OnPolitics: Judge approves special master to review documents from Trump's Mar-a-Lago

Good afternoon, OnPolitics readers!

Hope you all enjoyed the Labor Day weekend.

President Joe Biden dismissed criticisms Monday that he is vilifying Republicans by calling former President Donald Trump's supporters extremists and threats to democracy.

A quick recap of Biden's speech: Biden last week warned in a prime-time address in Philadelphia that equality and democracy were "under assault" in the United States and singled out Trump by name. He accused the former president and his supporters of stoking political violence with their refusal to accept the results of the 2020 election.

Republicans and some Democrats have accused Biden of fueling divisions for likening Trump's Make America Great Again movement to "semi-fascism."

"I want to be very clear upfront. Not every Republican is a MAGA-Republican. Not every Republican embraces that extreme ideology. I know because I've been able to work with mainstream Republicans my whole career," Biden said in a Labor Day speech in Milwaukee.

"But the extreme-minded Republicans in Congress have chosen to go backwards, full of anger, violence, hate and division, but together we can, and we must choose a different path."

It's Amy and Ella with today's top stories out of Washington.

Judge approves special master review of documents from Trump's Mar-a-Lago estate

A federal judge in Florida approved former President Donald Trump's request Monday for a special master to review documents seized during a search of his estate Mar-a-Lago, which included secret and top-secret records, and temporarily halted the Justice Department's criminal investigation of the records.

U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannon authorized the appointment to review the documents for potential claims of attorney-client privilege or executive privilege, or to prevent government lawyers from reading those documents.

What is a special master? A special master is a third-party individual – who is frequently, but not always, an attorney – appointed by a court to oversee aspects of a case, according to Cornell University's Legal Information Institute.

The judge ruled that Trump's position as a former president meant the seizure of documents carried a stigma "in a league of its own" and that any future indictment "would result in reputational harm."

Cannon, who also called for a temporary halt to the federal inquiry until a document review is completed, asked Trump's team and the government to submit potential candidates for the special master role by Friday. She ruled that the director of national intelligence could continue to review the documents to determine risks to national security.

"As Plaintiff articulated at the hearing, the investigation and treatment of a former president is of unique interest to the general public, and the country is served best by an orderly process that promotes the interest and perception of fairness,” Cannon wrote.

Real quick: Stories you’ll want to read about 2022 midterms

As summer nears its end, the 2022 midterm election is right around the corner. Read up on USA TODAY’s coverage of the upcoming November elections.

• Senate control: Republicans once were favored to reclaim control of the Senate. But primary victories by some Trump-backed candidates have made that prospect, like the current Senate: 50-50.

• TV ads, takeout food and 'campaign attire': With a little more than two months to go, incumbents and challengers alike so far have poured millions of dollars into the midterm elections. Some of what they've spent on run the gamut.

• Abortion, slavery and marijuana: Forget waiting for Congress or state legislatures to act. This year’s midterm elections are offering voters an opportunity to shape public policy directly in the form of various state ballot initiatives that deal with major national issues. Here are the key initiatives to watch.

• Midterm rules: Many state laws passed in response to false claims of voter fraud drew quick lawsuits. But as the courts work through the challenges, some of those restrictions will remain in place for midterm elections.

• Judiciary branch's role: The justices of the Supreme Court often view themselves as steering clear of politics. But steering clear of elections? That's not really an option.

• Two months to go: Instead of a sweeping red wave, will November's elections be defined by a strong blue line? Read USA TODAY Washington Bureau Chief Susan Page's analysis.

Federal student loan forgiveness could be taxed as income in some states

Austin Hammond and his wife may be able to buy a home sooner than expected because of the debt relief President Joe Biden announced in August.

But Hammond, a 25-year-old nonprofit outreach coordinator in Wisconsin, was surprised to learn that, under current state law, he will have to pay income tax on his $10,000 of debt forgiveness even though it’s exempt from federal taxes.

“I think it would be really disappointing to have this opportunity to help working class people, and then have the state legislature cut into that by making them pay a tax on something that is supposed to give them a head start and a foot forward,” he said.

Hammond is in one of a handful of states where, at least for now, borrowers getting relief may have to factor in a higher tax bill. Others include Minnesota, North Carolina, Mississippi and Arkansas.

That difference among states adds to the complexity of a new program that an estimated 43 million borrowers are trying to figure out and could fuel political battles in states where changing the taxability will require cooperation from Republicans.

Massachusetts' primaries are quiet compared to others as nominating season is winding down, but there are a few races to watch on Tuesday night. Here are three races to keep an eye on. --Ella & Amy

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Judge approves special master to review Mar-a-Lago documents