Politics
Trump’s lawyers urge dismissal of ‘flimsy’ impeachment case
Published
6 years agoon
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump’s legal team asserted Monday that he did “absolutely nothing wrong,” urging the Senate to swiftly reject an impeachment case that it called “flimsy” and a “dangerous perversion of the Constitution.” The lawyers decried the impeachment process as rigged and insisted that abuse of power was not a crime.
The brief from Trump’s lawyers, filed before arguments expected this week in the Senate impeachment trial, offered the most detailed glimpse of the lines of defense they intend to use against Democratic efforts to convict the president and oust him from office over his dealings with Ukraine. It is meant as a counter to a filing two days ago from House Democrats that summarized weeks of testimony from more than a dozen witnesses in laying out the impeachment case.
The 110-page filing from the White House shifted the tone toward a more legal response. It still hinged on Trump’s assertion he did nothing wrong and did not commit a crime — even though impeachment does not depend on a material violation of law but rather on the more vague definition of “other high crimes and misdemeanors” as established in the Constitution.
“It is a constitutional travesty,” the lawyers wrote.
The prosecution team of House managers was spending another day on Capitol Hill preparing for the trial, which will be under heavy security. Before the filing, House prosecutors made their way through crowds of tourists in the Rotunda to tour the Senate chamber.
In their own filing Monday, House prosecutors replied to Trump’s not guilty plea by making fresh demands for fair trial in the Senate, where the Republican majority aligned with Trump has not yet disclosed the rules.
“President Trump asserts that his impeachment is a partisan ‘hoax.’ He is wrong,” the prosecutors wrote in their reply.
They wrote that the president can’t have it both ways — rejecting the facts of the House case but also stonewalling congressional subpoenas for witnesses and testimony. “Senators must honor their own oaths by holding a fair trial with all relevant evidence,” they wrote.
The White House document Monday, much more fulsome than its weekend pleading, says the two articles of impeachment brought against the president — abuse of power and obstruction of Congress — don’t amount to impeachment offenses. It asserts that the impeachment inquiry, centered on Trump’s request that Ukraine’s president open an investigation into Democratic rival Joe Biden, was never about finding the truth.
“Instead, House Democrats were determined from the outset to find some way — any way — to corrupt the extraordinary power of impeachment for use as a political tool to overturn the result of the 2016 election and to interfere in the 2020 election,” Trump’s legal team wrote. “All of that is a dangerous perversion of the Constitution that the Senate should swiftly and roundly condemn.”
The impeachment case accuses Trump of abusing power by withholding military aid from Ukraine at the same time that he was seeking an investigation into Biden, and of obstructing Congress by instructing administration officials not to appear for testimony or provide documents, defying congressional subpoenas.
In a brief filed Saturday, House Democrats called Trump’s conduct the “worst nightmare” of the framers of the Constitution.
“President Donald J. Trump used his official powers to pressure a foreign government to interfere in a United States election for his personal political gain,” the House prosecutors wrote, “and then attempted to cover up his scheme by obstructing Congress’s investigation into his misconduct.”
But Trump’s team contended Monday that even if Trump were to have abused his power in withholding the Ukraine military assistance, it would not be impeachable, because it did not violate a specific criminal statute. And it said that the White House was within its legal right to shield close advisers of the president from having to appear before Congress, saying that position has been taken by administrations of both parties.
Opening arguments are expected within days following a debate Tuesday over rules, including about whether witnesses are to be called in the trial.
Trump signaled his opposition to witnesses, tweeting Monday: “They didn’t want John Bolton and others in the House. They were in too much of a rush. Now they want them all in the Senate. Not supposed to be that way!”
That’s a reference to former national security adviser John Bolton, who was not subpoenaed by the House in its impeachment inquiry but has said he is willing to testify in the Senate if he is subpoenaed.
The White House brief argues that the articles of impeachment passed by the House are “structurally deficient” because they charge multiple acts, creating “a menu of options” as possible grounds for conviction.
The Trump team claims that the Constitution requires that senators agree “on the specific basis for conviction” and that there is no way to ensure that the senators agree on which acts are worthy of removal, because a single count contains multiple allegations.
Administration officials have argued that similar imprecision applied to the perjury case in the impeachment trial of President Bill Clinton, who was acquitted by the Senate.
The Trump lawyers accused Democrats of diluting the standards for impeachment, an argument that echoed the case made Sunday by one of Trump’s attorneys, Alan Dershowitz, who contended in talk shows that impeachable offenses must be “criminal-like conduct.”
That assertion has been rejected by scholars, and Rep. Adam Schiff, the Democratic chairman of the House Intelligence Committee, called it an “absurdist position.”
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Politics
Gov. Ron DeSantis Orders Flags at Half-Staff for Slain Coral Springs Vice Mayor Nancy M. Metayer Bowen
Published
2 days agoon
April 16, 2026TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (FNN) — Gov. Ron DeSantis has ordered flags to be flown at half-staff in honor of Coral Springs Vice Mayor Nancy M. Metayer Bowen, who was killed April 1 in what authorities describe as a domestic violence incident.
The directive calls for U.S. and Florida state flags to be lowered from sunrise to sunset Friday, April 17, 2026, at the State Capitol in Tallahassee and at all local and state buildings, installations and grounds throughout Coral Springs.
According to Coral Springs Police, officers conducted a wellness check at Metayer Bowen’s home after city staff raised concerns when she missed scheduled meetings and could not be reached. Responding officers found her deceased inside the residence.
Investigators said the killing appears to be a domestic violence incident. Her husband, Stephen Bowen, was later taken into custody and faces charges of premeditated murder and tampering with evidence. The case remains under active investigation.
State and local leaders say the half-staff order honors Metayer Bowen’s service and legacy in the Coral Springs community, where she was recognized for her leadership and commitment to public service.
What We Know About Her Death
Police say Metayer Bowen was killed April 1 at her Coral Springs home. Officers discovered her body during a wellness check prompted by her unexplained absence from official duties and lack of communication.
Husband Arrested, Faces Charges
Authorities arrested her husband, Stephen Bowen, who now faces premeditated murder and evidence-tampering charges. Investigators have identified the case as an apparent domestic violence incident.
State Honors Her Legacy
Gov. DeSantis ordered flags lowered across key government buildings in Tallahassee and Coral Springs, recognizing Metayer Bowen’s public service and the impact of her loss on the community.
Crimes and Courts
Florida Creates Public Assistance Fraud Task Force, Appoints Special Prosecutor to Crack Down on Fraud
Published
3 days agoon
April 15, 2026TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (FNN) — James Uthmeier announced the launch of the Public Assistance Fraud Task Force, a multi-agency initiative aimed at strengthening investigations and prosecutions of fraud involving taxpayer-funded benefit programs.
As part of the effort, Assistant Statewide Prosecutor Scott Strauss has been appointed as special prosecutor to oversee complex, multi-circuit fraud cases and coordinate legal strategies across agencies.
TASK FORCE TO TARGET FRAUD
The task force is designed to provide legal counsel and streamline criminal prosecutions for state agencies and law enforcement, enhancing Florida’s ability to build strong cases against individuals accused of fraud.
“We are launching this task force to bring accountability and prosecute those who are stealing from Floridians,” Uthmeier said. “Florida is not Minnesota or California, and we will safeguard the taxpayers’ investment in the services meant for the vulnerable.”
MULTI-AGENCY COLLABORATION
State leaders emphasized the importance of coordination across agencies to combat increasingly sophisticated fraud schemes.
“Under the leadership of Governor Ron DeSantis and Attorney General Uthmeier, Florida has continued to identify, address, and prevent fraud,” said Shevaun L. Harris, secretary of the Agency for Health Care Administration. “This multi-agency initiative creates an opportunity to collectively reaffirm that commitment.”
Brad McVay added that protecting taxpayer-funded programs is essential to maintaining public trust.
“Floridians deserve a government that safeguards their taxpayer dollars from fraudsters,” McVay said.
Florida Department of Law Enforcement Commissioner Mark Glass also stressed enforcement.
“If you commit fraud against public assistance programs, you will be held accountable,” Glass said.
ROLE OF SPECIAL PROSECUTOR
The special prosecutor will evaluate and oversee ongoing multi-circuit investigations, assist in developing cases for prosecution, and support law enforcement with legal tools such as warrants and affidavits.
Kathleen Von Hoene said the initiative will strengthen protections for vulnerable populations.
“Our goal is to protect the public, preserve the integrity of the Medicaid program, and safeguard the populations it serves,” she said.
PROGRAMS AND ENFORCEMENT
Florida’s public assistance programs include Medicaid, SNAP, WIC, housing assistance and reemployment services. Fraud involving these programs can result in criminal charges ranging from misdemeanors to felonies, with penalties including fines, restitution and incarceration.
Law enforcement agencies interested in participating in the task force can contact the Office of Statewide Prosecution for more information.
Florida
Former Property Appraiser Rick Singh Launches Clerk of Courts Bid, Passes on Mayor and CFO Races
Published
4 days agoon
April 15, 2026By
Willie DavidORLANDO, Fla. (FNN) — Rick Singh, a U.S. Army veteran, business leader and former Orange County property appraiser, has announced his candidacy for Orange County Clerk of Courts, outlining a platform focused on efficiency, modernization and improved customer service.
While some observers expected Singh to pursue higher-profile offices such as Orange County mayor, Florida chief financial officer or Congress, his decision to run for Clerk of Courts reflects a focus on operational leadership and improving local government services.
“I’m running to make government work faster, smarter and more efficiently for the people of Orange County,” Singh said. “Residents deserve a Clerk’s Office that is responsive, transparent and built for today’s needs.”
PLAN TO MODERNIZE AND IMPROVE SERVICES
Singh outlined several immediate priorities if elected, including upgrading technology and expanding digital access.
“We will modernize the system by reducing long lines, enhancing online services and making it easier for residents to access records, make payments and interact with the Clerk’s Office,” Singh said.
His plan includes improving website and mobile access, streamlining in-person services and reducing wait times for residents.
FOCUS ON EFFICIENCY AND ACCOUNTABILITY
In addition to modernization, Singh said he will prioritize operational improvements and customer service reforms.
“We will overhaul customer service to prioritize speed, respect and accountability,” Singh said. “That includes auditing operations to eliminate delays and inefficiencies that frustrate residents.”
Singh emphasized that creating a more efficient and user-friendly experience will be a top priority from day one.
EXPERIENCE, INNOVATION AND COMPETITIVE FIELD
During his tenure as property appraiser, Singh led the office with the scope and visibility of a countywide constitutional role, implementing reforms that improved transparency, accuracy and efficiency.
His annual “State of Orange County Real Estate” events drew thousands of attendees, including elected officials, real estate professionals, financial leaders and community stakeholders, positioning the office as a key platform for economic insight and public engagement.
Supporters point to Singh’s track record of innovation — including modernizing systems and improving operational performance — as a model for how he would lead the Clerk of Courts office.
“I’ve led a large countywide office and delivered results,” Singh said. “I’m ready to bring that same level of leadership, innovation and accountability to the Clerk of Courts.”
His entry into the race adds to an already competitive field that includes Maribel Gomez Cordero, a current county commissioner and former vice mayor, and Emily Bonilla, a former commissioner and vice mayor, both of whom bring experience in local government leadership and community engagement.
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