Trump tells judge he ‘may’ try to move Georgia case to federal court as Navarro guilty of contempt - live

Donald Trump has filed a motion in his Georgia case letting a judge know that he “may” request for his trial to be remanded to federal court — the first step in the long process of seeking a dismissal on the grounds of protected executive activity.

Mr Trump and others involved with the case are seeking to argue that their participation in the efforts to alter the election results in Georgia came as part of their official duties in the White House.

The ex-president is accused, along with 18 others, of a host of felony counts such as soliciting public officials to violate their oaths of office.

Separately on Thursday, Mr Trump’s former trade adviser Peter Navarro was found guilty by a jury of criminal contempt of Congress for ignoring subpoenas issued by the committee investigating January 6. He’s due to be sentenced early next year.

Key Points

• Trump says he will testify at classified documents trial

• Pence has joined ‘the Dark Side’ and is ‘making up stories’ about him, Trump whines

• Trump challenges Meghan Markle to a debate - but not Republican rivals

• Ex-president found liable for defaming E Jean Carroll for a second time

• Georgia prosecutors predict four-month trial and 150 witnesses in election case

• CNN poll shows Trump inching ahead of Biden and Haley beating president by six points

Trump raves about Biden, US aid to Ukraine and electric tanks in late night Truth Social fever dream

10:15 , Joe Sommerlad

Over on Truth Social, Donald Trump was seemingly up in the small hours of the morning raving about Joe Biden like a crazy person.

“Our Southern Border is being invaded, and Crooked Joe doesn’t have a clue!” he posted, before randomly pivoting to a nonsense claim that the US has given Ukraine $520m for clean energy (not to fight off Russian invaders?) and then on to a rant about the US military being forced to convert its tanks into all-electric models “so that, despite the fact that they will not be able to go very far, fewer pollutants will be released into the air”.

Folks, make sure you get plenty of sleep every night. It’s so important for good mental health and your general wellbeing.

Michael Cohen urges Trump’s Georgia co-defendants to ‘speak now’

09:44 , John Bowden

Mr Trump’s estranged former attorney, Michael Cohen, offered some advice to the 2024 presidential hopeful’s co-defendants in Georgia’s election interference case: “Speak now.”

Mr Cohen appeared on CNN, where he was asked whether he believed that the alleged co-conspirators would eventually break and cooperate with the Fulton County district attorney’s case.

“My hope is that they take a look to see what just happened with Enrique Tarrio, where he got 22 years while the other insurrectionists got 17 years. These are real sentences,” he said, alluding to the former Proud Boys leader who has been jailed for his part in the failed insurrection of 6 January 2021.

Graig Graziosi has more.

Michael Cohen urges Trump’s Georgia co-defendants to ‘speak now’ against ex-president

Ron DeSantis staff remove Black veteran who told governor he has allowed people to ‘hunt’ minorities

08:45 , John Bowden

When a Black veteran began peppering Ron DeSantis with questions about recent gun policies in connection with the Jacksonville shooting, the Florida governor defended himself and talked over him before the veteran was eventually removed from the news conference altogether.

The confrontation comes after Mr DeSantis was booed at a memorial for victims of the racist attack.

Read more:

DeSantis staff remove veteran who said he has allowed people to ‘hunt’ minorities

Fani Willis accuses Jim Jordan of trying to obstruct her case against Trump in Georgia

07:45 , John Bowden

Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis has replied to Ohio Republican Rep Jim Jordan’s letter regarding her probe into former president Donald Trump and 18 others, accusing him of attempting to “interfere” with her office’s prosecution.

The congressman wrote a letter to Ms Willis on 24 August, telling her that her 14 August indictment of 19 defendants, a group that includes Mr Trump, implicates “substantial federal interests, and the circumstances surrounding your actions raise serious concerns about whether they are politically motivated.”

Read her response here:

Fani Willis accuses Jim Jordan of trying to obstruct case against Trump in Georgia

Pence ‘making up stories about me’ moans Trump

05:45 , John Bowden

Former President Donald Trump took to Truth Social to grumble about Mike Pence, claiming his former vice president went to the “Dark Side” and is “making up stories” about him.

“For 7 years Mike Pence only spoke well of me. Now he’s decided to go to the ‘Dark Side.’ Why didn’t he do this years before,” Mr Trump wrote.

“Was just watching Mike Pence make up stories about me, which are absolutely false,” the former president continued.

Kelly Rissman has the story.

Trump moans about Pence ‘making up stories about me’

Trump hits back after Jack Smith accuses him of tainting jury pool

04:45 , John Bowden

Donald Trump is showing no signs of holding back his continued allegations of bias and unfairness against the judge overseeing his January 6 case in Washington, DC, even after being accused of trying to taint the jury pool by prosecutors.

On Truth Social, the ex-president continued to release statements throughout Tuesday and into Wednesday attacking Department of Justice special counsel Jack Smith and Judge Tanya Chutkan, the jurist who has now become a target of baseless criticism from conservatives on Capitol Hill — some of whom voted to confirm her to the bench.

Read more:

Trump attacks judge after being accused of trying to taint jury pool

OAN reaches settlement with Dominion Voting Systems executive

03:45 , John Bowden

Right-wing cable network One America News (OAN) has settled a defamation lawsuit brought by a former Dominion Voting Machines executive over false claims the company had rigged the 2020 presidential election, according to court filings.

Eric Coomer, Dominion’s former top security official, sued OAN and star correspondent Chanel Rion for spreading lies that he and the company had engaged in a massive voter fraud effort to flip votes from Mr Trump to Joe Biden.

Bevan Hurley reports on the latest in the case.

Right-wing network OAN reaches settlement with Dominion Voting Systems executive

Fulton County prosecutors predict four-month trial and 150 witnesses

02:45 , John Bowden

Georgia prosecutors are estimating a four-month trial involving more than 150 witnesses will be required in the case of Mr Trump and his 18 co-defendants following the handing down of a racketeering indictment accusing them of engaging in a criminal enterprise to overturn the results of the 2020 election in the swing state.

Prosecutors offered an early glimpse of the courtroom arguments against the former president and is allies during the first-ever televised hearing connected to the case on 6 September.

Judge Scott McAfee also shot down efforts by former lawyers to Mr Trump to have their cases severed from each other.

Alex Woodward reports on yesterday’s action in court in Fulton County.

Trump v Meghan would be bizarre, stupid... and the best show on Earth | Sean O’Grady

Trump was warned FBI might search Mar-a-Lago

01:45 , John Bowden

Donald Trump’s own lawyer warned him against fighting the National Archives and Department of Justice over documents he had retained from the White House, but the ex-president chose instead to resist all attempts by authorities for him to turn them over.

That revelation was made by none other than Mr Trump’s former attorney, Evan Corcoran, in voice memos describing his conversations with his client that have since become evidence in the former president’s upcoming trial over allegedly mishandling classified information. Mr Trump has pleaded not guilty.

John Bowden reports.

Trump’s attorney warned FBI might search Mar-a-Lago for missing secret papers

Ron DeSantis staff remove Black veteran who told governor he has allowed people to ‘hunt’ minorities

Friday 8 September 2023 00:45 , John Bowden

When a Black veteran began peppering Ron DeSantis with questions about recent gun policies in connection with the Jacksonville shooting, the Florida governor defended himself and talked over him before the veteran was eventually removed from the news conference altogether.

The confrontation comes after Mr DeSantis was booed at a memorial for victims of the racist attack.

Read more:

DeSantis staff remove veteran who said he has allowed people to ‘hunt’ minorities

Voices: The Proud Boys sentencing is remarkable. Donald Trump should be paying attention

Thursday 7 September 2023 23:45 , John Bowden

As the Trump accountability era continues, Ahmed Baba asks what the lengthy jail sentences handed out to members of the far-right group over their part in the Capitol riot could mean for the former president whose bogus election fraud claim inspired them to act.

The Proud Boys sentencing is remarkable. Donald Trump should be paying attention

Michael Cohen urges Trump’s Georgia co-defendants to ‘speak now’

Thursday 7 September 2023 22:45 , John Bowden

Mr Trump’s estranged former attorney, Michael Cohen, offered some advice to the 2024 presidential hopeful’s co-defendants in Georgia’s election interference case: “Speak now.”

Mr Cohen appeared on CNN, where he was asked whether he believed that the alleged co-conspirators would eventually break and cooperate with the Fulton County district attorney’s case.

“My hope is that they take a look to see what just happened with Enrique Tarrio, where he got 22 years while the other insurrectionists got 17 years. These are real sentences,” he said, alluding to the former Proud Boys leader who has been jailed for his part in the failed insurrection of 6 January 2021.

Graig Graziosi has more.

Michael Cohen urges Trump’s Georgia co-defendants to ‘speak now’ against ex-president

Timeline: All of Trump’s upcoming court dates

Thursday 7 September 2023 21:45 , John Bowden

Donald Trump’s 2024 calendar is quickly booking up with court dates corresponding to his plentiful criminal indictments and civil lawsuits.

The ex-president and his legal team are preparing for a busy year ahead as they attempt to juggle the many trial dates while Mr Trump continues his campaign for 2024 president.

So far, Mr Trump has been criminally indicted four times – two of which are on the federal level and two are on the state level. This is on top of two civil lawsuits the ex-president is involved in New York City.

Though Mr Trump’s legal team has continuously pushed judges to delay trial dates until after the 2024 election, nearly all of the dates for his criminal indictments have been set for next spring.

Here are the trial dates for Mr Trump thus far:

When is Donald Trump going on trial?

Ex Trump aide Peter Navarro found guilty of contempt of Congress for defying January 6 committee

Thursday 7 September 2023 21:20 , John Bowden

A former Donald Trump adviser who refused to testify to House lawmakers investigating the events surrounding January 6 has been found guilty of contempt of Congress.

Peter Navarro was charged with two counts of criminal contempt of Congress for what federal prosecutors argued was his abject defiance of the House select committee’s attempts to obtain evidence as part of its investigation into Mr Trump’s attempts to subvert the 2020 presidential election.

Alex Woodward has the story:

Peter Navarro found guilty of contempt of Congress for defying Jan 6 committee

Trump files motion hinting he will seek remanding of his Georgia case to federal court

Thursday 7 September 2023 21:00 , John Bowden

Donald Trump has filed a motion notifying the judge in his Georgia RICO case that he may seek to have his trial remanded to federal court, part of his effort to argue that his deeds were done in the guise of his formal duties as president.

It’s an expected move for the former president — and the success of that eventual bid may signal whether the case against him will go forward.

Fani Willis accuses Jim Jordan of trying to obstruct her case against Trump in Georgia

Thursday 7 September 2023 20:30 , John Bowden

Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis has replied to Ohio Republican Rep Jim Jordan’s letter regarding her probe into former president Donald Trump and 18 others, accusing him of attempting to “interfere” with her office’s prosecution.

The congressman wrote a letter to Ms Willis on 24 August, telling her that her 14 August indictment of 19 defendants, a group that includes Mr Trump, implicates “substantial federal interests, and the circumstances surrounding your actions raise serious concerns about whether they are politically motivated.”

Read her response here:

Fani Willis accuses Jim Jordan of trying to obstruct case against Trump in Georgia

Ann Coulter claims Trump tried to win her over after he turns attacks against her again

Thursday 7 September 2023 19:45 , John Bowden

Right-wing pundit Ann Coulter said today that Donald Trump invited her to his Bedminster resort and golf club this week in an effort to win her back to his side before he opened up a wave of attacks against her on his Truth Social platform.

“Trump begged me to come to Bedminster this week, I said only if I could record a substack with him, but the GIGANTIC PUSSY is too afraid of me, so instead he did this,” she declared, while responding to his Truth Social tirade.

CNN poll shows Biden tied with Trump and DeSantis – and losing to Nikki Haley

Thursday 7 September 2023 19:15 , John Bowden

A new poll from CNN shows President Joe Biden neck and neck with former president Donald Trump and tied with Florida governor Ron DeSantis.

The poll showed that 39 per cent of respondents approve of Mr Biden while 61 per cent disapprove of the incumbent president’s job performance. Only 26 per cent of respondents said that Mr Biden has the stamina and sharpness to be president effectively.

More results from this poll can be found in The Independent:

CNN poll shows Biden tied with Trump and DeSantis – and losing to Nikki Haley

Mitch McConnell vows to finish Senate term despite mounting scrutiny of ‘freezing’ spells

Thursday 7 September 2023 18:45 , John Bowden

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell has announced that he would finish his Senate term, which ends in 2026, despite calls for him to step down over his recent bout of “freezing” spells.

“I’m going to finish my term as leader, and I’m going to finish my Senate term,” Sen McConnell said on Wednesday.

His leadership post ends at the end of 2024. He is the longest serving party leader in US history. Mr McConnell, 81, recently suffered two episodes in which he appeared to freeze up at public speaking events.

Dive further into this evolving story in The Independent:

McConnell vows to finish Senate term despite mounting scrutiny of ‘freezing’ spells

John Fetterman dares Republicans to follow through with Biden impeachment threats: ‘Trump has a mugshot’

Thursday 7 September 2023 18:14 , John Bowden

Pennsylvania Senator John Fetterman has a challenge for Republicans: impeach Joe Biden, and see what happens.

The freshman Democrat was speaking to a group of reporters in his office on Wednesday when he threw down the gauntlet for his political rivals, who still fume openly about his defeat of TV’s Dr Mehmet Oz last fall.

“Go ahead. Do it, I dare you,” the senator urged Republicans.

Read on...

John Fetterman dares Republicans to follow through with Biden impeachment threats

Trump hits back after Jack Smith accuses him of tainting jury pool

Thursday 7 September 2023 18:01 , John Bowden

Donald Trump is showing no signs of holding back his continued allegations of bias and unfairness against the judge overseeing his January 6 case in Washington, DC, even after being accused of trying to taint the jury pool by prosecutors.

On Truth Social, the ex-president continued to release statements throughout Tuesday and into Wednesday attacking Department of Justice special counsel Jack Smith and Judge Tanya Chutkan, the jurist who has now become a target of baseless criticism from conservatives on Capitol Hill — some of whom voted to confirm her to the bench.

Read more:

Trump attacks judge after being accused of trying to taint jury pool

Voices: Trump v Meghan debating the Queen? Pointless, stupid... and the greatest show on Earth

Thursday 7 September 2023 17:15 , Oliver O'Connell

Sean O’Grady writes:

It’s not, sadly, going to happen, but you have to admit it is an enticing prospect. There are no two figures on the global stage in style, substance and symbolic power than the 45th president and the former Suits star, and the clash of ideas that would erupt on the stage would be a spectacle to enthral the world.

Read on...

Trump v Meghan would be bizarre, stupid... and the best show on Earth | Sean O’Grady

Fulton County prosecutors predict four-month trial and 150 witnesses

Thursday 7 September 2023 17:15 , John Bowden

Georgia prosecutors are estimating a four-month trial involving more than 150 witnesses will be required in the case of Mr Trump and his 18 co-defendants following the handing down of a racketeering indictment accusing them of engaging in a criminal enterprise to overturn the results of the 2020 election in the swing state.

Prosecutors offered an early glimpse of the courtroom arguments against the former president and is allies during the first-ever televised hearing connected to the case on 6 September.

Judge Scott McAfee also shot down efforts by former lawyers to Mr Trump to have their cases severed from each other.

Alex Woodward reports on yesterday’s action in court in Fulton County.

Georgia prosecutors predict four-month trial and 150 witnesses for Trump’s RICO case

Fulton County DA asks judge to restrict media, Trump and others from revealing jurors’ identities

Thursday 7 September 2023 16:35 , John Bowden

Fulton County district attorney Fani Willis filed a motion in the case against former President Donald Trump in Georgia last night urging a judge to restrict Mr Trump and members of the media from making public the identities of jurors in the case.

It comes as Ms Willis says that a website hosted by a Russian company has already doxxed her — not to mention family members and people wholly unconnected to the trial.

“The personal information was intertwined with derogatory and racist remarks,” her motion noted.

There are 30 ‘unindicted co-conspirators’ in Georgia’s massive criminal case against Trump — but who are they?

Thursday 7 September 2023 16:15 , Joe Sommerlad

What do we know about the 30 individuals who were not named in the Fulton County indictment against Mr Trump but may still have had a part to play?

Alex Woodward has the answer.

Who are the 30 ‘unindicted co-conspirators’ in Georgia’s criminal case against Trump?

Trump was warned FBI might search Mar-a-Lago

Thursday 7 September 2023 16:00 , Oliver O'Connell

Donald Trump’s own lawyer warned him against fighting the National Archives and Department of Justice over documents he had retained from the White House, but the ex-president chose instead to resist all attempts by authorities for him to turn them over.

That revelation was made by none other than Mr Trump’s former attorney, Evan Corcoran, in voice memos describing his conversations with his client that have since become evidence in the former president’s upcoming trial over allegedly mishandling classified information. Mr Trump has pleaded not guilty.

John Bowden reports.

Trump’s attorney warned FBI might search Mar-a-Lago for missing secret papers

Fani Willis in profile: The Georgia prosecutor who could take down Trump

Thursday 7 September 2023 15:45 , Joe Sommerlad

Her first day as the chief prosecutor for Fulton County came with news that then-president Donald Trump had attempted to pressure Georgia’s top election officials to reverse his loss in the state during the 2020 election.

A phone call between Mr Trump and Georgia’s secretary of state Brad Raffensperger was published by The Washington Post late at night on 3 January 2021.

Hours later, Fani Willis would walk into her first day on the job as Fulton County’s district attorney, an office that is now spearheading a criminal investigation into Mr Trump, with the phone call serving as a central damning piece of evidence against him.

Alex Woodward offers this profile of her life and career.

Who is Fani Willis, the Georgia prosecutor who could take down Trump

Michael Cohen urges Trump’s Georgia co-defendants to ‘speak now’

Thursday 7 September 2023 15:30 , Oliver O'Connell

Donald Trump‘s former attorney, Michael Cohen, offered some advice to the 2024 presidential hopeful’s co-defendants in Fulton County‘s election interference case: “Speak now.”

Mr Cohen appeared on CNN, where he was asked whether he believed that Mr Trump’s co-conspirators would eventually break and cooperate with the Fulton County district attorney’s case.

Graig Graziosi has the story.

Michael Cohen urges Trump’s Georgia co-defendants to ‘speak now’ against ex-president

OAN reaches settlement with Dominion Voting Systems executive

Thursday 7 September 2023 15:15 , Joe Sommerlad

Right-wing cable network One America News (OAN) has settled a defamation lawsuit brought by a former Dominion Voting Machines executive over false claims the company had rigged the 2020 presidential election, according to court filings.

Eric Coomer, Dominion’s former top security official, sued OAN and star correspondent Chanel Rion for spreading lies that he and the company had engaged in a massive voter fraud effort to flip votes from Mr Trump to Joe Biden.

Bevan Hurley reports on the latest in the case.

Right-wing network OAN reaches settlement with Dominion Voting Systems executive

Pence ‘making up stories about me’ moans Trump

Thursday 7 September 2023 15:00 , Oliver O'Connell

Former President Donald Trump took to Truth Social to grumble about Mike Pence, claiming his former vice president went to the “Dark Side” and is “making up stories” about him.

“For 7 years Mike Pence only spoke well of me. Now he’s decided to go to the ‘Dark Side.’ Why didn’t he do this years before,” Mr Trump wrote.

“Was just watching Mike Pence make up stories about me, which are absolutely false,” the former president continued.

Kelly Rissman has the story.

Trump moans about Pence ‘making up stories about me’

Trump federal election interference grand jury back at DC courthouse

Thursday 7 September 2023 14:47 , Oliver O'Connell

Whistle-blowing protester derails Peter Navarro’s attempts to ask for cash outside court

Thursday 7 September 2023 14:45 , Joe Sommerlad

Peter Navarro, director of the Office of Trade and Manufacturing Policy during the Trump administration, found himself vexed by a pair of protesters accusing him of treason on Tuesday as he spoke outside of a Washington, DC, federal courthouse — and asked for money.

John Bowden has the latest.

Whistle-blowing protester derails Peter Navarro’s attempts to ask for cash

Navarro declines to defend himself in contempt trial

Thursday 7 September 2023 14:35 , Oliver O'Connell

Former Trump adviser Peter Navarro declined to testify in his own defence on Wednesday during his contempt of Congress trial for refusing to cooperate with the January 6 House select committee.

The jury is expected to begin deliberations today.

Bevan Hurley is following the case.

Peter Navarro declines to defend himself in contempt trial

CNN poll shows Trump inching ahead of Biden and Haley beating president by six points

Thursday 7 September 2023 14:24 , Oliver O'Connell

The latest CNN/SSRS 2024 general election polling might make some sobering reading for Democrats, with presumptive Republican nominee Donald Trump one point ahead of President Joe Biden and a tie predicted with runner-up Ron DeSantis.

Mr Biden is also bested by Mike Pence, Tim Scott, and Chris Christie by two percentage points, but most notably, former UN Ambassador and South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley scores a six-point lead over the incumbent Democrat.

The only potential Republican nominee whom Mr Biden beats is entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy.

Polling was conducted from 25-31 August with a sample of 1,503 respondents including an oversample of Republicans and Republican-leaning independents (898 of the total).

Trump hits back after Jack Smith accuses him of tainting jury pool

Thursday 7 September 2023 14:15 , Joe Sommerlad

Donald Trump is showing no signs of holding back his continued allegations of bias and unfairness against the judge overseeing his January 6 case in Washington, DC, even after being accused of trying to taint the jury pool by prosecutors.

On Truth Social, the ex-president continued to release statements throughout Tuesday and into Wednesday attacking Department of Justice special counsel Jack Smith and Judge Tanya Chutkan, the jurist who has now become a target of baseless criticism from conservatives on Capitol Hill — some of whom voted to confirm her to the bench.

John Bowden reports.

Trump attacks judge after being accused of trying to taint jury pool

Voices: The Proud Boys sentencing is remarkable. Donald Trump should be paying attention

Thursday 7 September 2023 13:45 , Joe Sommerlad

As the Trump accountability era continues, Ahmed Baba asks what the lengthy jail sentences handed out to members of the far-right group over their part in the Capitol riot could mean for the former president whose bogus election fraud claim inspired them to act.

The Proud Boys sentencing is remarkable. Donald Trump should be paying attention

Where all Trump’s criminal charges and lawsuits stand now

Thursday 7 September 2023 13:15 , Joe Sommerlad

Donald Trump has never been more vulnerable.

Without the privileges and prestige of the presidency to protect him, Mr Trump is facing serious lawsuits and criminal indictments across New York, Florida, Georgia and Washington.

Federal officials, local prosecutors, and individuals are going after him for everything from his private conduct to his political maneuvering during the 2020 election. If even just one of these efforts are successful, the US could see its first-ever former president in prison.

Here, The Independent explains each major case:

Tracking Trump’s criminal charges and lawsuits - and where they stand

Michael Cohen urges Trump’s Georgia co-defendants to ‘speak now’

Thursday 7 September 2023 12:45 , Joe Sommerlad

Mr Trump’s estranged former attorney, Michael Cohen, offered some advice to the 2024 presidential hopeful’s co-defendants in Georgia’s election interference case: “Speak now.”

Mr Cohen appeared on CNN, where he was asked whether he believed that the alleged co-conspirators would eventually break and cooperate with the Fulton County district attorney’s case.

“My hope is that they take a look to see what just happened with Enrique Tarrio, where he got 22 years while the other insurrectionists got 17 years. These are real sentences,” he said, alluding to the former Proud Boys leader who has been jailed for his part in the failed insurrection of 6 January 2021.

Graig Graziosi has more.

Michael Cohen urges Trump’s Georgia co-defendants to ‘speak now’ against ex-president

Trump recognised for Justin Jefferson pick

Thursday 7 September 2023 12:15 , Joe Sommerlad

In a rare break from the never-ending swirl of slander and scandal that is Magaworld, Mr Trump is being congratulated by American football fans on social media after a clip of him identifying the potential of college star Justin Jefferson way back in 2019 was recirculated.

After Jefferson’s Louisiana State University side the Tigers won the National Championship that year, the president invited them to a reception at the White House at which he proclaimed: “Justin Jefferson had 14 receptions for 227 receiving yards and four touchdowns, a college football playoff record… He’s gonna be so rich. We’re looking at money!”

Now a star at the Minnesota Vikings, the Republican does indeed appear to have called that one correctly, with the side set to make Jefferson one of the highest paid players in their ranks, according to reports.

Trump trashes ‘Sloppy Chris’ Christie and ‘unbearably crazy’ Ann Coulter

Thursday 7 September 2023 11:45 , Joe Sommerlad

In addition to bashing Mike Pence online, Mr Trump also told Hugh Hewitt that former New Jersey governor Chris Christie, the GOP candidate most overtly critical of him so far, is “a slob” who “couldn’t run for dog catcher”.

Back on Truth Social, he lashed out at Ann Coulter (brrr, remember her?), calling her “unbearably crazy”, “angry and hostile” and “washed up”.

Trump challenges Meghan Markle to a debate - but not Republican rivals

Thursday 7 September 2023 11:15 , Joe Sommerlad

Also during his appearance on The Hugh Hewitt Show, the Republican challenged Meghan Markle, of all people, to a debate – an offer he still appears not to be extending to his rivals for the Republican nomination.

Mr Trump is still apparently not over the view that Ms Markle was disrespectful to the late Queen Elizabeth II, who died a year ago, an opinion he has aired repeatedly in the past.

Meredith Clark has the history of that beef.

Trump says he wants to debate Meghan Markle for being ‘disrespectful’ to the Queen

Trump accuses Mike Pence of joining ‘the Dark Side’ and ‘making up stories’

Thursday 7 September 2023 10:15 , Joe Sommerlad

Donald Trump has lashed out at his former vice president and 2024 rival Mike Pence, claiming he has gone to the “Dark Side” like Darth Vader and is now “making up stories” about him.

Writing angrily on Truth Social, Mr Trump frothed: “Was just watching Mike Pence make up stories about me, which are absolutely false. I never said for him to put me before the Constitution—I don’t talk that way, and wouldn’t even think to suggest it. Mike failed badly on calling out Voter Fraud in the 2020 Presidential Election, and based on the fact that he is at approximately 2% in the Polls, with no money or support, he obviously did the wrong thing. His advisors have led him down a very bad path!”

In a follow up post, he added: “For 7 years Mike Pence only spoke well of me. Now he’s decided to go to the “Dark Side.” Why didn’t he do this years before, just like why didn’t DOJ and Deranged Jack Smith bring these Fake Indictments three years ago. Why did they wait until the middle of my Campaign where I am beating DeSanctimonious and all others badly, and beating Biden in almost every Poll?”

Kelly Rissman has the details.

Trump moans about Pence ‘making up stories about me’

Will Trump go to prison?

Thursday 7 September 2023 09:45 , Oliver O'Connell

America wants to know...

Will Donald Trump go to prison?

Timeline: All of Trump’s upcoming court dates

Thursday 7 September 2023 08:45 , Oliver O'Connell

Donald Trump’s 2024 calendar is quickly booking up with court dates corresponding to his plentiful criminal indictments and civil lawsuits.

The ex-president and his legal team are preparing for a busy year ahead as they attempt to juggle the many trial dates while Mr Trump continues his campaign for 2024 president.

So far, Mr Trump has been criminally indicted four times – two of which are on the federal level and two are on the state level. This is on top of two civil lawsuits the ex-president is involved in New York City.

Though Mr Trump’s legal team has continuously pushed judges to delay trial dates until after the 2024 election, nearly all of the dates for his criminal indictments have been set for next spring.

Here are the trial dates for Mr Trump thus far.

When is Donald Trump going on trial?

Jack Smith accuses Trump of ‘daily’ statements that could prejudice jury pool

Thursday 7 September 2023 07:45 , Oliver O'Connell

Donald Trump has been accused by special counsel Jack Smith of making “daily extrajudicial statements that threaten to prejudice the jury pool” in the former president’s 20202 election trial.

Mr Smith’s claims against the Republican 2024 frontrunner about his possible impact on the Washington DC jury pool came in a new filing in the federal criminal case.

It is part of a court fight between the special counsel’s office and Mr Trump’s legal team over a filing that the Justice Department wants to make under seal.

Graeme Massie has the story.

Special counsel accuses Trump of ‘daily’ statements that could prejudice jury pool

New York AG: Trump should be fined thousands for repeatedly using ‘frivolous’ legal arguments

Thursday 7 September 2023 06:45 , Oliver O'Connell

New York Attorney General Letitia James has called for Donald Trump to be sanctioned for using “frivolous” legal arguments to defend himself.

She called for defendants in the fraud case against the Trump Organization to be fined a collective $10,000, and to impose a $10,000 fine on the defence attorneys working the case, according to CNBC.

Graig Graziosi has the details.

Letitia James wants Trump fined $20,000 for ‘frivolous’ legal defences

Legal experts divided on whether 14th amendment can bar Trump from 2024 race

Thursday 7 September 2023 04:45 , Oliver O'Connell

As Donald Trump looks increasingly likely to be the 2024 Republican nominee for president, it continues to look more and more plausible that there could be a serious effort to keep him off the ballot entirely.

John Bowden investigates.

Can Trump be banned from 2024 race? Legal experts explain 14th amendment arguments

Can Trump pardon himself?

Thursday 7 September 2023 03:45 , Oliver O'Connell

It’s not as straightforward as he might hope...

Can Donald Trump pardon himself?

Harris says Trump can't be spared accountability for Jan 6

Thursday 7 September 2023 02:45 , AP

Vice President Kamala Harris said Wednesday that those responsible for the effort to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election and the ensuing violence at the U.S Capitol must be held accountable — even if that means Donald Trump.

“Let the evidence, the facts, take it where it may,” Harris said in an interview with The Associated Press in Jakarta, Indonesia, where she was attending a regional summit.

Federal prosecutors have indicted Trump, the frontrunner for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination, for his efforts to cling to power in 2020, The former president also has been charged in Georgia in a scheme to subvert the will of voters who elected Democrat Joe Biden instead of giving Trump a second term.

The AP Interview: Harris says Trump can't be spared accountability for Jan. 6

Explained: Trump, January 6 and a conspiracy to overturn the 2020 election

Thursday 7 September 2023 01:45 , Oliver O'Connell

Alex Woodward explains how the sprawling Justice Department probe into the former president and his allies yielded four criminal charges in a stunning indictment that outlined a path to power at whatever cost...

The federal investigation into Trump and January 6, explained

Pence rails against Trump's 'siren song of populism'

Thursday 7 September 2023 01:00 , AP

Former Vice President Mike Pence cast the 2024 election as a fight for the future of conservatism and called on fellow Republicans to reject the “siren song of populism” championed by former President Donald Trump and his followers.

Pence rails against Trump's 'siren song of populism' as he tries to energize his 2024 campaign

What is an arraignment and how did Trump just avoid his fourth one?

Thursday 7 September 2023 00:15 , Oliver O'Connell

Donald Trump has waived his arraignment in his election interference case in Georgia – a move that means he avoided what would have been his first televised court hearing.

It’s unlikely he would have added anything substantive to the proceedings.

What is an arraignment? Trump has just avoided his fourth in Georgia

With strong rural support, a Trump back has a narrow lead in Utah’s congressional primary

Wednesday 6 September 2023 23:30 , AP

With strong backing from Utah‘s rural voters, Donald Trump supporter Celeste Maloy held a slim lead in a Republican special congressional primary — but the race was still too early to call Wednesday.

A Trump backer has a narrow lead in Utah's congressional primary, buoyed by strong rural support

With four indictments, can Trump still run for president?

Wednesday 6 September 2023 23:00 , Oliver O'Connell

Oddly, the framers of the Consitution didn’t foresee this eventuality...

Can Donald Trump still run for president after four indictments?

DeSantis put ‘politics ahead of his job’ by not seeing Biden during hurricane visit, says Christie

Wednesday 6 September 2023 22:30 , AP

Republican presidential hopeful Chris Christie says Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis had put “politics ahead of his job” by declining to meet with President Joe Biden during the Democrat’s weekend visit to survey Hurricane Idalia’s damage in DeSantis’ state.

“Your job as governor is to be the tour guide for the president, is to make sure the president sees your people, sees the damage, sees the suffering, what’s going on and what needs to be done to rebuild it,” Christie said about his rival for the 2024 nomination in a Fox News interview Tuesday.

“You’re doing your job. And unfortunately, he put politics ahead of his job,” Christie said. “That was his choice.”

Christie says DeSantis put 'politics ahead of his job' by not seeing Biden during hurricane visit

Fulton County DA asks judge for order restricting depictions of jurors

Wednesday 6 September 2023 22:23 , Oliver O'Connell

Fulton District Attorney Fani Willis has asked Judge Scott McAfee to issue an order restricting the press, defendants and others from photographing, videotaping or drawing jurors during the future 2020 election interference trials.

Huckabee warns ‘bullets’ will decide races if probes block Trump 2024 victory

Wednesday 6 September 2023 22:10 , Oliver O'Connell

Former Arkansas Gov Mike Huckabee ominously predicted that if Donald Trump is prevented from winning or running in the 2024 election, it will be the last election “decided by ballots rather than bullets.”

Kelly Rissman has the story.

Mike Huckabee warns ‘bullets’ will decide races if probes block Trump 2024 victory

2024 candidates revealed their favourite songs – allegedly

Wednesday 6 September 2023 21:50 , Oliver O'Connell

Warning: “Mr Brightside” by The Killers appears four times in the lists in the below article:

2024 candidates revealed their favourite songs – allegedly

Whistle-blowing protester derails Navarro’s attempts to ask for cash outside court

Wednesday 6 September 2023 21:39 , Oliver O'Connell

Peter Navarro found himself vexed by a pair of protesters accusing him of treason on Tuesday as he spoke outside of a Washington DC federal courthouse — and asked for money.

John Bowden has the latest after today’s brisk court proceedings.

Whistle-blowing protester derails Peter Navarro’s attempts to ask for cash

Watch: Mar-a-Lago IT worker has struck a cooperation agreement with special counsel Jack Smith’s office

Wednesday 6 September 2023 21:30 , Oliver O'Connell

Here’s our reporting from earlier today:

Mar-a-Lago IT head strikes deal to testify in Trump secrets docs trial

Prosecutors say they plan to indict Hunter Biden by end of September

Wednesday 6 September 2023 21:13 , Andrew Feinberg

Federal prosecutors working for Delaware US Attorney David Weiss say they plan to ask a grand jury to approve more criminal charges against President Joe Biden’s son, Hunter Biden, before the end of this month.

According to a filing submitted in connection with charges brought against Mr Biden as part of plea agreement which collapsed at a July hearing before a Trump-appointed federal judge, prosecutors say they “intend” to “seek the return of an indictment in this case” before 29 September, when the Speedy Trial Act would require prosecutors to formally bring charges from a grand jury after Mr Biden was served a summons requiring him to appear for the failed plea hearing.

Read more on this developing story...

Prosecutors say they plan to indict Hunter Biden by month’s end

Voices: Senate Republicans really don’t want to talk about a Biden impeachment

Wednesday 6 September 2023 21:10 , Oliver O'Connell

Eric Garcia writes:

Alabama Republican Sen Tommy Tuberville is not a popular figure on Capitol Hill these days. For the past few months, he’s placed a hold on US military promotions in response to the Pentagon paying for patients to travel to states where abortion is more accessible if they are based in a state where abortion is restricted. It’s infuriated Democrats and frustrated Republicans.

He’s also one of the biggest defenders of former president Donald Trump on Capitol Hill. But the former Auburn University football coach worries that House Republicans might fumble if they pursue an impeachment of President Joe Biden.

Read more...

Senate Republicans really don’t want to talk about a Biden impeachment

Watch: Trump departs Manhattan home earlier

Wednesday 6 September 2023 20:58 , Oliver O'Connell

‘I didn’t like the way she dealt with the Queen’: Trump says he wants to debate Meghan Markle

Wednesday 6 September 2023 20:50 , Oliver O’Connell

Donald Trump has revealed he wants to go head-to-head with Meghan Markle for how she allegedly treated the late Queen Elizabeth II during her time in the British royal family.

Meredith Clark reports on what was bizarrely on the former president’s mind today amid his swirling legal woes.

Trump says he wants to debate Meghan Markle for being ‘disrespectful’ to the Queen

Prosecution rests in Navarro contempt of Congress trial

Wednesday 6 September 2023 20:47 , Oliver O'Connell

The prosecution rests in the contempt of Congress trial of former Trump trade advisor Peter Navarro.

Mr Navarro is on trial for ignoring a subpoena from the House select committee investigating the events of January 6.

His defence team will not be calling any witnesses and it took less than a day to present the government’s case against the Trump loyalist.

Closing statements will happen tomorrow morning and then the case will be turned over to the jury for deliberation.

Voices: The Proud Boys sentencing is remarkable. Donald Trump should be paying attention

Wednesday 6 September 2023 20:30 , Oliver O'Connell

Ahmed Baba asks what this all means for Donald Trump...

The Proud Boys sentencing is remarkable. Donald Trump should be paying attention

Wednesday 6 September 2023 20:27 , Oliver O'Connell

...and he saved some metaphorical ammo for Anne Coulter.

Ann Coulter, the washed up political “pundit” who predicted my win in 2016, then went unbearably crazy with her demands and wanting to be a part of everything, to the consternation of all, has gone hostile and angry with every bit of her very “nervous” energy. Like many others, I just didn’t want her around - She wasn’t worth the trouble!

Trump attacks Pence for making up stories about him

Wednesday 6 September 2023 20:24 , Oliver O'Connell

Donald Trump is back on Truth Social this afternoon, this time to attack his former vice president and running mate Mike Pence in a pair of posts in which he accuses his current rival for the 2024 nomination of making up stories about him.

Here’s what he posted:

Was just watching Mike Pence make up stories about me, which are absolutely false. I never said for him to put me before the Constitution—I don’t talk that way, and wouldn’t even think to suggest it. Mike failed badly on calling out Voter Fraud in the 2020 Presidential Election, and based on the fact that he is at approximately 2% in the Polls, with no money or support, he obviously did the wrong thing. His advisors have led him down a very bad path!

For 7 years Mike Pence only spoke well of me. Now he’s decided to go to the “Dark Side.” Why didn’t he do this years before, just like why didn’t DOJ and Deranged Jack Smith bring these Fake Indictments three years ago. Why did they wait until the middle of my Campaign where I am beating DeSanctimonious and all others badly, and beating Biden in almost every Poll?

Mr Trump continued:

They spied on my Campaign, Impeached me twice, had the Russia, Russia Hoax, the Fake Dossier Hoax, FISA Fraud, Election Fraud, the “No Collusion” Mueller Hoax, and so much more. I was innocent on all counts. If I am elected, they will be brought to JUSTICE, something that Republicans have always been afraid to do.

The former president then called on Republicans in Congress to “get tough”:

Right now Republicans in Congress and the Senate have to get tough, and put everything together in one big, neat package, because I will be President in one and a half years, and we will pick the strongest, toughest, and most respected Attorney General, and if guilty, we will put them all in jail where they belong, just as they are trying to do to me based on NOTHING.

Watch: Mike Huckabee warns 2024 could be ‘last American election that will be decided by ballots rather than bullets'

Wednesday 6 September 2023 20:20 , Oliver O'Connell

Trump was warned FBI might search Mar-a-Lago if he didn’t comply with subpoena

Wednesday 6 September 2023 20:10 , Oliver O'Connell

Trump lawyer Evan Corcoran warned the former president that if he didn’t comply with a federal grand jury subpoena regarding the classified documents he removed to Mar-a-Lago after his presidency, the FBI might come and search the property, ABC News reports.

Mr Corcoran’s audio notes from the time reveal that just moments after he advised Mr Trump of what may happen, another lawyer approached him poolside at the Palm Beach club and said that if he pushed the former president to comply with the subpoena “he’s just going to go ballistic”.

OAN reaches settlement with Dominion Voting Systems executive

Wednesday 6 September 2023 20:05 , Oliver O'Connell

Right-wing cable network One America News (OAN) has settled a defamation lawsuit brought by a former Dominion Voting Machines executive over false claims the company had rigged the 2020 presidential election, according to court filings.

Eric Coomer, Dominion’s former top security official, sued OAN and star correspondent Chanel Rion for spreading lies that he and the company had engaged in a massive voter fraud effort to flip votes from Donald Trump to Joe Biden.

A new court filing stated the parties “have fully and finally settled the disputes”, but provided no further details.

Right-wing network OAN reaches settlement with Dominion Voting Systems executive

Full story: DC ethics watchdog files first major suit to block Trump from appearing on 2024 ballot

Wednesday 6 September 2023 19:45 , Oliver O'Connell

A nonprofit well known as an ethics watchdog in Washington DC has filed what could be the first of many direct efforts to block Donald Trump from serving as president or appearing on the 2024 ballot.

The suit, filed on Wednesday by Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW), seeks to block Colorado’s elections agency from putting Mr Trump’s name on the ballot in that state. Filed on behalf of six voters in Colorado, the case could be the first part of a nightmare scenario for Republicans in 2024.

“If the very fabric of our democracy is to hold, we must ensure that the Constitution is enforced and the same people who attacked our democratic system not be put in charge of it,” CREW president Noah Bookbinder said in a press release.

DC ethics watchdog files first major suit to block Trump from appearing on ballot

Breaking: Motions to sever by Chesebro and Powell denied

Wednesday 6 September 2023 19:23 , Oliver O'Connell

Fulton County Superior Court judge Scott McAfee denies the motions to sever by Trump co-defendants Kenneth Chesebro and Sidney Powell in the Georgia 2020 election interference case.

“We’re on an expedited timeline with statutory speedy trial demands. We plan to make that October 23 trial date stick,” says Judge McAfee. Whether other defendants can sever will have to wait he says, adding that he is “very skeptical” of the state wanting all 19 co-defendants to go on trial together.

Georgia prosecutors predict four-month trial and 150 witnesses

Wednesday 6 September 2023 19:18 , Alex Woodward

Georgia prosecutors estimate a four-month trial with more than 150 witnesses for the 19 defendants in a sweeping racketeering indictment targeting an alleged criminal enterprise to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election in the state.

Prosecutors offered an early glimpse of the courtroom arguments against Donald Trump and 18 of his co-defendants during the first-ever televised hearing connected to the case on 6 September.

Georgia prosecutors predict four-month trial and 150 witnesses for Trump’s RICO case

Wednesday 6 September 2023 19:15 , Oliver O'Connell

Judge McAfee raises questions about the logistics of trying 19 people and all the pre-trial motions and other legal issues that may arise, including possible removal to federal court.

Mr Wooten says the state may need to brief on that issue.

Mr Chesebro’s attorney responds by saying: “There can’t be a trial of 19 people, your honour.”

He says what this is really about is that two of the defendants invoked their right to speedy trial, and the only question today is whether they should be tried together. He says that the state wants to make this case about Donald Trump.

Wednesday 6 September 2023 18:53 , Oliver O'Connell

Fulton County Prosecutor Will Wooten is arguing to the court why the reasons that Mr Chesebro and Ms Powell say the need their cases severed are not reasons that have been recognised as such for severance under existing case law.

In RICO conspiracy cases evidence against one participant is evidence against all co-conspirators. They are all liable for the acts of the other co-conspirators.

State says trial will take 4 months

Wednesday 6 September 2023 18:40 , Oliver O'Connell

Prosecutors in the Fulton County case say the trial in the 2020 election interference case would take four months — not including jury selection — and would involve 150 witnesses.

Special prosecutor Nathan Wade was the first to speak for the state and said that they still want to try everyone together and not have to repeat the same trial multiple times.

Wednesday 6 September 2023 18:35 , Oliver O'Connell

Sidney Powell’s attorney Brian Rafferty is now up to argue why his client’s case should be severed from the other defendants.

He argues that the law requires Powell to be "severed out" from the other defendants who did not request speedy trial. The state, he says, can't force everyone to go to trial just because they want them all together.

The question is just whether Mr Chesebro and Ms Powell are tried together, he says.

Mr Rafferty argues that the whole case against his client comes down to the details of the events in Coffee County and not about the constitutional questions surrounding January 6 and the election.

She would be prejudiced by things she had “nothing to do with”, he says.

Key witness strikes deal to testify in Trump trial over secret documents hoard, prosecutor says

Wednesday 6 September 2023 18:30 , Oliver O'Connell

Donald Trump’s head of IT at Mar-a-Lago has struck a deal to testify in the former president’s trial over the secret documents hoard, a prosecutor says.

He entered into a deal with prosecutors to provide testimony, his former attorney said in a Wednesday court filing.

Read more...

Mar-a-Lago IT head strikes deal to testify in Trump secrets docs trial

Wednesday 6 September 2023 18:28 , Oliver O'Connell

Judge McAfee asks that if Sidney Powell and Kenneth Chesebro never interacted and have no overlap with respect to these counts, where is the spillover that would impact Chesebro?

Defence counsel, Manubir Arora responds that the very fact that Mr Chesebro would be sitting next to Ms Powell will carry a lot of weight with the jury.

Ms Powell’s “charges are way more provocative” rather than the “boring charges” alleged against Mr Chesebro that deals with “paperwork,” Chesebro’s counsel claims.

Watch: Chesebro attorney argues Powell was fired by Trump people for saying something ‘supposedly crazy'

Wednesday 6 September 2023 18:24 , Oliver O'Connell

Chesebro attorney argues Georgia racketeering case so wide-ranging better to sever case

Wednesday 6 September 2023 18:19 , Oliver O'Connell

The first televised Georgia hearing gets underway.

“The plan would be to try to resolve as many of these issues as we can this week and to begin scheduling orders for the remaining defendants by either the end of this week or early next week,” Judge Scott McAfee says at the opening.

Former Trump lawyer Ken Chesebro's attorney argues in court that the Fulton County racketeering conspiracy is so wide-ranging that his client could be sitting through months of testimony that has nothing to do with him.

He says it would be better to sever the cases noting specifically that Mr Chesebro had nothing to do with the voting systems breach in Coffee County, Georgia.

Sidney Powell’s attorney will make a similar argument, though she is connected with the Coffee County case.

Watch: Fulton County court holds hearing over Trump’s 2020 Georgie election subversion case

Wednesday 6 September 2023 18:11 , Oliver O'Connell

There are 30 ‘unindicted co-conspirators’ in Georgia’s massive criminal case against Trump — but who are they?

Wednesday 6 September 2023 17:52 , Oliver O'Connell

Alex Woodward explains what we know about the 30 individuals who were not named in the indictment at the heart of the massive case alleging a vast criminal enterprise to subvert election results.

Who are the 30 ‘unindicted co-conspirators’ in Georgia’s criminal case against Trump?

Profile: Fani Willis, the Georgia prosecutor who could take down Trump

Wednesday 6 September 2023 17:45 , Alex Woodward

Her first day as the chief prosecutor for Fulton County came with news that then-President Donald Trump attempted to pressure Georgia’s top election officials to reverse his loss in the state during the 2020 presidential election.

A phone call between Mr Trump and Georgia’s Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger was published by The Washington Post late at night on 3 January, 2021.

Hours later, Fani Willis would walk into her first day on the job as Fulton County’s district attorney, an office that is now spearheading a criminal investigation into Mr Trump, with the phone call serving as a central damning piece of evidence against him.

Who is Fani Willis, the Georgia prosecutor who could take down Trump

Trump claims he will testify at his own trials and has no interest in plea deal with prosecutors

Wednesday 6 September 2023 17:39 , Oliver O'Connell

Donald Trump told radio host Hugh Hewitt in an hour-long interview on Wednesday morning that he will take the stand and testify in his own trials.

The former president also says he has no interest in a plea deal with prosecutors.

Mr Trump dismissed the idea of picking a vice presidential running mate who could hit the trail while he is in court: “No, I don’t think so. I think I’ll go through the process.”

Timeline: All Trump’s court dates and trials

Wednesday 6 September 2023 17:35 , Oliver O'Connell

Donald Trump’s 2024 calendar is quickly booking up with court dates corresponding to his plentiful criminal indictments and civil lawsuits.

The ex-president and his legal team are preparing for a busy year ahead as they attempt to juggle the many trial dates while Mr Trump continues his campaign for 2024 president.

So far, Mr Trump has been criminally indicted four times – two of which are on the federal level and two are on the state level. This is on top of two civil lawsuits the ex-president is involved in New York City.

Though Mr Trump’s legal team has continuously pushed judges to delay trial dates until after the 2024 election, nearly all of the dates for his criminal indictments have been set for next spring.

Here are the trial dates for Mr Trump thus far.

When is Donald Trump going on trial?

Trump’s criminal charges and lawsuits — where do they all stand now?

Wednesday 6 September 2023 17:20 , Oliver O'Connell

Donald Trump has never been more vulnerable.

Without the privileges and prestige of the presidency to protect him, Mr Trump is facing serious lawsuits and criminal indictments across New York, Florida, Georgia and Washington.

Federal officials, local prosecutors, and individuals are going after him for everything from his private conduct to his political maneuvering during the 2020 election. If even just one of these efforts are successful, the US could see its first-ever former president in prison.

Here, The Independent explains each major case:

Tracking Trump’s criminal charges and lawsuits - and where they stand

Palin laments ‘disheartening’ Jan 6 sentences for Proud Boys

Wednesday 6 September 2023 17:10 , Kelly Rissman

Following the Proud Boys’ sentencings for their roles during the January 6 Capitol riot, former Alaska Gov Sarah Palin weighed in, calling the sentences “disheartening” during an interview.

Newsmax host Eric Bolling began the segment by discussing the “extensive sentences” for “essentially trespassing” in the Capitol building. The host said “these charges are beyond extreme,” adding that it’s “truly a scary time in America.”

Bringing on his guest, Ms Palin, he asked: “Governor, blown away by these sentences. Fifteen, 17, and 18 years for nonviolent crimes. What do you say to all these lefties?”

“It’s so disheartening, the examples that you’ve given, Eric,” the former Alaska governor said. “It makes the populace lose a lot of faith in our government and that’s an understatement.”

Sarah Palin laments ‘disheartening’ Jan 6 sentences for Proud Boys

Listen: Trump says he will testify and again claims Presidential Records Act gives him carte blanche over Mar-a-Lago boxes

Wednesday 6 September 2023 17:05 , Oliver O'Connell

Trump launches fresh Truth Social attack on Jack Smith after being accused of tainting jury pool

Wednesday 6 September 2023 17:00 , John Bowden

Donald Trump is showing no signs of holding back his continued allegations of bias and unfairness against the judge overseeing his January 6 case in Washington DC, even after being accused of trying to taint the jury pool by prosecutors.

On Truth Social, the ex-president continued to release statements throughout Tuesday and into Wednesday attacking Department of Justice special counsel Jack Smith and Judge Tanya Chutkan, the jurist who has now become a target of baseless criticism from conservatives on Capitol Hill — some of whom voted to confirm her to the bench.

Mr Trump “truthed” on Tuesday that Mr Smith was “deranged” and accused the special prosecutor of harboring “unchecked and insane aggression” against him; he also reposted a story from the right-wing New York Post regarding Ms Chutkan, whom the outlet has tried to paint as a secret Marxist.

Trump attacks judge after being accused of trying to taint jury pool

Timeline of Ken Paxton’s impeachment: How did it come to this?

Wednesday 6 September 2023 16:50 , AP

Here’s a timeline of events that have led to three-term Texas Republican Attorney General Ken Paxton facing an impeachment trial in the state Senate. The overwhelming May impeachment vote by the GOP-controlled Texas House of Representatives suspended the 60-year-old Paxton from office.

Timeline of events leading to the impeachment of Republican Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton

Texas AG Ken Paxton faces 20 articles of impeachment, what are they?

Wednesday 6 September 2023 16:30 , Oliver O'Connell

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has said he expects to be acquitted and that the charges are based on “hearsay and gossip, parroting long-disproven claims.”

Here's a look at the 20 articles of impeachment:

A look at the 20 articles of impeachment against Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton

Lawsuit filed to have Trump removed from ballot in Colorado under 14th Amendment

Wednesday 6 September 2023 16:18 , Oliver O'Connell

A lawsuit has been filed in Colorado by six Republican and unaffiliated voters to remove former president Donald Trump from the ballot, having disqualified himself from public office by violating Section 3 of the 14th Amendment.

The voters, including former state, federal and local officials, are represented by Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW) and the firms Tierney Lawrence Stiles LLC, KBN Law, LLC and Olson Grimsley Kawanabe Hinchcliff & Murray LLC.

Section 3 of the 14th Amendment, also known as the Disqualification Clause, bars any person from holding federal or state office who took an “oath…to support the Constitution of the United States” and then has “engaged in insurrection or rebellion against the same, or given aid or comfort to the enemies thereof.”

On 20 January 2017, Mr Trump stood before the nation and took an oath to “preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States.” After losing the 2020 presidential election, he violated that oath by recruiting, inciting and encouraging a violent mob that attacked the Capitol on 6 January 2021 in a futile attempt to remain in office, the group says.

“If the very fabric of our democracy is to hold, we must ensure that the Constitution is enforced and the same people who attacked our democratic system not be put in charge of it,” CREW President Noah Bookbinder said. “We aren’t bringing this case to make a point, we’re bringing it because it is necessary to defend our republic both today and in the future. While it is unprecedented to bring this type of case against a former president, January 6th was an unprecedented attack that is exactly the kind of event the framers of the 14th Amendment wanted to build protections in case of. You don’t break the glass unless there’s an emergency.”

The former president has angrily refuted that he can be disqualified by the 14th Amendment:

Trump refutes claim that 14th amendment disqualifies him from being president again

Special counsel warns of Trump’s ‘daily’ risk of tainting jury pool

Wednesday 6 September 2023 16:10 , AP

Justice Department special counsel Jack Smith warned Tuesday that former President Donald Trump‘s “daily” statements risk tainting a jury pool in Washington in the criminal case charging him with scheming to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election.

Trump’s provocative comments about both Smith’s team and US District Judge Tanya Chutkan — who is presiding over the case — have been a central issue since the indictment was filed last month.

Read more...

Trump's comments risk tainting a jury in federal election subversion case, special counsel says

First prominent Republican enters Michigan Senate race

Wednesday 6 September 2023 15:50 , AP

Republican Mike Rogers, who served in Congress for 14 years and chaired the House Intelligence Committee, is running for an open US Senate seat in Michigan that Democrats have held for over two decades.

Former Rep. Mike Rogers enters Michigan Senate race as the first prominent Republican

Full story: Trump liable for defaming E Jean Carroll for a second time

Wednesday 6 September 2023 15:38 , Oliver O'Connell

Trump liable for defaming E Jean Carroll for a second time

Trump angrily refutes claim that 14th amendment disqualifies him from presidency

Wednesday 6 September 2023 15:30 , Oliver O'Connell

However, lots of people are saying it does...

Trump refutes claim that 14th amendment disqualifies him from being president again

Breaking: Judge grants partial summary judgement in E Jean Carroll case against Trump

Wednesday 6 September 2023 15:24 , Oliver O'Connell

Judge Lewis Kaplan has granted a “partial summary judgment” in favour of E Jean Carroll in her second lawsuit against former president Donald Trump.

The trial, which is scheduled for January, will be limited to determining damages.

Watch: Christie disses DeSantis, says not afraid of having picture taken with Biden

Wednesday 6 September 2023 15:20 , Oliver O'Connell

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