Trump lawyer appears to argue president can legally assassinate political rivals
The judge in Donald Trump’s civil fraud trial has rescinded permission for the former president to give his own closing statement.
Mr Trump was reportedly planning to deliver at least part of the closing argument in his New York fraud trial on Thursday alongside his lawyers.
The 45th president is a defendant in a $250m civil case brought by the state’s attorney general Letitia James alleging years of fraud within his real estate empire.
This comes after Mr Trump attended Washington DC’s Court of Appeals on Tuesday for a hearing to weigh the presidential immunity plea that he hopes will see his January 6 election interference case dismissed.
A panel of three judges appeared sceptical of his claim that he enjoys sweeping immunity from prosecution as an ex-commander-in-chief as arguments were presented.
An attorney for Mr Trump raised eyebrows by suggesting at one point that a president should be immune from prosecution unless impeached and convicted, even if they have been accused of having ordered a rival’s murder by the US military.
Trump posts typo-filled tirade blasting Haley’s poll numbers
Gustaf Kilander11 January 2024 01:56
ICYMI: Trump hopes the US economy crashes this year for his own benefit
“We have an economy that’s so fragile, and the only reason it’s running now is it’s running off the fumes of what we did. It’s just running off the fumes,” the Republican front-runner claimed during a Lindell TV interview with Lou Dobbs aired on Monday evening.
“And when there’s a crash — I hope it’s going to be during this next 12 months because I don’t want to be Herbert Hoover. The one president I just don’t want to be, Herbert Hoover.”
He was alluding to the US 31st president, who succeeded Calvin Coolidge at the tail-end of the Roaring Twenties before swiftly being hit by the Wall Street Crash in the autumn of 1929 and then drummed out of office in March 1933 as the Great Depression bit.
Joe Sommerlad has the story.
Oliver O’Connell11 January 2024 01:30
White House responds after Trump warns of ‘bedlam’ if he loses election
The White House has responded to Donald Trump’s claim that there will be “bedlam” in the US if criminal cases deny him returning as president. Speaking to The Independent White House correspondent Andrew Feinberg, Karine Jean-Pierre said: “President Biden has always been absolutely clear. When it comes to this, political violence has no place whatsoever in America…. Failing to condemn or discourage criminal violence, especially after dangerous conspiracies and violent rhetoric, [has] cost law enforcement officers their lives. “If you are a leader in this country, you need to put this country first. You need to put the safety of the American people first.”
Oliver O’Connell11 January 2024 01:15
Trump heads to Iowa for town hall, while ranting about New York trial
Donald Trump has posted a trademark all-caps rant about his New York civil fraud trial.
He called the decision by Judge Arthur Engoron to not grant any further extensions to his legal team to agree to the terms under which the former president could present part of the closing argument in the case, as: “MEAN & NASTY.”
I AM HEADING TO THE GREAT STATE OF IOWA TO FULFILL A COMMITMENT MADE TO DO A BIG FOXNEWS TOWN HALL. TONIGHT, 9:00 P.M. Eastern! I WILL THEN BE FORCED TO CIRCLE BACK TO NEW YORK WHERE I WOULD LIKE TO PERSONALLY DO THE CLOSING ARGUMENT ON THE CIVIL TRIAL WHERE THE TRUMP HATING JUDGE AND ATTORNEY GENERAL ARE WORKING CLOSELY TOGETHER TO “SCREW ME,” EVEN THOUGH I HAVE DONE NOTHING WRONG. THIS IS A RIGGED AND UNFAIR TRIAL — NO JURY, NO VICTIMS, A GREAT FINANCIAL STATEMENT — JUST BEFORE THE IMPORTANT IOWA PRIMARY — ELECTION INTERFERENCE. JUDGE REFUSES TO ABIDE BY THE JUNE APPELLATE DIVISION DECISION WHICH GAVE ME A TOTAL VICTORY IN THIS WITCH HUNT!
Oliver O’Connell11 January 2024 01:00
Full story: Chris Christie suspends 2024 presidential campaign
Chris Christie, the former New Jersey governor and two-time failed presidential candidate, announced he is dropping out of the 2024 presidential race on Wednesday during a town hall in New Hampshire.
“It’s clear to me tonight, there isn’t a path for me to win the nomination which is why I’m suspending my campaign tonight for president of the United States,” Mr Christie told potential voters just hours ahead of the next GOP debate.
Mr Christie reportedly notified allies that he would remove himself from the Republican candidate pool, facing faltering polling numbers and pressure from Donald Trump critics to find a viable opponent to take on the former president.
“I would rather lose by telling the truth than lie in order to win,” Mr Christie said.
Oliver O’Connell11 January 2024 00:40
Watch: Liz Cheney suggests US needs new conservative political party
In an appearance on The View on Wednesday morning, former Republican lawmaker and key Trump adversary Liz Cheney said she found it difficult to imagine the GOP surviving given how caught up it is in the cult of personality.
Ms Cheney said she believes a new party needs to emerge as a home for conservative principles: “I believe the country has to have a party that’s based on conservative principles and values where we can engage with the Democrats on substance and on policy … I think post-2024 election, we’re going to see just a huge tectonic shift in our politics.”
Oliver O’Connell11 January 2024 00:20
Christie suspends 2024 presidential campaign
Chris Christie, the former New Jersey governor and two-time failed presidential candidate, announced he is dropping out of the 2024 presidential race on Wednesday during a town hall in New Hampshire.
“It’s clear to me tonight, there isn’t a path for me to win the nomination which is why I’m suspending my campaign tonight for president of the United States,” Mr Christie told potential voters just hours ahead of the next GOP debate.
Mr Christie reportedly notified allies that he would remove himself from the Republican candidate pool, facing faltering polling numbers and pressure from Donald Trump critics to find a viable opponent to take on the former president.
“I would rather lose by telling the truth than lie in order to win,” Mr Christie said.
Oliver O’Connell11 January 2024 00:10
2 hours to go before Trump’s Fox News town hall goes up against CNN’s GOP debate
Mr Trump last took part in a sit down with Mr Baier in June, speaking about his handling of classified documents for which he was indicted in Florida. He also commented on former members of his Cabinet speaking out against him returning as president, in addition to Russia’s war in Ukraine.
Oliver O’Connell11 January 2024 00:00
Ivanka Trump posts tribute to Melania’s mother
Ivanka Trump has posted a tribute to Melania Trump’s mother Amalija Knavs, who passed away last night.
Donald Trump’s eldest daughter wrote on X: “I am deeply saddened by the passing of Melania’s beloved mother, Amalija Knavs, a remarkable woman who brought immense joy and love into the lives of all around her. Her spirit, strength, and compassion will be profoundly missed but lives on in the hearts of all those whose lives she touched so dearly.”
Oliver O’Connell10 January 2024 23:40
Trump pays belated tribute to Melania’s mother
“This is a very sad night for the entire Trump family!!!” Mr Trump wrote on his social media site, Truth Social. “Melania’s great and beautiful mother, Amalija, has just gone to a beautiful place in the sky. She was an incredible woman, and will be missed far beyond words!”
Mr Trump also shared a picture in which the two posed with wide smiles on their faces.
Oliver O’Connell10 January 2024 23:20