1. Trump’s trial so far: Former president seeks rare face-to-face access with jurors:
Washington Examiner – The first day of the highly anticipated hush money trial for Donald Trump got underway in Manhattan on Monday, beginning the thorny process of finding an impartial jury to sit on a trial for the first former president indicted on criminal charges.
Trump made his way to the New York County Criminal Court on Monday morning where he is facing 34 criminal charges for allegedly falsifying business records, an alleged effort to hide hush money payments to porn star Stormy Daniels to cover up an affair she claims he had with her in 2006. The night before may have been sleepless for the former president, who at times could be seen with his eyes closed during the first full day in court.
Although no video or cameras were permitted inside the courtroom during the proceedings, information about the trial was able to be relayed near-instantaneously with the help of reporters inside the courtroom. While the only words Trump could be heard speaking were mostly muttered to his attorneys, he frequently spoke to the camera outside the courtroom and offered bystanders a thumbs-up when asked how he was doing.
TRUMP OUTSIDE NY COURTROOM: “This is an assault on America… A country that’s failing that’s run by an incompetent man who is very much involved with this case. This really an attack on a political opponent.” pic.twitter.com/u90LGgfDOF
— Benny Johnson (@bennyjohnson) April 15, 2024
Denny’s Insight: They’re putting Trump through the wringer. And the judge’s refusal to let him attend Barron’s graduation is appalling. Prayers are needed now more than ever.
2. Biden Declines Invite To Testify For Impeachment Inquiry:
Daily Wire – President Joe Biden informed the House on Monday that he was turning down an invitation to testify as part of a corruption-focused impeachment inquiry.
His special counsel, Richard Sauber, conveyed the message to House Oversight Chairman James Comer (R-KY) ahead of the proposed April 16 date for a hearing. The letter claimed the “impeachment investigation is over” and claimed the oversight panel has turned up evidence showing that Biden “has done nothing wrong.”
The House should “focus on the issues that matter to the American people rather than continuing to waste time and taxpayer resources on this partisan charade,” Sauber wrote, adding, “we decline your invitation for President Biden to testify.”
White House has formally denied Comer’s request that Biden testify as part of impeachment inquiry: pic.twitter.com/FOpMcS77TU
— Jordain Carney (@jordainc) April 16, 2024
Denny’s Insight: While Trump is forced into unnecessary legal battles, Biden gets to walk-free. Unreal.
3. Why a $100,000 income no longer buys the American Dream in most places:
CNBC – The American Dream — which for many people involves some combination of owning a home, getting married, having kids and making enough after expenses to save for retirement and spend on leisure — is becoming increasingly expensive.
“The benchmark of a six-figure salary used to be the gold standard income,” Sabrina Romanoff, a clinical psychologist, told CNBC. “It represented the tipping point of finally earning a disposable income and building savings and spending based on your wants, not just your needs.”
More than half (52%) of Americans say they would need at least $100,000 a year to feel financially comfortable, with 26% saying they would need a salary in the range of $100,000 to $149,000 per year, according to a 2023 CNBC Your Money survey conducted by SurveyMonkey.
Denny’s Insight: The ‘American Dream’ is living up to its name: a dream that’s just that. Unattainable for most, and slightly attainable for a few, and manipulated heavily by those in power.
4. Rand Paul: Mike Johnson ‘Completely Changed’ Principles After Becoming Speaker:
Breitbart – Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY) said over the weekend Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson “completely changed” his principles after ascending to his position.
Paul took issue with Johnson for forcing a tie vote against a spy bill amendment that conservative Republicans and some progressives supported.
“Conservatives and progressives teamed up to demand an amendment the for reauthorization of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) last week, which would have required a warrant for government spying on Americans. The amendment vote came to a tie after Johnson’s vote against it, tanking the change,” noted The Hill.
“The FISA amendment vote was bipartisan, with 86 Republicans — including Johnson — and 126 Democrats voting against it. Paul, a libertarian-minded conservative, was a major Senate backer of the FISA amendment,” it added.
Sen. Rand Paul on Speaker Johnson: “As I see it now, I’m not sure there’s a difference between Mike Johnson being in charge and the Democrats being in charge.” pic.twitter.com/EdpmlOv8hP
— Real Mac Report (@RealMacReport) April 14, 2024
Denny’s Question: Are any of you pleased with Johnson’s performance as Speaker so far? In my eyes, he’s kind of become a failure in terms of the principles Paul is mentioning here. It’s one thing to lose the battle against Democrat and establishment schemes; it’s another to be permitting and abiding by them…
The post Morning Briefing 4/16: Trump’s request to jurors; Biden declines testifying; Rand Paul slams Speaker Johnson; The American Dream is dying appeared first on Dennis Michael Lynch.
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