The White House has condemned Rep. James Comer (R-Ky.) for his "incredibly ugly and inappropriate" remarks on a right-wing podcast, which suggested that U.S. Attorney David Weiss had not indicted either of the Biden sons or Joe Biden himself. Weiss is currently leading the investigation into Hunter Biden’s taxes, and the White House has made it clear that they do not condone Comer’s comments. It remains to be seen if any charges will be brought against Hunter Biden or any other members of the Biden family.
News Mash
On Wednesday, California's Board of Parole Hearings denied parole for Sirhan Sirhan, the man convicted of assassinating Senator Robert F. Kennedy in 1968. This was Sirhan's 17th parole suitability hearing, and the board's decision means that he will not be eligible for parole for another three years. The public has reacted to the decision with mixed reactions, with some believing he should remain in prison and others arguing for his release due to his age and the length of his sentence.
Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, has criticized the Department of Justice for not charging any protesters outside Supreme Court justices' homes in the wake of the Dobbs decision. In response, Attorney General Merrick Garland said that white supremacists are the most dangerous domestic terror group in the US, and that the DOJ is committed to protecting the rights of all Americans. The DOJ has yet to comment on Cruz's criticism.
Marc Muffley, 40, of Lansford, Pennsylvania was arrested Monday night after an explosive device was found in his suitcase at Lehigh Valley International Airport. The device was described as a circular compound wrapped in wax paper and plastic wrap, prompting the immediate evacuation of the area. Muffley is charged with attempting to bring an explosive onto an Orlando-bound flight, and the FBI and TSA are continuing to investigate the incident.
British police have discovered the remains of a 2-month-old baby in a wooded area near where Constance Marten and Mark Gordon were arrested earlier this week. Detective Superintendent Lewis Basford of the Met's East Area Command said a post-mortem examination will be held to determine the cause of death. Marten and Gordon had been on the run since early January, using large amounts of cash to stay off the grid and were arrested after police became concerned for the welfare of their child.
Florida lawmakers are introducing a bill, S.B. 1248, that would require the state's Division of Elections to cancel the filings of any political party that has previously advocated for or been in support of slavery or involuntary servitude. The bill would also change the voter registration of those affected to “no party affiliation” and provide procedures for them to update their affiliation. The bill is part of a larger effort by Republican Governor Ron DeSantis to score headlines ahead of a potential 2024 presidential campaign launch and has been met with criticism from some who argue that it is an attempt to suppress the votes of certain groups. The bill is currently being considered by the state legislature and is expected to be voted on in the coming weeks.
Twelve railroad unions met with Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg and Federal Railroad Administration Administrator Amit Bose to discuss the Norfolk Southern train derailment in East Palestine, Ohio and the need for improved safety measures. The unions reported that many workers have fallen ill at the derailment site, and Mike Baldwin, president of the Brotherhood of Railroad Signalmen, called for stakeholders to work together to ensure the safe transportation of hazardous materials. The Biden administration is prioritizing safety in the rail industry, and this meeting is a step in that direction.
The California Board of Parole Hearings has denied parole to Robert F. Kennedy assassin Sirhan Sirhan, citing his lack of insight into the 1968 shooting. Sirhan, now 78, has been denied parole 15 times since 1985, and his lawyer argued that he has shown awareness of his actions and is unlikely to re-offend. His next parole hearing is scheduled for 2023, when he will be 83 years old.