Wednesday, March 29

Tag: government and public administration

Legal challenges begin over Illinois’ new firearms ban
Politics

Legal challenges begin over Illinois’ new firearms ban

Washington CNN  —  Multiple lawsuits have been filed in Illinois challenging recently enacted gun legislation that bans certain firearms and high-capacity magazines in the state. The law, signed by Democratic Gov. J.B. Pritzker last week, caps the sale of high-capacity ammunition magazines, bans “switches” that allow handguns to fire rounds automatically and “extends the ability of courts to prevent dangerous individuals from possessing a gun through firearm restraining orders.” A joint lawsuit that was filed in the Southern District of Illinois on Tuesday by multiple gun-rights groups, including the Illinois State Rifle Association, Second Amendment Foundation and Firearms Policy Coalition, argues tha...
Why there are more Republican women in Congress than ever before
Politics

Why there are more Republican women in Congress than ever before

CNN  —  Lori Chavez-DeRemer sat in the gallery of the House nearly two decades ago with her mom and her twin daughters – tourists peering down at lawmakers on the floor of the chamber. “I’d really love to be here someday,” the Oregon Republican recalled telling her mother, who encouraged her to think about a run. She’d recently been elected to her city council, but she had her doubts. “I said, ‘Everybody on the floor there probably has a law degree. I’m a stay-at-home mom.’” But Chavez-DeRemer flipped a Democratic seat in November, helping Republicans win a narrow House majority. She is now among a record 42 Republican women in Congress and one of the first two Latino members of Congress from Orego...
Proud Boys member in Jan. 6 video: ‘Victory smoke in the Capitol, boys’
Politics

Proud Boys member in Jan. 6 video: ‘Victory smoke in the Capitol, boys’

CNN  —  Dozens of messages, social media posts and videos show that leaders of the far-right Proud Boys not only planned for the January 6, 2021, US Capitol attack but recruited others to help stop Joe Biden from becoming president, federal prosecutors said Thursday during opening statements in the seditious conspiracy trial. “Let’s bring this new year with one word in mind…revolt,” defendant and then-Proud Boys chairman Enrique Tarrio wrote to others in the group on January 1, 2021, according to prosecutors. “New year’s revolution.” Prosecutor Jason McCullough told the jury that Proud Boys leaders were afraid a Biden presidency would mean the end of the organization and that, after President Donald ...
Citgo 6: How the US government brought seven Americans home
Politics

Citgo 6: How the US government brought seven Americans home

CNN  —  On October 1, five of the so-called Citgo 6 were woken up early in their Venezuelan prison by a guard telling them to “get dressed up properly.” The men put on their yellow prison suits – “We called it our ‘Minion’ suit,” Jose Pereira said – before they were instructed by the head of the prison to instead change into civilian clothes. “We said, ‘Why?’ and he said, ‘Well, because you’re going home,’” Pereira recounted to CNN. The day would mark the end to the “nightmare” that began nearly five years prior, when the six oil executives were lured to Venezuela for what they were told would be a business meeting right before Thanksgiving 2017. In addition to securing the ...
Todd and Julie Chrisley sentenced for fraud and tax crimes convictions
Entertainment

Todd and Julie Chrisley sentenced for fraud and tax crimes convictions

CNN  —  Reality TV Stars Julie and Todd Chrisley were sentenced to prison in federal court Monday. The “Chrisley Knows Best” couple were found guilty in June of conspiracy to defraud banks out of more than $30 million in fraudulent loans, CNN previously reported. In addition, they were found guilty of several tax crimes, including attempting to defraud the Internal Revenue Service. 'Chrisley Knows Best' stars charged with tax evasion (2019) Judge Eleanor L. Ross sentenced Todd Chrisley to 12 years in prison with three years of supervised release. His wife Julie Chrisley was sentenced to seven...
Donald Trump is at his weakest political position in years
Politics

Donald Trump is at his weakest political position in years

CNN  —  Former President Donald Trump is giving it another go. He announced last week that he’s trying to become only the second man (after Grover Cleveland) to be elected to non-consecutive terms as US president. Trump’s move comes at a time when his political brand is at its weakest point since his first presidential bid in 2015-2016. He does remain a force to be reckoned with in GOP circles, and the news that the Justice Department has appointed a special counsel to oversee investigations related to the former president could elicit a rally-around-Trump effect among Republicans. Nevertheless, it’s clear his power within the party has diminished following the 2022 midterm elections. The easi...
Malaysia’s 15th general election, explained: Floods, climate change and years of political instability
Politics

Malaysia’s 15th general election, explained: Floods, climate change and years of political instability

CNN  —  Malaysians will head to the polls on Saturday to vote for a new government following years of political turmoil. Three prime ministers have governed the Southeast Asian country since a febrile election with a record turnout was fought four years ago on the key issue of corruption. This time around, the economy – and the rising cost of living – is likely to be the key battleground. Meanwhile, climate change has become a potential disruptor following weeks of torrential downpours and flooding that has hindered campaigning across roughly half of the country. More heavy rain is predicted on polling day and could reduce voter turnout, but officials say the election will go on – rain ...
Biden granddaughter’s wedding offers youthful spin for president turning 80
Politics

Biden granddaughter’s wedding offers youthful spin for president turning 80

CNN  —  President Joe Biden is turning 80 this weekend, but the big bash at the White House will be for an entirely different and more youthful occasion. Naomi Biden, Biden’s oldest granddaughter, is set to marry Peter Neal on the White House South Lawn on Saturday. One day following the nuptials, Biden will mark his spot in American history as the only octogenarian president, a numerical milestone that shines a spotlight on a primary issue plaguing Biden with his opponents: his age. Despite a spate of recent wins – better-than-projected midterm elections for Democrats, a relatively gaffe-less trip to Egypt and Asia, and a lackluster presidential announcement from his old rival, Donald Trump – Biden cannot shake b...
Donald Trump is no Grover Cleveland
Politics

Donald Trump is no Grover Cleveland

A version of this story appears in CNN’s What Matters newsletter. To get it in your inbox, sign up for free here. CNN  —  Former President Donald Trump wants to do a full Grover Cleveland and match the only US president to lose a presidential election and then rise from the ashes to regain the White House four years later. Other examples of former presidents trying to regain power have gone poorly. Theodore Roosevelt’s progressive rebellion split open a schism in the GOP; neither Herbert Hoover nor Martin Van Buren could get the Republican nomination after previous losses. So if Trump does indeed announce his third White House run, he’ll be trying to emulate Cleveland, who won, lost and then w...
Biden celebrates Democrats holding the Senate on second day of Asia summits
Politics

Biden celebrates Democrats holding the Senate on second day of Asia summits

Phnom Penh, Cambodia CNN  —  President Joe Biden landed in Cambodia on Saturday still reveling in midterm election results that have produced an unexpected boost at home for his second two years in office. A day after he arrived in Asia, he got another piece of news from back home that could give him a lift through the rest of his international swing – CNN and other outlets projected his party would retain control of the Senate. “We feel good about where we are. And I know I’m a cockeyed optimist,” he said from his hotel lobby on Sunday after the projection. Yet the scale of the challenges abroad, and the effort to translate 21 months of intensive engagement into tangible results for US al...