U.S. strengthens defense ties with Japan, Philippines

The United States is strengthening its defense ties with Japan and the Philippines. The national security advisers of the three nations held their first joint talks this week and agreed to strengthen their defense cooperation. White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan said Washington is reinforcing its alliances to adapt to growing tensions over North Korea, China and Ukraine. Sullivan said he and his counterparts talked about how to enhance peace and stability in a “turbulent regional security environment.” The officials also discussed opportunities for joint naval exercises in Indo-Pacific waters.

Biden to view collapsed portion of I-95 in Philadelphia

President Biden will get an aerial tour of the collapsed portion of I-95 in Philadelphia. The president will view the damage from the highway collapse and the early stages of the repair and reconstruction efforts. The White House says he will receive a briefing from officials. Last weekend’s collapse has snarled traffic in Philadelphia, forcing detours, and disrupting busy summer travel along the major north-south interstate highway on the East Coast.

U.S. imposes visa restrictions after Uganda’s law bans homosexuality

No breakthrough expected during Blinken’s trip to China

No breakthrough is expected during Secretary of State Blinken’s weekend visit to China. Tensions between the U.S. and China have festered in recent years, but recently the two sides have held talks on trade and other issues. Secretary Blinken is scheduled to arrive in Beijing on Sunday for a two-day visit. He will be the first secretary of state to visit China since 2018 and is expected to meet with the foreign minister and China’s president. However, the White House National Security Council is downplaying expectations, saying Blinken is not likely to make a significant breakthrough.

Biden in danger of not winning Iowa caucuses, NH primary

President Biden is in danger of not winning the Iowa caucuses and the New Hampshire primary. Back in December, the president announced that South Carolina would be the first voting state in the Democrats’ 2024 primary season, leaping ahead of Iowa and New Hampshire. But officials in those two traditional first-to-vote states are threatening to ignore those plans and go first. And as Axios points out, that sets up a scenario in which Robert F. Kennedy Jr. or another Democrat could win Iowa and New Hampshire and embarrass the president.

Biden cheers West Coast dockworkers contract

President Biden is cheering the tentative agreement for thousands of West Coast dockworkers.
Since last July, some 22-thousand dockworkers from Washington state through California have been without a contract. But a tentative new six-year deal has been reached. President Biden sent along his congratulations. He said the contract is going to have a “positive impact on trade.”

Another Republican joins the 2024 White House race

Another Republican has joined the 2024 race for the White House. Miami Mayor Francis Suarez filed paperwork to launch his bid for the GOP Republican presidential nomination. He joins fellow Floridians Donald Trump and Ron DeSantis in the crowded primary field. The 45-year-old Suarez is the
only Hispanic candidate in the race and is vying to become the first sitting mayor elected president. He has said he didn’t vote for Trump in either 2016 or 2020, instead writing in the names of Senator Marco Rubio and then-Vice President Pence.

AG Garland defends DOJ against “weaponized” allegations

Attorney General Merrick Garland is defending the Justice Department’s handling of the Trump classified documents case. Since last week’s indictment of former President Trump, some Republicans have alleged that Trump’s prosecution amounts to the Biden administration using the Justice Department as a weapon against political opponents. In his first public comment since the former president pleaded not guilty, Attorney General Merrick Garland defended the independent special counsel Jack Smith, praised the integrity of the prosecutors, and rejected allegations that his agency was weaponized.

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.”