Former President Donald Trump on Aug. 31 pleaded not guilty in the Georgia election case and waived his in-person court appearance in Fulton County scheduled for next Wednesday. Trump also formally asked a judge to sever his case from his co-defendants’ who want a speedy trial. Trump’s attorney Steven Sadow says he will not have “sufficient time” to prepare his case for trial by Oct. 23, 2023. Meanwhile, Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp rejected a plea from state Republicans to remove Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis.
A federal judge sentenced Proud Boys leader Joseph Randall Biggs to 17 years in prison, calling the destruction of a fence on U.S. Capitol property during the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol breach an act of terrorism. His co-defendant Zachary Rehl was sentenced to 15 years. Both sentences were lower than the 33-year and 30-year prison terms sought by federal prosecutors.
Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas filed a disclosure form detailing previously undisclosed gifts from his friend, GOP donor and billionaire Harlan Crow, as Democrats in Congress continue to criticize alleged ethical shortcomings at the nation’s highest court.
