Despite his conviction for falsifying business records, Donald Trump received an unconditional discharge and faces no jail time, fines, or community service. This felony conviction, however, will impact some of his rights, including prohibiting him from owning firearms and potentially affecting certain business opportunities such as obtaining liquor licenses. He retains his right to vote in Florida and to travel internationally, although some countries may restrict entry for individuals with felony convictions. A presidential pardon is not applicable, as only the New York governor can pardon him for this state-level crime.
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Despite a felony conviction for falsifying business records, Donald Trump received an unconditional discharge, resulting in no jail time, fines, or community service. This conviction, however, impacts his rights; he is barred from possessing firearms and must provide a DNA sample. While his ability to vote and travel internationally remains unaffected, potential business repercussions, such as restrictions on liquor licenses and gaming licenses, exist. A New York pardon remains unlikely.
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Devastating wildfires in Los Angeles have prompted false claims from prominent figures blaming California’s water policies and diversity initiatives for the blazes. These accusations, spread across social media, ignore the actual cause: increased water demand overwhelming the system, leading to low water pressure in fire hydrants. The claims are not only inaccurate but also dangerous, echoing past instances of disinformation that led to threats against emergency responders. Experts attribute the fire’s spread to climate change and high demand, not governmental policy.
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Judge Aileen Cannon, a Trump appointee, blocked the release of Special Counsel Jack Smith’s report on his investigation into Donald Trump, pending a decision by the Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals. This decision, which followed a request by Trump co-defendants, prevents the Justice Department from releasing the report, except for limited information shared with Congressional committees. Legal experts criticized Cannon’s order, arguing she lacks jurisdiction and her actions demonstrate bias, while Trump’s allies praised the decision. The Justice Department plans to release portions of the report concerning election interference only after the Eleventh Circuit rules on the matter.
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The Supreme Court’s refusal to delay Donald Trump’s hush money sentencing is certainly a noteworthy event, and the 5-4 vote itself raises many questions. It’s surprising, given the gravity of the situation, that the decision wasn’t more unanimous. The fact that it was so closely divided, with three liberal justices siding with Chief Justice Roberts and Justice Barrett, against four conservative justices, underscores the deep partisan divisions within the court. This narrow margin suggests that even within the conservative bloc, there might be differing opinions on the appropriate course of action.
The Court’s brief, unsigned order stated that the issues Trump raised could be addressed through the normal appeals process.… Continue reading
Congressman Jamie Raskin’s request for Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito to recuse himself from the Donald Trump case, following a reported phone call between the two, has ignited a firestorm of debate. The call itself raises serious questions about potential conflicts of interest, particularly given the high stakes of the Trump case and Justice Alito’s known conservative leanings. Raskin’s call for recusal is a direct response to this perceived conflict, aiming to maintain the integrity of the judicial process.
The lack of immediate action on Raskin’s request highlights a deeper concern about accountability within the Supreme Court. The perceived absence of consequences for Justice Alito’s actions underscores the limitations of existing mechanisms to address ethical breaches by Supreme Court justices.… Continue reading
The Supreme Court, in a 5-4 decision, rejected Donald Trump’s emergency request to delay his sentencing in the New York hush money case, allowing the proceeding to commence Friday. The court deemed the burden on Trump’s presidential transition “relatively insubstantial,” given the judge’s intent to impose no penalty. Trump’s conviction stems from falsifying business records related to hush-money payments made before the 2016 election, a conviction he contests based on claims of presidential immunity. While Trump will appear virtually, the ruling sparked further ethical concerns surrounding a phone call between Justice Alito and the President-elect prior to the appeal.
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The Supreme Court, in a 5-4 decision, rejected Donald Trump’s emergency request to delay his sentencing in the New York hush-money case, allowing the proceeding to commence Friday morning. The Court reasoned that the sentencing’s burden on Trump’s responsibilities is minimal, given the judge’s indication of no penalties. Trump’s conviction stems from falsifying business records related to hush-money payments made before the 2016 election. While Trump argues the case involves official actions and thus immunity, the lower court rejected this claim, and the Supreme Court declined to intervene preemptively. A subsequent ethics controversy arose from a phone call between Justice Alito and Trump before the appeal.
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Donald Trump’s return to power on January 20th necessitates continued rigorous reporting. HuffPost is committed to providing free access to this crucial information. Reader support is vital to ensuring this coverage remains available to all. Creating a free account is one way to help maintain this vital public service.
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President-elect Trump’s repeated suggestions of annexing Canada, including threats of tariffs, have prompted a strong online response. A Reddit thread discussing a hypothetical US invasion saw thousands of Canadians vowing to defend their sovereignty, highlighting a deep-seated commitment to Canadian independence. Many commenters expressed a willingness to fight, despite acknowledging the US military’s superiority. This online mobilization reflects growing anxieties in Canada regarding the incoming administration’s unpredictable rhetoric and potential actions.
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John Q. Hosedrinker 
Matt Underwood