Federal Appeals Court to Determine Legality of Prosecuting Trump for 2020 Election Interference

A federal appeals court in Washington is set to deliberate on Tuesday morning over whether former President Donald Trump can face criminal prosecution for federal charges related to his attempts to overturn the 2020 election. Trump, who has announced his attendance at the hearing via his Truth Social platform, appealed last month after a trial judge dismissed his attempt to dismiss the charges, arguing he had absolute immunity.

The court's decision and the time it takes to issue a ruling will have significant implications for the scheduled March trial. Trump's legal team contends that all actions to reverse the election defeat fall within the "outer perimeter" of his presidential duties, providing protection. However, this argument was rejected by the trial judge, who emphasized that former presidents do not enjoy special conditions of federal criminal liability.

The appeal process is seen as Trump's strategy to delay the trial, which is scheduled for March 5, and potentially extend it beyond the 2024 election. The former president hopes that winning re-election would offer the opportunity for a pardon or the dismissal of charges. The special counsel, Jack Smith, attempted to expedite the process by involving the US Supreme Court, but the request was declined, leading to the case's return to the DC circuit for a decision.

GOP Majority Whip Tom Emmer Backs Trump for President Despite Prior Turbulence

In a surprising turn of events, Tom Emmer, the House Majority Whip, endorsed Donald Trump for president, aligning himself with a growing list of Republican leaders supporting the former president. Emmer's decision comes just two months after Trump thwarted Emmer's own bid for the position of House Speaker.

Emmer highlighted the Democrats' determination to maintain Joe Biden's leadership and emphasized the need for Republican unity. Despite facing 91 criminal charges and controversies over his involvement in the January 6 attack on Congress, Trump maintains a significant lead over potential rivals in polls, including Ron DeSantis and Nikki Haley.

Emmer joins other prominent Republicans, such as House Speaker Mike Johnson, Majority Leader Steve Scalise, and Conference Chair Elise Stefanik, in endorsing Trump. This move is notable as Emmer was previously at odds with Trump, who opposed Emmer's bid for House Speaker and declared him "totally out of touch with Republican voters."

The endorsement drew attention from both critics and supporters, with some recalling past conflicts between Trump and Emmer. The Republican infighting also included sharp comments from Trump's campaign team directed at Erin Perrine, a former Trump aide now supporting DeSantis.

Despite internal divisions, Trump continues to secure endorsements, with three other House Republicans from Minnesota and Senator Tom Cotton from Arkansas also backing him. Cotton praised Trump's presidency, citing safety, economic prosperity, and a secure border.

As the Republican landscape remains dynamic, Trump's influence and endorsements signal ongoing shifts within the party, setting the stage for future political developments.

Trump Appeals to Supreme Court Over Colorado Ruling Removing Him from Ballot

Former President Donald Trump has taken his case to the US Supreme Court, seeking to overturn the Colorado ruling that disqualified him from the state's 2024 ballot under the 14th Amendment for inciting an insurrection. In their filing, Trump's lawyers argued that the Colorado Supreme Court's decision, if upheld, would be unprecedented, preventing voters from casting ballots for a major-party presidential candidate.

Trump's legal team outlined several reasons for the Supreme Court to reinstate him on the ballot. They contended that only Congress, not the courts, holds the authority to assess the eligibility of a presidential candidate. Additionally, they argued that as president, Trump was not an "officer" of the United States, a key factor in the constitutional prohibition against serving if engaged in insurrection.

The appeal comes after both the Colorado Republican Party and the challengers in the case urged the Supreme Court to intervene, and a swift ruling is anticipated due to the approaching election calendar. Colorado's primary is scheduled for March 5, with overseas ballot mailing set to begin on January 20.

Jena Griswold, Colorado's secretary of state, emphasized the need for a speedy resolution, urging the court to act "as expeditiously as possible." The Supreme Court's handling of this case, one among numerous challenges, will be closely watched, especially given its conservative majority.

Legal experts have varying opinions on the outcome, with some predicting a favorable ruling for Trump. The 14th Amendment, adopted in 1868, has rarely been utilized, and the Supreme Court's decision could have broader implications for interpretations of its provisions.

Trump Gaining Support Among Latino Voters, Alarming Democrats

A recent poll has unveiled a significant shift in political preferences among Latino voters, with former US president Donald Trump gaining ground and narrowing incumbent Joe Biden's lead within this crucial and diverse voting bloc.

According to a survey conducted by USA Today and Suffolk University, Trump now enjoys 39% support among surveyed Latino voters, surpassing Biden's 34%. This marks a substantial decline for Biden, who secured 65% of Latino voters' approval in 2020.

The data also exposes a broader trend of diminishing support for Biden across various demographic groups, including young voters. The decline in Latino support is particularly concerning for Democrats, hinting at potential challenges in maintaining a key segment of the electoral coalition that propelled Biden to victory in 2020.

Trump is also making inroads among young voters under 35, securing 37% support compared to Biden's 33%. This signifies a significant shift from 2020 when Biden held a commanding 24-point lead in this age group.

Despite the decline in support for Biden among these voter groups, the poll indicates that they are more inclined towards third-party candidates rather than Trump. In the survey conducted from December 26 to 29 among 1,000 likely voters, 20% of Hispanic and Black voters expressed support for candidates other than Trump or Biden, mirroring the sentiment of 21% of younger voters.

A CNBC All-America Economic Survey in December echoed this shift among Latino voters, revealing Trump's five-point lead in a hypothetical head-to-head matchup. This eroded Biden's previous seven-point lead in October, indicating a decline in overall approval among Latino voters from 35% to 28% between October and December.

Historical data suggests that Trump tends to fare better with Latino voters during periods of economic stress. These poll results raise concerns for Democrats regarding their influence over this crucial demographic.

Interestingly, Trump's increased support persists despite his adoption of anti-immigrant rhetoric reminiscent of his 2016 campaign, including language reminiscent of far-right dictators. Trump has outlined plans to strengthen his administration's strict immigration policies, proposing measures such as redirecting federal law enforcement to immigration enforcement and relocating troops to the southern border.

Additionally, Trump has pledged to reinstate and expand travel bans targeting Muslim-majority and African countries, along with the possibility of detaining undocumented immigrants in the US awaiting deportation. These proposals indicate a resolute stance on immigration that, despite its controversial nature, appears to resonate with a growing segment of Latino voters.

The Guardian's Commitment to Truth Amidst Mainstream Media's Pitfalls

I contribute to and trust the Guardian because, unlike some mainstream media outlets, it upholds journalistic integrity. The Guardian not only presents factual information but also exercises discernment in choosing which stories to report, shedding light on the reality of events.

As the US gears up for the 2024 election, facing a candidate with a history of attempting a coup and signaling a preference for neo-fascism over democracy, the Guardian's judgment becomes crucial. Unfortunately, other media sources often create a false equivalence between Donald Trump and Joe Biden, wrongly framing Biden's age as a political drawback while downplaying Trump's criminal indictments.

Despite both candidates being similar in age, Trump's increasingly erratic public statements suggest that age might pose a more significant challenge for him than for Biden. While the Guardian highlights this, mainstream media fall short in reporting on Trump's apparent decline.

Moreover, when reporting on the Republican Party's authoritarian tendencies, mainstream media tend to introduce unnecessary faults in the Democratic Party to maintain a semblance of balance. This approach leaves readers with a cynical view of all politics.

Media outlets, including the Washington Post and the New York Times, contribute to the public's weariness and disgust with politics. However, they rarely acknowledge their role in fostering this sentiment, which ultimately benefits Trump and his allies. The strategy is to make voters so disenchanted with politics that they overlook Biden's accomplishments, such as economic growth, job creation, wage increases, and significant investments in infrastructure and climate change initiatives.

Trump aims to exploit this disillusionment, portraying the nation as ungovernable and himself as the solution to chaos. By concentrating on Trump's sensational rhetoric and neglecting Biden's accomplishments, mainstream media inadvertently play into Trump's neo-fascist narrative. The Guardian's commitment to truth and comprehensive reporting stands in stark contrast to the pitfalls of sensationalism and false equivalences in other media outlets.