Weekend bits.

May 6, 2023

          Today’s newsletter is the semi-regular “weekend edition” intended to open the Comments section. As I noted yesterday, there was so much news I deferred several stories to Friday’s newsletter. Feel free to take a break from the news and ignore this newsletter! In that spirit, I will highlight stories but keep the discussion to a minimum. Add your thoughts in the Comments section. As always, please be respectful and “like” worthy comments to promote them to the top for other readers.

          Fulton County D.A. reveals immunity deals for eight “false electors.”  In a major development, Fulton County D.A. Fani Willis has granted immunity to eight of sixteen false electors who claimed they were duly appointed federal electors for Georgia in the 2020 presidential election. The immunity deals suggest that Fani Willis may secure indictments against senior Trump campaign officials and allies who orchestrated the effort to overturn the Georgia presidential election. Those officials and allies include Rudy Giuliani, Senator Lindsey Graham, and Trump himself. Things are getting serious in Fulton County. This is a good development for everyone who yearns for accountability and a return to the rule of law. See The Guardian, Half of Trump’s ‘fake electors’ accept immunity in Georgia investigation.

North Carolina passes 12-week abortion ban.

          North Carolina passed a twelve-week abortion ban by a veto-proof margin. Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper has nonetheless vowed to veto the bill, hoping that a handful of Republicans will reconsider their position. See Press Democrat, North Carolina lawmakers pass 12-week abortion ban; governor vows veto.

          The development is particularly painful because former Democratic Rep. Tricia Cotham switched parties to give Republicans a veto-proof super-majority. Cotham campaigned (and won) as an advocate for reproductive liberty in a Democratic district. She will lose her seat in 2024. See NC Voices, New Poll Shows Rep. Cotham's Constituents Feel Betrayed By Switch to GOP.

Cotham’s duplicity is yet another example of the extreme measures Republicans will use to enact legislation that most of their constituents oppose. The GOP understands it is trapped on a burning platform and has a shrinking time period to do its worst. That is a bleak and frightening view of the future for Republicans—which explains their desperation.

E. Jean Carroll rape/defamation trial.

          Presentation of evidence in the E. Jean Carroll rape/defamation trial has concluded. Ordinarily, the parties would begin closing arguments on Monday. But Trump has played “rope-a-dope” with the media and the court, claiming from a golf course in Scotland that he will appear at trial even though his attorney has told the court Trump will not testify. Federal Judge Lewis Kaplan has given Trump until Sunday at 5:00 PM to make a final determination about testifying—an extraordinary accommodation.

Either way, E. Jean Carroll has presented a powerful case. It is dangerous business predicting jury verdicts, but the proper application of the facts to the law should result in a judgment in favor of E. Jean Carroll against Trump. Whatever happens, E. Jean Carroll deserves credit and praise for taking a stand against Trump on behalf of all his victims.

The debt ceiling.

          Biden hasn’t blinked. Republicans are considering “taking a pause” on the debt crisis. Exactly how they will do so is unclear, but one possibility is that they will simply contend that the US has not run out of authority to borrow. See Talking Points Memo, GOPs Write Their Own Debt Ceiling Adventure. Interesting times!

Trump will seek to remove the Manhattan state court prosecution to federal court.

          Trump's attorneys have informed New York state court judge Juan Merchan that they will seek to remove the state court criminal prosecution to federal court. The move will likely fail because Trump was not acting as president when candidate Trump paid money to Stormy Daniels to remain quiet before the election. Joyce Vance explains the intricacies of removing a state court prosecution to federal court in her Substack blog, Civil Discourse, Can a state criminal case get transferred to federal court? If Trump is indicted in Fulton County, Georgia, he will likely attempt the same procedural move.

Thanks to paying subscribers!

          Thanks to those of you who renewed annual subscriptions in April/May. Your support helps me to devote the time necessary to publish this newsletter 5-plus times a week. As is usually the case with annual subscriptions, some renewals failed because subscriber credit card information changed over the year. You can always renew (or subscribe) by clicking on the link at the bottom of the newsletter.

Regardless of your status as a subscriber, I am humbled and honored that you are part of the Today’s Edition newsletter community. I draw strength and inspiration from your interest, support, and words of encouragement. Bless you all!

Concluding Thoughts.

          If you don’t regularly read the comments to the newsletter, I highly recommend doing so. The comments are always interesting, helpful, and informative. Thursday’s discussion by readers living under “single-party rule” was truly remarkable. But most importantly, you can hear directly from readers who, like you, are doing their best to remain optimistic and committed during challenging times. The comments section is a resource for developing a community with like-minded Americans seeking to build a better future for everyone.

Talk to you on Monday!