Trump, 18 others charged in Georgia election scheme

Donald Trump is one of 19 people facing criminal charges in Georgia over efforts to overturn his 2020 election loss in the state. The former president’s fourth indictment was widely expected. But unlike the others, this set of criminal charges has a long list of co-defendants. They include former White House chief of staff Mark Meadows, Trump attorneys Rudy Giuliani, John Eastman, and Sidney Powell, and former Justice Department official Jeffrey Clark. The defendants can voluntarily surrender by noon a week from Friday.

FEMA pledges help to Maui wildfire victims

Federal officials are pledging to help thousands of people displaced by the Maui wildfires. FEMA administrator Deanne Criswell said her agency has started to provide 700-dollars to displaced residents to cover the immediate cost of food, water, first aid, and medical supplies. In addition, there is a FEMA hotel program. In a White House briefing, Criswell said “nothing can prepare” people for the severity of destruction and loss of life — and that the U-S is mourning with the victims.

Hunter Biden’s attorneys try to revive part of plea deal

The Justice Department has until Tuesday to respond to Hunter Biden’s attorneys about reviving part of a plea deal. Hunter Biden’s legal team is pushing to keep part of a plea deal they reached with the prosecutor. His attorneys argued in court documents that an agreement sparing him prosecution on a felony gun charge still is in place even though the plea deal on misdemeanor tax offenses largely unraveled last month. The prosecutor, Delaware U.S. Attorney David Weiss, has since been named a special counsel in the Biden investigation.

Trump, Desantis among GOP hopefuls at Iowa State Fair

Former President Trump arrived at the Iowa State Fair this weekend with a dozen Florida lawmakers. It was a move aimed squarely at Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, who also courted voters at the fair on Saturday. DeSantis is running a distant second to Trump, who attracted large crowds at the fairgrounds. Mike Pence, Nikki Haley, and Vivek Ramaswamy were among other GOP candidates making the rounds in Des Moines. Iowa’s state fair is a traditional stop for White House hopefuls and it comes a couple of weeks before the first Republican presidential debate. GC, Wash.

Inflation Reduction Act’s name prompts second-guessing

The Inflation Reduction Act’s name is coming under scrutiny, even from President Biden. At a fundraiser in Utah last week, the president said he wished he “hadn’t called it that,” acknowledging that the law would have “less to do with reducing inflation” than other results. When the legislation was proposed, the Congressional Budget Office said its impact on inflation would be “negligible.” And Republicans criticized the name, too. Even former Obama economic adviser Jason Furman said he can’t “think of any mechanism” by which the law would have reduced inflation.

More questions about America’s aging politicians

More and more questions are being asked about some of the country’s aging politicians. 80-year-old President Biden isn’t the only politician in Washington who’s facing scrutiny about his fitness for office. Last week, Senate GOP Leader Mitch McConnell prompted health concerns when he froze at a press conference and was briefly unable to speak. Earlier this year, the 81-year-old McConnell was out of the Senate for almost six weeks after falling and hitting his head. And 90-year-old Democratic Sen. Dianne Feinstein missed more than two months as she recovered from a bout of shingles.

Former GOP Gov. Daniels says no to third-party presidential run

A former GOP governor says “no thanks” to running a third-party presidential ticket. Republican Mitch Daniels worked in the Reagan and George W. Bush administrations before becoming governor of Indiana. He said he’s had informal conversations with backers of the centrist group No Labels. But Daniels told Politico he is not considering a third-party bid on behalf of the organization. No Labels says it is seeking ballot access in many states and will run a bipartisan “unity ticket” for president “if the two parties select unreasonably divisive presidential nominees.”

If elected, DeSantis says RFK Jr. could lead FDA or CDC

Presidential candidate Ron DeSantis says there could be room for Robert F. Kennedy Jr. in his administration. DeSantis said in an interview that if elected, he might pick RFK Jr. to head a federal health agency. The Florida governor said he generally agrees with Kennedy’s views on COVID-19 policies and vaccines. DeSantis quickly came under fire from a fellow Republican presidential hopeful. Former Vice President Mike Pence issued a statement saying he would “only consider pro-life Americans to lead the FDA, CDC, or HHS.” Pence said “pro-abortion Democrats like RFK Jr. would not even make the list.

Fed offers little guidance about future interest rate hikes

The Federal Reserve boosted interest rates this week, but it’s unclear if more hikes are in the future. On Wednesday, the Fed raised its key interest rate for the 11th time in 17 months as part of its ongoing drive to curb inflation. But chairman Jerome Powell provided little guidance about when — or whether — the central bank might hike rates again. Powell said the economy has proved surprisingly resilient despite the Fed’s rapid rate hikes.

Hunter Biden’s legal woes to stay in spotlight after plea deal collapsed

Hunter Biden’s legal woes will remain in the spotlight after his plea deal fell apart this week. In a bizarre and surprising development, the plea arrangement between Justice Department prosecutors and Hunter Biden’s attorneys collapsed. The plea deal was meant to clear the air for the younger Biden, but his case will continue to generate distracting headlines. What’s next? The federal judge asked both parties to file additional legal briefs defending the constitutionality of the plea deal, and the parties have 30 days to file those briefs.

Trump faces new charges in classified docs case

Former President Trump is facing new charges in the classified documents case. The updated indictment includes new counts of obstruction and willful retention of national defense information. According to the superceding indictment, Trump asked a staffer to delete camera footage at his Florida estate in an effort to obstruct the federal investigation. The special counsel also brought new criminal charges against a maintenance worker at the Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida. A Trump spokesperson dismissed the new charges as continued efforts to “harass” Trump and influence the 2024 presidential race.

Biden to welcome Italy’s conservative PM for talks

President Biden welcomes Italy’s prime minister to the White House for talks. When the conservative Giorgia Meloni won Italy’s election last September, the president warned about the rise of hard-right populism, and the White House didn’t hide its disagreement with the new prime minister’s policies. However, Biden officials say that Meloni has proven to be a steady ally in the U.S.-led effort to assist Ukraine against Russia’s invasion — and the war will be a main focus of today’s Oval Office meeting.

Shifting White House language about Hunter Biden’s business dealings

There are renewed questions about President Biden’s knowledge of his son’s overseas business dealings. Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre was asked about a change of language by the White House concerning President Biden and his son’s business dealings. In the past, the president has said that he never discussed overseas business dealings with his son. But now the White House says the president has never been in business with his son. Asked which statement is true, the spokeswoman insisted that “nothing has changed.”

In courtroom twist, Hunter Biden pleads not guilty to tax crimes

Hunter Biden has pleaded not guilty to two tax crimes after a plea deal fell through at the last minute. In a surprise courtroom twist, Hunter Biden’s plea deal unraveled after the federal judge raised concerns. During the hearing, there was a dispute over whether the initial agreement gave Biden protection against any future charges. With the judge delaying action on the original plan, the president’s son pleaded not guilty to two tax crimes. The younger Biden has also been charged with possession of a firearm by a person who is a known drug user, which is a felony.

Hunter Biden’s plea deal falls apart in Delaware courtroom

Hunter Biden’s plea deal on two tax charges fell apart at the last minute in a Delaware courtroom. A federal judge hearing Hunter Biden’s case expressed concern over a related agreement on a more serious gun possession charge. It quickly became clear that prosecutors and defense lawyers had different understandings on the scope of future charges that could be brought against the president’s son. As a result, the original plea deal appears to have unraveled. Heading into the hearing, Republicans had argued that the younger Biden was getting a sweetheart deal.

Federal judge blocks Biden administration asylum policy at southern border

A federal judge has struck down a Biden administration immigration policy, calling it illegal. The policy in question denies asylum to migrants who arrive at the U.S.-Mexico border without first applying online or seeking protection in a country they passed through. The rule was set in place back in May after COVID-era restrictions expired. The Justice Department immediately appealed the order and the judge said the order would not take effect for two weeks.

Bidens’ dog has bitten Secret Service officers 10 times in four months

Newly-released records show that President Biden’s dog has bitten or attacked Secret Service officers at least 10 times. Secret Service documents show that the dog, Commander, bit or attacked officers nearly a dozen times late last year. At least one bite by the German shepherd required a hospital visit. A spokesperson says the Bidens have partnered with the Secret Service for “additional leashing protocols and training.”. Commander is the second Biden family dog to behave aggressively. They sent a German shepherd named Major back to Delaware after it bit Secret Service personnel and White House staff.

White House applauds tentative UPS, Teamsters contract agreement

President Biden is applauding news that UPS and the Teamsters Union have come to terms on a new contract. The White House is breathing a sigh of relief after getting word of the deal, which still has to be ratified by union members. With a possible UPS strike just days away, there was real concern inside the administration about the economic impact of a walkout. In a statement, President Biden said the tentative agreement is a better deal for workers and will also add to the country’s economic momentum.

Biden signs proclamation establishing Emmett Till monument

President Biden has signed a proclamation establishing a national monument honoring Emmett Till. The 1955 abduction, torture, and killing of Till, a Black teenager from Chicago, helped propel the civil rights movement. At a White House signing ceremony, President Biden said American history must not be ignored, no matter how ugly it is. He used the occasion to condemn renewed efforts in several states to ban books and to revise Black history curricula in schools.

White House disappointed with Israel’s judicial overhaul

The Biden White House is disappointed with Israel’s judicial reform efforts. After the Israeli parliament approved the first major law in Prime Minister Netanyahu’s controversial plan to overhaul the country’s judicial system, the White House expressed regret. A spokeswoman said it’s “unfortunate that the vote…took place with the slimmest possible majority.” At the same time, Karine Jean-Pierre emphasized the shared democratic values between the two countries and America’s “ironclad” commitment to Israel’s security.

DOJ sues Texas governor over floating barriers in Rio Grande

White House keeping an eye on UPS, union contract talks

Negotiations between UPS and the Teamsters union resume. Talks between the company and the union that represents more than half of the UPS workforce broke down earlier this month and the union has authorized a strike if their demands aren’t met. Stopping the delivery of goods to homes and businesses could be very disruptive, and the White House is keeping a close eye on the situation, fearing the economic impact of a threatened strike.

Biden issues veto threat for 3 GOP-backed spending bills

President Biden is poised to veto three Republican-sponsored spending bills if they pass Congress. If lawmakers approve GOP-backed defense, health and agriculture spending bills, then the president will be ready with his veto pen. The White House alleges that House Speaker McCarthy is backing away from spending levels agreed to in a debt-limit deal, and that it would not accept the cuts pushed by Republicans. Officials say one of the bills would have “devastating consequences” for reproductive healthcare and the LGBT community — two areas of emphasis for the Biden White House. GC, Wash.

Pence not convinced Trump’s Jan. 6 actions were criminal

Former Vice President Pence isn’t convinced that Donald Trump’s behavior leading up to the January 6th Capitol riot was criminal. Pence told CNN that Trump’s words “were reckless,” but he’s not sure they amounted to criminal activity. The former VP and current Republican presidential candidate also said he “honestly” doesn’t know what Trump’s intention was on January 6th, 2021, when people angry over the 2020 election results stormed the U-S Capitol. Last week, Trump said he had received a letter saying he is a target of a grand jury investigation into efforts to overturn the election.