effort to enshrine abortion rights. AdImpact Politics is now tracking how much money is going into the next abortion fight there.
“We’ve already seen $5M in ad spending directed towards OH’s abortion amendment, on the ballot this Nov,” the political ad trackers posted on X, the social media site formerly known as Twitter. “Overall, we’ve seen $79M spent on abortion amendments in ’22 and ’23.” |
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9 a.m.: President Biden received the Presidential Daily Briefing.
10:20 a.m.: Biden left the White House for his trip to Milwaukee.
Note: Deputy press secretary Olivia Dalton briefed reporters aboard Air Force One enroute to Milwaukee. 12:30 p.m.: Biden arrived in Milwaukee.
1:05 p.m.: Biden will tour Ingeteam, Inc., a green energy company. 2 p.m.: Biden will deliver remarks on the economy.
3 p.m.: Harris and Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm will deliver remarks on the climate crisis at an event in Seattle. 3:20 p.m.: Biden is scheduled to leave Milwaukee.
5:05 p.m.: Harris will take part in a campaign reception. 5:20 p.m.: Biden is scheduled to return to the White House.
6:25 p.m.: Harris is scheduled to leave Seattle en route to Los Angeles. All times Eastern. |
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Replay: Deputy press secretary Olivia Dalton briefed reporters aboard Air Force One enroute to Milwaukee. (Listen to the playback here)
2 p.m.: President Biden will deliver remarks on the economy during an event in Milwaukee.(Watch here) 3 p.m.: Vice President Harris and Energy Secretary
Jennifer Granholm will deliver remarks on the climate crisis at an event in Seattle. (Watch here)
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When life hands you lemons, make a pie! Today is National Lemon Meringue Pie Day! Here’s a good recipe if you’re interested in baking your own.
Liz tip: I like to mix in some Meyer lemons to cut down on the tartness a bit while infusing that yummy Meyer flavor. |
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View past issues of 12:30 Report here and check out other newsletters from The Hill here. See you next time! |
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