The D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals has ruled to reinstate Federal Trade Commission member Rebecca Kelly Slaughter, appointed by President Biden, after a prior attempt by former President Trump to remove her. The court determined Slaughter could only be removed under specific conditions: inefficiency, neglect of duty, or malfeasance in office, which were not cited in the original dismissal attempt. This case is part of a larger trend of lawsuits challenging Trump’s efforts to remove Democrat-appointed leaders from federal agencies. The ruling underscores historical efforts by Congress to protect these agencies from political interference.
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During a press conference held by Jeffrey Epstein’s victims on Capitol Hill, a White House-organized flyover briefly interrupted the event. This flyover, intended to honor a fallen Polish air force pilot, coincided with the victims sharing their accounts, including survivor Chauntae Davies’ statements about Epstein’s close relationship with Donald Trump, which was a point of pride for him. As the planes performed ceremonial maneuvers, Davies was forced to pause her statements about Epstein’s friendship with Trump, who was simultaneously meeting with the President of Poland. Trump later dismissed the ongoing focus on the Epstein files as a “Democratic hoax.”
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Following the August recess, the Epstein case has once again come under scrutiny with the House Oversight Committee scheduled to meet with accusers and potentially depose Maxwell. Furthermore, a bipartisan group of lawmakers plans to hold a press conference advocating for the release of Justice Department files related to Epstein, a move that could conflict with the Trump administration’s reluctance to disclose all documents. Accusers like Avis and Phillips are calling for continued investigation, and if not, they and others will release their own lists. Maxwell, who is currently serving a 20-year prison sentence for her role in the sex trafficking, recently had transcripts of an interview released, while some accusers criticize the administration’s focus on the criminals rather than the victims.
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Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene voiced her strong support for the discharge petition, emphasizing the resolution’s focus on protecting victims and ensuring transparency for survivors. Greene, expressing solidarity as a woman and mother, condemned any cover-up of the alleged crimes. She proudly announced her intention to sign the petition and vote in favor of it when it reaches the House floor. The petition, sponsored by Representatives Thomas Massie and Ro Khanna, requires 218 votes to move forward and currently has 216, leaving the group just two votes shy of getting the petition to the floor.
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World Liberty Financial, associated with the Trump family, launched a new cryptocurrency, WLFI, this week, briefly boosting the family’s paper wealth by approximately $5 billion, despite the token’s value declining shortly after its debut. The token reached a high of about 40 cents but fell significantly before stabilizing around 23 cents. WLFI holders can vote on governance issues for World Liberty Financial and its dollar-backed stablecoin. This venture adds to Mr. Trump’s growing interest in cryptocurrency, which is evident in his investments and policy moves.
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Federal grand juries in Washington, D.C., are repeatedly refusing to indict cases brought by the Trump-appointed U.S. Attorney, Jeanine Pirro, under the Trump administration’s “federal crime crackdown.” This trend is exemplified by the case of Nathalie Rose Jones, who was accused of threatening Trump online; the grand jury returned “no bill” despite the charges. This reflects the grand jury’s resistance to the cases, as they are unconvinced by the evidence. The grand jury’s refusals have been occurring in multiple other cases as well, creating a rare clash between federal authority and local jurors.
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Governor JB Pritzker addressed MSNBC, discussing the threats made by Donald Trump to deploy armed military personnel to Chicago. The Governor voiced his concerns regarding Trump’s plans, which mirrored actions taken in Washington D.C. and Los Angeles. Pritzker’s statements came as the situation escalated due to the former president’s intentions to involve military presence in a similar manner as previous incidents. The interview highlighted the potential ramifications of such a deployment on the city of Chicago.
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The Brazilian Supreme Court commenced a five-day trial phase to determine the fate of former President Jair Bolsonaro, who faces a potential 43-year prison sentence for allegedly plotting a coup after losing the 2022 election. Judge Alexandre Moraes emphasized the court’s independence from external pressures, as Bolsonaro stands accused of attempting to establish a “real dictatorship” through a “criminal organization” seeking to overturn the election results. The charges include orchestrating a plan to declare a state of emergency and assassinate political rivals, with the court’s final decision expected by September 12. The proceedings, viewed as a critical test of democracy, have already sparked tension with the United States, while Bolsonaro’s supporters and detractors clashed outside his residence.
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The Fifth US Circuit Court of Appeals ruled against President Trump’s use of the Alien Enemies Act to deport alleged Venezuelan gang members in Texas, Louisiana, and Mississippi, citing the act was improperly invoked. The court determined that Trump’s claims of a “predatory incursion” or “invasion” by the gang did not meet the criteria for using the wartime authority. This ruling, likely to reach the Supreme Court, represents the first appellate court to closely examine the issue. While the court found the notice period compliant, a dissenting judge argued the required seven-day notice did not sufficiently provide due process to unrepresented detainees.
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Following public speculation about his health and absence, Donald Trump posted a photo on Truth Social of himself golfing with Jon Gruden to dispel rumors of his death. However, the image’s authenticity was immediately questioned, with social media users identifying the picture as being from a previous outing, further fueling the online debate. This was confirmed when footage from August 23rd surfaced, showing Trump in the same attire. The post’s failure to quell the rumors led to increased online discussion and searches related to his health.
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John Q. Hosedrinker