Trump to renew push for delay in New York hush money trial as $454M fraud bond comes due

Posted on March 25, 2024 by Latest Political News on Fox News

Former President Trump will appear in a Manhattan court on Monday, where he is expected to renew his push for a delay in his hush money payments trial.

The trial is currently scheduled for April 15, a date that was already delayed 30 days thanks to the discovery of new evidence material in early March. In a separate case, Trump also faces a Monday deadline to pay a $454 million bond in the civil fraud case brought against him by New York Attorney General Letitia James.

Judge Juan Merchan is holding Monday's hearing to make a final determination for the date of the trial. Trump's team argues that the evidence uncovered in early March requires more time for review. They also say that prosecutors with Manhattan DA Alvin Bragg's office received elements of the new evidence before the defense and allegedly violated discovery rules.

Trump is accused of falsifying business records in relation to hush money payments he made to adult film actress Stormy Daniels.

JUDGE DELAYS TRUMP'S HUSH-MONEY TRIAL AMID LAST-MINUTE EVIDENCE DUMP BY FEDS

Bragg's office urged Merchan do deny Trump's push for further delays in a filing last week. Prosecutors argue Trump's team is seeking to delay the trial for as long as possible, with an ultimate goal of pushing his legal battles past the November election.

TRUMP HOLDS SLIGHT EDGE OVER BIDEN IN CRUCIAL BATTLEGROUND STATE: POLL

"Defendant's accusations of a discovery violation are a distraction from the only issue actually presented here, which is how this Court should respond to the late arrival of potentially relevant evidence from sources outside of the People's direction or control," Bragg wrote in last week's court filing.

"On that question, the appropriate remedy is the brief adjournment that this Court has already granted, which is more than enough time for the parties to review what the People now have good reason to believe is the limited number of relevant records in the USAO's recent productions. This Court should accordingly deny defendant's request for more extreme sanctions," the filing continued.

COMER INVITES HUNTER BIDEN, BUSINESS ASSOCIATES TO TESTIFY PUBLICLY MARCH 20 AMID IMPEACHMENT INQUIRY

The new evidence is some 15,000 records produced by the Justice Department relating to its investigation of former Trump lawyer Michael Cohen, who is serving as a star witness in the hush money case.

The U.S. Attorney's Office said much of the material is unrelated to the state case against Trump. Federal prosecutors have already provided at least 104,000 pages of records — 74,000 of which initially went just to Bragg's office and not to Trump's lawyers.

Bragg's office has since turned over those 74,000 pages to the defense.

In the civil fraud case brought by the state attorney general's office, Monday is the end of the 30-day grace period Trump was given to post a $454 million appeal bond. If he fails to do so, Attorney General James can enforce the trial court's judgment against the former president and start seizing his property and/or assets.

Fox News' Louis Casiano contributed to this report

Whistleblower claims CIA ‘stonewalled’ IRS interview with Hunter Biden ‘Sugar brother’ Kevin Morris: House GOP

Posted on March 22, 2024 by Latest Political News on Fox News

A whistleblower claimed that the CIA "stonewalled" an IRS interview with Hunter Biden’s business associate Kevin Morris, the House Judiciary and Oversight Committees revealed.

House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, and Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer, R-Ky., said in a Thursday letter to CIA Director William Burns that their panels would investigate the allegations as part of the impeachment inquiry against President Biden.

According to the whistleblower, in August 2021, when IRS investigators on the Hunter Biden federal investigation were preparing to interview Morris, the CIA "intervened to stop the interview."

'SUGAR BROTHER' KEVIN MORRIS LOANED HUNTER BIDEN $6.5M FOR DEBTS AND BACK TAXES, MORE THAN PREVIOUS ESTIMATE

The whistleblower alleged that the CIA summoned two Justice Department officials to the CIA headquarters in Langley, Virginia, for a briefing regarding Morris.

The whistleblower claimed that Morris "could not be a witness in the investigation," according to the House Republicans.

Morris loaned Hunter Biden approximately $6.5 million — over $1 million more than originally estimated and discussed — his attorney revealed in a letter earlier this year.

Morris, who was subpoenaed to testify as part of the impeachment inquiry, testified that he loaned Hunter Biden at least $5 million and began paying his tax liability. Morris and his attorney were estimating during the interview, a source told Fox News, and promised to follow-up with exact figures loaned to the first son. The attorney followed up to note an additional $1.6 million Morris had given Hunter Biden.

KEVIN MORRIS GAVE 'MASSIVE' FINANCIAL SUPPORT TO HUNTER BIDEN, RAISING CAMPAIGN FINANCE CONCERNS: COMER

"As part of the impeachment inquiry, the Committees are investigating, among other things, whether President Biden 'abuse[d] his power as President to impede, obstruct, or otherwise hinder investigations or the prosecution of Hunter Biden.' As background, for years, the IRS and DOJ had been investigating Hunter Biden for tax crimes," Jordan and Comer wrote. "The Committees have documented how the DOJ deviated from its standard processes to afford preferential treatment to Hunter Biden."

Jordan and Comer were referring to whistleblowers Gary Shapley and Joseph Ziegler — investigators who served on the IRS team probing Hunter Biden. They testified that DOJ officials "deviated" from the normal process and provided preferential treatment to Hunter Biden.

"Among other deviations, DOJ officials restricted what investigative steps the investigators could pursue, tipped off Hunter Biden's attorneys about investigative steps, and even prevented investigators from conducting witness interviews," the House Republicans wrote. "The whistleblowers' testimony about the preferential treatment provided to Hunter Biden has been corroborated by testimony from other witnesses and documents the Committees have received."

Jordan and Comer said the new whistleblower claims "seem to corroborate our concerns about DOJ's deviations from standard process to provide Hunter Biden with preferential treatment."

"It is unknown why or on what basis the CIA allegedly intervened to prevent investigators from interviewing Mr. Morris," they wrote. "However, these allegations track with other evidence showing how the DOJ deviated from its standard investigative practices during the investigation of Hunter Biden."

Jordan and Comer are now demanding the CIA provide all documents and communications referring or relating to the DOJ and IRS’ investigation of Hunter Biden, and all records relating to Kevin Morris — "including but not limited to efforts to interview Mr. Morris as part of the investigation of Robert Hunter Biden."

HUNTER BIDEN LAWYER TESTIFIES THAT 1ST TRUMP IMPEACHMENT CREATED 'EMERGENCY' TO FILE UNPAID TAXES

Morris, on Oct. 13, 2021, gave Hunter Biden a loan for approximately $1.4 million. According to the letter, Hunter Biden was to repay the loan, with $500,000 paid by Oct. 1, 2026 and the remaining $417,634 by Oct. 1, 2027, plus interest.

A few days later, Morris loaned Hunter Biden $2.6 million, with directions to repay the loan by Oct. 1, 2029. That loan, according to Morris’ lawyer, "was used to pay, among other debts, Mr. Biden’s tax debt to the IRS."

On Oct. 17, 2022, Morris loaned Hunter Biden $640,355 to be repaid by Oct. 15, 2027. In December 2022, Morris loaned Hunter $685,813.99, to be repaid by Oct. 15, 2027.

A year later, Dec. 29, 2023, Morris loaned Hunter approximately $1.2 million to be repaid by Oct. 15, 2028, with all interest paid by October 2029.

Special Counsel David Weiss charged Hunter Biden with nine federal tax charges, which break down to three felonies and six misdemeanors for $1.4 million in owed taxes that have since been paid.

Weiss charged Hunter in December, alleging a "four-year scheme" in which the president's son did not pay his federal income taxes from January 2017 to October 2020 while also filing false tax reports.

Hunter Biden pleaded not guilty to all charges.

Weiss also indicted the first son on federal gun charges in Delaware last year. Hunter Biden pleaded not guilty to those charges as well. His attorneys are attempting to have that case dismissed.

Top GOP lawmaker announces early exit, leaving Republicans with temporary one-seat majority

Posted on March 22, 2024 by Latest Political News on Fox News

Rep. Mike Gallagher, R-Wis., chairman of the House select committee on China, announced he's leaving Congress on April 19, which will temporarily leave House Republicans with just a one-seat majority.

Gallagher revealed in February that he would not be running for a fifth term in the House, a shocking announcement for someone long considered a rising star within the Republican Party.

His early departure will mean that Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., can only afford to lose one GOP lawmaker on any vote that falls along party lines. That will likely remain the case until June, when there's a special election to replace ex-Rep. Bill Johnson, R-Ohio.

HOUSE PASSES $460 BILLION GOVERNMENT FUNDING BILL BLASTED BY GOP HARDLINERS

A special election to replace ex-Speaker Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., is set to take place in May. McCarthy's former seat in California's 20th Congressional District is a safe red seat, so it's likely going to give Johnson a GOP win.

Before that, however, is an April 30 special election to replace Rep. Brian Higgins, D-N.Y., a longtime left-wing lawmaker who departed earlier this year. That election will likely see Democrats add to their tally, which would keep the House majority at one seat.

GOP HARDLINERS FURIOUS AT JOHNSON FOR PASSING ANOTHER SHORT-TERM SPENDING BILL WITH DEMS: 'USUAL C--P'

Republicans keeping McCarthy's seat and Democrats keeping Higgins' seat would keep the majority at one, which means the June 11 special election to replace Johnson in Ohio's 6th Congressional District is the GOP's first chance to regain some wiggle room.

"After conversations with my family, I have made the decision to resign my position as a member of the House of Representatives for Wisconsin’s Eighth Congressional District, effective April 19, 2024," Gallagher said in a statement on Friday afternoon.

HOUSE SPEAKER JOHNSON SAYS WHITE HOUSE DOESN'T 'CALL THE SHOTS' ON WHEN IMPEACHMENT IS OVER

"I’ve worked closely with House Republican leadership on this timeline and look forward to seeing Speaker Johnson appoint a new chair to carry out the important mission of the Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party. My office will continue to operate and provide constituent services to the Eighth District for the remainder of the term."

Gallagher announced his departure from Congress just after he experienced blowback from members of his own party for not voting to impeach Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas. Gallagher was one of three Republicans who voted against the measure.

It also prompted a primary threat — multiple outlets reported last month that Alex Bruesewitz, an ally of former President Donald Trump, was considering a challenge to Gallagher.

A source close to Bruesewitz told Fox News Digital on Friday that Bruesewitz is meeting with business leaders in Wisconsin's 8th Congressional district and is actively being recruited to run for the now open seat. The source said people in Trump's circle, as well as current House Republicans, are pushing Bruesewitz to run.

"If I run, I will win," the Trump ally said.

Bruesewitz is planning to announce his final decision the week of April 8, the source said.

The Washington Examiner reported last month that he's being endorsed by Reps. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla.; Anna Paulina Luna, R-Fla.; Jim Banks, R-Ind.; and Cory Mills, R-Fla.

House Judiciary Committee suing DOJ officials for testimony on Hunter Biden tax case

Posted on March 22, 2024 by Latest Political News on Fox News

The House Judiciary Committee is suing Justice Department officials Mark Daly and Jack Morgan to enforce subpoenas for their testimony related to the Hunter Biden tax investigation as part of the broader House impeachment inquiry into President Biden.

Daly and Morgan were both involved in the Hunter Biden tax investigation and in early decisions not to prosecute, Republicans have alleged.

According to the lawsuit, "The Committee intends to ask Daly and Morgan about these decisions, including why they initially agreed with bringing charges for the 2014 and 2015 tax years, why they then reversed their opinion just a few months later, what additional (if any) information they received that changed their minds, and whether they were in any way pressured to change their views by other people inside or outside of DOJ, and if so, by whom."

IRS WHISTLEBLOWERS: HUNTER BIDEN INDICTMENT IS A 'COMPLETE VINDICATION' OF INVESTIGATION, ALLEGATIONS

The committee subpoenaed Daly and Morgan in September 2023 and February 2024, according to the lawsuit. However, the lawsuit says Daly and Morgan did not comply "because their employer, DOJ, directed them not to appear."

The suit names both men in their official capacity as DOJ employees.

The Justice Department told Fox News that it is "committed to working with Congress in good faith."

"We took the extraordinary step of making six supervisory employees available to testify on appropriate topics last year," a DOJ spokesperson told Fox News. "It is unfortunate that despite this extraordinary cooperation from senior DOJ officials, the Committee has decided, after waiting for months, to continue seeking to depose line prosecutors about sensitive information from ongoing criminal investigations and prosecutions."

HUNTER BIDEN PLEADS NOT GUILTY TO TAX CHARGES BROUGHT BY SPECIAL COUNSEL DAVID WEISS

The DOJ spokesperson added, "We will continue to protect our line personnel and the integrity of their work."

The Justice Department said it will review the committee's filings "and respond in court."

House Republicans have been investigating whether politics played a role in prosecutorial decisions in the Hunter Biden investigation.

Special counsel David Weiss charged Hunter Biden in December, alleging a "four-year scheme" when the president's son did not pay his federal income taxes from January 2017 to October 2020 while also filing false tax reports.

Weiss filed the charges in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California.

The charges break down to three felonies and six misdemeanors concerning $1.4 million in owed taxes that have since been paid.

Hunter Biden pleaded not guilty to the charges.

In the indictment, Weiss alleged that Hunter Biden "engaged in a four-year scheme to not pay at least $1.4 million in self-assessed federal taxes he owed for tax years 2016 through 2019, from in or about January 2017 through in or about October 15, 2020, and to evade the assessment of taxes for tax year 2018 when he filed false returns in or about February 2020."

HOUSE COMMITTEES FORMALLY RECOMMEND TO HOLD HUNTER BIDEN IN CONTEMPT OF CONGRESS

Weiss said in "furtherance of that scheme," the younger Biden "subverted the payroll and tax withholding process of his own company, Owasco, PC by withdrawing millions" from the company "outside of the payroll and tax withholding process that it was designed to perform."

The special counsel alleged that Hunter Biden "spent millions of dollars on an extravagant lifestyle rather than paying his tax bills," and that in 2018, he "stopped paying his outstanding and overdue taxes for tax year 2015."

Weiss alleged that Hunter Biden "willfully failed to pay his 2016, 2017, 2018, and 2019 taxes on time, despite having access to funds to pay some or all of these taxes," and that he "willfully failed to file his 2017 and 2018 tax returns on time."

IRS whistleblowers Gary Shapley and Joseph Ziegler said the tax charges against Hunter Biden were a "complete vindication" of their yearslong investigation into the president’s son.

IRS whistleblowers Gary Shapley and Joseph Ziegler approached Congress earlier this year, alleging that prosecutorial decisions made throughout the federal investigation into the president’s son were impacted by politics.

Shapley, Ziegler and other IRS officials who testified before Congress, including Michael Batdorf, have said they were frustrated that the Justice Department did not charge Hunter Biden for failing to pay federal income tax for 2014 and 2015. They alleged that Weiss had allowed the statute of limitations to expire for tax charges against Hunter Biden from 2014 and 2015 in Washington, D.C.

Shapley, who led the IRS portion of the probe, said that Hunter Biden should have been charged with tax evasion for 2014, and for filing false tax returns for 2018 and 2019. With regard to the 2014 tax returns, Shapley said that Hunter Biden did not report income from Ukrainian natural gas firm Burisma Holdings.

Fox News Digital first reported in December 2020 that Hunter Biden did not report "approximately $400,000" in income he collected from his position on the board of Burisma Holdings when he joined in 2014.

Marjorie Taylor Greene files motion to oust Speaker Johnson

Posted on March 22, 2024 by Latest Political News on Fox News

Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga., told reporters on Friday that she filed a motion to vacate House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., accusing him of having "betrayed" the "confidence" of the House GOP Conference by ushering through a bipartisan $1.2 trillion federal funding bill to avoid a partial government shutdown.

Johnson won the gavel in late October after his predecessor was ousted by a motion to vacate resolution earlier that month.

"It's more of a warning and a pink slip," Greene told reporters after filing the motion. "There’s not a time limit on this, it doesn’t have to be forced... But I'm not saying that it won't happen in two weeks, or it won't happen."

HOUSE PASSES $460 BILLION GOVERNMENT FUNDING BILL BLASTED BY GOP HARDLINERS

Earlier, while the House was voting on the package, three GOP lawmakers on the House floor told Fox News Digital that Greene made the consequential move.

During the vote, Fox News Digital witnessed Greene sign a paper at the front of the chamber and pass it off to House staff. Her office has not responded to multiple requests for comment.

Johnson's office told Fox News Digital in a statement, "Speaker Johnson always listens to the concerns of members, but is focused on governing. He will continue to push conservative legislation that secures our border, strengthens our national defense, and demonstrates how we'll grow our majority."

GOP HARDLINERS FURIOUS AT JOHNSON FOR PASSING ANOTHER SHORT-TERM SPENDING BILL WITH DEMS: 'USUAL C--P'

Greene filing a motion to vacate does not necessarily require a vote, as was the case with ex-Speaker Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., being booted. Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., had filed a "privileged resolution" to oust McCarthy in early October, meaning House leaders were forced to act on it within two legislative days.

Greene's motion is not privileged, so there is nothing forcing the House to take it up unless she acts. Former Rep. Mark Meadows, R-N.C., made a similar move with ex-Speaker John Boehner, R-Ohio, in 2015 though Boehner stepped down before the motion could be acted on.

Even so, it would likely have to wait – Congress is leaving Washington on Friday for a two-week recess.

Fox News Digital heard from a fourth GOP lawmaker on Friday morning who believed Greene would be filing the motion. When asked why they thought so, the lawmaker said Greene "went in" with McCarthy as an ally and "got burned by the base" of conservative voters. "She's trying to redeem herself," they added.

HOUSE SPEAKER JOHNSON SAYS WHITE HOUSE DOESN'T 'CALL THE SHOTS' ON WHEN IMPEACHMENT IS OVER

In her remarks to reporters on Friday, Greene blasted Johnson for the massive $1.2 trillion spending deal, calling it "a dream and a wish list for Democrats and for the White House."

"I respect our conference. I paid all my dues to my conference. I'm a member in good standing and I do not wish to inflict pain on our conference. But this is basically a warning for us to go through the process, take our time, and find a new speaker of the House that will stand with Republicans," Greene said.

Rank-and-file GOP lawmakers like Rep. Mike Lawler, R-N.Y., blasted the Georgia firebrand's move. "I think it's not only idiotic, but it actually does not do anything to advance the conservative movement. And in fact, it undermines the country and our majority," Lawler told reporters.

A vote on vacating the chair would likely occur after a motion to table the resolution or referring it to committee – procedural steps that would essentially kill the move.

If the procedural votes failed, then the House would have to vote on whether to actually oust Johnson.

Johnson would only be able to lose two Republican lawmakers' support if all Democrats voted against him – which may not be the case.

Rep. Tom Suozzi, D-N.Y., told multiple outlets he would vote to save Johnson. Rep. Jared Moskowitz, D-Fla., suggested similarly on X, writing, "I do not support Speaker Johnson but I will never stand by and let MTG to take over the people’s House."

House passes $1.2T government spending bill to avert government shutdown

Posted on March 22, 2024 by Latest Political News on Fox News

The House of Representatives narrowly passed a $1.2 trillion federal spending package along bipartisan lines on Friday, taking a step closer to averting a partial government shutdown at midnight.

The legislation was expedited onto the House floor via suspension of the rules, which bypasses procedural hurdles in exchange for raising the threshold for passage from a simple majority to two-thirds. It passed by a 286 to 134 vote.

More Republicans voted against the bill than for it – 112 GOP lawmakers opposed the bill and 106 voted for it. Just 22 Democrats voted against it.

HOUSE PASSES $460 BILLION GOVERNMENT FUNDING BILL BLASTED BY GOP HARDLINERS

The package, comprised of six appropriations bills that account for roughly 70% of discretionary government spending, was unveiled around 3 a.m. on Thursday night. It is aimed at funding the government through the remainder of fiscal year 2024, which ends Sept. 30.

It puts Congress one step closer to ending a monthslong war that has spurred historic levels of dysfunction within the House GOP's razor-thin majority.

The bill is aimed at funding the departments of Defense, Homeland Security, Education, Health & Human Services and the legislative branch.

Both Republican and Democratic negotiators walked away declaring victory on striking a deal – Johnson touted cuts to funding for non-governmental organizations, a 6% cut to overall foreign aid funds, and policies like banning the State Department from flying non-official flags at diplomatic facilities.

GOP HARDLINERS FURIOUS AT JOHNSON FOR PASSING ANOTHER SHORT-TERM SPENDING BILL WITH DEMS: 'USUAL C--P'

Democrats cheered the exclusion of enforcement measures of the House GOP’s H.R.2 border security bill – something conservatives demanded in order to fund the Department of Homeland Security – as well as increased federal child care funding and a $1 billion increase for climate and green energy programs.

Both GOP hardliners and rank-and-file conservatives panned the bill for its exclusion of those border enforcement measures.

HOUSE SPEAKER JOHNSON SAYS WHITE HOUSE DOESN'T 'CALL THE SHOTS' ON WHEN IMPEACHMENT IS OVER

Rep. Nicole Malliotakis, R-N.Y., normally a reliable vote for GOP leaders, posted on X ahead of the package's consideration, "I have a real problem with giving the Biden Administration more money without changes to his border policy. I will not fund his reckless agenda that includes the transportation & housing of more illegal immigrants, including criminals, in New York City & across America."

Conservatives were also livid that the House got less than 48 hours to review the bill before the final vote, accusing GOP leaders of violating an earlier promise to give members at least 72 hours to review the bill's text. Johnson's office blamed the White House for dragging out negotiations.

Speaker Mike Johnson's handling of the bill prompted Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga., to file a motion to oust him from leadership – though she told reporters afterward it was more of a "warning."

The package did score support from conservative groups like FreedomWorks and Americans for Tax Reform, industry groups, veterans' groups like With Honor Action, and pro-Israel organizations.

It now heads to the Senate, which must act before midnight to avert a partial government shutdown.

Quoting Dr. Seuss, ‘Just go, Go, GO!’ federal judge dismisses Blagojevich political comeback suit

Posted on March 22, 2024 by Latest Political News on Fox News

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) — Rod Blagojevich, the ex-governor and ex-con who often dusted off ancient and sometimes puzzling quotations to emphasize his positions, found himself at the other end Thursday when a federal judge dismissed his lawsuit attempting to return to public life by quoting Dr. Seuss: "Just go."

The Chicago Democrat, impeached and removed from office by the General Assembly in 2009, then sentenced to federal prison for political crimes, filed suit in federal court to reverse a ban accompanying his impeachment that prohibits his return to public office.

BLAGO HOLDS COURT: EX-GOV GIVES DRAMATIC ACCOUNT OF LIFE BEHIND BARS, DECLARES HE’S A ‘TRUMP-O-CRAT’

On Thursday, in a colorful, 10-page smackdown dismissing the action from Chicago, U.S. District Court Judge Steven Seeger debunked the former governor's claims issue by issue, then relied on Dr. Seuss' 1972 book, "Marvin K. Mooney Will You Please Go Now!" to suggest what Blagojevich should do:

"The time has come. The time has come. The time is now. Just Go. Go. GO! I don't care how. You can go by foot. You can go by cow. Marvin K. Mooney, will you please go now!"

Mark Vargas, a Blagojevich spokesperson, said the ruling was no surprise.

"The people should be able to decide who they want or don't want to represent them," Vargas wrote on X, formerly Twitter, "not federal judges or establishment politicians who are afraid of governors who fight for the people."

He did not say whether Blagojevich, 67, would take further action.

As Illinois governor from 2003 to 2009, Blagojevich was fond of quoting Greek philosophers, Roman statesmen and the Bible (particularly John 8:32: "The truth will set you free.")

He was impeached and removed from office in 2009, then convicted of 17 counts of corruption in 2011, including attempting to sell or trade for political gain the U.S. Senate seat vacated by Barack Obama upon his election as president. He served eight years behind bars of a 14-year sentence before his sentence was commuted by then-President Donald Trump in 2020. The Illinois Supreme Court also revoked his law license.

Blagojevich, who routinely joked while governor that he had received a "C" in constitutional law at Pepperdine University Law School, filed the lawsuit in 2021, representing himself. Accompanied by a gaggle of news reporters, cameras and microphones outside the Dirksen Federal Building in Chicago, the always impeccably coifed Blagojevich declared, "I’m back."

The federal civil rights complaint sought to reverse the state Senate's impeachment ban on his holding office again, arguing the ban violates the Constitution's Sixth and Fourteenth Amendments and the First Amendment's protection of the people's fundamental right to vote. "And by that," Seeger explained, "Blagojevich apparently means the fundamental right to vote for him."

"The complaint is riddled with problems," Seeger began. "If the problems were fish in a barrel, the complaint contains an entire school of tuna. It is a target-rich environment. The complaint is an Issue-Spotting Wonderland."

First off, Seeger said that civil rights complaints must be filed against a person, which neither the state of Illinois nor its General Assembly is.

Next, Seeger discussed at length why a federal court cannot intervene in a legislative impeachment proceeding because of the Constitution's separation-of-powers provision. The judge then pointed out that even if the impeachment ban was reversed, Illinois state law still prevents a convicted felon from holding "an office of honor, trust or profit."

The Sixth Amendment, Seeger wrote, applies to criminal trials, not civil trials: impeachment "took away his job, not his liberty," he said.

Further, Blagojevich can't sue to protect the rights of voters. They need to speak for themselves, Seeger said, and "no voter is here hoping to cast a vote for Blagojevich."

Finally, the judge said, Blagojevich might not even have a reason to proceed because when he filed the lawsuit, he said he might want to run again, but hadn't decided. Seeger noted that a legal claim is not "ripe" if it depends on "contingent future events that may not occur."

"The case started with a megaphone, but it ends with a whimper," Seeger concluded. "Sometimes cases in the federal courthouse attract publicity. But the courthouse is no place for a publicity stunt.

"He wants back. But he's already gone. Case dismissed."

Fox News Politics: Coming after Trump Tower

Posted on March 21, 2024 by Latest Political News on Fox News

Welcome to Fox News’ Politics newsletter with the latest political news from Washington D.C. and updates from the 2024 campaign trail.

What's happening?

-White House calls Biden impeachment inquiry ‘embarrassing’

-Republicans hit Biden over $110 billion tax hike

-GOP billionaires rally behind Trump as 2024 looms

Lawyers for former President Trump are blasting New York Attorney General Letitia James’ "unconstitutional" attempts to block the GOP presumptive nominee’s appeal and force a property sale as the deadline for him to post hundreds of millions of dollars of bond in the case looms.

Trump and his legal team have appealed and requested a stay on his $464 million civil fraud judgment. On Monday, his lawyers said that "ongoing diligent efforts have proven that a bond in the judgment’s full amount is a ‘practical impossibility,’" amid attempts to approach about 30 surety companies.

James has pushed back, calling Trump’s request for a stay "extraordinary" and "improper." James has said that Trump should be able to secure the entire value via multiple sureties or offer his real estate holdings as collateral.

Trump attorney Clifford S. Robert on Thursday sent a letter to the Appellate Division of New York’s Supreme Court, arguing James’ efforts are "unconstitutional." But ahead of Monday's deadline, Trump's team is looking at all available options.

'BIGGEST CHALLENGE': Psaki warns about third-party threat to Biden's re-election …Read more

WORST FOOT FORWARD: White House calls GOP Biden impeachment inquiry 'embarrassing' …Read more

ALARMING EARMARKS: Democrat earmarks include funding for late term abortions and groups that push gender transitions for kids …Read more

NEW GREEN NEW DEAL: AOC revives signature concept for public housing bill …Read more

'EN MASSE': House government weaponization committee probes IRS's use of AI …Read more

'HIGHER PRICES': Republicans hit Biden over proposed $110B energy tax hike …Read more

'NOT SACRED': GOP hardliners furious at Johnson for rushing $1.2T government spending bill …Read more

PEEPING TOMS: Nancy Mace unveils bill aimed at harsher penalties for voyeurism …Read more

'CRITICAL JUNCTURE': State's largest police union makes major endorsement in 2024 presidential race …Read more

TAKING THE REINS: Progressive money man Alex Soros busy huddling with Dems as 2024 campaign heats up …Read more

BIG BUCKS: GOP billionaires rally behind Trump as he looks to level playing field in fundraising blitz with Biden …Read more

KEEP IT MOVING: Manhattan DA urges judge not to give Trump more time to review thousands of new documents before trial …Read more

'ABSOLUTE WEIRDOS': Dems flip script on GOP crime agenda, targeting RNC convention plans with surprising name …Read more

IN THE RED: California votes to spend $6.4B on homeless crisis despite spiraling debt …Read more

RITTENHOUSE PROTEST: Angry student protesters disrupted Kyle Rittenhouse's TPUSA event …Read more

'FAIR GAME': Ex-NBC exec deletes Barron Trump tweet amid backlash, gives explanation …Read more

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Get the latest updates from the 2024 campaign trail, exclusive interviews and more on FoxNews.com.

GOP lawmaker asks ‘Where in the world is Hunter Biden,’ after Cap Hill ghosting as AOC calls hearing a ‘joke’

Posted on March 21, 2024 by Latest Political News on Fox News

Hunter Biden's no-show at a congressional hearing wasn't shocking to some House Republicans who joked his whereabouts should be made into a game, but several Democrats told Fox News that President Joe Biden's son has already answered enough questions and the impeachment inquiry should end.

The House Oversight and Judiciary Committees held a joint hearing on Wednesday regarding foreign business dealings and allegations of influence peddling within Biden's family, but Hunter declined to appear. The Republican-led impeachment inquiry into Biden instead heard from the younger Biden's former business associates, Tony Bobulinski and Jason Galanis, along with House Democrats' witness and former Rudy Guiliani associate, Lev Parnas.

WATCH MORE FOX NEWS DIGITAL ORIGINALS HERE

"It's [Hunter's] history, isn't it?" Pennsylvania Republican Rep. Mike Kelly said. "He's always MIA."

HUNTER BIDEN'S EX-BUSINESS PARTNER TONY BOBULINSKI SLAMS HIM FOR ‘RUNNING AWAY’ FROM HOUSE OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE

But Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez called the inquiry a "joke" ahead of the hearing.

"I think the fact that Republicans' core theory here and their main source turned out to be working with Russian spies is kind of the reason to not show up to this joke," the New York Democrat said.

Former FBI informant Alexander Smirnov was charged in February with two counts related to "false derogatory information" regarding the Biden family's business dealings, according to court documents. Prosecutors accused Smirnov of "actively peddling new lies that could impact U.S. elections after meeting with Russian intelligence officials," the detention memo states.

"Maybe we should have a game. Where in the world is Hunter Biden?" Rep. Carlos Giménez told Fox News. "He probably didn't show because he didn't want to testify, didn't want to probably lie under oath as to what his activities and his family's activities are."

BIDEN MET WITH CHAIRMAN OF CHINESE ENERGY FIRM HUNTER DID BUSINESS WITH IN 2017, EX-ASSOCIATE TESTIFIES

"Why are people giving millions and millions and companies and adversary nations giving millions and millions of dollars to the Biden family when there's no product to sell or to buy except Joe Biden's influence?" the Florida Republican continued.

Hunter's lawyer, Abbe Lowell, told House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer last week Hunter would be absent because of a court hearing in California the next day and called Republicans' request "hasty." Hunter rejected a November subpoena but unexpectedly showed up to a January congressional committee hearing and testified behind closed doors in February.

AOC SAYS TRUMP ‘WILLING TO SELL THE COUNTRY FOR A DOLLAR’ AS LAWMAKERS REACT TO POTENTIAL PROPERTY SEIZURES

New York Democrat Rep. Dan Goldman told Fox News ahead of Wednesday's hearing that the president's son has already answered Republicans' questions.

"He debunked all the conspiracy theories … and made a really good point, which is that the witness who should be here on this purported hearing about influence peddling is Jared Kushner, who used his position in the government, unlike Hunter Biden, to solicit and obtain $2 billion from the Saudi Arabians," Goldman said.

HUNTER BIDEN’S FEDERAL GUN CHARGES TRIAL SLATED FOR EARLY JUNE

Kushner, former President Trump's son-in-law and an adviser during his administration, reportedly received the hefty investment from Saudi Arabia’s sovereign wealth fund for his private equity firm after he left the White House. Comer said his committee would look into whether Kushner has a "real business" after Democrats urged further investigation during the Wednesday hearing, but noted that Hunter's businesses appeared illegitimate.

Some House Republicans accused Hunter of continuing to avoid transparency about his business dealings and his father's involvement. They also pointed to Hunter's earlier plea for public testimony.

Hunter "actually said he wanted to testify in public and then, given that opportunity, declined to do so," California Republican Rep. Tom McClintock said. "What does that say about him?"

Michigan Republican Rep. John Moolenaar said "it would be best if [Hunter] would simply be transparent and open about his business dealings and cooperate in a way that assures the American people."

Manhattan DA urges judge to deny Trump motion to further delay trial

Posted on March 21, 2024 by Latest Political News on Fox News

Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg is calling on a New York court to deny former President Trump's request for a delay in his trial on Thursday.

Bragg's filing comes after new documents relating to Trump's alleged hush money payments case were uncovered. Judge Juan Merchan agreed to impose a 30-day postponement to allow the documents to be reviewed, setting the date of the trial to April 15.

Trump's legal team argued that delay is not enough. They say the newly discovered documents constitute a violation of discovery policies and argue that a 90-day postponement is warranted.

Bragg's Thursday filing seeks to refute that request, saying that it is merely a ploy by Trump's legal team to delay the case for as long as possible.

JUDGE DELAYS TRUMP'S HUSH-MONEY TRIAL AMID LAST-MINUTE EVIDENCE DUMP BY FEDS

TRUMP HOLDS SLIGHT EDGE OVER BIDEN IN CRUCIAL BATTLEGROUND STATE: POLL

The Department of Justice had notified Trump's legal team and Bragg's office that it planned to produce 15,000 records as potential evidence late last week. The DOJ investigated the hush-money payment matter while Trump was president.

COMER INVITES HUNTER BIDEN, BUSINESS ASSOCIATES TO TESTIFY PUBLICLY MARCH 20 AMID IMPEACHMENT INQUIRY

The U.S. Attorneys Office said much of the material is unrelated to the state case against Trump. Federal prosecutors have already provided at least 104,000 pages of records — 74,000 of which initially went just to Bragg's office and not to Trump's lawyers.

Bragg's office has since turned over those 74,000 pages to the defense.

The records from federal prosecutors pertain to a federal investigation that touched on the hush money matter and led to prison time for former Trump lawyer Michael Cohen.

Trump's lawyers were seeking a 90-day delay or a dismissal of the charges against him, arguing that there were violations in the discovery process, whereby both sides exchange materials. Defense lawyers claimed that a 30-day adjournment was "insufficient" and asked Merchan to schedule a hearing on discovery.

Trump has pleaded not guilty to 34 felony counts of falsifying business records stemming from alleged hush-money payments to Stormy Daniels, an adult-film actress, during his 2016 presidential campaign.

Fox News' Louis Casiano contributed to this report.