It's Election Day! - Your News Roundup

If there is an election in your state, make sure to get out and vote!

Happy Election Day! Today, Americans across our country will be heading to the polls to make their voices heard, and there are a number of critical elections on the ballot. If you enjoy these daily newsletters and want more, exclusive content or want to support my work, then please become a monthly subscriber today!

In Ohio, voters will decide the future of abortion rights in the state. In Virginia, voters will decide the composition of their state legislature, with Republicans pushing hard to flip the Senate to pass abortion restrictions. In Kentucky and Mississippi, two Democrats, in heavy Trump states, are seeking the Governorship. Governor Andy Beshear is running for re-election against Trump-backed Attorney General Daniel Cameron, while in Mississippi, Democrat Brandon Presley is seeking to unseat incumbent Governor Tate Reeves. Polls are open in a number of other states as well with critical local and state level races on the ballot. If you have not voted yet, and live in a state where there is an election today, go to this link to find your local polling place and make your voice heard: https://www.vote.org/polling-place-locator/

Outside of Election Day, there are a number of news stories that you should be aware of this morning:

1) Israel Update

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that Israel is open to temporary pauses in the conflict to allow for the entry of humanitarian aid into Gaza, and to allow civilians to leave the enclave. In addition, Netanyahu stated that following the conclusion of the ground operation in Gaza, Israel will be responsible for the security of Gaza for an indefinite period of time. Whether that means Israel having troops in Gaza or not remains to be seen. As it stands right now, Israeli forces have completely encircled Gaza City and are working toward entering the Capital after successfully cutting the enclave in half, leaving north Gaza completely cut off from the southern portion. 

Meanwhile, the humanitarian crisis in Gaza remains extremely difficult as over 10,000 Palestinians have died since the start of the war according to the Palestinian Health Ministry. It is important to note that the Ministry does not distinguish civilian deaths from terrorist deaths but it is understood that many of the deaths have been civilians in Gaza. As of this post, more than 500 trucks containing humanitarian aid have entered Gaza in the past couple of weeks, which is an increase from the complete siege that was occurring during the first two weeks of the war. 

2) Trump's Legal Troubles

Donald Trump, meanwhile, had one of his worst days in court yesterday as he was forced to testify in the civil fraud trial against him in New York. Remember, the Judge presiding over the case has already found that Trump is liable for a number of claims, and that the only remaining issue remains the amount of damages Trump and his family will be forced to pay. From attacking attorneys in court to having his attorneys attack the Judge outside of the courtroom, Trump faced a day of reckoning after being placed on the stand in what will likely be the first of many occasions where he will have to testify in his own defense. 

In addition, in the Washington, D.C. criminal case, the Special Counsel's team has broken down Trump's attempts to dismiss the case against him and to strike inflammatory allegations in the indictment. Both responses filed by the Special Counsel's team case significant doubt on Trump's arguments that there are constitutional and statutory based for dismissal. Overall, not a great day in court for Trump and his team. 

3) Major Gun Case

Finally, on the docket in the United States Supreme Court is United States v. Rahimi, a case that will decide the future of Second Amendment rights in America. The case concerns whether those subject to domestic violence restraining orders should be permitted to own a firearm. The 5th Circuit previously ruled that restrictions on firearm ownership of these individuals are unconstitutional. Many groups, made up of both gun owners and non gun owners alike have argued that placing restrictions on firearm ownership for those individuals who are accused of domestic violence would not violate the Second Amendment. After the Bruen case last cycle, Rahimi is yet another landmark case that could define the future of gun rights in America for decades to come. With a conservative majority in the Court, expect skepticism from the Justices toward arguments in support of gun reform. More to come here as we will not have a decision for several months.