Despite dropping out, Biden “confident” he could’ve beaten Trump

President Biden is “at peace” with his decision to end his re-election campaign. Appearing on ABC’s “The View,” the president was asked about Democrats urging him to step aside as the Democratic candidate. He said he never sensed “an overwhelming reluctance” over his campaign. Even though he ended his campaign, Mr. Biden insisted that he could have won in November, saying he was “confident” that he could beat Donald Trump.

Biden says “all-out war” in Middle East is possible

Nebraska will not change electoral votes process before election

Nebraska will not be changing its electoral votes process before the November election. Unlike most states, Nebraska splits their electoral votes, awarding two each to the winner of the statewide vote and one to the winner in each congressional district. Donald Trump and his GOP allies have been urging state lawmakers to change the law to a winner-takes-all system. But Republicans have come up short of the necessary votes and Nebraska’s governor has decided not to not call lawmakers back into session before Election Day.

In October, Biden to make first trip to Africa as president

President Biden will travel to Germany and Angola next month. The White House announced that Mr. Biden’s first stop will be Germany, where he will express appreciation to Germany for supporting Ukraine’s defense against Russia, among other issues. He then will travel to Angola for his first visit to Africa as president. He had hoped to visit Angola late last year but the trip was postponed after the outbreak of the Israel-Hamas war in October.

Biden addresses world crises in final U.N. appearance

President Biden delivered his final speech at the United Nations General Assembly. Addressing the U-N for the last time, the president touched on the world’s major crises, including Ukraine’s fight for freedom against Russia. And he renewed his call for peace in the Middle East. On the subject of his decision not to seek re-election, Mr. Biden told world leaders that “some things are more important than staying in power.”

Biden to give final speech at U.N. General Assembly

President Biden makes his last appearance at the United Nations General Assembly this week. The annual speech to world leaders at the U-N gives American presidents a global stage to promote and tout their foreign policy. And Joe Biden is expected to do that with an eye toward his legacy. But the president’s speech and the U-N General Assembly come at a time of continued war in eastern Europe and escalating tensions in the Middle East. Two key goals of the Biden White House remain unresolved — Ukraine defeating Russia and reaching a cease-fire in the Israel-Hamas war.

Trump to attend long-running charity dinner, but Harris will skip

Donald Trump will attend a long-running charity dinner next month, but Kamala Harris will skip the event.  Since 1960, it’s been a tradition for presidential candidates to attend and speak at the Al Smith charity dinner in New York. Trump has accepted the invitation for the event, which takes place two-and-a-half weeks before the election. Harris, however, will skip the event in favor of campaigning in a battleground state. The dinner benefiting Catholic Charities traditionally has been used to promote collegiality, with presidential candidates from both parties appearing on the same night and trading barbs.

DOJ: Accused gunman wrote note about plan to kill Trump

The man accused in Donald Trump’s second assassination attempt allegedly had plans to kill the former president. According to new details released by the Justice Department, Ryan Routh left behind a note saying that he intended to kill the former president and maintained in his car a handwritten list of dates and venues where Trump was to appear. Prosecutors say the note, addressed “Dear World,” was placed in a box that was dropped at the home of an unidentified person who contacted law enforcement officials after last Sunday’s arrest in Florida.

New Oval Office replica attraction opens in Wash D.C.

Trump will not run again in 2028 if he loses this year

Donald Trump is not planning another presidential run if he loses in November. Trump said he will not make a fourth consecutive run for the White House if he comes up short in this year’s election. He told Sharyl Attkisson’s “Full Measure” program that he doesn’t foresee another campaign and that this year’s run “will be it.” The 78-year-old Trump would be 82 years old in 2028, a year older than President Biden is now.

Harris pushes for another debate, but Trump says no

Vice President Harris is pushing for another debate, but former President Trump says no. On Sunday, Harris urged Trump to accept a proposal to debate on CNN on October 23rd. She said that they “owe it to the American people…to meet once more before Election Day.” But Trump is declining, citing the start of early voting in some states. He told a rally on Saturday that “it’s just too late” to hold a debate 12 days before Election Day, which is November 5th.

Poll: Americans worried about acceptance of election results

A majority of Americans are worried over whether officials will accept the outcome of November’s elections. A Scripps News/Ipsos survey finds that 71 percent of Americans are either very or somewhat concerned about officials not accepting the results of the election. About half are concerned about widespread voter fraud. Nearly four years after losing to Joe Biden, former President Trump continues to claim he won. And like he did in 2020, Trump refuses to commit to accepting the results of the November presidential election. unless he wins.

Teamsters’ non-endorsement a blow to Harris campaign

A powerful labor union’s decision not to endorse a presidential candidate is a blow to Vice President Harris. The International Brotherhood of Teamsters announced recently that neither Donald Trump nor Kamala Harris has sufficient support from the 1-point-3 million-member union. The Teamsters have typically thrown their support behind Democratic nominees, but there’s division in the ranks during this 2024 campaign. Even though the vice president has courted organized labor, the Teamsters said internal polling of its members showed Trump with an advantage over Harris.

Biden urges Congress to avoid government shutdown

President Biden is urging Congress to avoid a government shutdown at the end of the month. With the clock ticking toward the fiscal year deadline at the end of September, the president weighed in on the need for a stopgap spending bill, saying it’s critical. Lawmakers are far from finishing work on the dozen annual appropriations bills that will fund federal agencies during the next fiscal year. So they’ll need to approve a temporary measure to prevent a partial shutdown on October first.

Biden is hosting foreign leaders in his Delaware hometown

Biden on pursuit of Mideast peace: “We have to keep at it”

President Biden is refusing to give up on the idea of peace in the Middle East. The president was asked if it’s realistic to pursue a ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas with the recent violence and ongoing military action. He said “a lot of things don’t look realistic until we get them done. We have to keep at it.” Speaking at the start of a Cabinet meeting, Mr. Biden said his administration is working to make sure the people in northern Israel and southern Lebanon are able to safely return to their homes.

Trump says Jewish voters will be to blame if he loses

Donald Trump is putting pressure on Jewish Americans ahead of the November election. In a speech at a donor event sponsored by the Israeli-American Council, the former president promised to be “the best friend Jewish Americans have ever had in the White House.” He said he would be their “defender” and “protector.” Trump went on to say that Jewish voters who support Vice President Harris and Democrats “should have their heads examined,” and he warned that, if he loses, the Jewish people would have “a lot to do with that.”

Biden to host Quad leaders in hometown of Wilmington

Biden says interest rate cut sends “important signal” on inflation

President Biden welcomes the lowering of interest rates by the Federal Reserve. In a speech to the Economic Club of Washington, DC, the president said Wednesday’s half-point cut by the Fed sends an “important signal.” But he acknowledged there’s “more to do” to keep lowering prices. Inflation, which rose to a four-decade high during the Biden administration, has come down to an annual rate of 2 and-a-half percent.

Teamsters union will not endorse a 2024 presidential candidate

The Teamsters union is declining to endorse Donald Trump or Kamala Harris for president. For the first time since 1996, the Teamsters labor union will not formally support a presidential candidate. The group said neither former President Trump nor Vice President Harris had sufficient support from its 1-point-3 million members. The non-endorsement is a setback for Harris, who just met with the Teamsters on Monday. According to the union, internal polling of Teamsters members showed Trump with an advantage over Harris.

Biden calls falling inflation, rates an “important moment”

President Biden says the Federal Reserve’s rate cut shows that the economy is strong. Without addressing the specifics of the Fed’s half-point interest rate reduction, the president said the country has “reached an important moment.” He pointed to falling inflation and interest rates, saying economic indicators remain strong. The Biden White House generally refrains from commenting on the independent actions of the Federal Reserve, but a spokesperson called the rate cut a “moment of progress.”

Blinken: ongoing attacks could “derail” cease-fire talks

The Biden administration is frustrated that recent attacks could “derail” Israel-Hamas cease-fire talks.
Secretary of State Blinken said the U-S is still assessing how a deadly series of pager explosions linked to Israel in Lebanon may impact cease-fire efforts. Speaking in Cairo, Egypt, he also pointed to Hamas’ killing earlier this month of six hostages held in Gaza. Blinken said such events make the cease-fire process “more difficult” and “might derail it.” The secretary is on his 10th trip to the Middle East since the war in Gaza began last October.

Trump, Harris aides join White House transition meeting

Representatives from the Trump and Harris transition teams met at the White House this week. For the first time, aides to Donald Trump and Kamala Harris participated in a meeting of the White House Transitioning Coordinating Committee. It was hosted by President Biden’s chief of staff. The Presidential Transition Act mandates that the candidate representatives join the committee as advisers to help make plans to smooth the handoff to the next administration. Preparations cover a range of issues, including office space, political appointee vacancies, and memos on agency operations

Harris and Trump speak by phone after gunman’s threat

Vice President Harris spoke with Donald Trump following the weekend threat on the former president’s life. The 2024 presidential nominees talked on the phone Tuesday afternoon. According to the White House, the vice president called “to speak with [Trump] directly” to express her gratitude that “he is safe.” It was described as a “cordial and brief conversation.” The call came one day after President Biden spoke with Trump. He, too, conveyed his relief that Trump was unharmed after a gunman was found near him on the golf course Sunday.