Tag Archives: Politics

Trump defends the prospect of Qatar gifting him a plane to use as Air Force One

Trump defends the prospect of Qatar gifting him a plane to use as Air Force One

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump is ready to accept a luxury Boeing 747-8 jumbo jet as a gift from the ruling family of Qatar during his trip to the Middle East this coming week, and U.S. officials say it could be converted into a potential presidential aircraft. The Qatari government denied that a final decision had been made. Still, Trump defended the idea as a fiscally smart move for the country, while Democrats and others said it raised serious ethics concerns. ABC News reported that Trump will use the aircraft as his presidential plane until shortly before he leaves office in January 2029, when ownership will be transferred to the foundation overseeing his presidential library.… Continue Reading

Former Supreme Court Justice David Souter, a Republican who became a liberal darling, dies at 85

Former Supreme Court Justice David Souter, a Republican who became a liberal darling, dies at 85

WASHINGTON (AP) — Retired Supreme Court Justice David H. Souter has died at age 85. The ascetic bachelor and New Hampshire Republican became a darling of liberals during his nearly 20 years on the bench. The court says Souter died Thursday at his home in New Hampshire. Souter retired from the court in June 2009, giving Democratic President Barack Obama his first Supreme Court vacancy to fill. Obama chose Sonia Sotomayor, the court’s first Latina justice. Souter was appointed by Republican President George H.W. Bush in 1990. Souter was a reliably liberal vote on abortion, church-state relations, freedom of expression and the accessibility of federal courts.… Continue Reading

North Carolina lawmakers focus on guns, immigration and parental rights ahead of a key deadline

North Carolina lawmakers focus on guns, immigration and parental rights ahead of a key deadline

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — Gun access, parental rights and responses to illegal immigration proved recurring topics in legislation approved by at least one North Carolina General Assembly chamber before a key deadline during the two-year session. Policy bills that didn’t pass one chamber by Thursday are considered dead through 2026 — or at least face long odds to advance. In contrast to chaotic activity before past “crossover deadlines,” the House and Senate managed to wrap up work this week on Wednesday. Next up at the General Assembly is passage of a budget package by the state House.… Continue Reading

Republican concedes long-unsettled North Carolina court election to Democratic incumbent

Republican concedes long-unsettled North Carolina court election to Democratic incumbent

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — The Republican challenger for a North Carolina Supreme Court seat has conceded last November’s election to the Democratic incumbent. Jefferson Griffin said in a statement to The Associated Press on Wednesday that he would not appeal a federal judge’s decision favoring Associate Justice Allison Riggs. Griffin’s decision sets the stage for Riggs to be officially elected to an eight-year term as an associate justice. It would end the nation’s last undecided race from the 2024 general election. The federal judge said disputed ballots challenged by Griffin must remain in the final tally and ordered results to be certified to show Riggs is the winner by 734 votes.… Continue Reading

Key Republican says he won’t back Trump’s pick for top DC prosecutor because of Jan. 6 ties

Key Republican says he won’t back Trump’s pick for top DC prosecutor because of Jan. 6 ties

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Supreme Court is allowing President Donald Trump’s administration to enforce a ban on transgender people in the military, while legal challenges proceed. The high court acted Tuesday in the dispute over a policy that presumptively disqualifies transgender people from military service. The court’s three liberal justices said they would have kept the policy on hold. Just after beginning his second term in January, Trump moved aggressively to roll back the rights of transgender people. Among the Republican president’s actions was an executive order that claims the sexual identity of transgender service members “conflicts with a soldier’s commitment to an honorable, truthful, and disciplined lifestyle, even in one’s personal life” and is harmful to military readiness.… Continue Reading

Supreme Court allows Trump ban on transgender members of the military to take effect, for now

Supreme Court allows Trump ban on transgender members of the military to take effect, for now

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Supreme Court is allowing President Donald Trump’s administration to enforce a ban on transgender people in the military, while legal challenges proceed. The high court acted Tuesday in the dispute over a policy that presumptively disqualifies transgender people from military service. The court’s three liberal justices said they would have kept the policy on hold. Just after beginning his second term in January, Trump moved aggressively to roll back the rights of transgender people. Among the Republican president’s actions was an executive order that claims the sexual identity of transgender service members “conflicts with a soldier’s commitment to an honorable, truthful, and disciplined lifestyle, even in one’s personal life” and is harmful to military readiness.… Continue Reading

Federal judge says results of North Carolina court race with Democrat ahead must be certified

Federal judge says results of North Carolina court race with Democrat ahead must be certified

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — A federal judge has ruled that disputed ballots in the still unresolved 2024 race for a North Carolina Supreme Court seat must remain in the final count. U.S. District Judge Richard Myers also ordered late Monday that the State Board of Elections certify results that show Democratic Associate Justice Allison Riggs the winner — by just 734 votes — over Republican challenger Jefferson Griffin. Myers delayed his decision in case Griffin wants to appeal. Myers agreed with Riggs that carrying out recent decisions by state appeals courts that directed potentially thousands of ballots be removed from the tally would violate the U.S. Constitution.… Continue Reading

NPR stations targeted for cuts by Trump have provided lifelines to listeners during disasters

NPR stations targeted for cuts by Trump have provided lifelines to listeners during disasters

CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) — After Hurricane Helene devastated Asheville, North Carolina, the sound coming from open car windows as residents gathered on a street at the top of a ridge trying to get cell service last fall was Blue Ridge Public Radio. And as they stood in line for water or food, the latest news they had heard on the station was a frequent topic of conversation. Now, public radio stations are being targeted for cuts by President Donald Trump, who this week signed an executive order aimed at slashing public subsidies to NPR and PBS, alleging “bias” in the broadcasters’ reporting.… Continue Reading

North Carolina auditor names elections board members after judges let law stand during appeal

North Carolina auditor names elections board members after judges let law stand during appeal

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — North Carolina’s Republican state auditor has started making appointments to a new State Board of Elections because an appeals court said a law can still be enforced while it is challenged by Democratic Gov. Josh Stein. Auditor Dave Boliek announced on Thursday three Republicans to the five-member board. Democrats led by Stein oppose the law, which takes away the board appointment power that a governor has held under state law going back over a century. The state Court of Appeals ruled on Wednesday the appointment switch enacted by Republicans could be carried out while broader legal questions are reviewed.… Continue Reading

Trump national security adviser Waltz is out in a major staff shake-up after his Signal chat blunder

Trump national security adviser Waltz is out in a major staff shake-up after his Signal chat blunder

WASHINGTON (AP) — White House national security adviser Mike Waltz is leaving the Trump administration just weeks after it was revealed he added a journalist to a Signal chat being used to discuss military plans. That’s according to two people familiar with the matter. Thursday’s development marks the first major staff shake-up of President Donald Trump’s second term. Waltz came under scrutiny in March after revelations he added journalist Jeffrey Goldberg to a private text chain on the encrypted messaging app Signal, which was used to discuss planning for a March 15 military operation against Houthi militants in Yemen. Waltz served in the House representing Florida for three terms before his elevation to the White House.… Continue Reading

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