Trump case: Even though New York Sate Supreme Court Judge Juan Merchan admonished Donald Trump to avoid making incendiary remarks about his hush money court case, Trump last night in a speech to supporters at Mar-a-Lago blasted the judicial system, and attacked Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg and Judge Merchan and the judge’s wife and daughter. While Trump was in court in Manhattan yesterday, the Trump campaign sent out a fundraising email offering a T-shirt with a fake mug shot of Trump printed on it in exchange for a $47 campaign contribution. There was no mug shot taken of Trump when he was arrested and booked yesterday. Trump pleaded “not guilty” to 34 felony counts.
Zelenskyy visits Poland: Ukraine’s President Zelenskyy and his wife visited Poland today and thanked the Polish people for supporting Ukraine in the war started by Russia. Military equipment provided by Poland includes four jet fighters and Poland is in the process of providing 10 more.
Democrat elected Chicago’s mayor: Brandon Johnson, a progressive Democrat, has been elected mayor of Chicago in a runoff election. He defeated Paul Vallas, head of the Chicago public school system who described himself as a Democrat but has been supported by Chicago’s Republican Party. Vallas at one time headed the school system in Bridgeport, Connecticut.
Wisconsin Supreme Court flips: A liberal has defeated a far-right conservative in the election to fill a seat on the Wisconsin Supreme Court. The victory by Janet Protasiewicz over Dan Kelly flips that court to a liberal majority. It’s expected the new makeup of the court will help ensure that women’s reproductive rights will be preserved and the state’s voting districts will be remapped to eliminate favoring Republicans.
Tornado south of St. Louis: The Missouri Highway Patrol reports fatalities and injuries from at least one tornado that hit south of St. Louis early this morning. Extensive damage to homes was reported with roads blocked by downed trees and wires. The number of dead and injured was not immediately reported.
Biden to travel: The White House has announced that President Biden will travel to the United Kingdom and Ireland from April 11 to 14. Biden will first go to Belfast, Northern Ireland and then visit Ireland. Yesterday, Biden had a phone call with Britain’s King Charles and congratulated him on his forthcoming coronation.
Cover photo by Gage Skidmore / Flickr Creative Commons
