Texas Republicans put Paxton above the law

Plus, what Jack Smith’s gag order request means for Trump [VIEW IN BROWSER]( MSNBC DAILY Understand today's news [VIEW IN BROWSER]( MSNBC DAILY Understand today's news Sunday, September 17, 2023 IN CASE YOU MISSED IT [Alternate text] After returning from summer recess this week, the [House GOP clown show]( kicked off with [a brand new act](: launching an impeachment inquiry into President Joe Biden. Although not [the worst performance to take place this week](, House Republicans’ anti-Biden antics [caused many eyerolls]( among voters, after the GOP’s monthslong crusade into the president produced [no evidence of wrongdoing](, despite some [brazen statements]( to the contrary. With [less than two weeks]( remaining to avoid a[government shutdown](, the country’s fate appears to be [in the hands of](the fractious Republican party’s ['hapless and flailing'](leader, who didn't hold back from [expressing his frustration]( at the situation this week. A few days after [the soft launch of ‘Bidengate](’, President Joe Biden's son, Hunter Biden, [was indicted]( by federal prosecutors on [three counts]( related to the acquisition and possession of a firearm while using narcotics. The [historic]( indictment follows a [collapsed plea deal]( last month, and is shaping up to be a [contentious, drawn-out fight]( on a subject that’s been [increasingly scrutinized]( by the courts. Meanwhile, the Trump legal circus continued this week with [an eventful hearing Thursday]( in Georgia during which Judge Scott McAfee granted Sidney Powell and Kenneth Chesebro’s motion to [separate their trial]( from the other 17 defendants, meaning Trump’s trial won’t [take place next month](. On Friday, Trump was dealt two more blows in special counsel Jack Smith’s case, when the social media site X, formerly Twitter, turned over [32 direct messages from the former president’s account]( to the special counsels’ office, and again when Smith asked Judge Tanya Chutkan to impose a [gag order]( to restrict Trump from making [further verbal attacks](and [incendiary statements.]( Thousands of auto workers [are now on strike]( against all the Big Three U.S. automakers for the first time in its history after the United Auto Workers (UAW) and the Big Three manufacturers [failed to reach a deal](. Workers walked off the job at plants belonging to General Motors, Ford and Chrysler's maker, Stellantis. Missed something? Don't worry. Here are our select columns and videos from the week. And don't forget to check out [MSNBC.com]( for more.   EDITOR'S PICKS [Alternate text] [ANDREA GRIMES]( [Texas Republicans know the truth about Ken Paxton — and just looked the other way]( Paxton's acquittal confirms that Republicans believe a man with the right politics cannot break the law. [Read more.]( [A photo of Jared Kushner and Ivanka Trump]( [ERIC GARCIA]( [The main difference between Hunter Biden and Jared Kushner]( The GOP wants to make an example out of Biden’s son — while ignoring the Javanka-sized elephant in the room. [Read more.]( [VICTOR SHI]( [One big problem with those calls to drop Kamala Harris from the Biden 2024 ticket]( Kamala Harris is doing a lot of things right. Some Democrats don’t want to hear it. [Read more.]( [A photo of Mitt Romney]( [DAVID JOLLY]( [Mitt Romney's Senate retirement is simply one more nail in the old GOP’s coffin]( Romney's departure should serve as a critical reminder that as a nation our democracy stands on the precipice of survival. [Read more.]( [A photo of Trump]( [JORDAN RUBIN]( [We're closer to learning if Trump is banned from office]( Trump's team suffered an embarrassing and unnecessary early loss in the Colorado litigation this week.[Read more.]( [STEVE BENEN]( [Some GOP members pitch hilariously bad ‘evidence’ against Biden]( One Republican put his cards on the table and it became immediately obvious that what he perceived as face cards were actually jokers. [Read more.]( [MSNBC]( [Texas AG Ken Paxton acquitted on corruption charges after historic impeachment trial]( Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton was impeached for allegedly taking bribes, but ultimately members of his party chose not to vote for his conviction. [ALI VELSHI]( [Fmr. Prosecutor: Trump 'eventually might have to' be put in jail if he breaches gag order]( Former Watergate prosecutor Jill Wine-Banks discusses the implications of special counsel Jack Smith asking a federal judge for a gag order against Trump. [JONATHAN CAPEHART]( [The biggest scandal in politics right now': Congress shifts heat to Jared Kushner]( Rep. Robert Garcia speaks to Jonathan Capehart about the hypocrisy of GOP silence on Jared Kushner securing a $2 billion investment from a fund led by the Saudi crown prince. [ALL IN]( [House GOP in ‘Godfather II stage’ of internal turmoil, says Republican lawmaker]( "The whole family kills each other—I think we're close to that right now. We are in maybe the Godfather two stage," an unnamed House Republican said.     MORE FROM MSNBC [Alternate text] Claire McCaskill and Jennifer Palmieri, two of the most well-respected voices in American politics, have teamed up to host MSNBC’s newest original podcast, “How to Win 2024.” Each week, they’ll discuss the biggest winners and losers on the campaign trail as the 2024 presidential election approaches and offer insights based on their own political experience. In the first episode, they speak with Steve Kornacki about President Biden’s current poll numbers and put a spotlight on House Speaker Kevin McCarthy’s rough month ahead. MSNBC INSIGHTS [Alternate text] Have you ever wanted to provide MSNBC with your opinion about their TV programs, documentaries, and digital products, such as MSNBC.com, newsletters, and podcasts? Now is your chance! [Join the MSNBC Insights Community.]( [Image] [Image] 30 Rockefeller Plaza New York, NY 10112 [PRIVACY]( | [CONTACT]( | [UNSUBSCRIBE](listvar=sub_daily) [PRIVACY]( | [CONTACT]( | [UNSUBSCRIBE](listvar=sub_daily)