October 6, 2023 - Your Daily Digest

Trump has more legal battles, Ukraine suffers tragic attack, and more

Today is October 6, 2023 and here are the stories you may have missed from the last 24 hours. If you enjoy these daily digests and want to see more, exclusive content, then consider becoming a monthly subscriber at the link below:

1) Donald Trump’s Legal Battles

Civil Fraud Trial Week 1 Recap

Donald Trump has spent more time in the courtroom than on the campaign trail lately. We are now reaching the end of the first week of Trump’s civil fraud trial in New York, and fireworks have been on display. Remember, Judge presiding over the case found that Trump committed Persistent Fraud under NY Executive Law 63-12 in all of his business dealings by inflating his balance sheet to obtain loans, and deflating asset value to get tax breaks. As a result, the Judge already ordered, consistent with his powers, to address Persistent Fraud under 63-12, that all of Trump’s companies need to be cancelled, dissolved, and an independent receiver appointed over the sale of his key real estate assets.

On Monday, Trump was notified that he would not be receiving a jury in this case because neither his attorneys nor the New York Attorney Generals Office requested one. Although a jury demand is standard in most civil cases, Trump and his attorneys have argued that because this case was brought forth under a narrow consumer protection statute, that he is not entitled to a jury. Upon information in belief, this fact remains in dispute. During this week multiple witnesses testified, one of which being Trump’s former accountant at Mazars.

On Wednesday, in significant news, Trump became the first President, current or former, to be subject to a gag order. Earlier that day, Trump posted a rant on Truth Social claiming that the Judge's clerk is Senator Chuck Schumer's girlfriend. With this inaccurate claim, Trump doxxed the law clerk by posting her phone number, a link to her Instagram account, and demanded that his case be dismissed because of her. Within minutes of making this post, the Judge called Trump and his attorneys back to the courtroom where he issued the first ever gag order against a current or former President, prohibiting Trump from making public statements about any of the Judge's staff.

This trial is ultimately expected to last well into December with the Judge making a final decision on the remaining claims, as well as any potential damages, before the end of the year. Stay tuned for more.

Motion to Dismiss Washington, D.C. Case

Meanwhile, Trump’s attorneys have been working overtime this week as they filed a motion to dismiss the Special Counsel’s indictment of Trump in Washington, D.C. Interestingly, the motion is based on the false premise that the President of the United States is absolutely immune for actions taken within the scope of the office he served in. The motion further argues that the only permissible avenue for accountability for a President who takes illegal action within the scope of his duties is impeachment, and, because Trump was impeached and later acquitted by the United States Senate, he is now immune from criminal prosecution. This is likely a ploy by Trump’s attorneys to eventually get in front of the Supreme Court. For a full analysis and to read the motion, go to my latest post with MeidasTouch here.

Trump Drops Lawsuit

Finally, yesterday, Trump’s attorneys dropped a $500 million lawsuit against Michael Cohen, Trump’s former attorney. This lawsuit was brought in the Southern District of Florida, the same court where Trump currently faces charges related to his mishandling of classified documents. This news came one day before Trump was scheduled to sit for a deposition in the case. He likely dropped the lawsuit to avoid having to testify under oath and be examined by Cohen’s attorney.

2) Ukraine’s Fight For Freedom

Meanwhile, Ukraine has had one of the more difficult weeks since the start of Russia’s illegal invasion. Yesterday, Russia launched another missile attack targeting Ukrainian civilians. In what is now one of the deadliest attacks since the start of the war, Russia targeted a grocery story near the town of Kupiansk. At least 51 civilians have died as of this story. That death toll is only expected to rise as recovery efforts continue at the sight of the attack.

Additionally, Vladimir Putin increased his nuclear rhetoric as he announced that Russia tested a new generation of nuclear-powered cruise missile. When making this announcement Putin said: “It is a low-flying stealth missile carrying a nuclear warhead, with almost unlimited range, unpredictable trajectory and ability to bypass interception boundaries." The stakes truly could not be higher as Putin gears up for what will be a lengthy war of attrition. With winter coming, the United States must continue to fully support Ukraine’s fight for freedom.

3) Speaker of the House Race Heats Up

Finally, the race to be the next Speaker of the House is heating up as Congressman Steve Scalise and Congressman Jim Jordan are the two confirmed candidates, with others potentially waiting in the wings. Both Scalise and Jordan are currently whipping votes in advance of a forum within the Republican conference currently scheduled for next Tuesday. Earlier this week there was some discussion of possibly nominating former President Donald Trump as a temporary Speaker choice, but that was quickly shot down as Trump has since endorsed Jordan for Speaker. This will play well with some in the Republican conference and hurt Jordan’s standing with others.

According to the Speaker Pro Tempore, Patrick McHenry, who has taken fire for kicking former Speaker Nancy Pelosi our of her Capitol office this week, announced that a vote for the next Speaker will take place on Wednesday. This vote will be within the current Republican conference. It is unclear whether a full vote of the House will take place on Wednesday or on another day this week. In any event, no current candidate has enough votes at this time to secure the Speakership, and it is highly likely that we are looking at a protracted battle to be the next Speaker of the House. This comes as the government is quickly nearing another possible government shutdown deadline in early November.