August 11, 2023 - Your Daily Digest

Worst natural disaster in Hawaii's history, SBF remanded, Trump loses, and more

Today is August 11, 2023, and here are four stories you need to know about. If you enjoy my newsletter, please consider a monthly subscription to support my work, get access to exclusive content, and more.

1) Worst Natural Disaster in Hawaiian History

Hawaii has experienced the worst natural disaster in its history. Wildfires on the island of Maui have killed at least 55 individuals, destroyed over 1,000 buildings including many historical sites, and has displaced thousands of individuals. The death toll continues to grow as the current number only includes bodies found outside of buildings impacted by the wildfires. A mass influx of individuals are currently seeking food and other humanitarian assistance. While about 80% of the wildfires have since been contained by authorities, parts of the island remain affected, and the recovery will take years to complete. If you would like to help residents recovery from this terrible tragedy, learn more about ways you can help here.

2) D.C. Judge Fires Back at Trump

During a hearing today in front of United States District Court Judge Tanya Chutkan, the Special Counsel’s team and Donald Trump’s attorneys argued over the contents of a protective order in the case concerning Trump’s actions on January 6, 2021. In a back and forth with defense attorneys, Judge Chutkan made several statements that ultimately will impact the former President. First, Judge Chutkan asserted "I can see how, in advance of trial, making public statements about potential witnesses is going to affect the orderly administration of justice and his release conditions." This statement came after prosecutors noted Trump’s public statements, both on his social media platform and during campaign events.

As Trump’s team attempted to mention the campaign and the impacts of this case, Judge Chutkan did not seem amused. She asserted that "the existence of a political campaign is not going to have any bearing on my decision. I intend to keep politics out of this.” In the most stunning development of the afternoon, at the conclusion of the hearing, Judge Chutkan noted that the more Trump speaks publicly about the case the faster he will go to trial in this matter. After discussion with both parties, the Judge issued the following protective order which limits Trump’s ability to share confidential discovery produced by the government.

3) Russia Commits Additional War Crimes

In the past 24 hours, Russia continued to commit additional war crimes. According to Ukraine’s Prosecutor General’s Office, a Russian missile targeted western Ukraine early this morning and killed an 8-year-old child. Meanwhile, Russian shelling has increased across Ukraine in recent days, and today, several missile fragments fell near a children’s hospital in Kyiv’s Oblonskyi district. At this time there is no update about whether concerning any casualties or damage. Due to this recent increase in shelling authorities in Kharkiv have ordered the mandatory evacuation of residents in certain towns and settlements. This war is far from over and, despite what some Republicans in Congress assert, we must continue to support Ukraine.

4) Special Counsel Appointed

Attorney General Merrick Garland has appointed former U.S. Attorney David Weiss as a Special Counsel to investigate Hunter Biden. Immediately following this appointment, Weiss filed a motion to dismiss the pending charges against Hunter in Delaware as prosecutors could not agree to a plea deal with Hunter’s defense team. Weiss indicated that prosecutors intend on filing charges against Hunter Biden in a different jurisdiction. These charges will likely be associated with Hunter’s failure to make tax payments. However, despite asking for this appointment to be made, Republicans are still unhappy even though they got what they wanted.

5) African Countries Prepare for Possible Military Intervention in Niger

Weeks after a coup by a military junta in Niger successfully deposed of Niger’s first democratically elected President, African countries are currently preparing for a possible military intervention in Niger. According to a spokesperson for the Economic Community of West African States, West African army chiefs of staff are planning on meeting next week to discuss possible plans for a military intervention. Stay tuned for more here.

6) Sam Bankman-Fried’s Bail Revoked

A federal judge has revoked Sam Bankman Fried’s bail after he found that probable cause existed that SBF violated his bail terms by intimidating a witness in his case. Bankman Fried, the former founder of FTX, will now be remanded into federal custody pending trial. He is facing the potential of decades in federal prison, and while his attorneys will appeal today’s ruling, it is unlikely any such appeal would be successful here.