Trump to skip next debate, meet with auto workers

Former President Trump plans to meet with striking auto workers next week instead of participating in the GOP debate. In his latest round of counterprogramming, Trump will travel to Michigan next Wednesday for a prime time speech to auto workers while his Republican presidential rivals meet on a debate stage in California. The former president is trying to portray himself as sympathetic to the workers and accuses Joe Biden of trying to destroy the car industry. Last month, Trump skipped the first primary debate and countered the event with a pre-taped interview shown on social media.

At UN, Biden criticizes Russia’s “naked aggression” against Ukraine

President Biden is urging the world to remain united in defending Ukraine against Russia. During a 30-minute speech to the U-N General Assembly, the president called on nations to stand up to Russia’s “naked aggression” some 19 months after the invasion of Ukraine. Mr. Biden also made a case for democracy, saying it’s the “best tool” to meet the world’s challenges.

Biden to address U.N. General Assembly in NY

President Biden will address the United Nations General Assembly. The president will be closely watched for his comments on Ukraine, China and Russia. He’s expected to once again rally the world behind Ukraine for the sake of democracy. His speech comes as the White House faces a funding fight with House Republicans. Conservative lawmakers have been pushing for spending cuts and some are specifically looking to stop money for Ukraine.

Biden remains underwater in job approval ratings

Five Americans freed from Iran in prisoner swap

Five Americans have been freed from Iran in exchange for five Iranian prisoners in the U.S. The prisoner swap took place after several months of negotiations between the United States and Iran. In the deal, the U-S also agreed to transfer 6-billion dollars in frozen Iranian money to be used for humanitarian purposes. The White House has defended the controversial agreement in the face of Republican criticism. Some GOP lawmakers accuse the Biden administration of effectively paying a ransom for American citizens.

Hunter Biden files lawsuit against the IRS

Hunter Biden has filed a lawsuit against the Internal Revenue Service. In the suit, the president’s son argues that two IRS agents violated his right to privacy when they publicly aired his tax information. The lawsuit says the agents “targeted and sought to embarrass” him by sharing confidential information in press interviews and testimony before Congress. It’s the latest development in Hunter Biden’s legal and political struggles with the Justice Department. Last week, he was indicted on federal firearms charges.

Biden focusing on foreign policy this week at UN

President Biden has a full foreign policy plate this week at the United Nations. The president and other world leaders are in New York for the annual meeting of the U.N. General Assembly. On Tuesday, Mr. Biden will deliver his address to the world body and meet with leaders from Central Asia. He’s also set to hold meetings with the Israeli prime minister and Brazilian president before returning to the White House for talks with Ukraine’s president on Thursday.

President Biden’s advanced age continues to be a major concern for voters

President Biden’s advanced age continues to be a major concern for voters

VERBATIM:

Responding to a question about the president’s age, the White House press secretary joked recently that 80 is the new 40. But Mr. Biden’s age and fitness for office is no laughing matter for Americans. According to a new Reuters-Ipsos poll, 77 percent of respondents, including 65 percent of Democrats, said Joe Biden is too old to be president. If he’s re-elected, the president would be 82 when he begins a second term. GC, Wash.

One of the Republican presidential candidates wants new rules for stage placement at the upcoming debate

One of the Republican presidential candidates wants new rules for stage placement at the upcoming debate

VERBATIM:

Senator Tim Scott’s campaign told the RNC that since Iowa’s caucus is the leadoff to GOP balloting next year, “polling results from Iowa should be the primary consideration for podium placement” at the debate later this month. In the first debate last month, Scott was second from the right edge of the stage. He’s hoping to be placed in a better position that would make him more a part of the conversation. In response, the RNC said the party welcomes input from candidates. GC, Wash.

Biden’s age continues to be major concern for voters

President Biden’s advanced age continues to be a major concern for voters. Responding to a question about the president’s age, the White House press secretary joked recently that 80 is the new 40. But Mr. Biden’s age and fitness for office is no laughing matter for Americans. According to a new Reuters-Ipsos poll, 77 percent of respondents, including 65 percent of Democrats, said Joe Biden is too old to be president. If he’s re-elected, the president would be 82 when he begins a second term.

Sen. Scott wants new stage placement rules at GOP debate

One of the Republican presidential candidates wants new rules for stage placement at the upcoming debate. Senator Tim Scott’s campaign told the RNC that since Iowa’s caucus is the leadoff to GOP balloting next year, “polling results from Iowa should be the primary consideration for podium placement” at the debate later this month. In the first debate last month, Scott was second from the right edge of the stage. He’s hoping to be placed in a better position that would make him more a part of the conversation. In response, the RNC said the party welcomes candidates’ input.

Feds ask court to rein in Trump’s comments about election case

Federal prosecutors are asking a court to rein in Donald Trump’s public comments in the 2020 election case. Special counsel Jack Smith’s team filed a motion seeking an order that would restrict the former president from, what it called, “inflammatory” and “intimidating” comments about witnesses, lawyers and the judge. Prosecutors said that such a “narrow, well-defined” order was necessary to preserve the integrity of the case and to avoid prejudicing potential jurors. A Trump spokesperson said prosecutors are attempting to deprive Trump of his First Amendment rights.

At DC summit, DeSantis touts anti-woke, religious credentials

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis is touting his anti-woke and religious freedom credentials. Addressing the “Pray Vote Stand Summit,” DeSantis defended his fight against left-wing wokeism. He said he’s committed to stopping transgender ideology in schools. The governor also made a case for religious liberty and the role of faith-based organizations to help respond to social ills.

Biden wants automakers to share “record profits” with workers

President Biden is treading carefully as he responds to the auto workers strike. The president said “no one wants to strike,” but he expressed sympathy for the union at a time when automakers are earning lots of money. Mr. Biden was careful not to criticize the automakers, who play a key role in the economy of several Midwest states. Some Republicans blamed the president for pushing climate mandates, paving the way for the strike

Pence promotes traditional values at DC summit

Former Vice President Pence is promoting a traditional, faith-based approach to the nation’s social problems. In his bid for the White House next year, Pence told a conservative Christian audience at the “Pray Vote Stand Summit” that he will be “a champion for the unborn in the Oval Office.” He also promised to reject the transgender ideology and promote policies that encourage marriage and adoption.

Hunter Biden indicted on three federal firearms charges

A Delaware grand jury has indicted Hunter Biden on federal firearms charges. The federal indictment says Hunter Biden lied about his drug use when he bought a firearm in 2018 while struggling with addiction to crack cocaine. A felony gun charge against the president’s son had previously been part of a plea deal that also included guilty pleas to misdemeanor tax charges, but the agreement collapsed in July. Republicans had denounced that plea agreement as a “sweetheart deal” and have continued investigating the younger Biden. GC, Wash.

Poll: Americans divided over Biden’s actions in son’s businesses

Americans are sharply divided over whether President Biden acted wrongly in his son’s business affairs.
A new AP-NORC poll shows about half of Americans have little or no confidence that the Justice Department is handling its investigation into Hunter Biden in a fair and nonpartisan way. And 1 in 3 are highly concerned about whether President Biden may have committed wrongdoing related to his son’s business dealings. However, the political divide in the findings is stark. Two-thirds of Republicans are very or extremely concerned, while just 7 percent of Democrats are concerned.

White House monitoring UAW talks ahead of strike deadline

Biden to give economic address day after inflation report

White House calls impeachment effort “baseless”

The White House is insisting that the House GOP impeachment effort is “baseless.” Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre is referring all specific impeachment-related questions to the White House counsel. But she denounced the process as a “political stunt.” She said there’s no evidence of wrong-doing “because the president didn’t do anything wrong.” House Speaker Kevin McCarthy approved the formal impeachment inquiry this week, citing “allegations of abuse of power, obstruction and corruption.”

Wash Post columnist: Biden should not seek re-election

One of President Biden’s favorite columnists is urging him not to seek re-election. The headline on The Washington Post column doesn’t mince any words: “President Biden should not run again in 2024.” The opinion piece was written by David Ignatius, who likes and supports the president and his legislative accomplishments. But he writes that it’s time for Mr. Biden and Vice President Harris to step aside — saying it would be “a wise choice for the country.” Ignatius says the president’s age is a serious drawback and “has been the subject of dinner-table conversations across America this summer.”

Biden made a false claim about Ground Zero visit on 9/11

The White House acknowledges that President Biden made a false claim about 9/11 this week. In remarks commemorating the 22nd anniversary of the terror attacks, the president said in Alaska on Monday that he remembered standing at Ground Zero the day after 9/11. John Kirby at the White House says Mr. Biden’s tour took place later than that. Other officials confirm that Mr. Biden first visited the World Trade Center 9 days after the attacks.

White House denies paying ransom for American detainees in Iran

The Biden administration is defending its decision to pursue a prisoner swap with Iran. The deal clears the way for the release of five American citizens detained in Iran in exchange for five Iranians held in the U-S. Plus, 6-billion dollars in frozen Iranian money will be made available for Iran to use for humanitarian goods. The National Security Council’s John Kirby denies that it amounts to a ransom. But GOP Senators Cotton and Cruz have criticized the arrangement and accused the administration of “paying ransom to the world’s worst state sponsor of terrorism.”

McCarthy “flipflopped” on impeachment process, says White House