May 14, 2024 - Daily Digest
Today is May 14, 2024, and here are the critical stories that you may have missed from today. If you enjoy this content and want access to more content or to support my work, then consider becoming a monthly subscriber below:
1) Michael Cohen Testifies
Today, Michael Cohen continued his testimony on the witness stand during Donald Trump’s criminal hush money trial in New York City. Direct examination of Cohen concluded earlier this afternoon and Trump’s attorneys began their cross examination shortly thereafter. Today, we learned that prosecutors intend to rest their case in chief following the conclusion of Cohen’s testimony, which means that the Defense will likely begin their case as soon as Thursday or Friday of this week. The Defense case is expected to last about one week, at which point you will see closing arguments and jury deliberations. We may have a verdict before the end of the month.
During Cohen’s testimony, he walked jurors through his relationship with Trump and how he served as a conduit between Trump and Stormy Daniels during the hush money scheme. Remember, it is not illegal to conduct a hush money payment scheme. It is illegal to do so to cover up a violation of election law.
2) Donald Trump's Gag Order Appeal Denied By Appellate Court
This morning, a New York appellate court has denied Donald Trump's request to modify and/or invalidate Justice Merchan's gag order imposed in Trump's New York criminal trial.
Specifically, Trump challenged the gag order on three grounds, arguing that it was improper for Justice Merchan to: (1) prohibit Trump from responding to "attacks" by Michael Cohen and Stormy Daniels; (2) limit his ability to make public comments about Matthew Colangelo, a prosecutor in the District Attorney's office; and (3) make public statements about Justice Merchan's daughter.
The appellate court unanimously denied all of Trump's arguments.
3) DOJ Asks To Lift Stay of Steve Bannon's Sentence
Following a D.C. Circuit opinion affirming Steve Bannon's conviction on two counts of contempt of Congress, the Department of Justice has filed a motion seeking to lift a previously imposed stay by the District Court of Bannon's 4-month jail sentence. Previously, the district court granted Bannon a stay of his sentence pending resolution of his appeal to the D.C. Circuit. Now that the Appellate Court has disposed of Bannon's appeal, the Justice Department argues that the stay should be lifted.
Bannon's team has not filed a response yet, but they will likely ask for the stay to remain in effect as Bannon will likely seek further appellate options, whether en banc appeal in front of the D.C. Circuit, or with the United States Supreme Court.
A similar stay request was denied in Peter Navarro's case, which is analogous to the Bannon case.
4) President Biden Takes Action To Hold China Accountable and Protect American Workers
This morning, the Biden Administration announced that it would be increasing tariffs on Chinese imports covering $18 billion worth of imports related to sectors deemed important to national security.
Today's increases will specifically target imported steel and aluminum, legacy semiconductors, electric vehicles, solar cells, and more. For reference, the rates on semiconductors will increase from 25% to 50% by 2025, while the rates for electric vehicles will increase from 25% to 100% by 2025.
When issuing today's news, the White House noted:
Following an in-depth review by the United States Trade Representative, President Biden is taking action to protect American workers and American companies from China’s unfair trade practices. To encourage China to eliminate its unfair trade practices regarding technology transfer, intellectual property, and innovation, the President is directing increases in tariffs across strategic sectors such as steel and aluminum, semiconductors, electric vehicles, batteries, critical minerals, solar cells, ship-to-shore cranes, and medical products.
The announcement went on to reiterate the Biden Administration's commitment to protecting the American worker:
Today’s announcement reflects President Biden’s commitment to always have the back of American workers. When faced with anticompetitive, unfair practices from abroad, the President will deploy any and all tools necessary to protect American workers and industry.
For more information on the tariffs and exactly what products they will cover, visit the fact sheet that the White House released here.
5) Democrats Leading In Latest Senate Polling
New polling released shows that Democrats are in a good position, with five months until Election Day, to possibly keep their Senate majority. In a new New York Times/Sienna poll, which observed 4,027 likely voters, Democrats were tied or leading in four key swing state Senate races:
The Democratic majority in the Senate is currently extremely slim, with Democrats holding a one vote majority. Given Senator Joe Manchin's recent retirement announcement, Democrats are expected to have a significant uphill battle in West Virginia given how conservative the state is.
As a result, Democrats will have to hold key Senate seats in Wisconsin, Nevada, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Michigan, Montana, and Arizona. While it may seem like a daunting task given the amount of seats up for grabs, polling like this shows that Democratic incumbents, and challengers (like Ruben Gallego in Arizona) are in a good position to help Democrats retain the Senate majority in November.