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

White House on impeachment inquiry: “no evidence of wrongdoing”

The White House is pushing back against the House GOP’s impeachment inquiry into President Biden.
Announcing the formal impeachment inquiry, House Speaker Kevin McCarthy cited “allegations of abuse of power, obstruction and corruption.” But the White House fired back, calling it “extreme politics at its worst.” Spokesman Ian Sams said, “House Republicans have been investigating the president for nine months, and they’ve turned up no evidence of wrongdoing.” The White House also pointed to GOP members of Congress who have publicly stated there’s no evidence.

Biden to award Medal of Honor to Vietnam-era Army pilot

President Biden will award the Medal of Honor to a Vietnam War-era Army pilot. In 1968, then-Army Lt. Larry Taylor risked his life to rescue a reconnaissance team that was about to be overrun by the enemy. He flew his Cobra attack helicopter in the dark of night to rescue the four men. Taylor landed under heavy enemy fire near the Saigon River before whisking the men to safety. Taylor has received scores of combat decorations, including the Silver Star. But today he’ll receive the military’s highest decoration for going above and beyond the call of duty.

Federal student loan interest starts accumulating after 3-year pause

The three-year pause in repaying federal student loans is coming to an end soon. Since March 2020, borrowers have not had to make monthly loan payments because of the COVID-19 pandemic. But interest on federal student loans has started accumulating again and payments will be due starting in October. The Education Department encourages borrowers to log in to their account and verify the amount of their payments. More than 40 million Americans owe money on their federal student loans.

Jill Biden positive for COVID, President Biden tests negative

First lady Jill Biden has tested positive for COVID-19, but President Biden’s results are negative so far. The first lady’s office announced the positive test result Monday evening and said she has only mild symptoms. The president was tested for the virus, but his results were negative. A press spokesperson says the president would continue testing regularly and would be monitored for symptoms. He is at the White House, while Jill Biden remains at their home in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware, for the time being.

Trump waived right to appear at this week’s Georgia arraignment

Former President Trump won’t be showing up for an arraignment hearing in Atlanta this week. A judge had set arraignment hearings for Wednesday for Trump and the 18 others accused of illegally trying to overturn the results of the 2020 election in Georgia. But in a written court filing last week, Trump pleaded not guilty and said he’ll skip the hearing. The former president embraced the jailhouse mug shot that was taken when he surrendered to authorities last month, but he opted against traveling back to Atlanta for an in-court appearance.

Biden’s supplemental funding request could face some GOP resistance

President Biden’s supplemental funding request could face some resistance from House Republicans. The president is asking Congress to approve about 44-billion dollars in total supplemental funding. That includes 24-billion for Ukraine and other international needs and 16-billion for FEMA’s disaster relief fund. Many GOP lawmakers want to limit federal spending and some are opposed to ongoing support for Ukraine. The White House says the disaster funding is especially needed, citing disasters in Hawaii, Louisiana, and Florida.

Trump widens GOP lead in new Wall Street Journal poll

Donald Trump continues to hold a commanding lead in the race for the Republican presidential nomination. A new Wall Street Journal poll shows nearly 60 percent of Republican voters back the former president. That’s an 11-point increase since the newspaper’s April survey. Trump’s closest challenger is Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, who picked up 13 percent. The survey found that Trump’s lead over DeSantis has nearly doubled to 46 percentage points. All other GOP candidates are in the single digits.

Former Gov. Hogan: “too many people” in the GOP presidential field

A former GOP governor says there are “too many people” in the Republican presidential field. Former Maryland Governor Larry Hogan believes the GOP field is too crowded and that some candidates should consider getting out of the race. Especially if they fail to qualify for debates. He told CBS’s “Face the Nation” he doesn’t want to see a repeat of 2016 when Donald Trump was victorious in a crowded contest. Hogan also said he’s “not closing the door” to being on top of a No Labels ticket putting forth an independent candidate.

Biden cancels student loans for those cheated by university

The Biden administration is canceling student loans for 23-hundred borrowers who say they were cheated by a former for-profit college. Seventy-two million dollars in student loans are being canceled by the Education Department. The move helps borrowers who say they were cheated by Ashford University, a former for-profit college that was purchased by the University of Arizona in 2020. The Biden administration wants to recoup the money from the new parent company, which denies any liability. In 2022, a California court found that Ashford frequently lied to students to get them to enroll.

Biden is boosting request for natural disaster funding

The Biden administration is boosting its spending request for natural disasters. Last month, President Biden asked Congress for 12-billion dollars in extra funding for FEMA’s disaster relief fund. Now, the White House says it will seek an additional 4-billion. The White House points to a series of wildfires, storms, and flooding in requesting the additional money.