The Full Belmonte, 9/29/2023
Many questions but few answers in congressional hearing on Maui’s wildfire and electric provider
Lawmakers probing the cause of last month’s deadly Maui wildfire did not get many answers during Thursday’s congressional hearing on the role the electrical grid played in the disaster. Read More at AP News
Trump Tower in New York, March 21, 2023. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig, File)
Court rejects Donald Trump’s bid to delay trial in wake of fraud ruling that threatens his business
“An appeals court Thursday rejected Donald Trump’s bid to delay a civil trial in a lawsuit brought by New York’s attorney general, allowing the case to proceed days after a judge ruled the former president committed years of fraud and stripped him of some companies as punishment. Read more.
Why this matters:
The decision clears the way for Judge Arthur Engoron to preside over a non-jury trial starting Monday in Manhattan in the civil lawsuit brought by state Attorney General Letitia James. The fraud ruling on Tuesday threatens to upend Trump’s real estate empire and force him to give up prized New York properties such as Trump Tower, a Wall Street office building and golf courses.
Trump has denied wrongdoing, arguing some of his assets are worth far more than listings on annual financial statements that Engoron said he used to secure loans. Trump argued the statements have disclaimers absolving him of liability. His lawyers said they would appeal.
Engoron’s fraud ruling resolved the key claim in James’ lawsuit, but six others remain. They include allegations of conspiracy, falsifying business records and insurance fraud. The judge also will decide on James’ request for $250 million in penalties.” [AP News]
Impeachment map
House Oversight Committee chair James Comer (right) and Rep. Jamie Raskin at the first impeachment inquiry hearing today. Photo: Drew Angerer/Getty Images
“In a bumpy and often chaotic first hearing today, House Republicans laid out a road map for their impeachment inquiry against President Biden, Axios' Erin Doherty writes.
Why it matters: Top GOP lawmakers are zeroing in on four lines of questions around Biden's connection with his son's foreign business dealings.
The questions at the center of the impeachment inquiry:
Did Biden take official action or change policy because of money or other things of value provided to his family or him from foreign interests?
Did Biden abuse his office of public trust by providing foreign interests with access to him and his office in exchange for money?
Did Biden abuse his office of public trust by knowingly participating in a bribery scheme to enrich himself or his family?
Did Biden abuse his power as president to hinder investigations or the prosecution of Hunter Biden?
Between the lines: Some of the GOP's own witnesses were keen to say they don't yet see the goods for an impeachment.
‘More information needs to be gathered and assessed before I would make such an assessment,’ said forensic accountant Bruce Dubinsky.
Conservative legal scholar Jonathan Turley said that the ‘current evidence’ would not support articles of impeachment. (But Turley said he supports the inquiry.)
The contentious hearing came against the backdrop of a looming government shutdown.
Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-Md.) displayed a shutdown clock, showing the time left until midnight on Saturday.
The White House has repeatedly dismissed the inquiry as baseless.” [Axios]
House Republican hard-liners plot to oust Kevin McCarthy as speaker with potential shutdown 2 days away
“The far-right lawmakers are looking to remove McCarthy from his leadership role as early as next week, a move that would throw the chamber into further disarray in the middle of a potential government shutdown. The flank is coalescing around nominating a member of McCarthy’s leadership team, Rep. Tom Emmer (R-Minn.), to be the next speaker if they can force out McCarthy.”
Read the story at Washington Post
Biden broadens Civil Rights Act
Illustration: Shoshana Gordon/Axios
“The Biden administration is deploying the Civil Rights Act of 1964 against antisemitism and Islamophobia in federally funded programs for the first time, Axios' April Rubin writes.
Why it matters: Antisemitic incidents in the U.S. hit a record high last year.
Eight federal agencies clarified today that the landmark law prohibits ‘certain forms of antisemitic, Islamophobic, and related forms of discrimination in federally funded programs.’” [Axios]
A Christian law group waged a battle so vendors could reject gay weddings. But did its clients plan to use the right they sued for?
“A Washington Post examination found that the powerhouse legal-interest group Alliance Defending Freedom was involved behind the scenes in the businesses and public profiles of a nationwide roster of similar clients — some of whom subsequently left the weddings industry – during its years-long effort to overturn laws barring discrimination based on sexual orientation.”
Read more at Washington Post
”Senators Press for Evan Gershkovich’s Release After Six Months in Custody- The Wall Street Journal correspondent was arrested while on a reporting trip.” [Wall Street Journal]
The amount of pain that a government shutdown could inflict depends on President Biden.
“An obscure 1884 law governing shutdowns has exceptions, giving the White House room to interpret the rules, legal experts say. Past presidents have taken vastly different approaches, depending on the politics of the day. The Biden administration might want voters to feel the effects because it believes that House Republicans—unable to agree among themselves how to keep the government funded starting Sunday—will shoulder the blame. The White House has warned that an extended shutdown could mean delayed workplace and food-safety inspections, long lines at airports and halted infrastructure projects. Over on Capitol Hill, House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R., Calif.) embraced border security as a possible way to break a congressional impasse.” Read more at Wall Street Journal
California Gov. Gavin Newsom signs law to raise minimum wage for fast food workers to $20 per hour
“California Gov. Gavin Newsom has signed a law raising the minimum wage for fast food workers to $20 per hour. The raise takes effect April 1.” Read More at AP News
Trump and his children maybe be called to testify in fraud trial
“Donald Trump and some of his children could be called to testify in his civil fraud trial set to begin next week, based on witness lists submitted by New York Attorney General Letitia James and Trump’s defense team.
James listed Trump, Donald Trump Jr., Eric Trump and Ivanka Trumpamong the 28 names she expects to call in the case. Trump and his two adult sons are also on the defense’s list.
On Tuesday, the judge in the case dealt Trump a major blow, finding he had committed fraud and lied about his net worth for years.
Trump accused the judge of ‘assigning insanely low values to properties’ and said his ‘anger & hatred is politically motivated,’ on his social media site.” [NBC News]
Suspect arrested in murder of Baltimore tech CEO
“A repeat violent offender suspected of killing a young tech CEO has been arrestedafter an intense manhunt, Baltimore Police have announced.
Jason Billingsley was taken into custody overnight without incident at a train station about 20 miles southwest of Baltimore, acting Police Commissioner Richard Worley said at a news conference today.
Billingsley, who was previously convicted of assault charges and a sex offense, is accused of killing tech entrepreneur Pava LaPere, 26, who was found dead Monday at her apartment building.
Police say there was no forced entry into the building, and they have not yet determined whether there was any prior connection between the suspect and victim.
At the time LaPere was killed, he was already suspected of raping a woman days before, police acknowledged today.
Police said they didn’t immediately release details about that earlier incident because they believed it was a ‘targeted’ act and feared Billingsley would ‘go underground.’” [NBC News]
“Trump ally Kari Lake says she'll announce a run for the U.S. Senate next month, setting up a possible three-way race with incumbent Sen. Kyrsten Sinema and Democratic Rep. Ruben Gallego, Axios' Dave Lawler writes.” [Axios]
New rule will cut federal money to college programs that leave grads with high debt, low pay
“A new federal rule threatens to cut federal money to college programs that consistently leave graduates with low pay or unaffordable debt.” Read More at AP News
Gaza Crossing Reopens Amid Protests
Palestinian workers gather at the Erez Crossing between Israel and Gaza on Sept. 28.Mohammed Abed/AFP via Getty Images
“After almost two weeks of border closures, Israel reopened its Erez Crossing with Gaza on Thursday. The move comes amid weeks of violent protests along the northern border’s fence, with Palestinian militants and Israeli soldiers clashing. According to Palestinian protest organizers, daily demonstrations will be suspended following the border reopening.
Mass protests supported by Hamas, which controls Gaza, have rocked the area this month, leading to Israeli authorities closing the border. The protests focused on Israeli violence against Palestinians living in East Jerusalem, as well as the long-running blockade of Gaza. At least seven people have been killed and dozens more wounded in the fighting. Palestinians say the border closures violate their right to freedom of movement.
Around 18,000 Gazans have permits to work in Israel and the West Bank, generating around $2 million a day. In August 2022, then-Israeli Prime Minister Yair Lapid reopened border crossings in a policy pivot after nearly two decades of closed borders. Hamas wants Israel to increase the number of Gazans allowed to work across the border to 20,000; around two-thirds of Gazans are unemployed, one of the highest rates in the world.
Egypt, Qatar, and the United Nations helped mediate Thursday’s border decision, but all three entities have faced backlash from Palestinian officials. Egypt has long helped Israel block goods from entering Gaza, citing security concerns with Hamas rule. Hamas has accused Qatar of failing to provide the full sum of aid it promised to Gaza. And the United Nations has repeatedly been accused of siding with Israeli officials despite condemning Israel’s human rights violations against Palestinians.
Beginning with the Great March of Return in 2018, when more than 200 Palestinians were killed during a series of border demonstrations, protests have escalated tensions between Israel and Gaza. Although local officials predict a two-week reprieve from fighting, Palestinians worry that reopening Erez Crossing is like applying a Band-Aid to a gunshot wound; a total end to violence is still far off in the distance.” [Foreign Policy]
“Taiwan’s new submarine. Say hello to the Narwhal, Taiwan’s first domestically produced submarine. Taipei unveiled the first of eight such vessels on Thursday as part of Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen’s goal of countering Chinese aggression and asserting the self-ruled island’s sovereignty. China considers Taiwan to be part of its territory. If initial tests are successful, the Narwhal will begin service in the next few years.
Beijing has increased military activity around Taiwan in recent months, with its armed forces now launching almost daily military exercises in the Taiwan Strait. ‘Even if there are risks, and no matter how many challenges there are, Taiwan must take this step and allow the self-reliant national defense policy to grow and flourish on our land,’ Tsai said.” [Foreign Policy]
“Déjà coup? Burkina Faso’s ruling junta thwarted a coup attempt from within the military on Tuesday, government officials said on Wednesday. Numerous suspects, including at least four officers, have been arrested for alleged involvement in the insurrection. Burkina Faso also suspended Jeune Afrique, an independent magazine, after accusing it of discrediting the country’s military.
Burkina Faso has a long history of coups. In 2022, the country faced two insurrections, with the second allowing Capt. Ibrahim Traoré to seize power. Since then, it has also supported coups in other African countries, including the military coup in Niger in July. Burkina Faso’s junta continues to promise that elections will be held next year.” [Foreign Policy]
“You shall not pass. Germany increased border protections on Wednesday in what it says is an effort to crack down on human trafficking operations. Effective immediately, additional border checks will be added to known smuggling routes connecting Germany to Poland and the Czech Republic. This will be Germany’s first stationary border control measure since 2015, when the southern state of Bavaria implemented checks to combat Europe’s migrant crisis.
The move comes amid mounting pressure from far-right politicians in Germany to curb immigration rates. This month, Chancellor Olaf Scholz postponed the intake of migrants from Italy—but reversed his decision two days later after the European Union accused Berlin of not following the so-called Dublin Regulation, which allows asylum-seekers to have their applications processed in the first country they arrive in.” [Foreign Policy]
UK police are investigating the 'deliberate felling' of a famous tree at Hadrian's Wall
“A 16-year-old boy has been arrested in connection with what authorities described as the "deliberate" felling of a famous tree that had stood for nearly 200 years next to the Roman landmark Hadrian's Wall.” Read More at Wall Street Journal
“All dogs go to heaven, but first they need a forever home. Brazilian priest João Paulo Araujo Gomes, from the Diocese of Caruaru, has made that a primary mission of his parish. Every week, he rescues abandoned dogs from the streets, feeds and grooms them, and then presents each dog at weekly mass to be adopted. Already, dozens of these furry friends have found new families.” [Foreign Policy]
The technological revolution on Ukrainian battlefields is reshaping modern warfare.
“Drones are omnipresent, and new integrated battle-management systemsthat provide imaging and locations in real time all the way down to the squad level have made targeting almost instantaneous. The element of surprise is gone; gaining ground in armored assaults is harder. These combat-zone changes are calling into question the feasibility of some basic concepts of U.S. military doctrine.” Read more at Wall Street Journal
The EEOC sued Tesla, accusing it of subjecting Black employees at its California vehicle plant to racial harassment and a hostile work environment.
“The case echoes allegations made in a California civil rights agency’s lawsuit last year, claiming Elon Musk’s EV company ignored years of complaints from Black factory workers. Tesla, which didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment, has said it “strongly opposes all forms of discrimination and harassment.” EEOC cases can lead to financial penalties.” Read more at Wall Street Journal
“Latinas lost the most jobs in the pandemic. Now they’re back at work in historic numbers. One in five Latinas were out of work in April 2020, the highest unemployment of any group of women ever. Yet, their unemployment rate now hovers at 4.4 percent, lower than pre-pandemic levels.” [Vox] [The 19th]
Some analysts say oil prices could soon hit $100 a barrel, but U.S. shale companies aren’t rushing to drill more.
Oil prices could soon hit $100 a barrel, according to some analysts.
PHOTO: BING GUAN/REUTERS
“Unlike past years when frackers flooded the market with crude and alleviated pressure, oil prices ( read for free) might remain elevated until someone else adds production or demand ebbs. Constrained by investor payouts, inflation and interest rates, frackers want to keep spending down. Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia and Russia have raked in billions of dollars in extra oil revenues in recent months, after their production cuts sent crude prices soaring. The cutbacks were a risky strategy, both financially and politically, but they appear to be paying off for the two OPEC+ members.” Read more at Wall Street Journal