President-elect Trump received an unconditional discharge in his hush-money case, despite his conviction on all 34 felony counts. The judge, citing upcoming presidential protections, avoided imposing a penalty, a decision that makes Trump the first person convicted of a felony to assume the presidency. While Trump maintains his innocence and plans to appeal, the sentencing followed a trial that detailed a scheme to conceal a sex scandal during the 2016 presidential campaign. Prosecutors, while supporting the no-penalty sentence, criticized Trump’s attacks on the judicial system.
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Following the official certification of Donald Trump’s 2024 Electoral College victory, his inauguration on January 20th, coinciding with Martin Luther King Jr. Day, highlights a stark contrast between American ideals and current realities. This victory comes four years after the January 6th Capitol attack, which Trump has minimized, further exacerbating anxieties about the future of American democracy. Experts express deep concern over Trump’s potential for authoritarianism and the erosion of democratic norms, highlighting the fragility of the system and the nation’s divided state. The lack of decisive action against his past transgressions and his announced plans for pardons fuel fears of a calamitous future.
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The North Carolina Supreme Court, in a 5-1 decision, issued a stay preventing the certification of Democratic Justice Allison Riggs’s narrow victory over Republican Jefferson Griffin in a state Supreme Court race. This action allows the court to hear Griffin’s challenge to approximately 60,000 votes, claims which were previously rejected by the state elections board. The court’s order, prompted by a federal court’s remand of the case, sets a January 24th deadline for briefs. The lone dissenting justice argued that the stay was unwarranted and interfered with democratic processes.
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Pence’s comment that it’s “admirable” that Vice President Harris certified President Trump’s win in 2024 after he lost the election sparks a wave of reactions. It highlights a shift in expectations surrounding the basic functioning of American democracy. The act of certifying an election result, once a routine and almost invisible part of the process, has become a point of contention and even praise.
This raises questions about the state of political discourse. The fact that such a fundamental action is now considered “admirable” suggests a profound erosion of norms. Historically, the peaceful transfer of power, regardless of the outcome, was taken for granted.… Continue reading
In stark contrast to the violent January 6th, 2021 attack on the Capitol, the 2024 electoral vote certification proceeded smoothly and without incident. Vice President Harris formally declared Donald Trump the winner, fulfilling her constitutional duty despite past criticisms of him. Increased security measures and legislative changes following the 2021 riot significantly mitigated the potential for disruption. However, the contrasting atmospheres highlighted the ongoing political divisions, with Democrats expressing anger over the perceived disparity in security and response.
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Four years after the January 6th Capitol attack, Vice President Kamala Harris presided over a smooth, objection-free certification of the 2024 presidential election results, a stark contrast to the 2020 proceedings. Unlike the contentious 2020 count, tellers announced the Electoral College votes, with Donald Trump declared the winner. Harris’s role was largely ceremonial, emphasizing the peaceful transfer of power as a cornerstone of American democracy. This swift certification highlighted a return to order and civility in the process.
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Following the announcement of Special Counsel Jack Smith’s investigation into Donald Trump’s alleged attempts to overturn the 2020 election, several Democrats criticized Attorney General Merrick Garland for a perceived delay in launching the probe. These critics, including Representatives Nadler and Lofgren and Senators Schiff and Smith, argued that the January 6th Committee’s findings should have prompted immediate action, potentially altering the outcome of the 2024 election. Conversely, some Democrats attributed the perceived inaction to Trump’s success in manipulating the narrative surrounding the January 6th attack. Regardless, Special Counsel Smith’s impending report and recommendations will soon be submitted to the Department of Justice.
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Vice President Kamala Harris will certify Donald Trump’s 2024 election victory on January 6th, a duty mandated by federal law. This action contrasts sharply with her campaign rhetoric, where she vehemently denounced Trump as a threat to democracy and warned against his presidency. The certification occurs four years after the January 6th Capitol riot, fueled by Trump’s efforts to overturn the 2020 election. Increased security measures are in place for the event, reflecting the heightened tensions surrounding the process.
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Following the January 6th Capitol attack, Donald Trump escaped criminal prosecution, despite calls for accountability from both Democrats and Republicans. Critics, including some within the Biden administration, fault Attorney General Merrick Garland for delaying the appointment of a special prosecutor until after Trump’s reelection, enabling Trump to avoid trial due to legal protections afforded to sitting presidents. This delay, coupled with a Supreme Court decision on presidential immunity, allowed Trump to evade responsibility, ultimately winning the 2024 election. While over 1000 individuals involved in the attack faced prosecution, Trump’s actions remain largely unaddressed, other than potential civil lawsuits.
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A new AP-NORC poll reveals a significant shift in Republican confidence regarding election integrity. Following Donald Trump’s 2024 victory, approximately 60% of Republicans expressed considerable confidence in the national vote count, a substantial increase from October’s figures. This rise in confidence extends to state-level counts, and overall public confidence in the accuracy of the 2024 election is now around 60%, up from 50% in October. This contrasts sharply with the post-2020 period, marked by widespread Republican skepticism fueled by Trump’s unsubstantiated claims of election fraud.
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John Q. Hosedrinker 
Matt Underwood