Trump news – live: Trump wanted Truth Social executives to give shares to Melania, as video shows Stone threat

Donald Trump wanted Truth Social executives to give their shares to former First Lady Melania Trump.

Mr Trump called Will Wilkerson, an executive at Trump Media & Technology Group, last October and made the request, according to The Washington Post.

Mr Wilkerson told The Post that he told Mr Trump that “the gift would have meant a huge tax bill he couldn’t pay”.

“Trump didn’t care. He said, ‘Do whatever you need to do’,” Mr Wilkerson told the paper.

Meanwhile, Mr Trump’s response to a subpoena by the House select committee investigating the events of the January 6 Capitol riot has been met with derision and confusion, following its publication on Friday morning.

The former president released a four-page letter to the members of the committee — with a 10-page appendix attached — in which he regurgitated a range of disproven claims about fraud in the 2020 election.

In other news, Roger Stone said Mr Trump would get his “f***ing brains beat in” if he runs for president again, a clip from a documentary has revealed.

Key points

• New video shows Roger Stone threatening Trump he’ll get his ‘f***ing brains beat in’ if he runs again

• Independent voters frustrated by Biden but don’t want Trump either

• Eric Trump says ‘not a single person cares about the Jan 6 hearings’ in Newsmax rant

• Kinzinger says Trump picture with Kevin McCarthy ‘resurrected’ him after Jan 6

• Oath Keeper seditious conspiracy trial: What we’ve learned so far

Trump claims that National Archives ‘lost’ nuclear secrets but they ‘don’t care’

20:30 , Gustaf Kilander

Donald Trump has claimed that the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) “lost” nuclear secrets but that they “don’t care”.

The former president also asserted that NARA had “lost” “massive amounts of information from past Presidents”.

Mr Trump took to Truth Social on Sunday morning to say that “NARA has ‘lost’ massive amounts of information from past Presidents, including classified and nuclear secrets all over the place, and they don’t care, they only care about going after ‘Trump,’ even though we’ve done everything right as per the Presidential Records Act and the Clinton ‘Socks’ Case”.

The “Clinton Socks Case” is a reference to interviews President Bill Clinton did with author Taylor Branch while in the White House, with recordings of the interviews at one point being stored in a sock drawer, according to a 2007 CBS News story.

Mr Trump also posed a 2012 story by the investigative non-profit Center for Public Integrity concerning boxes of secret documents going missing.

Read more:

Trump claims that National Archives ‘lost’ nuclear secrets but they ‘don’t care’

Trump’s sons Donald Jr and Eric wanted stake in Trump Social as a ‘handout’, former executive claims

19:45 , Gustaf Kilander

Donald Trump Jr and Eric Trump wanted a stake in the former president’s media company despite little to no involvement, a co-founder of Trump Media & Technology Group has said.

Speaking to The Washington Post, Will Wilkerson outlined infighting and possibly illegal actions at the company.

“They were coming in and asking for a handout,” he said regarding the president’s sons. “They had no bearing in this company … and they were taking equity away from hard-working individuals.”

“The Washington Post published a story rife with knowingly false and defamatory statements and other concocted psychodramas,” the Trump Media & Technology Group said in a statement, according to Insider.

A computer log concerning the daily activities of the company put together by the co-founders states that they were advised that Mr Trump Jr “needs a bedtime story and some love”.

The log also shows how they got used to dealing with former President Donald Trump’s “sudden reversals and rage,” as described by The Post.

“President trump calls me in morning to yell at me because don jr is upset,” the log said on 23 September 2021.

“Don jr calls Wes and yells at him,” it states on 24 September 2021 in reference to co-founder Wes Moss.

On 12 October last year, the log says that Mr Trump “calls in crazy mood and he tries to renegotiate the entire deal … don jr walks in room and wants to get paid”.

On 30 October, the log says Mr Trump “is pissed”.

Read more:

Trump’s sons Donald Jr and Eric wanted stake in Trump Social as a ‘handout’

‘Holy s***, this is gonna go bad’: Fauci describes bad feeling on day Trump suggested injecting disinfectant to cure Covid

19:00 , Gustaf Kilander

Trump tells US Jews they should appreciate what he’s achieved in Israel ‘before it’s too late’

18:15 , Gustaf Kilander

Donald Trump has said that US Jews should appreciate what he’s achieved for Israel “before it’s too late”.

Mr Trump claimed that Evangelicals have been more appreciative of his support for Israel and that he could “easily” be prime minister of the country because of his strong support there.

“No President has done more for Israel than I have,” Mr Trump wrote on Truth Social on Sunday morning. “Somewhat surprisingly, however, our wonderful Evangelicals are far more appreciative of this than the people of the Jewish faith, especially those living in the US.”

“Those living in Israel, though, are a different story – Highest approval rating in the World, could easily be PM! US Jews have to get their act together and appreciate what they have in Israel – Before it is too late!” Mr Trump added.

The former consul-general for Israel in New York, Alon Pinkas, told The New Yorker for a piece outlining Mr Trump’s legacy in the country at the end of his term that “the American policy in Israel is totally symbolic”.

Read more:

Trump tells US Jews they should appreciate what he’s achieved in Israel

Trump endorses Lee Zeldin for governor of New York

17:30 , Gustaf Kilander

Donald Trump has endorsed the GOP nominee for governor of New York, Lee Zeldin.

Mr Zeldin, a New York congressman, is facing incumbent Democratic Governor Kathy Hochul, who entered the office after the resignation of Andrew Cuomo.

“I have watched and known Congressman Lee Zeldin for many years,” Mr Trump wrote on Truth Social on Sunday morning. “He is a great and brilliant lawyer who was a ‘must see’ for others in Congress when they had a complex legal problem that was holding up legislation.”

“Lee was strong on the Border, Crime, our great Military & Vets (like few others!), and fought hard to protect our 2nd Amendment, and succeeded. Lee Zeldin is a WINNER who GOT THINGS DONE. He will be a GREAT Governor of New York, and has my Complete & Total Endorsement. GOOD LUCK LEE!” Mr Trump added.

Roger Stone says he’s suing filmmakers for $25m, claiming faked footage

16:45 , Gustaf Kilander

Trump claims National Archives has ‘lost’ ‘massive amounts of information from past Presidents’

16:00 , Gustaf Kilander

Donald Trump took to Truth Social to claim that the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) has “lost” information from previous presidents.

“NARA has ‘lost’ massive amounts of information from past Presidents, including classified and nuclear secrets all over the place, and they don’t care, they only care about going after ‘Trump,’ even though we’ve done everything right as per the Presidential Records Act and the Clinton ‘Socks’ Case,” Mr Trump wrote on Saturday evening.

Donald Trump Jr claims Jan 6 subpeona was attempt to distract from inflation

15:15 , Gustaf Kilander

Trump says he could ‘easily’ be prime minister of Israel

14:40 , Gustaf Kilander

Donald Trump has said that Evangelicals in the US have been more appreciative of his support for Israel and that he could “easily” be prime minister of the country because of his strong support there.

“No President has done more for Israel than I have,” Mr Trump claimed on Truth Social on Sunday morning. “Somewhat surprisingly, however, our wonderful Evangelicals are far more appreciative of this than the people of the Jewish faith, especially those living in the U.S.”

“Those living in Israel, though, are a different story - Highest approval rating in the World, could easily be P.M.! U.S. Jews have to get their act together and appreciate what they have in Israel - Before it is too late!” Mr Trump added.

Trump pressured Truth Social executives to hand over their shares to Melania, co-founder claims

14:30 , Graeme Massie

Donald Trump pressured Truth Social executives to hand over their shares in his right-wing social media platform to former first lady Melania Trump, according to a whistleblower.

Will Wilkerson, one of the first employees of Trump Media & Technology Group, claims the former president called co-founder Andy Litinsky in a Florida coffee shop and made the demand of him.

The Washington Post says that Mr Trump made the request, which was worth millions of dollars, despite having already been given 90 per cent of the company’s shares.

Mr Wilkerson says that Mr Litinsky refused, telling the former president that “the gift would have meant a huge tax bill he couldn’t pay.

“Trump didn’t care. He said, ‘Do whatever you need to do.”

Mr Wilkerson filed a whistleblower complaint in August with the Securities and Exchange Commission, alleging securities violations involving the Trump Media and Digital World merger.

Read more:

Trump pressured Truth Social executives to hand over their shares to Melania

Donald Jr and Eric wanted stake in Trump media company: 'They were asking for a handout'

13:45 , Gustaf Kilander

Donald Trump Jr and Eric Trump wanted a stake in the former president’s media company despite little to no involvement, a co-founder of Trump Media & Technology Group has said.

Speaking to The Washington Post, Will Wilkerson outlined infighting and possibly illegal actions at the company.

“They were coming in and asking for a handout,” he said regarding the president’s sons. “They had no bearing in this company … and they were taking equity away from hard-working individuals.”

“Ignoring these achievements, the Washington Post published a story rife with knowingly false and defamatory statements and other concocted psychodramas,” the Trump Media & Technology Group said in a statement, according to Insider.

Liz Cheney hints Jan 6 committee may hold more public hearings

13:02 , Graeme Massie

Liz Cheney has hinted that there may be more January 6 committee public hearings to come in the wake of a subpoena being issued for Donald Trump.

The Republican lawmaker made the remarks at Notre Dame on Friday, the day after the committee dramatically voted to subpoena the one-term president.

Ms Cheney was asked during an event at the Indiana university’s Center for Citizenship and Constitutional Government why the committee had waited until the “last day” to act.

“It’s not necessarily the last day of the hearings,” she told the audience.

“I think we have felt it is very important that the investigation be conducted in a way that is rigorous and disciplined and responsible,” she added.

Liz Cheney hints Jan 6 committee may hold more public hearings

FBI official warned some agents ‘sympathetic’ Jan 6 rioters

12:02 , Gustaf Kilander

An FBI official was warned that some agents in the agency were “sympathetic” to the January 6 rioters a week after the insurrection, according to NBC News.

“There’s no good way to say it, so I’ll just be direct: from my first-hand and second-hand information from conversations since January 6th there is, at best, a sizable percentage of the employee population that felt sympathetic to the group that stormed the Capitol,” an individual wrote to Paul Abbate, who became the deputy director in February of last year.

The individual added that some agents argued that the insurrection wasn’t any different than the Black Lives Matter protests of the previous summer.

“Several also lamented that the only reason this violent activity is getting more attention is because of ‘political correctness’,” the email stated.

“I literally had to explain to an agent from a ‘blue state’ office the difference between opportunists burning and looting during protests that stemmed legitimate grievance to police brutality vs. an insurgent mob whose purpose was to prevent the execution of democratic processes at the behest of a sitting president,” the author of the email told Mr Abbate. “One is a smattering of criminals, the other is an organized group of domestic terrorists.”

Roger Stone claims new footage of him attacking Trumps is fake

11:02 , Gustaf Kilander

Secret Service downplayed extremist groups threats ahead of Jan 6, documents show

10:02 , Gustaf Kilander

Pennsylvania GOP gubernatorial nominee says pollsters are only calling people ‘in a certain demographic'

09:02 , Gustaf Kilander

Maggie Haberman says Trump wants portrayals of ‘complete adulation’ or ‘competent strongman’

08:00 , Gustaf Kilander

Former Trump aide Seb Gorka claims Jan 6 footage of Pelosi was staged

07:02 , Gustaf Kilander

Social Security boost seen as unlikely to help Dems at polls

06:00 , The Associated Press

The news that 70 million people will see an 8.7% boost in their Social Security checks next year came just weeks before Election Day, but it is unlikely to give Democrats the edge they are desperately seeking at the polls.

In fact, the promise of bigger payments could call even more attention to the surging prices that have been inflicting pain on households — and the reason behind Thursday’s announcement of the the program’s largest cost-of-living increase in four decades.

“It’s going to bring more money to people’s pockets, but it primes people to think about high inflation,” said Marty Cohen, a James Madison University political science professor.

“This is being done because inflation is bad, and that’s the reason for the large adjustment. It’s not an issue that Democrats want on the front burner for voters.”

Voters have ranked the economy as a higher priority than Social Security, with 71% of U.S. adults telling Pew Research Center in January that strengthening the economy was a top priority for the president and Congress versus 57% saying the same about ensuring the Social Security system is financially sound.

Read more:

Social Security boost seen as unlikely to help Dems at polls

Biden's pot pardons could boost states' legalization drive

05:02 , The Associated Press

There are few surprises expected on Election Day in solidly Republican Arkansas, where Donald Trump’s former press secretary is heavily favored in the race for governor and other GOP candidates are considered locks.

But one big exception is the campaign to make Arkansas the first state in the South to legalize recreational marijuana. A proposal to change the state’s constitution is drawing millions of dollars from opponents and supporters of legalization, with ads crowding the airwaves.

President Joe Biden‘s recent announcement that he will pardon thousands of people for simple marijuana possession has shined a new spotlight on the legalization efforts in Arkansas and four other states. Voters in Maryland, Missouri, North Dakota and South Dakota are also taking up measures on recreational marijuana.

Biden’s step toward decriminalizing the drug could provide a boost for legalization in some of the most conservative parts of the country, experts say.

“The most powerful elected leader in the world has publicly declared it was a mistake to criminalize people for using cannabis and I think that will go a long with voters who may be on the fence,” said Mason Tvert, partner at VS Strategies, a cannabis policy and public affairs firm.

Biden's pot pardons could boost states' legalization drive

Biden’s late push across West aims to deliver votes for Dems

04:02 , The Associated Press

President Joe Biden strode into the telephone bank at a crowded union hall and eagerly began making calls and eating doughnuts — one frosted, one glazed — as he tries every page in the political playbook to deliver votes for Democrats.

“What a governor does matters,” Biden said in a pep talk to volunteers who were making Friday night calls for gubernatorial hopeful Tina Kotek and other candidates. “It matters! It matters, it matters, it matters!”

Before leaving Portland on Saturday, the president planned to attend a reception for Kotek and give a speech about his administration’s efforts to bring down costs for Americans.

It was the final stop on a four-day swing through Oregon, California and Colorado that has encapsulated Biden’s strategy for turning out voters on Election Day, Nov. 8: flex the levers of government to help boost candidates, promote an agenda aimed at strengthening an uncertain economy and haul in campaign cash.

And this: show up for candidates when Biden can be helpful, steer clear of places where a visit from a president with approval ratings under 50% isn’t necessarily a good thing.

Read more:

Biden’s late push across West aims to deliver votes for Dems

VIDEO: Raphael Warnock and Herschel Walker have fiery discussion on abortion in Georgia Senate Debate

03:00 , Gustaf Kilander

‘Rantings of a madman’: Trump derided for regurgitating disproven election lies in ‘nonsensical’ response to Jan 6 committee

02:00 , Oliver O'Connell

Donald Trump’s response to a subpoena by the House select committee investigating the events of the January 6 Capitol riot has been met with derision and confusion, following its publication on Friday morning.

The former president released a four-page letter to the members of the committee — with a 10-page appendix attached — in which he regurgitated a range of disproven claims about fraud in the 2020 election.

Mr Trump also completely failed to mention the panel’s unanimous vote to subpoena him to testify under oath on his central role in the attack on the US Capitol in the final days of his presidency, as laid out over nine public hearings.

Instead, the former president began in his familiar style, writing in all caps that he still believes the 2020 election was “rigged and stolen”.

Read more:

Trump mocked for repeating disproven election lies in ‘unhinged’ reply to Jan 6 panel

New video shows Roger Stone threatening Trump he’ll get his ‘f***ing brains beat in’ if he runs again

01:00 , Gustaf Kilander and Andrew Feinberg

Roger Stone threatened Donald Trump that he would get his “f***ing brains beat in” if he runs for president again, a clip from a documentary has revealed.

Filmmaker Christoffer Guldbrandsen tweeted the short clip from A Storm Foretold on Saturday.

In the footage, Stone is on the phone in a moving car.

“I’m done with this president,” Stone says, referring to Trump. “I’m going to public supporting impeachment. I have no choice.”

“He has to go, he has to go – run again, you’ll get your f***ing brains beat in,” he adds.

The veteran GOP provocateur and former Trump adviser became so incensed by the news that he would not be granted a presidential pardon shielding him from prosecution over offences relating to the January 6 Capitol attack that he lashed out at Mr Trump’s family in extremely vulgar terms, previously released footage shows.

Documentary footage shot by Mr Guldbrandsen, a Danish filmmaker, for the upcoming film shows Mr Stone melting down on President Joe Biden’s Inauguration Day after being told Mr Trump would not issue any pardons relating to the Capitol insurrection.

Read more:

New video shows Roger Stone threatening Trump he’ll get his ‘f***ing brains beat in’

Elise Stefanik caught boasting about $12.9m hospital investment that she voted against

Saturday 15 October 2022 23:15 , Graeme Massie

Republican lawmaker Elise Stefanik has been caught touting $12.9m in funding for rural hospitals in her district that she actually voted against.

The pro-Trump congresswoman from New York welcomed the Rural Development Grants from the Department of Agriculture, calling it a “significant investment.”

But she failed to tell her constituents that the money was coming from Joe Biden’s American Rescue Plan, which was passed by Congress in March 202, according to Politico.

Read more:

Elise Stefanik caught boasting about $12.9m hospital investment she voted against

Reporter corrects Dr Oz live on air as he makes false claim about Fetterman’s first wish for America

Saturday 15 October 2022 22:30 , Graeme Massie

Dr Mehmet Oz was corrected live on air after he made false claims that his opponent John Fetterman wanted to end life imprisonment as his first political priority.

The pro-Trump Republican candidate for Pennsylvania’s US Senate seat is trailing his Democratic rival for the open seat with less than a month left before election day.

He was fact-checked about his claim towards Mr Fetterman during an interview with Dasha Burns on NBC News.

“When John Fetterman is asked, ‘If you could wave a magic wand, what’s the one thing you would do?’ … He says, ‘Well, I’d get rid of life in prison,’” claimed Dr Oz.

But Burns, who had just interviewed Mr Fetterman, called him out on the inaccurate claim.

Read more:

Reporter corrects Dr Oz live on air as he makes false claim about Fetterman

‘It’s no longer the Republican Party, it’s the Trump Party,’ Eric Trump says

Saturday 15 October 2022 21:45 , Gustaf Kilander

Roger Stone dismisses Jan 6 panel’s evidence that he was in group chat with Oath Keepers leader

Saturday 15 October 2022 21:00 , Gustaf Kilander

Trump wanted Truth Social executives to give shares to Melania, as video shows Stone threat

Saturday 15 October 2022 20:39 , Gustaf Kilander

Donald Trump wanted Truth Social executives to give their shares to former First Lady Melania Trump.

Mr Trump called Will Wilkerson, an executive at Trump Media & Technology Group, last October and made the request, according to The Washington Post.

Mr Wilkerson told The Post that he told Mr Trump that “the gift would have meant a huge tax bill he couldn’t pay”.

“Trump didn’t care. He said, ‘Do whatever you need to do’,” Mr Wilkerson told the paper.

VIDEO: Trump blasts January 6 committee subpoena in 14-page letter

Saturday 15 October 2022 20:15 , Gustaf Kilander

Obama headed to Georgia, Michigan, Wisconsin as vote nears

Saturday 15 October 2022 19:30 , AP news wire

Former President Barack Obama is headed to Georgia, Michigan and Wisconsin in the closing days of the 2022 campaign to give a boost to Democrats running for governor, senator and on down the ballot.

He goes first to Atlanta, where Stacey Abrams is taking on Republican Gov. Brian Kemp on Nov. 8. She lost a close race to him in 2018.

As in 2020, Georgia also may once again decide which party controls the Senate. Democratic Sen. Raphael Warnock is facing a challenge from Republican Herschel Walker, a football star making his first bid for public office.

After campaigning in Atlanta on Oct. 28, Obama plans stops the following day in Detroit and Milwaukee for events to help get out the vote.

In Michigan, Democratic Gov. Gretchen Whitmer is running against Tudor Dixon, a onetime commentator for a conservative online program who was endorsed by former President Donald Trump.

Read more:

Obama headed to Georgia, Michigan, Wisconsin as vote nears

Only 13 of 89 swing voters in battleground states would support Trump in 2024 rematch with Biden

Saturday 15 October 2022 18:46 , Gustaf Kilander

Rich Thau is the president of Engagious, a market research company. The throughline he’s seen in his focus groups during the course of this year are independent swing voters unwilling to support Donald Trump in a hypothetical rematch with Joe Biden.

He has held focus groups in Arizona, Georgia, Florida, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin, where he asked 89 voters who voted for Mr Trump in 2016 and Mr Biden in 2020 who they would support if the two party leaders were to square off again in 2024.

Only 13 of them indicated that they would vote for the Republican, according to The Washington Post.

New video shows Roger Stone threatening Trump he’ll get his ‘f***ing brains beat in’ if he runs again

Saturday 15 October 2022 18:20 , Gustaf Kilander

Roger Stone threatened Donald Trump that he would get his “f***ing brains beat in” if he runs for president again, a clip from a documentary has revealed.

Filmmaker Christoffer Guldbrandsen tweeted the short clip from A Storm Foretold on Saturday.

In the footage, Stone is on the phone in a moving car.

“I’m done with this president,” Stone says, referring to Trump. “I’m going to public supporting impeachment. I have no choice.”

“He has to go, he has to go – run again, you’ll get your f***ing brains beat in,” he adds.

Independent voters frustrated by Biden but don’t want Trump either

Saturday 15 October 2022 18:00 , Gustaf Kilander

Independent voters who cast ballots for Donald Trump in 2016 and for Joe Biden in 2020 have said while they don’t want Mr Trump to return to the White House, they’re indifferent towards Mr Biden, with some even saying they’re frustrated by the president.

Asked for one word about Mr Biden, the voters used words such as “indifferent … mixed to indifferent … bored … ambivalent … frustrated … flabbergasted … lost,” during a focus group event in Pennsylvania on Tuesday evening, according to The Washington Post.

But when they were asked if they would support the former president in a Trump/Biden rematch in 2024, none said they would do so.

Eric Trump says ‘not a single person cares about the Jan 6 hearings’ in Newsmax rant

Saturday 15 October 2022 17:15 , Gustaf Kilander

Eric Trump appeared on Newsmax to rant about the House Select Committee investigating January 6, saying that “not a single person cares about the ... hearings”.

“The Republicans are absolutely going to steamroll the Democratic Party because they haven’t accomplished anything in two years,” he added about the upcoming midterm elections. “This is all coordinated, it’s all made up. It’s all a diversion, a distraction.”

Herschel Walker doubles down on denial he paid for ex-girlfriend’s abortion: ‘I’m not backing down’

Saturday 15 October 2022 16:30 , Eric Garcia

Republican Senate candidate Herschel Walker doubled down on his denial of news reportsthat he paid for an ex-girlfriend’s abortion in his debate with Senator Raphael Warnock.

Mr Walker made the remarks during his debate in Savannah on Friday, a week after The Daily Beast reported that he sent a $750 check to an ex-girlfriend. The New York Times later reported that he pressured his ex-girlfriend to have a second abortion in 2011.

But Mr Walker vehemently denied the allegations.

“That was a lie and I’m not backing down,” he said during the debate, mentioning how he had difficulty with mental health and wrote about it in a book.

“I’ve been very transparent, not like the Senator,” he said. “Georgia is a state that respects life and I’ll be a Senator that protects life.”

Polling has shown that Mr Walker has fallen behind Mr Warnock after the news reports. A recent The Atlanta Journal-Constitution/Georgia News Collaborative survey showed Mr Warnock had a narrow three-point lead at 46 per cent against Mr Walker, a former University of Georgia running back and Heisman Trophy winner, at 43 per cent.

Mr Walker has previously said he opposes abortion bans including in cases of rape, incest or when the life of the mother is endangered.

Herschel Walker doubles down on denial he paid for ex-girlfriend’s abortion

Kinzinger says Trump picture with Kevin McCarthy ‘resurrected’ him after Jan 6

Saturday 15 October 2022 15:45 , Gustaf Kilander

Herschel Walker called out for ‘prop’ badge during debate when accused of lying about working as a sheriff

Saturday 15 October 2022 15:15 , Eric Garcia

A debate moderator admonished Republican Senate candidate Herschel Walker for pulling out a “prop” badge after Democratic Senator Raphael Warnock of Georgia accused him of lying about being a police officer.

The exchanged happened during a question about rising crime in Georgia, when Mr Walker accused Mr Warnock of being anti-police and criticising them too much.

In response, Mr Warnock mentioned how he had supported law enforcement in the United States Senate and then pointed to a story in The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, which reported that he had said he worked in law enforcement when he did not and mentioned a report that he threatened to have a shootout with officers in 2011.

“One thing I have not done I’ve never pretended to be a police officer. Yet, I’ve never I’ve never threatened a shootout with the police,” he said, which drew applause.

Read more:

Walker pulls out ‘prop’ badge in debate when accused of lying about being a sheriff

Oath Keeper seditious conspiracy trial: What we’ve learned so far

Saturday 15 October 2022 14:45 , Oliver O'Connell

Jurors in Washington DC will determine whether the leader of a far-right anti-government militia and four others tied to the group are guilty of seditious conspiracy after plotting an attempt to violently disrupt Congress on 6 January, 2021.

Stewart Rhodes and four other defendants have pleaded not guilty to the charges against them, while federal prosecutors argue that the Oath Keepers spent weeks organising their members and associates for an “attack” fuelled by baseless conspiracy theories that the 2020 presidential election was stolen from Donald Trump.

Investigators and prosecutors have presented reams of evidence, including text messages and video, appearing to show Oath Keepers energising supporters with violent rhetoric, coordinating a cache of weapons and supplies, and preparing to use force while marching on the US Capitol.

The trial marks the highest-profile proceedings and most significant charges yet in the aftermath of the attack – separate from but parallel to a congressional investigation into the events leading up to and surrounding the assault.

Alex Woodward looks at what we have learned so far in the trial:

What we learned from the Oath Keepers seditious conspiracy trial so far

What’s next for the January 6 committee?

Saturday 15 October 2022 14:15 , Oliver O'Connell

The January 6 panel’s attempt to compel Donald Trump’s testimony comes as the committee is tying together multiple investigative threads and compiling its final report.

The panel is only authorised through this Congress, which ends on 3 January 2023. Here’s a look at what’s next as the panel sprints to its finish:

Trump mocked for repeating disproven election lies in ‘unhinged’ reply to Jan 6 panel

Pelosi warned Pence on Jan 6: ‘Don’t let anybody know where you are’

Saturday 15 October 2022 13:45 , Oliver O'Connell

Documentary footage shot during the January 6 Capitol attack shows House Speaker Nancy Pelosi advising then-Vice President Mike Pence to keep his location a closely held secret.

Andrew Feinberg has the story.

Pelosi told Pence to keep location secret during Capitol riot

Video shows Roger Stone lashing out at Ivanka Trump over lack of pardon

Saturday 15 October 2022 13:15 , Oliver O'Connell

Veteran GOP provocateur and Trump adviser Roger Stone became so incensed by news that he would not be granted a presidential pardon shielding him from prosecution over offenses relating to the January 6 Capitol attack that he lashed out at former president Donald Trump’s family in extremely vulgar terms.

Andrew Feinberg reports on Stone’s outburst.

Roger Stone filmed lashing out at Ivanka Trump after not getting Jan 6 pardon

Trump derided for regurgitating disproven election lies in ‘nonsensical’ response to Jan 6 committee

Saturday 15 October 2022 12:30 , Oliver O'Connell

Donald Trump’s response to a subpoena by the House select committee investigating the events of the January 6 Capitol riot has been met with derision and confusion, following its publication on Friday morning.

The former president released a four-page letter to the members of the committee — with a 10-page appendix attached — in which he regurgitated a range of disproven claims about fraud in the 2020 election.

Mr Trump also completely failed to mention the panel’s unanimous vote to subpoena him to testify under oath on his central role in the attack on the US Capitol in the final days of his presidency, as laid out over nine public hearings.

Trump mocked for repeating disproven election lies in ‘unhinged’ reply to Jan 6 panel

Will it matter that Jan 6 committee subpoenaed Trump?

Saturday 15 October 2022 11:30 , Oliver O'Connell

With less than three months until the 117th Congress comes to a close, the House January 6 committee voted on Thursday to issue a subpoena commanding former president Donald Trump to appear and give evidence before the panel that has spent the last year and a half investigating the attack he fomented.

But will the committee get answers to the questions they seek to ask the former president? Probably not, Andrew Feinberg writes.

The January 6 committee subpoenaed Donald Trump. Will it matter?

In 4-page letter Trump refuses to say if he’ll testify before Jan 6 panel

Saturday 15 October 2022 10:30 , Oliver O'Connell

Donald Trump’s response to the House January 6 select committee’s authorisation of a subpoena compelling the ex-president to produce documents and give evidence does not say whether he would comply with the committee’s demands.

Andrew Feinberg reports.

Trump releases four-page letter response to Jan 6 committee subpoena vote

Maggie Haberman reacts to clips of Trump attacking her professionalism

Saturday 15 October 2022 09:30 , Oliver O'Connell

New York Times reporter Maggie Haberman showed no signs of personal injury when confronted with clips of former President Donald Trump attacking her credentials.

Johanna Chisholm reports.

Maggie Haberman reacts to clips of Trump attacking her as a ‘third-rate reporter’

Roger Stone: ‘F*** the voting. Let’s get right to the violence’

Saturday 15 October 2022 08:30 , Oliver O'Connell

Right-wing operative Roger Stone called for violence and suggested Donald Trump should prematurely declare victory before the results of the 2020 presidential election, according to video evidence aired by the House select committee investigating the attack on the US Capitol fueled by those same claims.

Alex Woodward watched the January 6 committee hearing on Thursday.

Jan 6 panel shares damning video of Roger Stone as committee reveals links to attack

After another bombshell Jan 6 hearing, Trump will now be forced to testify

Saturday 15 October 2022 07:30 , Oliver O'Connell

The House 6 January select committee on Thursday voted to issue a subpoena demanding testimony from the man whose actions have been at the centre of the nine-member panel’s investigation over the last year: former president Donald Trump.

Committee members unanimously approved a motion to subpoena the twice-impeached ex-president at the end of the panel’s ninth investigative hearing, likely the final such public session before the November midterm election.

The select committee’s chairman, Representative Bennie Thompson of Mississippi, called Mr Trump “the one person at the centre of the story of what happened on January 6” and said the panel needs to hear from him in a way that goes “beyond” the fact-finding it has engaged in over the past year.

Andrew Feinberg and Eric Garcia report for The Independent from Capitol Hill.

Trump will now be forced to testify after bombshell Jan 6 hearing

‘Gonna punch him out and go to jail’

Saturday 15 October 2022 06:00 , Oliver O'Connell

A new video of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi at the time of the Capitol riots last year has been revealed in which she can be heard saying that if Donald Trump had entered the building, she would “punch him out” even if it means “going to jail”.

Shweta Sharma reports on what was caught in the dramatic and tense footage taken during the January 6 attack on the US Capitol.

Jan 6 video shows Pelosi saying she will ‘punch’ Trump if he reaches Capitol

Might Trump obey Jan 6 subpoena under one condition?

Saturday 15 October 2022 04:45 , Oliver O'Connell

Donald Trump has reportedly been telling his aides that he may obey the subpoena issued by the Jan 6 House select committee, provided a specific demand is met...

Alisha Rahaman Sarkar reports.

Trump may obey Jan 6 subpoena but only if his testimony is carried live, report says

Trump subpoena: ‘He is required to answer’

Saturday 15 October 2022 04:00 , Oliver O'Connell

Justice cannot only apply to the ex-president’s ‘foot soldiers’, Wyoming Rep Liz Cheney insists as January 6 committee votest to subpoena Donald Trump.

Trump subpoenaed by Jan 6 committee

Video shows Pelosi calling for support in midst of Capitol riot

Saturday 15 October 2022 03:15 , Oliver O'Connell

New footage of Nancy Pelosi and Chuck Schumer huddling with members of the House and Senate amid the January 6 attack was played by the House select committee investigating the attack on Thursday.

In the footage, Ms Pelosi is heard on the phone with Virginia’s Governor Ralph Northam and securing the aid of hundreds of police and National Guard troops as backup.

“Governor, I don’t know if you’ve been approached about the Virginia National Guard,” the House speaker was seen telling Mr Northam on her cell phone.

As Ms Pelosi was making calls for backup, rioters in the Capitol were yelling “bring her out” in reference to the House speaker, according to a video montage produced by CNN.

John Bowden has the story.

Shocking new video shows Pelosi calling for help as rioters yelled ‘bring her out’

Trump slams ‘sham’ Jan 6 panel

Saturday 15 October 2022 02:30 , Oliver O'Connell

Donald Trump took to Truth Social to slam the January 6 House panel as a ‘sham committee’ after it voted to subpoena the former president to testify before it.

The former president attacked the nine-member committee after they demanded that he appears before it for questioning over the 2021 insurrection they have been probing for the last year.

Graeme Massie reports on Mr Trump’s response.

Trump slams ‘sham committee’ as January 6 panel subpoenas him to testify

5 takeaways from the return of the January 6 committee

Saturday 15 October 2022 01:45 , Oliver O'Connell

On Thursday, members of the House select committee investigating January 6 returned to the US Capitol and met for their first meeting in several weeks, taking both historic action as well as laying out more damning testimony.

The hearing ended with the members voting to subpoena Mr Trump himself, after declaring that their fact-finding abilities were limited without the testimony of the president under oath.

It’s an escalation of the panel’s pressure at a time when the former president is already besieged by a number of legal investigations.

Here are five key moments from today’s committee meeting:

Five takeaways from the return of the January 6 committee

‘Their plan is to literally kill people’: Secret Service was aware of plans for violence on Jan 6

Saturday 15 October 2022 01:00 , Oliver O'Connell

Emails and messages among members of the US Secret Service at least 10 days before the attack on the US Capitol reveal that the agency was well aware of violent threats and plans to occupy the halls of Congress, according to the House select committee investigating the assault.

A Secret Service field office relayed one tip sent to the FBI warning that members of the far-right nationalist gang the Proud Boys planned to march, armed, into Washington DC.

The message sent on 26 December, 2020 said “their plan is to literally kill people.”

“Please please take this tip seriously and investigate further,” the message read, according to the committee.

Alex Woodward has the details.

Newly released emails show Secret Service was aware of plans for violence on Jan 6

Secret Service met with Oath Keepers before Jan 6

Saturday 15 October 2022 00:15 , Oliver O'Connell

Secret Service agents met with members of the right-wing extremist Oath Keepers group prior to the violent January 6 insurrection, according to a report.

A Secret Service spokesperson told CNN that the agency had contact with the extremist group, whose founder and other members are currently on trial, as part of its standard intelligence-gathering duties.

Graeme Massie reports.

Secret Service met with Oath Keepers before January 6, official confirms

Email reveals FBI was warned about ‘sympathetic’ agents after Jan 6

Friday 14 October 2022 23:50 , Oliver O'Connell

A week after a mob breached the halls of Congress to reject the outcome of the 2020 presidential election, the man who is now the deputy director of the FBI received an email with a warning that a “sizeable percentage” of agents among the bureau’s ranks were “sympathetic” to the rioters and unlikely to hold them accountable.

The name of the sender is redacted, and the email came from an external source, not from an email with an address linked to the bureau.

Alex Woodward reports.

Email reveals FBI was warned about ‘sympathetic’ agents after Jan 6

Trump blasted aides after Supreme Court rejection of election case, Jan 6 panel reveals

Friday 14 October 2022 23:30 , Oliver O'Connell

Donald Trump personally admitted to aides that he had lost the 2020 election and demanded that they hide that truth from the US public, an aide to former White House chief of staff Mark Meadows has told the January 6 committee.

Cassidy Hutchinson’s testimony on that issue was played by the committee for the first time on Thursday as the panel presents its latest findings pubicly and is reportedly planning to subpoena the former president himself for testimony.

According to Ms Hutchinson, Mr Trump spoke to Mr Meadows in December of 2020, shortly after the Supreme Court declined to take up his challenge to the election results in several battleground states.

Trump admitted privately that election fraud claims were bogus, aide says

Is there enough evidence to charge Trump over Mar-a-Lago papers?

Friday 14 October 2022 22:45 , Oliver O'Connell

Legal experts are growing increasingly certain that Donald Trump will face criminal charges over his stashing of thousands of pages of presidential records at Mar-a-Lago.

What erupted into the national conversation with a stunning raid of the president’s home last month is now a bogged-down legal battle between Mr Trump’s lawyers, the Department of Justice and a special master appointed at the request of the former president.

John Bowden looks at where it all might be headed.

Legal experts are saying there’s enough proof to charge Trump over Mar-a-Lago docs

DoJ asks appeals court to toss Trump special master order

Friday 14 October 2022 22:28 , Oliver O'Connell

The Department of Justice has asked the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals to overturn a Trump-appointed judge’s order barring the use of non-classified documents seized during a search of Mr Trump’s home in an ongoing criminal probe into the ex-president.

In a legal brief filed with the court late on Friday, prosecutors called Judge Aileen Cannon’s decision to name a special master to review documents seized in the 8 August search of the ex-president’s Mar-a-Lago property as “an unprecedented order by the district court restricting an ongoing criminal investigation by prohibiting the Executive Branch from reviewing and using evidence ... recovered in a court-authorized search”.

Andrew Feinberg has the latest development in the ongoing legal saga over the Mar-a-Lago papers.

Justice Department asks appeals court to toss Trump special master order

Ted Cruz deletes fake article post about Muslim white supremacists

Friday 14 October 2022 22:00 , Oliver O'Connell

Senator Ted Cruz deleted a tweet on Friday, after he was duped by a fake Atlantic magazine story about Muslim white supremacists, the latest in a long list of social media gaffes for the conservative leader.

Josh Marcus reports.

Ted Cruz deletes tweet with fake article about Muslim white supremacists

Schiff says Jan 6 panel awaits ‘serious response from former president’

Friday 14 October 2022 21:30 , Oliver O'Connell

House January 6 committee member says that the letter released this morning by former President Donald Trump is “not a substitute for testimony under oath” and the committee awaits “a serious response from the former president”.

He notes that seven previous presidents have appeared before Congress in such a capacity as they are requesting he does and he should honour the subpoena.

‘Gonna punch him out and go to jail’

Friday 14 October 2022 21:15 , Oliver O'Connell

A new video of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi at the time of the Capitol riots last year has been revealed in which she can be heard saying that if Donald Trump had entered the building, she would “punch him out” even if it means “going to jail”.

Shweta Sharma reports.

Jan 6 video shows Pelosi saying she will ‘punch’ Trump if he reaches Capitol

Cheney: ‘Not necessarily the last day of the hearings’

Friday 14 October 2022 21:00 , Oliver O'Connell

Republican Rep Liz Cheney, vice chair of the House select committee investigating the event of 6 January 2021, was asked on CSPAN why the panel waited until the last day of the public hearings to subpoena former President Donald Trump. More specifically she was asked why it had not been done on day one.

“It’s not necessarily the last day of the hearings,” replied Ms Cheney to applause.

“We have felt that it is very important that the investigation is conducted in a way that is rigorous and disciplined and responsible, and that has meant collecting evidence from many if not — not all because some people took the fifth or refused to appear — but collecting evidence from all those around the central figure in January 6, before we issued a subpoena for him. And so that’s what we’ve done.”

Watch below:

On Jan 6 Pelosi warned Pence: ‘Don’t let anybody know where you are’

Friday 14 October 2022 20:45 , Oliver O'Connell

Documentary footage shot during the January 6 Capitol attack shows House Speaker Nancy Pelosi advising then-Vice President Mike Pence to keep his location a closely held secret.

Andrew Feinberg has the story.

Pelosi told Pence to keep location secret during Capitol riot

This may come as a surprise, but AOC is not a multimillionaire with five cars...

Friday 14 October 2022 20:15 , Oliver O'Connell

At a recent town hall in her congressional district, New York congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez was once again falsely accused of being a secret multimillionaire – a bogus, repeatedly debunked claim that has circulated across dubious websites and social media platforms since she entered office.

Alex Woodward takes a look at the false claims that keep circulating.

AOC is still combatting false claims that she’s a multimillionaire. Here’s why

Pence book jacket recalls breakdown of Trump relationship

Friday 14 October 2022 19:45 , Oliver O'Connell

New York Times journalist Maggie Haberman has tweeted out copy from the book jacket of former Vice President Mike Pence’s upcoming autobiography So Help Me God, noting a particular mention of the breakdown of his relationship with former President Donald Trump.

Of particular note is the upfront mention of the January 6 mob chanting “Hang Mike Pence!”

Here’s the first paragraph of the full book description from publishers Simon & Schuster:

Mr Pence’s autobiography — tagline: Loyalty is a Vice President’s first duty; but there is a greater one—to God and the Constitution — is published on 15 November.

Ohio Dems plead for help against Trump-backed Vance in Senate race

Friday 14 October 2022 19:15 , Oliver O'Connell

Democrats across Ohio are pleading for help in the state’s Senate contest, afraid they may lose a winnable election unless national party leaders make major investments in the coming days.

So far, the most powerful groups in Democratic politics have prioritized Senate pickup opportunities in North Carolina, Wisconsin and Pennsylvania over Ohio, once a perennial swing state that veered right in the Trump era. But on the eve of the 2022 midterms, some public polls suggest Ohio is as competitive as the other swing states, leaving many Democrats here wondering why their party isn’t backing Senate contender Tim Ryan more forcefully.

Read more:

Ohio Dems press party to invest in high stakes Senate seat

Coming up: Walker v Warnock in Georgia Senate race debate

Friday 14 October 2022 18:45 , Oliver O'Connell

Democratic Sen. Raphael Warnock and his Republican challenger, Herschel Walker, will meet Friday night for their only debate in Georgia’s marquee Senate contest, just days before in-person early voting begins.

The 60-minute session, which will take place before a live audience, comes in the wake of reports that Walker paid for a girlfriend to have an abortion in 2009 before later fathering a child with her. Additionally, the matchup could force both men to answer other attacks — personal and political — that have flooded voters’ television screens and social media feeds for months.

The Independent will be covering the debate live at 7pm ET over on our Midterms liveblog.

Here’s a preview:

Walker, Warnock meet for only debate in Georgia Senate race

Roger Stone called Ivanka Trump ‘abortionist b***h'

Friday 14 October 2022 18:15 , Oliver O'Connell

Veteran GOP provocateur and Trump adviser Roger Stone became so incensed by news that he would not be granted a presidential pardon shielding him from prosecution over offenses relating to the January 6 Capitol attack that he lashed out at former president Donald Trump’s family in extremely vulgar terms.

Andrew Feinberg has the story.

Roger Stone filmed lashing out at Ivanka Trump after not getting Jan 6 pardon

Pence aide Marc Short ordered to testify to Jan 6 grand jury

Friday 14 October 2022 18:02 , Oliver O'Connell

Marc Short, former chief of staff to Vice President Mike Pence, appeared before a grand jury on Thursday to testify in a criminal investigation into efforts to overturn the 2020 election after federal courts overruled former President Donald Trump’s objections to the testimony, The Washington Post reports, citing people familiar with the matter.

The sealed decision could clear the way for other top Trump White House officials to answer questions before a grand jury.

One of the outlet’s sources said that Chief US District Judge Beryl Howell ruled that Mr Short probably possessed information important to the Department of Justice criminal probe into the 6 January 2021 attack on the US Capitol that was not available from other sources.

Those familiar with the matter further said that Mr Trump appealed, but the court would not postpone Mr Short’s appearance while the litigation continues.

This indicated that Mr Trump may have attempted to invoke executive privilege but such a move was unlikely to prevail.

Watch: Fox News guest reminds panel on-air personalities begged Trump to stop Jan 6 violence

Friday 14 October 2022 17:45 , Oliver O'Connell

Election conspiracy theorist’s nonprofit spending big...on who?

Friday 14 October 2022 17:15 , Andrew Naughtie

Along with Rudy Giuliani, Sidney Powell was one of the most recognisable faces in the dismal effort to overturn the 2020 election in the courts, with every one of her “kraken” lawsuits failing. She now faces disciplinary proceedings and a defamation lawsuit over her conduct since the election, but she has also raised millions of dollars for a nonprofit.

Now, the Washington Post reports that while the money does appear to be being spent, there is little information about whose benefit it’s being used for.

Trump slated for “rantings” in Jan 6 letter

Friday 14 October 2022 16:45 , Andrew Naughtie

Donald Trump’s response to a subpoena by the House select committee investigating the events of the January 6 Capitol riot has been met with derision and confusion, following its publication on Friday morning.

The former president released a four-page letter to the members of the committee — with a 10-page appendix attached — in which he regurgitated a range of disproven claims about fraud in the 2020 election.

Mr Trump also completely failed to mention the panel’s unanimous vote to subpoena him to testify under oath on his central role in the attack on the US Capitol in the final days of his presidency, as laid out over nine public hearings.

Instead, the former president began in his familiar style, writing in all caps that he still believes the 2020 election was “rigged and stolen”.

Oliver O’Connell has this read on the reaction...

Trump mocked for repeating disproven election lies in ‘unhinged’ reply to Jan 6 panel

Footage shows Roger Stone erupting in rage at Trumps after not receiving pardon

Friday 14 October 2022 16:15 , Andrew Naughtie

The Daily Beast has obtained footage from an upcoming documentary, The Storm Foretold, that shows longtime far-right instigator and Trump ally Roger Stone exploding with rage when it became clear on inauguration day 2021 that Donald Trump would not be granting him a blanket pardon.

The two top targets of his fury were Jared Kushner, whom he described as having “an IQ of 70”, and Ivanka Trump. “F** you and your abortionist b**** daughter,” he says in the video, shaking with anger.

Mr Stone is reportedly threatening to sue the Danish producers who filmed the documentary, other clips from which were shown at yesterday’s Jan 6 hearing.

Texts show Oath Keepers reacting to Trump’s “wild" tweet

Friday 14 October 2022 15:45 , Andrew Naughtie

Donald Trump’s tweet calling on supporters to come to Washington, DC on 6 January 2021, promising it “will be wild!”, is one of the most infamous items in the case that he bears primary responsibility for inciting the riot.

And away from the Capitol Hill committee room where yesterday’s hearing took place, its impact is currently on full display in the trial of members of the extremist Oath Keepers miliita group on charges of seditious conspiracy.

Here’s a sample of how they responded to the tweet, as introduced as evidence at the trial:

When Trump calls you a “third-rate reporter"

Friday 14 October 2022 15:10 , Andrew Naughtie

Donald Trump is notoriously fixated on The New York Times’s coverage of him, and by extension with the work of Maggie Haberman, who led its coverage of his White House and is now bringing out a book about his career.

Appearing on CNN yesterday, Ms Haberman was asked by Jake Tapper what she thought of Mr Trump’s repeated invocation of her name in public and in interviews as he persistently complains about the way he is covered by the mainstream media. Johanna Chisholm writes:

Maggie Haberman reacts to clips of Trump attacking her as a ‘third-rate reporter’

Read Trump’s “response” to the select committee...

Friday 14 October 2022 14:34 , Andrew Naughtie

The response Donald Trump promised after yesterday’s select committee hearing has dropped in the form of a 4-page letter mostly comprising insults directed at the committee’s members and TV ratings and false claims about the supposed theft of the 20202 election. It comes with 10 pages of supporting material, including a set of photographs purporting to show that the crowd Mr Trump attracted on 6 January 2021 was larger than reported.

You can read the full letter here. Andrew Feinberg has the story.

Trump releases four-page letter response to Jan 6 committee subpoena vote

Catch up: What happened at yesterday’s Jan 6 hearing

Friday 14 October 2022 14:01 , Andrew Naughtie

On Thursday, members of the House select committee investigating January 6 returned to the US Capitol and met for their first meeting in several weeks, taking both historic action as well as laying out more damning testimony.

The hearing ended with the members voting to subpoena Mr Trump himself, after declaring that their fact-finding abilities were limited without the testimony of the president under oath.

It’s an escalation of the panel’s pressure at a time when the former president is already besieged by a number of legal investigations.

John Bowden has this summary.

Five takeaways from the return of the January 6 committee

“I’m gonna punch him out”: Pelosi on Jan 6

Friday 14 October 2022 13:30 , Andrew Naughtie

The January 6 panel yesterday screened footage captured in a secure area of the Capitol during the riot showing Nancy Pelosi, Chuck Schumer, Mitch McConnell and others communicating with outside figures as they tried to establish what was unfolding and get the Capitol secured. But it fell to CNN to broadcast what may become one of the most legendary pieces of video from the day: Nancy Pelosi’s reaction when told that Donald Trump was no longer intending to come to the Capitol:

Trump will now be forced to testify after bombshell Jan 6 hearing

Friday 14 October 2022 12:59 , Alisha Rahaman Sarkar

The House 6 January select committee on Thursday voted to issue a subpoena demanding testimony from Donald Trump, whose actions have been at the centre of the nine-member panel’s investigation over the last year.

Committee members unanimously approved a motion to subpoena the twice-impeached ex-president at the end of the panel’s ninth investigative hearing, likely the final such public session before the November midterm election.

The select committee’s chairman, Representative Bennie Thompson of Mississippi, called Mr Trump “the one person at the centre of the story of what happened on January 6” and said the panel needs to hear from him in a way that goes “beyond” the fact-finding it has engaged in over the past year.

"This is a question about accountability to the American people. He must be accountable," he said.

Andrew Feinberg and Eric Garcia report.

Trump will now be forced to testify after bombshell Jan 6 hearing

Why legal experts are now saying there’s enough evidence to charge Trump

Friday 14 October 2022 12:30 , Andrew Naughtie

Legal experts are growing increasingly certain that Donald Trump will face criminal charges over his stashing of thousands of pages of presidential records at Mar-a-Lago.

What erupted into the national conversation with a stunning raid of the president’s home last month is now a bogged-down legal battle between Mr Trump’s lawyers, the Department of Justice and a special master appointed at the request of the former president.

But as with many investigations in recent years, the FBI’s probe of Mr Trump has resulted in a steady stream of leaks to the media which have painted a picture of a probe that those in the know say is likely already past the stage of proving wrongdoing.

The question now is whether the Justice Department decides the case is worth prosecuting, not the strength of the case itself.

John Bowden reports.

Legal experts are saying there’s enough proof to charge Trump over Mar-a-Lago docs

Trump promises “response” to select committee

Friday 14 October 2022 12:16 , Andrew Naughtie

Incensed by yesterday’s session of the January 6 committee, Donald Trump has promised to issue his “response” to its findings and it subpoena for his testimony at 1pm ET today. Stay tuned...

Kinzinger calls out Trump and Republicans over Jan 6

Friday 14 October 2022 12:00 , Andrew Naughtie

As the 6 January hearing yesterday wrapped up, retiring Republican congressman Adam Kinzinger offered this reflection on the case he and his colleagues made during their session:

Mr Kinzinger, whose Country First PAC is aimed at fundraising for pro-democracy candidates, has endorsed numerous high-profile Democrats in this year’s midterms.

Supreme Court rejects Trump’s request to intervene in Mar-a-Lago legal battle

Friday 14 October 2022 11:30 , Andrew Naughtie

The Supreme Court has rejected Donald Trump’s emergency request to intervene in the former president’s Mar-a-Lago legal battle over classified documents.

The justices, three of whom were appointed by Mr Trump, denied his request that a special master should be allowed to review particular classified papers taken from his Florida home by federal agents in August.

There were no noted dissents in the unsigned order that was released by the country’s highest court on Thursday. It would have taken at least five justices agreeing to take up the case.

Graeme Massie has more.

Supreme Court rejects Trump’s request to intervene in Mar-a-Lago legal battle

Ivanka told Jan 6 committee that Donald Trump must follow court rulings

Friday 14 October 2022 10:45 , Alisha Rahaman Sarkar

Ivanka Trump told the House select committee investigating the events leading up to and surrounding the attack on the US Capitol that her father must follow court rulings.

Asked by committee co-chair Liz Cheney whether Donald Trump “is obligated to abide by the ruling of courts” during filmed testimony that was aired on 13 October, his daughter responded “I do”.

Mr Trump continues to insist that the 2020 presidential election was stolen from him, despite multiple court rulings roundly dismissing his spurious attempts to reject the outcome, and members of his own administration rejecting baseless conspiracy theories that sought to undermine the results.

Alex Woodward reports.

Ivanka told Jan 6 committee that Donald Trump must follow court rulings

New Video: As rioters yelled ‘bring her out’, Pelosi called for help for Congress

Friday 14 October 2022 09:45 , Oliver O'Connell

New footage of Nancy Pelosi and Chuck Schumer huddling with members of the House and Senate amid the January 6 attack was played by the House select committee investigating the attack on Thursday.

In the footage, Ms Pelosi is heard on the phone with Virginia’s Governor Ralph Northam and securing the aid of hundreds of police and National Guard troops as backup.

John Bowden reports.

Shocking new video shows Pelosi calling for help as rioters yelled ‘bring her out’

Jan 6 committee finds Trump ordered immediate Afghan withdrawal before leaving office

Friday 14 October 2022 09:00 , Oliver O'Connell

Donald Trump “rushed to complete his unfinished business” in the days after the 2020 presidential election because he knew he had lost, the January 6 committee said on Thursday.

The committee alleged that a set of rushed orders were proof that the former president knew he would be leaving office, despite his public protestations to the contrary.

The committee said Mr Trump hastily drew up an order to immediately withdraw all US troops from Afghanistan and Somalia on November 11, which was to be completed before his opponent Joe Biden was to take office in January.

Richard Hall has more details.

Trump ordered hasty Afghan withdrawal ‘knowing he was leaving office’

January 6 public hearing: 5 takeaways

Friday 14 October 2022 08:15 , Oliver O'Connell

On Thursday, members of the House select committee investigating January 6 returned to the US Capitol and met for their first meeting in several weeks, taking both historic action as well as laying out more damning testimony.

The hearing ended with the members voting to subpoena Mr Trump himself, after declaring that their fact-finding abilities were limited without the testimony of the president under oath.

It’s an escalation of the panel’s pressure at a time when the former president is already besieged by a number of legal investigations.

Here are five key moments from today’s committee meeting:

Five takeaways from the return of the January 6 committee

Video shows Pelosi respond to news Trump may come to Capitol on Jan 6

Friday 14 October 2022 08:13 , Alisha Rahaman Sarkar

A new video of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi at the time of the Capitol riots last year has been revealed in which she can be heard saying that if Donald Trump had entered the building, she would “punch him out” even if it means “going to jail”.

The never-seen-before footage was obtained by CNN from Alexandra Pelosi, a documentary filmmaker and the House speaker’s daughter, and was aired on Thursday.

“If he comes, I’m gonna punch him out,” Ms Pelosi said, referring to the one-time president.

“I’ve been waiting for this, for trespassing on the Capitol grounds. I’m gonna punch him out, and I’m gonna go to jail and I’m gonna be happy.”

Shweta Sharma reports.

Jan 6 video shows Pelosi saying she will ‘punch’ Trump if he reaches Capitol

Trump slams 'total bust' committee as January 6 panel subpoenas him to testify

Friday 14 October 2022 07:55 , Alisha Rahaman Sarkar

Donald Trump took to Truth Social to slam the January 6 House panel as a ‘sham committee’ after it voted to subpoena the former president to testify before it.

The former president attacked the nine-member committee after they demanded that he appears before it for questioning over the 2020 insurrection they have been probing for the last year.

“Why didn’t the Unselect Committee ask me to testify months ago? Why did they wait until the very end, the final moments of their last meeting," he questioned.

"Because the Committee is a total 'BUST' that has only served to further divide our Country which, by the way, is doing very badly - A laughing stock all over the World?"

Graeme Massie reports.

Trump slams ‘sham committee’ as January 6 panel subpoenas him to testify

Trump ‘required to answer to those millions of Americans who votes he wanted to throw out'

Friday 14 October 2022 07:30 , Oliver O'Connell

The House January 6 select committee on Thursday voted to issue a subpoena demanding testimony from the man whose actions have been at the centre of the nine-member panel’s investigation over the last year: former president Donald Trump.

Committee members unanimously approved a motion to subpoena the twice-impeached ex-president at the end of the panel’s ninth investigative hearing, likely the final such public session before the November midterm election.

The Independent’s Eric Garcia and Andrew Feinberg attended the hearing on Capitol Hill.

Trump will now be forced to testify after bombshell Jan 6 hearing

Supreme Court rejects Trump’s Mar-a-Lago papers case

Friday 14 October 2022 06:45 , Oliver O'Connell

The Supreme Court has rejected Donald Trump’s emergency request to intervene in the former president’s Mar-a-Lago legal battle over classified documents.

The justices, three of whom were appointed by Mr Trump, denied his request that a special master should be allowed to review particular classified papers taken from his Florida home by federal agents in August.

Graeme Massie reports on the latest developments in the ongoing legal saga.

Supreme Court rejects Trump’s request to intervene in Mar-a-Lago legal battle

Secret Service was aware of plans for violence on Jan 6

Friday 14 October 2022 06:00 , Oliver O'Connell

Emails and messages among members of the US Secret Service at least 10 days before the attack on the US Capitol reveal that the agency was well aware of violent threats and plans to occupy the halls of Congress, according to the House select committee investigating the assault.

A Secret Service field office relayed one tip sent to the FBI warning that members of the far-right nationalist gang the Proud Boys planned to march, armed, into Washington DC.

Alex Woodward has details of the alarming warnings prior to 6 January 2021.

Newly released emails show Secret Service was aware of plans for violence on Jan 6

Roger Stone: ‘F*** the voting. Let’s get right to the violence’

Friday 14 October 2022 05:15 , Oliver O'Connell

Right-wing operative Roger Stone called for violence and suggested Donald Trump should prematurely declare victory before the results of the 2020 presidential election, according to video evidence aired by the House select committee investigating the attack on the US Capitol fueled by those same claims.

The committee shared footage of Mr Stone saying of the 2020 election that “I suspect it will be very much up in the air” and that “the key thing to do then is declare victory”.

“Possession is nine-tenths of the law,” he said in footage aired by the committee during a hearing on 13 October. “We won. F*** you.”

Alex Woodward reports on more of Mr Stone’s comments leading up to the election.

Jan 6 panel shares damning video of Roger Stone as committee reveals links to attack

‘Those who planned to overturn our election ... must also be accountable'

Friday 14 October 2022 04:30 , Oliver O'Connell

The House January 6 committee voted unanimously to subpoena former President Donald Trump for testimony, during the panel’s final hearing before the midterm elections.

“He is required to answer,” chairman Bennie Thompson said of the former president, adding that subpoeaning a former president is a “serious and extraordinary action”.

John Bowden watched today’s proceedings.

Trump subpoenaed by Jan 6 committee

Who are the members of the January 6 select committee?

Friday 14 October 2022 03:45 , Oliver O'Connell

The select committee impanelled to investigate the 6 January 2021 attack on the US Capitol began its ninth public hearing on Thursday, the final hearing set to take place before the November midterm elections.

The hearings have elevated the panel’s members to a higher level of public notoriety throughout the summer and into the fall. Here’s a rundown of who they are.

Who are the members of the January 6 select committee?

Trump Mar-a-Lago papers: Is the former president’s ‘goose cooked’?

Friday 14 October 2022 03:00 , Oliver O'Connell

The Independent’s John Bowden examines why legal experts are now saying there’s enough evidence to charge former president Donald Trump over the Mar-a-Lago documents.

Legal experts are saying there’s enough proof to charge Trump over Mar-a-Lago docs

Official confirms Secret Service met with Oath Keepers before January 6

Friday 14 October 2022 02:30 , Oliver O'Connell

Secret Service agents met with members of the right-wing extremist Oath Keepers group prior to the violent January 6 insurrection, according to a report.

A Secret Service spokesperson told CNN that the agency had contact with the extremist group, whose founder and other members are currently on trial, as part of its standard intelligence-gathering duties.

Graeme Massie has the story.

Secret Service met with Oath Keepers before January 6, official confirms

Trump blasted aides after Supreme Court election case rejection, Jan 6 panel reveals

Friday 14 October 2022 02:00 , Oliver O'Connell

Donald Trump personally admitted to aides that he had lost the 2020 election and demanded that they hide that truth from the US public, an aide to former White House chief of staff Mark Meadows has told the January 6 committee.

John Bowden reports.

Trump admitted privately that election fraud claims were bogus, aide says

Click here to read the full blog on The Independent's website