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Trump claims he can’t get a fair trial in DC as latest indictment dominates GOP primary | CNN Politics

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Trump claims he can’t get a fair trial in DC as latest indictment dominates GOP primary | CNN Politics




CNN
 — 

Former President Donald Trump, who is facing charges in Washington, DC for allegedly conspiring to overturn the results of the 2020 election, claimed on Sunday that he wouldn’t receive a fair trial in the nation’s capital as he continues to rail against his latest indictment.

“No way I can get a fair trial, or even close to a fair trial, in Washington, D.C. There are many reasons for this, but just one is that I am calling for a federal takeover of this filthy and crime ridden embarrassment to our nation,” Trump said in a Truth Social post.

If he were to ask in court to move his federal criminal case out of Washington, DC, the former president would join three dozen January 6, 2021, riot defendants who have asked to move their cases out of DC.

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No judges – even those appointed by Trump – have ever agreed. And appeals courts and other judges have overwhelmingly kept high-profile cases in the districts where charges are filed.

Several January 6 defendants have argued that there’s been too much pretrial publicity in DC for a fair trial and that the jury pool in the city would be too biased.

But the Supreme Court has previously held that trials can still be fair even if they have received widespread publicity, and the DC District Court has used specific questioning of potential jurors and instructions to try to ensure fair trials for January 6 defendants.

Just last week, prosecutors argued against a Capitol riot defendant’s change of venue request in the DC federal court, arguing that many politically known defendants, including Trump’s adviser Roger Stone, have been fairly tried in the downtown Washington courthouse.

The court also refused to move the trial of the co-conspirators of Richard Nixon in the Watergate scandal, at a time when the city was also voting heavily Democratic.

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“The fact that most District residents voted against Donald Trump does not mean those residents could not impartially consider the evidence against those charged in connection with the events on January 6,” Justice Department prosecutors wrote in a court filing at the end of July – an assertion that the judges of the DC District Court have widely agreed.

Still, Trump attorney John Lauro on Sunday cast doubt on the idea that Trump could receive a fair trial in the nation’s capital. In an interview on CBS’ “Face The Nation,” Lauro suggested West Virginia as a more diverse alternative.

“We would like a diverse venue. A diverse jury … that reflects the characteristics of the American people,” Lauro said. Speaking to CNN’s Dana Bash on “State of the Union” Sunday, Lauro also advocated for cameras in the courtroom in order to show the public “what kind of prosecution is going on.”

When Lauro expressed similar concerns about a fair trial at Trump’s arraignment last week, the magistrate judge responded: “I can guarantee everybody that there will be a fair process and fair trial in this court. So let me just respond to that comment, Mr. Lauro, I’m certain of that.”

The DC appeals court has found that voting patterns shouldn’t play into where a trial is held and that national news coverage can work against the need to move a trial.

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“Scandal at the highest levels of the federal government is simply not a local crime of peculiar interest to the residents of the District of Columbia,” the DC Circuit Court of Appeals found about the Watergate conspirators’ trial in 1976.

DC jurors on major January 6 cases, including an Oath Keepers seditious conspiracy case, sometimes spend days deliberating and have delivered nuanced verdicts, including some acquittals.

Trump’s latest indictment comes against the backdrop of the 2024 GOP primary contest. Republican candidates have largely sought to walk a fine line between knocking the former president’s growing legal troubles and not alienating his base of supporters.

GOP presidential hopeful Chris Christie on Sunday touted his experience as a prosecutor in the heavily Democratic state of New Jersey on Sunday as he told Bash he always got convictions on political corruption cases.

“So my view is, yeah, I believe jurors can be fair. I believe in the American people. And I believe in the fact that jurors will listen fairly and impartially,” Christie said.

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Former Vice President Mike Pence, who recently made his sharpest condemnation of Trump, told CBS on Sunday he “would hope” Trump can receive a fair trial in Washington.

Notably, according to the law in DC determined during the Watergate conspirators’ case and other appeals court decisions, defendants can ask for a change of venue, but if they are denied, they can’t appeal it until after the trial takes place.

That’s one reason why the January 6 defendants’ trials have gone forward without delay even though so many attempted to move their cases out of Washington, DC.

Other high-profile cases where defendants have tried and failed to move their cases then also failed to overturn their convictions later with appeals include the Enron-related trial of Jeffrey Skilling in Houston and Boston Marathon bomber Dzokhar Tsarnaev, who was tried in Boston.

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Milwaukee residents work to improve quality of life in Washington Park neighborhood

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Milwaukee residents work to improve quality of life in Washington Park neighborhood


A Milwaukee organization is stepping up to improve life for families in Washington Park.

From housing and safety to youth programs and economic growth, Rooted & Rising is leading the charge. The group is working closely with residents to ensure their voices are heard and their needs are met.

Finding quality child care has been a challenge for many families in Washington Park, but Rooted & Rising is determined to change that by expanding early childhood programs and providing more resources for working parents.

“The children are our future, and it’s up to us to make sure they become exactly who they need to be,” said Kayla Davis, director of early childhood education.

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Kayla Davis – Director of Early Childhood Education

But child care is just one part of the bigger picture. The organization has created a Quality of Life Plan, a resident-led initiative tackling major issues like housing, food security, and unemployment. The goal is to build a stronger, more connected community.

“It’s like a blueprint, and it helps in different areas that are needed,” said Megan Thomas, a member of Rooted & Rising.

Megan Thomas, Rooted & Rising People And Culture Cooridinator

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Megan Thomas, Rooted & Rising People And Culture Cooridinator

For Washington Park residents like Steven Hunter, the changes are making a real difference.

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Watch: Residents work to improve quality of life in Washington Park neighborhood

Milwaukee residents work to improve quality of life in Washington Park neighborhood

“We always say it takes a village. Everyone has a part. People feel more hope, and they understand there is a pathway to be involved. Their voice matters,” Hunter said.

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Steven Hunter, Washington Park Resident

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Steven Hunter, Washington Park Resident

Angela Pruitt, who has lived in the neighborhood for 30 years, has seen both its struggles and its potential. She believes the community must invest in itself to create real change.

“This is our community. We’re investors. In order to get something back, we have to put in the work and help it become a better place,” Pruitt said.

Angela Pruitt, Washington Park Resident for 30 years

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Angela Pruitt, Washington Park Resident for 30 years

Rooted & Rising plans to expand its efforts—adding more child care options, supporting local businesses, and working to make streets safer. But they say real progress comes when the whole community gets involved.

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Key focus areas of the Quality of Life Plan include:

-Youth Development & Education: Providing after-school programs, mentorship opportunities, and educational workshops to prepare young residents for successful futures.

-Health & Wellness and Food Security: Promoting holistic health through community health fairs, mental health support, access to healthy food options, and fitness programs.

-Economic Development: Supporting local businesses, creating job opportunities, and offering financial literacy classes to empower residents economically.

-Public Safety: Establishing neighborhood watch programs, community policing efforts, and initiatives that foster unity and cooperation among residents.

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-Housing: Developing affordable, safe housing and promoting urban gardening projects, clean-up drives, and sustainability education.

Rooted & Rising – Washington Park Residents

Rooted & Rising

Rooted & Rising – Washington Park Residents

Through community collaborative efforts and a focus on resident-driven initiatives, Rooted & Rising – Washington Park strives to build a stronger, more resilient community for all its residents.

“It’s a way of finding a solution instead of just throwing in the towel,” Thomas said.

Hunter agrees, believing that with a clear plan, Milwaukee can continue moving forward.

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Washington Park Residents Work On the Quality Of Life Plan

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Washington Park Residents Work On the Quality Of Life Plan

“I love Milwaukee, and I know good things happen when there’s a plan,” he said.

Pruitt remains hopeful and committed to the process.

“We’ve come a long way, but we still have a long way to go. And we’re dedicated to making it happen,” Pruitt said.

Washington Park Residents Work On the Quality Of Life Plan

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Washington Park Residents Work On the Quality Of Life Plan

As for Davis, she encourages families to see the work for themselves.

“We offer so much—come check us out!” Davis said.

Rooted & Rising – Washington Park is hosting its 2nd Annual Rooted & Rising Bowling Fundraiser Thursday, Feb. 27, 4:30-7:00 p.m.

Rooted & Rising – Washington Park Bowling Fundraiser

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Rooted & Rising – Washington Park Bowling Fundraiser

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Poland’s Duda criticised for chat with Trump in Washington – Euractiv

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Poland’s Duda criticised for chat with Trump in Washington – Euractiv


WARSAW – Polish President Andrzej Duda faced criticism from the ruling coalition over his meeting with Donald Trump in Washington at a conservative event, with many politicians suggesting that the US leader had snubbed his Polish counterpart.

The two leaders met on the sidelines of the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) at the Gaylord National Convention Centre in National Harbor, near Washington, for a 10-minute conversation that touched on the US military presence in Poland and ending the war in Ukraine, Duda said.

“Backstage at CPAC, President Trump met with President Andrzej Duda of Poland and reaffirmed our close alliance. President Trump also praised President Andrzej Duda for Poland’s commitment to increase their defence spending,” the White House wrote on X.

“There is no fear that the US presence in Poland will decrease. Donald Trump said he would rather expect an increase in the US presence with regard to Poland,” Duda told reporters after the meeting.

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In his conversation with Trump, Duda said he tried to stress the strategic importance of NATO’s eastern flank. He also mentioned that he told Pete Hegseth that Poland should move forward with the “Fort Trump” project.

Unveiled in 2018, ‘Fort Trump’ was Poland’s proposal for a permanent US military base on its territory, although the project is yet to be implemented.

According to Duda, Trump acknowledged the project and reassured him that there was no reason for concern as “Poland is one of the most credible allies”, both militarily and economically.

A ‘Slap in the face’

Duda’s visit was criticised by the ruling coalition.

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Marcin Bosacki, a Civic Platform MP and member of the parliament’s Foreign Affairs Committee, condemned the lack of professionalism in the organisation of the meeting, pointing to the long wait and short conversation.

Even though the idea of a Duda-Trump meeting was laudable, “everything was done wrong,” he said on X.

“The Polish president did not present Poland’s position, either at the CPAC conference or […] during a joint press briefing with Trump,” he wrote, adding that Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, meanwhile, “used the opportunity to present his own – pro-Russian and anti-European – views.”

“Duda went to the US as a head of state, not as a representative of PiS [the party he used to belong to],” Civic Platform MEP Krzysztof Brejza told Radio Zet, adding that Duda should be treated with the seriousness he deserves and that the visit should have been better planned.

Joanna Scheuring-Wielgus, an MEP of the New Left party, pointed out that although the brief meeting could be perceived as a “slap in the face”, any such meeting was valuable in the current situation. “I would urge caution with emotions, because in reality we don’t know what was discussed during the meeting,” she told Radio Zet.

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Prime Minister Donald Tusk also said the situation should be treated seriously.

“There is nothing to laugh about. Let’s be serious because the [security] situation is getting really serious,” he said.

‘A friend is not belittled’

The secretary of state in the president’s office, Andrzej Dera, told Polsat News on Sunday that he didn’t think the fact that the conversation was brief indicated a lack of respect for the Polish president, noting that Trump had referred to Duda as a friend.

“A friend is not belittled […] You speak differently with a friend. There’s no need for long hours of negotiations or talks; with a friend, you speak directly and to the point,” he said.

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Dera also commented on a post by Donald Tusk, which he saw as a veiled mockery.

“He continuously shows his spitefulness and immaturity in what he does, because the post may seem serious, but it also reveals something that shouldn’t be happening,” he assessed.

Tusk’s government has a frosty relationship with Duda, whom it accuses of favouring his old party, the consevative PiS. It hopes the May elections, in which Duda cannot run for another term due to constitutional limits, will allow it to gain full power in Poland.

The current mayor of Warsaw, Rafał Trzaskowski, who is running for president as the candidate of Tusk’s Civic Platform (PO, EPP), is leading the presidential polls ahead of PiS’s Karol Nawrocki.

(Aleksandra Krzysztoszek | Euractiv.pl)

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Three stars from Iowa basketball’s 85-79 win vs. Washington

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Three stars from Iowa basketball’s 85-79 win vs. Washington


After another frustrating losing skid that spanned the previous two games, Iowa basketball (15-12, 6-10 Big Ten) got back in the win column Saturday evening with an 85-79 victory over Washington (13-14, 4-12) from Carver-Hawkeye Arena.

Offensively, the Hawkeyes shot a respectable 26-for-55 (47.3%) from the floor, including 10-for-21 (47.6%) from beyond the arc and 23-of-26 (88.5%]) from the charity stripe. Defensively, Iowa forced 11 Washington turnovers, including six steals and two blocks. The Hawkeyes converted those 11 turnovers into 19 points, helping power Iowa to victory.

With the win, the Hawkeyes created much-needed breathing room among those fighting to qualify for the Big Ten Tournament as the regular season winds down. Iowa now resides in a 14th-place tie with Rutgers (Iowa holds a head-to-head advantage), one game ahead of 16th-place Northwestern.

Here are the three stars from Iowa basketball’s Saturday triumph over Washington.

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Payton Sandfort

As he has done regularly throughout the season, Sandfort powered the Hawkeyes offensively by contributing 27 points on 7-for-18 (38.9%) from the floor, 1-for-5 (20%) from deep, and 12-for-13 (92.3%) from the free-throw line in a full 40-minute effort. The senior also registered nine rebounds (all defensive rebounds), two assists, and one block to add to his impressive night.

Sandfort’s stellar performance is nothing new but is always worth appreciating as he continues to pour his heart and soul into the program in his final year of eligibility.

For the Hawkeyes to qualify for the Big Ten Tournament, Sandfort must continue his torrid offensive play as the regular season wraps up.

Josh Dix

Dix had another impactful night for the Hawkeyes, scoring 15 points on 5-10 (50%) from the floor, 2-for-3 (66.7%) from long-range, and 3-for-4 (75%) from the charity stripe in 33 minutes of action. The junior guard also added three rebounds and three assists to his total on the night.

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Given Owen Freeman’s season-ending injury, Dix’s recent uptick in offensive production from the third-scoring option to the secondary has been crucial for the Hawkeyes’ ability to compete against the rugged Big Ten schedule.

As Iowa battles down the home stretch of the regular season, the Hawkeyes will need to see Dix continue to bring the same impact for the team to have hopes of qualifying for the Big Ten Tournament.

Brock Harding

Harding had a quietly impactful game for the Hawkeyes, contributing 11 points off 4-for-7 (57.1%) from the floor and 3-for-5 (60%) from deep in 25 minutes of action. He also registered five assists, four rebounds, and two steals to close out his night.

While Harding’s tertiary scoring role has limited his offensive impact, his clutch three-point baskets allowed Iowa to stay level with the Huskies near the end of the first half and at the start of the second half.

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Iowa will travel on the road for their next matchup as they visit State Farm Center in Champaign, Ill., for a Tuesday night clash vs. Illinois (17-11, 9-8). Fortunately for Iowa, Illinois has lost three consecutive games heading into Tuesday’s meeting, including its worst loss in program history in a landslide 110-67 Saturday night defeat against No. 3 Duke.

The game will be broadcast on FS1, with a tipoff scheduled for 8 p.m. CT. The game will also be available through the air on the Hawkeyes Radio Network.

Contact/Follow us @HawkeyesWire on X and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Iowa news, notes, and opinions. Follow Scout on X: @SpringgateNews



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