A federal judge threw out the charges in Donald Trump's classified documents trial on Monday, in another stroke of luck for the former president after he narrowly survived an assassination attempt.
With sympathy for Trump running high as politicians call for unity, Democrats are being urged to end their "dirty lawfare" campaign against the Republican presidential nominee.
The lawfare effort reached it speak in April, when New York Democratic prosecutor Alvin Bragg convicted Trump on 34 counts of "falsifying business records."
Democrats have regularly cited Trump's conviction to attack Trump as a "convicted felon." After Saturday's shooting in Pennsylvania, Biden has called for unity and Democrats have moderated their rhetoric to some degree.
At the same time, Democrats have made it clear they intend to keep calling Trump a threat to democracy, even as some say that rhetoric contributed to the attempt on Trump's life.
In a shocking ruling Monday, Judge Aileen Cannon ended the classified documents prosecution into Trump, finding Special Counsel Jack Smith was not properly appointed.
In an editorial, the New York Post urged Democrats to honor Biden's unity pledge by ending the "dirty" weaponization of justice.
"Democrats’ multipronged, utterly cynical 'lawfare' drive effort to derail Trump before Election Day is (rightly) failing as badly as Thomas Crooks’ bullets," the Post wrote, referring to the man who attempted to kill Trump.
The lawfare effort has produced mixed results, with Trump facing a sentencing in September for his New York conviction while other cases stall.
In June, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that presidents have immunity from prosecution, all but ending Smith's hopes of prosecuting Trump for January 6th before the election. Trump also has cited the ruling to challenge his conviction in New York for "falsifying business records."
Separately, Trump's criminal case in Georgia for "overturning" the 2020 election has been stalled by Trump's continued efforts to disqualify prosecutor Fani Willis for misconduct.
"Maybe it’s time to honor President Biden’s call for unity by dropping the whole dirty lawfare campaign?" the Post wrote.
"Focus on trying to beat Trump in the voting booth, not the courts," the paper said.
While Democrat may be paying lip service to unity, it is doubtful they will ever drop these prosecutions, especially with Biden falling behind in the presidential race.
Democratic congressman Bennie Thompson (Ms.) has fired one of his staff members after she glorified the attempted assassination of President Trump.
Thompson, who chaired the January 6th committee, said he was "made aware" of social media posts from his field director Jacqueline Marsaw.
"I was made aware of a post made by a staff member and she is no longer in my employment,” the congressman told Fox News.
In the wake of the attempted assassination, Marsaw said it was unfortunate that the shooter didn't have better aim.
"I don’t condone violence but please get you some shooting lessons so you don’t miss next time ooops [sic] that wasn’t me talking," she wrote.
While Trump survived Saturday's shooting in Butler, Pennsylvania, the shooter killed a 50-year-old Trump supporter, Corey Comperatore. Two others were injured.
Some on the left have glorified the assassination attempt, but elected Democrats including Thompson have condemned it and President Biden has urged a lowering of the national temperature. even as some point to Biden's rhetoric as a contributing factor to the shooting.
"There is no room in American democracy for political violence," Thompson wrote on X. "I am grateful for law enforcement’s fast response to this incident. I am glad the former President is safe, and my thoughts and prayers go out to everyone involved.”
While Thompson has denounced the shooting, many say Thompson's statement rings hollow because he tried to deny Trump Secret Service protection.
In April, Thompson introduced a bill that would strip convicted felons of Secret Service protection. Thompson insisted that the legislation would impact Trump only by coincidence, but Trump is the only U.S. president in history who is a "convicted felon."
After the assassination attempt, Donald Trump Jr. wrote, “Remember, if @BennieGThompson and the Democrats got their way, my dad would be dead right now. Don't let them memory hole it."
Thompson has doubled down on defending the controversial bill, which has the acronym DISGRACED. He says it would not affect Trump because he hasn't been incarcerated.
In April, Trump was convicted of falsifying business records in his "hush money" trial. His sentencing has been delayed to September.
“My bill would not have affected the Secret Service’s presence during this tragic event,” Thompson said in a statement Monday.
“It aims to clarify lines of authority when a protectee is sentenced to prison and is in the custody of another law enforcement agency. That does not apply to the former President.”
The assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump's life shocked the entire world.
By the grace of God Almighty, the former president is still alive, and according to Fox News, his son Donald Trump Jr. said that upon his release from the hospital, his dad was in "great spirits."
The attempted assassination at the hands of a male in his 20s came during a rally in Pennsylvania on Saturday.
Multiple video angles show Trump grabbing his ear after shots rang out, which were fired from a nearby rooftop, and then falling down onto the stage while Secret Service agents rushed to surround him and contain the situation.
Trump Jr. explained to Fox News that his father was doing great in the wake of the brazen attempt on his life, saying he will "never stop fighting."
"I just spoke to my father on the phone and he is in great spirits," Trump Jr., told Fox News Digital in a statement. "He will never stop fighting to save America, no matter what the radical left throws at him."
The former president released several statements in the wake of the shooting, updating his followers and fans throughout the evening.
"I want to thank The United States Secret Service, and all of Law Enforcement, for their rapid response on the shooting that just took place in Butler, Pennsylvania. Most importantly, I want to extend my condolences to the family of the person at the Rally who was killed, and also to the family of another person that was badly injured," Trump wrote on his Truth Social account.
He added, "It is incredible that such an act can take place in our Country. Nothing is known at this time about the shooter, who is now dead. I was shot with a bullet that pierced the upper part of my right ear. I knew immediately that something was wrong in that I heard a whizzing sound, shots, and immediately felt the bullet ripping through the skin. Much bleeding took place, so I realized then what was happening. GOD BLESS AMERICA!"
The incident sparked a massive, nationwide -- and global -- rally for the former president.
Ivanka Trump, who has not been involved with her father's presidential campaign, also released a statement.
She thanked everyone for the well wishes for her father and concluded with, "I love you Dad, today and always."
Thank you for your love and prayers for my father and for the other victims of today's senseless violence in Butler, Pennsylvania. I am grateful to the Secret Service and all the other law enforcement officers for their quick and decisive actions today. I continue to pray for our…
— Ivanka Trump (@IvankaTrump) July 14, 2024
The president has also thanked all of his supporters and offered his condolences to the family members of the Trump supporter who was shot and killed at the rally.
U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland is under pressure to fire one of his top employees after it was revealed that she lied during her Senate confirmation hearing.
According to Breitbart, Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights Kristen Clarke "lied under oath and made efforts to cover up a past arrest during her confirmation fight in 2021."
That revelation caused several Republicans to call for her firing, including Sen. Tom Cotton (R-MO).
Cotton wrote a letter to AG Garland demanding that he fire Clarke for misreporting her criminal past.
"During her nomination to her current role, Ms. Clarke was asked if she had ‘ever been arrested for or accused of committing a violent crime against any person,'" the letter reads. "Ms. Clarke was unequivocal, responding under oath to the Senate Judiciary Committee, 'No.'"
"That was a lie," the letter read.
"Ms. Clarke has now admitted that she was arrested in 2006 for attacking and injuring someone with a knife. It has also recently come to light that, shortly before the full Senate voted on her nomination, Ms. Clarke and her publicist contacted the man she attacked in an attempt to cover up her false testimony," the letter continued.
NEW: @TomCottonAR calls on AG Garland to fire Kristen Clarke following our @DailySignal reporting:
“I call for Ms. Clarke’s immediate termination and removal from office.” pic.twitter.com/XbqUBp9OjO
— Mary Margaret Olohan (@MaryMargOlohan) July 12, 2024
Clarke issued a statement to CNN defending her past, arguing that she wasn't required to disclose it because it had been wiped from her record.
"Clarke acknowledged that she was arrested in her statement on Wednesday but said the arrest was expunged – meaning it was removed from her record and no longer exists – and that she wasn’t required to disclose it," the exclusive statement to CNN said.
Social media users reacted to Cotton's demand for her firing.
"Garland has made it known that he and his office will not be accountable to Congress, so rave on to no avail," on X user wrote.
Another X user wrote, "Hmm, aren’t there a couple of SCOTUS justices that lied during their confrontations?"
Only time will tell if AG Garland complies, but it's highly doubtful he'll follow the demands of a Repblican senator.
An Arizona judge has dismissed murder charges against an elderly rancher accused of shooting dead an illegal immigrant who trespassed on his property.
The ruling is a win for Americans protecting their land and their families from the lawless invasion that President Biden has unleashed, and which Donald Trump has campaigned vigorously against.
The case against 75-year-old George Alan Kelly put a spotlight on the southern border crisis that has many Americans angry and in fear for their safety.
Santa Cruz County Superior Court Judge Thomas Fink dismissed the case with prejudice, meaning it cannot be filed again after the first trial ended in a mistrial.
The judge said that Kelly should not face trial again because of his advanced age and health issues and too much time had passed since the last trial.
“A re-filing of these charges at a future date would place the defense at a significant disadvantage,” Fink said.
The judge also said that the prosecution's decision not to immediately retry the case was made to give the state a "greater tactical advantage at some future date."
The case ended in a mistrial in April when the jury voted 7-1 to acquit.
“The more logical … reason for the jurors’ 7-1 vote for acquittal is that the State simply failed to persuade the jurors of the Defendant’s guilt,” the judge wrote in the order. “The evidence simply was not there.”
Prosecutors had accused Kelly of fatally shooting a Mexican man, Gabriel Cuen Buitimea, who crossed Kelly's property while fleeing Border Patrol agents in January 2023. Another man who survived, Daniel Ramirez, was the prosecution's key witness.
The prosecutors had a glaring hole in their narrative, notably, they didn't have the bullet that killed Buitimea. There was also no evidence of the time of death.
The trial highlighted fears over a massive influx of illegal migrants through the southern border, which has particularly impacted communities in states like Arizona.
Kelly had reason to fear for his and his family's safety because of an uptick in drug smuggling activity in the area where they lived, his lawyers said. His lawyers said he fired warning shots at a group of men whom he believed were armed.
“This is what’s going on in Mr. Kelly’s life during the lead-up to this incident on January 30th,” defense lawyer Brenna Larkin said.
Child star Benji Gregory, known for the 1980s television sitcom Alf, has died. He was 46.
No cause of death has been ruled yet, but Gregory's sister said he was killed by heatstroke after falling asleep in his car.
Gregory was found dead in a Chase parking lot in Peoria, Arizona on June 13. His service dog also died with him.
Gregory was born into a family of actors in Encino, California on May 26, 1978.
Between 1986 and 1990, Gregory appeared in the sitcom Alf. The titular character, an alien life form whose real name is Gordon Shumway, is adopted by the Tanner family after crash-landing in their garage.
Gregory played Brian Tanner, one of the children in the Tanner family, for 101 episodes. The iconic main character, a brown, furry creature with a large snout, was played by puppeteer Paul Fusco, who created the show with Tom Patchett.
"It became quite natural to interact with ALF,” Gregory said in a 2022 interview with BTM Legends Corner, a show on YouTube.
RIP to actor Benji Gregory, who starred as Brian Tanner on the sitcom ALF. Gregory was just 46. pic.twitter.com/rWSoevrY1S
— LandOfThe80s (@landofthe80s) July 10, 2024
According to Gregory's sister, Rebecca Hertzberg-Pfaffinger, Gregory suffered from a sleep disorder that kept him awake for days, as well as depression and bipolar disorder.
The family believes Gregory fell asleep and died from vehicular heatstroke. He had gone to the bank to deposit some checks.
Gregory was found dead in his car along with his service dog, Hans, who was also dead.
"Ben was a great Son, Brother and Uncle. He was fun to be around and made us laugh quite often," Hertzberg-Pfaffinger wrote in a Facebook post.
"Still, going through his things, I find myself laughing at little videos or notes of his, in between crying."
Gregory also had small TV roles in shows like The A-Team, the 1985 reboot of The Twilight Zone, and Amazing Stories.
Later in life, Gregory joined the Navy and became an aerographer’s mate. He received an honorable medical discharge and married Sarah Gregory.
In a 2000 interview with People, Gregory said he was relieved when Alf was cancelled.
"I didn't want to do any more shows, but I don't regret any of it," he said.
RIP.
Donald Trump hyped up speculation about his vice-presidential pick at an energetic rally with Senator Marco Rubio (R) on Tuesday.
Trump, speaking to a crowd in Miami, Florida, suggested Rubio may be the one to get the job. Miami has a large Republican-leaning Cuban population and Rubio is the son of Cuban immigrants.
"I think they probably think I’m going to be announcing that Marco’s going to be vice president," Trump said.
Rubio faced off with Trump in the 2016 Republican primary - Trump disparaged him as "Little Marco" at the time - but Rubio later emerged as a defender of Trump during his presidency.
Two other contenders who have received a great deal of press are relative newcomers.
Freshman senator J.D. Vance (Oh.) was a Trump critic in 2016 before shifting to become an outspoken Trump supporter.
North Dakota governor Doug Burgum (R) emerged from obscurity after mounting a long-shot primary challenge to Trump last year. Burgum, a billionaire who made his fortune in computers, is known for his low-key persona, a sharp contrast with the larger-than-life Trump.
Trump's rally in Doral, Florida on Tuesday fueled more speculation about Rubio, who gave a speech on stage. Trump teased Rubio over the VP rumors.
"Marco, you're going to vote for it, I hope. Well, you may or may not be there to vote for it. But you'll be involved," Trump said, alluding to his proposals to eliminate taxes on tips.
After months of teasing, Trump is expected to finally announce his running mate in the coming days ahead of the Republican National Convention, which starts Monday.
Due to 12th Amendment limitations, Rubio would need to move to a new state to join Trump on the ticket, since they both live in Florida.
Trump spoke about the issue during a podcast interview Wednesday with Brian Kilmeade, where Trump dropped more hints about Rubio, Vance, and Burgum.
"No, but it does make it more complicated … There are people that don't have that complication," Trump said of Rubio's Florida residency.
Trump also dismissed the notion that he is basing his decision on the possibility of Joe Biden being replaced.
"I think I'm pretty well set in my own mind, but you know, you got some good people, and I have changed a little bit, but you have, they're all great -- anyone would be fantastic."
A new poll has bad news for Democrats as they try to brand Donald Trump a "convicted felon" ahead of his rematch with Joe Biden.
The Associated Press poll is a double whammy for Dems: while Americans are against jailing Trump, a majority do approve of Hunter Biden serving time for felony gun crimes.
Joe Biden has relentlessly attacked Trump as a "convicted felon" since he became the first U.S. president to be found guilty of a crime in May.
But Trump has attacked the case as a political sham, and it appears the country sympathizes with his view.
Less than a majority of Americans - only 4 in 10 - have confidence that Trump was treated fairly by the justice system. Just 46% approve of Trump's conviction, while 3 in 10 disapprove and a quarter are neutral.
Meanwhile, 48% of Americans think Trump deserves jail time and 50% think he should not face incarceration. Less than half, 49%, of independents say he should face jail, and 46% say he should not.
“I don’t think the particular crime deserves time,” said Christopher Smith, a 43-year-old independent in Tennessee. “I see what he did, lying on business records because of an affair, as more of a moral crime."
Worse for Dems, Americans are less divided about Hunter Biden's conviction. Democrats have equated Trump's case with Hunter's to argue that they both received impartial justice, but Americans see important differences between the two cases.
While less than a majority of Americans want Trump to face jail, a clear 60% say Hunter Biden deserves time behind bars for lying about his drug abuse on a gun form. The same percentage approves of his conviction.
In short, many Americans seem to think that "convicted felon" is a more suitable description of Joe Biden's son than Trump.
The poll suggests Joe Biden would face backlash if he pardoned his son, who has raised red flags by getting more involved with his father's embattled presidency. Hunter Biden has firmly supported his father against Democrats who want him to step aside following his debate debacle last month.
Meanwhile, Trump's sentencing in the "hush money" case has been delayed until September. Hunter Biden will go on trial again that month, for tax evasion.
If Democrats think they can salvage Biden's crumbling presidency by simply calling Trump a "convicted felon" repeatedly, they're mistaken.
Doug Emhoff, the husband of vice president Kamala Harris, tested positive for COVID-19 and is sheltering in isolation.
It's the latest health news to rock the White House, which has been engulfed in crisis over questions about President Joe Biden's fitness.
In a statement, Emhoff's spokesperson said he is in isolation with "mild" symptoms. The spokesperson emphasized that he "is fully vaccinated and three times boosted."
"Yesterday, the Second Gentleman tested positive for COVID-19 after experiencing mild symptoms," Liza Acevedo, Emhoff's communications director, said.
"He is fully vaccinated and three times boosted. He is currently asymptomatic, continuing to work remotely, and remaining away from others at home."
The vice president took a COVID test "out of an abundance of caution" and it came up negative.
"Out of an abundance of caution, yesterday, the Vice President was tested for COVID-19. She tested negative and remains asymptomatic," Acevedo added.
Emhoff was at a July 4th celebration at the White House with Kamala Harris, Joe Biden and Jill Biden.
Biden contracted COVID-19 in July 2022. He later experienced a "rebound" infection after he was treated with the antiviral drug Paxlovid.
During the first half of his term, Biden faced strong pushback for his efforts to forcibly vaccinate Americans. The COVID pandemic has largely receded as a public concern, but nostalgia for the pre-pandemic economy runs high. Democrats fear that such sentiments could help elect Donald Trump. Those fears have worsened since Biden's disastrous debate performance last month.
Kamala Harris has been the target of rampant speculation as Biden faces pressure to step down. His refusal to bow out has caused frustration among Democrats who fear he will lose re-election and drag the party down ballot.
During an ABC News interview last weekend, Biden declined to take a cognitive exam and asserted that his job tests his faculties "every day."
Throughout his presidency, Biden has been repeatedly described as "fit for duty" by the White House physician. Kamala Harris is seen by many as Biden's logical replacement because she is his direct successor and would allow Democrats to avoid a messy convention fight.
Emhoff has been a largely invisible player compared to his wife, who has garnered scrutiny over the years for spewing "word salad" on various subjects.
Tragedy struck the family and team of an up-and-coming NFL star over the weekend.
According to Breitbart, Minnesota Vikings rookie Khyree Jackson was reportedly killed in a fatal car accident with two others. The rookie cornerback was only 24.
The fourth-round pick in the 2024 NFL Draft was reportedly killed in Maryland, according to officials.
The Maryland State Police also issued a statement with further details regarding the fatal accident, which also claimed the lives of two of his former teammates.
Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell released a statement regarding the young star's death.
"I am absolutely crushed by this news," Coach O’Connell said.
"Khyree brought a contagious energy to our facility and our team. His confidence and engaging personality immediately drew his teammates to him. In our short time together, it was evident Khyree was going to develop into a tremendous professional football player, but what was more impressive was his desire to become the best person he could be for his family and those around him. I am at a loss for words. My heart goes out to Khyree’s family, friends, teammates and coaches."
We are devastated by the news of Khyree Jackson’s death following an overnight car accident.
Our thoughts are with Khyree’s family, friends, teammates and coaches, as well as all the victims of this tragic accident.
💔💔💔 pic.twitter.com/pkgC4kQtWi
— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) July 6, 2024
Vikings GM Kwesi Adofo-Mensah also released a statement on Jackson's death.
"I am heartbroken by the loss of Khyree. As we got to know him throughout the pre-draft process, it was clear the goals Khyree wanted to accomplish both professionally and personally. His story was one of resilience. He was taking steps to become the best version of himself, not just for him, but for those who cared about and looked up to him. Khyree’s personality captured every room he was in."
Adofo-Mensah added, "I’m devastated that his life and everything he had in front of him has been cut short. My thoughts are with Khyree’s family and friends, those who played with and coached him in college, and his teammates and coaches here at the Vikings."
Teammates, players, fans, and friends of Jackson posted tributes to the young player across social media in the wake of his death.
"The Khyree Jackson news reminds me of what Jay Williams said after Kobe Bryant’s passing. Just never know how much time we and our loved ones have left on this earth. I’m almost 38. Jackson was 24. Gotta cherish every moment you have," one X user wrote.
Another X user wrote, "He had the potential to be a stud on this Defense may he rip."