Today: October 07, 2024
Today: October 07, 2024

Latest From The Los Angeles Post

Political

Trump's legal travails anger some GOP voters, but that doesn't guarantee that they'll vote for him

Kathleen Evenhouse took a break from her work in the corner of a small-town Iowa coffee shop to slam the federal criminal indictment of Donald Trump as patently political, the work of a U.S. Justice Department she says is awash in hypocrisy. “I think we’re playing a game as a country,” the 72-year-old author from Pella, Iowa, said in an interview, expressing a sentiment widely shared among conservatives since the former president was charged. “I think that damages any sense of justice or any sense of — should I even bother to vote? Why should I

Trump's legal travails anger some GOP voters, but that doesn't guarantee that they'll vote for him
Political

Like Daniel Ellsberg, others who leaked US government secrets have been seen as traitors and heroes

Daniel Ellsberg’s decision to leak a secret Defense Department study of the U.S. war in Vietnam — the Pentagon Papers — made him a traitor in the eyes of the White House and its supporters and an instant hero to opponents of the war. That’s been true of others who released top-secret information that they felt was evidence of official wrongdoing. While Ellsberg, who died Friday, will be remembered in a largely positive light, the reputations of more recent figures are still contested. Here are some other examples of people who exposed government secrets: W. MARK FELT

Like Daniel Ellsberg, others who leaked US government secrets have been seen as traitors and heroes
Political

Oath Keepers lawyer's trial delayed for competency treatment

The trial of a lawyer for the far-right Oath Keepers extremist group will be delayed so she can get treatment she needs to be mentally competent to stand trial, a judge decided Friday. Kellye SoRelle is charged with conspiracy in connection with the Jan. 6, 2021, attack at the U.S. Capitol, but experts for the prosecution and defense found she is not competent for a trial that had been set for July. Those evaluations predicted that three to four months of treatment can restore her to competency, U.S. District Judge Amit Mehta said. She has pleaded not

Oath Keepers lawyer's trial delayed for competency treatment
Political

Fox News producer out after onscreen message calling President Biden a 'wannabe dictator'

A longtime producer for Tucker Carlson is out at Fox News after he was deemed responsible for the on-air headline that referred to President Joe Biden as a “wannabe dictator” because of the indictment of former President Donald Trump. The producer, Alex McCaskill, confirmed his exit in an Instagram post. Fox News did not comment on Friday. He had remained at Fox after Carlson, the network’s most popular personality, was fired on April 24. The reason for Carlson’s sudden ouster, less than a week after Fox agreed to pay Dominion Voting Systems $787 million to end

Fox News producer out after onscreen message calling President Biden a 'wannabe dictator'
Political

Georgia and New Hampshire's places in limbo as Democrats hammer out 2024 primary order

President Joe Biden’s plan to overhaul his party’s 2024 presidential primary schedule remained unsettled Friday, after a Democratic rules committee gave New Hampshire more time to comply with new rules that leaders there fiercely oppose, but opted not to immediately offer such an extension to another battleground state, Georgia. The Democratic National Committee rules panel voted to let New Hampshire have until Sept. 1 to continue working on its plans for the 2024 Democratic primary. But that is unlikely to quell an ongoing feud between the national party and the state’s Democrats. The same panel didn’t extend

Georgia and New Hampshire's places in limbo as Democrats hammer out 2024 primary order
Political

Blinken stresses need for better US-Chinese communications as he heads to Beijing

Shortly before setting out for Beijing, Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Friday emphasized the importance of the U.S. and China establishing better lines of communication. He will be the highest-ranking member of the Biden administration to visit China. The U.S. wants to make sure “that the competition we have with China doesn’t veer into conflict” due to avoidable misunderstandings, Blinken told reporters in Washington. Blinken, speaking alongside Singapore Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan, said his China trip is the outgrowth of a meeting in Bali last year between Presidents Xi Jinping and Joe Biden. The two agreed

Blinken stresses need for better US-Chinese communications as he heads to Beijing
Political

Former North Carolina health official is picked to be new CDC director

Dr. Mandy Cohen, a former North Carolina official, will be the new director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the White House announced Friday. Unlike the last two people to serve as head of the nation’s top federal public health agency, Cohen has prior experience running a government agency: She was secretary of the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services from 2017 until last year. Before that, she held health-related jobs at two federal agencies. “Dr. Cohen is one of the nation’s top physicians and health leaders with experience leading large and

Former North Carolina health official is picked to be new CDC director
Political

After expulsion and reinstatement, Tennessee Reps. Pearson, Jones advance past Democratic primaries

Tennessee Reps. Justin Pearson and Justin Jones have advanced past an election hurdle after the two young Black lawmakers were expelled earlier this year for their gun control protest on the House floor, then reinstated by local officials days afterward. Pearson appeared to handily defeat Democratic opponent David Page on Thursday in his Memphis district and advance to face independent candidate Jeff Johnston in the Aug. 3 general election, according to to unofficial results from the Shelby County Election Commission with all precincts reporting. He has no Republican opponent for the seat, which favors Democrats. Jones

After expulsion and reinstatement, Tennessee Reps. Pearson, Jones advance past Democratic primaries
Political

The Global South is forging a new foreign policy in the face of war in Ukraine, China-US tensions: Active nonalignment

Lula and Modi walking a new diplomatic path. Takashi Aoyama/AFP via Getty Images What does the Ukraine war have to do with Brazil? On the face of it, perhaps not much. Yet, in his first six months in office, Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva – now in his third nonconsecutive term – has expended much effort trying to bring peace to the conflict in Eastern Europe. This has included conversations with U.S. President Joe Biden in Washington, Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing and in a teleconference call with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. It has also seen “shuttle

The Global South is forging a new foreign policy in the face of war in Ukraine, China-US tensions: Active nonalignment
Political

The US will send depleted uranium munitions to Ukraine – a health physicist explains their military, health and environmental effects

Depleted uranium shells will equip M1A1 Abrams battle tanks, also from the U.S. Lance Cpl. Julio McGraw, USMC/Flickr The Biden administration has agreed to provide Ukraine with depleted uranium shells to equip M1A1 Abrams tanks that the U.S. is sending there. Britain has already delivered tanks to Ukraine equipped with depleted-uranium shells. DU munitions, developed in the 1970s, are not nuclear weapons and do not produce a nuclear explosion. But soldiers or civilians can be exposed to the uranium, either in combat or afterward. Health physicist Kathryn Higley explains what depleted uranium is and what’s known about potential health and

The US will send depleted uranium munitions to Ukraine – a health physicist explains their military, health and environmental effects
Political

How Trump and Johnson, divisive populists with many similarities, ended up on different paths

At first blush, they seem so alike — two pugnacious, ideologically flexible politicians who latched onto the 2016 global explosion of populism to lead their respective countries before falling from power. But Boris Johnson and Donald Trump appear headed down different paths this week as they navigate the fallout from their conduct now that they’ve left higher office — a reflection of the varying political cultures and systems in the nations they once led. On Thursday, a committee of the House of Commons released a scathing report about how Johnson lied to Parliament and intimidated those investigating lockdown-flouting parties in

How Trump and Johnson, divisive populists with many similarities, ended up on different paths
Political

$930 million in grants announced in Biden's effort to expand internet access to every home in the US

The massive federal effort to expand internet access to every home in the U.S. took a major step forward on Friday with the announcement of $930 million in grants to shore up connections in remote parts of Alaska, rural Texas and dozens of other places where significant gaps in connectivity persist. The so-called middle mile grants, announced by the Department of Commerce, are meant to create large-scale networks that will enable retail broadband providers to link subscribers to the internet. Department officials likened the role of the middle mile — the midsection of the infrastructure necessary to enable internet access,

$930 million in grants announced in Biden's effort to expand internet access to every home in the US
Political

Biden will mark the anniversary of a gun safety law signed after the Uvalde, Texas, school massacre

Just a year ago, President Joe Biden signed the first significant piece of federal gun safety legislation in nearly three decades. It was a good start, Biden has said, but it didn’t go far enough. On Friday, the Democratic president will speak at a summit in Connecticut highlighting how the sweeping law has been implemented so far. He’ll also use it as a moment to push for universal background checks and the banning of so-called “assault weapons.” Those are part of a 2024 political platform that was unthinkable to Democrats as recently as Barack Obama’s term. The

Biden will mark the anniversary of a gun safety law signed after the Uvalde, Texas, school massacre
Political

US attorney general in Minneapolis to share results of police department probe

The findings of a two-year investigation of the Minneapolis Police Department, prompted by the death of George Floyd, are expected to be announced Friday by U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland. The Department of Justice on Thursday announced a news conference “on a civil rights matter” was scheduled for Friday morning at the federal courthouse in Minneapolis. Justice Department and city officials declined to confirm about whether they will announce findings of that police department investigation. A Justice Department advisory said Garland will be joined by Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey, Police Chief Brian O’Hara and others. A link

US attorney general in Minneapolis to share results of police department probe
Political

Biden is returning to his union roots as his 2024 campaign gears up

Joe Biden opened his 2020 presidential run at a Pittsburgh union hall, declaring, “I’m a union man. Period.” As he gears up for reelection, the president’s first political rally is being held at a union gathering on the other side of Pennsylvania, punctuating just how much Biden is counting on labor support to carry him to a second term — especially in a critical battleground state. The symmetry is no accident. Rallying labor activists on Saturday at Philadelphia’s convention center can help Biden’s campaign spark enthusiasm and tap early organizing muscle. That may eventually boost Democratic voter

Biden is returning to his union roots as his 2024 campaign gears up
Political

Trump's promise of payback for prosecution follows years of attacking democratic traditions

As Donald Trump became the first former president to face federal charges, he and his supporters went through a familiar routine of mounting a victimhood defense in the face of unprecedented allegations of wrongdoing. But this time, the stakes are higher. Trump upped the level of his claims and threats as he faces the potential of years in prison if convicted on 37 charges of obstruction, illegal retention of defense information and other violations. Hours after pleading not guilty, Trump claimed he is being targeted by the special prosecutor, who is nonpartisan, for political reasons and vowed to retaliate against

Trump's promise of payback for prosecution follows years of attacking democratic traditions
Political

Bidens and Eva Longoria screen 'Flamin' Hot' movie about the origins of the spicy Cheetos snack

President Joe Biden and director Eva Longoria welcomed hundreds to the White House lawn Thursday to screen the new movie, “Flamin’ Hot,” a feel-good story about how a Mexican American janitor working at Frito-Lay sold his superiors on his idea to spice up the crunchy snack’s cheesy coating. They held out the tale of one-time janitor Richard Montañez, which is based on his memoir, as an inspirational account of how one man reached for a dream and overcame the odds — gliding past indications that Montañez’ account is dubious. Biden told the crowd: “When I think about

Bidens and Eva Longoria screen 'Flamin' Hot' movie about the origins of the spicy Cheetos snack
Political

Suarez backs 15-week federal abortion ban, says he has 'credibility' on immigration conversation

Miami Mayor Francis Suarez, the newest candidate in the Republican presidential field, drew some distinctions between himself and his rivals Thursday, suggesting that the six-week abortion ban signed into law by Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis is too severe and showing an openness to changing the country’s immigration system. In an interview with The Associated Press, Suarez expressed support for a 15-week federal abortion ban, saying the country “is not there yet” on six weeks. He also said his status as the only Hispanic candidate in the GOP race gives him “a lot of credibility” in a conversation

Suarez backs 15-week federal abortion ban, says he has 'credibility' on immigration conversation
Political

Supreme Court affirms Congress's power over Indian affairs, upholds law protecting Native American children

Wiping away tears, Nita Battise, vice chairperson of the tribal council of the Alabama-Coushatta Tribe of Texas, reacts to the Supreme Court ruling upholding a law that gives Native American families priority in adoptions and foster care placements of tribal children. Mandel Ngan/AFP via Getty Images The Supreme Court affirmed the constitutionality of the Indian Child Welfare Act, a 1978 law enacted to protect Native American children in the U.S. and strengthen their families, in a June 15, 2023, ruling. Tribal leaders praised the decision as upholding the basic constitutional principles governing the relationships among Native nations and the federal

Supreme Court affirms Congress's power over Indian affairs, upholds law protecting Native American children
Political

Biden hopes Su's role in dockworker deal can sway Democratic holdouts to confirm her as labor chief

The White House is hoping that Julie Su’s role in brokering a deal between West Coast dockworkers and shippers will provide fresh momentum for the Senate to act on her long-stalled nomination to be labor secretary. Su flew to San Francisco to help seal the tentative agreement after a lengthy dispute that had led to sporadic disruptions at some of the nation’s largest ports. President Joe Biden asked Su, a civil rights lawyer who was deputy labor secretary when tapped for the Cabinet job in February, to join the negotiations, according to a White House official, in

Biden hopes Su's role in dockworker deal can sway Democratic holdouts to confirm her as labor chief
Political

Donald Trump scores rare legal win as DA drops golf course tax probe

Make that one less legal headache for Donald Trump. A suburban New York prosecutor said Thursday that she has closed a multiyear investigation that focused in part on whether the twice-indicted former president or his company misled authorities to reduce taxes on properties they own. Westchester County District Attorney Mimi Rocah said in a statement that she reached the decision after an investigation that was conducted “objectively, and independent of politics, party affiliation and personal or political beliefs.” No charges were filed against Trump or his company, the Trump Organization. Rocah, a Democrat, started investigating Trump

Donald Trump scores rare legal win as DA drops golf course tax probe
Political

Energy Department among federal agencies breached by Russian ransomware gang

The Department of Energy and several other federal agencies were compromised in a Russian cyber-extortion gang’s global hack of a file-transfer program popular with corporations and governments, but the impact was not expected to be great, Homeland Security officials said Thursday. Jen Easterly, director of the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, told reporters that unlike the meticulous, stealthy SolarWinds hacking campaign attributed to state-backed Russian intelligence agents that was months in the making, this campaign was short, opportunistic and caught quickly. A senior CISA official said neither the U.S. military nor intelligence community was affected. Energy Department spokesperson Chad Smith

Energy Department among federal agencies breached by Russian ransomware gang
Political

Guardsman indicted on charges of disclosing classified national defense information

The Massachusetts Air National Guardsman accused of leaking highly classified military documents has been indicted on federal felony charges, the Justice Department said Thursday. Jack Teixeira faces six counts in the indictment of willful retention and transmission of national defense information. He was arrested in April on charges of sharing highly classified military documents about Russia’s war in Ukraine and other top national security issues in a chat room on Discord, a social media platform that started as a hangout for gamers. The stunning breach exposed to the world unvarnished secret assessments of Russia’s war in Ukraine,

Guardsman indicted on charges of disclosing classified national defense information
Political

US says price caps on Russia's oil are cutting revenue nearly in half and weakening its economy

A top Treasury Department official said Thursday that the cap on the price of Russia’s oil is severely curtailing its greatest source of revenue as it wages war in Ukraine. When the United States and other economic powers in the Group of Seven, along with the European Union and Australia, last year announced an ambitious plan to cap the price of Russian oil, U.S. officials said it would deliver a crippling blow to Russia’s economy. “In just six months, the price cap has contributed to a significant decline in Russian revenue at a key juncture in the

US says price caps on Russia's oil are cutting revenue nearly in half and weakening its economy
Political

DeSantis ratchets up feud with Newsom and dares California governor to take on Biden in 2024

Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis of Florida escalated his feud with California Gov. Gavin Newsom on Thursday, daring the West Coast Democrat to “stop pussyfooting around” and launch a primary challenge against President Joe Biden. DeSantis, who announced his presidential campaign late last month, took on Newsom during a news conference in Florida in which he was asked about Newsom’s recent comments to Fox News agreeing to a hypothetical debate with DeSantis hosted by Sean Hannity. “He’s got huge problems in his state –- I mean, like, huge problems in his state,” DeSantis said. “Yet with all

DeSantis ratchets up feud with Newsom and dares California governor to take on Biden in 2024

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