Special Counsel Jack Smith on Monday moved to dismiss the federal cases against US President-elect Donald Trump -- including one for election subversion -- citing an official policy of not prosecuting a sitting president. Trump, 78, was accused of conspiring to overturn the results of the 2020 election he lost to Joe Biden and mishandling classified documents after leaving the White House, but neither case ever came to trial. Smith, in a filing with the district judge in Washington presiding over the election case, said it should be dropped in light of the long-standing Justice Department policy of not indicting or prosecuting a sitting president. He cited the same reasoning in withdrawing his appeal of a ruling by a district judge, a Trump appointee, who dismissed the classified documents case earlier this year. Smith asked District Judge Tanya Chutkan to dismiss the election interference case "without prejudice" -- leaving open the possibility it could be revived after Trump leaves office four years from now. The special counsel paused the election interference case this month after Trump defeated Vice President Kamala Harris in the November 5 presidential election. "The Government's position on the merits of the defendant's prosecution has not changed," Smith said in the filing with Chutkan. "But the circumstances have." "It has long been the position of the Department of Justice that the United States Constitution forbids the federal indictment and subsequent criminal prosecution of a sitting President," Smith said. "As a result this prosecution must be dismissed before the defendant is inaugurated." In a separate filing, Smith said he was withdrawing his appeal of the dismissal of the classified documents case against Trump but pursuing the case against his two co-defendants, Trump valet Walt Nauta and Mar-a-Lago property manager Carlos De Oliveira. Trump, in a post on Truth Social, said the cases were "empty and lawless, and should never have been brought." "Over $100 Million Dollars of Taxpayer Dollars has been wasted in the Democrat Party's fight against their Political Opponent, ME," he said. "Nothing like this has ever happened in our Country before." Trump is accused of conspiracy to defraud the United States and conspiracy to obstruct an official proceeding -- the session of Congress called to certify Biden's win, which was violently attacked on January 6, 2021 by a mob of the then-president's supporters. Trump is also accused of seeking to disenfranchise US voters with his false claims that he won the 2020 election. The former and incoming president also faces two state cases -- in New York and Georgia. He was convicted in New York in May of 34 counts of falsifying business records to cover up a hush money payment to porn star Stormy Daniels on the eve of the 2016 election to stop her from revealing an alleged 2006 sexual encounter. Judge Juan Merchan has postponed sentencing while he considers a request from Trump's lawyers that the conviction be thrown out in light of the Supreme Court ruling in July that an ex-president has broad immunity from prosecution. In Georgia, Trump faces racketeering charges over his efforts to subvert the 2020 election results in the southern state, but that case will likely be frozen while he is in office. cl/bgs
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A stroke changed a teacher’s life. How a new electrical device is helping her movePHOENIX — Arizona top officials certified the state’s election results Monday, including voters' approval of a measure that expands abortion access from 15 weeks to the point of fetal viability. The victory for reproductive rights groups sets the stage for their next battle: challenging other laws on the books in Arizona they say are too restrictive. The 15-week cutoff, for example, allows exceptions only when the mother's life is at risk. Absent a court order or legislative action, those laws will remain unchanged, even if they conflict with the voter-approved measure. Opponents of the constitutional amendment are preparing a defense. For now, providers will have discretion in performing abortions beyond 15 weeks. Legal challenges are expected within days, Attorney General Kris Mayes said at a news conference celebrating expanded access. "The position of the state of Arizona will be that we agree that abortion is legal in our state," Mayes said. Get the latest breaking news as it happens. By clicking Sign up, you agree to our privacy policy . Arizona was one of five states where voters approved ballot measures in the 2024 general election to add the right to an abortion to their state constitutions. Nevada voters also approved an amendment, but they'll need to pass it again in 2026 for it to take effect. Another that bans discrimination on the basis of “pregnancy outcomes” prevailed in New York. Abortion has long been an important political issue in the U.S., but it’s become a defining one since the U.S. Supreme Court in 2022 overturned Roe v. Wade and cleared the way for states to ban or restrict access. Most Republican-controlled states have done so, and abortion rights groups have been pushing back through ballot measures. Earlier this year, Arizonans faced the possibility of living under a near-total abortion ban. Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs celebrates passages of abortion ballot measure surrounded by Democratic lawmakers and advocates on Monday, Nov. 25, 2024, at the State Capitol in Phoenix. Credit: AP/Sejal Govindarao Chris Love, a spokesperson for Arizona for Abortion Access, said the constitutional amendment is the culmination of two years of hard work. "We’re so excited to see that this is finally coming to fruition,” Love said Monday. “It’s a lovely day.” Cathi Herrod, president of the socially conservative Center for Arizona Policy, said the organization is anticipating legal challenges to current laws regulating abortion and is preparing to “intervene where appropriate.” Among those current laws is one that requires patients to have an ultrasound at least 24 hours before the procedure, with the option to view the image and hear an explanation of what it shows. Another criminalizes abortions sought solely because of a genetic abnormality. “All the laws that have currently been on the books are under question and are subject to possible challenges at some point,” said Darrell Hill, policy director at the American Civil Liberties Union of Arizona. Planned Parenthood affiliates in Missouri sued immediately after a ballot measure there passed earlier this month seeking to have bans and other abortion-restricting laws invalidated. The circumstances are different there because that state currently has a ban on abortion at all stages of pregnancy and no clinics are providing it. A hearing is scheduled for Dec. 4. Earlier in the day, Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs contrasted Monday’s statewide canvass of election results with the one four years ago, which she said was held against the backdrop of “raging conspiracies, attempts to stop certification across the country,” leading to the Jan. 6 insurrection. She said she was grateful this time was different. Arizona Secretary of State Adrian Fontes said voters across the state cast 3,428,011 ballots in the 2024 election, up 7,446 ballots from 2020. The turnout of registered voters remained relatively unchanged, at just below 80%. Turnout was 79% for the 2020 election and 78% for the 2024 election.As one of the most iconic figures in Dutch football, Edwin van der Sar has made a name for himself not only as a legendary goalkeeper but also as a successful administrator. It is no coincidence that under his guidance, Ajax has experienced a resurgence in recent years, with much of the credit going to head coach Erik ten Haag.
FRISCO, Texas (AP) — A rare win as a double-digit underdog came just in time to let the Dallas Cowboys believe their playoff hopes aren’t completely gone in 2024. Cooper Rush probably will need three more victories in a row filling in for the injured Dak Prescott for any postseason talk to be realistic. The thing is, the Cowboys (4-7) could be favored in two of those games, and already are by four points as an annual Thanksgiving Day host against the New York Giants (2-9) on Thursday, according to BetMGM. Not to mention the losing record at the moment for each of the next four opponents for the defending NFC East champions, playoff qualifiers each of the past three seasons. The Cowboys have a chance to make something of the at Washington that ended a five-game losing streak. “Behind the eight ball,” Micah Parsons said, the star pass rusher acknowledging the reality that Dallas hadn’t done much yet. “Let’s see how we can handle adversity and see if we can make a playoff run. But we got a long way to go.” It was a start, though, powered in part by the best 55 minutes from the Dallas defense since the opener, when the Cowboys dismantled Cleveland and looked the part of a Super Bowl contender. The last five minutes for the Dallas defense against the Commanders looked a lot like most of the nine games after that 33-17 victory over the Browns. Which is to say not very good. Jayden Daniels easily drove Washington 69 yards to a touchdown before throwing an in the final seconds to Terry McLaurin, who weaved through five defenders when a tackle might have ended the game. The Cowboys kept a 27-26 lead thanks to Austin Seibert’s second missed extra point, and withstood another blunder when Juanyeh Thomas returned an onside kick recovery for a TD rather than slide and leave one kneel-down from Rush to end the game. Dallas will have to remember it did hold a dynamic rookie quarterback’s offense to 251 yards before the madness of the ending in the Cowboys’ biggest upset victory since 2010 at the New York Giants. That one was too late to save the season. This one might not be. “We needed it,” embattled coach Mike McCarthy said. “It’s been frustrating, no doubt. We’ve acknowledged that. We’ve got another one right around the corner here, so we have to get some wins and get some momentum.” What’s working Rush ended a personal three-game losing streak with his best showing since the previous time he won as the replacement for Prescott, who is out for the season after surgery for a torn hamstring. The 117.6 passer rating was Rush’s best as a starter, and the NFL’s second-worst rushing attack played a solid complementary role with Rico Dowdle gaining 86 yards on 19 carries. What needs help did more than lift the Cowboys when it appeared an 11-point lead might get away in the final five minutes. It eased the worst day of special teams for Dallas since John Fassel took over that phase four years ago. Suddenly struggling kicker Brandon Aubrey had one field-goal attempt blocked and missed another. Bryan Anger had a punt blocked. For the second time in five games, Aubrey’s attempt to bounce a kickoff in front of the return man backfired. The ball bounced outside the landing zone, putting the Commanders at the 40-yard line to start the second half and setting up the drive to the game’s first touchdown. Stock up CB Josh Butler, whose NFL debut earlier this season came five years after the end of his college career, had 12 tackles, a sack and three pass breakups. The pass breakups were the most by an undrafted Dallas player since 1994. Stock down Rookie LT Tyler Guyton, who has had an up-and-down season with injuries and performance issues, was benched immediately after getting called for a false start in the fourth quarter. His replacement, Asim Richards, could be sidelined with a high ankle sprain that executive vice president of personnel Stephen Jones revealed on his radio show Monday. Veteran Chuma Edoga, who was the projected starter at Guyton’s position before a preseason toe injury, was active but didn’t play against the Commanders. He’s awaiting his season debut. Injuries The status of perennial All-Pro RG Zack Martin (ankle/shoulder) and LG Tyler Smith (ankle/knee) will be a question on the short week after both sat against Washington. Stephen Jones indicated Smith could be available and said the same of WR Brandin Cooks, who hasn’t played since Week 4 because of a knee issue. TE Jake Ferguson may miss at least a second week with a concussion. The short week might make it tough for CB Trevon Diggs (groin/knee) to return. Key number 75% — Rush’s completion rate, his best with at least 10 passes. He was 24 of 32 for 247 yards with two touchdowns and no interceptions. His other game with multiple TDs and no picks was a 25-10 victory over Washington two years ago, when he went 4-1 with Prescott sidelined by a broken thumb. Next steps There’s some extra rest after the short week, with Cincinnati making a “Monday Night Football” visit on Dec. 9. The next road game is at Carolina on Dec. 15. ___ AP NFL:As the legal battle between John and the wellness company continues, the case serves as a cautionary tale for both organizers and participants of self-discipline challenges. It underscores the importance of transparency, communication, and fairness in such competitions to avoid misunderstandings and potential legal disputes.
As the routine came to an end, the audience sat in stunned silence, their minds still reeling from the unexpected turn of events. The comedian, sensing the gravity of the moment, offered a final twist to the tale of the Snail Lady – a message of empowerment and resilience in the face of fear. He reminded everyone that while the Snail Lady may be a terrifying figment of imagination, the real world held its own dangers that required vigilance and courage to overcome.In the midst of these changes, Boeing is also looking ahead to opportunities for growth and expansion. The company remains optimistic about the future of the aerospace industry and its potential for continued innovation and advancement. By taking decisive action now, Boeing aims to emerge stronger and more resilient in the face of ongoing challenges.
Utah Hockey Club walks to arena after bus gets stuck in Toronto trafficFurthermore, the collaboration between Amazon and Perplexity has the potential to enhance the overall shopping experience for customers. By leveraging advanced AI algorithms, Amazon can better understand consumer preferences and provide personalized product recommendations, leading to increased customer satisfaction and loyalty.Baramati Maharashtra Assembly Election Results 2024: Baramati, a prominent seat in the Maharashtra Assembly elections, is in the spotlight as all eyes turn to this crucial battleground. This time, the contest has taken an interesting turn with a face-off between two prominent Pawar family members. The experienced Ajit Pawar from the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) is up against Yugendra Pawar , who is backed by a combination of NCP and the Samajwadi Party (SP). However, this election is not just about Baramati; it holds wider implications for Maharashtra’s political future, especially in the western region. Baramati's key role in 2024 Maharashtra elections The stakes are high in Baramati, as it has become more than a local contest. The rivalry between Ajit Pawar and his uncle, Sharad Pawar, has given the election an added dimension. Ajit Pawar, after splitting from the NCP in 2022, aligned his faction with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and joined the ruling government. Despite his repeated victories, having won the Baramati seat seven times, the shift in allegiance has not been well received by traditional voters, as reflected in the results of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. His faction’s performance was underwhelming, whereas Sharad Pawar 's faction secured eight out of the ten seats in the same elections. Ajit Pawar's allegiance to BJP and its impact The Baramati seat became the battleground for the first-ever "Pawar vs Pawar" showdown when Sharad Pawar’s daughter, Supriya Sule, triumphed over Ajit Pawar’s wife, Sunetra Pawar. The shift in loyalties has added a layer of intrigue to the upcoming assembly polls, as voters in the region seem to be leaning slightly toward Sharad Pawar’s influence. Sharad Pawar's stronghold in Western Maharashtra Western Maharashtra, with its significant sugarcane-producing districts like Sangli, Satara, Kolhapur, and Pune, has long been a stronghold of Sharad Pawar. His influence in these areas, dating back to when he founded the NCP, has given him an edge in the political landscape. As the Baramati elections unfold, the results here could mark a significant shift in the region’s political dynamics, potentially reshaping the future of Maharashtra’s governance. 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