Trump news – live: Trump Organization CFO Weisselberg sentenced as ex-president blasts border, Biden papers

Donald Trump has baselessly accused President Joe Biden of sharing US secrets with China, after it emerged that classified documents from his time as vice president had been discovered at a think tank in Washington DC.

Mr Biden’s attorneys said they found the government materials in a private office at the Penn Biden Center in November, prompting a Justice Department investigation.

Mr Trump jumped on the news, claiming – without any evidence – that the president handed the documents to China.

“The Biden giving China Highly Classified Documents would be a bridge too far. I certainly wouldn’t do that. Not a good situation for our Country to be in,” he ranted on his Truth Social platform.

This comes as Mr Trump is currently under investigation for mishandling government records after leaving office.

Also on Monday, a grand jury in Fulton County, Georgia, concluded its probe into Mr Trump’s alleged attempt to overturn the state’s 2020 election results. The county’s district attorney will decide whether to file charges by the end of the month.

Meanwhile, Mr Trump continues to remain silent about the attack on Brazil‘s national Congress that mirrored the January 6 attack on the US Capitol.

Key points

• Trump baselessly accuses Biden of sharing secrets with China

• Trump fumes over classified documents found at Biden think tank

• Georgia grand jury concludes investigation into election fraud

• Trump calls for primary challenges to Senate Republicans

• Trump silent on Brazil attack by Bolsonaro supporters

Biden classified papers included memos on Ukraine, Iran, UK

20:30 , Oliver O'Connell

The classified papers discovered in a think tank office formerly used by Joe Biden included memos on Ukraine, Iran and the United Kingdom which reportedly date back to Mr Biden’s second term as vice president during the Obama administration.

Andrew Feinberg reports.

Classified papers found in Biden office included memos on Ukraine, Iran and UK

Trump mourns conservative commentator ‘Diamond’ Lynnette Hardaway of Diamond and Silk

20:00 , Oliver O'Connell

Former president Donald Trump mourned the death of one-half of his ardent supporting duo of “Diamond and Silk”, as Diamond Lynnette Hardaway passed away on Monday night.

“Really bad news for Republicans and frankly, all Americans,” wrote Mr Trump on his social media site Truth Social. “Our beautiful Diamond, of Diamond and Silk, has just passed away at her home in the State she loves so much, North Carolina.”

Namita Singh reports.

Trump announces death of conservative commentator ‘Diamond’ of Diamond and Silk

Weisselberg sentenced to five months in jail

19:45 , Oliver O'Connell

The former longtime chief financial officer of the Trump Organization has been sentenced to five months in jail after pleading guilty to several tax crimes stemming from a sweeping investigation into Donald Trump’s business empire.

Allen Weisselberg pleaded guilty to 15 violations of New York tax law in August after prosecutors accused him of participating in a years-long “systemic” fraud scheme and a “sweeping and audacious illegal payment” arrangement in which Trump companies paid him generous benefits – including free rent, luxury car leases, and private school tuition for his grandchildren – that were not reported for tax purposes.

Alex Woodward reports.

Trump’s longtime chief financial officer jailed for five months for tax fraud scheme

What we know so far about the classified Biden documents found at think tank

19:30 , Oliver O'Connell

Attorney General Merrick Garland has advised the US attorney in Chicago to review a number of potentially classified documents taken from the Penn Biden Center for Diplomacy and Global Engagement in Washington DC — including potentially classfied documents from President Joe Biden’s vice presidential office.

Here’s what we know so far:

Everything we know so far about classified Biden documents found at think tank

Allen Weisselberg arrives for sentencing in Trump Organization case

19:15 , Oliver O'Connell

Allen Weisselberg, a longtime executive for Donald Trump's real estate empire whose testimony helped convict the former president’s company of tax fraud, is set this afternoon for dodging taxes on $1.7m in job perks.

New York Judge Juan Manuel Merchan is expected to sentence Weisselberg, a senior Trump Organization adviser and former chief financial officer, to five months in jail, in keeping with a plea agreement reached in August.

Read on:

Trump's longtime CFO faces sentencing for tax fraud scheme

Watch: Scalise says press not asking same questions of Biden about classified docs

19:00 , Oliver O'Connell

Key differences between the Trump and Biden classified documents

18:54 , Oliver O'Connell

Trump: ‘When is the FBI going to raid Joe Biden?’

18:30 , Oliver O'Connell

Former President and current presidential candidate Donald Trump fumed on Monday evening after a CBS News report said that potentially classified documents were discovered at a Washington DC think tank by President Joe Biden’s personal attorneys.

Abe Asher filed this report.

Trump rages after classified Obama-Biden docs found at think tank

Trump wonders why Justice Department said nothing about Biden papers before election

18:15 , Oliver O'Connell

Former president Donald Trump griped on Tuesday that the Department of Justice had said nothing about the classified documents discovered at the Biden-linked think tank in Washington, DC, despite knowing about them days before the 2022 midterm elections.

He pondered on Truth Social: “Why didn’t the ‘Justice’ Department announce the Highly Classified documents found in the Biden Office before the Election?”

Mr Trump has frequently alleged that the Justice Department and FBI have been weaponised against him and sees his treatment following the discovery of the large cache of classified material at his Florida home as being in sharp contrast from that of the current president.

The circumstances of the discovery of documents and response from the Trump and Biden teams have been markedly different.

Trump vows to destroy cartels (again)

18:00 , Oliver O'Connell

In a statement released on Tuesday morning, former president Donald Trump claimed he would once again secure the border by destroying the cartels that he alleges President Joe Biden has allowed to “destroy the border”.

Mr Trump says:

So interesting to see that people are talking about the Border. When I was running in 2016, I was the only one talking about it, and then in 2020, there was nothing to talk about, because the Border was the best it has ever been, drugs were at the lowest point in the last 40 years, our Border was secure with hundreds of miles of Wall built, and Mexican Soldiers were guarding our Border for free. So, before the Election took place, I couldn’t talk about the Border, because the Border wasn’t a problem. I fixed it.

He continues:

It’s amazing what has happened in two years, because now the Border is probably our biggest bone of contention, along with everyone being killed in Ukraine, the Afghanistan Withdrawal which was perhaps our worst Military Withdrawal in History, our Economy that is crashing, and Inflation eating us alive. Biden has allowed the cartels to destroy the Border, and I’ll destroy the cartels!

Schumer warns GOP that 2022 midterms should be a warning to party

17:30 , Oliver O'Connell

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer says the 2022 midterm results should be a warning sign to Republicans in the chamber. He told Morning Joe on Tuesday: “If they follow the hard, hard-right — the MAGA right — it's sort of like following Thelma and Louise over the cliff.”

Watch below:

Baked Alaska sentenced to prison for Capitol riot role

17:23 , Oliver O'Connell

Far-right internet troll and streaming personality Anthime Gionet, better known as Baked Alaska, has been sentenced to 60 days in prison with two years of probation for his role in the attack on the US Capitol in 2021.

The conspiracy theorist was sentenced in US District Court in Washington DC on 10 January. He also is required to pay a $2,000 fine.

Alex Woodward reports.

Far-right troll Baked Alaska sentenced to 60 days in prison for role in Jan 6 riots

Huckabee Sanders to take oath as Arkansas governor

17:00 , Oliver O'Connell

Former White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders will be sworn in as Arkansas‘ 47th governor on Tuesday, assuming a seat her father once held and becoming the first woman to hold the post.

Sanders will take the oath of office in the state House of Representatives before delivering an address to a joint session of the Legislature. The 40-year-old Republican will afterward deliver her inaugural address on the steps of the state Capitol.

Sarah Huckabee Sanders to take oath as Arkansas governor

Watch: CNN panelist claims Biden documents story ‘almost exonerates’ Trump

16:30 , Oliver O'Connell

Queen Elizabeth pressed Meghan Markle for opinion on Trump

16:00 , Oliver O'Connell

Queen Elizabeth II put the future Duchess of Sussex Meghan Markle on the spot at their first meeting by asking her opinion of then-presidential candidate Donald Trump, according to Prince Harry’s new book, Spare.

Andrew Feinberg reports on what was said.

Queen Elizabeth pressed Meghan Markle for opinion on Trump in 2016, book claims

Watch: Why the discovery of Biden classified documents is different from Trump and the Mar-a-Lago papers

15:30 , Oliver O'Connell

MSNBC host Joe Scarborough spent a few minutes on this morning’s edition of Morning Joe giving an amusing explanation of why the discovery of classified documents at the Penn Biden Center think tank in Washington, DC, is completely different from the discovery of a trove of classified material at former president Donald Trump’s Florida home and the protracted efforts to retrieve said items.

Watch below:

Jury chosen for Proud Boys Jan 6 sedition trial

15:00 , Oliver O'Connell

A jury has been chosen for the seditious conspiracy trial of former Proud Boys leader Enrique Tarrio and four other members of the far-right extremist group charged with plotting to stop the transfer of presidential power by attacking the US Capitol after the 2020 election.

Jurors are expected to hear attorneys’ opening statements in Washington‘s federal court on Wednesday after the panel is sworn in, defense attorney Carmen Hernandez said. It’s one of the most serious cases to emerge from the deadly insurrection that halted Congress’ certification of Joe Biden’s presidential election victory.

Read more:

Jury chosen to hear Proud Boys Jan. 6 sedition trial

Trump mourns death of conservative commentator ‘Diamond’ of Diamond and Silk

14:30 , Rachel Sharp

Donald Trump mourned the death of Diamond Lynnette Hardaway – one-half of his ardent supporting duo “Diamond and Silk” – after she died on Monday night.

“Really bad news for Republicans and frankly, all Americans,” wrote Mr Trump on his platform Truth Social.

“Our beautiful Diamond, of Diamond and Silk, has just passed away at her home in the State she loves so much, North Carolina.”

Calling her the “Magnificent Diamond,” he said that her sister Silk Herneitha Rochelle Hardaway was there “with her all the way, and at her passing”.

“There was no better team anywhere or at any time!... Diamond’s death was totally unexpected, probably her big and precious heart just plain gave out. Rest in peace our Magnificent Diamond, you will be greatly missed!”

The daughters of husband and wife Christian evangelists, the two sisters rose to prominence during the 2016 presidential election campaign, as they changed their allegiance from Democrats to Republicans when Mr Trump announced his candidacy for the top post.

Everything we know so far about classified Biden documents found at think tank

14:00 , Rachel Sharp

Attorney General Merrick Garland has advised the US attorney in Chicago to review a number of potentially classified documents taken from the Penn Biden Center for Diplomacy and Global Engagement in Washington DC — including potentially classfied documents from President Joe Biden’s vice presidential office.

Here’s everything we know so far:

Everything we know so far about classified Biden documents found at think tank

Georgia grand jury investigating Trump concludes work

13:30 , Oliver O'Connell

A grand jury convened in Fulton County, Georgia, has concluded its work hearing testimony and evidence regarding whether Donald Trump and his legal team committed crimes in their effort to overturn the state’s 2020 election results.

The decision regarding whether to charge any members of the ex-president’s inner circle or Mr Trump himself now rests in the hands of Fulton County’s district attorney, who will file charges (or not) based on the grand jury’s recommendations.

John Bowden reports.

Georgia grand jury investigating Trump and his legal team concludes work

Trump baselessly accuses Biden of sharing classified documents with China

13:00 , Rachel Sharp

Donald Trump has baselessly accused President Joe Biden of sharing US secrets with China, after it emerged that classified documents from his time as vice president were discovered at a think tank in Washington DC.

Mr Biden’s attorneys said on Monday they found the government materials in a private office at the Penn Biden Center in November, prompting a Justice Department investigation.

Mr Trump jumped on the news, claiming – without any evidence – that the president handed the documents to China.

“The Biden giving China Highly Classified Documents would be a bridge too far. I certainly wouldn’t do that. Not a good situation for our Country to be in,” he ranted on his Truth Social platform.

Mr Trump also retruthed posts from some of his GOP allies slamming Mr Biden and questioned when the FBI would “raid the many homes of Joe Biden, perhaps even the White House?”.

This comes as Mr Trump is currently under investigation for mishandling government records after leaving office.

What differentiates the Jan 6 riots from what happened in Brasilia?

12:30 , Oliver O'Connell

Brazil is reeling after an extraordinary day of political violence on Sunday, during which thousands of supporters of former president Jair Bolsonaro stormed the country’s Congress, Supreme Court and the presidential palace in the capital Brasilia.

Sunday’s unsavoury scenes have inevitably invited comparison to the US Capitol riot of 6 January 2021, taking place two years and two days before, at which misguided supporters of Donald Trump laid siege to the legislative complex in Washington DC, having been similarly duped by the outgoing president’s bogus claim that the November 2020 election had been rigged against him – without his providing any evidence whatsoever and losing multiple court cases on the subject.

Joe Sommerlad explains the differences between the two events.

What are the key differences between the Jan 6 and Brazil riots?

Trump rages after classified Obama-Biden docs found at think tank

12:00 , Rachel Sharp

Former President and current presidential candidate Donald Trump fumed on Monday evening after a CBS News report said that potentially classified documents were discovered at a Washington DC think tank by President Joe Biden’s personal attorneys.

The documents in question came from Mr Biden’s vice presidential office. Mr Biden had an office at the think tank from 2017 to 2020 between his stints in government service. Mr Trump, who is under criminal investigation for his handling of classified documents after leaving the White House two years ago, was none-too-pleased.

“When is the FBI going to raid the many homes of Joe Biden, perhaps even the White House? These documents were definitely not declassified,” Mr Trump wrote on the social media platform Truth Social.

The Independent’s Abe Asher has the full story:

Trump rages after classified Obama-Biden docs found at think tank

What Trump did on January 6

11:30 , Oliver O'Connell

Andrew Feinberg provides a full timeline of what Donald Trump did on 6 January 2021.

We now have a full picture of what Trump did on January 6. Here it is

Premium: A new session of Congress – but the same old problems for the Republicans

10:30 , Oliver O'Connell

A new session of Congress – but the same old problems for Republicans

Judge rejects Trump’s claim that fraud lawsuit against him is ‘witch hunt’

08:30 , Oliver O'Connell

A New York judge has swatted down Donald Trump’s attempt to dismiss a $250m fraud lawsuit against him and his family, saying the president’s repeated claims he’s been singled out in a political “witch hunt” are “frivolous.”

Josh Marcus has the story.

Judge rejects Trump’s claim that $250m fraud lawsuit against him is ‘witch hunt’

Marjorie Taylor Greene backs away from QAnon history

06:30 , Oliver O'Connell

Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene has more than most to celebrate as the new GOP majority takes power in the House of Representatives, and is doing all she can to engineer a Capitol Hill comeback as a result.

Over the weekend she backed away from the QAnon conspiracy theories she espoused that thrust her into the national spotlight.

John Bowden reports.

Marjorie Taylor Greene backs away from QAnon history

Bannon calls Bolsonaro protesters ‘freedom fighters’

04:30 , Oliver O'Connell

Former White House chief strategist Steve Bannon lauded supporters of Brazil’s former president and Trump ally Jair Bolsonaro who stormed the Congress and other government buildings in capital Brasilia.

Thousands of people attacked the country’s Congress, supreme court and the presidential palace in violence reminiscent of the US Capitol insurrection that took place two years ago.

“Brazilian Freedom Fighters,” wrote the far-right Donald Trump ally in a post on Sunday on conservative social media app Gettr after Bolsonaro supporters broke through a blockade set up by security forces and invaded the government buildings.

Alisha Rahaman Sarkar reports.

Steve Bannon calls Bolsonaro protesters ‘freedom fighters’

Brian Kemp aims to steer GOP past Trump

02:30 , Oliver O'Connell

Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp is done being underestimated.

Having vanquished both a Donald Trump-backed Republican challenger and Democratic star Stacey Abrams to win reelection, Kemp is looking to expand his influence in his second term, free from the caricature of the gun-toting, pickup-driving, migrant-catching country boy that emerged during his first campaign for governor.

A new vision of Kemp steering his party toward a non-Trumpian conservatism made its debut in his November victory speech after it became clear that he had defeated Abrams by a much larger margin in their rematch than he had in their tight 2018 matchup.

Kemp done being underestimated, aims to steer GOP past Trump

Raskin warns Brazil ‘fascists’ aping Trump rioters ‘must end up’ in jail

01:30 , Oliver O'Connell

A Democrat who helped lead the House January 6 committee’s investigation into Donald Trump and the efforts to overturn the 2020 election became one of the first US officials to respond to a massive protest in Brasilia, where supporters of ousted ex-president Jair Bolsonaro sought to reverse the transfer of power.

It was a chaotic scene that bore inescapable resemblances to the attack on the US Congress almost exactly two years earlier, possibly provoking the reaction from Maryland Congressman Jamie Raskin.

John Bowden has the story.

Jan 6 panel member warns Brazil ‘fascists’ aping Trump rioters ‘must end up’ in jail

Sarah Huckabee Sanders prepares for new role

00:30 , Oliver O'Connell

After running a campaign heavily focused on national politics and her time as President Donald Trump‘s spokeswoman, Sarah Huckabee Sanders says she wants to keep her attention on Arkansas as she takes charge as the state’s 47th governor.

Sanders will be sworn in Tuesday, becoming the first woman governor of Arkansas, her home state. She also is ascending to the post her father, Mike Huckabee, held for more than a decade.

From Trump to governor: Sanders prepares to take on new role

Marjorie Taylor Greene reportedly locked out of Twitter

00:00 , Oliver O'Connell

Rep Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia has reportedly been locked out of Twitter after using one of Dr Dre’s songs in a video that shows her strutting through the halls of Congress after Kevin McCarthy’s election as Speaker of the House.

Dr Dre didn’t appreciate the video’s soundtrack.

Abe Asher reports.

Marjorie Taylor Greene locked out of Twitter after using Dr Dre song in video

Trump claims Ashli Babbitt was shot by a ‘lunatic’ at Capitol riot

Monday 9 January 2023 23:30 , Oliver O'Connell

Donald Trump marked the two-year anniversary of the January 6 Capitol riot by accusing a “lunatic” police officer of shooting protester Ashli Babbitt “for no reason” and reiterating his false claims about a stolen 2020 election.

On Saturday, Mr Trump gave a speech at his Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida, as part of an event surrounding the conservative CPAC conference.

Josh Marcus reports.

Trump claims Capitol rioter Ashli Babbitt was shot by a ‘lunatic’ for ‘no reason’

Meanwhile, in Florida...

Monday 9 January 2023 23:00 , Oliver O'Connell

Former Brazilian president Jair Bolsonaro’s weird new life in Florida explained

What to look out for following the House GOP’s speaker battle

Monday 9 January 2023 22:30 , Oliver O'Connell

After nearly a week of bruised egos and a circus on the House floor, the lower chamber finally has a speaker: Kevin McCarthy.

But the drama isn’t over just because the leadership elections are finally concluded. Mr McCarthy now faces the prospect of presiding over a GOP majority that is as thin in numbers as it is chaotic in temperament. Just nine votes separate the two parties in a chamber that is set to end proxy (remote) voting after two years of relying on the system.

The stage is set for two years of pitched political battles in the lower chamber while Americans prepare to make their choice for 2024.

John Bowden takes a look at why the US House is suddenly becoming the most interesting part of an increasingly divided government:

Five things to look out for following the House GOP’s speaker chaos

Biden jabs Trump with infrastructure tweet

Monday 9 January 2023 22:00 , Oliver O'Connell

Scarborough: Trump responsible for exporting anti-democratic movement to Brazil

Monday 9 January 2023 21:30 , Oliver O'Connell

People across the world are seeing how a former American president, the people around him, and his example on January 6th are now responsible for the exporting of fascism and anti-democratic movements to other countries.

MSNBC Morning Joe host Joe Scarborough.

Watch:

Judge orders unsealing of Trump deposition in E Jean Carroll rape case, then reverses order

Monday 9 January 2023 21:00 , Oliver O'Connell

All “previously redacted portions” excerpted from Donald Trump’s deposition and included as exhibits in writer E Jean Carroll’s lawsuit accusing the former president of rape are to be unsealed, a judge ruled on Monday.

Judge Lewis Kaplan said that Mr Trump’s legal team had not filed a letter explaining why the redactions should remain within three days as was required.

The former president’s legal team replied to Judge Kaplan’s order by stating that they did not oppose unsealing only because of a discrepancy in the original order — it said that the “plaintiff” had the obligation to oppose unsealing within three days, rather than the defendant, Mr Trump.

Judge Kaplan then reversed the order unsealing the deposition, granting Mr Trump’s team three days in which to file a letter opposing the unsealing.

Trump posts all-caps attack on ‘old broken crow’ McConnell

Monday 9 January 2023 20:45 , Oliver O'Connell

Former president Donald Trump has posted another all-caps attack on Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell — and yet again included a racist insult aimed at Elaine Chao, Mr McConnell’s wife.

The all-caps rant accuses Mr McConnell of giving in to Democrats in fights about the debt ceiling. Mr Trump argues that Republicans who fought over making Kevin McCarthy speaker of the House are the “right” negotiators for the next time the issue is tackled.

Judge rejects Trump’s claim that New York fraud lawsuit is ‘witch hunt’

Monday 9 January 2023 20:30 , Oliver O'Connell

A New York judge has swatted down Donald Trump’s attempt to dismiss a $250m fraud lawsuit against him and his family, saying the president’s repeated claims he’s been singled out in a political “witch hunt” are “frivolous.”

In September, New York attorney general Letitia James accused the former president, and his children Donald Trump, Jr, Eric Trump, and Ivanka Trump, of manipulating the value of Trump Organization assets on the order of billions of dollars to receive undue insurance and loan benefits.

On Friday, New York Supreme Court justice Arthur F Engoron overruled Mr Trump’s arguments that Ms James was acting out of political bias and lacked standing to bring the bombshell civil suit, which seeks to bar the Trumps from being an officer in any company registered to do business in the state.

Josh Marcus reports.

Judge rejects Trump’s claim that $250m fraud lawsuit against him is ‘witch hunt’

Rep Mike Rogers steps down from committee role after lunging at Matt Gaetz

Monday 9 January 2023 20:00 , Oliver O'Connell

A GOP lawmaker who was at the centre of an awkward clash on the House floor is stepping down from a major committee after issuing an apology.

Mike Rogers of Alabama was seen being physically restrained by a colleague, Richard Hudson, as he spoke to Matt Gaetz on the floor of the House last Friday. The shocking moment ended after just a few seconds, but the fallout is apparently continuing.

John Bowden reports.

Mike Rogers steps down from committee role after lunging at Matt Gaetz

Key differences between the Jan 6 and Brazil riots

Monday 9 January 2023 19:30 , Oliver O'Connell

Joe Sommerlad explains what differentiates the events in Brasilia over the weekend with what happened at the US Capitol two years and two days before.

What are the key differences between the Jan 6 and Brazil riots?

Sanders prepares to take office as governor

Monday 9 January 2023 19:00 , Oliver O'Connell

After running a campaign heavily focused on national politics and her time as President Donald Trump‘s spokeswoman, Sarah Huckabee Sanders says she wants to keep her attention on Arkansas as she takes charge as the state’s 47th governor.

Sanders will be sworn in Tuesday, becoming the first woman governor of Arkansas, her home state. She also is ascending to the post her father, Mike Huckabee, held for more than a decade.

Sanders, who served nearly two years as White House press secretary, is the best-known former Trump official to assume elected office.

Read more:

From Trump to governor: Sanders prepares to take on new role

Kemp aims to steer GOP past Trump

Monday 9 January 2023 18:30 , Oliver O'Connell

Georgia Governor Brian Kemp is done being underestimated.

Having vanquished both a Donald Trump-backed Republican challenger and Democratic star Stacey Abrams to win reelection, Kemp is looking to expand his influence in his second term, free from the caricature of the gun-toting, pickup-driving, migrant-catching country boy that emerged during his first campaign for governor.

A new vision of Kemp steering his party toward a non-Trumpian conservatism made its debut in his November victory speech after it became clear that he had defeated Abrams by a much larger margin in their rematch than he had in their tight 2018 matchup.

Read more:

Kemp done being underestimated, aims to steer GOP past Trump

Trump ally calls Bolsonaro protesters ‘freedom fighters'

Monday 9 January 2023 18:00 , Oliver O'Connell

Former White House chief strategist Steve Bannon lauded supporters of Brazil’s former president and Trump ally Jair Bolsonaro who stormed the Congress and other government buildings in capital Brasilia.

Thousands of people attacked the country’s Congress, supreme court and the presidential palace in violence reminiscent of the US Capitol insurrection that took place two years ago.

Alisha Rahaman Sarkar has the story.

Steve Bannon calls Bolsonaro protesters ‘freedom fighters’

Brazil’s former president Jair Bolsonaro admitted to hospital

Monday 9 January 2023 17:40 , Oliver O'Connell

Brazil’s former President Jair Bolsonaro was admitted to a hospital in Orlando, Florida, with “abdominal pain,” reports say – a day after some of his hardcore supporters stormed the presidential palace and a number of other federal buildings in capital city of Brasilia.

Chris Stevenson has the latest.

Jair Bolsonaro admitted to hospital in Florida with abdominal pain, reports say

Full story: Georgia grand jury concludes investigation

Monday 9 January 2023 17:30 , Oliver O'Connell

A grand jury convened in Fulton County, Georgia, has concluded its work hearing testimony and evidence regarding whether Donald Trump and his legal team committed crimes in their effort to overturn the state’s 2020 election results.

The decision regarding whether to charge any members of the ex-president’s inner circle or Mr Trump himself now rests in the hands of Fulton County’s district attorney, who will file charges (or not) based on the grand jury’s recommendations.

John Bowden reports.

Georgia grand jury investigating Trump and his legal team concludes work

What is happening now in Brasilia?

Monday 9 January 2023 17:00 , Oliver O'Connell

Hundreds of Brazilian police in riot gear have surrounded a camp of supporters of the far-right former president Jair Bolsonaro outside Brasilia’s military headquarters, as authorities seek to punish those who stormed the presidential palace and other federal buildings on Sunday.

Authorities, including president Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, have promised swift retribution for the violence, with Bolsonaro supporters having launched the assault on the congressional building, the Supreme Court and the Planalto Presidential Palace to protest against Lula.

The Independent’s Chris Stevenson reports.

Images reveal Brazil riot damage as police clear pro-Bolsonaro supporter camps

Trump silent on Brazil attack by Bolsonaro supporters

Monday 9 January 2023 16:30 , Oliver O'Connell

A conservative candidate loses re-election and attacks the integrity of the election system while refusing to fully concede defeat as many of the candidate’s supporters protest and storm the capital.

Owing to recent events, this timeline can now hold true for either Donald Trump or his far-right ally in South America, former Brazil president Jair Bolsonaro.

On Sunday, masses of Bolsonaro supporters stormed the national congress building and other official sites in capital Brasília, part of the movement’s continued, oftentimes violent, protests against Mr Bolsonaro’s election loss to leftist Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva.

Josh Marcus reports.

Donald Trump silent as supporters of ally Bolsonaro storm capital in Jan 6-style riot

Trump hits out at late night network shows

Monday 9 January 2023 16:00 , Oliver O'Connell

Former President Donald Trump hit out at late night network talk shows on Monday morning calling the hosts “untalented fools” and claiming they are a wing of the Democratic Party.

He wrote: “Wow, those TRUMP Hating Late Night Network “Shows” are doing really badly…The worst ratings that those time slots have had (in Television History!). Why are the untalented fools who “host” paid so much? Does the DNC make a $contribution as a wing of the Democrat Party? They are all a total joke - Not Talent, No Laughs!”

Mr Trump has been a target of barbed jokes from the hosts of the various late-night shows on the major networks since he descended the Trump Tower escalator in 2015 to announce his candidacy for president.

Georgia special grand jury completes 2020 election probe

Monday 9 January 2023 15:32 , Oliver O'Connell

The special grand jury investigating whether then-President Donald Trump and his allies committed any crimes while trying to overturn his defeat has finished its work.

Fulton County Superior Court Judge Robert McBurney, who was overseeing the panel, issued an order on Monday dissolving the special grand jury. The order says the grand jurors completed a final report and that a majority of the county’s superior court judges voted to dissolve the special grand jury.

Over the course of about six months, the special grand jury has heard testimony from dozens of witnesses, including numerous close Trump associates and assorted high-ranking Georgia state officials. The case is among several around the country that threaten legal peril for the former president as he seeks a second term in 2024.

Special grand juries in Georgia cannot issue indictments but instead can issue a final report recommending actions to be taken. It is then up to the district attorney to decide whether to seek an indictment from a regular grand jury.

AP

Trump calls for primary challenges to Senate Republicans

Monday 9 January 2023 15:25 , Oliver O'Connell

In a Truth Social post congratulating Kevin McCarthy, Donald Trump blasted Senator Mitch McConnell for what the former president sees as his role in allowing Democrat-led legislation to pass.

As well as once again using a racist nickname for Mr McConnell’s wife Elaine Chao — once his own transportation secretary — Mr Trump called for primary challenges to Republican senators who align themselves with Mr McConnell.

He wrote: “Great job Kevin! We must now stop Mitch McConnell and his China flagrant boss, Coco Chow. It’s as though he just doesn’t care anymore, he pushes through anything the Democrats want. The $1.7 TRILLION quickly approved Bill of the week before was HORRIBLE. Zero for USA Border Security. If he waited just ten days, the now “United Republican Congress” could have made it MUCH BETTER, or KILLED IT. Something is wrong with McConnell, and those Republican Senators that Vote with him. PRIMARY THEM ALL!!!”

Trump silent on Brazil attack widely compared to Jan 6

Monday 9 January 2023 15:18 , Oliver O'Connell

Over a weekend of multiple posts on Truth Social, Donald Trump has remained silent regarding the attack on the Brazilian presidential palace and national Congress that mirrored the events of 6 January 2021 when supporters of the former president stormed the US Capitol.

Over 400 people were arrested on Sunday after supporters of Brazil‘s former president Jair Bolsonaro broke through a blockade set up by security forces and invaded ministries and the Congress building in the capital Brasília.

Instead, Mr Trump congratulated himself for his part in helping Kevin McCarthy finally win the 15th vote to select the new Speaker of the House of Representatives, as well as lashing out at Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, his wife Elaine Chao, and late-night network shows.