Special counsel Jack Smith's prosecutors have filed a 67-page document defending the federal government's actions in seeking to repossess White House records taken by Donald Trump, as the case evolved into a federal investigation. The filing refutes Trump's claims and seeks to keep the case on track for a spring trial, detailing the search of Mar-a-Lago and the subsequent investigation. Prosecutors argue that Trump's legal team has distorted events and that the case's evolution followed Justice Department protocol. They also refute Trump's claim of holding security clearance after leaving office and assert that his requests for internal government communications are not entitled as part of discovery.
Lawyers for former President Donald J. Trump are seeking more information about discussions Atlanta prosecutors had with the Biden White House and the House committee that investigated the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol, claiming that the election interference case brought against him is tainted by ties to both entities. The former president and 14 of his allies face racketeering and other charges in the inquiry, and new details about the contacts have emerged in a legal filing from one of Mr. Trump’s co-defendants in the case.
The COP28 climate conference, held in Abu Dhabi and attended by 80,000 participants, including high-ranking officials from the Biden White House, is being criticized for its unrealistic and costly climate policies. The conference, which aims to phase out fossil fuels, is hosted by the head of the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company, who was revealed to be plotting new oil and gas deals. Meanwhile, wind projects are failing in the US and other countries, and the Biden administration's crackdown on methane emissions could lead to the shutdown of many low-producing wells. China and India, two major carbon emitters, are resisting international pressure to reduce coal consumption. As electricity prices continue to rise, there is growing skepticism about the effectiveness and affordability of Biden's climate agenda.
The Biden White House criticized House Speaker Rep. Mike Johnson's comments on gun control following the recent mass shootings in Maine, where Johnson claimed that guns were not the cause of America's mass shooting crises and that the problem lies in the human heart. The White House rejected this notion, stating that gun crime is uniquely high in the United States because of congressional Republicans prioritizing the gun industry's lobbyists over innocent lives. The shooting in Maine was the 37th mass killing in the U.S. this year, with at least 190 people dead. The suspect, Robert Card, an Army Reservist, was found dead after a two-day manhunt and had been dealing with mental health issues.
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the 5th Circuit has ruled that the Biden White House, CDC, and FBI likely violated the First Amendment by improperly influencing tech companies' decisions to remove or suppress posts on COVID-19 and elections. The court found that the White House coerced and significantly encouraged social media platforms to make moderation decisions, violating free speech rights. The ruling limits the government institutions affected by the decision and has implications for how the federal government communicates with the public and social media companies on public health issues and elections. The case is part of a conservative effort to limit coordination between the government and tech platforms, alleging bias in content moderation.
According to a new book, Vice President Kamala Harris is said to have "rabbit ears" for criticism, causing frustration in the Biden White House. Harris reportedly becomes instantly aware of any hint of criticism and seeks to know who is speaking ill of her and what they are saying. The book also reveals that President Biden did not hand Harris a substantive role like he had in the Obama administration, and she struggled to find her footing due to self-imposed constraints. Harris constantly searched for issues to add to her portfolio but was reluctant to accept suggestions.
The Biden White House has intentionally remained silent on the indictment of former President Donald Trump, with aides believing that any comment risks providing Trump with ammunition to fuel his claims of political persecution. Biden himself has refused to comment on the matter, and his campaign has not sought to fundraise off the indictment. Biden's advisers believe that the contrast between a president focused on his public duties and Trump's legal predicament will speak for itself. The White House's silence will be tested as the legal saga persists, but they believe that avoiding any public comment is the best strategy.
