The Full Belmonte
Damian Williams, the U.S. attorney in Manhattan, announced charges against Senator Robert Menendez.Jefferson Siegel for The New York Times
“Senator Robert Menendez of New Jersey was charged with taking hundreds of thousands of dollars in bribes, including gold bars, to help businessmen and the Egyptian government.” [New York Times]
“Autoworkers expanded their strike to include all the spare-parts distribution centers for both General Motors and Stellantis.” [New York Times]
“Pay advances and zero-percent loans: Officials in Washington were preparing for the possibility of a government shutdown at the end of next week.” [New York Times]
“Nearly 9,000 migrants a day are illegally crossing the southern border, one of the highest rates in months, creating a humanitarian crisis.” [New York Times]
“Prosecutors’ request for a gag order on Donald Trump presents a conflictbetween his free-speech rights and fears that he could — intentionally or not — incite his supporters to violence.” [New York Times]
“An influx of athletes and the end of the gender studies program are among the changes at New College in Florida, which Gov. Ron DeSantis had pledged to transform.” [New York Times]
911 call shows bizarre circumstances of F-35 ejection: ‘Not sure where the airplane is,’ pilot says
“A military pilot whose advanced fighter jet went temporarily missing over the weekend is heard repeatedly requesting an ambulance in a perplexing 911 call from the South Carolina home where he had parachuted to safety.” Read More at Wall Street Journal
Gold bars, cash-stuffed envelopes: New indictment of Sen. Menendez alleges vast corruption
“U.S. Sen. Bob Menendez of New Jersey has been indicted, accused of using his foreign affairs influence to help Egypt in return for bribes. Menendez and his wife were charged after prosecutors said a search of the couple’s home found $100,000 in gold bars and $480,000 in hidden cash.” Read More at Wall Street Journal
Revelations of Clarence Thomas’s Koch links stoke supreme court reform calls
Senate judiciary panel member Whitehouse says ‘Oh, my’ after report links justice to hard-right Koch network
“A report detailing how Clarence Thomas secretly participated in donor events staged by the hard-right Koch network drew more fierce protests and outrage over the conservative supreme court justice’s proliferating ethics scandals.
‘You want to think America is better’: can the supreme court be saved?
Sheldon Whitehouse, a Rhode Island Democrat on the Senate judiciary committee who has advanced ethics reform amid reports about Thomas and other justices, said: ‘Oh, my.’
‘More undisclosed private jet travel, more fingerprints of the billionaire-funded court fixer Leonard Leo’ – a rightwing activist widely linked to Thomas – ‘more engagement with billionaire-funded organisations scheming to influence the court.’
Dick Durbin, the Illinois Democrat who chairs the Senate judiciary committee, said: ‘Once again, Justice Thomas’s gaggle of fawning billionaires expands and their influence on the court grows larger.’
“The Koch brothers are the architects of one of the largest, most successful political operations in history, aimed at influencing all levels of government and the courts. Justice Thomas hid the extent of his involvement with the Koch political network and never reported gifts associated with these engagements.”
Kyle Herrig, senior adviser to the campaign group Accountable.us, said: “It’s clear that Justice Thomas sees his position on our nation’s highest court as a way to upgrade his own lifestyle with no regard for ethics or consequences.”
The report linking Thomas to Koch donor summits at Bohemian Grove, an exclusive all-male resort in California, was just the latest blockbuster from ProPublica, the nonprofit newsroom that has hounded the justice over his failure to declare links to and generous gifts from rich rightwing donors often with business before the court.
Outlets including the New York Times and Politico have also reported on links between Thomas, his wife, the far-right activist Ginni Thomas, and influential activists and donors.
The new report said Thomas attended Koch events at least twice, putting him “in the extraordinary position of having served as a fundraising draw for a network that has brought cases before the supreme court, including one of the most closely watched of the upcoming term”.
That case, Loper Bright Enterprises v Raimondo, concerns the right of federal agencies to regulate businesses in areas including labor rights and environmental and consumer protection. Durbin said Thomas should step aside.
‘The Koch network has invested tremendous capital to overturn longstanding legal precedent known as Chevron deference, which would handcuff regulators and serve the interests of corporate fat cats,’ Durbin said.
‘As more details are revealed of Justice Thomas’s undisclosed involvement with the Koch political network, there are serious questions about his impartiality in cases squarely confronting the Chevron doctrine. For these reasons, I’m calling on Justice Thomas to recuse himself from consideration of Loper Bright v Raimondo.’
A Koch spokesperson denied wrongdoing, saying: ‘The idea that attending a couple events to promote a book or give dinner remarks, as all the justices do, could somehow be undue influence just doesn’t hold water.’
Thomas did not comment. He has said he did not declare gifts from donors because he was advised he did not have to. Subsequent filings revealed more such links.
Supreme court justices are nominally subject to the same ethics rules as all federal judges.
On Friday, Richard Painter, a former White House ethics lawyer now a law professor at the University of Minnesota, said the new ProPublica report showed Thomas ‘violated: 1) financial disclosure laws, 2) laws prohibiting judges from participating in partisan fundraising (the Kochs have a super pac) and 3) recusal laws for judges. 28 U.S.C. 455. He simply does not understand or care about the law.’” [The Guardian]
Zelensky visit shows McCarthy walks ‘thin line’ on Ukraine aid
BY BRAD DRESS
© Getty Images
“Speaker Kevin McCarthy publicly gave a cold shoulder to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky during his visit to Washington on Thursday, denying the wartime leader's request to address Congress — but that's not the whole story.
McCarthy's allies said he's committed to arming Ukraine, despite growing skepticism within his caucus. And Zelensky said the speaker delivered a similar message during their private meeting Thursday.”
Read the full story here at The Hill
McCarthy vows to strip Ukraine money from Pentagon bill after Greene ‘no’ vote
BY MYCHAEL SCHNELL
“Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) announced Friday that he will strip funding for Ukraine out of a Pentagon spending bill after Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) joined conservatives in blocking the legislation from advancing earlier this week.
McCarthy said he would remove the $300 million for Ukraine currently in the Pentagon appropriations bill and hold a separate vote on the funding.”
Read the full story here at The Hill
Menendez on calls for resignation following indictment: ‘I am not going anywhere’
BY NICK ROBERTSON
“Sen. Bob Menendez (D-N.J.) defiantly rejected calls from a growing list of Democrats wanting him to resign after he and his wife were indicted on federal bribery charges on Friday.
‘Those who believe in justice believe in innocence until proven guilty,’ Menendez said in a statement late Friday. ‘I intend to continue to fight for the people of New Jersey with the same success I’ve had for the past five decades. This is the same record of success these very same leaders have lauded all along.’
Read the full story here at The Hill
Menendez steps down as Foreign Relations chairman after indictment
BY LAURA KELLY
Sen. Bob Menendez (D-N.J.) will step down from his position as chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee following an indictment that was unsealed on Friday.
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) announced the move Friday afternoon.
Under Democratic Conference rules, a member in a leadership position or with a chair must resign if charged with a felony, but can be reinstated if the charges are cleared or dropped to a lesser charge.
Read the full story here at The Hill
Here are the Democrats who have called for Menendez to resign
BY NICK ROBERTSON
“Sen. Bob Menendez (D-N.J.) is under pressure to resign from office after he was indicted on bribery charges Friday.
New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy leads the chorus of voices, which also includes several congressmen from the state and New Jersey’s party chair.
These are these Democrats who have called on Menendez to resign.”
Read the full story here at The Hill
GOP lawmaker: Menendez indictment undercuts two-tier system of justice claims ‘to a degree’
BY JOE JACQUEZ
“Rep. Don Bacon (R-Neb.) on Friday said Sen. Bob Menendez's (D-N.J.) indictment on federal bribery charges somewhat weakens Republicans' claims that there are two systems of justice.
When asked if he thought the two-tiered justice argument was undercut by the indictment, Bacon said, ‘I think it does to a degree.’
‘I have always believed in our rule of law, it doesn't make it perfect for people, and people have flaws, but we have checks and balances...’
Read the full story here at The Hill
DOJ move for gag order in Trump Jan. 6 case puts judge in tough spot
BY REBECCA BEITSCH
“A Justice Department request to impose a narrow gag order on former President Trump is raising a number of sticky issues for the court as it weighs how to address what prosecutors called ‘disparaging and inflammatory’ remarks about nearly everyone involved in the Jan. 6 case.
The Justice Department argues Trump’s comments could taint the jury pool and intimidate witnesses who might be called to testify against him — threatening to damage the case with a series of remarks on social media and along the campaign trail.”
Read the full story here at The Hill
Biden to travel to Michigan Tuesday to support striking auto workers
BY BRETT SAMUELS
“President Biden will travel to Michigan next week in support of striking members of the United Auto Workers (UAW) union, a source familiar with the plans confirmed to The Hill.
Biden’s trip marks a significant display of support for organized labor as UAW members in 20 different states strike amid a contract dispute with the ‘Big Three’ automakers — Ford, General Motors (GM) and Stellantis.”
Read the full story here at The Hill
From cage-free chicks to puppy mills and Avian flu: Republicans are trying to roll back animal protections
A proposed federal law would wipe out existing state laws that prevent farm animal brutality and the spread of disease
“Many animals raised for meat in the US spend their lives in spaces barely bigger than their own bodies. Pregnant pigs are held in gestation crates so small they can only sit, stand or lie down in them. Chickens are packed into battery cages so crowded they often can’t extend their wings. And calves raised for veal are packed into crates without enough room to turn around.
While these conditions are part of what makes factory-farmed meat so cheap in the US, a growing number of consumers are rejecting these brutal practices, with more than a dozen states even enacting their own laws to ban them. But a new proposal in Congress would reverse these advances in animal welfare, threatening to upend years of work – and victories – by animal rights activists, farmers and food safety advocates.
The Republican-led Ending Agricultural Trade Suppression, or Eats, Act aims to end the authority of states and localities to set animal welfare and food safety standards. If passed, it could also jeopardize more than 1,000 state and local health and safety laws that set food-quality requirements and stop the spread of invasive species and zoonotic diseases like avian flu. Experts say that legislation this extreme would ordinarily be unlikely to pass, but its supporters are pushing the Eats Act as part of this year’s critical package of agriculture policies known as the farm bill, so there’s a greater possibility of it becoming law.
‘There’s a longstanding precedent for states to legislate, to protect animals and to protect public health,’ said Alicia Prygoski, the legislative affairs manager at the Animal Legal Defense Fund (ALDF). ‘Congress shouldn’t be destroying that. We should allow states to do what is in the best interest of their own residents.’
There’s a long-standing precedent for states to protect animals and public health. Congress shouldn’t be destroying that
There are no federal laws or standards for the treatment of farmed animals, so it’s been up to states to create laws that protect animals. Massachusetts, for example, passed a law in 2016 that banned extreme confinement of farmed animals. In a public referendum, nearly 80% of voters approved a law banning the sale of meat or eggs from animals held in confined spaces, and legally required farmers in the state to give chickens, pigs and calves enough room to stand up, lie down, extend their limbs and turn around freely.
These regulations also prevent the spread of zoonotic diseases and support small-scale farmers who raise meat in a sustainable way. In addition to Massachusetts, 15 other states, including California, Arizona and New Jersey, have implemented similar bans that the Eats Act would undo. If the Eats Act were to pass, it essentially would mean ‘anything goes’ when it comes to regulating animal agriculture.
It’s just the latest effort by supporters of big agriculture to dismantle animal welfare regulations, experts say. Since California passed Proposition 12, which bans the sale of meat and eggs made from animals held in extreme confinement (including from animals raised in other states), the pork industry in particular has sought to overturn it. Last year the US supreme court agreed to hear the challenge – which argued that the ban unfairly affects farmers in other states who want to sell their meat in California – but ultimately upheld the constitutionality of California’s law.
After that defeat, groups like the National Pork Producers Council have turned their support to the Eats Act, which, if passed, would also invalidate Proposition 12.
‘NPPC supports finding a legislative solution, like the Eats Act, to Proposition 12 to prevent state and local governments from interfering with the production of agricultural products in other states,’ the NPPC said in a public statement.
Supporters also say laws regulating food production will drive up the cost of meat and eggs. By eliminating them, they argue, food will stay affordable. The National Pork Producers Council did not respond to requests for comment.
The bill would leave states without the power to implement their own laws beyond federal regulation, said Kara Shannon, the director of farm animal welfare policy at the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA), which is leading a coalition opposing the Eats Act. ‘There’s nothing to protect these animals on farms, or even just slightly improve their lives.’
The Eats Act would also jeopardize animal welfare laws protecting horses from slaughter, as well as those banning wildlife trafficking and puppy mills.
In addition to animal welfare, the bill would also weaken protections for public health. Most states currently require pre-entry inspection and disease control measures for farm animals entering the state. In Iowa, for example, no animal that ‘is infected with or has been recently exposed to a disease can enter the state’. These measures were designed not only to protect animals, but also farmers from the devastating effects of zoonotic disease spread.
The Eats Act would undermine farmers and businesses that treat animals humanely, said Chris Oliviero, the general manager of Niman Ranch, a network of more than 700 family farmers and ranchers across the country.
‘We believe if you take care of a farmer, who in turn can take better care of the animal and allow them to exhibit natural behaviors, you can produce a better-tasting meat that aligns with what consumers truly think of when they feel that they’re purchasing a higher attribute,’ Oliviero said.
In August, more than 150 bipartisan House lawmakers signed a letter urging the House agriculture committee not to include the Eats Act in the 2023 farm bill. A group of 30 US senators signed a similar letter rejecting the Eats Act.
‘The Eats Act would harm America’s small farmers and infringe on the fundamental rights of states to establish laws and regulations within their own borders,’ the letter said.” [The Guardian]
Start the Assembly Lines
U.S. President Joe Biden (left) shakes hands with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky after a meeting in the East Room of the White House in Washington on Sept. 21.Drew Angerer/Getty Images
“Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and U.S. President Joe Biden launched a joint weapons production deal on Friday, wrapping up a whirlwind 24 hours of diplomacy in Washington. Three Ukrainian corporations signed agreements with more than 2,000 U.S. defense companies to kick-start future collaboration efforts in Ukraine.
Calling it a ‘historic’ achievement, Zelensky said the deal will boost employment rates by expanding Kyiv’s industrial base. Since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, Ukraine has struggled to bolster its war-battered economy. According to new data published by Kyiv’s State Statistics Service on Friday, Ukraine’s GDP improved for the first time on an annual basis since the conflict began.
Zelensky also emphasized how the deal will allow Kyiv to manufacture its own air defense systems. Over the last 19 months, Ukraine has worked to advance its domestic weapons production capabilities by reforming its arms industry. Recent efforts have targeted Ukroboronprom, Ukraine’s state weapons manufacturing company, to strengthen transparency, improve manufacturing efficiency, and expand collaboration efforts abroad. Zelensky also noted that Ukraine is hoping to host an arms production forum with more than 20 other countries in the near future.
‘We are preparing to create a new defense ecosystem with the United States to produce weapons to strengthen further freedom and protect life together,’ Zelensky said.
Alongside the joint weapons production agreement, the United States unveiled a $325 million aid package to Ukraine on Thursday. The deal provides High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems, Avenger air defense systems, Javelin and AT-4 anti-armor systems, and other armaments and munitions.
Since Moscow invaded Ukraine, Washington has approved $113 billion in aid to Kyiv. More than $43 billion of that has centered on security assistance. Alongside the new $325 million package, Zelensky spent much of his trip to Washington seeking $24 billion in additional military and humanitarian aid as well as Army Tactical Missile Systems. Although this may seem like a lot, if Zelensky’s $24 billion request is approved, the total amount of U.S. funding sent to Ukraine will still be less than one-sixth of what the United States has budgeted for its own defense spending in 2023.
‘We’re committed to help Ukraine build a force capable of ensuring Ukraine’s long-term security, capable of deterring future threats against sovereignty, territorial integrity, and freedom, which are underway now,’ Biden said. ‘Because that’s what this is all about—the future, the future of freedom. America can never, will never, walk away from that.’” [Foreign Policy
“Assad’s new friend. Diplomatic relations between China and Syria got a facelift on Friday when the two nations upgraded their ties to ‘strategic partnership.’ The newfound friendship was finalized during Syrian President Bashar al-Assad’s visit to China on Thursday, his first time traveling to the mainland since Syria’s civil war began in 2011. At the talks, Chinese President Xi Jinping urged the West to lift its sanctions on Damascus and vowed to help rebuild the country.
Assad hopes that Xi’s endorsement will pave a path forward for Syria to discard is global pariah status. Already, China has helped Damascus make inroads toward international acceptance. In 2022, Syria enlisted in China’s Belt and Road Initiative, and in May, it rejoined the Arab League, much to China’s encouragement.” [Foreign Policy
“Interest rates. Japan’s central bank decided on Friday to maintain ultra-low interest rates until inflation sustainability hits its 2 percent target. ‘With extremely high uncertainties surrounding economies and financial markets at home and abroad, the Bank will patiently continue with monetary easing,’ the Bank of Japan announced.
Turkey, on the other hand, raised its interest rate by 5 percentage points on Thursday in another significant, yet expected, hike. The rate now stands at 30 percent. The increase signifies a return to more traditional fiscal practices after Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s controversial policy of cutting rates to battle inflation, an approach that ran against conventional economic practice.” [Foreign Policy
“Gender legislation. In a major win for women’s rights activists, India’s Parliament approved legislation on Thursday that reserves one-third of seats in India’s lower house and state assemblies for women. This follows six failed attempts to pass such a bill since 1996, due in part to intense disapproval at times from India’s male politicians. The bill now goes to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to sign, which he is expected to do.
But not all countries are moving in the direction of stronger gender equality. On Wednesday, Iran’s parliament passed a bill that enforces harsher punishments on women who refuse to wear a hijab. Tehran requires all women to wear the Islamic headscarf when in public. For the next three years, women who refuse to don a hijab as part of an organized protest could face up to 10 years in prison. The decision came on the coattails of the one-year anniversary of 21-year-old Mahsa Amini’s death, who died in police custody after being detained by Iran’s morality police for allegedly not wearing a hijab properly.” [Foreign Policy
Michigan State coach Mel Tucker made false statements to investigator
“At the most consequential moment of his career, Tucker repeatedly made false statements to the school's investigator and misled her about basic facts.”
READ MORE at USA Today
GAME OF THE WEEKEND
Colorado coach Deion SandersDavid Zalubowski/Associated Press
“No. 19 Colorado vs. No. 10 Oregon, college football: After posting an abysmal 1-11 record last year, Colorado hired Deion Sanders, the N.F.L. legend with a famed sense of showmanship, to be its head coach. The turnabout has been quick. “Coach Prime,” as Sanders is now known, enticed dozens of players to transfer to Colorado in the off-season, loading the roster with stars. Colorado is now the buzziest team in college football — its game last week broke TV viewership records — and it has the offensive skill to match. But its defense might struggle to keep up today, considering Oregon averages nearly 60 points a game.” 3:30 p.m. Eastern on ABC [New York Times]
THE WEEK IN CULTURE
Disney WorldTodd Anderson for The New York Times
“Disney, whose film and TV businesses are struggling, says it will invest more in theme parks and cruise lines.” [New York Times]
“The Mexican singer-songwriter Peso Pluma canceled a show in Tijuana following apparent threats from a drug cartel. He had already postponed U.S. concerts.” v
“John Grisham and other prominent novelists are suing OpenAI for using their novels to train its chatbot, ChatGPT.” [New York Times]
“Read a timeline of the scandals that have marked the career of Russell Brand, who faces accusations of sexual assault.” [New York Times]
“A former wardrobe designer accused Lizzo in a lawsuit of failing to address what she described as a hostile work environment.” [New York Times]
“An artist was commissioned to incorporate physical money into work for a Danish museum and sent two blank canvases titled “Take the Money and Run.” A court ordered him to repay the museum $70,000.” [New York Times]
“Rihanna and A$AP Rocky shared photos of their newborn baby, Riot, for the first time, Harper’s Bazaar reported.” [New York Times]
“An anti-sex-trafficking activist who inspired the movie “Sound of Freedom,” a conservative hit, resigned from his child rescue group following misconduct allegations, NBC reported.” [New York Times]
“What really stands out about the Fontainebleau Las Vegas isn’t the height—at 67 stories it’s the tallest hotel in Nevada—or the 46-foot sculpture in its lobby. Instead, it’s the 23 years it took to build. The $3.7 billion palace with seven pools, 36 restaurants and bars and a private club on the top floor will open on Dec. 13. On the other hand: Passalacqua in Italy’s Lake Como is a tiny, 24-room hotel in a restored 18th century building. Opened last year, it has already been crowned the world’s best hotel.” [Bloomberg]
Passalacqua in Italy’s Lake Como is a tiny, 24-room hotel in a restored 18th century building. Source: Passalacqua