U.S. and world news for Oct. 3
Smith’s filing: Federal Judge Tanya Chutkin has made public Special Counsel Jack Smith’s 165-page filing that argues Donald Trump can be prosecuted for trying to overturn the 2020 election and remain in power because he was acting as a candidate for office and not in his role as president. The Supreme Court said that presidents cannot be prosecuted for crimes they commit if the crimes as part of their official duties as president. Donald Trump’s attorneys tried to convince Chutkin to keep the brief secret from the American people. Smith’s brief provides evidence from Trump’s advisors that Trump knew he lost the election to Biden yet tried various schemes to steal the election.
Pence’s testimony: Special Counsel Jack Smith’s brief that provides previously undisclosed evidence against Donald Trump for various crimes includes testimony given by Former Vice President Mike Pence and notes taken by Pence in meetings with Trump. Pence reveals that Trump knew that he lost the election and pressured Pence to commit crimes to help Trump stay in power. When Pence refused, Trump accused him of being “too honest.” When Trump learned that the mob attacking the Capitol wanted to hang Pence, Trump said, “so what.”
Liz Cheney: The daughter of former Republican Vice President Dick Cheney, former Republican Congresswoman Liz Cheney, was scheduled to appear with Democratic Presidential Candidate Kamala Harris at a campaign event in Wisconsin today. Cheney and her father both have endorsed Harris for the presidency and strongly oppose Republican candidate Donald Trump. Harris and Cheney were to appear in Ripon, Wisconsin, said to be the birthplace of the Republican Party.
Melania Trump: Donald Trump’s wife Melania today came out against his position on women’s health care and abortion rights, saying that there is no room for compromise when it comes to individual rights. Donald Trump has taken credit for overturning Roe v. Wade. Melania Trump says she supports a woman’s right to make her own decisions when it comes to her body and women should be free from any interference or pressure from the government.
Iran: Lebanon says that nine people were killed as a result of Israeli airstrikes on suburbs of Beirut today. The Israeli military says that eight Israeli soldiers were killed in ground fighting inside Lebanon. Israel’s U.N. Ambassador Danny Danon told CNN that Israel will retaliate very soon for the missile attacks launched by Iran against Israel. Iran warns that if Israel does retaliate, Iran will launch even more serious strikes against Israel.
Storm damage: President Biden and Vice President Harris visited storm-damaged parts of Georgia and North Carolina yesterday, where hundreds of roads remain closed. The death toll from storm Helene stood at 180 as of this morning. Biden flew in a helicopter over Asheville, North Carolina, to survey damage and also went to an emergency operations center in Raleigh, North Carolina. Biden called for an end to politics when it comes to helping people deal with the storm’s aftermath. Biden ordered 1,000 active-duty soldiers to join with the North Carolina National Guard to help in the cleanup operations.