Biden admits to debate mistakes but vows to protect democracy. Democrats stand by him — for now
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden is addressing Democratic concerns about his shaky performance in the debate with ex-President Donald Trump. Biden acknowledged that he is not the debater he once was during a rally in North Carolina on Friday. However, he emphasized that “The choice in this election is simple: Donald Trump will destroy our democracy. I will defend it.” While Democratic lawmakers are expressing worries, they are still supporting him at this time. Meanwhile, Trump’s attacks on critics and his false policies serve as a reminder of the chaos during his tenure as a Republican president.
Reasons why Democrats would face challenges in replacing Joe Biden on the presidential ticket
WASHINGTON (AP) — Replacing President Joe Biden as the Democratic nominee for the 2024 presidential election would be extremely difficult unless he voluntarily steps down after his lackluster debate performance against ex-President Donald Trump. Democratic rules state that delegates won by Biden in state primaries must continue to support him at the upcoming national convention unless he officially withdraws from the race. While Biden’s Thursday performance has raised questions within his party about a replacement before November, Vice President Kamala Harris, his running mate, cannot automatically take his place at the top of the ticket.
Supreme Court decision makes it tougher to charge Capitol riot defendants with obstruction, a charge Trump is facing
WASHINGTON (AP) — Attorney General Merrick Garland expressed disappointment over the Supreme Court’s ruling that makes it more challenging to charge Capitol riot defendants with obstruction. Former President Donald Trump also faces this charge. The justices decided on Friday that to charge someone with obstructing an official proceeding, there must be evidence of attempts to tamper with or destroy documents. Only a portion of the individuals who were involved in the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol riot fit this criteria. Garland stated that the decision restricts an important federal statute, but it will not affect the majority of cases against those charged for the events of Jan. 6. Trump hailed the ruling as a “massive victory” for the individuals arrested on that day.
Divided Supreme Court rules that outdoor sleeping bans are permissible in major homelessness case
WASHINGTON (AP) — California Governor Gavin Newsome believes a Supreme Court ruling allowing cities to enforce outdoor sleeping bans in West Coast regions will provide local officials with more flexibility to address the homelessness crisis. However, an attorney for homeless individuals argues that this ruling could result in punishment for people simply because they have nowhere else to go. The Oregon case, decided on Friday, is one of the most significant cases related to homelessness to come before the high court in decades, impacting an increasing number of individuals in the U.S. The 6-3 ruling along ideological lines overturned a previous decision that deemed outdoor sleeping bans as cruel and unusual punishment.
Chevron implications: Supreme Court decision eliminates a frequently utilized tool for federal regulators
WASHINGTON (AP) — A comprehensive Supreme Court ruling may put at risk federal regulations that affect various aspects of everyday life, from food consumption and transportation to environmental quality and housing standards. The court’s decision on Friday rejected the 40-year-old legal doctrine known as Chevron, which has been a basis for upholding numerous federal regulations. Conservatives and business groups have long criticized the doctrine, arguing that it grants excessive power to executive branch agencies like the Environmental Protection Agency and shifts that power to the courts.
An overview of the US-built pier intended to provide aid to Gaza
WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. military-constructed pier on the Gaza shore has been removed due to rough seas, raising uncertainty about its future role in aid distribution to Palestinians. Humanitarian organizations ceased distributing supplies that arrived by sea on June 9 due to security concerns and have not resumed operations since then. U.S. officials indicate that the pier may not be reinstalled unless aid agencies agree to resume aid distribution. In the meantime, essential supplies sent from Cyprus are accumulating on the shore, with the secure area in Gaza soon expected to reach capacity. The pier has faced numerous challenges, including weather damage and security issues.
Polls close in Iran’s presidential election following the death of a hard-liner and rising tensions in the Middle East
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Iranians have participated in a snap election to replace the late hard-line President Ebrahim Raisi. The race’s sole reformist candidate has pledged to pursue “friendly relations” with the West to energize supporters in an election marked by apathy. Voters on Friday had to choose between hard-line candidates and little-known Masoud Pezeshkian. As has been the case since the 1979 Islamic Revolution, women and advocates for significant change were barred from running, and the election lacked oversight from internationally recognized monitors. The voting took place amidst heightened tensions in the Middle East due to the conflict between Israel and Hamas in the Gaza Strip. Initial results are expected to be announced on Saturday.
Indictment accuses former Uvalde schools police chief of delays during a shooting incident targeting children
AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — An indictment alleges that the police chief for schools in Uvalde, Texas, failed to recognize an active shooter and made decisions that impeded the law enforcement response to stop a gunman who was targeting victims. The shooter ultimately killed 21 people at Robb Elementary. Pete Arredondo, the police chief, was arrested and released on 10 state jail felony counts related to the May 24, 2022, attack in which 19 children and two teachers lost their lives. This tragic event was one of the deadliest school shootings in U.S. history. In addition to Arredondo, former school officer Adrian Gonzales faces 29 similar charges.
Prosecutors rest their case in Sen. Bob Menendez’s bribery trial; Judge denies defense request for acquittals
NEW YORK (AP) — Following the conclusion of the bribery case against Sen. Bob Menendez, defense lawyers are preparing to call witnesses on Monday to defend the Democrat and two businessmen facing multiple federal charges. On Friday, a judge dismissed the defense’s request to dismiss the case on the grounds of insufficient evidence. Prosecutors allege that gold bars and a substantial sum of cash found during a 2022 raid at Menendez’s residence were bribes, while the defense argues that the gold belonged to Menendez’s wife. The defense also contends that the senator kept the cash at home after his family lost everything in Cuba before relocating to New York, where Menendez was born.
Texas Supreme Court upholds ban on youth gender transitions, making it the largest state with such a law
AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — The Texas Supreme Court has upheld the state’s prohibition on gender-affirming medical care for transgender minors, rejecting pleas from parents who argue that the ban violates their right to make decisions about their children’s healthcare. The 8-1 ruling on Friday leaves intact a law that took effect in September 2023. A group of families and physicians filed a lawsuit to overturn the law, claiming that it discriminates against transgender children and has devastating effects on families who are denied critical treatment. Texas is among at least 25 states that have implemented laws prohibiting certain gender-affirming care for minors.
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