Five individuals, including two police officers and two paramedics, have pleaded not guilty to charges related to the death of Elijah McClain in Aurora, Colorado in 2019. The charges stem from an incident in August 2019, when a 911 caller reported a man who seemed “sketchy” and the responding officers placed McClain in a chokehold and paramedics injected him with a powerful sedative. An amended autopsy report concluded that McClain would have most likely survived but for the administration of a dose of ketamine. The five individuals will be tried in three separate trials later this year.
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The Justice Department has informed Rep. Jim Jordan, the new chair of the House Judiciary Committee, that it is ready to work with congressional investigators, but it will not share information about ongoing cases. The department's letter stated that any oversight requests must be weighed against the Department's interests in protecting the integrity of its work. Rep. Jordan had requested information on a range of topics, including immigration enforcement, investigations into threats against school boards, and some investigations known to be active.
Elon Musk took the stand in a California court room on Friday to testify in a lawsuit over his 2018 tweet claiming he had secured funding to take Tesla private. Shareholders allege that the tweet was misleading and caused them to suffer financial losses, while Musk's lawyers argue that it was a joke. The trial is expected to last several weeks and could have serious implications for Musk and Tesla.
Thousands of anti-abortion advocates from across the United States gathered in Washington, D.C. on Friday for the 50th annual March for Life rally, marking a major milestone in the fight against abortion rights. Speakers at the event included President Donald Trump, Vice President Mike Pence, and House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy, and participants followed social distancing guidelines in spite of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. The march was a powerful reminder of the importance of protecting the rights of the unborn, and anti-abortion advocates are determined to make sure that every human life is respected and protected.
The international community is on high alert after a warning from former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev that a conventional war in Ukraine could provoke a nuclear conflict. Medvedev made the threat in a Telegram post ahead of a key meeting of NATO allies and other nations in Germany, where they are expected to make additional pledges of military support to Kyiv
Former US Navy SEAL Daniel W. Swift was killed in Ukraine on Wednesday, with the Navy confirming his death but not providing further details. Swift had his Trident pin removed, indicating he no longer met the requirements of being a Navy SEAL, and at least five other Americans are known to have died fighting in Ukraine. Swift is listed as having deserted since March 2019, raising questions about the presence of US citizens in Ukraine and the circumstances of their involvement in the conflict.
US Hits $34.1 Trillion Debt Ceiling, White House and House Republicans Negotiate Potential Solutions
US Hits $34.1 Trillion Debt Ceiling, White House and House Republicans Negotiate Potential Solutions
The US has officially hit its $34.1 trillion debt ceiling and the government has begun "extraordinary measures" to pay bills. House Speaker Kevin McCarthy has accepted an invitation from President Biden to discuss a solution, while Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell has said the US "never has and never will" default on its debt. House Republicans have threatened to hold the Biden administration hostage over the debt limit, and the outcome of negotiations between the White House and House Republicans could have a significant impact on the financial security of American households.
Virginia Senator Tim Kaine announced on Friday that he will be running for a third term in 2024, after grappling with an eight-year commitment at age 64. Kaine has been in politics for 30 years and is younger than many of his Senate colleagues, including President Biden who is 16 years older. Kaine said he has been honored to serve people as a missionary, civil rights lawyer, and elected official and looks forward to continuing to serve the people of Virginia for another term.