Laphonza Butler has been appointed to the U.S. Senate by California Gov. Gavin Newsom, making her the first out Black LGBTQ+ U.S. senator. She is the president of EMILYs List, a Democratic group dedicated to electing women who support abortion rights, and is ready to serve. Her appointment is a testament to the progress that can be made when women are given the opportunity to lead, and will continue the legacy of Sen. Dianne Feinstein.
Posts tagged as “5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeal”
The Supreme Court has rejected John Eastman's request to throw out court rulings that identified him as a key figure in former President Donald Trump's efforts to overturn the 2020 election, affirming lower court decisions that resulted in Capitol riot investigators getting access to Eastman's emails. U.S. District Judge David Carter had previously found that Eastman lied to a federal court in Georgia, and the emails sought by the Jan. 6 committee are seen as key evidence in the investigation. The implications of this ruling for Eastman remain unclear.
Simone Biles made history on Sunday at the 2023 World Artistic Gymnastics Championships in Antwerp, Belgium, becoming the first female gymnast to perform the Yurchenko double pike on vault internationally, now officially called the "Biles II". She posted an all-around score of 58.865, putting her in first place at the end of her qualifying session, and the United States was in first place after the first day of competition. Biles' performance was a reminder of her dominance in the sport and her ability to make history, as she is the most decorated American gymnast of all time.
The Supreme Court rejected an appeal from John Eastman, former legal adviser to Donald Trump, who sought to shield his emails from investigators of the Jan. 6 Capitol assault. Justice Clarence Thomas, who had previously shown support for Trump's legal arguments, recused himself from the case, though the reason for his recusal is unclear. Eastman had served as a law clerk to the justice, and emails obtained by the House panel showed that Ginni Thomas, the justice's wife, corresponded with the conservative lawyer.
Key takeaways: The Justice Department is investigating Donald Trump for allegedly hoarding classified documents and covering it up, and for allegedly conspiring to seize power…
U.S. Rep. Dean Phillips has stepped down from his role as co-chair of the Democratic Policy and Communications Committee, signaling his potential candidacy in the 2024 presidential election. Phillips, a three-term congressman from Minnesota, will remain a member of the Democratic Caucus, and praised the work of his colleagues in a statement. His exit from the Democratic leadership role has sparked speculation about his potential candidacy, and could have a major impact on the 2024 race.
President Joe Biden has reassured allies of continued U.S. financial support for Ukraine, despite a short-term funding package that dropped assistance for the country. Congress passed a bill to keep the government funded until November 21, giving them more time to negotiate a longer-term solution. Biden urged Congress to act quickly to ensure the continued flow of American aid to Ukraine.
On Saturday, U.S. Capitol Police responded to a fire alarm pulled by Democratic Rep. Jamaal Bowman of New York, causing an evacuation of the Cannon office building. House Speaker Kevin McCarthy called for Bowman to be punished, comparing it to the Jan 6 rioters, and an investigation into what happened and why continues. Bowman has yet to comment on the incident, and it remains to be seen what the outcome of the investigation will be and how Bowman will be punished, if at all.