Donald Trump said on Truth Social that Gen. Mark Milley — who he called “a woke train wreck” — should be executed for treason.
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Archives for September 22, 2023 at 11:41 pm EDT
Prosecutors Probe Trump’s Political Operation
“Prosecutors are probing former President Donald Trump’s political operation after it paid over $44 million to lawyers and law firms that have represented potential witnesses and codefendants in his ongoing legal cases since 2020 — accounting for about half of the operation’s legal expenses during that time,” Open Secrets reports.
“The political network’s payments to lawyers and law firms that represent witnesses and defendants in the former president’s ongoing legal cases have raised concerns about Trump pressuring witnesses citing the former president’s history of allegedly trying to influence witnesses.”
Jack Smith Adds Top Prosecutor to His Team
“Special counsel Jack Smith has added a veteran war crimes prosecutor — who served as Smith’s deputy during his stint at the Hague — to his team as it prepares to put former President Donald Trump on trial in Washington and Florida,” Politico reports.
“Alex Whiting worked alongside Smith for three years, helping prosecute crimes against humanity that occurred in Kosovo in the late 1990s.”
Democrats Discuss Yanking Menendez from Party Line
“Democratic leaders in Sen. Bob Menendez’s home state of New Jersey met on Friday afternoon about a possible removal of his name from the party line on next year’s ballot,” Politico reports.
“The discussion signals that the embattled Democratic senator’s reelection bid in 2024 could face fresh peril following his indictment on federal bribery and conspiracy charges, which was unsealed earlier Friday.”
Extra Bonus Quote of the Day
“I would like to make clear. I would not back the former president of the United States. He is dangerous for the country. He is willing and has showed, time and time again, willingness to proliferate lies to vulnerable American people so he could stay in power… To me, that is the most un-American thing that you can do.”
— Former Trump White House aide Cassidy Hutchinson, in a CBS News interview.
Top New Jersey Democrats Call on Menendez to Step Down
New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy (D) wants Sen. Bob Menendez (D-NJ) to resign his seat in the U.S. Senate following his indictment on federal bribery charges, as do State Senate President Nick Scutari (D) and Assembly Speaker Craig Coughlin (D), the New Jersey Globe reports.
Meanwhile, Politico reports Rep. Andy Kim (D-NJ) is also calling on Menendez to resign.
Third GOP Debate Scheduled for November
“The third Republican presidential debate will be held in Miami on Nov. 8, a day after several states hold off-year elections, and candidates will be facing the most stringent requirements yet to take part,” the AP reports.
“Participating candidates must secure 4% of the vote in multiple polls and 70,000 unique donors to earn a spot on the stage.”
New Jersey Democrats Mull Cutting Menendez Loose
“The explosive indictment of Sen. Bob Menendez has forced an urgent decision on New Jersey Democrats: Stick with a powerful senator who’s survived corruption ordeals before and is known for punishing disloyalty, or cut their losses and protect what should be a safe Democratic seat,” Politico reports.
“A year before Menendez is up for reelection, they’re leaning hard towards the latter.”
“While Democrats stay publicly silent, interviews with half a dozen well-placed Democratic operatives, advisers and staffers show a party stunned by the level of alleged corruption and hard-pressed to imagine a scenario in which the party backs Menendez for another term. But the fact that no one was willing to criticize him on the record in the face of such damning allegations may be reason to question whether state Democrats will ultimately force a reckoning with Menendez over his political future.”
Nikki Haley Attacks Trump’s ‘Reckless Spending’
Nikki Haley laced into Donald Trump in a speech laying out her economic plan on Friday, faulting the former president for “reckless spending,” Politico reports.
Trump Notches Another Delegate Selection Win
“Massachusetts Republicans just handed Donald Trump another win in his quest to tilt state delegate-selection rules in his favor,” Politico reports.
“Republican state committee members in this Super Tuesday state voted unanimously on Thursday night to pass a primary delegate plan that keeps a winner-take-all threshold likely to benefit Trump.”
Schumer In Talks with McConnell as Shutdown Fears Grow
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) told CNN that his chamber “might have to take matters in its own hands and push through a must-pass bill to fund the government amid deep divisions in the House and a looming shutdown by next weekend.”
“Schumer said he would try to cut a deal with Senate Minority Leade”r Mitch McConnell and send it to the House on the eve of a potential shutdown – all as he signaled he was pushing to include aid to Ukraine as part of the package.”
Biden Tries to Seize on GOP Drama
Washington Post: “Biden’s allies say they have long planned to showcase the president carrying out the duties of his office while highlighting the political struggles of his GOP opponents. But they have leaned into the strategy in the past week as it became clear that far-right Republicans were having outsize sway both in Congress and on the campaign trail, according to White House officials speaking on the condition of anonymity to discuss internal strategy, and as it became more likely the GOP infighting could lead to a government shutdown.”
“The split-screen message — which the Biden team has also used to contrast a purportedly steady White House with a raucous GOP primary — stands in lieu of more traditional campaigning by the president, who is not yet holding rallies or town halls as he seeks reelection. White House and campaign aides believe Biden’s best way to secure votes for next year is to remain above the political fray this year, presenting himself as an effective president rather than a politician.”
Mother Sent to Prison for Giving Daughter Abortion Pills
“A Nebraska mother who pleaded guilty to giving her teenage daughter pills for an abortion and helping to burn and conceal the fetus was sentenced Friday to two years in prison,” the AP reports.
Ted Cruz Says Michelle Obama Could Replace Biden
Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) claimed Democrats could “parachute” Michelle Obama in as a presidential nominee if his theory of President Biden dropping out of the race holds true, The Hill reports.
Said Cruz: “So here’s the scenario that I think is perhaps the most likely and most dangerous. In August of 2024, the Democrat kingmakers jettison Joe Biden and parachute in Michelle Obama. I view this as a very serious danger.”
Bonus Quote of the Day
“I didn’t come here to shut the government down or play stupid games so we could raise $5 donations by claiming we’re doing something and sticking it to the administration, when in fact all they would be doing is screwing the American people.”
— Rep. Mike Lawler (R-NY), on the Hugh Hewitt Show.
Russian State TV Promotes New Tucker Carlson Show
“Russia’s flagship state news channel is advertising a new program hosted by Tucker Carlson, apparently without the firebrand rightwing US TV host’s knowledge or consent,” the Financial Times reports.
Inside the Shocking Menendez Indictment
Playbook: “The allegations document corruption so brazen it looks like something out of a movie — or at least a bygone era of New Jersey politics — and with significant international implications. The Menendezes stand accused of taking large sums of money to sway American foreign policy more favorably toward Egypt and benefit three Jersey businessmen.”
“When law enforcement searched Menendez’s home, they turned up $480,000 in cash hidden away, $70,000 more in Nadine’s safe deposit box and $100,000 worth of gold bars — and yes, there are photos in the 39-page indictment, including one of bundles of cash found inside a Menendez-monogrammed jacket. In just one of many incredible details, prosecutors allege that Menendez returned from an Egypt trip in 2021 and searched online for ‘how much is one kilo of gold worth.’ Authorities say Menendez also received payments on his mortgage and a luxury car as bribes.”
“The official charges for the couple are conspiracy to commit bribery, conspiracy to commit honest services fraud and conspiracy to commit extortion. The businessmen were also charged. All are set to appear in a Manhattan courtroom Wednesday and are, of course, innocent until proven guilty.”
