World

Why did Donald Trump plead the Fifth?

Published

8 months ago

August 11, 2022

Omer Kablan

What is the Fifth Amendment and why was it invoked by the former US President Donald Trump?

And why was it invoked by the former US President Donald Trump?

Trump declined to answer questions before the New York state’s attorney general in an investigation into his family’s business practices.

He said “I declined to answer the questions under the rights and privileges afforded to every citizen under the United States Constitution”

This was a reference to the United States Constitution’s Fifth Amendment.

In short, exercising the Fifth Amendment protects you against self-incrimination.

But some commentators have found Trump hypocritical because of his previous stance

According to Reuters,

“Trump’s decision not to answer questions could carry consequences. Should the investigation lead to a trial, jurors could take his silence into account. Politically, it could also give adversaries ammunition about whether Trump has something to hide as he looks towards another presidential run in 2024”.

But other’s say these investigations are firing him up to become the Republican Party’s presidential candidate in the 2024 elections.

In his statements over the years, the former President denied wrongdoing and says the probes are part of a vendetta against him by news organizations.

Recently, there was also an unprecedented FBI raid to his Florida home as part of a seperate investigation

Only time will tell, how all this will play out.

If it’s in Trumps favor he will most likely be the Republican Party’s Presidential contender.

Or these investigations may further damage him.

World

Two Black Hawk helicopters collide in Kentucky

Published

3 mins ago

March 31, 2023

ticker NEWS

The helicopters were flying in formation using night goggles

Nine Army service members have died in a crash involving two Black Hawk helicopters.

The crash took place in Kentucky during a training exercise.

The helicopters were flying in formation using night goggles, when the incident happened.

The identities of the nine people have not yet been released, as the military wishes to contact their respective families first.

World

Donald Trump indicted over hush money payment to Stormy Daniels

Published

6 mins ago

March 31, 2023

ticker NEWS

Donald Trump has become the first former U.S. President to be indicted as he makes another run for the White House

Donald Trump has been indicted by a Manhattan grand jury following a probe into hush money paid to porn star Stormy Daniels.

The probe was led by Democratic Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg, which could change the 2024 presidential race.

It means Donald Trump becomes the first former U.S. President to be criminally charged.

It is unclear what the specific charges are, however, the indictment will likely be announced in the coming days, according to the New York Times.

The former president will then have to travel to Manhattan for fingerprinting and other processing.

Taylor Budowich, is the CEO of Make America Great Again, who said there was no crime committed.

“This is not an indictment of a crime—there was no crime—instead, this news is the indictment of a failed nation.

“He will be re-elected in the greatest landslide in American history, and together we will all Make America Great Again.”

If he is convicted, Trump could face significant fines and possibly jail time.

The payment stems from a Trump Organisation reimbursement to Trump’s then-lawyer Michael Cohen.

He paid Daniels to keep her quiet about an alleged sexual encounter she allegedly had with Trump in 2006.

Cohen pleaded guilty to campaign finance law violations in 2018. He testified Trump directed him to make the payments and was sentenced to three years in prison.

“For the first time in our Country’s history, a President (current or former) of the United States has been indicted. I take no pride in issuing this statement and wish to also remind everyone of the presumption of innocence; as provided by the due process clause,” Cohen told NBC News.

Trump has previously said he would continue campaigning for the Republican Party’s nomination if he was charged with a crime.

World

Russia arrests American reporter

Published

9 mins ago

March 31, 2023

Veronica Dudo

The Wall Street Journal denies charges and demands release

The White House says U.S. President Joe Biden was briefed on this incident Thursday morning.

This comes as tensions are already high between the United States and Russia over the war in Ukraine—now, relations are intensifying after an American journalist was arrested in Moscow.

Evan Gershkovitch a reporter for the Wall Street Journal who was based in Moscow was arrested by the Russian Intelligence Service.

He is accused of spying for the United States.

Moscow alleges that the Wall Street Journal reporter was trying to obtain classified information.

The Journal deniesg those charges and demanding his release.

The 31-year-old was reportedly arrested yesterday while working on stories 900-miles east of Moscow.

He was brough back to the Russian capitol and appeared at a closed hearing today before taking off to prison.

State Media says he’s been formally charged.

He pled not guilty and is in pretrial detention until the end of May.

The Wall Street Journal denies the espionage charges and is calling for his immediate released.

The White House says they have been in contact with Gershkovitch’s family and are pledging support from the State Department.

Moscow is making very serious accusations.

Gershkovitch faces up to 20-years in jail.