U.S. and world news for April 14

Arrest in classified document leaks: The FBI has arrested Jack Douglas Teixeira in connection with the leaking of classified national defense documents on the internet. Teixeira is a 21-year-old employee of the United States Air Force National Guard in Massachusetts. The government says he posted images of classified documents on an internet site used by gamers.

Thomas failed to report real estate transaction: Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas violated a provision of federal law by failing to report a real estate transaction valued at more than $1,000 as is required to be reported by federal personnel in financial disclosure reports. Billionaire Harlan Crow, a conservative and funder of right-wing organizations, paid Thomas more than $133,000 for Thomas’ interest in Thomas’ mother’s house in Georgia. Thomas’ mother still lives in that house. Crow then bought a house next door and tore it down to create open space. Crow also hired a contractor to make improvements to Mrs. Thomas’ residence. Justice Thomas has confirmed that for about 20 years Crow provided Thomas and his wife with lavish trips including use of Crow’s private jet. Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse is calling for an investigation of Thomas.

Fort Lauderdale Flooding: More rain is forecast for the Fort Lauderdale, Florida, area today after massive flooding caused by what was called a “once in a thousand years” rainstorm. An estimated two-feet of rain hit the area in a few hours, causing flooded streets, backed up sewers and homes and cars filled with water. First responders performed numerous rescues.

Abortion ban: Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis last night signed into law a bill that in essence ends most legal abortions in Florida. The bill makes abortions after six weeks of pregnancy illegal. Most women do not even know they’re pregnant by the sixth week. Florida currently bans abortions after the 15th week. The new Florida law does make exception if an abortion is necessary to save a woman’s life and allows abortions up to 15 weeks if rape or incest is involved and the woman has documentation of what she says happened.

JPMorgan Chase financials: JPMorgan Chase this morning reported first quarter 2023 revenues of $38.3 billion and net income of $12.6 billion. Jamie Dimon, chairman and CEO of JPMorgan Chase, said that the U.S. economy continues to be on generally healthy footings. He said that consumers still are spending and businesses are in good shape. He said the current problems in the banking system are different from what happened in 2008.

Trump deposition: Donald Trump spent about seven hours under oath yesterday giving a deposition for the $250 million lawsuit filed by New York Attorney General Letitia James against Trump, his children and his business. Trump went to James’ Manhattan office for the deposition. It was Trump’s second time under oath in the case. The first time he exercised his rights and took the Fifth Amendment more than 400 times in response to questions.

Cover photo of JPMorgan Chase CEO Jamie Dimon courtesy of the company