May 28, 2024 - Daily Digest
Trump's attorney shut down in court today
Today is May 28, 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) ‘Highly Inappropriate’: Judge Hits Trump Lawyer Over ‘Outrageous’ Remark
This morning, at the conclusion of Todd Blanche's closing argument in Donald Trump's election interference criminal trial, Blanche told that jury that they should think twice before "sending a man to prison." Blanche, during his closing argument, tried to play on the emotions of the jury by noting that a guilty verdict could lead to a prison sentence for Donald Trump.
The issue? Punishment is a matter for the judge, not the jury to decide. The jury's role is to determine guilty or innocence, not to prescribe punishment. As a result, Blanche's comment was inappropriate, and Justice Merchan quickly acknowledged that Blanche overstepped.
After the jury left the courtroom, and before lawyers departed, Justice Merchan stated that Blanche's statement was "outrageous" and "highly inappropriate," referencing his past history as a federal prosecutor.
"You know that making a comment like that is highly inappropriate. It's simply not allowed," said Justice Merchan. "I think that was outrageous, Mr Blanche. Someone who has been a prosecutor as long as you should know. It's hard for me to imagine how that was accidental in any way."
As a result, the District Attorney sought a curative instruction on the comment, and Justice Merchan agreed to give a curative instruction to a jury after lunch.
2) Robert De Niro Slams Donald Trump Outside of Courthouse
This morning, actor Robert De Niro slammed Donald Trump during a press conference outside of the Manhattan courthouse where closing arguments are currently ongoing in Trump's election interference criminal trial. De Niro was joined by the Biden Campaign's communication director and former Capitol Police Officers Harry Dunn and Michael Fanone
De Niro began his remarks by blasting Trump as a 'clown':
"Donald Trump doesn’t belong in my city. We New Yorkers used to tolerate him when he was just another grubby real estate hustler masquerading as a big shot. A two-bit playboy lying his way into the tabloids. He’s a clown. But this person can’t run the country. That does not work, and we all know that."
De Niro went on to discuss the crime rates under Trump versus under President Biden, especially the murder rate in New York City:
"It's no surprise that the murder rate and other violent crimes peaked under Trump and are now falling under Biden. And now Trump is promising to use our own military to attack U.S. citizens. That's the tyrant he's telling us he'll be. And believe me, he means it."
He concluded his remarks by speaking about Trump's actions leading up to and on January 6, 2021, stating that Trump "left destruction in its wake"
"On January 6, Trump rallied an angry mob to threaten democracy, leaving death and destruction in its wake. That's why I needed to be involved in the Biden-Harris ad. Because it reminds us that Trump will use violence against anyone who stands in the way of his megalomania and greed. But it's a coward's violence. Do you think Trump ever threw a punch himself or took one? This guy who ran and hid in the White House bunker when there were protesters outside? He directs the mob to do his dirty work for him."
3) Judge Cannon Denies Jack Smith's Request For Gag Order Without Prejudice
Judge Aileen Cannon has officially denied Special Counsel Jack Smith's request to modify Donald Trump's bail requirements to include a limited gag order that would prevent Trump from making comments about law enforcement related to the Mar-a-Lago documents case. Judge Cannon's decision is without prejudice, meaning Jack Smith could refile the request.
Judge Cannon, in a short paperless order, found that the Special Counsel failed to satisfy the requirements under the Southern District Local Rules by failing to meaningfully confer with Trump's team prior to filing the Motion. The order notes that the Special Counsel's "pro forma" conferral "wholly lacking in substance and professional courtesy."
Given the order, Judge Cannon also denied Trump's motion to strike and for sanctions without prejudice, as Trump's relief has become moot. This is not an appealable order to the 11th Circuit.
The Special Counsel will likely now have to confer with Trump's team and refile the motion for modification of Trump's bail requirements. However, it is possible that the Special Counsel seeks to recuse Judge Cannon instead, and use today's decision as a reason for the recusal.
4) White House Announces Measures To Modernize Electrical Grid
This morning, according to a new CNN report, the White House is taking steps to announce a major modernization to America's electrical infrastructure by specifically targeting the country's electrical grid.
This new initiative, which the White House will announce at a summit for various state and industry leaders, is led by the federal government and 21 states aimed at making faster and better improvements to the electrical grid while expanding the grid to make it larger and more modern.
The goal of this initiative will be to take pressure off of the electrical grid to reduce the number of power outages and increase electrical transmission capacity. This latest push comes as Americans have experienced the impacts of severe weather across the country, which has led to disastrous power outages, impacting their daily lives.
With the Summer quickly upon us, severe weather will only become more common, and with the start of Hurricane season later this week, modernizing the electrical grid will be critical for everyday Americans.
In a statement to CNN, White House national climate adviser Ali Zaidi stated:
“We are investing tens of billions — the most significant public investment in a generation — to strengthen our grid to prevent power outages in the face of extreme weather, bolster US energy security, and drive innovation.”
Once again, the Biden Administration is putting Americans first.