Morning Rundown: Trump Allies Spin Guilty Verdict, Detect Third Bird Flu Case

Donald Trump guilty of all 34 felony charges

Donald Trump has been found guilty on all 34 felony counts of falsifying business records by a New York jury. This historic conviction marks the first time a former U.S. president has been held accountable for a crime. The charges against Trump relate to a hush money payment made to adult film star Stormy Daniels during the closing stages of the 2016 presidential election.

After deliberating for 9½ hours, the jury reached a verdict in the Manhattan courtroom. The day started off uneventful, but took a historic turn when the jury announced yesterday afternoon that they had come to a decision. Trump, sitting just a few feet away, listened as the jury foreperson read the verdict for each count aloud.

“This is an absolute disgrace,” Trump exclaimed to reporters moments later. “It’s clear that this verdict was manipulated by a biased and corrupt judge.” Following the news, his campaign team swiftly capitalized on the situation by launching a fundraising campaign, portraying Trump as a victim of political persecution.”

Welcome to Morning Rundown, a weekday newsletter designed to kickstart your day. Don’t miss out on the latest updates – sign up here to receive it directly in your inbox.

President Joe Biden expressed his thoughts on the significance of this moment on the upcoming November election. In a statement shared on X, he emphasized the importance of voting as the only means to prevent Donald Trump from returning to the Oval Office.

The major concern at the moment is whether Trump will face political consequences as a result of this conviction. According to numerous political experts, it is still too early to determine the outcome. Nonetheless, Trump and his allies have already begun to shape the narrative surrounding the verdict.

Several other questions have also surfaced. The first one being, “Will Trump go to prison?” The answer to this question is uncertain and depends on various factors. Another question that arises is, “Can he still run for president?” The Constitution provides a clear answer to this query. Lastly, many wonder if Trump will be able to vote. Experts suggest that it is likely he will not be stripped of his voting rights.

Trump is set to be sentenced on July 11, just four days before the Republican National Convention. He could potentially face a range of penalties, from a fine to up to four years in prison.

Ukraine will be allowed to strike inside Russia with U.S. weapons

According to two American officials, Biden has discreetly authorized Ukraine to utilize U.S. weapons for launching attacks within Russia. This unexpected decision is seen as a strategic move by Kyiv’s allies to potentially shift the course of the ongoing war. However, there are certain restrictions in place for the use of these weapons, as they can only be deployed to target the vicinity surrounding the northeastern city of Kharkiv. The primary objective is to enable Ukraine’s forces to retaliate against the Russian military during ongoing or imminent attacks. It is important to note that long-range strikes inside Russia are not permitted.

Russia initiated a fresh offensive in the Kharkiv region several weeks ago, causing concerns in Kyiv about a potential incursion in the neighboring Sumy region. The U.S. has been facing increasing pressure from Western leaders, as well as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, to reconsider its position.

Expert calls out missing cellphone data in Idaho stabbings case

A cellphone analyst, expected to testify in defense of Bryan Kohberger in the trial for the Idaho stabbing case, expressed frustration over the disorganized data collection and recordkeeping by law enforcement. In a recent pretrial hearing, analyst Sy Ray revealed that his examination of the evidence thus far indicates that not all of the cellphone data extracted from Kohberger’s phone by the FBI and police during the time of the 2022 murders of four University of Idaho students has been properly mapped. This “missing” and “inaccurate” data currently favors the defense, according to Ray. While Ray has previously served as an expert witness in trials, his expertise has faced scrutiny in the past.

In yesterday’s hearing, Kohberger’s team sought to ask the judge to compel prosecutors to disclose specific evidence in the case.

Third person infected in bird flu outbreak shows new symptoms

The CDC has reported the detection of the third human case of bird flu associated with sick dairy cows. Unlike the first two cases where the patients only experienced pink eye, or conjunctivitis, this latest case is unique. The patient exhibited additional upper respiratory symptoms such as a sore throat, cough, and congestion. Although there is no evidence of person-to-person transmission, the CDC warns that the risk increases with the presence of respiratory symptoms.

The current bird flu outbreak has affected as many as 67 herds of dairy cows in nine states. However, it is important to note that the risk to the general public remains low. It is worth mentioning that this is the second case to be detected in Michigan. Here is what else you should know about the situation.

An 81-year-old man from California, who was recently arrested for allegedly being a “serial slingshot shooter” in his Southern California neighborhood for over a decade, passed away this week due to heart disease, as confirmed by medical authorities. The community in Asuza, where the man was known as “Wick” and “Gran Torino,” expressed their surprise and shock upon learning about his involvement with the police.

“Even as they arrested him, most of us couldn’t believe it was him,” recalled one neighbor. The community is now left questioning whether King was truly responsible for the destruction in their neighborhood. A criminal complaint stated that King had been charged with vandalizing six houses, a car windshield, and a garage window by breaking them. However, during his court appearance on Tuesday, he pleaded not guilty. Tragically, he passed away the following day.”

Politics in Brief

Chief Justice John Roberts declined an invitation to meet with Democratic senators to discuss Supreme Court ethics. The refusal came after reports surfaced about controversial flags being flown at Justice Samuel Alito’s residence.

The Education Department is currently conducting a comprehensive review of the Federal Student Aid office due to the numerous delays and errors that occurred during the rollout of this year’s FAFSA form.

Sign up for From the Politics Desk to receive exclusive reporting and analysis in your inbox every weekday evening. Subscribe here for more politics news.

Staff Pick: How William Hung feels 20 years after his ‘American Idol’ audition

William Hung, a former contestant on “American Idol,” gained fame in 2004 when he fearlessly took the stage and delivered an off-key performance of Ricky Martin’s “She Bangs” during his audition. As one of the few Asian faces on American television at the time, Hung became an unexpected trailblazer. However, his appearance and accent were often ridiculed, and some Asian Americans felt embarrassed by his representation. On the 20th anniversary of his memorable episode, I had the opportunity to speak with Hung about his reflections since the show. Despite the criticism he faced, Hung revealed that he has no regrets.