DeSantis news – latest: Florida governor most popular with rich Republicans as he defends move to fly migrants to California

Florida governor Ron DeSantis appears to be the preferred Republican candidate among right-leaning millionaires, according to the latest CNBC Millionaire Survey, although his arch-rival and front-runner Donald Trump is seemingly also picking up support among wealthy Americans.

The poll shows that 32 per cent of Republicans with qualifying millionaire status currently support Mr DeSantis, a drop from 54 per cent at the end of 2022, while Mr Trump now has the backing of 28 per cent, up from 17 per cent last year.

Meanwhile, the governor has met with sheriffs in Arizona and defended his state’s recent decision to fly migrants from the US-Mexico border to Sacramento, California, a move widely derided as a cruel political stunt but which he insisted was above board because the west coast state had essentially invited them with its liberal immigration policies.

“I think the border should be closed. I don’t think we should have any of this,” Mr DeSantis said. “But if there’s a policy to have an open border, then I think the sanctuary jurisdictions should be the ones that have to bear that.”

Key Points

• Inside the bitter rivalry between Ron DeSantis and Gavin Newsom

• Millionaires support Ron DeSantis but Trump support growing, says poll

• California investigating whether DeSantis involved in flying asylum-seekers from Texas to Sacramento

• Showtime documentary on DeSantis’s Guantanamo Bay career mysteriously dropped

• DeSantis wraps up first early states tour with attack on Biden

How Trump’s second indictment unfolded: A timeline of the investigation into Mar-a-Lago documents

14:30 , Joe Sommerlad

Donald Trump has been indicted on seven charges relating to the storage of classified national defence documents dating from his presidency at his Mar-a-Lago mansion in Palm Beach, Florida.

The 45th president of the United States will now appear in federal court in Miami on Tuesday 13 June, his lawyer has since confirmed. Should he ultimately be convicted, he could face a maximum combined sentence of 100 years in prison.

His resort home was raided by the FBI in August 2022 as part of a hunt for search papers and other government records that should never have left the White House when his presidency ended in January 2021, a dramatic move that came as a surprise to the general public.

However, legal filings have since shown that the investigation into possible violations of the Espionage Act that triggered that unprecedented action was months in the making.

The documents made clear that Trump had ample opportunity to return the material the government requested — and then subpoenaed — and revealed the sheer quantity of highly-sensitive documents he was keeping at the club.

Here is a timeline of notable developments in the case so far:

A timeline of the investigation into Trump’s Mar-a-Lago documents

The shopping list of allegations facing Donald Trump

14:15 , Joe Sommerlad

You would be forgiven for having completely lost track of all the trouble the former president has gotten himself into lately.

But fear not, Alex Woodward is here to explain it all.

Trump’s shopping list of allegations: The charges he faces

Trump unleashes on ‘woke military’ and says America is ‘going to hell’ in bizarre rant

14:00 , Abe Asher

Former President Donald Trump released a four-plus minute video on Truth Social on Thursday decrying the “woke” military, spreading baseless conspiracy theories about electoral politics, and announcing that the United States is “going to hell” as he is indicted by the Justice Department.

Mr Trump posted to the social media platform earlier on Thursday that was going to be indicted over his handling of classified documents after leaving the presidency, and, as that post and the subsequent video show, he’s not happy with the news.

Read more:

Trump says America is ‘going to hell’ in bizarre Truth Social rant after indictment

Read Trump’s furious reaction to indictment: ‘This is war’

13:45 , Joe Sommerlad

Trump released a four-minute video after announcing he had been hit with federal charges for allegedly retaining classified documents. Mr Trump repeated his false election fraud claims and accused the military of being “woke”.

Below is the former president’s statement in full.

Read Trump’s furious reaction to indictment: ‘This is war’

Trump bragged about ‘secret’ Iran document while making stunning admission on tape, report says

13:34 , Gustaf Kilander

Donald Trump made the stunning admission that he held onto “secret” military information that he hadn’t declassified.

“As president, I could have declassified, but now I can’t,” Mr Trump said during the meeting in 2021 after he left office, according to a transcript obtained by CNN.

In the meeting, Mr Trump spoke about a classified Defence Department document regarding a supposed attack on Iran. The recording was obtained by prosecutors, in which Mr Trump states that he didn’t declassify the document he’s speaking about.

Trump allies invoke JFK assassination as ex-president indicted

13:15 , Joe Sommerlad

The former president’s MAGA allies quickly came to his defence on Thursday after he revealed he was facing a federal indictment related to a Department of Justice investigation into his mishandling of classified documents.

Here’s Matt Gaetz taking to the airwaves to cry “Election interference!” to give you an idea.

Ariana Baio has this comprehensive roundup.

Trump allies accuse Democrats of ‘election interference’ as ex-president indicted

Trump attacks ‘rabid wolves’ out to get him in latest campaign video

13:00 , Joe Sommerlad

Here’s the twice-indicted, twice-impeached former president’s cinematic new attack vid, bringing his conspiracy-minded paranoia complex to the fore and making quick use of last week’s footage of Joe Biden tripping over at a graduation ceremony to insist he is “incompetent”.

Voices: The folly of trusting Trump claims two more victims. Why do they do it?

12:45 , Joe Sommerlad

Noah Berlatsky writes:

This week, CNN’s CEO Chris Licht was ousted after 16 months on the job and a brutal expose in The Atlantic. On Wednesday evening, it was reported that former Trump Chief of Staff Mark Meadows has been testifying before the grand jury investigating Trump. Some sources suggested he might be taking a plea deal, though his lawyer denied it.

Licht and Meadows both put their faith and trust in Donald Trump. They both attached themselves to him in the hope that his fame and power would boost their own fortunes. And they both, in quick order, ended up miserable and humiliated.

Read more...

The folly of trusting Trump claims two more victims. Why do they do it?

Biden defends DoJ’s independence as prosecutors prep Trump charges

12:15 , Joe Sommerlad

President Joe Biden on Thursday said Americans can trust that he has not interfered in the Justice Department’s independence despite claims to the contrary by former president Donald Trump, who is likely to be charged in a long-running probe over his alleged unlawful retention of national defence information.

Mr Biden made the comments at the tail end of a joint press conference alongside British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak after being asked what he could say to convince Americans of the department’s independence and fairness amid a rash of attacks against it from Mr Trump.

Andrew Feinberg reports for The Independent from the White House.

Biden defends Justice Department’s independence as prosecutors prep Trump charges

DeSantis campaign accused of using fake AI images of Trump hugging Fauci in ad

11:45 , Joe Sommerlad

Florida governor Ron DeSantis’ campaign has been accused of using fake, AI-generated images of former President Donald Trump hugging ex-White House chief medical adviser Anthony Fauci in an attack ad.

Mr DeSantis and Mr Trump have been trading barbs for weeks about their respective Covid responses, with Mr Trump’s campaign and surrogates arguing that Mr DeSantis’ initial lockdown measures in Florida were too harsh and Mr DeSantis’ campaign arguing that Mr Trump was too acquiescent to medical professionals like Dr Fauci in crafting his administration’s response.

Now, in the ad shared by the the “DeSantis War Room” Twitter account, the Florida governor’s campaign is accused of crossing an ethical line.

Abe Asher has the full story.

DeSantis campaign accused of using fake AI images of Trump hugging Fauci in ad

There is ALWAYS a tweet

11:15 , Joe Sommerlad

Like the man says...

What is the difference between being indicted and being charged?

10:45 , Joe Sommerlad

To put it as simply as possible, under the American legal system, an indictment is a formal notice that the state believes a person has committed a crime, whereas a charge is a formal accusation made by a governmental authority asserting that somebody has committed a crime.

But here’s Abe Asher with a much more comprehensive explanation.

What is an indictment? Here’s what Donald Trump is facing

What is the Espionage Act that Trump is being investigated under?

10:15 , Joe Sommerlad

What do the transgender whistleblower Chelsea Manning, the 1950s Soviet spy Julius Rosenberg and former president Donald Trump all have in common?

The answer, following the indictment arising from the discovery of classified documents at Mr Trump's Mar-a-Lago home in Florida, is that all four have been investigated under suspicion of violating the Espionage Act of 1917.

When the FBI raided Mr Trump’s property last August, they were looking for items that might violate the Act, which regulates the handling of confidential documents relating to national security.

Most often used against spies, whistleblowers and government employees who leak documents to journalists, the Espionage Act carries a maximum sentence of ten years in prison.

What is the Espionage Act that Trump is being investigated under?

After years of opposition, GOP set to encourage early voting, mail balloting

09:45 , Joe Sommerlad

After years of criticizing mail voting and so-called ballot harvesting as ripe for fraud, Republicans at the top of the party want to change course.

They are poised to launch aggressive get-out-the-vote campaigns for 2024 that employ just those strategies, attempting to match the emphasis on early voting Democrats have used for years to lock in many of their supporters well ahead of Election Day.

The goal is to persuade voters who support GOP candidates that early voting techniques are secure and to make sure they are able to return their ballots in time to be counted, thus putting less pressure on Election Day turnout efforts.

Read more...

GOP set to encourage early voting, mail balloting after years of opposite messaging to its voters

Inside the bitter rivalry between Ron DeSantis and Gavin Newsom

09:15 , Joe Sommerlad

It’s been more than two decades since a state governor was elected to the White House, but you wouldn’t know it looking at the 2024 presidential race.

Six current or former governors have entered the 2024 GOP primary so far.

But no statehouse rivalry is more pronounced in US politics than the one between Florida governor and 2024 Republican candidate Ron DeSantis, and his Democratic counterpart from California, Governor Gavin Newsom.

Josh Marcus takes a look at the feud between the two men.

The long, bitter rivalry between Ron DeSantis and Gavin Newsom

Now the GOP candidate field is likely set, what do we know?

08:45 , Oliver O'Connell

After a trio of new announcements this week, the Republican Party’s 2024 presidential field is all but set.

A handful of stragglers may jump in later, but as of now there are at least 10 high-profile Republican candidates officially seeking their party’s nomination. And with the announcement phase of the primary campaign largely over, several leading Republican contenders will gather in North Carolina this weekend to begin a more aggressive sorting period.

It will be a long road to the GOP’s national convention in Milwaukee next summer when Republican delegates across the country gather to finalize their nominee to run against President Joe Biden. Surprises are guaranteed. Fortunes will change. But as of now, every Republican White House hopeful is looking up at former President Donald Trump, who is the undisputed frontrunner in the crowded contest.

Here are some takeaways on where the Republican contest stands:

The Republican presidential field is largely set. Here are takeaways on where the contest stands.

Trump lawyer says she’s ‘ashamed’ and ‘embarrassed’

08:15 , Alisha Rahaman Sarkar

Former president Donald Trump’s attorney Alina Habba said on Fox News that she is “ashamed” and “embarrassed” to be a lawyer after the former president was indicted.

Ms Habba spoke on Jesse Watters’s show amid news that a federal grand jury indicted Mr Trump on charges related to his allegedly unlawful retention of national defence information.

“Every single time there is a coordinated dance that is becoming obvious to the American people because they are smart,” Ms Habba said.

The Trump attorney added that the indictments of the twice-impeached former president were the equivalent of a “shiny ball” meant to distract the American public.

“I’m embarrassed to be a lawyer at this moment,” she said. “Honestly, I am ashamed. I’m ashamed to be a lawyer. I’m ashamed that this is the state of our country.”

Eric Garcia and Andrew Feinberg report.

Trump lawyer says she’s ‘ashamed’ and ‘embarrassed’ as ex-president indicted

Donald Trump facing up to 100 years in prison - report

08:00 , Alisha Rahaman Sarkar

Former president Donald Trump is likely looking at 100 years in prison if convicted on the seven charges in the classified documents case, ABC News reported, citing sources.

The charges levied against him are willful retention of national defence information, which carries a maximum penalty of 10 years.

Conspiracy to obstruct justice, which carries a maximum penalty of 20 years.

Withholding a document or record, which carries a maximum penalty of 20 years.

Corruptly concealing a document or record, another charge with maximum penalty of 20 years.

Concealing a document in a federal investigation, which also carries 20 years maximum as penalty.

Scheme to conceal and false statements and representations - both with five years as maximum penalty.

Trump slams indictment in Fox News rant

07:45 , Alisha Rahaman Sarkar

The former president called the federal indictment “election interference at the highest level,” and claimed the Biden administration was “the most corrupt” in history.

Mr Trump told Fox News Digital that he would “of course” plead not guilty to the charges when he appears in federal court in Miami on Tuesday afternoon.

The Republican 2024 frontrunner is charged with at least seven counts involving obstruction of justice, conspiracy, and illegal retention of classified government material.

GOP opponent calls on Trump to drop out after latest charges

07:15 , Alisha Rahaman Sarkar

While many Republicans in the presidential field remain hesitant to criticise Donald Trump over his various indictments, one candidate has gone so far as to say he should drop out of the Republican nominating contest.

“Donald Trump’s actions – from his willful [sic] disregard for the constitution to his disrespect for the rule of law – should not define our nation or the Republican Party,” former Arkansas governor Asa Hutchinson said in a statement.

“This is a sad day for our country. While Donald Trump is entitled to the presumption of innocence, the ongoing criminal proceedings will be a major distraction. This reaffirms the need for Donald Trump to respect the office and end his campaign.”

Abe Asher reports.

GOP opponent says Trump should drop out after ‘disrespect for the rule of law’

For many Southern Baptists, the only 2024 question is which GOP candidate to support

06:45 , Oliver O'Connell

Southern Baptists form a core part of the white evangelical Christian bloc that has reliably and overwhelmingly voted Republican in recent elections, and is expected to again in 2024.

But Southern Baptists are weighing their options in the GOP presidential primary field — some already lining up behind Donald Trump, others wary of the former president, whom most evangelical voters supported in previous elections despite his vulgar language, serial marriages and sexual bravado. Some are looking at what Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis or other candidates might offer.

But even critics of many Baptist voters’ embrace of hard-right politics have little doubt where this is headed in November 2024 — support for whichever candidate emerges from the GOP nomination process. The only question is the extent of the fervor they bring to the polls.

Read more...

For many Southern Baptists, the only campaign question is which Republican candidate to support

Trump allies invoke JFK assassination and accuse Democrats of ‘election interference’

06:00 , Alisha Rahaman Sarkar

Allies of former president Donald Trump quickly came to his defence after he revealed he was facing a federal indictment related to a Department of Justice investigation into his mishandling of classified documents.

The indictment comes after a months-long investigation into whether Mr Trump knowingly kept sensitive materials at his Mar-a-Lago home and / or misled investigators looking into the matter.

On Twitter, allies of Mr Trump remained loyal to him and downplayed the severity of the indictment.

Representative Matt Gaetz (R-FL) claimed the indictment was a form of “election interference” on Twitter.

Ariana Baio reports.

Trump allies accuse Democrats of ‘election interference’ as ex-president indicted

DeSantis defends flying migrants to California

05:30 , Graeme Massie

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis on Wednesday defended his state’s decision to fly migrants from the US-Mexico border to California, arguing that the state had essentially invited the migrants with its welcoming policies toward immigrants.

Read more...

DeSantis defends flying migrants to California as he meets with sheriffs near border

MAGA rallies behind Donald Trump

05:13 , Alisha Rahaman Sarkar

“The Biden Regime, which is realising they can’t beat or cheat their way to another victory, has taken the unprecedented step to indict president Trump,” MAGA Inc spokesperson Karoline Leavitt said in a statement.

“This comes amid reports that the Biden family accepted $10m in illegal bribes from foreign nationals. America is a nation that has become plagued by a two-tier system of justice that must be confronted and destroyed.

“This will only be done when we re-elect President Donald J Trump in 2024.”

Trump praises Pat Robertson after death – despite him saying ex-president lived in ‘alternate reality’

05:01 , Graeme Massie

Donald Trump has praised the life of Christian televangelist Pat Robertson, even though he once said that the former president was living in an “alternate reality.”

Trump praises evangelical leader Pat Robertson after his death despite 2020 criticism

Twitter boss reacts to Donald Trump’s indictment

04:49 , Alisha Rahaman Sarkar

“There does seem to be far higher interest in pursuing Trump compared to other people in politics,” Tesla CEO Elon Musk tweeted.

“Very important that the justice system rebut what appears to be differential enforcement or they will lose public trust.”

Trump will be arrested by FBI day before his birthday

04:44 , Graeme Massie

The former president is set to be arrested and booked before he appears in federal court in Miami on Tuesday 13 June, the day before his 76th birthday.

Obstruction, false statements and unlawfully retaining documents: The charges against Donald Trump

04:33 , Graeme Massie

A federal indictment against the former president is expected to include seven counts stemming from his mishandling of classified documents at his Mar-a-Lago property.

Alex Woodward has the story.

What we know about the charges against Donald Trump

Trump’s Republican rival says ex-president victim of political ‘weaponisation’

04:26 , Alisha Rahaman Sarkar

Florida governor Ron DeSantis condemned the indictment of Donald Trump, his chief rival for the Republican presidential nomination, calling it a political hatchet job.

“The weaponisation of federal law enforcement represents a mortal threat to a free society. We have for years witnessed an uneven application of the law depending upon political affiliation,” Mr DeSantis tweeted.

“Why so zealous in pursuing Trump yet so passive about Hillary or Hunter?” he added.

Mr DeSantis also promised to end what he called political bias and to “bring accountability” to the Department of Justice if elected.

‘I am an innocent man’: Trump thunders after federal indictment

04:12 , Alisha Rahaman Sarkar

Former president Donald Trump called the federal indictment “election interference at the highest level” as he went on to claim that he was an “innocent man”.

“The Biden administration is totally corrupt,” he said in a post on Truth Social.

“This is election interference and a continuation of the greatest witch hunt of all time.”

Mr Trump told Fox News Digital that he would “of course” plead not guilty to the charges when he appears in federal court in Miami on Tuesday afternoon.

With federal indictment, Trump notches up another disgraceful first for a US president

04:05 , Graeme Massie

There has never been a more corrupt President in United States history, writes Ahmed Baba.

With federal indictment, Trump notches up another disgraceful first

Trump indicted on seven charges in secret documents case

03:53 , Graeme Massie

What is an indictment? Here’s what Donald Trump is facing

03:46 , Graeme Massie

Mr Trump is the first former US president ever to face federal indictment.

What is an indictment? Here’s what Donald Trump is facing

Asa Hutchinson calls for Trump to end 2024 campaign

03:41 , Graeme Massie

The former Arkansas governor issued a statement after Mr Trump was indicted with seven charges in secret documents case.

Fox News host Mark Levin screams in outrage at Trump indictment

03:31 , Graeme Massie

McCarthy falsely claims Trump indicted by Biden

03:25 , Graeme Massie

The House majority leader Kevin McCarthy took to twitter and falsely claimed that Joe Biden was the one who indicted Donald Trump, rather than a grand jury empanelled by special counsel Jack Smith for the Justice Department.

Former FBI agent in Russia probe mocks Trump

03:21 , Graeme Massie

Peter Strzok posted a picture of a handcuff with the outline of Donald Trump’s head silhouetted.

The White House got no heads up on Trump indictment

03:15 , Graeme Massie

The White House did not receive any heads up from DoJ special counsel Jack Smith or Attorney General Merrick Garland that Donald Trump was going to be indicted on seven charges in the secret documents case, a source told The Independent.

Trump GOP rival Vivek Ramaswamy backs Trump and says he'd pardon him on day one

03:11 , Graeme Massie

“It would be much easier for me to win this election if Trump weren’t in the race, but I stand for principles over politics. I commit to pardon Trump promptly on January 20, 2025 and to restore the rule of law in our country,” the 2024 GOP hopeful tweeted.

Ron DeSantis condemns indictment of rival Trump

03:08 , Graeme Massie

“The weaponization of federal law enforcement represents a mortal threat to a free society. We have for years witnessed an uneven application of the law depending upon political affiliation,” the Florida governor Tweeted on Thursday night.

“Why so zealous in pursuing Trump yet so passive about Hillary or Hunter? The DeSantis administration will bring accountability to the DOJ, excise political bias and end weaponization once and for all.”

Trump allies accuse Democrats of ‘election interference’ as ex-president indicted

03:03 , Graeme Massie

Federal indictment will be the second time the former president is indicted.

Trump allies accuse Democrats of ‘election interference’ as ex-president indicted

Trump lawyer Jim Trusty gives more details on charges

02:57 , Graeme Massie

Can Donald Trump run for president in 2024?

02:52 , Graeme Massie

Trump claims he has been indicted by a grand jury over his handling of classified documents.

Can Donald Trump run for president in 2024?

Will Donald Trump be arrested and jailed after classified documents indictment?

02:41 , Graeme Massie

Former president says he has been summoned to answer the charges against him at a Miami, Florida courthouse next week.

Will Donald Trump be arrested after classified documents indictment?

Amid calls to charge DeSantis, Florida officials share video boasting of role in California migrant flights

02:31 , Graeme Massie

Florida officials have shared footage of migrants that the state helped shuttle to California on private jets amid calls for kidnapping charges to be brought against Governor Ron DeSantis.

A video shared by the Florida Division of Emergency Management (FDEM) compiled two minutes and 21 seconds of clips showing migrants dancing to music on a bus, signing waivers, and smiling as they posed for photos on a plane.

Read more...

Florida officials share video boasting of role in California migrant flights

Trump releases bizarre video talking about ‘woke military’ and election numbers as he’s indicted

02:19 , Graeme Massie

The former president says the country is ‘going to hell’.

Trump releases video talking about ‘woke military’ and election data as he’s indicted

Read Trump’s furious reaction to federal indictment in classified documents case

02:10 , Graeme Massie

Donald Trump repeated his election lies and accused the military of being ‘woke’.

Trump lawyer says she’s ‘ashamed’ and ‘embarrassed’ as ex-president indicted over secret papers

01:50 , Graeme Massie

Trump lawyer says she’s ‘ashamed’ and ‘embarassed’ as ex-president indicted

Charlie Kirk calls on all GOP candidates to suspend campaigns

01:46 , Graeme Massie

“Every “Republican” running for President should suspend their campaign and go to Miami as a show of support. If you don’t, you are part of the problem. Either we have an opposition party or we don’t. GO to Miami Tuesday, and show solidarty or we will mark you as part of the oppsition,” the conservative activist tweeted.

Don Jr attacks indictment brought by DoJ against father

01:40 , Graeme Massie

“Biden’s corrupt DOJ is openly interfering in the 2024 presidential election to stop Trump because they know Biden can’t beat him in a fair race. That’s what this is really all about and everyone knows it,” he tweeted.

Trump will have mugshot taken by FBI, says report

01:36 , Graeme Massie

The FBI will take a mugshot and fingerprints of Donald Trump when he surrenders in Florida on Tuesday, but the photograph of the former president will not be made public, reported NBC News.

‘A criminal not a victim’: Trump critics mock his cries of ‘witch-hunt’ as he is indicted over secret papers

01:32 , Graeme Massie

Reports emerged Thursday that Mr Trump would face seven charges on a federal indictment.

Trump critics mock his cries of ‘witch-hunt’ as he is indicted over secret papers

Trump professes innocence in new video

01:25 , Graeme Massie

“I AM AN INNOCENT MAN. THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION IS TOTALLY CORRUPT. THIS IS ELECTION INTERFERENCE & A CONTINUATION OF THE GREATEST WITCH HUNT OF ALL TIME. MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!!!” he wrote on Truth Social.

Trump says he’s been indicted again: Here are all of the major lawsuits and investigations he is facing

01:17 , Graeme Massie

Former president has fumed that the investigations – and now his criminal indictment – are politically motivated.

Trump says he’s been indicted again: Here are all of the major legal woes he’s facing

Trump’s lawyer ‘embarrassed’ to be in profession after indictment

01:09 , Graeme Massie

Alina Habba, attorney for Donald Trump, appeared on Fox News and slammed the indictment against her client.

“I’m embarrassed to be a lawyer at this moment. Honestly I’m ashamed to be a lawyer,” she told host Jesse Watters.

Official tells prosecutors Trump knew how to correctly declassify documents

01:00 , Oliver O'Connell

A White House official who testified to the Justice Department regarding both Donald Trump and Joe Biden’s handling of classified materials told the agency that the 45th president understood the process for correctly declassifying those papers, according to CNN.

CNN reports that the official, whose name was not published, told prosecutors about a 2018 instance in which Mr Trump directed his team to go through the correct process for declassifying a document, a memo relating to the Russia investigation.

John Bowden reports from Washington, DC.

Trump knew how to correctly declassify documents, prosecutors told

Trump faces 7 charges, says report

00:50 , Graeme Massie

Sources have told CNN that Donald Trump will face seven charges when he appears before a magistrate at the Federal Courthouse in Miami next week.

Who is Jack Smith? Prosecutor overseeing Trump probes has extensive experience in high-profile cases

00:52 , Graeme Massie

Department of Justice veteran has prosecuted corrupt politicians in the US and war crimes internationally.

Who is Jack Smith? Prosecutor overseeing Trump probes has experience in major cases

Trump says he’s been indicted in secret papers case: ‘This is indeed a DARK DAY for the United States of America’

00:44 , Graeme Massie

Trump says he’s been indicted in documents case

Trump calls indictment a ‘dark day'

00:37 , Graeme Massie

“This is indeed a DARK DAY for the United States of America. We are a Country in serious and rapid Decline, but together we will Make America Great Again!” he wrote on Truth Social.

Trump says he has to appear in Federal Court in Miami

00:35 , Graeme Massie

Donald Trump says he has been indicted in Mar-a-Lago documents case

00:34 , Graeme Massie

The former president took to Truth Social to break the news on his own indictment.

That furious Trump rant about Mark Meadows you saw? It’s fake

00:15 , Oliver O'Connell

Former Republican representative Adam Kinzinger was among those who appear to have believed in a fake social media post that purported to show Donald Trump raging at his former White House chief of staff Mark Meadows.

Alisha Rahaman Sarkar has the story.

Furious Trump rant about Mark Meadows widely shared – but it’s a convincing fake

Newsom suggests kidnap charges over Ron DeSantis’s migrant flights

23:30 , Oliver O'Connell

California Governor Gavin Newsom suggested he may be considering kidnapping charges against Florida Governor Ron DeSantis after the 2024 GOP primary candidate flew a group of migrants from Texas to Sacramento on allegedly false pretences.

Mr Newsom called Mr DeSantis a “small, pathetic man” in a tweet on Monday, and then provided a snippet of the state’s laws regarding kidnapping.

Graig Graziosi reports.

Gavin Newsom suggests kidnap charges over Ron DeSantis’s migrant flights

Trump advisers want to put ‘Tiny D’ at centre of DeSantis attacks

23:00 , Oliver O'Connell

No, really. It is what you’re thinking.

Trump advisers want to put ‘Tiny D’ at centre of DeSantis attacks

Trump's lawyers seek to cut sex abuse jury award

22:45 , Oliver O'Connell

The $5 million awarded to a columnist by a jury that concluded she was sexually abused in the 1990s by Donald Trump in a New York luxury department store should be reduced to less than $1 million, the former president’s lawyers told a judge Thursday, saying the award was grossly excessive and based on “pure speculation.”

Read more...

Donald Trump's lawyers seek to cut sex abuse jury award from $5M to under $1M

Watch: Pence asked about GOP voters being angry with him over Trump

22:30 , Oliver O'Connell

Voices: The folly of trusting Trump claims two more victims. Why do they do it?

22:15 , Oliver O'Connell

Noah Berlatsky writes:

This week, CNN’s CEO Chris Licht was ousted after 16 months on the job and a brutal expose in The Atlantic. On Wednesday evening, it was reported that former Trump Chief of Staff Mark Meadows has been testifying before the grand jury investigating Trump. Some sources suggested he might be taking a plea deal, though his lawyer denied it.

Licht and Meadows both put their faith and trust in Donald Trump. They both attached themselves to him in the hope that his fame and power would boost their own fortunes. And they both, in quick order, ended up miserable and humiliated.

Read more...

The folly of trusting Trump claims two more victims. Why do they do it?

Ex-Trump official slammed by lawmaker for linking trans issues to sustainable investing

22:00 , Oliver O'Connell

Rep Becca Balint of Vermont strongly criticised former Trump administration official Mandy Gunasekara in a congressional hearing on Tuesday for asserting that sustainable investment strategies by companies promote gender transitions for children.

Abe Asher has the details.

Lawmaker rips ex-Trump official for linking trans issues to sustainable investing

DeSantis campaign accused of using fake AI images of Trump

21:45 , Oliver O'Connell

Gov Ron DeSantis’ campaign has been accused of using fake, AI-generated images of former President Donald Trump hugging ex-White House chief medical adviser Anthony Fauci in an attack ad.

Abe Asher has the details.

DeSantis campaign accused of using fake AI images of Trump hugging Fauci in ad

Trump supporting billionaire offers to buy CNN

21:30 , Oliver O'Connell

A Donald Trump-supporting New York billionaire says that he wants to buy embattled CNN from Warner Bros. Discovery.

Grocery mogul John Catsimatidis told The New York Post that he would “go run the place tomorrow morning and all I’d want is $1 per year.”

Graeme Massie has the story.

Billionaire Trump supporter offers to buy embattled CNN

Trump properties charged Defense Dept $1m during term in office, report says

21:27 , Oliver O'Connell

Per Forbes:

Newly released documents reveal that Donald Trump’s businesses charged his Department of Defense $976,000 during the first three years of his presidency, an amount that appears far greater than previously reported.

The Pentagon produced the documents in May, more than two years after Trump left the White House, in response to a November 2019 Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request from ethics watchdog American Oversight. The previous publicly known high for Defense Department spending at Trump properties appears to be $300,000, which CNN reported in April 2019.

Tiger King Joe Exotic weighs in on DeSantis kidnapping allegations

21:15 , Oliver O'Connell

Joe Exotic, of hit docuseries Tiger King fame, has weighed in on the allegation that Florida Governor Ron DeSantis sanctioned the illegal abduction by state officials of asylum seekers from Texas and flew them to California.

California officials are investigating whether any violations of criminal or civil law occurred.

He tweeted: “So if I read the news right, It looks as if maybe @RonDeSantis might be the next one with criminal problems trafficking illegals? LOL you all crack me up we are going to need bigger cells for all of you.”

In March, Mr Exotic — real name Joseph Allen Maldondo — formally announced his candidacy for the 2024 US presidential election.

The convicted felon is currently serving a 21-year prison sentence after he was found guilty of several crimes related to a murder-for-hire plot against wildlife activist Carol Baskin, in addition to numerous violations of the Endangered Species Act.

Read more about the accusations against DeSantis here:

DeSantis defends flying migrants to California as he meets with sheriffs near border

Trump praises Pat Robertson... who said he lived in ‘alternate reality'

20:45 , Oliver O'Connell

Donald Trump has praised the life of Christian televangelist Pat Robertson, even though he once said that the former president was living in an “alternate reality.”

Robertson died at the age of 93 at his home in Virginia Beach, Virginia, on Thursday morning, according to the Christian Broadcasting Network (CBN).

Graeme Massie has the story.

Trump praises evangelical leader Pat Robertson after his death despite 2020 criticism

Biden defends DoJ’s independence as prosecutors prep Trump charges

20:25 , Oliver O'Connell

President Joe Biden on Thursday said Americans can trust that he has not interfered in the Justice Department’s independence despite claims to the contrary by former president Donald Trump, who is likely to be charged in a long-running probe over his alleged unlawful retention of national defence information.

Mr Biden made the comments at the tail end of a joint press conference alongside British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak after being asked what he could say to convince Americans of the department’s independence and fairness amid a rash of attacks against it from Mr Trump.

Andrew Feinberg reports from the White House.

Biden defends Justice Department’s independence as prosecutors prep Trump charges

Pence hopes if Trump indictment comes it meets ‘very high threshold’

20:15 , Oliver O'Connell

During a visit to a pizza restaurant, former vice president and 2024 presidential candidates was asked about the possible indictment of former president Donald Trump.

He said: ”If the Department of Justice chooses to move forward with an indictment, I would hope that it would meet the very high threshold for the unprecedented action of a federal indictment against the former President of the United States.”

Why did Fox News fire Tucker Carlson?

20:00 , Oliver O'Connell

Tucker Carlson was fired from Fox News.

After the dueling choruses of doomsayers and giddy celebrants died down on Monday (24 April), the question of why Carlson was reportedly fired still lingered.

While there is no definitive answer to that question at the moment, there are a few contenders that – in part or in full – may explain why the conservative cable news network axed its biggest star without giving him so much as a goodbye tweet.

Graig Graziosi delves into the theories.

Why did Fox News fire Tucker Carlson? Here are five theories

E Jean Carroll lawyer issues statement on Trump request for fresh trial

19:30 , Oliver O'Connell

Robbie Kaplan, Attorney for E Jean Carroll

Full story:

Trump asks for fresh trial in E Jean Carroll sex abuse case

GOP set to encourage early voting, mail balloting after years of opposition

19:15 , Oliver O'Connell

After years of criticizing mail voting and so-called ballot harvesting as ripe for fraud, Republicans at the top of the party want to change course.

They are poised to launch aggressive get-out-the-vote campaigns for 2024 that employ just those strategies, attempting to match the emphasis on early voting Democrats have used for years to lock in many of their supporters well ahead of Election Day.

Read more...

GOP set to encourage early voting, mail balloting after years of opposite messaging to its voters

Official tells prosecutors Trump knew how to declassify documents

18:45 , Oliver O'Connell

A White House official who testified to the Justice Department regarding both Donald Trump and Joe Biden’s handling of classified materials told the agency that the 45th president understood the process for correctly declassifying those papers, according to CNN.

CNN reports that the official, whose name was not published, told prosecutors about a 2018 instance in which Mr Trump directed his team to go through the correct process for declassifying a document, a memo relating to the Russia investigation.

Read more...

Trump knew how to correctly declassify documents, prosecutors told

Newsom proposes Constitutional amendment for gun safety

18:30 , Oliver O'Connell

California Governor Gavin Newsom has called on states to join him to adopt a 28th Amendment to the US Constitution that would enshrine constitutional protections and gun safety measures while preserving the Second Amendment’s right to bear arms.

Alex Woodward reports.

Gavin Newsom proposes Constitutional amendment for gun safety

Governor Newsom will also be sitting down with Fox News’s Sean Hannity for his first interview with the network since 2010. It will be aired on Monday 12 June at 9pm

18:07 , Oliver O'Connell

Trump asks for fresh trial in E Jean Carroll sex abuse case

Trump asks for new trial in E Jean Carroll case

18:00 , Oliver O'Connell

Donald Trump on Thursday asked for a new trial in the civil case brought by E Jean Carroll, in which a Manhattan jury last month found the former US president liable for sexually abusing and defaming the writer and awarded her $5m in damages.

Trump pays tribute to Pat Robertson

17:45 , Oliver O'Connell

Former president Donald Trump has paid tribute to Pat Robertson, the firebrand Christian radio host and one-time presidential candidate, who died this morning.

Mr Trump wrote on Truth Social:

Today the World lost an incredible and powerful Voice for Faith and Freedom. Pat Robertson showed us that Belief in God produces results that can change the course of History. Pat’s legacy lives on in the many endeavors and lives that he touched. He will be greatly missed. Our hearts and prayers are with his Family!

However, in December 2020 in an interview on Fox News, Robertson said Mr Trump was iving in an “alternate reality” and should not run for the White House again in 2024.

Acknowledging Joe Biden's election victory, Roberston said it was time for the defeated incumbent to “move on”, adding that the “electoral college has spoken”.

Read our report from the time:

Trump in ‘alternate reality’, says televangelist Pat Robertson

Christie hits back at Trump’s mockery over his weight

17:10 , Oliver O'Connell

Chris Christie is punching back at Donald Trump after the former president responded to his campaign announcement with a juvenile video edit making fun of Mr Christie’s weight.

The former New Jersey governor appeared on CNN on Wednesday after launching his campaign with a town hall event at St Anselm College a night earlier.

John Bowden reports.

Chris Christie hits back at Trump’s mockery over his weight: ‘Such a spoiled baby’

Recap: Prosecutors ready to ask for Trump indictment on obstruction and Espionage Act charges

17:00 , Oliver O'Connell

The Department of Justice is preparing to ask a Washington DC grand jury to indict Donald Trump for violating the Espionage Act and for obstruction of justice over the discovery of classified documents at his Mar-a-Lago home in Florida, the latest setback to hit his 2024 presidential campaign.

The Independent has learned that prosecutors are ready to ask grand jurors to approve an indictment against Mr Trump for violating a portion of the US criminal code known as Section 793, which prohibits “gathering, transmitting or losing” any “information respecting the national defence”.

The use of Section 793, which does not make reference to classified information, is understood to be a strategic decision by prosecutors that has been made to short-circuit Mr Trump’s ability to claim that he used his authority as president to declassify documents he removed from the White House and kept at his Palm Beach, Florida property long after his term expired on 20 January 2021.

Read on below for more.

Prosecutors seeking Trump indictment on obstruction and Espionage Act charges

Inside the bitter rivalry between Ron DeSantis and Gavin Newsom

16:15 , Oliver O'Connell

It’s been nearly two decades since a state governor was elected to the White House, but you wouldn’t know it looking at the 2024 presidential race.

Six current or former governors have entered the 2024 GOP primary so far.

But no statehouse rivalry is more pronounced in US politics than the one between Florida governor and 2024 Republican candidate Ron DeSantis, and his Democratic counterpart from California, Governor Gavin Newsom.

Josh Marcus reports on their bitter feud.

The long, bitter rivalry between Ron DeSantis and Gavin Newsom

Trump accuses DoJ prosecutors of corruption to ‘get Trump'

15:30 , Oliver O'Connell

In the latest all-caps, late-night Truth Social post from former president Donald Trump, he accuses a top prosecutor at the “Department of Injustice” of trying to bribe and intimidate a lawyer to get their client to fabricate a story about him.

He provides no details or names of those involved and no evidence but claims the lawyer was “incensed & disgusted” by the offer of a “judgeship”.

Here’s what Mr Trump posted — including one of his trademark “Page 2” labels — as always, apologies for the all-caps (but it really adds to the tone of the post):

SHOCKING! ONE OF THE TOP PROSECUTORS AT THE DEPARTMENT OF INJUSTICE WAS REPORTEDLY SO OBSESSED WITH “GETTING TRUMP” THAT HE TRIED TO BRIBE & INTIMIDATE A LAWYER REPRESENTING SOMEONE BEING TARGETED & HARASSED TO FALSELY ACCUSE & FABRICATE A STORY ABOUT PRESIDENT DONALD J. TRUMP & A CRIME THAT DOESN’T EXIST. THIS CRIMINAL & SALACIOUS ACT FROM WITHIN THE DOJ HAS BROUGHT SHAME & EMBARRASSMENT TO THIS ONCE GREAT & RESPECTED INSTITUTION. BECAUSE OF THIS, THERE IS NOW EXTREME TURMOIL INSIDE THE DOJ…..

Page 2. A TOP OVERZEALOUS & DISHONEST DOJ PROSECUTOR OFFERED A WITNESS’ LAWYER AN IMPORTANT “JUDGESHIP” IN THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION IF HIS CLIENT “FLIPS” ON PRESIDENT TRUMP, WHO HAS DONE NOTHING WRONG! THE HIGHLY RESPECTED LAWYER WAS INCENSED & DISGUSTED AT THIS CORRUPT & ILLEGAL OFFER. THE FAKE “CASE” AGAINST ME MUST BE IMMEDIATELY DROPPED, AND THE INSPECTOR GENERAL SHOULD LAUNCH AN INVESTIGATION INTO THIS & THE MANY OTHER ALL TOO OBVIOUS WRONGDOINGS & CRIMES TAKING PLACE AT THE DOJ & FBI!

Special counsel prosecutor seen at Miami courthouse

15:12 , Oliver O'Connell

Per NBC News, David Harbach, a prosecutor working with the special counsel's classified documents investigation, has been spotted heading into the grand jury meeting room at the federal courthouse in Miami, Florida.

Rishi Sunak not seeking meeting with Donald Trump because of ‘busy schedule’

15:00 , Joe Sommerlad

Rishi Sunak has suggested a “busy schedule” is the reason behind his not seeking a meeting with Donald Trump while visiting the US.

The British prime minister will meet President Joe Biden at the White House on Thursday and has already held talks with senior political figures in Congress.

Mr Trump is widely seen as the front-runner to secure the Republican nomination to run for president again in 2024, with Florida governor Ron DeSantis viewed as his main rival.

Mr DeSantis met two members of Mr Sunak’s Cabinet – James Cleverly and Kemi Badenoch – during a trip to the UK in April, forcing Downing Street to deny any favouritism for the Florida governor over the former president.

Read on below for more.

Rishi Sunak not seeking meeting with Donald Trump because of ‘busy schedule’

Separate grand jury meeting in Florida has also been hearing evidence

14:30 , Andrew Feinberg

It is understood that prosecutors intend to ask grand jurors to vote on the indictment of Donald Trump on Thursday, but that vote could be delayed as much as a week until the next meeting of the grand jury to allow for a complete presentation of evidence, or to allow investigators to gather more evidence for the presentation of necessary.

A separate grand jury that is meeting in Florida has also been hearing evidence in the documents investigation.

That grand jury was empanelled in part to overcome legal issues posed by the fact that some of the crimes allegedly committed by Mr Trump took place in that jurisdiction, not in Washington.

Under federal law, prosecutors must bring charges against federal defendants in the jurisdiction where the crimes took place.

‘Why is so much of the Washington press hellbent on propping up Pence?'

14:00 , Joe Sommerlad

Republicans know who Mike Pence is and what he believes. It’s just that they don’t like it, writes Eric Garcia for Indy Voices.

Most Republicans who consider themselves devotees of Donald Trump will likely never forgive Mr Pence for not overturning the election. Conversely, many Republicans who might otherwise not like Mr Trump (or at least think that he would lose were he to be the Republican nominee again) will likely see Mr Pence as too tied to the former president.

So with all of this evidence showing that he will likely fold and not have even amount to a long shot contender, why is so much of the Washington press so hellbent on propping him up?

A major reason for this is that the political media ecosystem needs to broadcast to viewers that some rational Republicans have not given in to the vices of extremism. The Washington press fears nothing more than the right working the referees to complain that they are biased against them.

Mike Pence isn’t even a contender for 2024. Why are we pretending?

Trump’s ex-adviser Steve Bannon 'subpoenaed by Jack Smith’s Jan 6 probe’

13:30 , Maroosha Muzaffar

Donald Trump’s former White House adviser Steve Bannon has reportedly been subpoenaed by special counsel Jack Smith as part of a grand jury in his investigation into the 6 January 2021 insurrection.

The Washington DC grand jury is separate from the investigation into the former president’s handling of classified documents at his Mar-a-Lago home after he left the White House.

The subpoena is for both documents and testimony and was sent out in late May, sources told NBC News.

Bannon was convicted in July 2022 on two charges of contempt of Congress for refusing to cooperate with the congressional January 6 committee.

In October, US District Judge Carl Nichols sentenced Bannon to four months in federal prison, but the sentence was suspended while he appeals his conviction.

Trump’s ex-adviser Steve Bannon subpoenaed by Jack Smith’s Jan 6 probe, says report

Pence polls at only 5.4 per cent

13:00 , Joe Sommerlad

Mike Pence should at least be running closely with Mr Trump and Mr DeSantis.

He’s a former vice president to a chief executive most Republican voters love, a staunchly conservative former congressman and governor of a solidly Republican state.

He’s long called himself “a Christian, a conservative and a Republican in that order.”

But FiveThirtyEight shows that while Mr Pence places third, on average, among the present crop of candidates, polling at only 5.4 per cent, while Mr Trump is at 53.7 per cent and Mr DeSantis is at 21.3 per cent.

That is a disappointing number for a candidate with nearly-universal name recognition, which in and of itself is half the game – indeed, Mr Trump and President Joe Biden won their respective nominations largely because people knew who they were.

Pence calls on DoJ not to indict Trump but stops short of saying he’d pardon him if elected in 2024

12:30 , Maroosha Muzaffar

Mike Pence has called on the Department of Justice (DoJ) not to prosecute Donald Trump for his handling of classified documents but refused to say he would pardon the former president if he won the White House.

The former vice president told a CNN town hall in Des Moines, Iowa, that he viewed the handling of classified material as “a very serious matter” but told host Dana Bash that federal prosecutors should leave Mr Trump alone.

“I would hope not, I really would,” he said when asked if the DoJ special counsel Jack Smith should indict Mr Trump over the documents found at his Mar-a-Lago estate.

“I think it would be terribly divisive to the country at a time when the American people are hurting. This kind of action by the DoJ would only fuel further division in the country and send a terrible message to the wider world… I hope the DoJ thinks better of it and resolves this in a better way than an indictment,” he continued.

Despite that, Mr Pence told the audience that “no one is above the law” and also admitted that he himself had no business having some classified documents at his home in Indiana.

Read the full story by Graeme Massie here:

Pence calls on DoJ not to indict Trump but stops short of saying he’d pardon him

Furious Trump rant about Mark Meadows is widely shared – but it’s a convincing fake

12:00 , Joe Sommerlad

Former Republican representative Adam Kinzinger was among those who appear to have been taken in by a fake social media post that purported to show Donald Trump raging at his former White House chief of staff Mark Meadows.

“OH MEADOWS TURNED,” Mr Kinzinger tweeted along with a screenshot of the fake Trump post, before deleting it shortly after.

But the post was doctored to look similar to Mr Trump's routine rants on Truth Social, although a quick scroll through the former president's social media page confirmed the post was never actually shared by Mr Trump.

Alisha Rahaman Sarkar has the story.

Furious Trump rant about Mark Meadows widely shared – but it’s a convincing fake

Trump reacts with fury at news of possible indictment in classified documents case: ‘I’ve done NOTHING wrong’

11:30 , Maroosha Muzaffar

Former president Donald Trump took to Truth Social to share his furious reaction to the news that he may soon be indicted.

The Independent reported earlier on Wednesday that prosecutors are ready to ask grand jurors to approve an indictment against Mr Trump for violating a portion of the US criminal code known as Section 793, which prohibits “gathering, transmitting or losing” any “information respecting the national defence”.

“No one has told me I’m being indicted, and I shouldn’t be because I’ve done NOTHING wrong, but I have assumed for years that I am a Target of the WEAPONIZED DOJ & FBI, starting with the Russia, Russia, Russia HOAX, the ‘No Collusion’ Mueller Report, Impeachment HOAX #1, Impeachment HOAX #2, the PERFECT Ukraine phone call, and various other SCAMS & WITCH HUNTS. A TRAVESTY OF JUSTICE & ELECTION INTERFERENCE AT A LEVEL NEVER SEEN BEFORE. REPUBLICANS IN CONGRESS MUST MAKE THIS THEIR # 1 ISSUE!!!” Mr Trump wrote on Truth Social on Wednesday afternoon.

It is understood that prosecutors intend to ask grand jurors to vote on the indictment on Thursday, but that vote could be delayed as much as a week until the next meeting of the grand jury to allow for a complete presentation of evidence, or to allow investigators to gather more evidence for presentation if necessary.

Millionaires support Ron DeSantis but Trump support growing, says poll

11:00 , Graeme Massie

The Florida governor is the favourite GOP candidate among millionaires, but support for Donald Trump among the wealthy is growing, according to a new poll.

The CNBC Millionaire Survey shows that 32 per cent of Republicans with that status support the Florida governor, a drop from 54 per cent at the end of 2022.

Mr Trump now has the support of 28 per cent of Republican millionaires, up from 17 per cent last year, says the poll.

ICYMI: Trump has been indicted: Here are the other major lawsuits and investigations he is also facing

10:30 , Maroosha Muzaffar

Former president has fumed that the investigations – and now his criminal indictment – are politically motivated:

Donald Trump under arrest: All the other major lawsuits he is also facing

Pence likely sealed his fate as a presidential candidate on January 6

10:00 , Eric Garcia

Mr Pence likely sealed his fate as a presidential candidate not when he filed the paperwork to become a contender this month, but on January 6, when he made the correct decision to break from Mr Trump and his advisers’ cockamamie scheme to overturn the election. Mr Pence mentioned this during his announcement speech, excoriating the president for inciting the mob that wanted to lynch him and putting American democracy in peril.

“On that fateful day, President Trump’s words were reckless, they endangered my family and everyone at the Capitol,” he said. “But the American people deserve to know that on that day President Trump also demanded that I choose between him and the Constitution. Now voters will be faced with the same choice.”

Mr Pence deserves credit for not subverting democracy. But it also means that he is almost certainly not going to be president of the United States. Almost every indicator shows that Republican voters have soundly rejected him and likely will continue to do so as the 2024 campaign begins in earnest.

Click here to read the full blog on The Independent's website