10 Things in Politics: Trump’s woes expand 2024 field – Business Insider
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Here's what we're talking about:
One thing to watch for: The Labor Department publishes June's jobs report at 8:30 a.m. Eastern. President Joe Biden is planning to speak about it at 10:15 a.m. ET.
Former President Donald Trump, Gov. Ron DeSantis of Florida, former Vice President Mike Pence, and and former Ambassador Nikki Haley lead Insider's fifth ranking of possible 2024 presidential candidates. Former President Donald Trump, Tasos Katopodis/Getty Images; Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel/Tribune News; former Vice President Mike Pence, Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images; former UN Ambassador Nikki Haley, Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images.
1. IT'S NEVER TOO EARLY: Former President Donald Trump's lack of a social-media megaphone and continuing legal cloud over his namesake company have begun to thaw the freeze he's cast over the 2024 Republican presidential field. My colleague Tom LoBianco has taken stock with power rankings of where the vast array of hopefuls stand.
Here are some of the highlights:
Legal troubles or not, Trump is still in command ... for now: "Political parties only shift when they lose, and the GOP is not convinced yet that Trump is bad for winning elections," said Michael Cohen, a Republican pollster. This means 2022 may loom far larger than any legal clouds.
See where the rest of the GOP field stands.
2. Trump and his allies brand New York investigation 'witch hunt': Running the same strategy suffers from one potentially fatal flaw, however: Trump is no longer president. He and his allies are still hoping they can win the PR battle even with the former president deprived of the bully pulpit and his Twitter account. For now, they also aren't worried about Trump being implicated directly.
Someone clearly didn't watch 'The Wire': New York prosecutors' indictments of the Trump Organization and CFO Allen Weisselberg cite company documents that listed certain payments to Weisselberg as "Holiday Entertainment" in official records and then in a different place listed the money as part of Weisselberg's compensation. The holiday money is one of the instances that prosecutors say show Weisselberg and the Trump Organization evaded paying taxes.
3. Supreme Court dealt another blow to voting rights: The court's justices ruled 6-3 to uphold two Arizona voting restrictions in a pair of key cases over whether the laws violated one of the surviving sections of the Voting Rights Act. A leading expert on voting rights, who has been sharply critical of Republican-led efforts across the country to expand voting restrictions, told NPR that the ruling would severely restrict future federal challenges of state laws.
Family members holding a vigil for the missing victims of the Surfside, Florida, condo collapse. Tayfun Coskun/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images
4. Rescue work resumed at Florida condo site: Rescue efforts stalled for 15 hours over concerns for the stability of the remaining structure of the Surfside condominium that partially collapsed, the Miami Herald reports. The search for the 145 people still missing will be more limited because of the instability of the debris.
5. Federal executions are temporarily halted: Attorney General Merrick Garland ordered the Department of Justice to pause federal executions after the Trump administration made historic use of capital punishment by carrying out 13 executions in just six months, the Associated Press reports. This doesn't end federal executions for good nor does it stop prosecutors from seeking the death penalty.
Trump delivering remarks to US troops during an unannounced visit to Bagram Airfield in Afghanistan in 2019. REUTERS/Tom Brenner
6. A major milestone in the US withdrawal from Afghanistan: American forces have left Bagram Airfield, once the center of the US war effort in Afghanistan, officials said. The US military withdrawal from the country is expected to be completed soon, though some troops are expected to remain longer to protect the US Embassy.
7. CDC director says vaccinated don't need to wear masks despite variant: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's director, Dr. Rochelle Walensky, says fully vaccinated Americans are "safe" from all coronavirus variants identified so far in the US and don't need to wear masks. The World Health Organization sparked confusion when it recommended that even vaccinated people revert to social distancing and mask-wearing to stem the spread of the Delta variant. Despite the CDC's guidance, Los Angeles County is urging Californians of any vaccination status to wear masks indoors as a precaution.
8. Rep. Liz Cheney is lone Republican on Capitol-riot panel: House Speaker Nancy Pelosi named Cheney as one of her appointments to the newly created select committee tasked with investigating the January 6 insurrection. House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy has reportedly threatened to strip any Republicans who join the panel of their other committee assignments. McCarthy questioned whether Cheney, who was ousted from GOP leadership over her criticism of Trump in connection to the riot, might be more loyal to Pelosi than "to us."
9. Hundreds are thought to be dead amid heat wave: The death toll in Oregon alone is 79, the Associated Press reports. Many were found alone in homes without air conditioning or fans as triple-digit temperatures blanketed the Pacific Northwest. Officials tried to help residents, but the scorching weather was simply too much.
10. There's a bipartisan push in Washington to #FreeBritney: Democratic Sens. Elizabeth Warren and Bob Casey are pressing for more federal oversight over conservatorship after Britney Spears' emotional testimony last week describing her past 13 years under a conservatorship, Time magazine reports. More on what the senators are doing here.
Today's trivia question: Which founding father was dead certain that we would all celebrate July 2 for years to come? Email your guess and a suggested question to me at bgriffiths@insider.com.
That's all! Have a healthy and happy holiday weekend.
Excerpt from:
10 Things in Politics: Trump's woes expand 2024 field - Business Insider
- Mike Pence Says 'Time Has Come' to Share Epstein Files, Adding 'Anyone' Associated with the 'Despicable Man' Deserves Scrutiny - AOL.com - July 22nd, 2025 [July 22nd, 2025]
- Mike Pence Joins Calls To Release Epstein Files: The Time Has Come - Yahoo Home - July 20th, 2025 [July 20th, 2025]
- Extended Interview: Mike Pence on Trump tariffs, Jeffrey Epstein and more - CBS News - July 20th, 2025 [July 20th, 2025]
- Mike Pence calls for the release of the Epstein files - AOL.com - July 20th, 2025 [July 20th, 2025]
- Mike Pence urges Trump to 'release all the files' on Jeffrey Epstein - USA Today - July 18th, 2025 [July 18th, 2025]
- Trumps former Vice President Mike Pence pushes for release of the Epstein files: The time has come - The Independent - July 18th, 2025 [July 18th, 2025]
- Mike Pence calls for the release of the Epstein files: 'I've always believed in transparency' - ABC News - Breaking News, Latest News and Videos - July 18th, 2025 [July 18th, 2025]
- Trumps former Vice President Mike Pence pushes for release of the Epstein files: The time has come - Yahoo - July 18th, 2025 [July 18th, 2025]
- Mike Pence says Trump "starting to realize Putin doesn't want peace" - CBS News - July 18th, 2025 [July 18th, 2025]
- Mike Pence has a message for Donald Trump about Jeffrey Epstein: 'Release all the files' - South Bend Tribune - July 18th, 2025 [July 18th, 2025]
- Mike Pence makes stunning demand of Trump admin: The time has come - NJ.com - July 18th, 2025 [July 18th, 2025]
- Mike Pence has a message for Donald Trump about Jeffrey Epstein: 'Release all the files' - Yahoo - July 18th, 2025 [July 18th, 2025]
- Mike Pence says the time has come for Trump to release the Epstein files - Global News - July 18th, 2025 [July 18th, 2025]
- Mike Pence Says It Was Tariffs On Tea That Led To The American Revolution, Reiterates Only Congress Can Impose Such Levies - Benzinga - July 18th, 2025 [July 18th, 2025]
- Trumps former Vice President Mike Pence pushes for release of the Epstein files: The time has come - MSN - July 18th, 2025 [July 18th, 2025]
- Firing Line with Margaret Hoover kicks off eighth season on PBS with Mike Pence - PR Newswire - July 12th, 2025 [July 12th, 2025]
- Mike Pence Says Trump's Tariff Escalations With US Allies Are Like 'Dismissing Your Front Line In A Football Game' - Benzinga - July 12th, 2025 [July 12th, 2025]
- 'Jeopardizes All Of It': Ex-Mike Pence Aide Knocks Trump Over These 'Confusing' Moves - HuffPost - July 10th, 2025 [July 10th, 2025]
- JD Vance Wonders If Other VPs Had This Much Excitement Social Media Says, Ask Mike Pence - Yahoo News Singapore - June 29th, 2025 [June 29th, 2025]
- "My Respect For VP Pence Continues To Grow": People Are Applauding Mike Pence For Writing A Letter To A January 6 Rioter Who Refused Trump's... - June 28th, 2025 [June 28th, 2025]
- 'Shows your commitment to rule of law': Trump's ex-VP Mike Pence applauds woman who refused pardon for Ja - Times of India - June 28th, 2025 [June 28th, 2025]
- People Can't Believe They Actually Agree With Mike Pence After He Wrote A Letter To A Jan 6 Rioter - BuzzFeed - June 28th, 2025 [June 28th, 2025]
- Mike Pence writes letter to Jan 6 rioter praising her for refusing to take Trumps pardon - MSN - June 28th, 2025 [June 28th, 2025]
- Mike Pence reveals whether he plans to run in 2028 - Yahoo - May 22nd, 2025 [May 22nd, 2025]
- Former Vice President Mike Pence parts ways with Trump on tariff policy - WRAL.com - May 22nd, 2025 [May 22nd, 2025]
- Mike Pence criticizes Trump on tariffs and key foreign policy issues as he watches from afar - NBC News - May 22nd, 2025 [May 22nd, 2025]
- Mike Pence reveals whether he plans to run in 2028 - The Independent - May 22nd, 2025 [May 22nd, 2025]
- Mike Pence warns of risk of Trump accepting a plane from nation linked to Hamas - The Independent - May 22nd, 2025 [May 22nd, 2025]
- Mike Pence ramps up Trump disapproval with 13 words slamming overseas trip - The Mirror US - May 22nd, 2025 [May 22nd, 2025]
- Would former VP Mike Pence ever run for office again? Here's what he said - IndyStar - May 22nd, 2025 [May 22nd, 2025]
- Mike Pence Sounds Terror Alert on Trumps Free Plane - The Daily Beast - May 22nd, 2025 [May 22nd, 2025]
- How Mike Pence says he came to the conclusion he should part ways with Trump - MSN - May 22nd, 2025 [May 22nd, 2025]
- Mike Pence criticizes Trump on tariffs and key foreign policy issues as he watches from afar - Straight Arrow News - May 22nd, 2025 [May 22nd, 2025]
- Trump's Middle East Trip Draws Rare Praise From Mike Pence As 'Very Successful' For US Economy Amid 'Historic' Boeing Deal: 'That'll Really Support... - May 22nd, 2025 [May 22nd, 2025]
- Mike Pence says Trump tariffs were the largest peacetime tax hike in U.S. history - MSN - May 22nd, 2025 [May 22nd, 2025]
- Mike Pence Says This Trump Policy Could Kill The American Dream - HuffPost - May 11th, 2025 [May 11th, 2025]
- Mike Pence receives award for defending democracy from Trump without mentioning his name - MSN - May 11th, 2025 [May 11th, 2025]
- Former Vice President Mike Pence urges President Trump and congressional Republicans not to raise taxes on wealthy Americans - Fox News - May 11th, 2025 [May 11th, 2025]
- Mike Pence rebukes Trump over tariffs and wavering support for Ukraine - The Guardian - May 11th, 2025 [May 11th, 2025]
- Mike Pence Finally Goes Scorched Earth on Trump and His Agenda - The Daily Beast - May 11th, 2025 [May 11th, 2025]
- Former Vice President Mike Pence honored by Kennedy family in receiving the JFK 'Profile in Courage Award' - Fox News - May 11th, 2025 [May 11th, 2025]
- Mike Pence: Keeping toys affordable is part of the American dream - CNN - May 11th, 2025 [May 11th, 2025]
- Mike Pence eloquently carves up Trump and MAGA with the precision of a surgeon - NJ.com - May 11th, 2025 [May 11th, 2025]
- Mike Pence Is Too Scared to Mention Trump While Picking Up Courage Award - The Daily Beast - May 11th, 2025 [May 11th, 2025]
- Mike Pence speaks out about January 6 Capitol attacks while receiving the JFK Profile in Courage Award - Fast Company - May 11th, 2025 [May 11th, 2025]
- EDITORIAL | Profile in Courage: Mike Pence stood tall in defense of the Constitution - Texarkana Gazette - May 11th, 2025 [May 11th, 2025]
- Mike Pence issues damning 7-word assessment as he turns on Trump in bombshell interview - Irish Star - May 11th, 2025 [May 11th, 2025]
- Mike Pence Pushes Back on Trump's Assertion That Young Girls Only Need '2 or 3' Dolls: 'Really Part of the American Dream' - Latin Times - May 11th, 2025 [May 11th, 2025]
- 'America's best days yet to come...,' Mike Pence quotes JFK as he received Profile in Courage Award - The Economic Times - May 11th, 2025 [May 11th, 2025]
- Mike Pence Rejects Trumps Tariffs: They Will Hurt the Economy and Consumers - La Voce di New York - May 11th, 2025 [May 11th, 2025]
- Opinion | Mike Pence: What the 47th President Can Learn From the 45th - WSJ - April 30th, 2025 [April 30th, 2025]
- Mike Pence has message for Trump just days after ripping the president and angering MAGA - PennLive.com - April 10th, 2025 [April 10th, 2025]
- Former US VP Mike Pence: Providing Ukraine with means to defend itself is an imperative for the entire West - All Israel News - April 10th, 2025 [April 10th, 2025]
- Mike Pence Reacts to Trump's Pivot on Tariffs - MSN - April 10th, 2025 [April 10th, 2025]
- Mike Pence to receive JFK Profile in Courage Award for actions during January 6 insurrection - CBS News - April 10th, 2025 [April 10th, 2025]
- Mike Pence has spent the week making Trump fans and the MAGA world mad - PennLive.com - April 10th, 2025 [April 10th, 2025]
- And the JFK Library Profile in Courage Award goes to: Former VP Mike Pence - MassLive - April 10th, 2025 [April 10th, 2025]
- Mike Pence to get JFK Profile in Courage Award for certification of 2020 election - The Independent - April 10th, 2025 [April 10th, 2025]
- Mike Pence to receive JFK profile in courage - news8000.com - April 10th, 2025 [April 10th, 2025]
- Mike Pence to Receive JFK Profile in Courage Award - The Well News - April 10th, 2025 [April 10th, 2025]
- Mike Pence to get JFK Profile in Courage Award for certification of 2020 election - MSN - April 10th, 2025 [April 10th, 2025]
- Mike Pence to receive JFK Profile in Courage Award - Irish Star - April 10th, 2025 [April 10th, 2025]
- Former US VP Mike Pence: Like Israel, the US should give Taiwan 'the ability to defend herself by herself' - All Israel News - April 1st, 2025 [April 1st, 2025]
- President Donald Trump delivers his State of the Union address to a joint session of Congress on Capitol Hill in Washington, as Vice President Mike... - March 5th, 2025 [March 5th, 2025]
- In Trumps Washington, Mike Pence Is Odd Man Out - The Dispatch - February 27th, 2025 [February 27th, 2025]
- People Are Genuinely Stunned They Agree With Mike Pence's Ukraine Tweet - Yahoo - February 23rd, 2025 [February 23rd, 2025]
- Mike Pence aims to be 'constructive force' during Trump's second term while willing to challenge him - Fox News - February 23rd, 2025 [February 23rd, 2025]
- Mike Pence emerges as one of the few Republicans willing to challenge Trump 2.0 - The Associated Press - February 23rd, 2025 [February 23rd, 2025]
- Mike Pence criticizes President Trump for saying Ukraine started war with Russia - IndyStar - February 23rd, 2025 [February 23rd, 2025]
- Mike Pence lashes out, but most Republicans mum as Trump savages Ukraine and Zelensky - The Independent - February 23rd, 2025 [February 23rd, 2025]
- Mike Pence emerges as one of the few Republicans willing to challenge Trump 2.0 - Niagara Gazette - February 23rd, 2025 [February 23rd, 2025]
- Mike Pence lashes out schools Trump on who started the Ukraine-Russia war - Boing Boing - February 23rd, 2025 [February 23rd, 2025]
- All those to speak out against Donald Trump as Mike Pence rallies against former boss - Evening Standard - February 23rd, 2025 [February 23rd, 2025]
- Mike Pence emerges as one of the few Republicans willing to challenge Trump - Mon Valley Independent - February 23rd, 2025 [February 23rd, 2025]
- Incensed Mike Pence Slaps Down Trump Over His Sucking Up to Putin - MSN - February 23rd, 2025 [February 23rd, 2025]
- Mike Pence emerges as one of the few Republicans willing to challenge Trump 2.0 - LPHeraldDispatch.com - February 23rd, 2025 [February 23rd, 2025]
- Mike Pence emerges as one of the few Republicans willing to challenge Trump 2.0 - WPLG Local 10 - February 23rd, 2025 [February 23rd, 2025]
- Mike Pence emerges as one of the few Republicans willing to challenge Trump 2.0 - HubcitySPOKES.com - February 23rd, 2025 [February 23rd, 2025]
- Mike Pence emerges as one of the few Republicans willing to challenge Trump 2.0 - Oil City Derrick - February 23rd, 2025 [February 23rd, 2025]
- Mike Pence Revives Trump Tirades Against RFK Jr. in New Ad - The Daily Beast - February 1st, 2025 [February 1st, 2025]