The American Democracy Minute Radio Report & Podcast for Feb. 14, 2024

Today’s Script

(Variations occur with audio due to editing for time. Today’s Links below the script)

You’re listening to the American Democracy Minute, keeping YOUR government by and for the people.

We’re updating recent stories today, including Donald Trump’s request for a stay from the U.S. Supreme Court on his immunity case, action by the FCC on use of AI in robocalls, and more misguided attempts at large-scale hand counting of ballots.

In an emergency appeal February 12th, former President Donald Trump asked the U.S. Supreme Court to freeze the special prosecutor’s 2020 election case and the unanimous D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals ruling that Trump did NOT have immunity. Trump’s lawyers argue that it would radically disrupt his campaign if he stands trial during the height of the election cycle.

In a unanimous vote, the FCC announced new rules February 8th banning AI-generated robocalls, giving law enforcement more tools. The announcement follows sanctions against a Texas company which attempted to suppress turnout in the New Hampshire Primary using an AI-created voice of President Joe Biden.

WyoFile news reports that Wyoming’s highest election official has expressed support for a Republican proposal to give the Park County Commission the option of hand counting its almost 17,000 ballots instead of using electronic ballot tabulators. Secretary of State Chuck Gray campaigned in 2022 suggesting irregularities with electronic tabulators in Wyoming’s 2020 elections. Donald Trump received 70% of Wyoming’s 278,503 votes.

We have links to details on all these stories at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org. I’m Brian Beihl.

Today’s Links

Articles & Resources:
U.S. Supreme Court – APPLICATION FOR A STAY OF THE D.C. CIRCUIT’S MANDATE PENDING
THE FILING OF A PETITION FOR WRIT OF CERTIORARI
SCOTUSBlog – Trump asks justices to intervene in Jan. 6 case
Federal Communications Commission – FCC MAKES AI-GENERATED VOICES IN ROBOCALLS ILLEGAL

WyoFile – State’s top elections official backs hand counting ballots in Park County
WyoFile – (2022) Election integrity front and center in secretary of state race
BallotPedia – Presidential election in Wyoming, 2020

Groups Taking Action:
Protect Elections, People for the American Way, Common Cause Stopping Cyber Suppression Project, Brennan Center, League of Women Voters WY

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#Democracy  #DemocracyNews #ElectionDeniers #TrumpCriminalTrial #SCOTUS #HandCounting #WyomingPolitics  #AIRobocalls #VoterSuppression

The post Updates on Trump’s Immunity Challenge, AI Robocalls, and Election Denier-Fueled Hand Counting of Ballots appeared first on American Democracy Minute.

The American Democracy Minute Radio Report & Podcast for Feb 7, 2024

Today’s Script

(Variations occur with audio due to editing for time. Today’s Links below the script)

You’re listening to the American Democracy Minute, keeping YOUR government by and for the people.

The D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled unanimously February 6th that Donald Trump does not have presidential immunity from prosecution for alleged criminal actions after leaving the White House.

A lower federal court had previously found that Trump didn’t have immunity when he left office.   The decision allowed the case of Trump’s alleged election interference in the 2020 election to move forward, but Trump appealed.

The three-judge appeals panel affirmed that decision, QUOTE   “For the purpose of this criminal case, former President Trump has become citizen Trump, with all of the defenses of any other criminal defendant. But any executive immunity that may have protected him while he served as President no longer protects him against this prosecution.”

Trump’s lawyers had filed four motions to dismiss, including presidential immunity, constitutional provisions, including the Impeachment Jeopardy Clause, statutory grounds; and allegations of selective and vindictive prosecution.   Legal scholars had suggested the arguments were “Hail Marys,” and all were rejected by the appeals court. 

Trump’s lawyers are expected to ask for a review by all D.C. Circuit judges.  While the rejection of immunity decision only applies to cases in the D.C. circuit, it impacts the largest federal case, that of Special Counsel Jack Smith’s investigation of Trump’s effort to overturn the 2020 election.

We have a link to the the D.C. Circuit’s opinion at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org.  I’m Brian Beihl.  

Today’s Links

Articles & Resources:
D.C. Federal Circuit Court of Appeals – United States v. Donald J. Trump
CBS News – Trump not immune from prosecution in 2020 election case, appeals court says, siding with special counsel
Salon – “Complete nonsense”: Legal scholars demolish Trump claim of “presidential immunity” from prosecution
Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (C.R.E.W) – Trump now thinks former presidents should be immune from prosecution. He spent years saying otherwise.

Groups Taking Action:
Protect Democracy, Campaign Legal Center,  C.R.E.W

Please follow us on Facebook and Twitter and SHARE!  

Find all of our reports at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org

Want ADM sent to your email?  Sign up here!

Are you a radio station?  Find our broadcast files at Pacifica Radio Network’s Audioport and PRX

#Democracy  #DemocracyNews #PresidentialImmunity #Insurrection #TrumpProsecution

The post Federal Appeals Court Rules Donald Trump Does Not Have Immunity from Prosecution appeared first on American Democracy Minute.