Earlier this week, Donald Trump’s attorney Alina Habba shockingly compared the Former President to late pop icon Tupac Shakur, but the “Thug Life” figure’s younger sister says that the comparison and absurd.

Set Shakur said in an interview with TMZ, “My brother was measured by his integrity, his principles and personal and collective responsibility,” while calling Habba’s comments “blasphemous”.

Set says that ‘Pac took responsibility during his 1994 rape trial, adding that Trump has shown no responsibility for what he’s being charged with.

Trump’s attorney asserts that Trump’s arrest would boost his numbers in the polls, similar to how ‘Pac’s record sales skyrocketed following his one year prison stint in an NYC prison. Habba made this comparison on the same day that Trump flew to NYC to be arrested and indicted on fraud charges. Set contends that Tupac’s popularity didn’t grow because of his incarceration, but instead because his fans “were able to measure him by his words and actions that aligned.”

Shakur says that Trump’s attorney maybe using his name to attract ‘Pac fans for support and she’s hopeful that their ploy has no impact.

The post Tupac’s Sister Calls The Donald Trump Comparison To Her Brother “Blasphemous” appeared first on The Source.

A new t-shirt dropped on former President Donald Trump’s website while he sat in a Manhattan courthouse pleading not guilty to 34 felony counts for falsification of business records in connection with $150,000 hush money payment to former adult film star Stormy Daniels.

An email sent out by the Trump campaign had President Trump in a fake mugshot placed on a t-shirt. The copy reads”

“‘NOT GUILTY,’ Do you stand with President Trump, Friend? Please make a contribution of $47 or more to WIN in 2024 – and we’ll send you your very own ‘NOT GUILTY’ T-Shirt for FREE.”

The idea that an indictment may make Donald Trump more popular could be accurate. With arraignment set for today (Apr. 4), the Trump campaign is boasting a record number of donations.

According to the New York Daily News, Trump’s campaign has secured $7 million since the indictment.

The post Trump Drops ‘Not Guilty’ T-Shirt on Campaign Website During Arraignment appeared first on The Source.

Former president Donald Trump has been charged with 34 felony counts for falsification of business records, an unsealed indictment reads.

In court, Trump pleaded not guilty to each charge. The charges are connected to a hush money payment of $150,000 to adult film star Stormy Daniels during the 2016 presidential election.

The charges make Trump the first president to face criminal charges in history.

Before entering the courtroom, Trump did not speak a word but connected with all cameras around him. Images from inside the courtroom show him sitting with his legal team and two officers flanking the crew.

A motorcade transported former President Donald Trump to Manhattan Criminal Court on Tuesday (Apr. 4). Upon his arrival, Trump exited his car, waved to supporters, and entered the building.

A CNN political adviser notes what may seem to be a moment of triumph for some, “it will be a constant rallying cry for his supporters.”

Trump expressed the desire to have a mugshot. Trump was fingerprinted as a part of his arrest. He was arraigned in court, which was a quick event. After processing and the arraignment, Trump would return to his motorcade to begin his trip back to Mar-a-Lago in Florida.

The idea that an indictment may make Donald Trump more popular could be accurate. With arraignment set for today (Apr. 4), the Trump campaign is boasting a record number of donations.

According to the New York Daily News, Trump’s campaign has secured $7 million since the indictment.

The post Trump Pleads Not Guilty to 34 Felonies of Falsification of Business Records appeared first on The Source.

Several reports have confirmed that Former President Donald Trump has been taken into custody at the City of New York Criminal Court prior to his arraignment on more than 30 criminal charges related to business fraud. The arrest stems from an alleged hush money payment made to porn star Stormy Daniels in 2016 just weeks before his campaign for President in the same year.

His upcoming arraignment is scheduled for 2:15 PM EST at 100 Centre Street on the 15th floor in Manhattan and his attorneys have already announced that Trump will plead not guilty.

Investigations into the former President’s alleged crimes will include special counsel investigation into his involvement into the Jan. 6 U.S> Capitol insurrection, classified documents at Mar-A-Lago, New York Attorney General James’ investigation into Trump allegedly overhauling assets and the Fulton County D.A.’s investigation into Trump’s efforts to overturn the 2020 election in Georgia.

This is the first time that any U.S. President has been arrested and charged with any criminal offenses.

Trump will be expectedly released following his arraignment, as he already has a press conference scheduled from his Mar-A-Lago, Florida home scheduled for 8:15 PM EST.

TheSource.com will update this story as more details develop.

The post Former President Donald Trump Arrested In NYC While Awaiting Arraignment appeared first on The Source.

A motorcade transported former President Donald Trump to Manhattan Criminal Court on Tuesday (Apr. 4). Upon his arrival, Trump exited his car, waved to supporters, and entered the building.

A CNN political adviser notes what may seem to be a moment of triumph for some, “it will be a constant rallying cry for his supporters.”

Trump expressed the desire to have a mugshot. Trump was fingerprinted as a part of his arrest. He was arraigned in court, which was a quick event. After processing and the arraignment, Trump would return to his motorcade to begin his trip back to Mar-a-Lago in Florida.

The idea that an indictment may make Donald Trump more popular could be accurate. With arraignment set for today (Apr. 4), the Trump campaign is boasting a record number of donations.

According to the New York Daily News, Trump’s campaign has secured $7 million since the indictment.

The post President Trump Officially Arrested and Arraigned in New York City appeared first on The Source.

Tupac’s sister, Set Shakur, is not having any comparisons between her late brother and former president Donald Trump. As Trump is set to be arraigned, he has often been compared to Tupac, the most recent being by Trump’s attorney Alina Habba, who also threw Biggie’s name in the mix as well.

Appearing on TMZ, Shakur stated the comparison was “blasphemous.”

“My brother was measured by his integrity, his principles and personal and collective responsibility,” Shakur said.

Speaking with Benny Johnson on The Benny Show, Trump’s attorney Alina Habba agreed with the show’s host that the forthcoming charges would raise the notoriety of the former President.

Habba would respond to Johnson stating, “Donald Trump is Tupac. Donald Trump is Biggie Smalls.” Habba would state she’s from the east coast, showing Biggie bias and stating Trump would be bigger than Tupac.

“Donald Trump is his own brand, he is everything,” Habba said. “This is just going to boost him we have seen it in the polls. This is not a question, this is a fact.”

Habba isn’t the first person to make the comparison. Chris Rock was on hand as Adam Sandler received the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor in D.C. Never one to miss a moment for political discourse, Rock threw a Trump joke while honoring his friend Sandler.

“Are you guys really gonna arrest Trump?” Rock stated. “Do you know this is only going to make him more popular? It’s like arresting Tupac. He’s just gonna sell more records. Are you stupid?”

You can hear Habba’s statements here.

The post Tupac’s Sister Blasts Donald Trump’s Comparisons as ‘Blasphemous’ appeared first on The Source.

The idea that an indictment may make Donald Trump more popular could be accurate. With arraignment set for today (Apr. 4), the Trump campaign is boasting a record number of donations.

According to the New York Daily News, Trump’s campaign has secured $7 million since the indictment.

One to predict the popularity of Trump rising was Chris Rock, who recently inserted the forthcoming arraignment into a bit.

“Are you guys really gonna arrest Trump?” Rock stated. “Do you know this is only going to make him more popular? It’s like arresting Tupac. He’s just gonna sell more records. Are you stupid?”

Former President Donald Trump is once again calling for his base of supporters to ride for him. Trump spoke to his supporters, writing the “leading Republican candidate and former president of the United States will be arrested on Tuesday of next week.”

The alarming portion of his message is his call to his supporters to “Protest, take our nation back.” The words are similar to those used ahead of the Insurrection at the Nation’s capitol. New York City is now preparing for any clashes that could happen in the city, if Trump is indeed arrested.

According to CNN, Trump believes his base being charged up would help him politically. He also sees a positive in the indictment.

During the ceremony, Rock added more funny context to the potential indictment. “[Trump] f—ing a porn star and paid off someone so his wife couldn’t find out. That’s romantic,” Rock said.

According to Fox News, Rock made a comparison to everyday life.

“We’ve all been cheated on. Don’t you wish that the person that cheated on you paid off somebody so you wouldn’t find out?”

– Chris Rock

The post Trump Raises Over $7 Million for His Campaign Since Being Indicted appeared first on The Source.

Facing his arraignment, Donald Trump beefed up his defense team. Added to his squad is Todd Blanche, most recently of Cadwalader, Wickersham & Taft. He also represented Rudy Giuliani, Trump campaign manager Paul Manafort and Igor Fruman.

Blanche will join attorneys Joe Tacopina and Susan Necheles in defending Trump.

Former Trumpy attorney, Tim Palatore, highlighted to CNN the appointment could be a conflict of interest.

“I know that Joe has certain potential conflict issues, given his prior contacts, with Stormy Daniels. So, who’s the right attorney, to take it to trial, is something that the client will have to decide. Ultimately, the decision of who to stand next to, before a jury, is a decision that only the client can make,” Parlatore said.

Be prepared for Donald Trump to be a name that you hear often this week. With an arraignment scheduled for today (Apr. 4), Trump’s name will ring off through social media and the news every day. Speaking with Benny Johnson on The Benny Show, Trump’s attorney Alina Habba agreed with the show’s host that the forthcoming charges would raise the notoriety of the former President.

Habba would respond to Johnson stating, “Donald Trump is Tupac. Donald Trump is Biggie Smalls.” Habba would state she’s from the east coast, showing Biggie bias and stating Trump would be bigger than Tupac.

“Donald Trump is his own brand, he is everything,” Habba said. “This is just going to boost him we have seen it in the polls. This is not a question, this is a fact.”

The post Trump Adds Attorney to His Legal Team Ahead of His Arraignment appeared first on The Source.

With Trump’s arraignment set for today (Apr 4), the security detail at the Manhattan court is experiencing a new level of patrol. According to CNN, officers who typically are inside the building will be outside.

Journalist Shimon Prokupecz said, “They’re not used to something like this. They’re usually inside the building, so it’s a little different for them.”

He also stated that the street Hogan Place is “entirely shut down.”

Former president Donald Trump is expected to turn himself in following his indictment on Tuesday. Media cameras will be present, but Trump will not be placed in cuffs.

According to CNN, it is currently unclear if cameras will be allowed in the courtroom. Judge Juan Merchan will decide those rules. He allowed cameras in the courtroom for Trump Organization’s CFO Allen Weisselberg’s sentencing last year.

The courtroom where Trump will be arraigned was heavily guarded on Friday, continuing over the weekend to today.

Trump is expected to enter a plea of not guilty, leave the courtroom, and return to Florida to continue his campaign for 2024.

The post Security Team at Trump’s Arraignment Courthouse Are ‘Not Used to Something Like This’ appeared first on The Source.

Be prepared for Donald Trump to be a name that you hear often this week. With an arraignment scheduled for Tuesday, Trump’s name will ring off through social media and the news every day. Speaking with Benny Johnson on The Benny Show, Trump’s attorney Alina Habba agreed with the show’s host that the forthcoming charges would raise the notoriety of the former President.

Habba would respond to Johnson stating, “Donald Trump is Tupac. Donald Trump is Biggie Smalls.” Habba would state she’s from the east coast, showing Biggie bias and stating Trump would be bigger than Tupac.

“Donald Trump is his own brand, he is everything,” Habba said. “This is just going to boost him we have seen it in the polls. This is not a question, this is a fact.”

Habba isn’t the first person to make the comparison. Chris Rock was on hand as Adam Sandler received the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor in D.C. Never one to miss a moment for political discourse, Rock threw a Trump joke while honoring his friend Sandler.

“Are you guys really gonna arrest Trump?” Rock stated. “Do you know this is only going to make him more popular? It’s like arresting Tupac. He’s just gonna sell more records. Are you stupid?”

And to be honest, Rock may be right because that’s the thinking of Donald Trump. A couple of weekends back, Trump was once again calling for his base of supporters to ride for him after revealing he would be arrested, he didn’t mention why, but it is believed to be for paying hush money to adult star Stormy Daniels.

Trump spoke to his supporters, writing the “leading Republican candidate and former president of the United States will be arrested on Tuesday of next week.”

The alarming portion of his message is his call to his supporters to “Protest, take our nation back.” The words are similar to those used ahead of the Insurrection at the Nation’s capitol. New York City is now preparing for any clashes that could happen in the city, if Trump is indeed arrested.

According to CNN, Trump believes his base being charged up would help him politically. He also sees a positive in the indictment.

A spokesperson for Trump revealed that the former president didn’t receive any indication that he would be arrested. Instead, he was “rightfully highlighting his innocence.”

During the ceremony, Rock added more funny context to the potential indictment. “[Trump] f—ing a porn star and paid off someone so his wife couldn’t find out. That’s romantic,” Rock said.

According to Fox News, Rock made a comparison to everyday life.

“We’ve all been cheated on. Don’t you wish that the person that cheated on you paid off somebody so you wouldn’t find out?”

– Chris Rock

The Source will update you on Tuesday if Trump is indeed arrested.

The post Trump Attorney Alina Habba Compares Former President to Hip-Hop Icons: ‘Donald Trump is Tupac. Donald Trump is Biggie Smalls’ appeared first on The Source.

Former President Donald Trump’s recent 34-count indictment has stirred a range of public opinion with everyone from politicians to celebrities to ordinary people chiming in. However, Yusef Salaam, one of the exonerated “Central Park Five,” has a unique perspective on the situation, simply calling it “karma.”

Salaam tweeted the following after news of the indictment broke:

For those who may not remember, in 1989, Trump, who was then a prominent New York City businessman, took out several full-page newspaper advertisements calling for New York City politicians to reinstate the death penalty following the brutal rape and attack of a female jogger in New York City. Five youth, Salaam, Korey Wise, Antron McCray, Raymond Santana, and Kevin Richardson, were wrongfully imprisoned for 7-13 years until the attacker was caught. They had been coerced into giving false confessions and received substantial settlements. All are involved in criminal justice activism efforts now. Trump never formally apologized to the five, especially since he took out the ads before their trials began.

Salaam recently announced his candidacy for New York City Council.

The post Yusef Salaam of Exonerated Central Park Five Calls Trump Indictment ‘Karma’ appeared first on The Source.

Former president Donald Trump is expected to turn himself in following his indictment on Tuesday. Media cameras will be present, but Trump will not be placed in cuffs.

According to CNN, it is currently unclear if cameras will be allowed in the courtroom. Judge Juan Merchan will decide those rules. He allowed cameras in the courtroom for Trump Organization’s CFO Allen Weisselberg’s sentencing last year.

The courtroom where Trump will be arraigned was heavily guarded on Friday, which will continue over the weekend into Tuesday.

Trump is expected to enter a plea of not guilty, leave the courtroom, and return to Florida to continue his campaign for 2024.

The post Trump’s Arraignment Set for Tuesday in Manhattan, Courtroom is Currently Heavily Guarded appeared first on The Source.

Former vice president Mike Pence is headed to court. A federal judge has ordered Pence to appear in front of a grand jury that is investigating former president Donald J. Trump.

The request for Pence comes in an investigation of Trump’s efforts to overturn the results of the 2020 election. According to the New York Times, Judge James E. Boasberg’s rulings impact Trump’s attempt to limit the type of questions that can be positioned against him in court.

Pence is being requested after Trump asked for him to delay or block the Electoral College vote count, cementing Trump’s loss. Before the court order, Trump’s lawyer asked for the court’s chief judge, Beryl A. Howell, to limit what Pence could deliver in testimony.

On the other hand, Pence’s lawyers also asked for limited testimony due to his role as president of the Senate, which would exclude him from any legal issues.

You can learn more about Pence’s order here.

The post Mike Pence Ordered to Testify in Jan 6. Federal Case appeared first on The Source.

Several news reports have confirmed that Jacob Chansely, aka the “Qanon Shaman,” the man sentenced in 2021 to 41 months in prison, was released more than a year early to a halfway house to complete his sentence.

The 35-year-old aspiring actor was moved to a “residential re-entry management” facility in Phoenix and is expected to be released on May 25.

Chansley, who received the longest jail term of any of the Jan. 6 U.S. Capitol rioters, was convicted of a single count of felony obstruction of justice. He was one of nearly 1,000 people charged in the Jan. 6, 2021, riot. Supporters of the riot stormed the Capitol as lawmakers certified President Joe Biden’s election win in 2020.

Chansley’s lawyer Albert Watkins said in a statement that the early release of his client was “appropriate” and he should be “permitted to move forward with the next stage of what undoubtedly will be a law-abiding and enriching life.”

He recently re-emerged in the national spotlight after Fox News host Tucker Carlson argued the riot was peaceful primarily, airing footage of the self-styled QAnon Shaman wandering the halls of Congress with police officers either escorting him or making no attempt to bar his way.

His alias referenced a baseless conspiracy theory whose adherents believe former President Donald Trump was waging a secret war against elite Satan-worshipping pedophiles.

The post U.S. Capitol Insurrection’s “Qanon Shaman” Released 14 Months Early From Prison appeared first on The Source.

The New York state assembly has presented language that impacts bail laws by removing the “least restrictive means” that judges use for bail.

The change is led by Gov. Kathy Hochul, opening leadership to the revisions that fall under a $227 billion budget. The language was revealed by Politico, showing the “least restrictive means” would be removed from standard judges on how to ensure a person comes to a court date.

Reps stated judges should lean more into current state law for qualifications of a bail. The final conditions decision would still rely on a judge’s indvidual analysis. Removing those would significantly impact Black, brown, and poor communities.

Hochul’s desire to remove the “least restrictive” standard reduces the access to bail for all crimes, including violent felonies, creating classes for offenses. The next step would be opening the negotiation table to accept the draft language.

The state budget is due March 31, but the entry is expected later.

To provide an actual investment into safety and protect bail options, the assembly must recognize Real community safety measures should be available to all communities. In addition, every resident should desire to be healthy and safe to thrive; those options include affordable and supportive housing, vouchers, support for all works, mental health first responders, and more.

The efforts for bail reform have shown success across the state without affecting the re-arrest rate, decreasing pre-trial incarceration, and raising court appearance rates. In addition to eliminating a legal norm from the bail law’s Civil Rights era and replacing it with nothing, the Governor’s proposal will only result in more Black, Brown, and poor individuals being imprisoned pending trial.

The proper direction would be a no to mass jailing and reducing the citizens’ options.

The post Will New York State Get Soft on Bail Reform? appeared first on The Source.

Former vice president Mike Pence is headed to court. A federal judge has ordered Pence to appear in front of a grand jury that is investigating former president Donald J. Trump.

The request for Pence comes in an investigation of Trump’s efforts to overturn the results of the 2020 election. According to the New York Times, Judge James E. Boasberg’s rulings impact Trump’s attempt to limit the type of questions that can be positioned against him in court.

Pence is being requested after Trump asked for him to delay or block the Electoral College vote count, cementing Trump’s loss. Before the court order, Trump’s lawyer asked for the court’s chief judge, Beryl A. Howell, to limit what Pence could deliver in testimony.

On the other hand, Pence’s lawyers also asked for limited testimony due to his role as president of the Senate, which would exclude him from any legal issues.

You can learn more about Pence’s order here.

The post Mike Pence Ordered to Testify in Jan 6. Federal Case appeared first on The Source.

Last week Sheryl Lee Ralph appeared on’ Way Up with Angela Yee’ and recalled the time she was forcibly tongue kissed without her consent by a famous TV judge.

Sheryl never mentioned a name but Judge Joe Brown threatened to sue for defamation of character. Sheryl cleared the other famous judge—Judge Mathis saying it wasn’t him and he was a good man. Judge Brown threatened to file defamation of character after actress Sheryl Lee Ralph recalled, without naming names, a popular TV judge who forcibly grabbed her by the neck and planted an unwanted kiss on her.
Now Judge Joe Brown believes Sheryl was sent by the Democrats to sabotage his run for the Mayor of Memphis…

The honorable judge spent the weekend re-tweeting his supporters who are accusing Sheryl of having ulterior motives.
Look at the judges tweets below.

The post Judge Joe Brown Accuses Sheryl Lee Ralph of Trying To Sabotage His Mayoral Campaign appeared first on The Source.

Former president Donald Trump is looking forward to a perp walk. The New York Times is reporting Trump is looking forward to being arrested and marched in front of news cameras and reporters.

Members of Trump’s circle state he is currently debating if he should smile for the camera. While he is planning his media scrum, Trump may not even be charged. If he is, both authorities and secret service would look to avoid any public stroll into a police station.

Additional sources state Trump wants to display a strong force and has no sahme in his arrest.

Meanwhile, Trump is at Mar-a-Lago hosting parties where he is djing off his Spotify playlists.

Last week, Trump was once again calling for his base of supporters to ride for him. Over the weekend, Trump announced online that he expected to be arrested on Tuesday (March 21) for paying hush money to adult star Stormy Daniels.

Trump spoke to his supporters, writing the “leading Republican candidate and former president of the United States will be arrested on Tuesday of next week.” Trump did not add a reason for the arrest.

The alarming portion of his message is his call to his supporters to “Protest, take our nation back.” The words are similar to those used ahead of the Insurrection at the Nation’s capitol. New York City is now preparing for any clashes that could happen in the city, if Trump is indeed arrested.

According to CNN, Trump believes his base being charged up would help him politically. He also sees a positive in the indictment.

A spokesperson for Trump revealed that the former president didn’t receive any indication that he would be arrested. Instead, he was “rightfully highlighting his innocence.”

The post Donald Trump Reportedly is Looking Forward to a ‘Perp Walk’ In front of Media appeared first on The Source.

Chris Rock is back in the news again.

The comedian said arresting former President Donald Trump would be like imprisoning Tupac Shakur — arguing that it’ll only boost the 2024 presidential candidate and help Trump rally up more support.

“Are you guys really going to arrest Trump?” Rock asked on stage at a Sunday event to award Adam Sandler the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor, per multiple reports.

Rock joked that apprehending Trump “is only going to make him more popular,” 

“It is like arresting Tupac. He’s just going to sell more records,” Rock said, per Deadline.

“Are you stupid? He slept with a porn star and paid off someone so his wife wouldn’t find out. That’s romantic,” Rock said.

Audience members, including former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and show business celebrities like Conan O’Brien, Steve Buscemi, and Jennifer Aniston, laughed at Rock’s joke, Fox News reported.

Do you think he’s right?  

The post Chris Rock On Donald Trump: ‘Arresting Trump Is Like Arresting Tupac…He’s Gonna Sell More Records’ appeared first on The Source.

Chris Rock was on hand as Adam Sandler received the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor in D.C. Never one to miss a moment for political discourse, Rock threw a Trump joke while honoring his friend Sandler.

“Are you guys really gonna arrest Trump?” Rock stated. “Do you know this is only going to make him more popular? It’s like arresting Tupac. He’s just gonna sell more records. Are you stupid?”

And to be honest, Rock may be right, because that’s the thinking of Donald Trump.

Former President Donald Trump is once again calling for his base of supporters to ride for him. Over the weekend, Trump announced online that he expects to be arrested on Tuesday (March 21) for paying hush money to adult star Stormy Daniels.

Trump spoke to his supporters, writing the “leading Republican candidate and former president of the United States will be arrested on Tuesday of next week.” Trump did not add a reason for the arrest.

The alarming portion of his message is his call to his supporters to “Protest, take our nation back.” The words are similar to those used ahead of the Insurrection at the Nation’s capitol. New York City is now preparing for any clashes that could happen in the city, if Trump is indeed arrested.

According to CNN, Trump believes his base being charged up would help him politically. He also sees a positive in the indictment.

A spokesperson for Trump revealed that the former president didn’t receive any indication that he would be arrested. Instead, he was “rightfully highlighting his innocence.”

During the ceremony, Rock added more funny context to the potential indictment. “[Trump] f—ing a porn star and paid off someone so his wife couldn’t find out. That’s romantic,” Rock said.

According to Fox News, Rock made a comparison to everyday life.

“We’ve all been cheated on. Don’t you wish that the person that cheated on you paid off somebody so you wouldn’t find out?”

– Chris Rock

The Source will update you on Tuesday if Trump is indeed arrested.

The post Chris Rock Says Arresting Trump Will Raise His Popularity: ‘It’s Like Arresting Tupac, He’ll Sell More Records’ appeared first on The Source.

Former President Donald Trump is once again calling for his base of supporters to ride for him. Over the weekend, Trump announced online that he expects to be arrested on Tuesday (March 21) for paying hush money to adult star Stormy Daniels.

Trump spoke to his supporters, writing the “leading Republican candidate and former president of the United States will be arrested on Tuesday of next week.” Trump did not add a reason for the arrest.

The alarming portion of his message is his call to his supporters to “Protest, take our nation back.” The words are similar to those used ahead of the Insurrection at the Nation’s capitol. New York City is now preparing for any clashes that could happen in the city, if Trump is indeed arrested.

According to CNN, Trump believes his base being charged up would help him politically. He also sees a positive in the indictment.

A spokesperson for Trump revealed that the former president didn’t receive any indication that he would be arrested. Instead, he was “rightfully highlighting his innocence.”

The post Trump Announces He Expects To Be Arrested on Tuesday, Asks Base to ‘Take Our Nation Back’ appeared first on The Source.

New York City mayor Eric Adams says Chicago mayor Lori Lightfoot losing reelection should sound an alarm across America.

While on CNN’s State of the Union, Mayor Adams said that election results should be a message to not only Democrat candidates but a “warning sign for the country.”

“I showed up at crime scenes. I knew what New Yorkers were saying. And I saw it all over the country. I think, if anything, it is really stating that this is what I have been talking about. America, we have to be safe,” Adams said.

Chicago’s crime spiked during Lightfoot’s tenure, specifically in the years 2020 and 2021. While shootings and murders have decreased, thefts and more have risen. Adams says mayors that care matter because they are closer to the community issues.

“We are focused on public safety because people want to be safe,” he said.

Last week, Chicago held its mayoral election to close February, which resulted in Lightfoot conceding and not making the cut for a run-off.

Lightfoot made history as Chicago’s first openly gay and Black woman to take the mayor’s office. The runoff election is set for April and will feature candidates Paul Vallas and Brandon Johnson.

According to ABC7Chicago, Lightfoot spoke to her base of supporters after her loss and stated she was proud of what she did in the city. One of the hindrances to Lightfoot’s reelection bid is rising crime numbers during her tenure, which has become the top issue for voters.

“Regardless of tonight’s outcome, we fought the right fights, and we put this city on a better path,” Lightfoot said. “Now, as we all know in life, in the end, you don’t always win every battle. But you never regret taking on the powerful and bringing in the light.”

Lightfoot plans to remain a citizen of Chicago once her tenure is over.

The post NYC Mayor Eric Adams Sees Lori Lightfoot’s Loss in Chicago as a Warning appeared first on The Source.

Former president Donald Trump was on hand at the Conservative Political Action Conference and was laying more ground for his 2024 campaign. Trump revealed to the crowd that any potential criminal investigations would not shut down his campaign.

“I wouldn’t even think about leaving,” Trump said about a possible indictment.

According to ABC News, he added, “Probably it will enhance my numbers.”

Trump is still being investigated for his handling of government documents and his role in the Jan. 6 capitol riots. Insider notes a special grand jury in Georgia is preparing multiple indictment recommendations for individuals who interfered with the 2020 election. Trump is rumored to be a possible name.

Still, Trump sees his coming campaign as a triumphant moment for his base.

“Today, I add, I am your warrior, I am your justice, and for those who have been wronged and betrayed, I am your retribution,” he said.

The post Trump Says He Won’t Drop Out 2024 Race if Indicted: ‘I Am Your Warrior, I Am Your Retribution’ appeared first on The Source.

Lori Lightfoot’s run as Chicago mayor is coming to a close. The city held its mayoral election to close in February, which resulted in Lightfoot conceding and not making the cut for a run-off.

Lightfoot made history as Chicago’s first openly gay and Black woman to take the mayor’s office.

The runoff election is set for April and will feature candidates Paul Vallas and Brandon Johnson.

According to ABC7Chicago, Lightfoot spoke to her base of supporters after her loss and stated she was proud of what she did in the city. One of the hindrances to Lightfoot’s reelection bid is rising crime numbers during her tenure, which has become the top issue for voters.

“Regardless of tonight’s outcome, we fought the right fights, and we put this city on a better path,” Lightfoot said. “Now, as we all know in life, in the end, you don’t always win every battle. But you never regret taking on the powerful and bringing in the light.”

Lightfoot plans to remain a citizen of Chicago once her tenure is over.

The post Lori Lightfoot Becomes First Chicago Mayor in 40 Years to Lose Reelection Bid appeared first on The Source.

One of the “Central Park Five” is running for City Council.

Yusef Salaam is one of the “Exonerated Five,” as they are now known, the teenagers who were wrongly convicted of raping a woman in Central Park in 1989. After fighting for his freedom, the Harlem native is ready to fight for his hometown.

Their convictions were overturned in 2002 and in December saw their name etched in stone on a gate to the park.

Salaam, who spent seven years behind bars, is running in Council District 9, representing the heart of Harlem, where he grew up.

“We are here now to chart a new path forward,” he said during a speech at the old Harlem YMCA on 135th Street.

Decades before he became president, Donald Trump took out a full-page ad calling for the Central Park Five to face the death penalty, which Salaam referenced in his announcement.

“In a country that’s supposed to be innocent until proven guilty, they saw the color of our skin and said ‘Guilty, guilty, guilty,’” he said. “It would have been OK if Donald Trump had taken out a full-page ad when we were found to be innocent.”

In 2002, a judge vacated the convictions of Salaam and the four other members of the Central Park Five after the Manhattan district attorney’s office filed a motion with a new theory of the case — and a different suspect. Prosecutors said that after conducting a new investigation, they no longer believed that Salaam and the others had committed the crime.

Since then, Salaam has written a memoir, become a motivational speaker and has advocated for criminal justice reform. His case has also been documented in books, a documentary and a Netflix miniseries.

Salaam is challenging Harlem Councilmember Kristin Richardson Jordan for her seat. The incumbent councilmember did not immediately respond to requests for comment. But after Salaam first shared that he was considering a run last fall, Richardson Jordan said in a statement to the news site Patch: “I think we have enough millionaires in office already. That is part of the problem.”

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Following the overtaking of a Chinese spy balloon by the United States Military,  shot down last week, China has requested the remains of the balloon be returned. The balloon was captured over the coast of South Carolina and pieces of it were fished out of the Atlantic Ocean. 

It is believed that the high-altitude balloon that was spotted flying over the continental US may have been used to surveil sensitive military sites, according to defense officials. Chinese officials deny these claims and credit the balloon’s location to windy weather. 

When a reporter asked on Tuesday whether China has called on the US to give back the debris of the downed balloon, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said, “The airship does not belong to the US. It belongs to China.” 

“If you pick up something on the street, you should return it to the owner, if you know who the owner is. If the Americans don’t want to return it, that’s their decision. This demonstrates their dishonesty.” China’s ambassador to France, Lu Shaye, said during an interview on Monday with French news channel LCI, according to Bloomberg News.

Newly released images from the US Navy show divers pulling debris from the massive balloon out of the Atlantic Ocean. 

Spokesperson said the shooting of the balloon was an overreaction and “The unmanned Chinese airship is of civilian nature. Its unintended entry into US airspace is entirely unexpected and caused by force majeure. It didn’t pose any threat to any person or to the national security of the US. The US should have properly handled such incidents in a calm and professional manner not involving the use of force, yet they decided to do otherwise, which is a clear overreaction.”

Still, the Pentagon’s top spokesperson spoke out on Wednesday to address larger concerns. He believes the balloons were part of a broader surveillance effort by Beijing. He told reporters at the Pentagon that the “surveillance balloon program has been operating for several years.” While there is currently no hard evidence to support these claims, the topic is being heavily debated amongst politicians. 

Biden is taking heat for waiting to shoot down the balloon, although he said he ordered the craft shot down last week, but military brass advised waiting until it was over water to minimize risks to people on the ground.

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Civil Rights attorney Ben Crump will sue Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis for his ruling over the Advanced Placement African American Studies pilot program.

Crump will be flanked by leaders like the American Federation of Teachers and politicians to announce a lawsuit.

Meanwhile, DeSantis is standing firm in his decision, stating the course is a piece of a political agenda and as representatives of the state, they “want education, not indoctrination.”

According to NBC Miami, Gov. DeSantis sites the college course violates the Stop WOKE Act, which he signed last year. It forbids education that characterizes people as privileged or underprivileged depending on their race. At least some authors cited in the course believe that contemporary American society supports white supremacy while repressing racial minorities, homosexual people, and women.

“This course on Black history, what’s one of the lessons about? Queer theory. Now who would say that an important part of Black history is queer theory? That is somebody pushing an agenda,” said DeSantis.

The African American Studies course is being tested by the College Board at 60 high schools across the country following a decade of development. Once it has begun to roll out, neither a state nor a school would be obligated to offer it.

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Numerous Texas prisoners are taking on the second week of a hunger strike in protest of indefinite solitary confinement– a form of incarceration in the US that is largely frowned upon by human rights activists.

Across the Texas prison system, inmates have been refusing food since January 10 to form an organized objection against being held in isolation for up to a decade. The exact number of prisoners involved remains unknown, but an estimate from the Texas department of criminal justice (TDCJ) puts it at 72. Yet, outside advocates communicating with strikers say there are more than 138. 

In Texas, solitary confinement is used as a means of control mainly designed to prevent violence between prisoners. The practice has origins dating to the 19th century when Quakers in Pennsylvania used this method as a substitution for public punishments. The goal is to segregate prisoners involved in gangs, known as “security threat groups.” Amongst these groups are the white supremacist Aryan Brotherhood and the Mexican mafia.

The state currently has more than 3,000 inmates in “restrictive housing,” as solitary is known. More than 500 have been isolated for at least ten years and 138 for at least 20 years. 

Identifying “gang status” inmates includes an assessment for tattoos and other gang activity indicators. Once labeled with gang status, inmates are placed alone in a cell indefinitely, regardless of behavioral violations or wrongdoing.

Due to the indeterminate length of a solitary term in Texas, the state is a national leader in using this extreme form of lock-up over prolonged periods.

Brittany Robertson, an outside representative for the hunger strikers, told the Guardian, “Most units don’t allow calls, no contact visits, no oversight or effective grievance process. Mail is delayed up to a month; there are staffing shortages and with no security checks there are a lot of suicides.” She added that the prisoners who had joined the protest “truly feel this is in the best interest of all, including the prison employees who are suffering appalling conditions as well.”

Robertson has assembled a set of official complaints from solitary prisoners. One inmate reported that he had an infected abscess on his back that was going untreated; a Black prisoner complained that African American in solitary were being singled out for “physical and psychological abuse”; and a third offender requested being transferred out of the detached unit because “my life is in danger here.”

The Texas strike is modeled on California’s example, where prisoners staged a hunger strike in 2013. Two years later, the California inmates successfully litigated a federal settlement that ended solitary in the state based on gang status alone.

Texas hunger strikers prepared written demands which they presented to the prison authorities three months before they started the current action. Their primary demand is that Texas refines the current system of putting prisoners indefinitely into solitary based on their gang status to a “behavioral based system to address the behavior of individuals – only those who engage in serious rule violations should be placed in restrictive housing”.

The CLA-Liman report states that Texas had the largest number of prisoners who had been held in solitary for more than 10 years. Only Alabama and the federal Bureau of Prisons comes anywhere close. Data accumulated by the Correctional Leaders Association (CLA) and the Arthur Liman Center at Yale law school estimates that there were between 41,000 and 48,000 in isolation in US prison cells in July 2021. 

In a statement, the TDCJ said that “if known prison gang members in state custody do not like their current confinement conditions, they are free to renounce their gang and we will offer them a pathway back into the general population. We will not, however, give them free rein to recruit new members and try to continue their criminal enterprises.”

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Student loan borrowers are moving into the new year with uncertainty. President Joe Biden’s game-changing student, loan forgiveness program lies in the hands of the Supreme Court. The pandemic-related pause on student loan payments remains in effect, but a restart date depends on when the Supreme Court rules on the forgiveness program– it could come as late as summer’s end. 

For now, significant changes are coming in July to the existing Public Service Loan Forgiveness program that helps government and nonprofit workers. A new income-driven repayment plan that could lower payments for specific federal student loan borrowers is being drawn up. 

In late February, the Supreme Court will hear arguments in two cases regarding Biden’s student loan forgiveness program, which could deliver up to $20,000 of debt relief for millions of low- and middle-income borrowers. A decision on program adoption is expected to move forward in June, but it is on hold, and no debt will be discharged under the program.

Biden announced his plans for student loan forgiveness in August. The Department of Education received about 26 million applications for debt relief by the time a federal district court judge struck down the program on November 10.

Lawyers for the Biden administration say that Congress gave the secretary of education “expansive authority to alleviate the hardship that federal student loan recipients may suffer as a result of national emergencies,” like the Covid-19 pandemic, according to a memo from the Department of Justice. However, litigants argue the Biden administration has exceeded its authority. Recent Supreme Court decisions have ruled against aggressive agency actions.

The pandemic-related pause on loan payments is going strong for the third consecutive year. Though fees were previously set to resume in January, the Biden administration extended the break after federal courts halted its student loan forgiveness program. Officials had told borrowers that debt relief would be granted before payments restarted.

The payment pause will now last until 60 days after litigation over Biden’s student loan forgiveness program is resolved. If the program has not been implemented and the litigation has not been resolved by June 30, payments will resume 60 days after that. Borrower balances have effectively been frozen since March 2020, and since then, interest has stopped adding up, and collections on defaulted debt have also been on hold.

The benefits come at varying degrees of helpfulness for borrowers. The government has paid $155 billion through the end of 2022 for the yearlong pause. 

The Public Service Loan Forgiveness program allows certain government and nonprofit employees to seek federal student loan forgiveness after making 10 years of qualifying payments. Yet, a yearlong waiver that expanded eligibility for the PSLF program expired on October 31. Under the new rules, borrowers can receive credit toward PSLF on late payments, in installments, or a lump sum. Prior authorities only counted a payment as eligible if it was made in full within 15 days of its due date. Specific periods of deferment, such as cancer treatment, military service, economic hardship, and time served in AmeriCorps and the National Guard, will count toward PSLF. Additionally, the new rule will consider the new standard full-time employee work week to be 30 hours. 

Changes to Biden’s plan could impact roughly 8 million people currently enrolled in income-driven repayment plans and open up the programs for more borrowers. This would reduce monthly debt burdens and the total amount borrowers pay over the lifetime of their loans. 

Those with federal student loan debt incurred during undergraduate school can expect the new regulations to cap payments at 5% of a borrower’s discretionary income, down from the 10% offered in most current income-driven plans. Single borrowers making less than $30,600 per year would not need to make any payments under the proposal, up from the current $24,000 threshold. 

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The 108 still missing Chibok schoolgirls kidnapped by Boko Haram in Nigeria in 2014 are remembered in a new exhibition of sculptures in Lagos. The faces of the 108 Chibok girls who are still missing nearly nine years after their abduction by Islamist insurgents have been sculpted in clay in a collaboration between French artist Prune Nourry, university students, professional potters and the families of the victims. 

The artwork is inspired by ancient Nigerian Ife terracotta heads and the Exhibition is titled, “Statues Also Breathe.” The sculptures recreate the faces, facial expressions and hair patterns of the girls. 

In 2014, 275 girls were seized from the Government Girls Secondary School in the Chibok community in northeastern Nigeria. The mass abduction prompted global outrage and heartbreak where the slogan #BringBackOurGirls was conceived. Former U.S. first last, Michelle Obama, and numerous other leaders advocated for their return. 

Around 160 of the girls have been released since then, many after years of captivity, but the story has faded from the headlines, losing political momentum. Now president, Muhammadu Buhari, left families hollow when he promised to rescue the girls eight years ago as a political scheme to obtain power. Babagana Monguno, the nation’s national security adviser, said in early December that the military is dedicated, but that it is an “”intelligence-driven process, which means it is going to be, unfortunately, painstaking”.

Habibat Balogun, the Bring Back Our Girls Lagos Coordinator said, “It’s a permanent reminder that it happened, we had a period in our history in Nigeria where women, boys, men, children were taken away, some were recovered, some are still displaced till today, some are still in captivity.” 

French artist Prune Nourry collaborated with 108 students from the Obafemi Awolowo University and family’s of the missing girls lended photos of their daughters for the portraits. He then designed eight heads, inspired by the photographs, and students sculpted 108 more.  

Nourry’s hope for viewers of the exhibition is that they will, “remember the importance of girls’ education, then the fact that sculpture can personify someone and catch the breathing life and the symbol of someone, of life.’ 

The Chibok community still suffers attacks from Boko Haram and its breakaway faction which has pledged allegiance to the Islamic State group. Art pays tribute to this largely forgotten tragedy in the midst of even more heartbreak. The sculptures are currently stationed in Lagos, but are expected to travel a world tour in the coming years. 

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Lawmakers are criticizing Southwest Airlines over a series of flight cancellations in recent days. A bitter cold front swept across the country accompanied by snow and freezing temperatures this holiday season. Although the airline is currently rolling out a reset by moving crews and empty aircrafts around the country to place crews accordingly, lawmakers are pushing for oversight. 

Southwest is not alone in this widespread nuisance as several airlines faced vast cancellations. Still, Southwest canceled at least 70% of its flights Monday due to the weather and a reported system meltdown. The airline canceled 62% of its flights Tuesday. In an unfortunate series of events for holiday travelers, 42% of Southwest’s flights were canceled on Christmas Day, and 48% were delayed, according to data from FlightAware.

On Tuesday the chair of the Senate Committee on Commerce Science and Transportation, Sen. Maria Cantwell, D-Wash., said her panel will investigate the causes of the Southwest flight cancellations as, “the problems at Southwest Airlines over the last several days go beyond weather. The Committee will be looking into the causes of these disruptions and its impact to consumers. Many airlines fail to adequately communicate with consumers during flight cancellations. Consumers deserve strong protections, including an updated consumer refund rule.” 

The extensive cancellations have prompted the Biden administration to step in. President Joe Biden stated, “Administration is working to ensure airlines are held accountable” and the Transportation Department added, “We are concerned by Southwest’s unacceptable rate of cancellations and delays & reports of lack of prompt customer service. We will examine whether cancellations were controllable and if Southwest is complying with its customer service plan.”

Aggressive scheduling and underinvestment in operations coupled with shorter flights with tighter turnaround times has sent the airline into a chaotic frenzy. Stranded customers have not been able to get through to Southwest’s customer service lines to rebook flights or find lost baggage.

In a message vouching for frustrated flyers, Sens. Ed Markey, D-Mass., and Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., members of the Senate Commerce Committee, said, “[T]he company can start by fairly compensating passengers whose flights were canceled, including not only rebooked tickets, ticket refunds, and hotel, meal, and transportation reimbursement, but significant monetary compensation for the disruption to their holiday plans. Southwest is planning to issue a $428 million dividend next year – the company can afford to do right by the consumers it has harmed.” Cancellations are not solely at the fault of bad weather and therefore the public is demanding the airline to take accountability for failure of internal systems.

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Former President Donald Trump has been referred to the Department of Justice for criminal charges for his role in the Capitol Riots. The January 6 committee recommended Trump should be held accountable for “a multi-part scheme” to overturn the 2020 presidential election.

“The president has an affirmative and primary constitutional duty to act to take care that the laws be faithfully executed,” said Rep. Jamie Raskin at the hearing. “Nothing could be a greater betrayal of this duty than to assist in insurrection against the constitutional order.”

The investigation into the matter lasted 18 months and received a unanimous 9-0 vote in referring to the charges of obstruction of an official proceeding, conspiracy to defraud the United States, conspiracy to make a false statement, and incitement of an insurrection.

In addition, referrals for chief of staff Mark Meadows, attorney Rudy Giuliani, and more were passed to the DOJ. The DOJ does not have to pursue the charges.

Donald Trump is currently gearing up for another presidential campaign.

via

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President Joe Biden has announced a new plan to lower the homelessness numbers by 25%. The achievement is aimed to be reached by 2025.

The United States Department of Housing and Urban Development notes about 582,000 people were counted as homeless. That number does not include citizens living with loved ones by necessity. The number is the same as the count before the COVID-19 pandemic.

“My plan offers a roadmap for not only getting people into housing but also ensuring that they have access to the support, services, and income that allow them to thrive,” Biden said.

According to NBC News, the 2022 All-In plan harkens to the Opening Doors effort of 2010, which was the first comprehensive effort to tackle homelessness.

The plan highlights racial and other disparities that have impacted homelessness while sharing ways to improve homeless prevention and provide affordable housing.

The full plan is available here.

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Fashion designers in the British capital are uniting to advance the “An Hour For Ukraine” initiative before Christmas. With support from the archbishop of Canterbury and the mayor of London, British landmarks will switch their festive lights off for an hour at 8pm local time on Wednesday, the darkest day of 2022. These landmarks include Trafalgar Square, Canterbury Cathedral, Lambeth Palace and the Scottish Parliament in Edinburgh, and several other key locations in Paris, New York and Sydney. 

This initiative, organized by Volodymyr Zelenskyy, the president of Ukraine, involves his fundraising platform United24, members of the Ukrainian parliament, fashion and creative platform 1 Granary, and War Against War, an alternative media organization. All of these players are a part of a $10 million fundraising drive to obtain generators to heat hospitals across Ukraine this winter. 

Social media platforms come with their own set of drawbacks, yet they still have the ability to spread news across borders in a powerful way. With a bachelor’s degree in fashion design from Central Saint Martins, the founder of 1 Granary, Olya Kuryshchuk, has pushed for fashion brands to use social media platforms as a way to encourage audiences to turn off their lights for an hour at home from around the world. 

In explaining the message behind this affair, Kuryshchuk said “I am part of the global fashion industry but I am also Ukrainian. Part of my family is still in Kyiv and they don’t have electricity, heating, water, internet, or phone connection along with over 10 million people. The ‘An Hour For Ukraine’ awareness campaign is set up to bring attention to the humanitarian catastrophe in my home country.”

The designers participating include Charlotte Knowles and Alexandre Arsenault of Knwls, Richard Quinn, Charles Jeffrey, Stefan Cooke, Chopova Lowena, Kiko Kostadinov, Paolina Russo, Masha Popova, Sinéad O’Dwyer, Eftychia Karamolegkou, Lutz Huelle, Ranra, Paula Canovas Del Vas, Jordan Dalah, Duran Lantink, Katie Burnett, Tallulah Harlech, Michael Stewart of Standing Ground, Robyn Lynch, and Goom Heo. 

The post How Fashion is Honoring “An Hour For Ukraine” Initiative appeared first on The Source.

President Joe Biden has announced a new plan to lower the homelessness numbers by 25%. The achievement is aimed to be reached by 2025.

The United States Department of Housing and Urban Development notes about 582,000 people were counted as homeless. That number does not include citizens living with loved ones by necessity. The number is the same as the count before the COVID-19 pandemic.

“My plan offers a roadmap for not only getting people into housing but also ensuring that they have access to the support, services, and income that allow them to thrive,” Biden said.

According to NBC News, the 2022 All-In plan harkens to the Opening Doors effort of 2010, which was the first comprehensive effort to tackle homelessness.

The plan highlights racial and other disparities that have impacted homelessness while sharing ways to improve homeless prevention and provide affordable housing.

The full plan is available here.

The post President Biden Announces New Plan to Reduce Homelessness by 25% by 2025 appeared first on The Source.

Former President Donald Trump has been referred to the Department of Justice for criminal charges for his role in the Capitol Riots. The January 6 committee recommended Trump should be held accountable for “a multi-part scheme” to overturn the 2020 presidential election.

“The president has an affirmative and primary constitutional duty to act to take care that the laws be faithfully executed,” said Rep. Jamie Raskin at the hearing. “Nothing could be a greater betrayal of this duty than to assist in insurrection against the constitutional order.”

The investigation into the matter lasted 18 months and received a unanimous 9-0 vote in referring to the charges of obstruction of an official proceeding, conspiracy to defraud the United States, conspiracy to make a false statement, and incitement of an insurrection.

In addition, referrals for chief of staff Mark Meadows, attorney Rudy Giuliani, and more were passed to the DOJ. The DOJ does not have to pursue the charges.

Donald Trump is currently gearing up for another presidential campaign.

via

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The U.S. House of Representatives has passed legislation that will remove the bust of Supreme Court Justice Roger Taney from the Capitol and replace it with one of Thurgood Marshall, the first Black person to serve on the Supreme Court.

Taney was the author of the Supreme Court’s infamous 1857 Dred Scott decision. Scott, an enslaved African-American man, brought a lawsuit claiming that his family should be granted their freedom because he had lived in Illinois. The Wisconsin Territory for four years, where slavery was illegal, and the laws in those jurisdictions required slaveholders to give up their rights to slaves if they had stayed in those jurisdictions for a significant period. 

In a 7-2 decision written by then-Chief Justice Taney, the Court ruled against Scott, holding that all persons descended from Africans, whether slave or free, were not citizens of the United States because the drafters of the Constitution had never intended for them to be anything but slaves. Taney further held that the Missouri Compromise, in which Congress had prohibited slavery north of the 36’30’ parallel, was unconstitutional because it deprived white citizens of their slave property without due process.

Of course, the Dred Scott decision was eventually superseded by the Thirteenth Amendment to the Constitution, which abolished slavery. Taney’s legacy is a judicial decision universally viewed as egregiously wrong on every level.   It also represented a serious miscalculation on Taney’s part. While he thought his ruling would resolve the slavery question by making it a matter of settled law, it only made the situation more heated by strengthening Northern opposition to slavery and emboldening Southern successionist demands, further stoking the fires that led to the Civil War.

In support of the current legislation, Rep. Steny Hoyer, D-MD, said, “[i]n removing Taney’s bust, I’m not asking that we would hold Taney to today’s moral standards. On the contrary, let us hold him to the standard of his contemporaries, Harriet Tubman, Frederick Douglass, Abraham Lincoln . . . and all of those who understood that the enslavement of others has always been an immoral act.”

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You know 2022 was a bizarre year when Alex Jones starts to call other people crazy, especially a formerly beloved hip-hop icon. However, he did just that, going on Steven Crowder’s YouTube show to discuss the fallout and his reactions from his interview with Kanye West from last week.

After showing some clips of the interview to provide for context, Crowder asks Jones if in “his wildest dreams” that he expected Kanye to make some of the outlandish statements that he did. Jones said that he did not, continuing that he didn’t give Kanye limits as to what he could talk about, but asked that he talk about “real issues,” to which Kanye didn’t obviously adhere,

Jones called Ye’s mask “creepy,” before stating that he didn’t believe that West understood World War II history, saying that Ye didn’t have “a fifth grade education about the Nazis.”

He called Nick Fuentes “baby Hitler,” saying that Fuentes and other supporters had a “homoerotic Hitler obsession,” claiming “it’s like some homoerotic, you know, thing over Hitler. That is, kinda, what’s going on. There’s this Hitler fetish”

Jones went on to say that Hitler was a pedophile, amongst other things, stating: “Hitler was horrible, screw Hitler, burn in hell Hitler.”

Later in the interview, Crowder’s co-host interjected to say that as a Christian, he was raised to “love the sinner, hate the sin,” but Ye (who claimed many times in the original interview with Jones that he was a devout Christian), failed to condemn any of Hitler’s sins in the hours-long interview.

While Jones said that he lost respect for Fuentes, he did describe Ye as more or less confused, saying that he wanted to meet with Kanye again to educate him on the atrocities of Hitler and the Nazi party during World War II.

The full interview can be found here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4tHqKdM3GmU. 

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Raphael Warnock will have his first six-year term as U.S. Senator. The Democratic Senator beat Republican Herschel Walker in a runoff, which concluded Tuesday night.

The self-proclaimed “senator reverend,” evoking his religious background, Warnock has beaten a Republican for the third time. Before Walker, Warnock bounced Sen. Kelly Loeffler and Rep. Doug Collins, wrapping what is seemingly a continuous campaign season, according to NBC News.

Warnock’s win expands the power of Democrats in the Senate, granting a 51st seat and flexibility to Vice President Kamala Harris for tie-breaking votes.

“After a hard-fought campaign — or, should I say, campaigns — it is my honor to utter the four most powerful words ever spoken in a democracy: The people have spoken,” Warnock said following the race being called.

“I often say that a vote is a kind of prayer for the world we desire for ourselves and for our children,” Warnock added. “Georgia, you have been praying with your lips and your legs, your hands and your feet, your heads and your hearts. You have put in the hard work, and here we are, standing together.”

“Reverend Warnock’s well-earned win is not just a victory for Georgia, but also for democracy — as the last brick in our firewall against extremist MAGA Republican policies that threaten the very essence of our democracy,” Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said in a statement.

In the previous election, Warnock led Walker by 37,000 votes but did not pass the mark to avoid a runoff. Walker accepted the defeat.

“The numbers look like they’re not going to add up,” Walker said in defeat. “There’s no excuses in life, and I’m not going to make any excuses now because we put up one heck of a fight.”

The post Raphael Warnock Defeats Herschel Walker in Georgia Runoff, Dems Hold Senate 51-49 appeared first on The Source.

December may have just started, but it’s going to be hard for it to get any more bizarre after Kanye West set the bar high on Thursday in an unfiltered interview with Alex Jones in which Ye made some of the most shocking statements of his career.

A fully masked Ye went on Alex Jones’ show on the website Infowars on Thursday where he spent almost three hours discussing his opinion on religion, politics, art, the media, Hollywood, Donald Trump, and much more.

West started the interview by speaking about his Christian faith, denouncing pornography and pedophilia, saying the two are basically equal. He then talked about Steve Jobs, social media conspiracy theories, the evils of pornography and alcohol,

Kanye was joined by Nick Fuentes, a well-known political commentator and streamer who is known for his white supremacist views. Former President Donald Trump was recently criticized for having dinner with Fuentes. (Trump claimed that he did not know who Fuentes was.)

At one point, Kanye said: “I love Jewish people, but I also love Nazis.” He also said: “The Jewish media has made us feel like the Nazis and Hitler have never offered anything of value to the world.” He described how Hitler added value to the world by inventing things like the highway and microphones. West also called out politician Rahm Emanuel (who is Jewish and hails from West’s hometown of Chicago) several times throughout the interview.

The full interview can be seen here: https://www.infowars.com/posts/ye-west-alex-jones-break-the-internet-in-must-see-new-interview/.

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On Wednesday, Democratic members of the U.S. House of Representatives elected New York Congressman Hakeem Jefferies as their new leader, following Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s announcement that she is stepping down from the role.

Jefferies will assume the role of House minority leader when the new Congress is sworn in this January and is the first Black American to lead a major political party in Congress.  Jefferies was born and raised in Brooklyn.  His district covered parts of Brooklyn and Queens and was once represented by Shirley Chisholm, the first Black woman to serve in Congress.

In a show of cohesion and unity, House Democrats unanimously elected Jefferies to the position, together with Massachusetts Representative Katherine Clark as Whip and California Representative Pete Aguilar as Caucus Chair.  They will take over from Pelosi’s long-serving deputies, Maryland Representative Steny Hoyer and South Carolina Representative James Clyburn.

In contrast, following a mid-term election that did not go as expected, the incoming Republican majority has yet to coalesce around a leader.  The current minority leader, Kevin McCarthy, has been attempting to obtain the votes necessary to be elected speaker but has encountered significant dissension in the ranks.  According to the Washington Post, at least five Republican congressmen are opposed to McCarthy, endangering his bid and raising the possibility of a floor fight for speaker, which hasn’t happened in 100 years.

The Republican’s slim majority and McCarthy’s difficulties in controlling his caucus will likely present opportunities to Jefferies and the Democrats.  Jefferies has said that he will look for opportunities to work with Republicans but will “push back against extremism whenever necessary.”

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The President wants to sign into law a ban on high-powered guns that have the capacity to kill many people
very quickly. After the mass killing last Saturday at a gay nightclub in Colorado Springs, he said in a statement:
“When will we decide we’ve had enough? … We need to enact an assault weapons ban to get weapons of
war off America’s streets. “She went on to further say, “The idea we still allow semi-automatic weapons to be
purchased is sick. Just sick,” Biden said on Thanksgiving Day.

The Democratic-led House passed legislation in July to revive a 1990s-era ban on certain semi-automatic
guns, with Biden’s vocal support. And the president pushed the weapons ban nearly everywhere he campaigned this year.

Congress has shown reluctance to outlaw AR-15s and other assault-style guns. The Democratic-controlled
House passed a ban in July. However, the bill stands little chance of advancing in the Senate, where 10
Republicans would need to join a unified Democratic caucus to break the stonewall.

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Former Elle columnist E. Jean Carroll sued former President Donald Trump for the second time on Thursday, alleging defamation and battery under a new law in New York that allows adult sexual assault victims to file claims that would otherwise be barred by the passage of time.

Carroll sued Trump in federal court in New York for battery after he allegedly “forcibly raped and groped” her in a Bergdorf Goodman dressing room in the 1990s. The suit further alleges that Carroll suffered injuries causing significant pain and suffering, lasting psychological harms, loss of dignity, and invasion of her privacy.” 

The civil lawsuit accuses Trump of the following: 1. rape in the first degree; 2. Rape in the third degree; 3. sexual abuse in the first degree; 4. sexual abuse in the third degree; 5. sexual misconduct, and 6. forcible touching. Carroll’s attorney, Roberta Kaplan, said at a court hearing that her client “intends to hold Donald Trump accountable not only for defaming her but also for sexually assaulting her, which he did years ago in a dressing room at Bergdorf Goodman.” Carroll is requesting that the court grant her an unspecified amount in damages.  

Trump, who has denied the allegations against him, said in a statement that Carroll “completely made up a story that I met her at the doors of this crowded New York City Department Store and, within minutes, ‘swooned’ her. It is a Hoax and a lie, just like all the other Hoaxes that have been played on me for the past seven years.”

The post E. Jean Carroll Files New Lawsuit Against Donald Trump Alleging Defamation and Battery appeared first on The Source.

Following Nancy Pelosi’s resignation as the Democratic leader of the House, the spotlight has fallen on
New York Representative Hakeem Jefferies, has announced his intention to run for the soon-to-be
vacated leadership position and seems poised to assume that position, pending the Democrats’
Congressional leadership elections on November 30.
Jefferies was born and raised in Brooklyn and attended New York City public schools before getting his
B.A. from Binghamton University, his Masters from Georgetown University, and his J.D. from New York
University School of Law. In 2006 he was elected to represent New York’s 57th Assembly District, where
he gained notoriety for authoring and pushing through a bill to end the NYPD’s practice of keeping a
stop-and-frisk database of every single person they stopped and questioned.
In 2012, Jefferies was elected to the U.S. of Representatives, winning over 70% of the vote in New York’s
8th District, which covers parts of Brooklyn and Queens. In 2014 he was elected whip of the
Congressional Black Caucus, and in 2018 he was elected Democratic Caucus Chair.
While Jefferies has sponsored bills focused on criminal justice reform, affordable medication access, and
drug policy, he is a centrist democrat with a history of oppressing the progressive wing of his party. In
In 2021 he founded a political action committee called Team Blue PAC for the purpose of protecting
Democratic incumbents from progressive primary challengers. Jefferies’ efforts to boost centrist
candidates at the expense of progressive candidates in New York City elections have met with mixed
results.
The difficulty Jefferies now faces is that the progressive bloc in Congress is more prominent and better organized
than before, and Jefferies will need their support. As the incoming minority leader, it is critical
that he oversees a disciplined and unified response to the actions of the slim Republican majority.
In interviews, Jefferies has acknowledged and expressed his respect for his progressive colleagues, such
as fellow New York Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. In his letter announcing his run for leader,
Jefferies wrote that “we can unify around an agenda designed to make life better for everyday
Americans from all walks of life, and simultaneously embrace issues of social justice with the promise of
the Constitution.”

The post Brooklyn’s Own Hakeem Jefferies Poised To Become Top Democrat In Congress appeared first on The Source.

The Biden administration on Tuesday announced it will extend the freeze on federal student
loan payments to June 2023. This is the eighth extension since March 2020.

Secretary Miguel Cardano tweeted Tuesday afternoon that the U.S. Department of
Education is extending the student loan payment pause until there’s a resolution in the
lawsuits against the administration’s student loan relief plan, which could grant up to
$20,000 in forgiveness to millions of borrowers.

“I’m confident that our student debt relief plan is legal. But it’s on hold because Republican
officials want to block it,” President Biden said in a statement.   The pause was initially set to
expire on Dec. 31, after Biden extended it in August around the same time he announced the
student loan forgiveness program. At the time, the White House called that extension “one final
time.” But the administration had also intended for its student loan forgiveness program to
begin canceling up to $20,000 in debt for low- and middle-income borrowers before January.

The program has yet to be implemented as it faces several legal challenges.

The post President Biden Hits Pause on Student Loans One More Time appeared first on The Source.

Los Angeles. New York. Chicago. Houston. Mayor-elect Rep. Karen Bass will be sworn in as Los Angeles mayor in December, making the nation’s four largest cities officially run by Black people.

According to CNN, Bass is a six-term congresswoman representing both south and west Los Angeles. Her swearing-in is on Dec. 12.

“As Black mayors continue to win elections this cycle, we are excited that, for the first time, the four largest cities – New York City, Los Angeles, Chicago & Houston – are each led by an African American mayor,” the African American Mayors Association said in a statement.

New York City is represented by Mayor Eric Adams, a retired New York Police Department captain. While Chicago is currently in campaign season for 2019-elect MAyor Lori Lightfoot and her competitors. Houston is currently served by Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner.

Phyllis Dickerson, CEO of the African American Mayors Association, notes Black mayors are able to lend their experience to social issues that may have previously gone unidentified by previous regimes.

You can see a report on the election of Karen Bass below.

The post From NY to LA: America’s Four Largest Cities All Have Black Mayors appeared first on The Source.

Nancy Pelosi’s run as the Democratic Party’s chamber leader in the House of Representatives will come to a close. In a Thursday (Nov. 17) announcement, Pelosi stated she will not seek re-election.

“With great confidence in our caucus I will not seek re-election to Democratic leadership in the next Congress,” Pelosi said, according to NBC News.

Pelosi’s first stint as House Speaker was from 2007 to 2011. She would assume the role again in 2019.

The Republican Party flipped control of the House of Representatives in last week’s midterm election.

The husband of Hosue Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Paul Pelosi, was “violently assaulted” by a home intruder two weeks ago.

According to ABC News, a suspect is in custody after entering the Pelosi’s home. 82-year-old Paul Pelosi suffered “significant” injuries.

The suspect entered the Pelosi home through the side door with a hammer. The suspect was reportedly looking for the House speaker, who was in Washington D.C., with her protective detail.

The post Nancy Pelosi Will Not Seek Re-Election as Democratic Leader in Congress appeared first on The Source.

Former President Donald Trump announced that he’s running for President again and used Sam & Dave’s 1966 hit, “Hold On, I’m Comin’,” during his campaign rally, which has prompted legal action from Isaac Hayes’s estate.

The estate of the late singer is exploring their legal options since Trump was not granted permission or clearance to use the song in any capacity. Hayes’s official Twitter account tweeted, “Once again, the estate and family of Isaac Hayes DID NOT approve the use of ‘Hold On I’m Coming’ by Sam and Dave by Donald Trump at his 2024 Presidential announcement tonight,”

This isn’t the first time Trump has been involved with the unauthorized usage of an artist’s work. Prince’s estate and The Village People have also called out the Former President for unauthorized usage. Lionel Richie, and others, drafted a letter to Trump warning them to seek permission before using their music during their respective political events. 

“This is the only way to effectively protect your candidates from legal risk, unnecessary public controversy, and the moral quagmire that comes from falsely claiming or implying an artist’s support or distorting an artists’ expression in such a high stakes public way,” Billboard reports.

The post Isaac Hayes’ Estate to Trump ‘Hold On, I’m Comin’… to Court appeared first on The Source.

Donald Trump has formally announced his intention to run for President again in 2024. The Tuesday night announcement balks at Republicans who believe the former President’s party negatively influences their party.

The New York Times notes that Trump’s announcement is in part a hope to deflect investigations into him and come while votes from the midterm election are counted. A presumed red wave from Republicans fell flat during the election, and Trump’s influence has been a point of blame for the performance not living up to expectations.

In addition, Trump is believed to see another run at the White House will aid in casting doubt into investigations, citing them as politically driven, and provide pushback on prosecutors aiming to bring criminal charges against him.

The preferred candidate for the Republican Party is Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, who just won re-election in his state via a landslide. After his sizeable win and Trump’s endorsed candidate failing to secure their positions, The New York Post ran “Trumpty Dumpty” as front page news and crowned DeSantis “DeFuture.”

Trump’s speech was lengthy and cut away from by various news networks, including right-leaning Fox News. During his rally, Trump falsely stated he completed the border wall, said he would easily win, and attacked President Joe Biden.

In response, Biden fired off a simple tweet:

The post Trump Declares 2024 Presidential Run, Says He Would ‘Easily Win’ appeared first on The Source.