Podcast Summary
Republican National Convention: Donald Trump surprises with Ohio Senator J.D. Vance as running mate, receives warm welcome despite assassination attempt, and former President Trump receives legal victory in handling of classified documents case.
The Republican National Convention kicked off with a surprising announcement: Donald Trump named Ohio Senator J.D. Vance as his running mate, while Trump himself received a warm welcome despite an assassination attempt at a rally. Additionally, former President Trump may have received a significant legal victory as a federal judge dismissed the case against him regarding the handling of classified documents. These developments come as the GOP gathers to formally nominate Trump for re-election. The NPR Politics Podcast is providing extensive coverage of the RNC, offering analysis, recaps, and live updates. For those seeking more in-depth content, NPR Plus offers additional perks.
Trump classified documents case dismissal: Judge Eileen Cannon dismissed all charges against Trump in the Mar-a-Lago classified documents case, ruling the special counsel's appointment unconstitutional. The decision may be appealed.
A federal judge, Eileen Cannon, recently dismissed all charges against former President Trump in the Mar-a-Lago classified documents case. The judge ruled that the special counsel's appointment was unconstitutional and lacked the authority to bring the prosecution. This decision came as a surprise on the first day of the Republican National Convention. The practical effect of this ruling is that all charges against Trump and his co-defendants, including his aides at the Mar-a-Lago Resort, have been thrown out. However, the Justice Department has the power to appeal, and there's a good chance it will do so, as Judge Cannon has been reversed by a conservative appeals court in the past. This ruling was influenced by a recent writing by Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas, who invited Trump to challenge the power of the special counsel in the lower courts.
Special Counsel appointment: Judge Cannon's ruling allows the Attorney General to appoint Special Counsels, potentially dismissing criminal cases against Trump in Florida and Washington, and impacting future investigations of political figures
The ruling by Judge Cannon in the case of the Special Counsel's appointment in the investigation against former President Trump has significant implications. Many federal courts have agreed with the Justice Department's position that the Attorney General can name inferior officers like the Special Counsel. Trump and his team are elated, calling for the dismissal of other criminal cases against him. However, this decision could potentially end the federal cases against Trump in Florida and Washington, as well as challenge the way the Justice Department has investigated sensitive allegations against political figures since the Nixon era. Legal experts argue that this decision could impact every prosecution brought by a special counsel, and the Department of Justice has shown great interest in defending the constitutionality of special councils. The Florida case against Trump was considered the strongest, but the outcome of this ruling could change that.
Trump legal case, Female athletes: The Trump legal case in Florida faces delays and uncertainty, while female athletes continue to face scrutiny and challenges to their gender in sports.
The legal case against Donald Trump in Florida for allegedly taking and storing classified documents at his resort is currently facing significant delays, with potential for it to be dropped if Trump regains the presidency. Meanwhile, the new series "Tested" from CBC and NPR's Embedded highlights the historical and ongoing challenges female athletes face, including the need to prove their gender and endure scrutiny. The case against Trump involves allegations of taking secret documents to Mar-a-Lago and refusing to return them when asked by the Justice Department. Former prosecutors have described it as an "open and shut case," but any resolution is now uncertain. Trump could potentially end the case if he becomes president again and directs his attorney general to drop the appeal. In the world of sports, female athletes have long had to demonstrate both talent and grit, but have also faced questions about their gender and undergone intense scrutiny. The new podcast series "Tested" explores this issue in depth.