Donald Trump is “dozing on and off” during his criminal trial today, the New York Times reports.
Hakeem Jeffries Flexes Power
“House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries stepped in to save Speaker Mike Johnson this week after months of patiently taking the pulse of his conference,” the Wall Street Journal reports.
“The question now is whether he would save the Republican chief again—and what he would demand in return.”
“No one is ruling out a further challenge to Johnson, particularly as another must-pass spending bill—and likely more Republican discord—looms in September. Some Democrats say Jeffries needs to take a hard line if Johnson again needs his help, and how the Democratic leader responds could have broad implications for both the functioning of the House and his own political prospects.”
Hostage Talks Between Israel and Hamas Stall
“High-level hostage negotiations in Cairo were put on hold Thursday, according to officials briefed on the negotiations and Egyptian state media, with one official saying that anger had flared among participants over Israel’s incursion into the southern Gazan city Rafah,” the New York Times reports.
“The pause is a setback given that some people watching the negotiations closely had seen signs that an agreement might be in reach this week. Still, one official briefed on the talks said that negotiators did not believe Hamas or Israel were leaving the negotiations permanently and were interpreting the suspension as a temporary pause rather than a derailment.”
Tester Will Back GOP Immigration Bill
Sen. Jon Tester (D-MT) “will continue his efforts to distinguish himself as a border security hard-liner on Thursday by becoming the first Senate Democrat to back an immigration bill that has been championed by Republicans in both chambers of Congress,” ABC News reports.
“The Laken Riley Act would require federal officials to apprehend and detain undocumented immigrants who commit crimes such as burglary, shoplifting or larceny until these individuals are removed from the United States.”
Netanyahu Says Israel Can ‘Stand Alone’
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Thursday that Israel was strong enough to fight alone as the United States warned that it could cut military aid to the country, the Washington Post reports.
Said Netanyahu: “If we have to stand alone, we will stand alone.”
2024 Senate Overview
Just for members: The latest edition of Inside Elections.
This issue is a Senate Overview with fresh analysis and updated polling in all of the Senate races around the country. It also includes a rating change in Arizona (shifting one category toward Democrats) and our overall range (Republicans are likely to gain 1 to 3 seats).
The edition also continues our Presidential Battlegrounds Series with Nevada and includes updates on recent primaries in Indiana.
If you’re not a member, check out our membership options for instant access.
RFK Jr. Says There Should Be No Limits on Abortion
Robert F. Kennedy Jr. said he thinks there should be no government limits on abortion, NBC News reports.
Said Kennedy: “Even if it’s full-term. I don’t think it’s ever OK… I think we have to leave it to the women rather than the state.”
The comments appeared to come as a surprise to Nicole Shanahan, Kennedy’s running mate.
Extra Bonus Quote of the Day
“It was very upsetting. I’m too young for this.”
— Rep. Jennifer Wexton (D-VA), speaking to People magazine about her incurable brain disease.
Gavin Newsom Is Working on a Memoir
“California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) is working on his third book, a memoir that will allow him to tell his life’s story to a national audience that may not know much about the Democratic governor who will leave office in 2½ years,” the Los Angeles Times reports.
“Boosting his national image has become a regular feature of Newsom’s second and final term as governor, as he’s traveled the country to stump for President Biden’s reelection, attack Republicans and appear on cable news shows. Newsom has said he’s not interested in running for president, but writing a memoir may be his most overt move yet that indicates otherwise.”
Exchange of the Day
Porn star Stormy Daniels was cross-examined by Trump attorney Susan Necheles at his “hush money” criminal trial:
NECHELES: You have a lot of experience making phony stories about sex appear real.
DANIELS: Wow… that’s not how I would put it. The sex in the films is very much real — just like what happened to me in that room.
Harris Warns of Supreme Court’s Future Rulings
“Vice President Kamala Harris attacked the conservative-controlled Supreme Court on Wednesday, warning that its future decisions could limit a broad range of civil rights and personal freedoms for many Americans,” the New York Times reports.
Said Harris: “This court has shown itself to be an activist court. I worry about fundamental freedoms across the board.”
She added: “I don’t want to, at this point, use my voice in a way that is alarmist. But this court has made it very clear that they are willing to undo recognized rights.”
GOP Rebellion Sparks New Talk of Consequences
Politico: “Republicans are proposing to build specific punishments into conference rules that would be triggered if hardliners keep breaking ranks against leadership.”
“Sanctions getting floated include arming the entire conference with the ability to force a vote on yanking their committees or even ejecting them from the conference altogether.”
Nevada GOP Picks Indicted Fake Electors Again
Five of the six indicted fake electors in Nevada have been elected by the Nevada Republican party to be delegates to the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee this summer, the Nevada Independent reports.
Two of the six indicted were chosen to be electors again.
GOP Plan Calls for an Execution Spree
A conservative plan for Donald Trump’s potential transition into the presidency calls for dozens of prisoners to be executed, the HuffPost reports.
The plan by Project 2025, led by the Heritage Foundation, says that Trump should make a concerted effort to execute the remaining 40 prisoners on death row.
Middlemen Plead Guilty in Henry Cuellar Bribery Case
Two political strategists have agreed to plead guilty to conspiring with Rep. Henry Cuellar (D-TX) to launder more than $200,000 in bribes, the San Antonio Express-News reports.
The Department of Justice struck plea deals earlier this year with Colin Strother and Florencio “Lencho” Rendon, ensuring their cooperation in the investigation of Cuellar.
Marjorie Taylor Greene Ostracized by Conservatives
Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA) “was never hugely popular among her more centrist colleagues. After forcing a vote on ousting Speaker Mike Johnson, even droves of conservatives seem to have abandoned her — leaving the Georgia firebrand with next to no allies in the House,” Politico reports.
“Johnson hasn’t publicly indicated that he’ll punish Greene for her failed push, but the vast majority of House Republicans — exhausted with the constant chaos of their slim majority — are writing her off entirely as a bothersome sideshow. While there’s little chance Greene would lose her reelection bid in November, her growing list of foes could mean a severely restricted future for the Georgia firebrand, at least in the House.”
Bonus Quote of the Day
“I offer to eat five more brain worms and still beat President Trump and President Biden in a debate. I feel confident of the result even with a six-worm handicap.”
— Robert F. Kennedy Jr., quoted by The Guardian.
Few Call on Henry Cuellar to Resign
“Rep. Henry Cuellar (D-TX) is facing charges of bribery, money laundering and working on behalf of a foreign government. He is the third lawmaker in Congress to face a federal indictment this session,” the Texas Tribune reports.
“But unlike his other embattled colleagues, Cuellar is not yet facing a barrage of calls for him to resign.”
“Five days after he was charged, no member of the Texas delegation, Republican or Democrat, has so far called for him to step down.”
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