Trump news – live: Trump suing ex-lawyer Michael Cohen, as NYC court staff laugh off ‘crying’ claims

Donald Trump had claimed in a Fox News’ Tucker Carlson interview that New York court staff were “crying” when he was arrested and arraigned over hush money payment.

“They were incredible. When I went to the courthouse which is also a prison in a sense, they signed me in and I’ll tell you people were crying,” he claimed.

“People that work there. Professionally work there that have no problems putting in murderers and they see everybody. It’s a tough, tough place and they were crying. They were actually crying. They said I’m sorry.”

Earlier on Tuesday, news broke that Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg has filed a lawsuit aimed at stopping Jim Jordan, the Trump-aligned chair of the House Judiciary Committee, from interfering with his investigation into the former president’s hush money payments.

Alvin Bragg accused Mr Jordan of undertaking “a transparent campaign to intimidate and attack” him.

Separately, the former president is once again a topic of discussion on Capitol Hill as members of the “Gang of Eight”, high-ranking lawmakers with access to intelligence briefings, have been granted access by the Biden administration to the documents seized from Mr Trump’s home at Mar-a-Lago.

Key Points

• Trump attempting to stop Mike Pence from testifying about Jan 6 riots

• Trump set for quick New York return to give deposition in lawsuit brought by Letitia James

• Bill Barr says Trump was 'jerking the government around' over his mishandling of classified documents

• Tim Scott forms exploratory 2024 committee

Judge in Dominion's $1.6bn defamation case against Fox News may appoint special master

00:15 , John Bowden

Ahead of jury selection in Dominion Voting Systems' $1.6bn defamation case against Fox News, the Delaware Supreme Court Judge on the case is planning to appoint a "special master" to help determine whether the news company withheld key information and evidence.

Judge Eric Davis said he was considering the appointment on Wednesday, CNN reports, days before the trial is due to start.

Sebastian Miño-Bucheli has the story:

Judge in $1.6bn defamation case against Fox may appoint special master

Alvin Bragg reportedly receives second envelope with white powder

23:27 , John Bowden

Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg has now received a second envelope addressed to him which contained a mysterious white powder, according to NBC News, as he continues his prosecution of Donald Trump over the Stormy Daniels matter.

Mr Bragg has been the target of heightened vitriol from Republicans, especially former President Donald Trump, as he continues his efforts to prosecute Mr Trump for falsifying business records.

Read more at NBC News:

Victorious Tennessee Democrats celebrate with parade after reinstatements

22:43 , John Bowden

Two Black Democrats who were ousted from the Tennessee state legislature last week led a parade through the streets of Memphis on Wednesday after being successfully reinstated to their positions.

State Reps Justin Pearson and Justin Jones were both expelled by Republicans in the statehouse last week for joining with gun control protesters for a demonstration in the building; now, their respective local government councils have voted overwhelmingly to return both men to their seats in the capital.

‘He still owes me dinner!’ Stormy Daniels jokes about Trump

21:55 , John Bowden

Stormy Daniels has joked that Donald Trump still “owes me dinner” as she told Piers Morgan about her alleged sexual liaison with the former president.

Mr Trump has pleaded not guilty to 34 criminal charges connected with $130,000 in hush money payments made to the adult movie actress.

Following his arrest and arraignment earlier this week, Ms Daniels told Morgan about the evening she alleges she slept with Mr Trump following a golf event at Lake Tahoe.

Graeme Massie has the story.

Stormy Daniels tells Piers Morgan that Trump cheated her on offer of meal

Democratic senators urge chief justice to probe Thomas trips

21:12 , John Bowden

Senate Democrats are calling on U.S. Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts to open an investigation into the undisclosed acceptance of luxury trips taken by Justice Clarence Thomas and his wife that were paid for by a Republican megadonor.

A letter from the Senate Judiciary Committee’s majority stated that the committee plans to hold a hearing in coming days regarding the “need to restore confidence in the Supreme Court’s ethical standards.”

And if the Supreme Court does not deal with the issue on its own, the committee will consider voting on legislation, the letter continued. Such a measure would also need support from the Republican-led House to become law.

Read more:

Democratic senators urge chief justice to probe Thomas trips

Trump seeks delay to rape case – claiming need for ‘cooling off’ period after indictment

20:45 , John Bowden

An attorney for Donald Trump is seeking a one-month delay in the trial regarding a columnist’s claims that Mr Trump raped her in a department store dressing room in the 1990s, contending that his client’s right to a fair trial depends on a “cooling off” period following the former president’s indictment and arraignment.

The trial was set for April 25. In a letter Tuesday to Judge Lewis A. Kaplan, attorney Joseph Tacopina cited “the recent deluge of prejudicial media coverage” surrounding Trump’s arrest and court appearance in arguing for a delay. The former president was charged March 30 with 34 felony counts related to allegations that he paid hush money to an adult film star, Stormy Daniels.

The civil case before Judge Kaplan was brought against Mr Trump in November by E. Jean Carroll, a columnist who says the wealthy real estate developer raped her in early 1996 after a chance meeting at the Bergdorf Goodman department store.

Mr Trump has repeatedly and emphatically denied the allegation. A jury will be asked to decide whether the rape occurred and if Trump defamed Carroll with his comments.

A temporary state law that took effect last year allows adult rape victims to sue their abusers, even if attacks happened decades ago.

Mr Tacopina’s letter seeking a delay in the trial for Carroll’s civil suit followed Kaplan’s order on Monday directing parties in the case to notify him by April 20 whether they will be present throughout the trial in Manhattan federal court. Carroll’s attorney has said she will attend; Trump’s attorney has not responded to requests for comment on Kaplan’s order.

Associated Press

Manhattan DA sues Jim Jordan to block ‘transparent campaign’ of intimidation over Trump prosecution

20:15 , Megan Sheets

Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg is fighting back at what he says is an explicit attempt by House Republicans to interfere in his office’s prosecution of Donald Trump.

On Tuesday, Mr Bragg sued the House Judiciary Committee chair, Jim Jordan, and accused him of undertaking “a transparent campaign to intimidate and attack District Attorney Bragg, making demands for confidential documents and testimony from the District Attorney himself as well as his current and former employees and officials” in federal court.

Read more:

Manhattan DA sues Jim Jordan over Trump prosecution intimidation

Trump’s ‘crying’ court staff claim is ‘absolute BS’ say law enforcement

20:02 , Graeme Massie

The one-term president made a bizarre claim to Tucker Carlson during a Fox News interview this week.

Trump’s ‘crying’ court staff claim is ‘absolute BS’ say law enforcement

Trump suing former lawyer Michael Cohen for $500m, says report

19:40 , Graeme Massie

Allegations include breach of their attorney-client relationship and unjust enrichment.

Trump suing former lawyer Michael Cohen for $500m

Legal troubles ramp up for Fox as Rupert Murdoch is sued by investor over ‘stolen election claims’

19:32 , Graeme Massie

The derivative lawsuit comes as Fox prepares to go to trial with Dominion Voting Systems.

Fox investor sues Rupert Murdoch over ‘stolen election claims’

Trump impersonated for ‘SNL’ Easter message

19:16 , John Bowden

In the latest SNL cold open, the former president — played by James Austin Johnson — compares his indictment to the persecution of Jesus and calls him a “nepo baby”.

In the clip, the actor delivers a perfect Trump monologue: “A famous, wonderful man arrested for no reason at all. If you haven’t put it together folks, I’m comparing myself to Jesus—again. And what better time than on his birthday, Easter?”

“We’re both very tall, very popular, and both, frankly, white Americans,” he explains.“He rose from the dead on the third day,” the actor said. “I would have done it faster—possibly two. Possibly two days. I think we could have done it a lot faster.”

“Because I’m a self-made billionaire and Christ was—let’s call it what it is—a nepo baby. I mean, his dad was God. It’s pretty easy to start a religion when your daddy’s God.”

Watch below:

Judge in Dominion Voting Systems case says Fox News has a ‘credibility problem’

19:01 , Graeme Massie

‘I need to feel comfortable that when you represent something to me, it’s the truth,’ the judge said. ‘I’m not very happy right now.’

Judge in Dominion Voting Systems case says Fox News has a ‘credibility problem’

What we know about E Jean Carroll’s rape allegations against Donald Trump

18:45 , John Bowden

Amid the frenzy of media speculation surrounding Donald Trump’s criminal prosecution and the possibility that other cases involving him will end in indictments, one lawsuit against the former president is quietly trodding along in the background.

Journalist and author E Jean Carroll filed her suit in November 2019, five months after she came forward with her allegation that Mr Trump raped her in a dressing room at Bergdorf Goodman in the mid-1990s. It continues today, even as Mr Trump faces the first criminal indictment of a US president in history.

Let’s examine what we know about this case, and how it could affect Mr Trump going forward:

What we know about E Jean Carroll’s rape allegations against Donald Trump

Trump’s ‘crying’ court officials claim ‘absolute BS'

18:30 , Graeme Massie

Donald Trump’s claim that New York court staff were ‘crying’ when he was arrested and arraigned are “absolute BS”, a law enforcement official told Yahoo!News.

The one-term president made the bizarre claim to Tucker Carlson in a Fox News interview on Tuesday night.

“They were incredible. When I went to the courthouse which is also a prison in a sense, they signed me in and I’ll tell you people were crying,” he claimed.

“People that work there. Professionally work there that have no problems putting in murderers and they see everybody. It’s a tough, tough place and they were crying. They were actually crying. They said I’m sorry.”

Video footage from inside the courthouse in Manhattan last week actually showed court staff refusing to hold open a door for Mr Trump as he walked in to face a judge.

Now law enforcement sources have laughed off the claim, telling Yahoo!News it had “zero” accuracy.

“There were zero people crying. There were zero people saying ‘I’m sorry.’”

Trump breezes past deadlines to file financial disclosures

18:15 , John Bowden

Donald Trump’s campaign for president ahead of the 2024 election is already bumping up against the Federal Election Commission.

Raw Story reports that the agency sent a letter ordering former president Donald Trump to comply with election law and file his financial disclosures after he missed the March 15 deadline to file his campaign financial disclosure forms.

The agency rebuffed his request for an extension, and could levy a fine against his campaign.

Read more:

Trump breezes past deadlines to file financial disclosures

Trump reveals he lost and then found $3,755 golden golf club given to him by Shinzo Abe

17:45 , John Bowden

Donald Trump said he has found a golf club presented to him by the late former Japanese prime minister Shinzo Abe.

The $3,755 golf club was gifted to Mr Trump by Abe in 2016 when he visited Mr Trump, who was the president-elect at the time.

Abe, Japan’s longest-serving leader, was assassinated last July by a gunman who opened fire as he delivered a campaign speech.

Read the full story:

Trump reveals he found $3,755 golden golf club given to him by Shinzo Abe

Schumer calls Trump’s bluff on defunding the FBI

17:06 , John Bowden

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer called former president Donald Trump’s bluff as he plans to introduce a resolution that would reject Mr Trump’s calls to defund the FBI and the Department of Justice.

The New York Democrat sent out a “Dear Colleague” letter that said he would introduce the resolution as soon as the Senate returns next week. The resolution’s vote on the floor will force Republican senators to take a public stand on the former president’s increasingly furious calls for revenge against law enforcement agencies involved in investigations into his activities.

Read more:

Schumer calls Trump’s bluff on defunding the FBI

Trump to return to New York for latest legal battle

16:38 , John Bowden

Donald Trump is expected to return to New York City this week to face the latest in his ever-growing list of legal battles.

The former president is scheduled to sit for a deposition on Thursday in the $250m civil lawsuit brought by New York Attorney General Letitia James against Mr Trump, his adult children and the Trump Organization.

Ms James alleges that they were embroiled in a decade-long fraud scheme to inflate the value of his assets.

Mr Trump previously sat for a deposition in August where he pleaded the Fifth.

The latest deposition will come just one week after Mr Trump’s last visit to the Big Apple where he was arrested and charged with 34 felonies over hush money payments before the 2016 presidential election.

15:55 , John Bowden

Donald Trump was once again the target of mockery from his political foes this week after claiming that “people were actually crying” when he was arrested and arraigned in a New York court.

The former president, who has pleaded not guilty to 34 counts of falsifying business records over hush money payments, made the claim during an interview with Tucker Carlson on Fox News.

Read more:

Trump mocked for claiming NYC courthouse staff were ‘crying’ when he was arrested

Trump says he will ‘never’ drop out of 2024 race – even from jail

15:20 , John Bowden

Former president Donald Trump vowed to stay in the race for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination and the 2024 general election despite his mounting legal troubles, even if it means he’ll be locked up in a jail cell by the time his name appears on a ballot.

Mr Trump made the defiant pronouncement during a Tuesday evening interview with Fox News host Tucker Carlson, the twice-impeached ex-president’s first sit-down with a media outlet since he was arraigned on 34 felony charges of falsifying business records in his former home state of New York.

Read more:

Trump says he will ‘never’ drop out of 2024 race – even from jail

Republican Tim Scott launches exploratory bid to take on Trump in 2024 race

14:50 , John Bowden

The Senate’s lone Black Republican member is entering the 2024 race.

Sen Tim Scott on Wednesday announced the launch of an exploratory political campaign for the Republican nomination; in doing so, he also previewed what is likely to be the defining weakness of his campaign. His announcement interview carried no mention of Donald Trump and reflected little of the actual realities of today’s modern-day GOP.

Read more:

Republican Senator Tim Scott launches exploratory committee

Republican Tim Scott launches exploratory bid to take on Trump in 2024 race

14:00 , Rachel Sharp

Republican lawmaker Tim Scott has launched an exploratory bid to take on Donald Trump in the 2024 White House race.

The South Carolina senator announced a presidential exploratory committee on Wednesday morning, ahead of planned events in the early voting state of Iowa later in the day.

“I’ve been doing a lot of thinking the past few months,” he said in an email to his supporters.

“I’ve been thinking about my faith. I’ve been thinking about the future of our country. And I’ve been thinking about the Left’s plan to ruin America.”

Trump says he will 'never' drop out of 2024 race – even from jail

13:40 , Rachel Sharp

Donald Trump has insisted he will “never” drop out of the 2024 White House race – even from jail.

In his interview with Tucker Carlson on Tuesday, the former president was asked whether there is “anything they could throw at you legally that would convince you to drop out of the race—if you get convicted in this case in New York?”

Mr Trump remained defiant, insisting he will not drop out even if any of the 34 felony counts land him with a conviction.

“No, I’d never drop out,” he said.

“It’s not my thing. I wouldn’t do it.”

Trump seeks delay to rape case – claiming need for ‘cooling off’ period after indictment

13:20 , Rachel Sharp

An attorney for Donald Trump is seeking a one-month delay in the trial regarding a columnist’s claims that Mr Trump raped her in a department store dressing room in the 1990s, contending that his client’s right to a fair trial depends on a “cooling off” period following the former president’s indictment and arraignment.

The trial was set for April 25. In a letter Tuesday to Judge Lewis A. Kaplan, attorney Joseph Tacopina cited “the recent deluge of prejudicial media coverage” surrounding Trump’s arrest and court appearance in arguing for a delay. The former president was charged March 30 with 34 felony counts related to allegations that he paid hush money to an adult film star, Stormy Daniels.

The civil case before Judge Kaplan was brought against Mr Trump in November by E. Jean Carroll, a columnist who says the wealthy real estate developer raped her in early 1996 after a chance meeting at the Bergdorf Goodman department store.

Mr Trump has repeatedly and emphatically denied the allegation. A jury will be asked to decide whether the rape occurred and if Trump defamed Carroll with his comments.

A temporary state law that took effect last year allows adult rape victims to sue their abusers, even if attacks happened decades ago.

Mr Tacopina’s letter seeking a delay in the trial for Carroll’s civil suit followed Kaplan’s order on Monday directing parties in the case to notify him by April 20 whether they will be present throughout the trial in Manhattan federal court. Carroll’s attorney has said she will attend; Trump’s attorney has not responded to requests for comment on Kaplan’s order.

Associated Press

‘He still owes me dinner!’ Stormy Daniels jokes about Trump

13:01 , Graeme Massie

Stormy Daniels has joked that Donald Trump still “owes me dinner” as she told Piers Morgan about her alleged sexual liaison with the former president.

Mr Trump has pleaded not guilty to 34 criminal charges connected with $130,000 in hush money payments made to the adult movie actress.

Following his arrest and arraignment earlier this week, Ms Daniels told Morgan about the evening she alleges she slept with Mr Trump following a golf event at Lake Tahoe.

Graeme Massie has the story.

Stormy Daniels tells Piers Morgan that Trump cheated her on offer of meal

Trump wildly claims in Tucker Carlson interview that NYC court staff cried at arraignment

12:40 , Rachel Sharp

Donald Trump has claimed in a Fox News’ Tucker Carlson interview that New York court staff were “crying” when he was arrested and arraigned over hush money payment.

“They were incredible. When I went to the courthouse which is also a prison in a sense, they signed me in and I’ll tell you people were crying,” he claimed.

“People that work there. Professionally work there that have no problems putting in murderers and they see everybody. It’s a tough, tough place and they were crying. They were actually crying. They said I’m sorry.”

Trump impersonated for ‘SNL’ Easter message

12:03 , Graeme Massie

In the latest SNL cold open, the former president — played by James Austin Johnson — compares his indictment to the persecution of Jesus and calls him a “nepo baby”.

In the clip, the actor delivers a perfect Trump monologue: “A famous, wonderful man arrested for no reason at all. If you haven’t put it together folks, I’m comparing myself to Jesus—again. And what better time than on his birthday, Easter?”

“We’re both very tall, very popular, and both, frankly, white Americans,” he explains.“He rose from the dead on the third day,” the actor said. “I would have done it faster—possibly two. Possibly two days. I think we could have done it a lot faster.”

“Because I’m a self-made billionaire and Christ was—let’s call it what it is—a nepo baby. I mean, his dad was God. It’s pretty easy to start a religion when your daddy’s God.”

Watch below:

Democratic senators urge chief justice to probe Thomas trips

10:03 , Graeme Massie

Senate Democrats are calling on U.S. Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts to open an investigation into the undisclosed acceptance of luxury trips taken by Justice Clarence Thomas and his wife that were paid for by a Republican megadonor.

A letter from the Senate Judiciary Committee’s majority stated that the committee plans to hold a hearing in coming days regarding the “need to restore confidence in the Supreme Court's ethical standards.”

And if the Supreme Court does not deal with the issue on its own, the committee will consider voting on legislation, the letter continued. Such a measure would also need support from the Republican-led House to become law.

Read more:

Democratic senators urge chief justice to probe Thomas trips

Trump breezes past deadlines to file financial disclosures

09:02 , Graeme Massie

Donald Trump’s campaign for president ahead of the 2024 election is already bumping up against the Federal Election Commission.

Raw Story reports that the agency sent a letter ordering former president Donald Trump to comply with election law and file his financial disclosures after he missed the March 15 deadline to file his campaign financial disclosure forms.

The agency rebuffed his request for an extension, and could levy a fine against his campaign.

Read more:

Trump breezes past deadlines to file financial disclosures

Schumer calls Trump’s bluff on defunding the FBI

07:04 , Graeme Massie

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer called former president Donald Trump’s bluff as he plans to introduce a resolution that would reject Mr Trump’s calls to defund the FBI and the Department of Justice.

The New York Democrat sent out a “Dear Colleague” letter that said he would introduce the resolution as soon as the Senate returns next week. The resolution’s vote on the floor will force Republican senators to take a public stand on the former president’s increasingly furious calls for revenge against law enforcement agencies involved in investigations into his activities.

Read more:

Schumer calls Trump’s bluff on defunding the FBI

Trump to return to New York for latest legal battle

06:02 , Graeme Massie

Donald Trump is expected to return to New York City this week to face the latest in his ever-growing list of legal battles.

The former president is scheduled to sit for a deposition on Thursday in the $250m civil lawsuit brought by New York Attorney General Letitia James against Mr Trump, his adult children and the Trump Organization.

Ms James alleges that they were embroiled in a decade-long fraud scheme to inflate the value of his assets.

Mr Trump previously sat for a deposition in August where he pleaded the Fifth.

The latest deposition will come just one week after Mr Trump’s last visit to the Big Apple where he was arrested and charged with 34 felonies over hush money payments before the 2016 presidential election.

Melania Trump hits back at media ‘assumptions’ after indictment

05:06 , Graeme Massie

Melania Trump has fired back at “assumptions” being made in the media after her absence from her husband’s arrest and post-arraignment speech hit headlines across the globe.

The former first lady released a statement through her office on Tuesday morning hitting out at the use of “unnamed sources” in reports about her “personal, professional, and political” viewpoints and urging readers to “exercise caution and good judgment”.

Read more:

Melania Trump hits back at media ‘assumptions’ after indictment

Trump reveals he lost and then found $3,755 golden golf club given to him by Shinzo Abe

04:05 , Graeme Massie

Donald Trump said he has found a golf club presented to him by the late former Japanese prime minister Shinzo Abe.

The $3,755 golf club was gifted to Mr Trump by Abe in 2016 when he visited Mr Trump, who was the president-elect at the time.

Abe, Japan’s longest-serving leader, was assassinated last July by a gunman who opened fire as he delivered a campaign speech.

Read the full story:

Trump reveals he found $3,755 golden golf club given to him by Shinzo Abe

Melania Trump breaks social media silence with Easter Sunday post

03:03 , Graeme Massie

Melania Trump wished her Instagram and Twitter followers a Happy Easter on Sunday — breaking a month-long, conspicuous absence from social media.

The former first lady posted a photo of a pink rose along with the words “Happy Easter”.

Ms Trump, 52, had remained silent as her husband Donald Trump flew to New York last week for his arraignment on charges of falsifying business records to conceal hush money payments to the adult actress Stormy Daniels.

She did not attend a Tuesday night press conference the former president held at Mar-a-Lago after returning to Florida.

Mr Trump wished the “weak and pathetic RINOs” and “radical left Democrats” a Happy Easter in a post on Truth Social.

Tucker Carlson mocked over fawning Trump interview

02:31 , Graeme Massie

The Fox News host interviewed the one-term president just months after it emerged in Dominion lawsuit documents that he told producers at the channel he hated him.

“Man, Carlson must have been summoned by Murdoch personally to make him sit through this interview,” tweeted Tom Nichols of The Atlantic.

“Fox is forcing Tucker to do this as penance for the Dominion texts and you could see the pain in his eyes during the live intro,” tweeted Kat Abu.

Trump says he asked five-year-old about best way to evacuate US assets from Afghanistan

02:01 , Graeme Massie

Mr Trump also claimed the US left dogs behind in its evacuation.

Trump says he asked child about best way to evacuate US assets from Afghanistan

Trump says he won’t say the ‘n-word’

01:43 , Graeme Massie

Donald Trump says that he won’t say the “n-word” - for nuclear weapons - as it is too dangerous to mention.

“You have two ‘n words’ you don’t mention either of them you don’t mention nuclear as it is so destructive,” he told Tucker Carlson on Fox News.

Trump mocked for claiming NYC courthouse staff were ‘crying’ when he was arrested

01:31 , Graeme Massie

Former president has pleaded not guilty to 34 counts of falsifying business records over hush money payments.

Trump mocked for claiming NYC courthouse staff were ‘crying’ when he was arrested

Donald Trump Jr confirms he signed father’s porn star ‘hush money’ check

01:10 , John Bowden

Donald Trump Jr has admitted that he personally signed one of the hush money checks now at the centre of his father’s arrest on criminal charges.

The former president’s son told right-wing network Newsmax that part of Mr Trump’s indictment on 34 felony counts of falsifying business records refers to his own actions.

“That son is me. Like I said, clearly also not a campaign finance violation if it’s from his own trust, not to a campaign, not from the campaign, not from the funds raised from it,” he said.

“So, none of it actually makes any sense.”

Rachel Sharp has the details.

Donald Trump Jr confirms he signed father’s porn star ‘hush money’ check

Trump reveals he lost and then found $3,755 golden golf club given to him by Shinzo Abe

Wednesday 12 April 2023 00:10 , John Bowden

Donald Trump said he has found a golf club presented to him by the late former Japanese prime minister Shinzo Abe.

The $3,755 golf club was gifted to Mr Trump by Abe in 2016 when he visited Mr Trump, who was the president-elect at the time.

Abe, Japan’s longest-serving leader, was assassinated last July by a gunman who opened fire as he delivered a campaign speech.

Read the full story:

Trump reveals he found $3,755 golden golf club given to him by Shinzo Abe

Nashville votes to reinstate Justin Jones, Tennessee legislator expelled by Republicans for gun protest

Tuesday 11 April 2023 23:10 , John Bowden

One of two Black lawmakers expelled from the Tennessee state House of Representatives is back in his seat after the Nashvill Metropolitan council voted unanimously on Monday to restore his position ahead of a special election.

It’s a new twist in the drama that has engulfed the state’s capital over the past few weeks as an ugly fight over gun violence has led to accusations of racism thanks to the expulsions of the two members.

Read more:

Nashville votes to reinstate Justin Jones, Tennessee lawmaker expelled by Republicans

Tuesday 11 April 2023 22:19 , John Bowden

Donald Trump went on a tear on Monday as he repeatedly condemned the legal challenges piling up against him and denounced various law enforcement agencies around the country as supposedly controlled by “racists, lunatics, and radical left maniacs”.

Several all-caps screeds were posted across Truth Social by the former president as he faced indictment on 34 criminal counts in New York and the potential for more charges in three other separate criminal investigations into his conduct.

Trump set for quick New York return to give deposition in lawsuit brought by Letitia James

Tuesday 11 April 2023 21:20 , John Bowden

Donald Trump is set to make a quick return to New York to give a deposition in a lawsuit brought by New York attorney general Letitia James, it was reported.

This will be the second time he is giving a deposition in the case - the first was last year in August when he refused to answer any questions citing the Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination.

At the time, Mr Trump said that the investigation was a politically-motivated “witch hunt” against him.

Trump admits he is one inch shorter than he claims on arraignment paperwork

Tuesday 11 April 2023 20:55 , John Bowden

Donald Trump reportedly told officers that he was 6 feet and 2 inches tall during his arrest and arraignment in New York last week — an inch shorter than he claims to be.

The 76-year-old provided his personal information including height, weight and occupation to the police is a routine process for those booked on criminal charges.

He gave his weight at 240 pounds, Mediaite reported.

Alisha Rahaman Sarkar has the story.

Trump forced to admit he is one inch shorter during arrest paperwork

Manhattan DA sues Jim Jordan to block ‘transparent campaign’ of intimidation over Trump prosecution

Tuesday 11 April 2023 20:22 , John Bowden

Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg is fighting back at what he says is an explicit attempt by House Republicans to interfere in his office’s prosecution of Donald Trump.

On Tuesday, Mr Bragg sued the House Judiciary Committee chair, Jim Jordan, and accused him of undertaking “a transparent campaign to intimidate and attack District Attorney Bragg, making demands for confidential documents and testimony from the District Attorney himself as well as his current and former employees and officials” in federal court.

Read more:

Manhattan DA sues Jim Jordan over Trump prosecution intimidation

Democratic senators urge chief justice to probe Thomas trips

Tuesday 11 April 2023 19:55 , John Bowden

Senate Democrats are calling on U.S. Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts to open an investigation into the undisclosed acceptance of luxury trips taken by Justice Clarence Thomas and his wife that were paid for by a Republican megadonor.

A letter from the Senate Judiciary Committee’s majority stated that the committee plans to hold a hearing in coming days regarding the “need to restore confidence in the Supreme Court’s ethical standards.”

And if the Supreme Court does not deal with the issue on its own, the committee will consider voting on legislation, the letter continued. Such a measure would also need support from the Republican-led House to become law.

Read more:

Democratic senators urge chief justice to probe Thomas trips

Donald Trump’s arrest and 2024: Examining the polls

Tuesday 11 April 2023 19:20 , John Bowden

How did Donald Trump’s court appearance affect his 2020 chances?

Eric Garcia dives in to the former president’s latest polling for The Independent:

Polling is clear: Trump’s arrest hurt his re-election chances

Nikki Haley’s campaign jokes Trump ‘had a pretty good Q1 if you count being indicted as ‘good

Tuesday 11 April 2023 18:56 , John Bowden

Nikki Haley’s 2024 campaign is trolling former President Donald Trump by reminding donors of the negative connotations around his indictment.

The dig seems to be an attempt at Ms Haley’s campaign differentiating her from other high-profile candidates like Mr Trump. The former US ambassador to the United Nations is so far one of the only Republicans to have challenged her former boss for the 2024 Republican primary.

Ariana Baio has the story.

Nikki Haley’s campaign trolls Trump over indictment in memo

Trump appeals court ruling that requires Pence to appear before grand jury

Tuesday 11 April 2023 18:17 , John Bowden

Former president Donald Trump is appealing a decision from a court that would require former Vice President Mike Pence to appear before a grand jury investigating the Trump administration’s efforts to undermine the 2020 presidential election, Bloomberg News reported.

Late last month, a court in Washington ordered Mr Pence to tesitfy before a grand jury assembled by Justice Department Special Counsel Jack Smith about his interactions with Mr Trump before the January 6 riot. The judge in the case rejected Mr Trump’s attempt to invoke executive privilege.

On Monday, it was reported that Mr Trump had filed an appeal of the decision with the US Court of Appeals for the DC Circuit.

Read more:

Trump tries to stop Mike Pence testifying over Jan 6 riots

Donald Trump Jr confirms he signed father’s porn star ‘hush money’ check

Tuesday 11 April 2023 13:02 , John Bowden

Donald Trump Jr has admitted that he personally signed one of the hush money checks now at the centre of his father’s arrest on criminal charges.

The former president’s son told right-wing network Newsmax that part of Mr Trump’s indictment on 34 felony counts of falsifying business records refers to his own actions.

“That son is me. Like I said, clearly also not a campaign finance violation if it’s from his own trust, not to a campaign, not from the campaign, not from the funds raised from it,” he said.

“So, none of it actually makes any sense.”

Rachel Sharp has the details.

Donald Trump Jr confirms he signed father’s porn star ‘hush money’ check

Nashville votes to reinstate Justin Jones, Tennessee legislator expelled by Republicans for gun protest

Tuesday 11 April 2023 12:00 , John Bowden

One of two Black lawmakers expelled from the Tennessee state House of Representatives is back in his seat after the Nashvill Metropolitan council voted unanimously on Monday to restore his position ahead of a special election.

It’s a new twist in the drama that has engulfed the state’s capital over the past few weeks as an ugly fight over gun violence has led to accusations of racism thanks to the expulsions of the two members.

Read more:

Nashville votes to reinstate Justin Jones, Tennessee lawmaker expelled by Republicans

Trump’s lawyer claims liberal Manhattan will ‘infect’ process of fair criminal trial

Tuesday 11 April 2023 10:02 , John Bowden

An attorney for Donald Trump claimed on Sunday that the former president would not be treated fairly if his criminal trial proceeds in Manhattan, and would seek to have it moved.

“The issue with venue is that Manhattan was like 87 per cent pro-Joe Biden in the last election. It’s a real stronghold of liberalism, of activism, and that infects the whole process,” Jim Trusty told ABC’s morning show, This Week.

However, Mr Trusty said the legal team’s top priority was filing a motion to dismiss the charges against Mr Trump.

John Bowden reports.

Trump’s lawyer claims liberal Manhattan will ‘infect’ process of fair criminal trial

Trump attempting to stop Mike Pence from testifying about Jan 6 riots

Tuesday 11 April 2023 09:30 , Maroosha Muzaffar

Donald Trump is reportedly trying to block former vice president Mike Pence from testifying about the January 6 riots.

Mr Trump is appealing a decision from a court that would require Mr Pence to appear before a grand jury investigating the Trump administration’s efforts to undermine the 2020 presidential election, Bloomberg News reported.

Mr Pence was ordered last month by a court in Washington to testify before a grand jury investigating the charges.

The judge has already rejected Mr Trump’s attempt to invoke executive privilege.

‘He still owes me dinner!’ Stormy Daniels jokes about Trump

Tuesday 11 April 2023 09:02 , John Bowden

Stormy Daniels has joked that Donald Trump still “owes me dinner” as she told Piers Morgan about her alleged sexual liaison with the former president.

Mr Trump has pleaded not guilty to 34 criminal charges connected with $130,000 in hush money payments made to the adult movie actress.

Following his arrest and arraignment earlier this week, Ms Daniels told Morgan about the evening she alleges she slept with Mr Trump following a golf event at Lake Tahoe.

Graeme Massie has the story.

Stormy Daniels tells Piers Morgan that Trump cheated her on offer of meal

Trump set for quick New York return to give deposition in lawsuit brought by Letitia James

Tuesday 11 April 2023 08:30 , Maroosha Muzaffar

Donald Trump is set to make a quick return to New York to give a deposition in a lawsuit brought by New York attorney general Letitia James, it was reported.

This will be the second time he is giving a deposition in the case - the first was last year in August when he refused to answer any questions citing the Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination.

At the time, Mr Trump said that the investigation was a politically-motivated “witch hunt” against him.

Could a New York judge finally force Donald Trump to shut up?

Tuesday 11 April 2023 08:02 , John Bowden

Donald Trump’s arraignment in Manhattan on Tuesday was remarkable for many reasons; not only was it the first time a former US president has ever been arrested, it was also a media spectacle on a scale unheard of before, even in New York.

But there was another first during the proceedings, lesser noticed, that could have profound implications on the next election and beyond. It raises the prospect that a New York judge may succeed where many others have tried and failed, and force Mr Trump to be quiet.

Richard Hall reports.

Many before him have tried, but could a New York judge force Donald Trump to shut up?

Voices: Polling is clear: Trump’s arrest hurt his re-election chances

Tuesday 11 April 2023 07:56 , Graeme Massie

More people are taking the charges against the former president seriously, Eric Garcia writes:

Polling is clear: Trump’s arrest hurt his re-election chances

Trump appeals court ruling that requires Pence to appear before grand jury

Tuesday 11 April 2023 06:02 , John Bowden

Former president Donald Trump is appealing a decision from a court that would require former Vice President Mike Pence to appear before a grand jury investigating the Trump administration’s efforts to undermine the 2020 presidential election, Bloomberg News reported.

Late last month, a court in Washington ordered Mr Pence to tesitfy before a grand jury assembled by Justice Department Special Counsel Jack Smith about his interactions with Mr Trump before the January 6 riot. The judge in the case rejected Mr Trump’s attempt to invoke executive privilege.

On Monday, it was reported that Mr Trump had filed an appeal of the decision with the US Court of Appeals for the DC Circuit.

Read more:

Trump appeals court ruling that requires Pence to appear before grand jury

Trump attempting to stop Mike Pence from testifying about Jan 6 riots

Tuesday 11 April 2023 05:51 , Maroosha Muzaffar

Donald Trump is reportedly trying to block former vice president Mike Pence from testifying about the January 6 riots.

Mr Trump is appealing a decision from a court that would require Mr Pence to appear before a grand jury investigating the Trump administration’s efforts to undermine the 2020 presidential election, Bloomberg News reported.

Mr Pence was ordered last month by a court in Washington to testify before a grand jury investigating the charges.

The judge has already rejected Mr Trump’s attempt to invoke executive privilege.