March 1, 2024 - Daily Digest
Texas resident slams Trump as he visits the border
Good morning! Today is March 1, 2024, and here are the critical stories that you may have missed from today. If you enjoy this content and want access to more, exclusive content or to support my work, then consider becoming a monthly subscriber below:
1) United States Senate Approves Stopgap Plan to Avert Government Shutdown, Bill Heads To The President
The United States Senate has officially approved a stopgap bill to avert a government shutdown via a bipartisan, 77-13 vote. The Senate approval came hours after the House of Representatives also passed the legislation. The government was supposed to shutdown on March 1st if Congress did not pass any legislation. The stopgap plan keeps the government funded for an additional week to allow Congress to negotiate a longterm spending bill. Whether that actually happens, however, remains to be seen.
2) Key Texas Immigration Law Blocked By Federal Court
SB4, a piece of legislation passed by the Texas Legislature that would allow Texas enforcement officials to arrest and detain individuals they suspect of illegally entering the country has been blocked by a federal judge today. The law was controversial as it was enacted to usurp the federal government's authority to regulate the influx of migrants coming across the southern border and was done as part of Governor Greg Abbott's push to take power away from the federal government to deal with the immigration crisis in an election year.
In court, Texas argued that it should be allowed to regulate the influx of migrants coming across the border and equated the immigration crisis to an invasion of the state. Judge Ezra rejected this claim, writing: “SB 4 threatens the fundamental notion that the United States must regulate immigration with one voice.” Texas will now likely appeal the decision to the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals, and later to the United States Supreme Court, in what will likely be one of the most significant federalism-related cases in recent memory.
3) E. Jean Carroll Slams Trump In Opposition To Stay Of Judgment
Attorneys for E. Jean Carroll have filed their opposition to Donald Trump's request to stay enforcement of the $83.3 million judgment entered against him in Carroll's defamation case. Following the jury verdict awarding the substantial monetary judgment to Carroll, Trump asked the court for a stay from enforcing the judgment, but provided little detail as to why the court should grant the stay. Carroll's attorneys point this out and use Trump's failure to identify any legitimate reason for a stay as their primary argument in the opposition.
Specifically, Carroll's attorneys argue that Trump expects the court to simply trust him that a stay is appropriate, but that given the massive $455 judgment recently issued against him in the civil fraud trial, enforcing the Carroll verdict is all the more important to ensure Carroll would be able to obtain recovery in the action.
The opposition further delves into Trump's chances, or lack thereof, on appeal to overturn the jury's verdict given the lack of substantial legal issues presented in the case. In sum, Carroll asserts that Trump's request for a stay is nothing more than "the court filing equivalent of a paper napkin; signed by the least trustworthy of borrowers."
4) Border Resident to Trump: 'You Are Not Welcome'
As Donald Trump visits the Texas/Mexico border today to promote his own political agenda, Texas residents who live along the border are speaking out against the visit in no uncertain terms.
In a new press conference ahead of Trump's arrival, Texas residents are telling the former President that he is not welcome in their communities and that his visit is doing more harm than good for the residents.
One border resident, Jessie Fuentes, did not mince words.
"Mr. Trump, change your ways. Because what you're doing is you're hurting the people that need the most help. Our community, if you were to study the demographics, it's not easy. It's not easy being on the border. And this unwanted attention, this unwanted militarization of our communities, is unwelcome. You are not welcome."
Watch the stunning moment for yourself:
5) Supreme Court Agrees To Hear Trump Immunity Appeal
The Supreme Court has officially agreed to hear Donald Trump's appeal on claims that he is absolutely immune from prosecution in Special Counsel Jack Smith's criminal prosecution in Washington, D.C. Previously, Judge Tanya Chutkan rejected Trump's immunity argument, and the D.C. Circuit agreed in a 3-0 decision.
Now, the Supreme Court has agreed to decide the merits of the case, with at least four Justices agreeing to hear the merits.
The Court set an expedited briefing schedule and will hold oral argument at the end of April. A decision will likely follow in June.
Read the full order below:
This decision will impact the timing of Trump's trial in Washington, D.C. as the earliest any such trial could happen will be in August of this year. Though, this decision by the Court could very well push the trial back until after the November election. Depending on the Supreme Court's decision, however, it remains to be seen whether the immunity argument succeeds or not.
6) Donald Trump's Request For Stay Denied, He Will Have To Put Up $454 Million Bond Immediately
Donald Trump's emergency request to stay the enforcement of the $350+ million judgment issued by Judge Engoron has been denied by a New York Appellate Court. As a result, Trump will have to put up a bond with the court of over $450 million given the interest that has accrued on the judgment. Earlier today, Trump argued that a stay should be granted as he could not afford to put up the entire monetary amount, and that he could only put up a $100 million bond.
If he were forced to put up the full $450+ million amount, Trump argued that he would have to begin selling property. The Appellate Court denied this argument today, but did grant Trump some relief in the form of staying the judgment as it relates to continuing his business operations and apply for loans in the state of New York.