Secretary of State Blinken to visit China this weekend

After arraignment, Trump accused Biden of political persecution

Former President Trump remains defiant after pleading not guilty to federal criminal charges in connection with his handling of top secret documents. After becoming the first former president to be arrested and arraigned on federal charges, Trump flew from Florida to New Jersey, where he denounced the legal action as politically motivated. No limits were placed on Trump’s travel, which allows him to continue campaigning. However, the judge instructed the former president not to discuss the facts of the case with his co-defendant or any witnesses.

Trump pleads not guilty to federal criminal charges

Former President Trump has pleaded not guilty to federal criminal charges relating to his retention of classified documents. Trump appeared in a Miami courtroom, where his attorney said, “we most certainly enter a plea of not guilty.” The former president is facing charges on 37 criminal counts, including obstructing the government’s efforts to retrieve top secret documents. As he rode in a mototracade to the courthouse, Trump denounced the prosecution in a series of social media posts.

White House press secretary violated act on political activity

The White House press secretary violated a law that limits political activity by federal employees. The Office of Special Counsel announced this week that Karine Jean-Pierre violated the Hatch Act when she referred to “mega MAGA Republicans.” The watchdog says she made the disparaging remarks ahead of last year’s midterm elections. Despite the violation, the spokeswoman will not face any discipline and will only receive a warning letter. She said White House lawyers would review the ruling.

Trump to make history-making federal court appearance

Former President Trump will take part in a history-making federal court appearance. Trump is set to be arraigned on three dozen felony charges in a federal courthouse in Miami this afternoon. His surrender to authorities follows last week’s indictment accusing him of illegally possessing classified documents and trying to block Justice Department efforts to get them back. Trump and his supporters claim he’s a target of political persecution.

Biden undergoes root canal for dental pain

President Biden underwent a root canal. The White House physician said the president reported dental pain yesterday and had an initial root canal procedure and tolerated it well with no complications. But the president had “further discomfort” in his mouth this morning and Dr. Kevin O’Connor said specialists from Walter Reed National Military Medical Center were contacted to complete the procedure today.

Biden to keep quiet on Trump’s federal criminal charges

President Biden plans to keep quiet on the indictment of Donald Trump. When the president was asked about the Trump criminal charges last week, he said, “I have no comment.” And that’s likely going to be his answer — and the answer from his press office — going forward. Mr. Biden has emphasized the independence of the Justice Department, even as critics accuse him of “weaponizing” the agency. The president also plans to tread carefully given that Trump is his chief rival in the 2024 White House race.

Poll: GOP primary voters sticking with Trump after indictment

Likely GOP primary voters are sticking with Donald Trump after his indictment on federal criminal charges. New polling from CBS News shows 3 out of 4 Republican voters view Trump’s indictment on handling of classified documents as politically motivated rather than a genuine national security risk. Sixty-one percent of GOP primary voters say the charges won’t change their view of Trump, who is the party’s front-runner for the 2024 presidential nomination. And a whopping 80 percent say he should be able to be president even if convicted.

2024 GOP presidential candidates react to Trump indictment

The federal indictment of Donald Trump has forced 2024 Republican presidential candidates to weigh in on the legal development. Many of Trump’s challengers for the GOP nomination jumped to his defense after news of the indictment broke. Ron DeSantis, Tim Scott, and Vivek Ramaswamy accused the Justice Department of political bias. They denounced “the weaponization” of federal law enforcement. Mike Pence also decried the “politicization” of the DOJ, but also said “no one is above the law.” And Asa Hutchinson called the indictment a “sad day for our country,” saying it “reaffirms the need for Donald Trump to respect the office and end his campaign.”

GOP Chair: primary debates should not ignore mainstream media

The chairwoman of the GOP says her party should not ignore the mainstream media when it comes to televised presidential debates. Conservatives worried about liberal media bias want the Republican party to steer clear of large networks, such as CNN or NBC. But GOP chairwoman Ronna McDaniel warns against that approach. McDaniel tells the Salem Radio Network that “the path to the White House runs through independent voters” and Republican candidates need to get in front of those voters.

RNC requires presidential candidates to sign a pledge

The Republican National Committee is requiring presidential debate participants to sign a pledge supporting the party’s eventual nominee. GOP chairwoman Ronna McDaniel explains why there’s a pledge requirement for the presidential candidates. She tells the Salem Radio Network that Republican voters have a single-minded mission.

Trump faces 37 criminal charges in classified documents indictment

An unsealed federal indictment accuses Donald Trump of risking sensitive national secrets. In its 37-count indictment, the Justice Department says the former president mishandled classified documents that included information about the U-S nuclear program, military programs, and potential vulnerabilities of the U-S and its allies. Trump faces felony charges of unauthorized possession of classified material, obstructing justice, and making false statements. The 49-page indictment also claims Trump discussed with lawyers the possibility of lying to government officials about the documents. In response, the former president lashed out on social media, calling the special counsel a “psycho.”

Trump-appointed judge assigned to indictment case

A Trump-appointed federal judge is set to oversee the former president’s criminal case on felony charges. U-S District Judge Aileen Cannon reportedly has been assigned to the Trump case and could preside over the former president’s first appearance in a Miami courtroom on Tuesday. Cannon has issued rulings favorable to Trump and expressed repeated skepticism of Justice Department positions. Last year she was criticized for allowing a special master to conduct an independent review of the classified documents seized from Trump’s Florida property. That ruling was eventually overturned.

Trump names new legal team after 2 lawyers resign

Donald Trump is getting a new legal team to handle his federal indictment. Two lawyers have quit the former president’s defense team as Trump prepares to appear in federal court on Tuesday. In a joint statement, Jim Trusty and John Rowley said they resigned as Trump’s counsel and “will no longer represent him in either the indicted case or the January 6 investigation.” On social media, the former president announced he would now be represented by Todd Blanche, a New York lawyer who is representing him in another criminal case in Manhattan Supreme Court.

Trump on federal indictment: I am an innocent man

Former President Trump is claiming innocence after being indicted on federal charges of mishandling classified documents. The former president said he did nothing wrong in the handling of classified documents at his Florida home. In a video released after announcing his indictment, Trump said the federal indictment is a case of political warfare. He said he’s being summoned to a federal courthouse in Miami on Tuesday.

Trump says he’s been indicted in classified documents investigation

Former President Trump says he’s been indicted on federal charges of mishandling classified documents. The indictment is the result of special counsel Jack Smith’s investigation into whether Trump broke the law by holding onto hundreds of documents marked classified at his Florida home, and whether he took steps to obstruct the government’s efforts to recover the records. Writing on social media, Trump said he’s been summoned to appear at the federal courthouse in Miami on Tuesday. The former president described it as a “dark day for the United States.”

Biden says he’s never interfered with DOJ Trump investigation

President Biden says he’s never interfered with the Justice Department’s investigation of Donald Trump.
With former President Trump accusing the Justice Department of being weaponized against him, President Biden was asked about the “fairness and independence” of the DOJ. Trump’s lawyers have been told he is a target of the classified documents investigation, the clearest indication yet that criminal charges could be coming soon.

Biden says GOP bribery scheme is “bunch of malarkey”

President Biden is denying GOP claims that he was involved in a bribery scheme with a foreign national.
At the end of a joint press conference with the visiting British prime minister, the president responded to a shouted question about Republican allegations that he “sold out his country.” “Where is the money,” Mr. Biden asked before saying he was joking. He called the Republican assertions “a bunch of malarkey.” GOP members of Congress are pointing to an FBI document they claim outlines an “alleged criminal scheme” when Mr. Biden was vice president.

U.S. provides air quality updates, offers Canada wildfire help

President Biden is directing his administration to provide more federal support to respond to Canadian wildfires. Those fires have worsened air quality across the eastern U-S and the president has directed the EPA to provide “critical updates for each relevant zip code.” People in affected areas can find their current air quality by logging on to AirNow-dot-gov. Mr. Biden also spoke with the Canadian prime minister, offering any additional help.

Biden, British PM Sunak strengthen partnership in White House talks

President Biden and British Prime Minister Sunak deepened their partnership in key areas during talks in Washington. Topping the agenda was the Ukraine war and both leaders expressed their ongoing commitment to help Ukraine against Russia’s invasion. The U-S and UK are the two biggest donors to the Ukraine war effort. The president and prime minister also announced an agreement on a new “Atlantic Declaration” to boost economic cooperation between the two countries and address issues including emerging technologies.

Pence goes after Trump in his 2024 campaign kickoff

Former Vice President Mike Pence denounced Donald Trump as he launched his 2024 presidential bid.
During his campaign kickoff in Iowa, Pence criticized President Biden, but also took off the gloves and hammered Trump. He accused his two-time running mate of abandoning conservative principles and being guilty of dereliction of duty on January 6th, 2021. Referring to that day, Pence said “anyone who asks someone else to put them over the Constitution should never be president of the United States again.” The former VP also pledged to “restore a threshold of civility in public life.”

North Dakota Gov. Burgum joins 2024 GOP White House race

The Republican governor of North Dakota is running for president. He may not have national name recognition, but North Dakota Governor Doug Burgum wants to be the next president. He launched his 2024 campaign in Fargo, not far from his childhood home, joining a crowded GOP presidential field. The 66-year-old two-term governor is pro-life and has enacted several conservative policies on culture war issues. In his announcement speech, Burgum said America’s “big cities could use more ideas and more values from small towns right now.”

Pence formally enters crowded 2024 GOP presidential field

No Biden comment on PGA merger with Saudi golf league

The Biden administration is not too eager to address the PGA’s announced merger with a Saudi-backed golf league. At the daily White House briefing, two administration officials flat out refused to comment on news that the PGA is merging with the Saudi-sponsored LIV circuit. And later when asked, President Biden only joked that he’s “planning on playing in the PGA.” The golf merger announcement happened to come on the same day Secretary of State Blinken was meeting with the Saudi crown prince — one year after the president’s much-criticized visit to Saudi Arabia.