Author

Julia Kanin

Potential Supreme Court Nominees List

Since the passing of Ruth Bader Ginsburg on Friday, political turmoil erupted over whom Trump would pick as a Supreme Court Justice to fill a suddenly vacated seat. The appointment of a conservative Justice will change the composition of the Supreme Court from 5-4 to 6-3. Small wonder, that many are concerned about the President’s pick as it can affect the Supreme Court decisions for decades to come. “If somebody were to ask me now, I would say that a woman would be in first place, yes,” Trump said to reporters on Saturday, signaling his readiness to appoint a female nominee.

Here are a few possible contenders.

Amy Coney Barret

According to the Hill, Amy Coney Barret, a federal appeals court judge, is almost certainly a pick to replace the late Justice Ginsburg. Barret clerked for the late Justice Antonin Scalia before she started her teaching career at George Washington University Law School.

A former Notre Dame law professor, she was under consideration for the Supreme Court bench during the last nomination in 2018, but Trump picked Brett Kavanaugh who was later confirmed by the Senate.

Barbara Lagoa

A member of the Federalist Society, she served as a Justice of the Supreme Court of Florida before Donald Trump nominated Lagoa to a vacated seat on the United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit. She was swiftly confirmed by a vote 80-15. Lagoa is of Cuban descent, and if confirmed, would be a second Latino Supreme Court Justice.

Britt Grant

The youngest nominee, Britt Grant is a Judge of the United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit. Grant clerked for Justice Brett Kavanaugh on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit at one time.

Allison Eid

A former clerk for Justice Clarence Thomas, Eid is currently serving as a judge of the United States Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit. She was nominated by Trump to this position vacated by Justice Neil Gorsuch back in 2017.

Honorary Mention:

Amul Thapar

A son of Indian immigrants, Thapar is a judge on the 6^th US Circuit Court of Appeals. Amul Thapar made it to the list of potential nominees back in 2018 to replace retired Justice Kennedy, but Trump moved with Kavanaugh’s nomination. He would be the first Indian American Supreme Court Justice if appointed.

20 September, 2020 0 comment

Uncategorized

FBI raids home of a Netflix star Jerry Harris over allegation of soliciting sex with minors.

written by Julia Kanin

On Monday FBI raided a home of Jerry Harris who starred in Netflix TV show Cheer, according to The Epoch Times, after allegations of inappropriate sexual conduct were brought by two teenage boys. FBI spokesperson confirmed that law enforcement agents “conducted court-authorized law enforcement activity” in the area of Harris’ residence in Naperville, Illinois. However, the FBI declined to comment on the details of the investigation. According to Breitbart, a 21-year-old star has not been criminally charged.

A family of two underage boys filed a lawsuit against Harris, Varsity Brands, and the US All Star Federation, according to The Epoch Times. “As a result of the recent allegation, we have barred this person from having any affiliation with Varsity Brands or any of its subsidiaries or affiliates, now and in the future,” said Burton Brillhart, a Chief Legal Officer for Varsity Brand. A spokesperson for Jerry Harris denied the allegation in a statement to Us Weekly. “We categorically dispute the claims made against Jerry Harris, which are alleged to have occurred when he was a teenager,” the statement says.

Harris was invited to do a live Instagram session with a former VP Joe Biden as part of his 2020 presidential campaign. According to the Washington Free Beacon, the video of Biden and Harris was viewed almost 300 000 times. It has been removed since.

15 September, 2020 0 comment

Politics

House Oversight Committee investigates Postmaster General Louis DeJoy over alleged fundraising violations

written by Julia Kanin

On Monday House Democrats revealed that they are opening a probe into whether Postmaster General Louis DeJoy reimbursed employees for campaign contributions on his behalf to GOP politicians, according to the Washington Post. The Chair of the House Committee on Oversight and Reform, Carolyn Maloney (D-NY), said in a statement that DeJoy may have lied under oath during the Congressional hearing in August. She also called for Postmaster General’s immediate removal. “We will be investigating this issue, but I believe the Board of Governors must take emergency action to immediately suspend Mr. DeJoy, who they never should have selected in the first place,” said Maloney.

The talks about investigation come after the Washington Post reported over the weekend that formed employees of New Breed Logistics, headed by Louis DeJoy before his transfer to the U.S. Postal Service, were urged by his aides and DeJoy himself to make donations to Republican candidates, as well as attend fundraisers in North Carolina. Later, DeJoy allegedly instructed to boost bonuses for employees who had contributed to GOP political campaigns, according to the Washington Post. Compensating for these contributions is illegal, according to North Carolina and federal election laws.

White House chief of staff Mark Meadows, when asked on Tuesday about the probe by reporters, rejected the allegations and called DeJoy “an honorable man.” “Never underestimate Congress’ ability to ratchet up an investigation 60 days out from a presidential election,” he said. Louis DeJoy had no comments, according to his spokesperson Monty Hagler.

9 September, 2020 0 comment

Politics

Trump officially becomes a Republican nominee in 2020 presidential race

written by Julia Kanin

On Monday Republican Party formally nominated President Trump for the second term at Republican National Convention, according to USA Today. An in-person roll-call of 336 delegates opened the night in Charlotte, North Carolina, and selected President Donald Trump and Vice-President Mike Pence to face the Biden-Harris ticket on November 3^rd. The President appeared on the stage while the audience was chanting “four more years.” “If you want to really drive them crazy, say twelve more years,” Trump said before his opening statement.

The President started his speech with a warning about voter fraud with regard to wide-spread mail-in voting, as Fox News reported. “Bad things happened last time with the spying on our campaign … and this time they’re trying to do it with the whole Post Office scam … be very careful and watch it very carefully,” he said. Trump accused Democrats of trying to steal the election by using the Covid pandemic to push universal mail-in voting. He also addressed his administration’s record on economy and unemployment, as well as highlighting his plans for the next term, including the development of coronavirus vaccine and treatment. “We’re coming up with it like nobody’s ever seen before.”

A spokesman for the Biden campaign, Andrew Bates, slammed President Trump during Fox News interview. “What they [voters] will hear from Donald Trump this week are the last thing our country needs: more desperate, wild-eyed lies and toxic division in vain attempts to distract from his mismanagement,” he said.

The Republican National Convention themed “Honoring the Great American Story,” will last for four days. Each night will be focused on American exceptionalism for being “Land of Promise,” “Land of Opportunity,” “Land of Heroes” and “Land of Greatness.” Several prominent conservative speakers are expected to be featured with a few surprising guests as Trump hinted recently.

24 August, 2020 0 comment

Politics

Trump signed an executive order on coronavirus relief amid failed aid negotiations in Congress

written by Julia Kanin

Over the weekend President Trump signed an executive order aiming to help affected by the COVID-19 pandemic Americans. It promises a payroll tax holiday, an extension of unemployment benefits, student loan payment deferral, and eviction protections. This move comes after weeks of unsuccessful talks over the relief package in Congress. “We’re going to save American jobs and provide relief to the American workers,” Trump said.

According to the executive order, unemployed workers will receive an extra $400 a week in addition to normal unemployment insurance payments. Up to $44 billion will be redirected from The Disaster Relief Fund to pay enhanced benefits. However, a state “must enter into a financial agreement with the federal government” and cover 25% (or $100) of the aid for each eligible person, according to CNN.

President Trump also signed a measure to defer the payroll tax from August 1^st until the end of the year. According to Fox23 News, payroll tax holiday will affect working Americans who make less than $100 000 a year. Trump hinted that he might extend the deferral or “terminate” the tax if re-elected. “This will mean bigger paychecks for families,” Trump said.

The student loan relief, which currently expires on September 30^th, will be extended until the end of the year. This means federally held loans payments are halted and interest on them will not be accrued. However, the eviction moratorium that lapsed in July is not extended, according to CNBC. The order doesn’t provide any financial relief to those struggling to pay their rent. “The Secretary of Health and Human Services and the Director of the CDC shall consider whether any measures temporarily halting residential evictions of any tenants for failure to pay rent are reasonably necessary to “prevent the further spread of COVID-19,” the executive order reads.

Republicans had mixed reactions to president actions. Senator Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) publicly expressed his support. “Since Democrats have sabotaged backroom talks with absurd demands that would not help working people, I support President Trump exploring his options to get unemployment benefits and other relief to the people who need them the most,” wrote McConnell in a statement. Senator Rand Paul (R-KY) criticized the order, calling it “not conservative.” In an interview with Newsmax TV, he said “Presidents don’t get to legislate, presidents don’t have the power of the purse.”

Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) issued a joint statement condemning Trump’s executive order. “We’re disappointed that instead of putting in the work to solve Americans’ problems, the President instead chose to stay on his luxury golf course to announce unworkable, weak and narrow policy announcements to slash the unemployment benefits that millions desperately need and endanger seniors’ Social Security and Medicare,” they said in a statement.

11 August, 2020 0 comment

Politics

Phase 2 of China trade deal under question, Trump says

written by Julia Kanin

On Friday President Trump told reporters that there is no information whether the USA will commit to Phase 2 of China trade deal, citing the “severely damaged” relationship between the two countries. According to CNBC, the President isn’t thinking about “a possible next stage,” indicating a halt on the negotiation progress. “They could have stopped the plague, they could have stopped it, they didn’t stop it. They stopped it from going into the remaining portions of China from Wuhan province. They could have stopped the plague, they didn’t,” Trump said aboard Air Force One.

The first phase of the deal between two super-powers was signed back in January. It put on hold escalation of tariffs, addressed the issue of protection of intellectual property, and obligated China to buy $200 billion worth of U.S. goods. Coronavirus pandemic made it hard for China to follow on purchasing agreements. However, as the Washington Post reported, U.S. Trade Representative Robert E. Lighthizer is positive China will fulfill its commitments. “I expect them to live up to the agreement. They have indicated they will,” said Lighthizer appearing before the House Ways and Means Committee. Earlier in June, Trade Representative also assured American farmers about the continuation of agricultural export to China after rumors swirl about the possible U.S. “decouple” from the agreement. “Trust me that the trade deal is on. It’s the biggest trade deal anybody’s ever done, and it is completely on,” he said.

12 July, 2020 0 comment

Entertainment Politics

Kanye West announced his 2020 presidential bid

written by Julia Kanin

On Saturday Kanye West officially announced his plans to run for office this November. “We must now realize the promise of America by trusting God, unifying our vision and building our future. I am running for president of the United States,” he wrote on Twitter on Independence Day. This is not the first time the star claimed his bid. According to BBC, Kanye West announced his decision to run for president in 2020 back in 2015 during the MTV Music Awards.

It’s not clear if Kanye is actually running as the process requires filling with Federal Election Commission and establishing a campaign platform. Even though it’s already late to register as an independent candidate in several states, West can still try and collect signatures from his supporters in other states in order to appear on the ballot before the deadline. He already received public endorsement from his wife, Kim Kardashian West, and entrepreneur Elon Musk.

In 2018 Kanye West and his spouse met Donald Trump in the White House to discuss prison reform. West wore the President’s signature red MAGA-hat and appeared to be supporting Trump. However, when asked about his plans to run for office, West replied “Only after 2024. Let’s stop worrying about the future. All we really have is today. We just have today.”

Kanye used #2020VISION hashtag during his Twitter announcement, which means that he doesn’t want to delay his plans. Social media users have been puzzling all weekend whether it’s just a PR move or a plot to help Trump by siphoning off Biden’s votes. CJ Pearson, the founder of Last Hope USA, stated that “If Kanye runs in 2020 (which I’m doubtful he will), he’d only take away votes from Joe Biden. Young people are already unenthusiastic enough as is about Biden’s candidacy but he’d also chip away at Biden’s black support.”

6 July, 2020 0 comment

Politics

Trump hinted about the second round of stimulus checks

written by Julia Kanin

On Monday President Trump floated the idea of another round of stimulus payments to Americans, according to Forbes. During his conversation with Joe St. George, a Washington correspondent for Scripps, Trump indicated that his administration is exploring this avenue as part of economic relief. “We will be doing another stimulus package. It’ll be very good, it’ll be very generous,” he said. However, the President declined to specify the amount of the checks, and when the payments will be distributed.

White House economic adviser, Larry Kudlow, also didn’t give too many details about the content of the upcoming package, according to Business Insider. He reiterated that “no decisions have been made” and the administration is still discussing various policies, including payroll tax holiday. “He wants to help out with some form of tax relief for restaurants, entertainment, athletic contests, and things of that sort. We want to help out the tourism business which has been hurt very badly and we also want to reward people who are re-employing, that are going back to work. I think that’s very important,” said Kudlow during an interview with CNBC.

A second stimulus check was included in the $3 trillion HEROES Act passed by the Democrat-led House of Representatives. However, Senate Republicans do not support the second round of direct payments and called this bill “dead on arrival.” Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnel (R-KY) indicated that the debates on the bill will have to wait until the Senate returns back from recess. “I’ve already said, we’ll be looking in July to make a decision about whether to go forward with another rescue package,” McConnell said last week. The Senator also stated that the stimulus bill will not exceed $1 trillion if passed.

22 June, 2020 0 comment

Business Politics Tech

Trump signs an executive order aiming to strip social media companies of legal protection

written by Julia Kanin

On Thursday President Trump signed an executive order seeking to limit liability protections of social media companies, according to Fox News. Executive Order on Preventing Online Censorship directly challenges the immunity granted by Section 230 of the Communication Decency Act to big tech platforms such as Twitter, Facebook, Google, Instagram, and others. If implemented, websites that allow users to post content will be treated as a publisher, which, in turn, will make them vulnerable for libel or defamation suits. “My executive order calls for new regulations under Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act to make it so that social media companies that engage in censoring any political conduct will not be able to keep their liability shield,” said Trump.

The move comes just days after Twitter decided to add fact-checking notes to Trump’s tweets about mail-in voting, essentially labeling these messages unsubstantiated. The President blasted social media censorship in a series of tweets, threatening to regulate the platform or close it down in response. “A small handful of powerful social media monopolies controls a vast portion of all public and private communications in the United States,” said Trump during the press conference on Thursday. “They’ve had unchecked power to censor, restrict, edit, shape, hide, alter virtually any form of communication between private citizens and large public audiences.” The President also hinted on the development of policies and procedures preventing social media companies engaged in repression of free speech from receiving federal funding.

This executive order immediately came under criticism. Trump was accused of being an authoritarian who wants to silence his critics and his actions were painted illegal in an op-ed by The L.A. Times. “When Twitter commented on the President’s tweets, it engaged in conduct that the Constitution protects,” said Len Niehoff, a professor from the University of Michigan Law School. He argued that Trump’s actions actually violate the freedom of speech rights of the companies and thus have little legal rights. “We’ll continue to point out incorrect or disputed information about elections globally. This does not make us an ‘arbiter of truth.’ Our intention is to connect the dots of conflicting statements and show the information in dispute so people can judge for themselves. More transparency from us is critical so folks can clearly see the why behind our actions,” CEO of Twitter Jack Dorsey stated on Wednesday, supporting the actions of the company.

The head of Facebook Mark Zuckerberg during the interview with Fox News said that his policies are different from Twitter’s and the platform will not fact-check posts made President Trump other politicians. He expressed this position earlier this year and doesn’t plan to change the views on this matter. “I believe strongly that Facebook shouldn’t be the arbiter of truth of everything that people say online. I think in general, private companies shouldn’t be, especially these platform companies, shouldn’t be in the position of doing that.” However, Zuckerberg also lamented about “reactionary and politicized moves” because they will restrict more speech online.

1 June, 2020 0 comment

Politics

Joe Biden, other Obama-era officials requested to “unmask” Michael Flynn

written by Julia Kanin

Former Vice President Joe Biden is among Obama administration officials who requested to “unmask” Lt. General Michael Flynn after his phone call with former Russian Ambassador Sergey Kislyak. The list with names of those individuals who sought to reveal the identity of Flynn was released by Acting Director of National Intelligence Richard Grenell on Wednesday, according to Forbes.

Former FBI director James Comey, former CIA Director John Brennan, former Director of National Intelligence James Clapper are among authorized officials in the declassified document. The document shows that Biden made such a request on January 12^th, 2017, days before leaving office.

According to The Hill, the names of individuals “who are caught up in national security surveillance” are concealed in order to protect the privacy of American citizens. “Unmasking” is a routine process of revealing the names of US citizens in intelligence reports to officials with clearance. A total of 49 unmasking requests were made by 16 officials in relation to Flynn between Election Day and January 31^st, 2017, The Washington Examiner reported.

Joe Biden repeatedly denied his involvement in the investigation of Michael Flynn. “I was never a part or had any knowledge of any criminal investigation into Flynn while I was in office. Period. Not one single time,” said Biden during an interview with MSNBC on Thursday.

Biden stated in another interview on Tuesday that he knew nothing about the investigation of Flynn before correcting himself and admitting that he was aware of it, but never involved. “These documents have absolutely nothing to do with any FBI investigation and they confirm that all normal procedures were followed – any suggestion otherwise is a flat out lie,” said Andrew Bates, Biden campaign spokesperson in a statement.

President Trump slammed Biden on Thursday, accusing him and former President Barack Obama of going after General Flynn and forcing him to lie: “These people were corrupt. The whole thing was corrupt. And we caught them. We caught them.” Later that day Trump also called on Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC) to summon Obama to testify before Judiciary Committee about the origins of the Russia investigation, according to Politico. Graham responded with reluctance about such a precedent as calling for testimony former Presidents. He cited concerns for the executive privilege and warned against setting a standard that can be applied to Trump when he leaves office. “I understand President Trump’s frustration, but be careful what you wish for. Just be careful what you wish for,” said Graham in an interview.

18 May, 2020 0 comment