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Hmmm. Trump claimed that he had the “right” to take home documents in a recent Fox News interview with Sean Hannity, who repeatedly tried to help the former president without success. “I’ve known you for decades,” Hannity said. “I can’t imagine you ever saying, ‘Bring me some of the boxes that we brought back from the White House. I’d like to look at them.’ Did you ever do that?” “I would have the right to do that,” Trump responded. “There’s nothing wrong with it.” “But I know you,” Hannity said. “I don’t think you would do it.” “I don’t have a lot of time, but I would have the right to do that,” Trump retorted. “I would do that.” “Remember this,” Trump added. “This is the Presidential Records Act. I have the right to take stuff.” And check this out: Legal experts said new revelations about obstruction evidence collected by special counsel Jack Smith’s team could land former President Donald Trump in deep legal trouble.

OK, these things aren’t actually “illegal,” but it seems that they should be.

The post When Will Trump Be Indicted for These Crimes? appeared first on The Intercept.

DeSantis signed a permitless concealed carry law this week: Gov. Ron DeSantis on Monday signed a measure that will allow Florida residents to carry guns without a state permit — but falls short of what some gun-rights activists sought. DeSantis signed the legislation behind closed doors in the governor’s office, with news of the bill signing being released first to Fox News. He had pledged during an appearance last week at a Georgia gun store that he would act quickly on the proposal, which passed the Florida Legislature on Thursday. “You don’t need a permission slip from the government to be able to exercise your constitutional rights,” DeSantis, a Republican, said at the time. Florida becomes the 26th state to allow residents to carry concealed weapons without a permit. The new legislation gives DeSantis another victory to tout as he gears up for an expected presidential campaign. “Here in the free state of Florida, government will not get in the way of law-abiding Americans who want to defend themselves and their families,” said state Sen. Jay Collins, a Tampa Republican and sponsor of the legislation.

Kathleen Rice, at the time a House member from New York, sent a criminal referral to the FBI in 2021.

The post Trump’s Lawyer Joe Tacopina Donated to Democratic Rep Who Called for Trump’s Prosecution appeared first on The Intercept.

Doctor Who has always had a finger on the pulse of the times, including already having a Trump figure in place, played by Chris Noth.

Wait, what day is today?

Yeah, I think we knew that. He could have done this whole thing on zoom: DONALD TRUMP INSISTED on turning his Tuesday arraignment into a spectacle, and he’s going to get his wish. A law enforcement official tells Rolling Stone that the former president was offered a chance to surrender quietly and be arraigned over Zoom. Instead, Trump opted for a midday, high-profile booking at the Manhattan courthouse, the official says. “He wanted a perp walk; he wanted daylight hours,” says the law enforcement official, who’s involved in aspects of the security planning. “He wants to get out of the vehicle and walk up the stairs. This is a nightmare for Secret Service, but they can only strongly suggest — not order — that Trump enter through the secure tunnels. Trump wants to greet the crowd. This should be a surprise to no one — especially not his detail.” Secret Service had argued in favor of holding the proceedings outside of court business hours, at night with minimal cameras and less risk.

Not long after six am on Monday the third of April news began to flow south from Yolngu heartland. The most significant Aboriginal leader of our generation had passed. His legacy was and will continue to be profound. His passing has weighty implications for our nation and the Gumatj clan he led. It has implications Continue reading »

While the AUKUS treaty has echoes of the tragic Iraq invasion of 2003, even closer comparisons can be found with the arms race of the 1980s. The political polarities of 2003 are reversed in AUKUS. The Anglophone coalition leadership of Liberal (Howard), Labour (Blair) and Republican (Bush) have become Labor (Albanese), Conservative (Sunak) and Democrat Continue reading »

Reform has its limits. Even as the Labor Government makes good several of its promised changes in economic and social policy, the boom-gate has dropped on defence and foreign affairs. Anticipated by Labor in Opposition since 2018, a review of how Australia goes to war began last September. A Parliamentary Committee worked hard for six Continue reading »

In recent years a contemporary China Threat narrative has emerged in Australia and elsewhere related to defence capabilities. An equally important China Threat though, is ignorance. Our knowledge of China and our Chinese communities has declined dramatically over the last thirteen years. How can we combat this threat? The People’s Republic of China [PRC] and Continue reading »

Perhaps the most significant thing about the Aston by-election was the comment on the result by Peter Dutton – a comment which provides a profound insight into Liberal thinking and why the Liberal Party is in trouble. The Aston by-election result was clear enough to get most of the media broadly on track about its Continue reading »

The main Israeli lobby operating under the name of the Australia/Israel and Jewish Affairs Council (AIJAC), a well-financed private group, is worried. Having a huge influence on the mainstream media, either through close relations with proprietors, such as the ideological alliance they have with media mogul Rupert Murdoch, or through bullying and intimidation, they are Continue reading »

A few acquaintances of mine decided to give up their Chinese citizenship before last year’s federal election after living on permanent visas for more than a decade. Their purpose was simple — it meant they could vote. Many of them, especially those who run small businesses, were long-term supporters of the Liberal Party. They had Continue reading »

Oriental and Mediterranean eggplants are about 5 inches long and 1½-2 inches in diameter. Elongated in shape and are excellent for busy cooks since they cook quickly. Eggplants are low in calories. Prepare this subtly flavored sauce ahead for ease in serving.3 Tablespoons toasted sesame seeds, ground coarsely3 Tablespoons sugar3 Tablespoons rice wine vinegar (Japanese […]

In the past, Vallas took a Republican endorsement and toyed with switching parties. Today, despite GOP support, he’s distancing himself from the party.

The post Is Chicago Mayoral Candidate Paul Vallas a Republican? appeared first on The Intercept.

~ Today's Water Cooler ~

Hearts and Haggadahs

When a fire in Annabel’s glamorous city highrise destroys her family collection of Maxwell House Haggadahs, she sets out to find a suitable replacement. Her search brings her to the small-town coffee shop Get Thee to a Beannery run by Saul, a grump with a heart of espresso. Despite his initial resistance, things begin to brew between them, and Saul considers pouring his resources into sponsoring a new line of Haggadahs. Will they be the perfect blend of big-city java and small-town roast, or will this budding partnership grind to a halt?

Wirral Cllrs Yvonne Nolan and Sue Mahoney deselected by Labour – after demonstrating against deselection of Nolan’s carer for not attending enough out-of-ward door-knocking sessions. Nolan and her carer have been replaced by imposed right-wingers The deputy leader of Wirral Council, Rock Ferry councillor Yvonne Nolan, will stand against Labour as an independent after the […]

Attention conservation notice: short but entirely speculative exercise in amateur sociology/game theory, by someone who has no professional license to do either, and had a blue tick for a couple of years but was always bemused as to why. A quick note as to what went wrong with the Elon Musk strategy of giving power […]

New York's case against Trump would be a mere footnote of history if the U.S. actually believed in holding presidents and other top officials accountable.

The post The Prosecution of Trump Is a Good First Step. Now Do Bush. appeared first on The Intercept.

Criminals are arrested every day in every town in America. You are not special, Trumpie. You’re just a private citizen being held to account for your crimes. Go to court and let a jury decide. That’s exactly how it works. Just be glad you’re not Black.