Good morning, and welcome to The Epoch Times News Brief for Friday, June 7, 2024. I’m Bill Thomas, and today, we have some critical updates on the Trump classified documents case and his recent interview with Fox News. Also, we’ll look at a new initiative in Texas that targets illegal immigrants, and a very concerning report regarding the snacks our kids are eating.
Federal Judge Resets Schedule for Trump Documents Case Again
U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannon has rescheduled briefings on major issues in former President Donald Trump’s classified documents case.Here’s how the schedule pans out.
On June 21, the court will hear arguments on President Trump’s motion to dismiss the indictment. President Trump claims the special counsel’s appointment was unlawful. Judge Cannon has allowed three attorneys to participate in the hearing. These legal experts represent two groups supporting and one opposing the motion, and each of them will make 30-minute arguments.
Then, on June 24, another hearing will address President Trump’s argument that the funding for Jack Smith’s office violates the appropriations clause of the Constitution. Also, the judge will consider the special counsel’s request to modify the conditions of President Trump’s release, potentially imposing a gag order.
A private hearing is set for June 25 to discuss President Trump’s motion, which alleges that his attorney-client privilege was breached during a raid on Mar-a-Lago. Additional hearings on this issue may be scheduled as well.
The judge has also postponed a three-day hearing on motions by the defendants to obtain more evidence from prosecutors. President Trump was indicted along with his valet, Walt Nauta, and Mar-a-Lago property manager Carlos De Oliveira. His co-defendants have requested a speedy trial, but Judge Cannon has decided to pause the trial to resolve significant motions and discovery issues related to classified information procedures.
Judge Cannon said that it wouldn’t be fair or prudent to set a new trial date before sorting out many complex pre-trial issues, including issues related to the Classified Information Procedures Act, which effectively delays the trial indefinitely.
Trump Downplays Retribution Talk If Elected: ‘It Has to Stop’
In a recent interview with Fox News, President Trump said that he does not plan to seek retribution if reelected in November. He expressed concern over the politicized prosecutions he and others have faced, saying “it has to stop” to preserve the country.He told Fox News host Sean Hannity that he didn’t use the Department of Justice to prosecute his one-time opponent, Hillary Clinton, after he was elected president, expressing his reluctance to “lock up” political rivals.
He said: “Wouldn’t it be terrible if I locked up the wife of the former president of the United States ... the former secretary of state?” and he also said, “I want to bring the country together.”
He also talked about the need for equal justice and criticized the Biden administration’s handling of legal matters.
Last week, President Trump was found guilty of 34 felony counts related to falsifying business records, and a sentencing date has been set for July 11. President Trump has pleaded not guilty.
Besides the New York case, President Trump is facing three other criminal cases in Georgia, Florida, and Washington, with trial dates yet to be set.
Judge Blocks Illinois Election Law That Repealed Slating, Deems It Unconstitutional
An Illinois judge has halted the enforcement of a controversial election law signed by Gov. J.B. Pritzker, which prohibits political parties from adding candidates to general election ballots if they did not have a primary candidate. Judge Gail Noll just issued a permanent injunction, ruling that the law was unconstitutional for the upcoming election cycle because it unfairly restricted candidates’ rights to appear on the November ballot and the rights of voters to choose among them.The law was passed by Democrats in the Illinois House just last month and was quickly signed by Mr. Pritzker. Republicans criticized it for changing election rules and giving Democrats an advantage in races without GOP primary candidates.
According to the Illinois Policy Institute, a nonpartisan research organization, the measure affected races in 78 districts that would not be contested in the November general election.
The Liberty Justice Center filed a lawsuit against the Illinois Board of Elections on behalf of GOP candidate Leslie Collazo, who claimed she was unfairly impacted by the law. Additional GOP candidates joined the complaint, arguing that the law violated their constitutional right to ballot access. Judge Noll ultimately ruled in favor of the plaintiffs, saying that the law improperly interfered with ballot access.
Jeffrey Schwab, senior counsel at the Liberty Justice Center, praised the ruling, emphasizing the importance of fair competition in elections. The Illinois Board of Elections said they would comply with the court’s decision. Mr. Pritzker’s office did not respond to requests for comment, though the governor had previously defended the law as promoting transparency and preventing backroom deals in candidate selection.
Texas Launches Most Wanted Criminal Illegal Immigrants List
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott has rolled out a new campaign aimed at capturing repeat offenders who have entered the United States illegally and committed serious crimes in the state.The “10 Most Wanted Criminal Illegal Immigrants” list was created in partnership with the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS), and it offers cash rewards for any person who provides information leading to the arrest of any of the criminals on the list. Six of the individuals on the list are wanted for sex crimes against children.
Mr. Abbott criticized President Joe Biden’s immigration policies, claiming they have led to record high levels of illegal immigration, along with dangerous criminals and terrorists entering the country.
Mr. Abbott emphasized that the list is part of the ongoing efforts of the state to keep communities safe and combat crime. He warned Texas citizens not to attempt to apprehend these criminals themselves but to provide tips through the Crime Stoppers hotline or the DPS website.
President Biden recently signed an executive order that would shut down certain asylum requests at the southern border once the average number of daily encounters exceeds 2,500.
Besides the sheer scale of illegal immigration, there have also been serious national security concerns. Director of National Intelligence Avril Haines confirmed that a human smuggling network with ties to the ISIS terror group was involved in facilitating the passage of illegal immigrants across the U.S.-Mexico border.
The total number of illegal immigrants who have entered the country under President Biden’s administration is estimated to be over 9 million, with some suggesting the figure could be even higher.
‘Concerning Amounts’ of Lead Found in Organic Kids Snacks From Lesser Evil, Serenity Kids: Report
According to Consumer Reports, two popular brands of organic kids’ snack products have been found to contain high levels of lead, with one item exceeding the maximum allowable limit.The organization measured lead levels as a percentage of California’s maximum allowable dose level since there is no federal limit for lead in most foods. After testing half a dozen kids’ snacks, they discovered concerning amounts of lead in two products from Lesser Evil and one product from Serenity Kids.
Lesser Evil’s products had the highest lead levels, with one of their snacks containing over 100 percent of the allowable level of lead. Serenity Kids also had a lead level of 53 percent of the maximum allowable dose.
Company representatives defended their products, saying that lead occurs in nature from long-term pollution and contamination of water and soil.
The FDA plans to set lead limits in baby foods this year and is considering actions against manufacturers with high lead levels. Lawmakers are also addressing the issue with the introduction of the Baby Food Safety Act of 2024, which seeks to establish limits on heavy metals in infant and toddler food.
Lead poisoning is a big concern as it poses a risk of childhood developmental issues like autism, lower IQ, and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder.
The CDC estimates that around 500,000 children in the United States have blood lead levels at or above the recommended level.
We’re very concerned about the health and welfare of all children.
The week went by far too rapidly and it looks like we’re out of time today, so we’ll wrap things up and make that one our final story for the Friday edition of The Epoch Times News Brief.
Randy Brown checks in to say: I enjoy the News Brief.
From Cozksu: I look forward to your daily briefing. I don’t want to miss the latest news, so this gets me what I want very quickly.
We heard from Martin, who says: Courageous. Thanks for reporting the news, honestly, without ideological bias. Let the chips fall where they may.
And Deb Storlie says: I like the News Brief, allows me check the news quickly, then if I want more on a subject I can look it up.
*(Don’t forget your homework assignment, which is to please memorize the News Brief Motto): We’re portable, affordable, and we’re always on-demand.
And finally, as we do each and every day on this program, we wrap things up with a very “notable” quote:
It was Erma Bombeck who very eloquently said: “It is not until you become a mother that your judgment slowly turns to compassion and understanding.”
And as you and I both know, nobody understands things the way a mom does. Erma Bombeck was an American humorist and she had a newspaper “humor column” that ran from 1965 to 1996. She published fifteen books, most of which became bestsellers. A legendary talent.
For all of us here at The Epoch Times News Brief, I’m Bill Thomas. We appreciate you starting your day with us, have a great Friday, and we’ll see you right back here tomorrow for the Saturday edition (the weekend edition) of The Epoch Times News Brief! Have an incredible day today. Bye for now.
