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  • Letitia James counters Trump claim he can’t raise $464 million bond as deadline looms

    Letitia James counters Trump claim he can’t raise $464 million bond as deadline looms

    Lawyers with New York Attorney General Letitia James’s office cast doubt on former President Donald Trump’s claim that he cannot find a company to lend him the $464 million bond he needs to appeal the judgment in his financial fraud trial. In Georgia, meanwhile, Trump and some of his co-defendants in the election interference and racketeering case are given the green light to appeal Judge Scott McAfee’s decision to allow Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis to continue her prosecution of them. The lawyers say they will now approach the Georgia Court of Appeals in an attempt to have Willis removed and the charges dismissed. Here are the latest legal developments facing the presumptive Republican presidential nominee for 2024.

    New York financial fraud

    James’s office: Trump’s bond claims don’t add up

    Key players: New York Attorney General Letitia James, Judge Arthur Engoron

    • Lawyers on James’s team submitted a filing Wednesday to a New York appeals court in response to Trump’s request to significantly reduce or stay the $464 million bond required to be paid on Monday to appeal the judgment in his New York financial fraud trial, CNN reported.

    • Trump’s lawyers stated that their loan requests had been turned down by 30 insurance companies, but did not specify what collateral they had offered in return.

    • In the filing, James’s team wrote that Trump’s lawyers “supply no documentary evidence that demonstrates precisely what real property they offered to sureties, on what terms that property was offered, or precisely why the sureties were unwilling to accept the assets.”

    • On Monday, Trump’s lawyers told the appeals court that the former president faced “insurmountable difficulties” in raising the money for the bond, and Trump himself complained on social media that, thanks to Engoron’s ruling, he “would be forced to mortgage or sell Great Assets, perhaps at Fire Sale prices,” in order to do so.

    • James’s lawyers made sure to link Trump’s failure to secure a loan with the central issue of the fraud trial: that Trump had been found to have inflated the value of his assets.

    • “As far as the Court can infer, sureties may have refused to accept defendants’ specific holdings as collateral because using Mr. Trump’s real estate will generally need ‘a property appraisal’ … and his holdings are not nearly as valuable as defendants claim,” the filing stated.

    • James, who has already given Trump a 30-day grace period to come up with the bond amount, has stated that if Trump is unable to pay it, she would go after his real estate holdings and could freeze his bank accounts.

    Why it matters: Unless the appeals court intervenes on his behalf, or Trump is given a significant loan from a wealthy friend, Monday’s deadline for payment could mark a painful turning point for the former president.

    Georgia election interference

    Judge McAfee grants defense attorneys’ request to appeal decision on Willis

    Key Players: Judge Scott McAfee, Georgia Court of Appeals, Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis, former lead prosecutor Nathan Wade, Trump lawyer Steve Sadow

    • On Wednesday, McAfee granted a request by lawyers for Trump and some of his co-defendants that allows them to appeal his decision to let Willis remain on the sprawling election interference case, the Associated Press reported.

    • The attorneys for the defendants had sought to have Willis disqualified, alleging that her romantic relationship with Wade represented a conflict of interest because, they claimed, she benefited financially from hiring him.

    • In his ruling, McAfee rebuked Willis’s “tremendous” lapse in judgment, but allowed her to stay on the case on the condition that Wade step down.

    • Wade promptly tendered his resignation, but that was not enough to satisfy Sadow and the other defense lawyers, who will appeal McAfee’s decision to the Georgia Court of Appeals. “The defense is optimistic that appellate review will lead to the case being dismissed and the DA being disqualified,” Sadow said in an email to the Associated Press.

    • The appeals court will ultimately decide whether to accept the case.

    • Trump and 18 co-defendants were indicted by Willis on multiple felony counts stemming from their efforts to overturn the 2020 presidential election results in Georgia.

    Why it matters: The Fulton County District Attorney’s Office said in a statement to AP that the defense attorney’s appeal of McAfee’s ruling would not delay the trial from moving forward. But if the Georgia Court of Appeals court does hear the appeal, it could decide to remove Willis from the case, or dismiss the charges outright.

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    ___________________

    Tuesday, March 19

    ___________________

    Former President Donald Trump says he may be forced to sell off his “Great Assets” at “Fire Sale prices” in order to raise the $464 million bond required as he appeals the judgment in his New York financial fraud trial. In a motion filed Monday, Trump’s lawyers seek to postpone payment of the bond as they appeal Judge Arthur Engoron’s judgment in the case. In the Jan. 6 election interference case, Trump’s lawyers file a brief asking the Supreme Court to rule that presidents have “absolute immunity” from criminal prosecution for acts committed while in office. Here are the latest legal developments involving the presumptive Republican presidential nominee for 2024.

    New York financial fraud

    With bond deadline approaching, Trump looks for alternatives

    Key players: Judge Arthur Engoron, New York Attorney General Letitia James

    • On Tuesday, Trump vented on social media about the March 25 deadline to post a $464 million bond while he appeals Engoron’s judgment in his civil financial fraud trial, The Hill reported.

    • “Judge Engoron actually wants me to put up Hundreds of Millions of Dollars for the Right to Appeal his ridiculous decision. In other words, he is trying to take my Appellate Rights away from me,” Trump said in a post to Truth Social. “Nobody has ever heard of anything like this before.”

    • “I would be forced to mortgage or sell Great Assets, perhaps at Fire Sale prices, and if and when I win the Appeal, they would be gone. Does that make sense?” Trump added.

    • New York law requires a defendant to pay 110% of a civil judgment into an escrow account while that person appeals the decision in a case.

    • Engoron ruled that Trump, his adult sons and his family business were guilty of carrying out years of financial fraud when they inflated the value of assets to obtain favorable bank and insurance rates.

    • Thanks to a loan from the underwriter Chubb, Trump has already posted a separate bond for nearly $92 million while he appeals the jury’s verdict in the E. Jean Carroll defamation lawsuit. But Chubb and 29 other lenders refused to give Trump a loan to pay the larger bond amount.

    • Trump now has limited options to raise the $464 million, the New York Times reported.

    • He can hope his court appeals will lead to a stay, quickly sell off real estate assets, obtain a gift from a wealthy supporter, ask James to extend the 30-day grace period she has already given him or file for bankruptcy.

    • If none of those options are available to Trump and he fails to pay the full bond on Monday, James could begin to seize Trump’s assets and freeze his bank accounts.

    Why it matters: Even as a politician, Trump’s brand has been synonymous with wealth. His New York real estate holdings, some of which were at the center of the financial fraud trial, are reportedly some of his most prized possessions.

    Jan. 6 election interference

    Trump asks Supreme Court to rule that presidents have ‘absolute immunity’ from prosecution

    Key players: Judge Tanya Chutkan, D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals, U.S. Supreme Court, Trump lawyer John Sauer, special counsel Jack Smith

    • On Tuesday, Trump’s lawyers filed a brief with the Supreme Court arguing that a president enjoys “absolute immunity from criminal prosecution for his official acts,” Reuters reported.

    • “The president cannot function, and the presidency itself cannot retain its vital independence, if the president faces criminal prosecution for official acts once he leaves office,” Sauer wrote in the filing.

    • Trump is charged with conspiring to defraud the United States, conspiring to disenfranchise voters, and conspiring and attempting to obstruct an official proceeding for his efforts to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election.

    • His attorneys claim Trump’s actions were part of his official duties as president and argued in their brief that allowing him to be prosecuted would forever alter the job.

    • “The threat of future prosecution and imprisonment would become a political cudgel to influence the most sensitive and controversial presidential decisions, taking away the strength, authority and decisiveness of the presidency,” the filing states.

    • In fact, Trump is the first president in U.S. history charged with a crime after leaving office.

    • Smith has countered that Trump contested the election in an attempt to remain in power, and that no one is above the law.

    • Chutkan and the court of appeals both ruled in Smith’s favor, but Trump has appealed the matter to the Supreme Court.

    • An Ipsos/Politico poll released this week found that 70% of U.S. voters and 48% of Republicans reject Trump’s assertion that he is immune to criminal prosecution for acts committed while in office.

    Why it matters: While Trump’s lawyers argue that presidential power would be upended if the Supreme Court ruled that a commander in chief could never be prosecuted for acts committed while in office, prosecutors have focused on Trump’s efforts to overturn the election. Left unsaid is what consequences might unfold if the Supreme Court enshrines protections for a president’s actions, whatever they may entail, while still residing at the White House.

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    ___________________

    Monday, March 18

    ___________________

    Lawyers for former President Donald Trump file an emergency appeal challenging Judge Scott McAfee’s ruling that Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis can continue to prosecute Trump and 18 others on election interference charges now that lead prosecutor Nathan Wade has stepped down. Trump’s lawyers tell a New York appeals court that he faces “insurmountable difficulties” in securing the $464 million bond from lenders that he is required to pay as he appeals the judgment in his financial fraud civil trial. Trump is also asking the court to lower the amount he must pay while he appeals the case. Here are the latest legal developments facing the presumptive Republican presidential nominee for 2024.

    Georgia election interference

    Trump appeals judge’s decision allowing Fani Willis to remain on case

    Key players: Trump lawyer Steve Sadow, Judge Scott McAfee, Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis, former lead prosecutor Nathan Wade, the Georgia Court of Appeals

    • On Monday, Trump and eight of his co-defendants filed an emergency appeal of McAfee’s ruling that allowed Willis to remain on the case against Trump and 18 others so long as Wade stepped aside, USA Today reported.

    • “The motion notes that the Court found that Willis’ actions created an appearance of impropriety and an ‘odor of mendacity’ that lingers in this case, but it nonetheless refused to dismiss the case or disqualify her,” the filing with the Georgia Court of Appeals states.

    • Willis and Wade admitted to having a romantic relationship, but denied conflict-of-interest claims by the defendants that Willis had benefited financially by hiring Wade or had lied when called to testify about that relationship.

    • Willis indicted Trump and 18 others for their efforts to overturn the 2020 presidential election results in Georgia. So far, four of the defendants have pleaded guilty and agreed to testify against the others charged in the case.

    • McAfee has yet to schedule a date for the trial for the remaining defendants.

    • It is unclear whether the appeals court will take the case.

    Why it matters: While McAfee allowed Willis to remain on the case, the appeals process could further delay the trial against Trump and the other defendants until after the November election.

    New York financial fraud

    Trump asks appeals court to allow him to delay payment of bond

    Key players: Judge Arthur Engoron, New York Attorney General Letitia James, Trump lawyers Alina Habba and Clifford Robert, Trump Organization general counsel Alan Garten

    • Trump’s lawyers told a New York appeals court that the former president had approached 30 underwriters to try to secure the $464 million bond required for him to proceed with his appeal of Engoron’s judgment in the financial fraud trial, but none had agreed to lend him the money, CNN reported.

    • “The amount of the judgment, with interest, exceeds $464 million, and very few bonding companies will consider a bond of anything approaching that magnitude,” Trump’s lawyers wrote in a court filing.

    • Trump is asking the appeals court to reduce the bond amount and to delay its payment until after his appeal is heard.

    • Last month, Engoron ordered Trump to pay the state $355 million plus interest for years of fraudulent business practices, including the inflation of his assets to obtain favorable loan and insurance rates.

    • Trump is appealing the decision, which obliges him to deposit 110% of the total amount owed into an escrow account as the appeals court hears the case.

    • In Monday’s filing, Garten also painted a dim outlook for Trump’s ability to raise the bond amount.

    • “Defendants have faced what have proven to be insurmountable difficulties in obtaining an appeal bond for the full $464 million,” he wrote, ABC News reported.

    • James has said that if Trump does not come up with the full bond amount, she would go after his real estate assets.

    • “Obtaining such cash through a ‘fire sale’ of real estate holdings would inevitably result in massive, irrecoverable losses — textbook irreparable injury,” Trump’s lawyers wrote in their filing.

    • Habba and Robert also argued that the bond amount was “unconstitutionally excessive.”

    Why it matters: During his trial, Trump told the court that he had $400 million on hand that he could apply toward a bond. Since then, he lost two high-profile cases, pushing his liabilities over half a billion dollars. He has paid a nearly $92 billion bond amount as he appeals a jury’s verdict in the defamation lawsuits brought by columnist E. Jean Carroll.

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  • Netanyahu addresses Senate Republicans days after Schumer calls for his ouster

    Netanyahu addresses Senate Republicans days after Schumer calls for his ouster

    Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu virtually addressed Republican senators in Washington on Wednesday, days after the chamber’s majority leader, Democrat Chuck Schumer, called him an impediment to peace in an unsparing floor speech.

    Senate minority leader Mitch McConnell told reporters, shortly after leaving the Senate Republicans’ policy lunch, that Netanyahu joined the gathering via video link, delivered a presentation, and answered questions.

    Related: Netanyahu ‘determined’ to carry out Rafah assault despite pleas from Biden

    “We asked him for an update and we got it on the war, on the release of the hostages and in the efforts to defeat Hamas,” senator John Barrasso, a Republican of Wyoming who invited Netanyahu to speak at the party’s closed-door lunch, told reporters after the meeting. “We told him Israel has every right to defend themselves and he said that’s exactly what they continue to do.”

    McConnell said Netanyahu called him last week and asked for an opportunity to address the members of his conference and he accepted. Netanyahu asked to address Senate Democrats at their caucus lunch on Wednesday as well, but Schumer indicated that he had declined.

    “When you make these issues partisan, you hurt the cause of Israel,” he told reporters on Capitol Hill.

    The dueling responses underscores the increasingly partisan divide over the US’s support for Israel’s military campaign in Gaza that has killed more than 31,000 Palestinians and pushed the population to the brink of famine.

    Mike Johnson, the Republican House speaker, said in a press conference on Wednesday that he was considering a request to invite Netanyahu to address Congress.

    “I think it’s very important for us to show solidarity and support for Israel right now in their time of great struggle, and we certainly stand for that position and we’ll try to advance that in every way that we can,” he said. He added that he and Netanyahu held a “lengthy” conversation on Wednesday morning in which he told the prime minister that Schumer’s speech last week was “foolhardy” and “dangerous”.

    Schumer, the highest-ranking Jewish official in American history, has faced intense blowback from Republicans and Israeli political leaders in recent days over his Senate floor speech, in which he said that Netanyahu had “lost his way” five months into a war that began when Hamas led a cross-border attack, killing roughly 1,200 people and taking another 250 hostage.

    Referring to Netanyahu by his nickname, McConnell said Democrats “don’t have an anti-Bibi problem. They have an anti-Israel problem.”

    “It’s absurd enough for American senators to masquerade as duly elected members of the Knesset – as if their views should have any bearing on how Israel conducts its domestic politics,” McConnell said in a Wednesday floor speech.

    Schumer dismissed Republicans’ critique that his remarks amounted to “foreign interference” and was an attempt to “strong-arm” an ally for domestic political gain.

    “I gave this speech out of a real love for Israel,” the Democrat said. He has expressed concern that the conduct of Netanyahu and his far-right governing partners risk turning Israel into an international “pariah”.

    Israel has long enjoyed bipartisan support in Congress. But in recent years, Democrats have become increasingly critical of Netanyahu, who has, over the course of several US presidencies, aligned himself closely with Republicans.

    Tensions between Netanyahu and Joe Biden over Israel’s prosecution of the war in Gaza have burst into public view, with Biden endorsing Schumer’s speech and warning against a full-scale invasion of the southern city of Rafah, where more than half of Gaza’s surviving population is sheltering. Yet Netanyahu has pledged to move ahead with the offensive, in defiance of Biden’s “red line”.

    The two leaders spoke by phone on Monday for the first time in more than a month.

    The US is pushing for a temporary ceasefire in exchange for the release of the Israeli hostages and time to allow aid groups to rush badly needed food and medicine into the besieged territory.

    Several top Democratic lawmakers and their supporters are urging the president to use more leverage to pressure Israel to change course.

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  • Judge allows Trump to appeal Fani Willis disqualification ruling

    Judge allows Trump to appeal Fani Willis disqualification ruling

    Fulton County Judge Scott McAfee on Wednesday cleared the way for former President Donald Trump to appeal the judge’s ruling that ultimately kept Fulton County DA Fani Willis on the election interference case.

    McAfee granted the joint request from Trump and some of his codefendants to obtain a certificate of immediate review — which allows them now to appeal the ruling up to the Georgia Court of Appeals.

    McAfee in his order said the order “is of such importance to the case that immediate review should be had.”

    It will now be up to the Georgia Court of Appeals to determine whether or not to take the issue.

    PHOTO: Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis looks on during a hearing on the Georgia election interference case, March, 1, 2024, in Atlanta. (Alex Slitz/AP)
    PHOTO: Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis looks on during a hearing on the Georgia election interference case, March, 1, 2024, in Atlanta. (Alex Slitz/AP)

    McAfee said he intends to keep moving forward with the case while Trump and his codefendants pursue their appeal.

    MORE: Jim Jordan threatens Fani Willis with contempt if she doesn’t comply with subpoena in federal funding probe

    “The Court intends to continue addressing the many other unrelated pending pretrial motions, regardless of whether the petition is granted within 45 days of filing, and even if any subsequent appeal is expedited by the appellate court,” the order said.

    Trump’s attorney in a statement called the move from McAfee “highly significant.”

    “The defense is optimistic that appellate review will lead to the case being dismissed and the DA being disqualified,” said Steve Sadow, Trump’s attorney.

    The DA’s office in a statement highlighted the McAfee’s decision to keep the case moving, saying they will “work to move [the case] forward to trial as quickly as possible.”

    “As the case is not stayed during the appeal, this office will work to move it forward to trial as quickly as possible,” spokesperson Jeff Disantis said in a statement. “We will limit our comment on the appellate matter to what we file with the Court of Appeals during the briefing process.”

    Nathan Wade, the lead prosecutor in Trump’s election interference case, resigned Friday as special prosecutor following a ruling by McAfee. Wade’s resignation came hours after McAfee declined to outright disqualify Willis, but ruled either she or Wade must step aside from the case due to a “significant appearance of impropriety” stemming from a romantic relationship between Willis and Wade.

    Judge allows Trump to appeal Fani Willis disqualification ruling originally appeared on abcnews.go.com

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  • Trump says he feels mentally sharper after Nikki Haley attacks his age

    Trump says he feels mentally sharper after Nikki Haley attacks his age

    Donald Trump has expressed feeling more sharper now than 20 years ago in response to recent attacks about his age and verbal missteps by Republican presidential opponent Nikki Haley.

    Trump suggested that presidential candidates undergo cognitive testing, likely in reaction to Haley’s proposal, which highlights concerns about Trump’s age, 77, and that of Democratic President Joe Biden, 81.

    Speaking at a Nevada rally before the upcoming Republican caucus on Feb. 8, Trump faced accusations from Haley of being disoriented and unfit for the presidency due to his age.

    Trump has made recent verbal errors, including confusing Haley with former Democratic House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and suggesting former Democratic President Barack Obama is still in office.

    Trump’s delegate advantage and Haley’s persistence

    With Haley not contesting the Nevada caucus, Trump is likely to secure all 26 delegates, enabling him to focus on sidelining Haley and gaining momentum for a potential rematch with Biden in November.

    Read more: Trump’s secret service protection may be obstacle to imprisonment

    Despite back-to-back wins in Iowa and New Hampshire, Trump remains frustrated by Haley’s refusal to withdraw from the race and has launched efforts to compel her exit before the South Carolina primary on Feb. 24.

    Haley reaffirmed her commitment to campaign beyond South Carolina.

    After Trump’s speech, Haley accused him of being “confused” and challenged him to a debate as the ultimate test of mental acuity for presidential candidates.

    Donald Trump declined to participate in Republican nominating debates and refused to debate Haley.

    Trump, during his Nevada speech, labeled Haley “birdbrain” and accused her, a conservative Republican, of aligning with left-leaning Democrats.

    Trump said his determination to conclude the nomination fight, leading Haley in South Carolina polls with no clear path to nomination for her.

    Trump’s New Hampshire victory and Biden’s response

    Following Trump’s New Hampshire primary win, the Biden campaign declared, “It is evident that Donald Trump will be the Republican nominee.”

    Turning to Biden, Trump emphasized immigration issues and the southern border crisis, denouncing illegal crossings as a “catastrophe” and an “invasion.”

    Meanwhile, Biden and his campaign intensified attacks on Trump, branding him a threat to U.S. democracy and linking him to the U.S. Supreme Court’s 2022 decision to end federal abortion rights, a factor that hurt Republicans during the 2022 midterm elections.

  • Senator Bob Menendez and wife face bribery charges; Department of Justice seizes gold bars and $500,000

    Senator Bob Menendez and wife face bribery charges; Department of Justice seizes gold bars and $500,000

    Senator Bob Menendez and wife face bribery charges; Department of Justice seizes gold bars and $500,000

    New Jersey’s Democratic Senator, Bob Menendez, has been charged once again with corruption-related offenses, marking the second instance in a decade. Senator Bob Menendez and wife face bribery charges for receiving “substantial bribes” in exchange for his political influence, as detailed in a newly revealed federal indictment.

    Senator Menendez and his wife Nadine Arslanian Menendez
    Senator Menendez and his wife Nadine Arslanian Menendez

    The alleged bribes include gold, cash, mortgage payments, no-show jobs, and even a luxury vehicle as forms of compensation.

    These charges follow a prior set of corruption accusations Senator Menendez faced from the Department of Justice a decade ago. In that earlier case, he had confronted allegations of conspiracy, bribery, and fraud connected to personal favors.

    Senator Menendez is currently up for re-election next year, having served in the Senate since 2006. Senate Democratic Caucus rules will require him to step down as chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee, though he can stay on the panel.

    In response to the indictment, Senator Menendez expressed his strong disapproval. He claimed, “For years, concealed influences have repeatedly attempted to stifle my voice and tarnish my political reputation. Since the leak of this investigation nearly a year ago, an orchestrated campaign of unidentified sources and insinuations has aimed to create an atmosphere of wrongdoing where none exists.”

    He further added, “The actions of these prosecutors are glaring. They have distorted the regular operations of a Congressional office. What’s more, not satisfied with making unfounded allegations against me, they have attacked my wife for her long-standing friendships established before she and I even met.”

    Senator Menendez had earlier established a legal defense fund, and in April, his wife sold gold bars valued at as much as $400,000, as reported in his most recent financial disclosure.

    The Allegations of Corruption

    Senator Menendez faces three specific charges, including being part of a bribery conspiracy. This conspiracy involves his wife, Nadine, and three New Jersey associates and businessmen: Wael Hana, Jose Uribe, and Fred Daibes.

    Nadine Menendez’s lawyer has asserted her innocence and stated her intention to contest the federal indictment. Both Senator Menendez and the other defendants are scheduled to appear in court at 10:30 a.m. ET on Wednesday.

    The group is accused of exploiting Senator Menendez’s U.S. senatorial influence for personal gain and Egypt’s benefit.

    The indictment reveals that prosecutors allege Senator Menendez sought to influence the selection of the top federal prosecutor in New Jersey to favor one of the business associates and applied pressure on the Department of Agriculture to safeguard a business monopoly held by another contact in Egypt.

    In 2019, the Department of Agriculture had formally expressed concerns to Egypt regarding its grant of monopoly rights to Senator Menendez’s contact, Hana, concerning the supply of halal meat to the U.S.

    In May 2019, Hana, an Egyptian intelligence official, and others visited Senator Menendez’s office seeking assistance against a U.S. agency. Following the meeting, the group convened for dinner at a Washington, D.C. steakhouse, according to the indictment.

    Two days later, Senator Menendez purportedly contacted an Agriculture Department official, urging them to cease opposing Hana’s venture. The indictment details how Senator Menendez reiterated his demand for the USDA to refrain from interfering with IS EG Halal’s monopoly, despite the attempts of “Official-1” to explain the detrimental consequences of the monopoly on U.S. interests.

    Seized Evidence: $500,000 and More

    According to the indictment, federal agents searched Senator Menendez’s home and safe deposit box in 2022, uncovering almost $500,000 in cash. This included cash stored in envelopes inside jackets bearing Senator Menendez’s name.

    Prosecutors say some envelopes had fingerprints or DNA from a contact implicated in bribing the senator.

    Federal investigators also found a “luxury vehicle paid for by Jose Uribe” parked in Senator Menendez’s garage. Furthermore, they found home furnishings provided by other business contacts and even gold bars.

    Previous Trial and Acquittal

    Senator Menendez had previously faced federal charges in 2015, brought forth by prosecutors from the U.S. attorney’s office in New Jersey. These charges encompassed conspiracy, bribery, and honest services fraud, all related to allegations of abusing his political office.

    The allegations included claims that Senator Menendez accepted over $600,000 in political contributions, enjoyed stays in a luxurious hotel suite at the Park Hyatt in Paris, and received free flights on a private jet from a wealthy ophthalmologist, Dr. Salomon Melgen, in exchange for political favors.

    Senator Menendez’s corruption trial ended in a November 2017 mistrial as the jury couldn’t reach a unanimous decision. Both Senator Menendez and Dr. Melgen vehemently denied all charges. After the mistrial, a federal judge acquitted them of charges in 2018, and the Justice Department dropped the rest.

  • Donald Trump proudly states that he needs ‘one more indictment to close out this election’

    Donald Trump proudly states that he needs ‘one more indictment to close out this election’

    Former US president Donald Trump, after his third court appearance as a criminal defendant, delivered a defiant speech, insulting prosecutors and asserting that the “Donald Trump indictment” charges aid his 2024 presidential campaign.

    Trump’s Defiant Response to Charges

    “Whenever they file an indictment, we go way up in the polls,” Mr. Trump said at a Republican Party dinner in Alabama.

    “We need one more indictment to close out this election. One more indictment, and this election is closed out. Nobody has even a chance.”

    Mr. Trump pleaded not guilty on Thursday to crimes related to his efforts to overturn the results of his 2020 election loss.

    Most serious of Trump’s three indictments, the federal government charges him with blocking a peaceful power transfer.

    Trump unapologetic on stage, raised fist, received standing ovation for nearly three minutes at Friday night event.

    “We’re gonna be here for a little while,” he joked, asking the crowd to take a seat.

    The latest set of charges focuses on the two months between his November 2020 loss to Democrat Joe Biden and the January 6, 2021, insurrection at the US Capitol.

    Mr. Trump has denied wrongdoing and has linked his 2024 presidential campaign to his legal defense and his false claims of 2020 election fraud.

    Trump Releases Ad Targeting Prosecutors Amid Legal Battles

    In a sign of defiance, his campaign released an online ad on Friday attacking Justice Department special counsel Jack Smith, who led the investigation that resulted in Mr. Trump’s latest charges, and a separate case where he is charged with mishandling classified documents.

    Next week’s ad targets Manhattan DA Alvin Bragg and Fulton County DA Fani Willis, both involved in Trump’s cases.

    A Trump aide said the ad will start airing on Monday and Tuesday in Washington, DC, New York, Atlanta, and on national cable.

    The ad was also shown to the crowd at the Alabama dinner on Friday night.

    Mr. Trump has continued to receive endorsements from Republican elected officials throughout the investigations and criminal cases, including on Friday from all six of the state’s Republican US House members.

    Senator Tuberville Stands Firm, Crowd Excited Ahead of Super Tuesday Primaries

    Senator Tommy Tuberville of Alabama, who is waging an unprecedented campaign to try to change Pentagon abortion policy by holding up hundreds of military nominations and promotions, introduced Mr. Trump at the dinner on Friday night.

    “He’s had a tough week. We need to stand behind him,” Mr. Tuberville said.

    “He needs encouragement. They’re after him.”

    Repeating Mr. Trump’s frequent refrain, he added: “They’re after you.”

    Catherine Engelbrecht and Gregg Phillips, producers of the film 2000 Mules, featured as opening acts at the dinner.

    Mr. Trump praised the pair in his remarks and said: “Get ready. Get those votes ready. Just get them ready. Keep those tapes handy because you’re going to need them.”

    The 2,700-strong crowd arrived hours early for the $250-per-ticket fundraiser for the Alabama Republican Party.

    “They are excited,” Alabama Republican Party chairman John Wahl said.

    “There is so much passion from Trump supporters and voters across the state.”

    Despite facing legal troubles, Mr. Trump’s support remains strong in the Deep South state ahead of Super Tuesday primaries.

    Former U.S. In New York City, U.S., President Donald Trump and his legal team attend an arraignment on charges related to hush money paid to Stormy Daniels after a Manhattan grand jury indictment on April 4, 2023. REUTERS/Timothy A. Clary/Pool

    The March 5 elections offer a vital chance for other Republican candidates to challenge Trump’s front-runner status.

    Mr. Trump’s closest rival, Florida governor Ron DeSantis, has been making a play for Super Tuesday states.

    Alabama gauge: State GOP sold 1,000 fewer tickets for DeSantis’ dinner compared to Trump’s event.

    Supporters Defiant Amid Criminal Charges

    Robin Rowan, the owner of a financial company, wore a button and sash with Mr. Trump’s image and “Not Guilty” emblazoned in sequins as she waited on Friday to hear Mr. Trump speak.

    Despite not believing the criminal accusations against Mr. Trump, Ms. Rowan stated that the charges have rallied support for him.

    “We know the truth. They are trying to wear us down. They are not going to wear us down,” Ms. Rowan said.

    Rich Foster, a retired police officer wearing a black “Bikers for Trump” T-shirt, stated that while he believes some crimes were committed on January 6, such as the attacks on police officers defending the Capitol, he does not consider Mr. Trump responsible for the violence that happened.

    “I don’t think Trump committed a crime that day,” Mr Foster said.

    He said he believed that Mr. Trump, as president, had a right to speak out about the election.

    Despite not being charged with incitement, prosecutors accused Mr. Trump of exploiting Capitol violence to perpetuate election fraud claims.

    Foster and Trump supporters see charges as 2024 election obstruction attempt.

    He said he would write in the former president’s name if he had to.

    “If they get him off the ballot somehow,” he said, “I know how to write Donald J Trump on the ballot.”

  • Trump makes outrageous claim linking Joe Biden to cocaine usage

    Trump makes outrageous claim linking Joe Biden to cocaine usage

    Donald Trump has made an outrageous claim in which he accused Joe Biden of cocaine usage. Trump reinforced his unfounded claim regarding the cocaine found in the White House, implying that Joe Biden uses the drug to energize himself before speeches.

    “Because you watch Joe at the beginning of a speech and he’s got a little life ― not much ― but by the end of the speech, he’s a disaster,” Trump told “Real America’s Voice” host Wayne Allyn Root on Thursday. “He can’t find his way off the stage. So, there’s something going on there.”

    Trump accused Joe Biden and Hunter Biden of cocaine usage. The former president suggested that the stash likely belonged to both the president and his son, Hunter Biden. The president and his family were not present at the White House when a bag of cocaine was discovered in a designated storage area for personal items of visitors and staff.

    Root, a conspiracy theorist and author of the book “Trump Rules,” echoed Trump’s baseless claims, suggesting that Biden’s handlers give him something to boost his energy before each speech or interview.

    “I think they boost him up,” Trump agreed. “And we can’t have a president on cocaine who’s dealing with nuclear weapons and everything else.”

    Trump then veered off to remark that Biden has never been mentally on par with other world leaders.

    Previously, Trump insinuated that Biden was under the influence of cocaine, connecting it to the FBI raid on Mar-a-Lago to retrieve classified documents and the indictments against him in the documents case, as well as the hush-money payments to a porn star.

  • President Joe Biden raises $72 Million in campaign funds for reelection

    President Joe Biden raises $72 Million in campaign funds for reelection

    President Joe Biden, the Democratic National Committee, and other coordinated campaign entities collectively raised $72 million in campaign funds for his reelection. The announcement was made by the Biden campaign on Friday.

    This fundraising success brings the Joe Biden campaign funds to a total cash on hand of $77 million, giving him an advantage over his two primary Republican competitors, former President Donald Trump and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R). During the same period, Trump raised $35 million, and DeSantis raised $20 million.

    Julie Chavez Rodriguez, Biden’s campaign manager, stated in a released statement, “We’ve witnessed remarkable enthusiasm for President Biden and Vice President Harris’ agenda, which includes their dedication to restoring democracy, advocating for more freedoms, and fostering economic growth by strengthening the middle class.” Rodriguez further highlighted the campaign’s significant financial support from grassroots donors, contrasting it with the Republican primary’s focus on extreme MAGA positions.

    The Biden campaign is eager to underscore the broad grassroots support it has garnered, with over 394,000 donors contributing 670,000 times. It’s worth noting that 97% of these donations were under $200, demonstrating the campaign’s reliance on small-dollar contributions.

    Biden’s strong start and record-breaking fundraising

    Since announcing his reelection bid in late April, Biden’s team has been proactive in showcasing its strength and addressing concerns about his age and abilities. The campaign aims to dispel doubts among Democratic voters and dismiss speculation about alternative nominees, exemplified by Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s unique campaign.

    Biden’s campaign boasts $77 million cash on hand, a historic high for Democrats at this stage. The term “cash on hand” refers to the campaign’s cumulative fundraising minus expenditures made to date. Campaign experts frequently examine this metric to indicate if fundraising keeps up with spending.

    However, it’s worth noting that other sitting presidents have raised more funds at this point in their reelection campaigns. During the second quarter of 2011, then-President Barack Obama’s reelection campaign and the DNC raised $86 million collectively. Similarly, in the second quarter of 2019, Trump and the Republican National Committee jointly raised $105 million.

  • Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds signs bill banning abortions at 6 weeks during conservative summit

    Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds signs bill banning abortions at 6 weeks during conservative summit

    Iowa Republican Governor Kim Reynolds on Friday enacted a law banning abortion at six weeks, initiating a fresh legal dispute over the future of reproductive rights in the pivotal early presidential state and intensifying the prominence of this divisive issue in the campaign. Accompanied by a group of Republican state legislators and anti-abortion leaders, Reynolds signed the legislation during a special on-stage event at the Family Leadership Summit, a prominent political gathering organized by an evangelical Christian group.

    During the signing ceremony, Reynolds stated, “Every life is valuable and deserving of protection under our laws,” emphasizing that the law signifies an unwavering commitment to safeguarding the most vulnerable among us.

    The law took effect immediately upon Reynolds’ signature, but its duration may be short-lived. Meanwhile, at the Polk County District Court in a separate legal proceeding, the judge presiding over a challenge filed by reproductive rights organizations seeking a temporary injunction indicated that a ruling would be issued next week.

    During the hearing, Polk County District Court Judge Joseph Seidlin remarked, “This request demands my thorough and careful consideration.” A potential ruling could be announced as early as Monday.

    If the request for an emergency injunction is granted, the implementation of the six-week ban would be halted until the legal challenge is resolved within the court system.

    Planned Parenthood of the Heartland, the American Civil Liberties Union of Iowa, and the Emma Goldman Clinic, a women’s healthcare facility in Iowa City, filed the legal challenge in state court on Wednesday, arguing that the new ban violates the Iowa state constitution. Representatives of these organizations anticipate the case will eventually reach the state Supreme Court.

    Despite facing legal opposition, Reynolds, along with several Republican presidential candidates, celebrated the signing of the law and expressed confidence in its ultimate success.

    Reynolds stated, “Our work is not finished. As we gather here today, the abortion industry is attempting to prevent this law from taking effect and once again defy the will of the people.”

    The legislation includes exceptions for instances involving the life of the mother, miscarriages, and fetal abnormalities determined by a physician to be “incompatible with life.”

    Furthermore, the bill provides exceptions for pregnancies resulting from rape and incest. However, for these exceptions to apply, the rape must have been reported to law enforcement or a “public or private health agency” (including a family doctor) within 45 days, while the incest must have been reported within 140 days to any of the aforementioned officials or entities.

    Advocates for reproductive rights argue that a six-week ban effectively amounts to a complete ban, as many women are not even aware of their pregnancy during that early stage.

    Reproductive rights groups warned that if the law were immediately enforced, it would create chaos for abortion clinics and patients in the state. Planned Parenthood officials stated that clinics remained open until 10 p.m. on Thursday, providing care in anticipation of the law’s implementation on Friday.

    Previously, abortion was legally permissible in Iowa until the 20th week of pregnancy.

    Reynolds’ choice of venue for the signing further solidifies the significant role that the contentious issue of abortion rights will play in presidential politics, both within this crucial early-voting state and across the United States.

    Notable attendees at Friday’s summit, moderated by conservative commentator Tucker Carlson, included Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, former Vice President Mike Pence, former South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley, South Carolina Senator Tim Scott, and businessman Vivek Ramaswamy. Many of them praised Reynolds and her bill at various points during the conference.

    Following the signing, Haley commended Reynolds, stating, “Governor Kim Reynolds has achieved remarkable success.”

    During a morning session before the signing, Pence remarked, “We are witnessing a historic day in Iowa,” commending Reynolds for her commitment to enacting “historic protections for the unborn.”

    Former President Donald Trump, who has been less inclined to embrace strict abortion bans during his campaign compared to some of his rivals, did not attend the event.

    While support for more stringent abortion restrictions remains popular among conservative evangelical Christians, a significant voting bloc in Iowa’s Republican caucuses, polling data in both Iowa and nationwide indicates that a majority of voters support abortion rights.

    Additionally, although supporting a six-week ban may benefit a candidate in Iowa, it may have a different reception in New Hampshire, the subsequent primary contest in 2024.

    The state’s Republican electorate, which leans more toward libertarianism, tends to adopt a more open stance on this issue. For instance, Governor Chris Sununu is among the few GOP governors who support abortion rights.

    These challenges ahead underscore the difficulties that Republicans, more broadly, have faced in addressing voters regarding abortion rights since the Supreme Court’s Dobbs ruling overturned Roe v. Wade. In the midterm elections, Democrats capitalized on the abortion issue, contributing to their success.

    In response to a split decision issued by the state Supreme Court earlier this month, allowing a previously enacted six-week abortion ban from 2018 to remain permanently blocked, Reynolds called for a special legislative session exclusively dedicated to enacting “pro-life legislation.”

    The Iowa Legislature, under Republican control, swiftly passed the new six-week ban in just 15 hours on Tuesday.

    While the new law faces similar legal challenges as its 2018 predecessor, the outcome this time may differ with a full state Supreme Court issuing a decision.

    The court’s previous split ruling on the 2018 law was a narrowly tailored decision primarily based on procedural grounds, leaving open the possibility that a full seven-member court may reach a legal consensus on the new ban. One of the court’s seven justices, Dana Oxley, a Reynolds appointee, recused herself due to her former law firm’s representation of an abortion clinic involved in the original case.