This article is adapted from today’s Morning Wire Afternoon Update. To listen to the podcast version, click here.
Trump Sues His Ex-Attorney For $500 Million
Former President Donald Trump filed a lawsuit today against his former attorney Michael Cohen, accusing him of betraying their attorney-client relationship. Trump is reportedly asking for more than $500 million in damages. The move comes after Cohen testified against Trump in the controversial criminal case brought by Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg.
Indiana Plastics Fire
A massive fire at a plastic recycling plant in Richmond, Indiana, led to the evacuation of around 2,000 people from the surrounding area while clouds of toxic smoke billowed into the sky on Tuesday.
Authorities ordered those who live within a half-mile radius of the factory to evacuate, with some finding refuge at a local church or nearby hotels. An Indiana State Fire Marshal said, “the smoke is definitely toxic” and “this fire is going to burn for a few days.”
Officials also said that the facility where the fire started had received an “unsafe citation” and that its owner had allowed the building to be filled “wall to wall” with plastics, despite being warned “several times.”
Biden Electric Vehicle Overreach
The Environmental Protection Agency proposed new vehicle emissions standards on Wednesday that would aim to increase the adoption of electric cars and battle climate change.
The “more stringent” standards released by the agency would induce a 56% decrease in greenhouse gas emissions for light-duty vehicles as well as a 44% decrease for medium-duty vehicles. Similar standards were introduced for heavy-duty vehicles. The regulations would seek to change market conditions such that electric vehicles constitute two-thirds of new sales for light-duty vehicles and nearly half of new sales for medium-duty vehicles by 2032.
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Senate Dems Demand DOJ Action Against Tennessee Republicans
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) and Senator Raphael Warnock (D-GA) sent a letter to Attorney General Merrick Garland on Wednesday asking the Department of Justice to “use all available legal authorities” to investigate whether federal statutes were violated after two Tennessee state representatives were expelled last week for leading a protest on the floor of the state Capitol.
The letter also requested the Department “take all steps necessary to uphold the democratic integrity of our nation’s legislative bodies.”
Tennessee Gov Calls For Red Flag Laws
Tennessee Republican Governor Bill Lee (R-TN) called for Tennessee’s Republican majority legislature to pass an extreme-risk gun law on Tuesday. Lee requested the action after signing an executive order strengthening the state’s background checks on firearm buyers.
The new gun control push comes two weeks after three children and three adults were murdered when a trans-identifying shooter gunned down students and staff at the Covenant Christian school in Nashville.
Now, Lee is calling for so-called “red flag” laws that specifically target those deemed to have mental health issues, and allow a state court to issue an order for law enforcement to confiscate weapons from those ruled to be an extreme risk. Similar laws are on the books in 19 states, including Republican-led states Indiana and Florida. Opponents of red-flag laws say they could pose a threat to Second Amendment rights and due process.
Elon Musk Shreds The BBC
The BBC sat down with “Chief Twit” Elon Musk, asking the world’s richest man about reports that “hate speech” has been allowed to flourish on Twitter since purchasing the site. Here’s a piece of the interview:
BBC ‘journalism’ at its finest 🤦🏻♂️
BBC Journo: “There’s been a rise in hatful content on Twitter.”@elonmusk: “Give me an example.”
Journo: “I can’t.”
Musk: “You just lied.” pic.twitter.com/wOfzn5vGfJ— Darren Grimes (@darrengrimes_) April 12, 2023
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