By Daniel Dale, CNN

(CNN) — President Donald Trump has promoted dozens of different lies about American elections. Some of them are relatively sophisticated. Some are transparently silly.

House Speaker Mike Johnson is now promoting one of the very most laughable.

In an interview that aired Monday, Trump said Republicans should “take over the voting” in at least “15 places” because of supposed corruption he has shown no evidence of. Then Johnson told reporters Tuesday:

“In some of the states – like in California, for example. I mean, they hold the elections open for weeks after Election Day. That’s just one thing that bothers so many people. We had three House Republican candidates who were ahead on Election Day in the last election cycle, and every time a new tranche of ballots came in, they just magically whittled away until their leads were lost. And no series of ballots that were counted after Election Day were our candidates ahead on any of those counts. It just – it looks on its face to be fraudulent. Can I prove that? No, because it happened so far upstream.”

Even with Johnson’s un-Trumpian admission that he doesn’t have proof of fraud, this is a lot of nonsense.

A Democrat taking the lead in a vote count is not a sign of fraud

There is nothing magical and nothing fraudulent “on its face” about a Republican having an early lead in a California vote count and then losing that lead as more votes are counted – just as there is nothing magical or fraudulent on its face about a Democrat having an early lead in a vote count in another state and then losing that lead as more votes are counted.

All that happens in both cases is that … legitimate ballots are legitimately counted.

In the presidential swing state of Arizona, mail-in ballots must arrive at elections offices by the time the polls close on Election Day. Because mail-in votes tend to favor Democrats these days, in part because Trump has repeatedly discouraged his supporters from voting this way, Arizona’s Democratic candidates may have illusory big leads when mail-in votes that arrived early are quickly added to the vote totals on Election Night – but they may lose those leads or see them narrow as the votes that are cast in-person or dropped off on Election Day are fully counted over the coming days.

Conversely, California allows mail-in ballots to arrive up to seven days after Election Day as long as they are postmarked on or before Election Day – and the Democratic-dominated state with the country’s largest population has a huge volume of mail-in ballots to count, around 13 million out of roughly 16.1 million votes in the 2024 election. California’s rules for processing mail-in ballots and for mail-in voters fixing issues with t

By John Fritze, CNN

(CNN) — The Supreme Court on Wednesday allowed California to use a new congressional map that will undermine President Donald Trump’s effort to keep control of the House of Representatives, marking a defeat for Republicans who claimed one of the new districts was redesigned based on race rather than politics.

There were no noted dissents, and the court did not explain its reasoning.

The emergency appeal from state Republicans was the latest to reach the high court tied to an ongoing arms-race-style mid-decade redistricting that Trump initiated to keep the House after the midterm elections.

California redrew its map, which puts five GOP-held seats in play, as a response to a partisan redistricting in Texas that benefited Republicans.

Federal courts, including the Supreme Court, don’t get involved in cases dealing with partisan gerrymanders. But state Republicans had argued that racial considerations motivated the redrawing of one district that covers portions of the Central Valley between San Francisco and Fresno. Those allegations were based largely on comments by a mapmaking consultant, Paul Mitchell, who said publicly that he intended to “ensure that Latino districts” were “bolstered” in the 13th Congressional District.

The state’s “professed purpose was to pick up five seats in Congress for the Democratic Party to offset the five seats the Republican Party gained in Texas,” California Republicans told the Supreme Court in their emergency appeal. “But those officials harbored another purpose as well: maximizing Latino voting strength to shore up Latino support for the Democratic Party.”

The map was ultimately approved by state residents in a referendum in which 64% of voters backed the plan.

But the Republicans challenging the map faced a seemingly insurmountable hurdle. Just weeks ago, the Supreme Court rejected a strikingly similar argument made by civil rights and other groups challenging Texas’ map. In early December, the court sided with Texas in that challenge, permitting the state’s map to be used in this year’s election.

Justice Samuel Alito, a member of the court’s conservative wing, wrote in a concurrence that it was “indisputable” that the “impetus for the adoption of the Texas map (like the map subsequently adopted in California) was partisan advantage pure and simple.” His opinion was joined by two other conservatives, Justices Clarence Thomas and Neil Gorsuch.

State GOP officials and the state Republican Party sued to block the map’s use and the Trump administration joined that litigation. But the administration declined to bring its own emergency appeal to the Supreme Court and instead filed a brief supporting the state officials’ appeal.

California Republicans had asked the Supreme Court for a decision by February 9 – the start of the state’s candidate filing period. But Gov. Gavin Newsom and other Democratic opponents noted that the justices have long admonished courts not to change state

Por Randi Kaye y Holmes Lybrand, CNN

Tras planear, acechar y esperar el momento adecuado para disparar y matar al entonces presidente Donald Trump, el hombre que instaló un nido de francotirador en el borde del campo de golf de Trump en West Palm Beach, Florida, y fue frustrado por un agente del Servicio Secreto, fue condenado este miércoles a cadena perpetua.

Ryan Routh fue declarado culpable de cinco cargos en septiembre tras un desastroso intento de representarse a sí mismo en el juicio, en el que fue constantemente reprendido por la jueza federal a cargo del caso, Aileen Cannon.

Cannon, quien fue nombrada por Trump durante su primer mandato, sentenció a Routh a cadena perpetua, junto con otras largas condenas, por los cargos, que incluyen intento de asesinato de un importante candidato presidencial.

A Routh se le indicó que permaneciera sentado cuando se dirigió al tribunal, encadenado de manos y pies, vestido con un mono carcelario color beige.

“No hay nada ante usted más que una cáscara vacía de estadounidense”, le dijo Routh al juez. “Lamentablemente, la ejecución no es una opción”.

También habló sobre lo indignado que estaba por las situaciones en Ucrania y Gaza antes de que Cannon lo interrumpiera y dictara la sentencia.

“Su complot para matar es deliberado y malvado a pesar de su fingida tranquilidad”, dijo la jueza. “Demostró su intención de matar”, y agregó, “Casi logró su malvado plan”.

Además de la cadena perpetua, a Routh se le impusieron sentencias adicionales que se cumplirán de manera concurrente: 84 meses por posesión de un arma de fuego durante un crimen violento, 240 meses por ataque a un agente federal, 18 meses por posesión de un arma de fuego siendo un delincuente convicto, y 60 meses por posesión de un arma de fuego con número de serie borrado.

Después de que se leyó la sentencia, cuando Routh fue sacado de la corte, miró a la galería hacia alguien que conocía, le guiñó un ojo y sonrió.

El Departamento de Justicia abogó por una sentencia de cadena perpetua.

El fiscal John Shipley dijo que Routh “no mostró remordimiento” y “se preparó para matar o agredir por la fuerza a cualquiera que se interpusiera en su camino”.

Shipley mostró pruebas presentadas durante el juicio, incluyendo una foto tomada desde el “nido de francotirador” de Routh que mostraba la distancia de solo 126 pies (aproximadamente 38 metros) hasta el sexto green, donde estaba apuntando con su rifle SKS, mientras esperaba a Trump.

Según las pruebas presentadas en el juicio, Routh había estado cerca del campo de golf y de la residencia de Trump en Mar-a-Lago en las semanas previas al intento de asesinato frustrado. Teléfonos desechables utilizados por Routh también mostraron búsquedas como “próximos mítines de Trump” y “cámaras de tráfico de Palm Beach”.

En una carta que los investigadores descubrieron rápidamente, Routh había escrito una confesión de su intento de asesinar a Trump. En la primera página escribió: “Hice lo mejor que pude y puse toda la determinación que pude reunir. Ahora depende de ustedes terminar el trabajo; y ofreceré US$ 150.000 a quien pueda completarlo”.

No hay indicios de que Routh tuviera el dinero para financiar esa oferta.

Armado con un rifle antiguo de estilo soviético y protegido por placas blindadas colgadas sobre la cerca, Routh apuntó al sexto hoyo del campo de golf de Trump el 15 de septiembre de 2024, mientras el presidente jugaba una ronda un hoyo atrás, a solo minutos de distancia.

Un agente del Servicio Secreto, encargado de despejar el área antes del paso de Trump, vio el rostro parcialmente oculto de Routh y el cañón del rifle sobresaliendo a través de la cerca de malla que bordea el campo.

Con el arma apuntándole, el agente disparó varios tiros con su pistola antes de cubrirse detrás de un árbol y comunicar la amenaza por radio.

CNN

By Randi Kaye, Holmes Lybrand, CNN

Fort Pierce, Florida (CNN) — After plotting, stalking and lying in wait for the right moment to shoot and kill then-former President Donald Trump, the man who set up a sniper’s nest on the edge of Trump’s West Palm Beach golf course in Florida and was thwarted by a Secret Service agent, was sentenced Wednesday to life in prison.

Ryan Routh was convicted of five counts in September after a disastrous attempt to represent himself at trial – where he was constantly reprimanded by the federal judge presiding, Aileen Cannon.

Cannon, who was appointed by Trump during his first term, sentenced Routh to life in prison, along with other long sentences, for the charges, which include attempted assassination of a major presidential candidate.

Routh was told to remain seated when he addressed the court, shackled at his hands and feet, dressed in a tan prison jumpsuit.

“Nothing stands before you but a hollow American shell,” Routh told the judge. “Sadly, execution is not an option.”

He also spoke about how outraged he was about the situations in Ukraine and Gaza before Cannon cut him off and delivered the sentence.

“Your plot to kill is deliberate and evil despite your feigned peacefulness,” the judge said. “You demonstrated your intent to kill,” adding, “You almost achieved your evil plan.”

Along with life in prison, Routh was given additional sentences to be served concurrently: 84 months for the possession of a firearm during a violent crime, 240 months for assault on a federal officer, 18 months for possession of a firearm as a convicted felon, and 60 months for possession of a firearm with an obliterated serial number.

After the sentence was read, as Routh was taken from the court, he looked into the gallery at someone he knew, winked and smiled.

The Justice Department advocated for a life sentence.

Prosecutor John Shipley said Routh “showed no remorse” and “prepared to kill or forcibly assault anyone who got in his way.”

Shipley showed evidence presented during the trial, including a photo taken from Routh’s “sniper’s nest” that showed the distance of just 126 feet to the 6th green, where his SKS rifle was aiming, as he waited for Trump.

The failed plot

According to evidence presented at trial, Routh had been near the golf course and Trump’s Mar-a-Lago residence in the weeks leading up to his thwarted assassination attempt. Burner phones used by Routh also showed searches for “Trump’s upcoming rallies” and “Palm Beach traffic cameras.”

In a letter quickly uncovered by investigators, Routh had written a confession of his attempt to assassinate Trump, writing on the first page: “I tried my best and gave it all the gumption I could muster. It is up to you now to finish the job; and I will offer $150,000 to whomever can complete the job.”

There’s no indication Routh had the money to fund his offer.

Armed with an old, Soviet-styled rifle and protected by armored plates hanging over the fence, Routh set his sights on the sixth hole of Trump’s golf course on September 15, 2024, with the fo

Juan Montesló

INDIO, California (KUNA) – Un nuevo mural público que celebra la historia, la cultura y el legado de los festivales de Indio ya está terminado en la esquina de la Avenida 45 y la calle Jackson, lo que representa un hito para el artista local Adam Enrique Rodríguez.

La ceremonia de inauguración del mural está programada para este miércoles 4 de febrero en punto de a las 3:30 p.m. en el lugar.

“Este es mi primer mural público de gran escala en la ciudad de Indio”, dijo Rodríguez. “Quería contar la historia de mis orígenes. Aquí nací y crecí, y siento mucho orgullo de mi ciudad”.Explicó que el mural representa el paso del día a la noche a lo largo de la pared, entrelazando la historia de Indio.

Rodríguez comentó que incorporó imágenes reconocibles, desde el Festival de la Dátil hasta el Festival de Música y Artes de Coachella.

Rodríguez mencionó que fue seleccionado entre unos 30 artistas que se postularon de todo el mundo y comentó que el mural tardó aproximadamente 3 meses en completarse, comenzando a principios de noviembre.

Así mismo, la Comisión de Artes Públicas de la Ciudad de Indio, a través de su Programa de Artes en Lugares Públicos, invita a artistas individuales y/o grupos de artistas a presentar conceptos de diseño y propuestas para la creación e instalación de murales específicos del sitio en los edificios de baños ubicados dentro de tres de los parques públicos de la ciudad, quien a su vez tiene la intención de entrar en una comisión directa con los artistas para este proyecto.

Todos los detalles los podrán conocer esta tarde en punto de las 6 pm solo por Telemundo 15, mientras tanto, manténgase al tanto de las novedades en telemundo15.com

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