January 22, 2024 - Daily Digest

Today is January 22, 2024 and here are all the stories you may have missed from earlier today. If you enjoy these daily recaps and want to have access to more, exclusive content or want to support my work, then consider becoming a monthly subscriber by clicking the link below.

1) Supreme Court Sides With Biden, Clears Way For Border Patrol To Remove Razor Wire At Border

The United States Supreme Court, in a 5-4 decision, has granted the Biden Administration's request to vacate an injunction issued by the 5th Circuit in a case concerning razor-wires along the Texas/Mexico border. This decision will now clear a path forward for federal officials to remove all physical limitations to the border.

Previously, Texas Governor Greg Abbott instituted immigration policies that many decried as cruel and inhumane, as the policies included placing razor wire in the Rio Grande River along the border. As a result of the physical impediments, like the wire, there have been reports of migrants being injured – and even killed – as they attempt to cross into Texas. 

The Biden Administration ordered Texas to remove all physical impediments from the border, which Texas initially declined. The case eventually made it to the federal court system and the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals issued an injunction preventing the Administration from requiring Texas to remove the barriers.

However, today, the Supreme Court vacated this injunction, siding with the Biden Administration. The four justices that would have denied the request were Justices Thomas, Alito, Gorsuch, and Kavanaugh. This means Chief Justice Roberts and Justice Barrett, both conservative justices, agreed with the Administration. 

While this is not a conclusion to this case, it is a major win for federal officials.

Read the short order below:

2) Judge Denies Trump's Motion For Mistrial As Trump Seeks Delay For His Testimony

This morning, Judge Kaplan denied Donald Trump's motion for a mistrial in the pending E. Jean Carroll defamation trial. Previously, Trump's attorneys sought a mistrial last week after Carroll testified that she had deleted several death threats received as a result of initiating her lawsuit against Trump. Carroll made clear under cross examination by Trump's attorney Alina Habba that the only death threats she deleted were replies made to her post, and that she kept her original post about Trump's defamatory statements published. In addition, Carroll argued that Trump had knowledge of the deleted threats for almost one year, yet waited to bring up the issue until during trial. This morning, in a brief hearing, Judge Kaplan denied Trump's motion and noted that he will file a full opinion briefing the issue at a later time. 

Additionally, while trial was supposed to continue this morning, Habba requested a brief continuance for one day as her parents were exposed to COVID-19 and she was not feeling well. Habba noted that she tested negative, however. In addition, a juror called in sick and was sent home this morning. 

At the same time, Habba asked the court for a further continuance to Wednesday because the New Hampshire primary election is tomorrow. Trump is currently expected to testify tomorrow with the trial scheduled to wrap up soon thereafter. In support of this request, Habba stated: "My client reminded me tomorrow is the New Hampshire primary and he needs to be in New Hampshire." Judge Kaplan took the issue under advisement and will likely issue a ruling later this afternoon. It is clear that Trump does not want to testify in this case until after the primary. In any event, trial has been postponed until at least tomorrow. 

3) Netanyahu Rejects Hostage Deal Proposed By "Monsters of Hamas"

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has rejected a deal proposed by Hamas to release all remaining hostages in exchange for an immediate cessation of hostilities on the Gaza Strip, along with Israeli forces being pulled out of the enclave, allowing Hamas to remain in power. The deal also would have required Israel to release all Palestinians currently serving time in Israeli prisons, including those that attacked Israel on October 7th. This demand from Hamas is nothing new, and one that has previously been on the table and rejected in the past. 

While some will likely criticize Israel for this decision, the deal put the Israeli people between a rock and a hard place. The international community has agreed that Hamas' presence in the Gaza Strip puts Israel's safety at risk, and should Israel agree to this deal, it could allow Hamas to regain strength and plan future attacks. Meanwhile, the Israeli hostages currently in Hamas custody are not equal to the Palestinian prisoners serving time in Israeli prisons. First, there are thousands of Palestinian prisoners currently in Israeli prisons, while there are about 100 Israeli hostages in Hamas custody. Second, the Israeli hostages have done nothing wrong and were wrongfully taken on October 7th, while the Palestinian prisoners are being held on suspicion of a wide variety of crimes ranging from assaulting law enforcement all the way to perpetrating the acts leading up to and on October 7th. The deal, therefore, would be unequal according to Israel. 

This latest news also comes weeks after Hamas rejected a peace proposal put forth by Egypt and Qatar which would have required the terrorist group to give up control of the Gaza Strip in exchange for an immediate and permanent ceasefire, allowing a Saudi-Qatari backed government to remain in place in Gaza instead of Hamas. When rejecting the deal put forth by Hamas, Netanyahu stated: 

“I work on this around the clock. But to be clear: I reject outright the terms of surrender of the monsters of Hamas.”

Later, when speaking with families of the hostages, Netanyahu made the following statement concerning the alleged proposal:

"Contrary to what they say, There is no real proposal from Hamas - this is not true. I say this as clearly as I can because there are so many untrue things that must be tormenting you.”