Thursday, April 4, 2024

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1/ Biden called for “an immediate ceasefire” in Gaza to “protect innocent civilians.” During a reportedly tense phone call with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Biden called the deaths of humanitarian workers caused by Israeli airstrikes and the overall humanitarian situation in Gaza “unacceptable.” Biden conditioned future U.S. support for Israel with Netanyahu implementing “specific, concrete, and measurable steps to address civilian harm, humanitarian suffering, and the safety of aid workers.” He also urged Netanyahu “to empower his negotiators to conclude a deal without delay to bring the hostages home.” The White House added that “U.S. policy with respect to Gaza will be determined by our assessment of Israel’s immediate action on these steps.” Secretary of State Tony Blinken echoed the point, saying: “If we don’t see the changes we need to see, there will be a change in our policy.” (New York Times / Washington Post / Wall Street Journal / NBC News / Associated Press / CNN / Axios)

2/ A federal judge denied Trump’s request to dismiss the criminal charges that he mishandled classified documents. Trump had argued that the Presidential Records Act protected him from prosecution. Judge Aileen Cannon, however, said the PRA “does not provide a pre-trial basis to dismiss” either the mishandling charges or the related obstruction charges against Trump. The decision comes two days after special counsel Jack Smith said Cannon was pursuing a legal premise about the PRA that was “wrong” and based on a “fundamentally flawed” understanding of the case that has “no basis in law or fact.” (Washington Post / NBC News / Axios / CNN / Associated Press / Politico)

3/ A Georgia judge rejected Trump’s attempt to get his criminal election interference case dismissed on First Amendment grounds. Trump had...

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