September 28, 2023 - Your Daily Digest

House Democrats shine during today's impeachment inquiry, while House Republicans struggle to keep the government open and Trump loses MASSIVELY in court. This and more in today's digest

Today is September 28, 2023, and here are four news stories that you must read. If you enjoy this content and want to support me and my work, consider becoming a monthly subscriber by clicking the link below:

1) Two Days Until a Government Shutdown

We are now just two days away from a government shutdown, and here is everything you need to know. The deadline to keep the government open is 11:59 PM this Saturday, September 30th. Right now, a deal does not exist, and it does not appear like one will get done soon. If the government shuts down, the American public will experience significant effects.

First, hundreds of thousands of federal employees will be furloughed without pay. The moment the government runs out of funding, all government employees will officially lose their paycheck, with only essential employees being required to work. Essential employees like TSA agents, Border Patrol, most federal prosecutors will remain working, while non-essential workers will be furloughed without pay. Although they will remain working, it’s likely we will see a cut in the number of TSA agents employed, which means longer wait times at airports for you and your families.

Second, national parks will either close or run understaffed. In addition, Social Security and Medicare will be severely affected. Although payments will continue as scheduled, it is likely that both federal programs will cease accepting new applicants and will not issue new cards to applicants. During the 1995-96 shutdown, over 10,000 applicants were turned away. These are just some of the several effects of a possible government shutdown. The longer the shutdown, the worse it will be for Americans. Read here for all of the short term and long term effects.

2) House Republicans Flop At Impeachment Hearing

Meanwhile, despite the looming shutdown, House Republicans pushed forward with their partisan impeachment inquiry of President Biden. After seven hours of testimony, from four witnesses (three of which were Republican selected), Republicans practically admitted that they do not have sufficient evidence against President Biden, but will push forward with the inquiry regardless. While House Republicans flopped, House Democrats were extremely successful in poking holes in the GOP arguments. Two specific members of Congress stood out: Congressman Jared Moskowitz and Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett. Watch these viral moments from today’s hearing here and here.

3) Trump Suffers More Losses in Court

Once again, Donald Trump suffered major losses in court, this time in New York. Next week, Trump is scheduled to go to trial in a 250 million dollar civil fraud suit brought by New York Attorney General Letitia James. Earlier this week, the judge overseeing the suit found that the former President and his company deceived banks and insurers by massively overvaluing his assets and exaggerating his net worth on paperwork used in making deals and securing financing. In his summary judgment order, the Judge ordered the dissolution of many Trump entities and sanctioned several of Trump’s attorneys. Read part of the order here:

While this order will be appealed by Trump and his sons, he is now expected to go to trial on the remaining issues not yet decided on October 2nd, just next week. Because of this, Trump tried his best to move the trial, asking a New York appellate court for more time to prepare. Today, this request was denied. Read the order below:

Meanwhile, In Washington, D.C., Donald Trump’s attempt to force Judge Tanya Chutkan to recuse herself from the January 6th case failed as Judge Chutkan declined the request and stated that she will remain the judge for the duration of Trump’s case. As you may be aware, the January 6th case is on a relatively fast track and is expected to go to trial early next year.

4) Russia Holds Illegal Elections | Ukraine Update

Meanwhile, Russia has held elections in recently annexed regions in Ukraine. These elections were illegal by definition as the territories are Ukrainian. The territories include Zaporzhia, Donetsk, Luhansk, and Kherson. The international community dismissed the elections as a sham. In addition, the war in Ukraine reached yet another grim milestone as Russia has now murdered over 500 innocent Ukrainian children. Vladimir Putin continues to engage in war crimes that impact innocent civilians with little to no repercussions. Internally, Russia is boosting military spending by over 70% as this war of attrition in Ukraine drags on well over one year after it first started. And finally, Ukrainian pilots have begun language training at a military base in Texas in preparation for training on F-16 fighter jets. If Ukraine were to receive these fighter jets it would allow them to combat Russia’s current air superiority and would be a major boon for Ukraine’s counteroffensive efforts.

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