Calvin Duncan, who was wrongfully convicted of murder and spent three decades in prison, was elected as New Orleans’ chief criminal court record keeper. Despite facing challenges to his exoneration from the incumbent and the state attorney general, Duncan secured 68% of the vote. Duncan, who became a legal expert while incarcerated, aims to ensure fair treatment and better management of court records. He will now oversee a system still reliant on paper files, and his election comes after a history of record-keeping issues.
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Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene received criticism for not speaking out against Trump’s attacks on others, and subsequently, she was targeted with similar rhetoric. Responding on CNN, Greene surprisingly apologized for her role in “toxic politics” and expressed a desire to de-escalate political animosity. She stated that her shift stemmed from a focus on the Epstein files and a commitment to supporting victims. While some questioned the sincerity of Greene’s remarks, others saw the change in tone as a positive step.
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President Trump engaged in several heated exchanges with the press over the weekend, beginning with a confrontation on Air Force One regarding the Epstein files. When asked about potentially incriminating details in the released emails, Trump directed a demeaning insult at a female reporter. This followed the release of Epstein’s emails, one mentioning Trump and his connections with the late billionaire. Two days later, Trump also sharply criticized another reporter, calling them “the worst” for interrupting his response to questions about Tucker Carlson’s interview with Nick Fuentes.
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According to a new book by Republican strategist Scott Jennings, White House staff had to intervene to prevent President Trump from installing a chandelier in the Oval Office because the ceiling could not support its weight. Jennings recounts that Trump was intent on redecorating the Oval Office and making it his own, as he did with the rest of the government. The book frames this incident as part of a larger trend of Trump’s aesthetic changes, which included heavy gilding, personal iconography, and the construction of a ballroom. These interior design choices mirror his approach to governing, adding new elements at a rapid pace.
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In a recent interview, Mary Trump drew parallels between her uncle, Donald Trump, and his father, Fred Trump Sr., who suffered from Alzheimer’s. Mary, a clinical psychologist, noted concerning similarities in the president’s behavior, including confusion, disorientation, and deteriorating short-term memory, mirroring the signs she witnessed in her grandfather. She also pointed to an increasing obsession with wealth and a weakening ability to maintain his public persona as further indicators of decline. Mary Trump emphasized that these observations suggest her uncle may be experiencing a similar decline to his father.
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According to Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, rising beef prices are due to a disease called screwworm brought in by immigrants, necessitating a halt to Mexican beef imports. Experts disagree with the claim, however, with risks stemming from the livestock trade rather than individual migrants. While the screwworm has caused some supply issues, the primary factors driving up beef prices include shrinking cattle herds and increased demand, as noted by Omaha Steaks President and CEO Nate Rempe. President Donald Trump has acknowledged the issue and has taken steps to import more beef and investigate meatpacking companies to address the rising costs.
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David Richardson, the acting chief of FEMA, will step down after hurricane season amidst public criticism and internal frustration. Richardson, lacking disaster management experience, faced scrutiny for his handling of the Texas floods and was often absent from the public eye. His departure is a precursor to sweeping reforms led by Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, who is planning significant changes to the agency. These changes include a new FEMA Review Council, with the possibility of the agency being removed from the Department of Homeland Security, as well as the reassignment of his closest allies. The administration’s focus on shifting disaster responsibility to states has raised concerns among current and former officials about FEMA’s ability to respond to future crises.
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Donald Trump’s political resurgence was fueled by his perceived victimhood, including promises to release the “Epstein files” if elected. Despite a history of scandal and unpopularity, Trump initially maintained unwavering support, even in the face of incriminating evidence. However, there are signs that Trump’s ability to deflect scandal is waning, as anger surrounding his ties to Jeffrey Epstein persists and his support may be softening. The article suggests this shift is occurring despite his supporters’ previous tolerance of obvious falsehoods and damaging associations.
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Dozens of former US Department of Justice attorneys have detailed the politicization of federal law enforcement during Donald Trump’s second term. The attorneys reported directives to investigate Trump’s political opponents, drop investigations, and mass pardons, including those who participated in the January 6th Capitol riot. This politicization extended to executive orders targeting law firms and investigations with predetermined outcomes, and the use of pardons for political allies. Additionally, there have been efforts to relax gift-acceptance rules, and misuse of government resources for personal gain.
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Donald Trump’s pardon of cryptocurrency firm Binance founder Changpeng Zhao, who had pleaded guilty to money-laundering, has sparked controversy due to Zhao’s financial ties to the Trump family’s crypto venture, World Liberty Financial. The pardon occurred months after Binance partnered with World Liberty Financial in a $2 billion deal, prompting former U.S. Pardon Attorney Elizabeth Oyer to call the pardon “corruption” on 60 Minutes, citing unprecedented influence of money. Experts like Harvard’s Lawrence Lessig suggest the currency selection was intended to benefit Trump, noting Zhao’s potential control over World Liberty Financial’s success, while the White House defends the pardon as an exercise of Trump’s constitutional authority.
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John Q. Hosedrinker