Trump news - live: DeSantis under fire for anti-Trump ad as ex-aide airs new classified documents claims

Former Trump administration press secretary Stephanie Grisham has claimed that she saw Donald Trump showing off documents to guests at Mar-a-Lago, as she slammed his lack of respect for the nation’s secrets.

“I watched him show documents to people at Mar-a-Lago on the dining room patio,” Ms Grisham told MSNBC.

“He has no respect for classified information [and] never did.”

Her comments come after the former president was charged with 37 felonies last month over his handling of classified documents after leaving the White House.

While his legal troubles are heating up, a conservative billionaire network is reportedly working to ensure he doesn’t win the 2024 Republican primary, according to a new report.

Americans for Prosperity Action, a network of political organisations created by Charles and David Koch, will spend money for the first time on the Republican presidential primary.

It has already raised more than $70m to fund races that officials hope will help the Republican party move past Mr Trump, according to The New York Times.

Key Points

• Senator who once worked at a Planned Parenthood warns that Republicans are planning a national abortion ban

• 'Parental rights' group Moms for Liberty plans nationwide strategy for school board races in 2024

• The 2024 Republican presidential field keeps growing. So why aren't there more women?

• For presidents, July Fourth is a day to chill or strut or get an earful of red, white and boo

• Melania Trump hawks $50 NFTs to ‘celebrate our great nation’ ahead of July 4

Harvard sued over ‘legacy admissions’ after Supreme Court targets affirmative action

12:00 , Alex Woodward

Days after the US Supreme Court struck down race-conscious university admissions, civil rights groups have filed a federal lawsuit targeting so-called “legacy” admissions at Harvard University.

The lawsuit, alleging widespread discrimination at the college in violation of the Civil Rights Act, is the latest challenge to the practice of prioritising university admissions for the children of alumni.

“There’s no birthright to Harvard. As the Supreme Court recently noted, ‘eliminating racial discrimination means eliminating all of it.’ There should be no way to identify who your parents are in the college application process,” said Ivan Espinoza-Madrigal, executive director of Boston-based Lawyers for Civil Rights, which filed the complaint on 3 July.

“Why are we rewarding children for privileges and advantages accrued by prior generations?” he said in a statement. “Your family’s last name and the size of your bank account are not a measure of merit, and should have no bearing on the college admissions process.”

The group filed the lawsuit on behalf of the Chica Project, the African Community Economic Development of New England and the Greater Boston Latino Network.

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Harvard sued over ‘legacy admissions’ after Supreme Court targets affirmative action

Senator who once worked at a Planned Parenthood warns that Republicans are planning a national abortion ban

11:00 , Eric Garcia

When a draft of the Supreme Court’s Dobbs v Jackson opinion that would overturn Roe v Wade leaked in May of last year, US Senator Tina Smith had only three words.

“This is bulls***,” the Minnesota Democrat tweeted. She had similar words when Walgreens announced in March of this year it would not dispense abortion pills in states where abortion remained legal.

Ms Smith told The Independent in a phone interview that she knew the consequences of overturning the enshrined constitutional right to seek an abortion from her time working at Planned Parenthood as the Minnesota branch’s executive vice president for external affairs. She said her time working there taught her about the effects restrictions have on women’s lives.

“The first thing I realized is that for women facing a decision about what to do about an unplanned pregnancy, a pregnancy that they don’t want, this is a purely personal decision for them,” she said. “As a policymaker, why do Republicans in the Senate and in state legislators around the country think that they know better than those women whose stories they’ll never know? Why do they think that they should be the ones who decide? It’s those women’s decisions.”

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Senator who worked at Planned Parenthood warns of an abortion ban if the GOP wins

Prosecutor in the Hunter Biden case denies retaliating against IRS agent who talked to House GOP

10:00 , AP

The federal prosecutor leading the investigation of President Joe Biden‘s son Hunter is pushing back against claims that he was blocked from pursuing criminal charges in Los Angeles and Washington and denies retaliating against an IRS official who disclosed details about the case.

In a two-page letter to House Republicans on Friday, U.S. Attorney David Weiss in Delaware defended the lengthy investigation into Hunter Biden‘s financial dealings that ended last month with a plea with the Justice Department that likely spares Biden from time behind bars.

Weiss, who was named to that post by President Donald Trump and was kept on by the Biden administration, said in his letter that the department “did not retaliate” against Gary Shapley, an IRS agent who said the prosecutor helped block Shapley’s job promotion after the tax agency employee had reached out to congressional investigators about the Biden case.

Shapley is one of two IRS employees interviewed by Republicans pursuing investigations into nearly every facet of the younger Biden’s business dealings.

One of the investigating committees, the House Ways and Means Committee, voted to publicly disclose congressional testimony from the IRS employees shortly after the plea deal was announced June 20.

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Prosecutor in the Hunter Biden case denies retaliating against IRS agent who talked to House GOP

'Parental rights' group Moms for Liberty plans nationwide strategy for school board races in 2024

09:00 , AP

Moms for Liberty, a “parental rights” group that has sought to take over school boards in multiple states, is looking to expand those efforts across the country and to other education posts in 2024 and beyond. The effort is setting up for a clash with teachers unions and others on the left who view the group as a toxic presence in public schools.

The group’s co-founder, Tiffany Justice, said during its annual summit over the weekend in Philadelphia that Moms for Liberty will use its political action committee next year to engage in school board races nationwide. It also will “start endorsing at the state board level and elected superintendents.”

Her comments confirm that Moms for Liberty, which has spent its first two years inflaming school board meetings with aggressive complaints about instruction on systemic racism and gender identity in the classroom, is developing a larger strategy to overhaul education infrastructure across the country.

As the group has amassed widespread conservative support and donor funding, its focus on education ensures that even as voters turn their attention to the 2024 presidential race, school board elections will remain some of the most contentious political fights next year.

Read more:

'Parental rights' group Moms for Liberty plans nationwide strategy for school board races in 2024

The 2024 Republican presidential field keeps growing. So why aren't there more women?

08:00 , AP

As Republicans keep jumping into the 2024 race for president, one demographic group seems notably lacking: women.

More than a dozen candidates are seeking the nomination, including several long shots who announced their bids in recent weeks, in what is the party’s most diverse presidential field ever. Yet Nikki Haley, a former U.N. ambassador and South Carolina governor, is the only woman among the bunch.

America has never had a female commander in chief and Republicans historically have focused less on electing female candidates in general than the Democratic Party. And while women make up more than 50% of the population, they are underrepresented in public office, whether at city halls, state legislatures or in Washington.

In recent years, multiple organizations have helped women win election in higher numbers and capture races at the same rate as men. But they are still much less likely than men to run for office, even if they are equally qualified, research shows.

Women accounted for roughly 21% of the major party candidates for U.S. Senate last year and about 31% of U.S. House candidates, according to the Center for American Women and Politics. That follows election cycles in which each party had a record number of women elected. Women constitute less than one-third of the U.S. House and Senate and 31% of statewide elected offices, even with a record 12 female governors after last year’s midterms.

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The 2024 Republican presidential field keeps growing. So why aren't there more women?

For presidents, July Fourth is a day to chill or strut or get an earful of red, white and boo

07:00 , AP

Through history, the Fourth of July has been a day for some presidents to declare their independence from the public. They’ve bailed to the beach, the mountains, the golf course, the farm, the ranch. In the middle of the Depression, Franklin Roosevelt was sailing to Hawaii on a fishing and working vacation.

It’s also been a day for some presidents to insert themselves front and center in the fabric of it all.

Teddy Roosevelt drew hundreds of thousands for his July Fourth oratory. In 2019, Donald Trump marshaled tanks, bombers and other war machinery for a celebration that typically avoids military muscle.

Richard Nixon enraged the anti-war masses without even showing up. As the anti-Nixon demonstrations of 1970 showed, Independence Day in the capital isn’t always just fun and games. It has a tradition of red, white and boo, too.

In modern times, though, presidents have tended to stand back and let the people party.

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For presidents, July Fourth is a day to chill or strut or get an earful of red, white and boo

Melania Trump hawks $50 NFTs to ‘celebrate our great nation’ ahead of July 4

06:00 , Bevan Hurley

Melania Trump is launching a collection of $50 non-fungible tokens (NFTs) featuring US landmarks in time for the 4th of July.

The former first lady’s “1776 Collection” includes images of Mount Rushmore, the Statue of Liberty and the Liberty Bell, set to patriotic-themed music.

Ms Trump’s office said in a statement that each NFT was designed to celebrate the “foundations of American ideals”.

“The 1776 Collection of artwork draws inspiration from several iconic landmarks of our nation, which I had the privilege of visiting during the time I served as first lady,” Ms Trump said.

“I am proud to celebrate our great nation and remain inspired by the words contained within the Declaration of Independence.”

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Melania Trump hawks $50 NFTs to ‘celebrate our great nation’ ahead of July 4

Pence ‘doesn’t believe’ racial inequality exists in schools as he celebrates SCOTUS affirmative action ban

05:15 , John Bowden

Mike Pence cheered the end of affirmative action in US colleges and universities on Sunday in the wake of the Supreme Court’s ruling outlawing the practice.

The former vice president discussed the issue on CBS’s Face the Nation and said that the time for policies aimed at improving outcomes for minority students in general had passed. A candidate for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination, Mr Pence is up against his former boss, Donald Trump, and other conservatives like Florida Governor Ron DeSantis and former UN Ambassador Nikki Haley.

His comments came as activists and authorities in the higher education field vowed to keep fighting to ensure that diversity would remain a core value in student recruiting.

“Fundamentally, do you believe that there are racial inequities in the education system in the United States?” asked host Margaret Brennan.

“I really don’t believe there is [racial inequality in US schools]. I believe there was,” Mr Pence said.

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Pence ‘doesn’t believe’ racial inequality exists in schools

Michael Cohen says Trump lawyer is like a ‘little lap dog trying to figure out how to get close to Donald’s leg'

04:30 , Gustaf Kilander

Michael Cohen appeared on MSNBC on Sunday, saying that Trump lawyer Boris Epshteyn is a “moron”.

“Sadly when Boris became a part of the [Trump] campaign... He was like the little lap dog trying to figure out how to get close to Donald’s leg,” he added.

Mike Pence claims Biden is rehabilitating the Iran nuclear deal

03:45 , John Bowden

Former Vice President Mike Pence was a surprise guest this weekend at a rally in Paris, France, hosted by Iranian dissidents in support of overthrowing Iran’s regime.

Mr Pence, who’s running in the increasingly-crowded 2024 Republican primary, railed against the authoritarian government in Tehran and what he claimed were efforts by the Biden administration to revive the 2015 nuclear accord between Iran, the US, and several European countries. That deal was abandoned by the Trump administration who accused Tehran of violating the deal “in spirit”.

“Now, a new administration is threatening to unravel all of the progress we made in marinalising the tyrannical regime in Tehran,” Mr Pence claimed.

“They are working overtime to restore the Iran Nuclear Deal, putting Tehran back on the fast track to obtaining nuclear weapons.” The Independent has reached out to the White House for comment on those comments.

Read more:

Mike Pence claims Biden is rehabilitating the Iran nuclear deal

Chris Christie says both Trump and Biden are 'past their sell-by dates'

03:00 , Rachel Sharp

Chris Christie has said that both Donald Trump and Joe Biden are “past their sell-by dates” as he prepares to take on both in the 2024 race.

The former New Jersey governor and Republican presidential candidate had harsh words for both candidates in a The New York Times op ed published on Saturday.

“I think he’s beyond his sell-by date,” Mr Christie said of Mr Biden.

“And I think Trump is, too, by the way.”

Of Mr Biden, he added: “I think his family should let him go home. Are they actually motivated by love for this guy, or is it motivated by the grift?”

Slim majority of Americans support Supreme Court’s affirmative action ruling, but most believe politics rules the court

02:15 , Alex Woodward

More than half of Americans believe US Supreme Court justices decide cases largely on the basis of their partisan political views, a figure that has shot up 10 percentage points from January 2022.

That figure – 53 per cent – appears to be driven by the gulf between perceptions of the conservative supermajority court among Republican and Democratic voters following several controversial rulings at the end of its latest term, according to new polling from ABC News/Ipsos.

Roughly three-quarters of Republican voters and 26 per cent of Democratic voters support the court’s decision to reject affirmative action in university admissions. Sixty-eight per cent of Republicans approve of the decision to allow businesses to deny services to same-sex couples. And 71 per cent of Republicans support the court’s ruling against President Joe Biden’s plan to cancel student loan debts, compared to just 17 per cent of Democrats.

Overall, a bare majority of Americans (52 per cent) support the court’s decision against race-conscious admissions in higher education.

That majority includes majorities among white (60 per cent) and Asian (58 per cent) Americans, while 52 per cent of Black Americans disapprove of the ruling.

Read more:

Most Americans believe Supreme Court justices rule by politics, poll finds

Impeachment lawyer says Trump ‘likely exposed himself to criminal liability’ after calls to Georgia and Arizona leaders

01:30 , Gustaf Kilander

Norm Eisen, a former US ambassador to the Czech Republic and a co-counsel for the House Judiciary Committee during the first impeachment trial of former President Donald Trump, has said that Mr Trump likely made himself criminally liable for pressuring both Arizona Governor Doug Ducey and Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger after the 2020 election.

Chris Christie reacts to ‘control freak’ Trump’s classified documents comments: ‘He’s scared’

Tuesday 4 July 2023 00:45 , Bevan Hurley

Chris Christie has stepped up his verbal attacks on Donald Trump as the former president faces fresh scrutiny over his handling of classified documents.

The former New Jersey governor told the New York Times that Mr Trump was likely to become increasingly erratic as he tried to avoid being sent to prison.

“He’s scared,” Mr Christie told the Times.

“Look, a guy like him, the last place you ever want to be in life is in jail because you give up all control, and he’s a complete control freak.”

Mr Christie spoke out after the ex-president was heard in a leaked tape bragging that he had kept documents about a military strike on Iran after leaving office that he knew were classified.

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Chris Christie reacts to Trump’s classified documents comments: ‘He’s scared’

Trump’s own words about an indicted president come back to haunt him

Tuesday 4 July 2023 00:00 , Independent staff

Former president Donald Trump may be coming to regret the statements he has made in the past – with a comment on the indictment of a president “grinding government to a halt” surely coming back to haunt him.

Of course, Mr Trump did not imagine his comments about indicted presidents would apply to him – he made them when speaking in 2016 about his then-rival Hillary Clinton.

“We could very well have a sitting president under felony indictment and ultimately a criminal trial,” he told a rally in November 2016. “It would grind government to a halt.”

At another rally, Mr Trump mentioned the email server probe that dogged much of Ms Clinton’s presidential campaign, also suggesting that a potential indictment would wreak havoc in the White House.

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Trump’s own words about an indicted president come back to haunt him

Democratic strategist calls DeSantis ad ‘massive, inexplicable misfire'

Monday 3 July 2023 23:15 , Gustaf Kilander

Pete Buttigieg takes down Ron DeSantis over ‘strange’ anti-LGBT campaign video with ‘oiled-up bodybuilders’

Monday 3 July 2023 22:45 , Rachel Sharp

Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg had the perfect takedown for Ron DeSantis over the weekend, after the Republican presidential hopeful posted an anti-LGBT+ campaign video.

The video, posted on Friday, was described as homophobic by a number of LGBT+ members of the Republican party, as well as by critics on the other side of the aisle.

Seemingly making a dig at Donald Trump for not being homophobic enough, the video includes clips of the former president where he appeared to embrace the LGBT+ community in the wake of the 2016 mass shooting at gay nightclub Pulse.

The second part of the video shifts to Mr DeSantis and his own comments and policies on drag acts and transgender rights.

But, in a bizarre move, the video appears to try to portray the Florida governor as masculine, with his image spliced with images of muscular, shirtless men and several Hollywood actors, including Brad Pitt.

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Pete Buttigieg takes down Ron DeSantis over ‘strange’ anti-LGBT campaign video

Biden's upcoming European trip is meant to boost NATO against Russia as the war in Ukraine drags on

Monday 3 July 2023 22:15 , AP

President Joe Biden will head to Europe at week’s end for a three-country trip intended to bolster the international coalition against Russian aggression as the war in Ukraine extends well into its second year.

The main focus of Biden’s five-day visit will be the annual NATO summit, held this year in Vilnius, Lithuania. Also planned are stops in Helsinki, Finland, to commemorate the Nordic country’s entrance into the 31-nation military alliance in April, and Britain, the White House announced Sunday.

Biden will begin his trip next Sunday in London, meeting with King Charles III. The president did not attend Charles’s coronation in May, sending first lady Jill Biden to represent the United States. In June, Biden hosted British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak at the White House, where the two leaders pledged continued cooperation in defending Ukraine.

The NATO meeting comes at the latest critical point in the war. Ukraine’s president, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, says counteroffensive and defensive actions against Russian forces are underway as Ukrainian troops start to recapture territory in the southeastern part of the country, according to its military leaders.

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Biden's upcoming European trip is meant to boost NATO against Russia as the war in Ukraine drags on

Mike Pence and Liz Truss among VIPs at Iranian dissident rally despite pressure from Tehran

Monday 3 July 2023 22:00 , John Bowden

Thousands of Iranian dissidents crowded the streets of a Paris neighbourhood on Saturday while western opponents of the government in Tehran gathered for a politically star-studded event aimed at poking a finger in the eye of the Ayatollah’s supporters.

Despite warnings from French authorities and the US Embassy in Paris that alleged threats of a terror attack made a large outdoor event unwise, there were no incidents over the weekend as Iranian dissident activists mingled with prominent current and former officials from the US, UK and other European nations. If that threat of a terror attack was real, it was hard to spot the concern of French authorities on Saturday, given that police did not provide more than a handful of officers to patrol the area, those on the scene told The Independent.

Read more:

Mike Pence and John Bolton among VIPs at Iranian dissident rally

Ex-Trump spokesperson claims she saw him show off documents on Mar-a-Lago dining patio

Monday 3 July 2023 21:45 , Andrew Feinberg

A former top Trump White House spokesperson has said that the former president “never” showed any sign of understanding the meaning of classification or other methods used to protect national defence secrets during his time in office.

Stephanie Grisham served as Donald Trump’s press secretary and communications director and was also the top spokesperson and chief of staff to former first lady Melania Trump.

Ms Grisham, who has become a fervent critic of her former boss, appeared on MSNBC on Sunday to discuss the former president’s legal situation following his indictment on federal charges over his alleged unlawful retention of national defence information and obstruction of justice.

She said that Mr Trump never exhibited any reverence for how the nation protects important information.

Asked about a report indicating that a top Trump campaign aide, Susie Wiles, has been speaking to prosecutors and could be a witness against Mr Trump, Ms Grisham said she regularly saw him disregard best practices for handling sensitive documents and classified information, including at Mar-a-Lago, the Palm Beach mansion turned private club where he spent winter weekends as president before making it his primary home post-White House.

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Ex-Trump spokesperson says she saw him show off documents on Mar-a-Lago dining patio

What's 'Bidenomics'? The president hopes a dubious nation embraces his ideas condensed into the term

Monday 3 July 2023 21:15 , AP

President Joe Biden has long struggled to neatly summarize his sprawling economic vision.

It’s been hard for voters to digest the mix of roads-and-bridges spending, tax hikes on big companies, tax credits for parents, tax breaks for renewable energy, grants to build computer chip factories, insulin price caps and slogans like “Build Back Better.”

And that barely covers the full breadth of what the administration is doing and trying to do.

Last week, the president gave a speech on “Bidenomics” in hopes that the term will lodge in voters’ minds ahead of the 2024 elections. But what is Bidenomics? Let’s just say the White House definition is different from the Republican one — evidence that catchphrases can be double-edged.

Biden says his economic philosophy is the opposite of a Republican approach that favors broad tax cuts to spur growth. He sees the government as using the tax code in a more targeted fashion and fashioning other programs to foster investment in new technologies, create jobs and boost upward mobility. He wants to do more to educate workers and foster competition within the U.S. economy in hopes of reducing prices.

Read more:

What's 'Bidenomics'? The president hopes a dubious nation embraces his ideas condensed into the term

Trump returns to campaign rallies, draws thousands to small South Carolina city ahead of July 4

Monday 3 July 2023 20:45 , AP

Former President Donald Trump on Saturday marked a return to the large-scale rallies of his previous presidential campaigns, speaking to thousands gathered in the streets of a small South Carolina city on a blazing day ahead of the July 4 holiday.

“There’s nowhere else I’d rather be to kick off the Fourth of July weekend than right here on Main St., with thousands of hardworking South Carolina patriots who believe in God, family and country,” Trump said to a roaring crowd standing on asphalt as temperatures climbed into the 90s.

It wasn’t immediately clear how many people had gathered in the streets of downtown Pickens, a small city in South Carolina’s conservative Upstate of around 3,400 residents. Law enforcement officials told some media outlets that around 15,000 people had gathered by 11 a.m., two hours before Trump’s remarks.

The heavily Republican area is a popular one for GOP hopefuls as they aim to attract support for South Carolina’s first-in-the-South presidential primary. In recent months, other candidates including Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, former Vice President Mike Pence and biotech entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy have all held events in the Upstate, as well as the two South Carolinians in the race: former Gov. Nikki Haley and Sen. Tim Scott.

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Trump returns to campaign rallies, draws thousands to small South Carolina city ahead of July 4

Biden traveling to UK next week for meeting with King Charles

Monday 3 July 2023 20:15 , John Bowden

President Joe Biden will travel to the UK next week for two days ahead of a Nato summit in Vilnius, Lithuania.

Mr Biden will meet King Charles and Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, the White House said in a brief statement on Sunday. Buckingham Palace confirmed the news.

“President Biden is scheduled to travel to the United Kingdom, Lithuania, and Finland from July 9-13. President Biden will first travel to London, United Kingdom for engagements with King Charles III and Prime Minister Rishi Sunak to further strengthen the close relationship between our nations,” said White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre.

She added: “The President will then travel to Vilnius, Lithuania from July 11-12 to attend the 74th NATO Summit. On July 13, President Biden will visit Helsinki, Finland for a U.S.-Nordic Leaders Summit. More details about the trip will be announced soon.”

Mr Biden’s first meeting with King Charles comes soon after the coronation of the British monarch, which he did not attend. First Lady Jill Biden and granddaughter Finnegan represented the US at the historic event. The US president last was in Europe in mid-April to mark the 25th anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement, and met with Ireland’s prime minister. He and the first lady travelled to London for the funeral of the late Queen last September.

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Biden traveling to UK next week for meeting with King Charles

Democrats' new primary calendar remains unresolved. The party insists that's OK

Monday 3 July 2023 19:45 , AP

New Hampshire is in open rebellion. Georgia is all but out.

South Carolina and Nevada are on board but face stiff Republican pushback. Michigan’s compliance may mean having to cut the state legislative session short, despite Democrats controlling both chambers and the governor’s mansion.

Then there’s Iowa, which is looking for ways to still go first without violating party rules.

Months after the Democratic Party approved President Joe Biden‘s plan to overhaul its primary order to better reflect a deeply diverse voter base, implementing the revamped order has proven anything but simple. Party officials now expect the process to continue through the end of the year — even as the 2024 presidential race heats up all around it.

“Despite the fact that it looked like relatively smooth sailing for the president when he proposed it ... the kind of backlash you’re hearing, the reactions, are exactly what we would have expected,” said David Redlawsk, chair of the political science department at the University of Delaware and co-author of the book “Why Iowa? How Caucuses and Sequential Elections Improve the Presidential Nominating Process.”

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Democrats' new primary calendar remains unresolved. The party insists that's OK

Harvard sued over ‘legacy admissions’ after Supreme Court targets affirmative action

Monday 3 July 2023 19:15 , Alex Woodward

Days after the US Supreme Court struck down race-conscious university admissions, civil rights groups have filed a federal lawsuit targeting so-called “legacy” admissions at Harvard University.

The lawsuit, alleging widespread discrimination at the college in violation of the Civil Rights Act, is the latest challenge to the practice of prioritising university admissions for the children of alumni.

“There’s no birthright to Harvard. As the Supreme Court recently noted, ‘eliminating racial discrimination means eliminating all of it.’ There should be no way to identify who your parents are in the college application process,” said Ivan Espinoza-Madrigal, executive director of Boston-based Lawyers for Civil Rights, which filed the complaint on 3 July.

“Why are we rewarding children for privileges and advantages accrued by prior generations?” he said in a statement. “Your family’s last name and the size of your bank account are not a measure of merit, and should have no bearing on the college admissions process.”

The group filed the lawsuit on behalf of the Chica Project, the African Community Economic Development of New England and the Greater Boston Latino Network.

Read more:

Harvard sued over ‘legacy admissions’ after Supreme Court targets affirmative action

Senator who once worked at a Planned Parenthood warns that Republicans are planning a national abortion ban

Monday 3 July 2023 18:45 , Eric Garcia

When a draft of the Supreme Court’s Dobbs v Jackson opinion that would overturn Roe v Wade leaked in May of last year, US Senator Tina Smith had only three words.

“This is bulls***,” the Minnesota Democrat tweeted. She had similar words when Walgreens announced in March of this year it would not dispense abortion pills in states where abortion remained legal.

Ms Smith told The Independent in a phone interview that she knew the consequences of overturning the enshrined constitutional right to seek an abortion from her time working at Planned Parenthood as the Minnesota branch’s executive vice president for external affairs. She said her time working there taught her about the effects restrictions have on women’s lives.

“The first thing I realized is that for women facing a decision about what to do about an unplanned pregnancy, a pregnancy that they don’t want, this is a purely personal decision for them,” she said. “As a policymaker, why do Republicans in the Senate and in state legislators around the country think that they know better than those women whose stories they’ll never know? Why do they think that they should be the ones who decide? It’s those women’s decisions.”

Read more:

Senator who worked at Planned Parenthood warns of an abortion ban if the GOP wins

Despite promises, attorneys are scarce as the US resumes speedy asylum screenings at border

Monday 3 July 2023 18:15 , AP

As the Biden administration prepared to launch speedy asylum screenings at Border Patrol holding facilities this spring , authorities pledged a key difference from a Trump-era version of the policy: Migrants would be guaranteed access to legal counsel.

Nearly three months and thousands of screenings later, the promise of attorney access appears largely unfulfilled, based on advocacy group reports and interviews with people directly involved, some of whom spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss the effort publicly.

A coterie of involved attorneys estimate that perhaps 100 migrants have secured formal representation, and only hundreds more have received informal advice through one-time phone calls ahead of the expedited screenings.

Jones Day, one of the world’s largest law firms, has partnered with the administration to provide free legal advice to migrants. Its phone bank handled 460 informal phone consultations, each one typically lasting about two hours, as of June 21, according to one of the people who spoke to AP on condition of anonymity. Jones Day itself had only two formal clients, the person said.

Four other advocacy groups that offer free advice and whose names are posted on the immigration court system’s website have handled far fewer phone consultations, partly because they started much later, the person said.

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Despite promises, attorneys are scarce as the US resumes speedy asylum screenings at border

Prosecutor in the Hunter Biden case denies retaliating against IRS agent who talked to House GOP

Monday 3 July 2023 17:45 , AP

The federal prosecutor leading the investigation of President Joe Biden‘s son Hunter is pushing back against claims that he was blocked from pursuing criminal charges in Los Angeles and Washington and denies retaliating against an IRS official who disclosed details about the case.

In a two-page letter to House Republicans on Friday, U.S. Attorney David Weiss in Delaware defended the lengthy investigation into Hunter Biden‘s financial dealings that ended last month with a plea with the Justice Department that likely spares Biden from time behind bars.

Weiss, who was named to that post by President Donald Trump and was kept on by the Biden administration, said in his letter that the department “did not retaliate” against Gary Shapley, an IRS agent who said the prosecutor helped block Shapley’s job promotion after the tax agency employee had reached out to congressional investigators about the Biden case.

Shapley is one of two IRS employees interviewed by Republicans pursuing investigations into nearly every facet of the younger Biden’s business dealings.

One of the investigating committees, the House Ways and Means Committee, voted to publicly disclose congressional testimony from the IRS employees shortly after the plea deal was announced June 20.

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Prosecutor in the Hunter Biden case denies retaliating against IRS agent who talked to House GOP

'Parental rights' group Moms for Liberty plans nationwide strategy for school board races in 2024

Monday 3 July 2023 17:15 , AP

Moms for Liberty, a “parental rights” group that has sought to take over school boards in multiple states, is looking to expand those efforts across the country and to other education posts in 2024 and beyond. The effort is setting up for a clash with teachers unions and others on the left who view the group as a toxic presence in public schools.

The group’s co-founder, Tiffany Justice, said during its annual summit over the weekend in Philadelphia that Moms for Liberty will use its political action committee next year to engage in school board races nationwide. It also will “start endorsing at the state board level and elected superintendents.”

Her comments confirm that Moms for Liberty, which has spent its first two years inflaming school board meetings with aggressive complaints about instruction on systemic racism and gender identity in the classroom, is developing a larger strategy to overhaul education infrastructure across the country.

As the group has amassed widespread conservative support and donor funding, its focus on education ensures that even as voters turn their attention to the 2024 presidential race, school board elections will remain some of the most contentious political fights next year.

Read more:

'Parental rights' group Moms for Liberty plans nationwide strategy for school board races in 2024

The 2024 Republican presidential field keeps growing. So why aren't there more women?

Monday 3 July 2023 16:45 , AP

As Republicans keep jumping into the 2024 race for president, one demographic group seems notably lacking: women.

More than a dozen candidates are seeking the nomination, including several long shots who announced their bids in recent weeks, in what is the party’s most diverse presidential field ever. Yet Nikki Haley, a former U.N. ambassador and South Carolina governor, is the only woman among the bunch.

America has never had a female commander in chief and Republicans historically have focused less on electing female candidates in general than the Democratic Party. And while women make up more than 50% of the population, they are underrepresented in public office, whether at city halls, state legislatures or in Washington.

In recent years, multiple organizations have helped women win election in higher numbers and capture races at the same rate as men. But they are still much less likely than men to run for office, even if they are equally qualified, research shows.

Women accounted for roughly 21% of the major party candidates for U.S. Senate last year and about 31% of U.S. House candidates, according to the Center for American Women and Politics. That follows election cycles in which each party had a record number of women elected. Women constitute less than one-third of the U.S. House and Senate and 31% of statewide elected offices, even with a record 12 female governors after last year’s midterms.

Read more:

The 2024 Republican presidential field keeps growing. So why aren't there more women?

For presidents, July Fourth is a day to chill or strut or get an earful of red, white and boo

Monday 3 July 2023 16:15 , AP

Through history, the Fourth of July has been a day for some presidents to declare their independence from the public. They’ve bailed to the beach, the mountains, the golf course, the farm, the ranch. In the middle of the Depression, Franklin Roosevelt was sailing to Hawaii on a fishing and working vacation.

It’s also been a day for some presidents to insert themselves front and center in the fabric of it all.

Teddy Roosevelt drew hundreds of thousands for his July Fourth oratory. In 2019, Donald Trump marshaled tanks, bombers and other war machinery for a celebration that typically avoids military muscle.

Richard Nixon enraged the anti-war masses without even showing up. As the anti-Nixon demonstrations of 1970 showed, Independence Day in the capital isn’t always just fun and games. It has a tradition of red, white and boo, too.

In modern times, though, presidents have tended to stand back and let the people party.

Read more:

For presidents, July Fourth is a day to chill or strut or get an earful of red, white and boo

Melania Trump hawks $50 NFTs to ‘celebrate our great nation’ ahead of July 4

Monday 3 July 2023 15:45 , Bevan Hurley

Melania Trump is launching a collection of $50 non-fungible tokens (NFTs) featuring US landmarks in time for the 4th of July.

The former first lady’s “1776 Collection” includes images of Mount Rushmore, the Statue of Liberty and the Liberty Bell, set to patriotic-themed music.

Ms Trump’s office said in a statement that each NFT was designed to celebrate the “foundations of American ideals”.

“The 1776 Collection of artwork draws inspiration from several iconic landmarks of our nation, which I had the privilege of visiting during the time I served as first lady,” Ms Trump said.

“I am proud to celebrate our great nation and remain inspired by the words contained within the Declaration of Independence.”

Read more:

Melania Trump hawks $50 NFTs to ‘celebrate our great nation’ ahead of July 4

Pence ‘doesn’t believe’ racial inequality exists in schools as he celebrates SCOTUS affirmative action ban

Monday 3 July 2023 15:15 , John Bowden

Mike Pence cheered the end of affirmative action in US colleges and universities on Sunday in the wake of the Supreme Court’s ruling outlawing the practice.

The former vice president discussed the issue on CBS’s Face the Nation and said that the time for policies aimed at improving outcomes for minority students in general had passed. A candidate for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination, Mr Pence is up against his former boss, Donald Trump, and other conservatives like Florida Governor Ron DeSantis and former UN Ambassador Nikki Haley.

His comments came as activists and authorities in the higher education field vowed to keep fighting to ensure that diversity would remain a core value in student recruiting.

“Fundamentally, do you believe that there are racial inequities in the education system in the United States?” asked host Margaret Brennan.

“I really don’t believe there is [racial inequality in US schools]. I believe there was,” Mr Pence said.

Read more:

Pence ‘doesn’t believe’ racial inequality exists in schools

Pete Buttigieg gives perfect response to Ron DeSantis’ anti-LGBT campaign video

Monday 3 July 2023 14:45 , Rachel Sharp

Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg gave the perfect response to Ron DeSantis over the weekend, after the Republican presidential hopeful posted an anti-LGBT+ campaign video.

The video, posted on Friday, was described as homophobic by a number of LGBT+ members of the Republican party, as well as by critics on the other side of the aisle.

Seemingly making a dig at Donald Trump for not being homophobic enough, the video includes clips of the former president where he appeared to embrace the LGBT+ community in the wake of the 2016 mass shooting at gay nightclub Pulse.

The second part of the video shifts to Mr DeSantis and his own comments and policies on drag acts and transgender rights.

But, in a bizarre move, the video appears to try to portray the Florida governor as masculine, with his image spliced with images of muscular, shirtless men and several Hollywood actors, including Brad Pitt.

Read more:

Pete Buttigieg gives perfect response to Ron DeSantis’ anti-LGBT campaign video

Michael Cohen takes aim at Trump attorney: ‘Boris is a moron’

Monday 3 July 2023 14:15 , Rachel Sharp

Mike Pence claims Biden is rehabilitating the Iran nuclear deal

Monday 3 July 2023 13:45 , Rachel Sharp

Former Vice President Mike Pence was a surprise guest this weekend at a rally in Paris, France, hosted by Iranian dissidents in support of overthrowing Iran’s regime.

Mr Pence, who’s running in the increasingly-crowded 2024 Republican primary, railed against the authoritarian government in Tehran and what he claimed were efforts by the Biden administration to revive the 2015 nuclear accord between Iran, the US, and several European countries. That deal was abandoned by the Trump administration who accused Tehran of violating the deal “in spirit”.

Read the full story:

Mike Pence claims Biden is rehabilitating the Iran nuclear deal

Chris Christie says both Trump and Biden are 'past their sell-by dates'

Monday 3 July 2023 13:15 , Rachel Sharp

Chris Christie has said that both Donald Trump and Joe Biden are “past their sell-by dates” as he prepares to take on both in the 2024 race.

The former New Jersey governor and Republican presidential candidate had harsh words for both candidates in a The New York Times op ed published on Saturday.

“I think he’s beyond his sell-by date,” Mr Christie said of Mr Biden.

“And I think Trump is, too, by the way.”

Of Mr Biden, he added: “I think his family should let him go home. Are they actually motivated by love for this guy, or is it motivated by the grift?”

Hours before arrest Jan 6 fugitive shared Trump post revealing Obama’s address

Monday 3 July 2023 12:45 , Rachel Sharp

A January 6 rioter on the run from the law who was arrested outside the Washington DC home of former President Barack Obama shared a social media post by ex-president Donald Trump revealing his predecessor’s address hours before he was detained.

Gustaf Kilander has the details.

Jan 6 fugitive shared Trump post revealing Obama’s address hours before arrest

Pete Buttigieg gives perfect response to DeSantis' anti-LGBT campaign video

Monday 3 July 2023 12:15 , Rachel Sharp

Pete Buttigieg gave a perfect response to Ron DeSantis' anti-LGBT campaign video this weekend.

In an appearance on CNN on Sunday, the transport secretary mocked the “strangeness” of the Florida governor’s video where he included images of himself “in between oiled-up, shirtless bodybuilders”.

“I’m gonna choose my words carefully, partly because I’m appearing as Secretary so I can’t talk about campaigns,” he said.

“And I’m going to leave aside the strangeness of trying to prove your manhood by putting up a video that splices images of you in between oiled-up, shirtless bodybuilders and just get to the bigger issue that is on my mind whenever I see this stuff in the policy space, which is, again, who are you trying to help?

“Who are you trying to make better off and what public policy problems do you get up in the morning thinking about how to solve?”

Mr DeSantis’ campaign video attacked GOP rival Donald Trump over his past support of LGBT rights.

The 2024 Republican presidential field keeps growing. So why aren't there more women?

Monday 3 July 2023 11:45 , Rachel Sharp

As Republicans keep jumping into the 2024 race for president, one demographic group seems notably lacking: women.

More than a dozen candidates are seeking the nomination, including several long shots who announced their bids in recent weeks, in what is the party’s most diverse presidential field ever. Yet Nikki Haley, a former U.N. ambassador and South Carolina governor, is the only woman among the bunch.

America has never had a female commander in chief and Republicans historically have focused less on electing female candidates in general than the Democratic Party. And while women make up more than 50% of the population, they are underrepresented in public office, whether at city halls, state legislatures or in Washington.

Read more here:

The 2024 Republican presidential field keeps growing. So why aren't there more women?

WATCH: Moment Lindsey Graham is booed at Trump’s South Carolina rally

Monday 3 July 2023 11:15 , Rachel Sharp

Biden condemns SCOTUS striking down affirmative action

Monday 3 July 2023 10:45 , Oliver O'Connell

President Joe Biden said he “strongly, strongly disagrees” with a Supreme Court decision to strike down the decades-long use of affirmative action in college admissions in a press conference on Thursday.

“Discrimination still exists in America. Today’s decision does not change that,” Mr Biden said.

Read more...

Biden condemns ‘not normal’ Supreme Court striking down affirmative action

Pence ‘doesn’t believe’ racial inequality exists in schools as he celebrates SCOTUS affirmative action ban

Monday 3 July 2023 10:10 , Rachel Sharp

Mike Pence cheered the end of affirmative action in US colleges and universities on Sunday in the wake of the Supreme Court’s ruling outlawing the practice.

The former vice president discussed the issue on CBS’s Face the Nation and said that the time for policies aimed at improving outcomes for minority students in general had passed. A candidate for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination, Mr Pence is up against his former boss, Donald Trump, and other conservatives like Florida Governor Ron DeSantis and former UN Ambassador Nikki Haley.

Read the full story:

Pence ‘doesn’t believe’ racial inequality exists in schools

Ex-Trump press secretary says she watched him show documents to guests at Mar-a-Lago

Monday 3 July 2023 09:40 , Rachel Sharp

Former Trump administration press secretary Stephanie Grisham has claimed that she saw Donald Trump showing off documents to guests at Mar-a-Lago, as she slammed his lack of respect for the nation’s secrets.

“I watched him show documents to people at Mar-a-Lago on the dining room patio,” Ms Grisham told MSNBC.

“He has no respect for classified information [and] never did.”

Her comments come after the former president was charged with 37 felonies last month over his handling of classified documents on leaving the White House.

‘Weird apocalyptic’ campaign video earns Trump more mockery

Monday 3 July 2023 08:30 , Oliver O'Connell

Donald Trump has been mocked for a bizarre, black and white campaign video where he gives a “weird apocalyptic” message about taking the country back in 2024.

Click through to watch:

Trump mocked for ‘weird apocalyptic’ campaign video

Ex-Trump aide reportedly joins Giuliani in cooperating with special counsel

Monday 3 July 2023 06:15 , Oliver O'Connell

A former Trump campaign aide has joined Rudy Guiliani in cooperating with the special counsel in the Department of Justice’s2020 election probe, according to a new report.

Mike Roman, a senior adviser on Donald Trump’s 2020 campaign in charge of Election Day operations, is cooperating with federal prosecutors working for special counsel Jack Smith in the criminal investigation reviewing the efforts to overturn the 2020 election, according to CNN.

Gustaf Kilander reports.

Ex-Trump aide joins Giuliani in cooperating with special counsel in election probe

Trump loses bid to throw out E Jean Carroll defamation lawsuit

Monday 3 July 2023 03:45 , Oliver O'Connell

Donald Trump has lost his bid to throw out the first defamation lawsuit brought against him by E Jean Carroll.

On Thursday, US district judge Lewis Kaplan in Manhattan rejected the former president’s claims that he had absolute presidential immunity from the civil case, paving the way for the magazine columnist to pursue around $10m in damages from him.

Rachel Sharp reports.

Trump loses bid to throw out E Jean Carroll lawsuit

Angry onlookers shout ‘dog killer’ at George Santos

Monday 3 July 2023 01:45 , Oliver O'Connell

Angry protesters called congressman George Santos a “dog killer” on Friday as the Republican made an appearance at a Long Island federal court house, his first hearing since pleading not guilty last month to a 13-count indictment related to fraud and money laundering charges.

Josh Marcus reports.

Onlookers shout ‘dog killer’ at George Santos as he arrives for fraud hearing

ICYMI: SCOTUS strikes down Biden’s plan to cancel student loan debts

Sunday 2 July 2023 23:45 , Oliver O'Connell

The US Supreme Court has struck down President Joe Biden’s plan to cancel student loan debts for millions of Americans, reversing his campaign-trail promise as borrowers prepare to resume payments this summer.

Chief Justice John Roberts delivered the 6-3 decision from the court’s conservative majority on 30 June.

Alex Woodward filed this report:

Supreme Court strikes down Biden’s plan to cancel student loan debts

DeSantis hits back at Trump disloyalty claim

Sunday 2 July 2023 21:45 , Oliver O'Connell

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis on Thursday hit back at former president Donald Trump’s allegation that the Sunshine State executive is betraying him by mounting a presidential campaign of his own during an appearance on Fox News.

Mr DeSantis, who currently trails the twice-impeached, twice-indicted ex-president by a wide margin in most polls of likely GOP primary voters, told Fox host Jesse Watters that no politician — even a former president such as Mr Trump — is entitled to support from anyone after Watters raised Mr Trump’s criticisms during a televised interview.

Andrew Feinberg reports.

DeSantis hits back at Trump disloyalty claim: ‘Politicians have to earn support’

The ‘fake’ gay marriage case in the middle of the Supreme Court’s latest threat to LGBT+ rights

Sunday 2 July 2023 19:45 , Oliver O'Connell

Alex Woodward writes about how a crucial piece of evidence in the case appears to have been fabricated.

A man who is named throughout the case, and whose phone number and email address were attached in court filings, claims he has nothing to do with it.

The ‘fake’ gay marriage case in the Supreme Court’s latest threat to LGBT+ rights

Republicans are planning a national abortion ban says senator who once worked at a Planned Parenthood warns

Sunday 2 July 2023 17:45 , Oliver O'Connell

When a draft of the Supreme Court’s Dobbs v Jackson opinion that would overturn Roe v Wade leaked in May of last year, US Senator Tina Smith had only three words.

“This is bulls***,” the Minnesota Democrat tweeted. She had similar words when Walgreens announced in March of this year it would not dispense abortion pills in states where abortion remained legal.

She spoke with Eric Garcia of The Independent.

Senator who worked at Planned Parenthood warns of an abortion ban if the GOP wins

Koch to fund Trump’s primary opponents

Sunday 2 July 2023 15:55 , Graig Graziosi

The network of political organisations established by brothers Charles and David Koch will continue to fund conservative causes — so long as they aren’t backing Donald Trump.

The Kochs’ network, Americans for Prosperity Action, is reportedly funding candidates that will help the Republican party move past Mr Trump, a spokesperson told The New York Times.

The network has already raised more than $70m.

This will be the first year the network will take on a primary race, with the group’s intent reportedly aimed at stopping Mr Trump — the clear Republican front-runner — from winning the primary. The Times reports that a top official in the network, Emily Seidel, wrote to the group’s donors that it was time to “have a president in 2025 who represents a new chapter.”

Despite recent rulings, Biden says it would be ‘a mistake’ to expand Supreme Court

Sunday 2 July 2023 15:45 , Oliver O'Connell

President Joe Biden has said it would be a mistake to expand the Supreme Court, despite its recent rulings against affirmative action in higher education, LGBT+ rights, and student loan debt forgiveness.

The high court overturned decades of policies when it ruled this week that race-based admissions were not constitutional, preventing universities from considering race as a factor in student applications.

Read more...

Biden says expanding Supreme Court would be ‘mistake’, despite recent rulings

RFK Jr says he is ‘proud’ to have Trump’s praise

Sunday 2 July 2023 13:45 , Oliver O'Connell

Yes, he’s running as a “Democrat”...

Robert F Kennedy Jr says he is ‘proud’ to have Trump’s praise

SCOTUS allows Colorado designer to deny LGBT+ customers

Sunday 2 July 2023 11:15 , Oliver O'Connell

A wedding website designer may refuse to create work for people in the LGBT+ community if it conflicts with their religious beliefs, the Supreme Court ruled on Friday.

In a 6-3 decision, the conservative majority of the court ruled in favour of Lorie Smith, a Colorado-based website creator, who wanted to refuse service to same-sex couples but couldn’t as it was a violation of a public accommodation law.

Read more...

Supreme Court allows Colorado designer to deny LGBT+ customers in ruling

Even as indictment loomed, Trump demanded to get ‘my boxes’ back from feds

Sunday 2 July 2023 08:15 , Oliver O'Connell

As Donald Trump’s lawyers began preparing for a federal indictment, the ex-president was allegedly still hoping to get the documents and boxes seized from Mar-a-Lago back, according to a report.

Mr Trump referred to the classified material as “my boxes” and “my documents” and asked his lawyers to retrieve the material, sources with direct knowledge of the matter told Rolling Stone.

Read more...

Trump demanded to get ‘my boxes’ back from feds as indictment loomed

'Oh God, I try not to think about that’

Sunday 2 July 2023 05:15 , Oliver O'Connell

President Joe Biden summed up perhaps most foreign policy experts’ thoughts when asked if he thought Mr Trump would have tipped off Russian President Vladimir Putin to the abortive coup attempt waged by Wagner Group leader Yevgeny Prigozhin over last weekend.

“Oh God, I try not to think about that,” Mr Biden said.

Biden groans when asked if Trump would have tipped Putin off to coup attempt

Did DeSantis break the law with Texas border trip?

Sunday 2 July 2023 02:15 , Oliver O'Connell

The presidential campaign of Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has been accused of breaking the law after the team shared an image on Twitter of the candidate exiting a helicopter that records show is owned by the Texas Department of Public Safety.

Gustaf Kilander explains why that might be an issue.

DeSantis accused of breaking the law with Texas border trip

Pence meets with Zelensky in Ukraine

Saturday 1 July 2023 23:15 , Oliver O'Connell

Former vice president Mike Pence visited with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in a sign of solidarity with Ukraine even as many Republicans sour on support for Ukraine, CNN first reported.

Read more...

Mike Pence meets with Zelensky in Ukraine

Trump celebrates Supreme Court decision on affirmative action

Saturday 1 July 2023 21:15 , Oliver O'Connell

Former President Donald Trump celebrated the Supreme Court’s decision to reject affirmative action programmes at US colleges and universities on Wednesday morning, calling it a “a great day for America.”

In a post on Truth Social, Mr Trump said that the ruling was “amazing.”

Trump celebrates Supreme Court ruling on affirmative action: ‘The way it should be!’

DeSantis’ earnings jump due to book advance

Saturday 1 July 2023 15:41

Republican presidential hopeful and Florida Governor Ron DeSantis saw his earnings spike this year from a book deal.

He earned $1.25million as an advance for the memoir he released earlier this year, according to an annual financial disclosure form, significantly boosting his net worth.

The book titled The Courage to be Free was published by HarperCollins in February and made the New York Times bestsellers list the following month.

House GOP expand their Hunter Biden investigation

Saturday 1 July 2023 15:15 , Oliver O'Connell

House Republicans on Thursday requested voluntary testimony from nearly a dozen Justice Department officials involved in the investigation of President Joe Biden‘s son Hunter as GOP lawmakers widen their scrutiny into what they claim is improper interference by the agency.

Read more...

Republicans expand their Hunter Biden investigation by seeking an interview with the lead prosecutor

Three investors charged in $22m Trump Media insider trading case

Saturday 1 July 2023 13:15 , Oliver O'Connell

Three investors in the special purpose acquisition company (SPAC) that took Trump Media public have been indicted for insider trading concerning the deal, making $22m in alleged illegal trades.

Read more...

Trump Media investors charged in $22m insider trading case

Christie says McCarthy spoke correctly about Trump the first time

Saturday 1 July 2023 10:15 , Oliver O'Connell

Former New Jersey governor and presidential Republican presidential candidate Chris Christie told CNN that House Speaker Kevin McCarthy was right in his initial assessment about whether former president Donald Trump was the strongest candidate to beat Joe Biden in a general election contest.

Earlier this week, Mr McCarthy said he was not sure that Mr Trump was the strongest candidate to beat Mr Biden.

Eric Garcia reports.

Chris Christie says McCarthy spoke correctly about Trump the first time

DeSantis says if elected he would abolish education, energy and IRS agencies

Saturday 1 July 2023 08:45 , Oliver O'Connell

Gov Ron DeSantis of Florida said in an interview on Fox News on Wednesday morning that he supports eliminating multiple federal government agencies including the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).

To fight “woke ideology”...

DeSantis says he would abolish education and energy departments and IRS

Trump’s GOP support dips slightly after second indictment

Saturday 1 July 2023 05:45 , Oliver O'Connell

Former President Donald Trump‘s criminal indictment on charges of mishandling government secrets appears to have dented his popularity among Republicans — but only slightly —- according to a new poll from The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research.

Read more...

Trump's GOP support dips slightly after his indictment over classified documents, AP-NORC poll finds

Voices: Kevin McCarthy knows he crossed the line with Donald Trump

Saturday 1 July 2023 03:45 , Oliver O'Connell

Few people embody Republicans’ relationship and acquiescence to Donald Trump more than House Speaker Kevin McCarthy.

Eric Garcia charts the latest developments in their relationship.

Kevin McCarthy knows he crossed the line with Donald Trump

New DeSantis-backed laws in Florida address immigration, guns and more

Saturday 1 July 2023 01:45 , Oliver O'Connell

Employers who hire immigrants in the country illegally will face tough punishments and gun owners will have more freedoms when more than 200 new Florida laws take effect Saturday, many of which Gov. Ron DeSantis will highlight as he seeks the Republican presidential nomination.

Read more:

Florida's new DeSantis-backed laws address immigration, guns and more

Biden blames GOP for student loan ruling

Saturday 1 July 2023 00:45 , Oliver O'Connell

President Joe Biden insisted Friday that “this fight is not over” after the Supreme Court struck down his $400 billion student loan forgiveness plan. Biden blamed Republicans’ opposition, aiming to direct the ire of millions of borrowers toward them rather than his own party in next year’s elections.

The president planned an afternoon address to lay out a series of actions to provide continued relief to 43 million student loan borrowers, and in the meantime tried to stay on the political offensive against the GOP.

Biden blames GOP for student loan ruling as 2024 political consequences loom

Biden: It would be ‘a mistake’ to expand Supreme Court

Friday 30 June 2023 23:45 , Oliver O'Connell

President Joe Biden has said it would be a mistake to expand the Supreme Court, despite its recent rulings against affirmative action in higher education, LGBT+ rights, and student loan debt forgiveness.

Read more...

Biden says expanding Supreme Court would be ‘mistake’, despite recent rulings

Voices: The Supreme Court just made me a second-class citizen

Friday 30 June 2023 22:45 , Oliver O'Connell

Skylar Baker-Jordan reacts to today’s Supreme Court ruling.

The Supreme Court just made me a second-class citizen

Trump: ‘They got me on nothing’

Friday 30 June 2023 22:40 , Oliver O'Connell

Watch: Trump receives a warm welcome in Philadelphia

Friday 30 June 2023 22:26 , Oliver O'Connell

Republicans are planning a national abortion ban, warns senator who once worked at a Planned Parenthood

Friday 30 June 2023 22:15 , Oliver O'Connell

When a draft of the Supreme Court’s Dobbs v Jackson opinion that would overturn Roe v Wade leaked in May of last year, US Senator Tina Smith had only three words.

“This is bulls***,” the Minnesota Democrat tweeted. She had similar words when Walgreens announced in March of this year it would not dispense abortion pills in states where abortion remained legal.

Eric Garcia spoke with Ms Smith for The Independent.

Senator who worked at Planned Parenthood warns of an abortion ban if the GOP wins

Full story: Biden reveals ‘new path’ to student debt relief

Friday 30 June 2023 21:55 , Oliver O'Connell

President Biden on Friday hit out at the Republican state officials and legislators who supported the lawsuit which enabled the Supreme Court to strike down his student debt forgiveness initiative, accusing many of them of hypocrisy for taking money from pandemic-era relief programmes while opposing relatively meager relief for student loan borrowers.

“Some of the same elected Republicans, members of Congress who strongly opposed relief for students, got hundreds of thousands of dollars themselves ... several members of Congress got over a million dollars — all those loans are forgiven,” he said.

“The hypocrisy is stunning,” he said.

Andrew Feinberg in Washington, DC, and Alex Woodward in New York filed this report.

Biden reveals ‘new path’ to student debt relief

Trump makes Georgia probe prediction in latest grievance-laden rant

Friday 30 June 2023 21:35 , Oliver O'Connell

Here’s what the twice-indicted, twice-impeached former president posted to Truth Social at lunchtime today:

I predict that the Racist District Attorney in Atlanta, with the per capita WORST crime record in the Country, Fani Willis, where murderers “get away with murder,” and are seldom charged and almost never prosecuted, will be dropping all charges against me for lack of a case. I made a PERFECTLY LEGAL PHONE CALL, AS PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES, ABOUT AN ELECTION THAT I STRONGLY FEEL WAS RIGGED AND STOLLEN. NONE of the MANY LAWYERS on the call minded my words, or even hinted at wrongdoing. SCAM!

Lawyer Ron Filipkowski noted the odd timing of the prediction:

Friday 30 June 2023 21:30 , Oliver O'Connell

Watch live: Karine Jean-Pierre holds White House briefing

Watch: Biden announces new path for student debt relief

Friday 30 June 2023 21:14 , Oliver O'Connell

Biden outlines new path to student loan forgiveness after SCOTUS decision

Friday 30 June 2023 21:10 , Oliver O'Connell

Latest Trump campaign video mocked for ‘weird apocalyptic’ tone

Friday 30 June 2023 20:45 , Oliver O'Connell

While the footage was posted on Mr Trump’s own Truth Social site, it was later posted on Twitter where it was roundly ridiculed by social media users.

Rachel Sharp reports.

Trump mocked for ‘weird apocalyptic’ campaign video

Three charged in $22m Trump Media insider trading case

Friday 30 June 2023 20:15 , Oliver O'Connell

Three investors in the special purpose acquisition company (SPAC) that took Trump Media public have been indicted for insider trading concerning the deal, making $22m in alleged lillegal trades.

Michael Shvartsman, Gerald Shvartsman and Bruce Garelick were named in a federal indictment unsealed on Thursday (29 June) in Manhattan federal court.

All three were charged with trading in securities of Digital World Acquisition Corporation (DWAC) based on non-public information about the company’s planned business combination with Trump Media & Technology Group — founded by former President Donald Trump — the parent company of social media platform Truth Social.

They were arrested on Thursday morning in Florida.

Trump Media investors charged in $22m insider trading case

DeSantis hits back at Trump disloyalty claim

Friday 30 June 2023 20:00 , Oliver O'Connell

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis on Thursday hit back at former president Donald Trump’s allegation that the Sunshine State executive is betraying him by mounting a presidential campaign of his own during an appearance on Fox News.

Mr DeSantis, who currently trails the twice-impeached, twice-indicted ex-president by a wide margin in most polls of likely GOP primary voters, told Fox host Jesse Watters that no politician — even a former president such as Mr Trump — is entitled to support from anyone after Watters raised Mr Trump’s criticisms during a televised interview.

Andrew Feinberg reports on the rest of the Florida governor’s remarks.

DeSantis hits back at Trump disloyalty claim: ‘Politicians have to earn support’

Fox reaches $12m settlement with former producer Abby Grossberg

Friday 30 June 2023 19:53 , Oliver O'Connell

Fox Corporation has reached a $12m settlement in a lawsuit from a former Fox New producer who alleged a culture of misogyny at the network and accused Fox lawyers of pressuring her into making misleading statements in a blockbuster defamation case from a voting machines company.

Alex Woodward has the latest.

Fox reaches $12m settlement over ‘toxic’ workplace lawsuit from former producer

DeSantis slammed for backing use of radioactive waste in road study

Friday 30 June 2023 19:45 , Oliver O'Connell

Republican presidential hopeful Ron DeSantis is under fire after giving the go-ahead to the study of “radioactive” mining waste in the use of road-building projects.

On Thursday, the Florida governor greenlit a bill adding phosphogypsum, which has been linked to cancer, to a list of materials that can be studied by the Florida Department of Transportation and used in road construction in the state.

Gustaf Kilander reports.

DeSantis slammed after backing use of radioactive waste in road study

Angry onlookers shout ‘dog killer’ at George Santos

Friday 30 June 2023 19:35 , Oliver O'Connell

Angry protesters called congressman George Santos a “dog killer” on Friday as the Republican made an appearance at a Long Island federal court house, his first hearing since pleading not guilty last month to a13-count indictment related to fraud and money laundering charges.

Onlookers shout ‘dog killer’ at George Santos as he arrives for fraud hearing

Trump makes Georgia probe prediction in latest grievance-laden rant

Friday 30 June 2023 19:30 , Oliver O'Connell

Here’s what the twice-indicted, twice-impeached former president posted to Truth Social at lunchtime today:

I predict that the Racist District Attorney in Atlanta, with the per capita WORST crime record in the Country, Fani Willis, where murderers “get away with murder,” and are seldom charged and almost never prosecuted, will be dropping all charges against me for lack of a case. I made a PERFECTLY LEGAL PHONE CALL, AS PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES, ABOUT AN ELECTION THAT I STRONGLY FEEL WAS RIGGED AND STOLLEN. NONE of the MANY LAWYERS on the call minded my words, or even hinted at wrongdoing. SCAM!

Lawyer Ron Filipkowski noted the odd timing of the prediction:

Watch: SCOTUS decisions activates young people to speak out and vote, says Psaki

Friday 30 June 2023 19:25 , Oliver O'Connell

Sources: Prosecutors are prepared to hit Trump and his allies with new charges

Friday 30 June 2023 20:20 , Oliver O'Connell

The Department of Justice is prepared to seek indictments against multiple figures in former president Donald Trump’s orbit and may yet bring additional charges against the ex-president in the coming weeks, The Independent has learned.

Andrew Feinberg filed this exclusive report for The Independent.

Prosecutors are prepared to hit Trump and his allies with new charges, sources say

Geraldo Rivera praises affirmative action in final Fox News appearance

Friday 30 June 2023 18:45 , Oliver O'Connell

Geraldo Rivera used his final appearance on Fox News to praise affirmative action amid the Supreme Court ruling against colleges considering race in their admissions process.

The Fox News host revealed on Thursday that he was quitting the network after he claimed that he had been fired from The Five.

Gustaf Kilander and Shweta Sharma have the story.

Geraldo Rivera praises affirmative action in final Fox News appearance

Watch: LAAD president slams SCOTUS ruling in favour of a Christian web designer who opposed same-sex weddings

Friday 30 June 2023 18:25 , Oliver O'Connell

Supreme Court deals major blow to LGBT+ rights

Friday 30 June 2023 18:15 , Oliver O'Connell

A wedding website designer may refuse to create work for people in the LGBT+ community if it conflicts with their religious beliefs, the Supreme Court ruled on Friday.

In a 6-3 decision, the conservative majority of the Court ruled in favor of Lorie Smith, a Colorado-based website creator, who wanted to refuse service to same-sex couples but couldn’t as it was a violation of a public accommodation law.

The Court argued that the public accommodation law in Colorado impedes Ms Smith’s First Amendment right to deny conveying messages she disagrees with.

Ariana Baio reports on today’s decision.

Supreme Court allows Colorado designer to deny LGBT+ customers in ruling

Christie says McCarthy spoke correctly about Trump the first time

Friday 30 June 2023 17:45 , Oliver O'Connell

Former New Jersey governor and presidential Republican presidential candidate Chris Christie told CNN that House Speaker Kevin McCarthy was right in his initial assessment about whether former president Donald Trump was the strongest candidate to beat Joe Biden in a general election contest.

Earlier this week, Mr McCarthy said he was not sure that Mr Trump was the strongest candidate to beat Mr Biden.

Eric Garcia reports.

Chris Christie says McCarthy spoke correctly about Trump the first time

Report: Top Trump aide revealed as individual he allegedly showed classified map

Friday 30 June 2023 20:18 , Oliver O'Connell

The identity of an aide to Donald Trump whose voice was heard in an audio recording wherein the former president can be heard brandishing a paper he explicitly claims is classified has been revealed.

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Top Trump aide revealed as individual he allegedly showed classified map, report says

Hours before arrest, Jan 6 fugitive shared Trump post revealing Obama’s address

Friday 30 June 2023 16:55 , Oliver O'Connell

A January 6 rioter on the run from the law who was arrested outside the Washington DC home of former President Barack Obama shared a social media post by ex-president Donald Trump revealing his predecessor’s address hours before he was detained.

Taylor Taranto, 37, was arrested on Thursday on charges stemming from his activities during the Capitol riot in early 2021. But he was also discovered to have several firearms and the materials needed to make a Molotov cocktail in the neighbourhood of the US capital where the Obamas live.

The matter is being reviewed by the FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force.

Gustaf Kilander has the story.

Jan 6 fugitive shared Trump post revealing Obama’s address hours before arrest

RFK Jr says he is ‘proud’ to have Trump’s praise

Friday 30 June 2023 16:45 , Oliver O'Connell

Robert F Kennedy Jr., the longshot presidential candidate and latest scion of the storied Kennedy political dynasty, appears to be leaning in to the “Democrat in name only” label that is beginning to follow his campaign.

John Bowden explains.

Robert F Kennedy Jr says he is ‘proud’ to have Trump’s praise

US envoy for Iran has security clearance suspended

Friday 30 June 2023 16:15 , Oliver O'Connell

The US special envoy for Iran, Rob Malley, had his security clearance suspended pending a review of allegations he may have mishandled classified information, said US officials.

Namita Singh has the details.

US envoy for Iran has security clearance suspended amid probe

Trump demanded get ‘my boxes’ back from feds

Friday 30 June 2023 15:45 , Oliver O'Connell

As Donald Trump’s lawyers began preparing for a federal indictment, the ex-president was allegedly still hoping to get the documents and boxes seized from Mar-a-Lago back, according to a report.

Mr Trump referred to the classified material as “my boxes” and “my documents” and asked his lawyers to retrieve the material, sources with direct knowledge of the matter told Rolling Stone.

Ariana Baio reports.

Trump demanded to get ‘my boxes’ back from feds as indictment loomed

Biden groans when asked if Trump would have tipped Putin off to coup attempt

Friday 30 June 2023 15:15 , Oliver O'Connell

President Biden on Thursday said he tries not to consider the national security issues that would’ve been in play had Donald Trump defeated him in the 2020 election and remained in the White House during Russia’s war on Ukraine.

Andrew Feinberg reports.

Biden groans when asked if Trump would have tipped Putin off to coup attempt

Ex-Trump aide reportedly joins Giuliani in cooperating with special counsel

Friday 30 June 2023 15:08 , Oliver O'Connell

A former Trump campaign aide has joined Rudy Guiliani in cooperating with the special counsel in the Department of Justice’s2020 election probe, according to a new report.

Mike Roman, a senior adviser on Donald Trump’s 2020 campaign in charge of Election Day operations, is cooperating with federal prosecutors working for special counsel Jack Smith in the criminal investigation reviewing the efforts to overturn the 2020 election, according to CNN.

Gustaf Kilander has the details.

Ex-Trump aide joins Giuliani in cooperating with special counsel in election probe

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