Maryland bill backed by Gov. Moore seeks to protect election officials from threats

Maryland lawmakers are considering legislation to enable authorities to prosecute people who threaten to harm election officials or their immediate family members, as threats are on the rise across the country.

The Protecting Election Officials Act of 2024, which has the support of Gov. Wes Moore, would make threatening an election official a misdemeanor punishable by up to three years in prison or a fine of up to $2,500.

“This has been a phenomenon which has occurred across the country,” said Eric Luedtke, Moore’s chief legislative officer, at a bill hearing Wednesday. “It’s a phenomenon that has targeted election workers, regardless of political affiliation, race, gender, what roles their filling.”

Ruie Marie LaVoie, who is vice president of the Maryland Association of Elections Officials and now serves as director of the Baltimore County Board of Elections, testified about her experience being threatened during the 2022 election. She testified before the Senate Education, Energy, and the Environment Committee that the measure would help ensure the safety and security “of those at the forefront of preserving our democratic processes.”

“We are struggling with recruitment, not only hiring election judges, but filling vacancies in our offices,” she said.

The measure would prohibit someone from knowingly and willfully making a threat to harm an election official or an immediate family member of an election official, because of the election official’s role in administering the election process.

Sarah David, Maryland’s deputy state prosecutor, said the measure contains language that already has been defined in case law. For example, the word harm in the bill would include emotional distress, she said.

“This is important legislation to address the modern reality of elections, the role of social media’s impact on election judges and other personnel, and would ensure that the integrity and fairness of our elections is maintained,” David said.

Jared DeMarinis, Maryland’s elections administrator, said state elections officials are on the front lines of democracy, and they already are experiencing vitriol for doing their jobs.

Donald Trump unveils $399 branded shoes at ‘Sneaker Con’

Former President Donald Trump on Saturday launched a sneaker line, a day after he and his companies were ordered by a judge to pay nearly $355 million in his New York civil fraud trial.

The former president unveiled “Trump Sneakers” at Sneaker Con in Philadelphia. He placed a pair of gold sneakers, which a new website has listed for $399 and named the “NEVER SURRENDER HIGH-TOP SNEAKER,” on the podium as he spoke.

Trumpworld takes aim at Republicans who supported Ukraine aid push

Senate Republicans who voted to advance aid for Ukraine last week are taking heavy incoming from allies of former President Trump, who are calling them out publicly and threatening primary challenges after they defied Trump’s calls to oppose the package. Donald Trump Jr., the ex-president’s eldest son, has led the charge against the 22 Republicans who backed the national security supplemental, many of whom are allies of Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.).

He called for Sen. Joni Ernst (R-Iowa) to get a primary challenge, and for West Virginia primary voters to reject the gubernatorial bid of Moore Capito, the son of Sen. Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.).

In another instance, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton (R) a major backer of Trump, took aim at Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas), one of McConnell’s top allies, writing on social media, “Unbelievable that [Cornyn] would stay up all night to defend other countries borders, but not America.”

While some believe the Capito gubernatorial threat, in particular, was a low blow, the frustration from Trump’s orbit is palpable and is laying bare the fissures between it and GOP leadership.

“The last month exposed the problems that come with a GOP leadership team that has no relationships with the likely Republican nominee for president,” one Senate GOP aide said. “It further exposes the disconnect between Republican lawmakers largely in D.C. compared to where our voters are.”

The security bill includes $60 billion in military and economic assistance for Ukraine and $14 billion for Israel, along with monies for the Indo-Pacific region and humanitarian purposes.

On top of the Ernst and Capito remarks, Trump Jr. also took aim at Cornyn and Senate Minority Whip John Thune (R-S.D.) — two of the leading contenders to eventually replace McConnell — over their Ukraine aid votes.

Relationship between DA Fani Willis and Nathan Wade started years earlier than claimed, witness says

A former friend and co-worker of Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis testified Thursday that Willis’ personal relationship with a special prosecutor began before she hired him to lead the election interference case against Donald Trump.

Robin Yeartie’s testimony directly contradicts statements from Willis and Wade that their personal relationship didn’t begin until after Wade was hired in November 2021. Wade, who took the witness stand after Yeartie, testified that his relationship with Willis began in early 2022.

The differing testimony came in a hearing that could determine whether Willis should be removed from the case accusing Trump and others of conspiring to overturn the 2020 presidential election results in Georgia. Willis’ removal would be a stunning development in the most sprawling of the four criminal cases against Trump. An additional delay would likely lessen the chance that a trial would be held before the November election, when he is expected to be the Republican nominee for president.

In a court filing earlier this month, Willis and Wade said they were not in a personal relationship when Wade was hired, and that he and Willis shared travel expenses and never lived together.

Gonzales Poll: More than half of Maryland voters approve of job by Gov. Moore

Maryland voters offered their opinions on numerous topics in the latest Gonzales Poll, which included their views of how Gov. Wes Moore has done in office.

I Gonzales Poll: Part 1 results

The February Gonzales Poll of 815 registered voters was conducted between Jan. 23 and Feb. 2. It has a margin of error of plus or minus 3.5%.

Gov. Wes Moore job approval:

More than half of voters in Maryland approved of the job that Moore has done since taking office.

Among voters in Maryland, 58% approve of the job Moore is doing as governor. Among voters, 27.4% strongly approve and 30.3% somewhat approve. While 28.2% disapprove, 15.2% strongly disapprove and 13.0% somewhat disapprove.

Democrats heavily supported Moore, with a 74% approval rating, while more than half of Republicans were discouraged by Moore’s term so far, with a 56.9% disapproval rating.

Democrats heavily supported Moore, with a 74% approval rating, while more than half of Republicans were discouraged by Moore’s term so far, with a 56.9% disapproval rating.

I Breakdown of Moore’s job approval, disapproval rating in Maryland:
Democrat:  74% – 15%
Republican: 27% –  57%
Independent: 52% – 26%

Biden says Trump sowing doubts about US commitment to NATO is ‘un-American’

President Joe Biden on Tuesday said Donald Trump’s comments calling into question the U.S. commitment to defend its NATO allies from attack were “dangerous” and “un-American,” seizing on the former president’s comments that sowed fresh fears among U.S. partners about its dependability on the global stage.

Trump, the front-runner in the U.S. for the Republican Party’s nomination this year, said Saturday that he once warned that he would allow Russia to do whatever it wants to NATO member nations that are “delinquent” in devoting 2% of their gross domestic product to defense. It was the latest instance in which the former president seemed to side with an authoritarian state over America’s democratic allies .

Speaking from the White House as he encouraged the House to take up a Senate-passed aid bill to fund Ukraine’s efforts to hold off a two-year Russian invasion, Biden said Trump’s comments about the mutual defense pact were “dangerous and shocking.”

“The whole world heard it and the worst thing is he means it,” Biden added.

Biden said that “when America gives its word, it means something,” and called Trump’s comments sowing doubt about its commitments ”un-American.”

Biden said of Trump: “He doesn’t understand that the sacred commitment that we’ve given works for us as well.”

NATO’s Article 5 mutual defense clause states that an armed attack against one or more of its members shall be considered an attack against all members. But Trump has often depicted NATO allies as leeches on the U.S. military and openly questioned the value of the military alliance that has defined American foreign policy for more than 70 years.

Since the full scale Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022, Biden has ushered Finland into the alliance and is clearing the way for Sweden to do the same. While Ukraine is not a member of NATO, the alliance has served as a key contributor of the U.S.-organized effort to support Kyiv’s military defenses in the nearly two year old conflict.

Former President Trump asks Supreme Court to put off election interference trial

Former President Donald Trump is asking the Supreme Court to extend the delay in his election interference trial, saying he is immune from prosecution on charges he plotted to overturn his 2020 election loss.

His lawyers filed an emergency appeal with the court on Monday, just four days after the justices heard Trump’s separate appeal to remain on the presidential ballot despite attempts to kick him off because of his efforts following his election loss in 2020.

The filing keeps on hold what would be a landmark criminal trial of a former president while the nation’s highest court decides what to do. It met a deadline to ask the justices to intervene that the federal appeals court in Washington set when it rejected Trump’s immunity claims and ruled the trial could proceed.

The Supreme Court’s decision on what to do, and how quickly it acts, could determine whether the Republican presidential primary frontrunner stands trial in the case before the November.

Former President Donald Trump faces a Monday deadline for asking the Supreme Court to extend the delay in his trial on charges he plotted to overturn his 2020 election loss.

His lawyers have indicated they will file an emergency appeal with the court, just four days after the justices heard Trump’s separate appeal to remain on the presidential ballot despite attempts to kick him off because of his efforts following his election loss in 2020.

The filing would preserve a delay on what would be a landmark criminal trial of a former president while the nation’s highest court decides what to do. The federal appeals court in Washington set the deadline for filing when it rejected Trump’s immunity claims last week and ruled the trial could proceed.

The Supreme Court’s decision on what to do, and how quickly it acts, could determine whether the Republican presidential primary front-runner stands trial in the case before the November election.

There is no timetable for the court to act, but special counsel Jack Smith’s team has strongly pushed for the trial to take place this year. Trump, meanwhile, has repeatedly sought to delay the case. If Trump were to defeat President Joe Biden, he could potentially try to use his position as head of the executive branch to order a new attorney general to dismiss the federal cases he faces or even seek a pardon for himself.

The Supreme Court’s options include rejecting the emergency appeal, which would enable U.S. District Judge Tanya Chutkan to restart the trial proceedings in Washington’s federal court. The trial was initially scheduled to begin in early March.

The court also could extend the delay while it hears arguments on the immunity issue. In that event, the schedule the justices might set could determine how soon a trial might begin, if indeed they agree with lower court rulings that Trump is not immune from prosecution.

In December, Smith and his team had urged the justices to take up and decide the immunity issue, even before the appeals court weighed in. “It is of imperative public importance that Respondent’s claim of immunity be resolved by this Court and that Respondent’s trial proceed as promptly as possible if his claim of immunity is rejected,” prosecutors wrote in December.

Trump’s legal team has ascribed partisan motives to the prosecution’s push for a prompt trial, writing in December that it “reflects the evident desire to schedule President Trump’s potential trial during the summer of 2024—at the height of the election season.”

Now it’s up to a court on which three justices, Amy Coney Barrett, Neil Gorsuch and Brett Kavanaugh, were appointed by Trump when he was president. They have moved the court to the right in major decisions that overturned abortion rights, expanded gun rights and ended affirmative action in college admissions.

But the Supreme Court hasn’t been especially friendly to Trump on legal matters directly concerning the former president. The court declined to take up several appeals filed by Trump and his allies related to the 2020 election. It also refused to prevent tax files and other documents from being turned over to congressional committees and prosecutors in New York.

Last week, however, the justices did seem likely to end the efforts to prevent Trump from being on the 2024 ballot. A decision in that case could come any time.

Maryland Gov. Wes Moore focuses on 4 pillars in 2024 State of the State address

In his second State of the State address, Maryland Gov. Wes Moore further advanced his vision to “leave no one behind” through four pillars.

Moore’s address on Wednesday focused on making the state safer, more affordable and competitive, as well as a state that serves. To do so, he said his administration will enact a state plan that prioritizes public safety, housing, child care and child poverty.

The governor declared the state of the state as strong while acknowledging unfinished work to solve big problems, as well as lessons learned in his first year in office.

“One year ago, we began our work together. We knew our state had boundless opportunities and blinding potential. But we were leaving too much on the table. One year later, we still have work to do. We learned a lot of lessons. And solving big problems can’t happen overnight. But change is happening. And today, the state of our state is strong,” Moore said.

Moore pointed to a new state plan that he said will establish “specific, measurable, actionable, realistic and time-bound goals” for the next three years that will be accomplished through a partnership between the executive and legislative branches.

“We need to stand united – with a clear commitment to doing the work, and with a clear understanding that the months and years ahead will be hard,” Moore said. “But if there’s one thing the last 12 months have taught us, it’s that Marylanders do hard things – and they want us to accomplish hard things in partnership.”

Senate Minority Leader Stephen Hershey Jr., R-District 36, delivered the Republican Response, saying Maryland Republicans are prepared to work alongside the governor to find common ground.

“Gov. Moore has put forth a bold and ambitious plan for Maryland, one that is built on the promise that no Marylander will be left behind. This is a vision we can certainly support; after all, our ultimate goal is the success and well-being of every single Marylander,” Hershey said. “However, we must underscore that achieving such a lofty goal requires much more than grand declarations. It necessitates concrete actions and collaborative efforts.”

Supreme Court hears arguments on Trump’s ballot eligibility in 2024 race

The Supreme Court is hearing arguments in Trump v. Anderson, a case that questions whether former President Donald Trump is ineligible for the presidency because of his conduct related to the assault at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021. The case, which stems from a lawsuit filed by six Colorado voters, cites Section 3 of the 14th Amendment as the reasoning for keeping Trump off the ballot.

Baltimore County Executive Johnny Olszewski announces run for Congress

Baltimore County Executive John Olszewski Jr. is officially running for Congress.

Olszewski is running for Maryland’s 2nd Congressional District and has listed his past as a public school teacher, along with being a legislator and current county executive, as reasons to continue to serve the community.

In a video regarding the announcement, Olszewski said, “It’s time for Washington to have a new generation of leaders, leaders who will fight back against those who would destroy our democracy.”

If elected, Olszewski would take over congressman Dutch Ruppersberger’s district. Ruppersberger recently announced he would not seek reelection at the end of his current term.

“Together, we have modernized Baltimore County’s government, made historic investments in our schools, roads, parks, and beyond, and tackled issues like gun safety, police reform, and attainable housing. I’m running for Congress so that we can help do the same in D.C.,” Olszewski said. “It’s time for a new generation of leaders in Washington who will defend our democracy, ensure Maryland remains a beacon of hope for women and choice, act with urgency to combat climate change and work to lower costs for our families. We can do all this — and more — just as we’ve always done: together.”

Olszewski served nine years in the House of Delegates and is a former public school teacher. Originally from Dundalk, he is a Sparrows Point High School alumni. He and his wife, Marisa, have a 7-year-old daughter.