Trump's legal trouble deepens

Plus: Native representation in Congress and Biden at the U.N. [View this email online]( [NPR Politics]( September 24, 2022 This week, we looked at Trump's legal woes, Biden's controversial pandemic comments and Native representation in Congress. Plus, Hurricane Fiona pummels Puerto Rico. --------------------------------------------------------------- The Big Picture: Trump's legal trouble deepens Mary Altaffer/AP No former U.S. president has ever been charged with a crime. But former President Trump is facing deepening legal troubles. [Here are the half dozen civil and criminal investigations connected to Trump]( - Department of Justice/FBI investigation into [White House documents]( - DOJ investigation [into the Jan. 6]( insurrection; - House select committee investigation into [Trump’s role on Jan. 6](. There will be another public hearing Wednesday; - Fulton County, Ga. district attorney looking at [attempts to overturn]( the results of the 2020 presidential election; - New York State attorney general [civil lawsuit]( against the Trump Organization for inflating and devaluing assets; - Manhattan, N.Y. district attorney looking into fraud and tax evasion at the Trump Organization. A trial begins in the case [Oct. 24](. They are threatening his business and family and could hurt his political ambitions — even as, right now, the Republican Party has morphed almost entirely into his image. New York Attorney General Letitia James’ $250 million lawsuit, which was filed this week, puts the Trump Organization in jeopardy of not being able to do business in New York. And it will also be a case likely closely watched by federal prosecutors to see if there is evidence of crimes committed. Politically, Trump is reportedly [fuming]( at the attention — and praise in conservative circles — Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has received for his migrant flight stunts. And another [early state primary poll]( shows DeSantis besting the former president. None of it is likely sitting well with Trump, who is eyeing another presidential run. And his brand will face an important test in these midterm elections – whether [candidates in his mold]( can win in competitive states and districts. — [Domenico Montanaro]( NPR’s senior political editor/correspondent [Read More]( --------------------------------------------------------------- Newsletter continues after sponsor message --------------------------------------------------------------- ICYMI: Top Stories Jose Luis Magana/AP Biden on COVID: President Biden said in an interview this week that [the COVID-19 pandemic is “over.”]( But hundreds of Americans are still dying each day from the virus, and Biden’s remarks contradict his own administration’s efforts to continue to fight the pandemic, including requests for new congressional funding and [a push to get Americans to receive new booster shots.]( Biden speaks to U.N.: In [a speech before the United Nations General Assembly]( Biden harshly criticized Russia’s ongoing war in Ukraine and implored other nations to continue upholding the U.N. charter. He also announced nearly $3 billion in U.S. funding for food security assistance. Electoral Count Act reform: The House this week [passed a bill aiming to fix some of the vague and confusing language of the Electoral Count Act]( which former President Trump and his allies tried to exploit in his efforts to overturn the 2020 election. But the Senate has its own version of the legislation, and it’s unclear if either can pass through both chambers of Congress. Native representation in Congress: For the first time in more than 230 years, a Native American, an Alaska Native and a Native Hawaiian are all members of the House — [fully representing the United States' Indigenous people](. The news came after the swearing in of Alaska Democratic Rep. Mary Peltola. Midterm debates: Debates are a tradition in American politics. But in the 2022 midterms, [there are far fewer events with candidates sharing a stage and answering questions for voters.]( — [Brandon Carter]( NPR Politics social media producer --------------------------------------------------------------- Become a NPR Politics+ Subscriber Hey y'all. Want to show your support for our podcast and even listen to sponsor-free episodes? Try subscribing to The NPR Politics Podcast+ and get your political insights, news and analysis without the distraction. Learn more at [plus.npr.org/politics]( or at the link below. [Subscribe Today]( --------------------------------------------------------------- The Shot: Fiona pummels Puerto Rico Gabriella N. Báez for NPR Hurricane Fiona was just a category 1 hurricane when it [hit early this week](. But it moved slowly and dropped more than 30 inches of rain on some areas, washing out roads and, as [NPR's Greg Allen reports]( isolating some mountain communities. In Cacao, a small community of scattered homes in the mountains, residents were stranded after local authorities surveyed road damage, declared it unsafe and closed it. Making the isolation worse, many communities were without power or water. See coverage of [hurricane's devastating impact]( and [of the slow clean up]( as areas are still underwater and many residents' homes are unlivable. — [Heidi Glenn]( NPR Politics digital editor --------------------------------------------------------------- Listen to your local NPR station. Visit NPR.org to find your local station stream. [Listen Live]( [Facebook]( [Instagram]( [Twitter]( What do you think of today's email? We'd love to hear your thoughts, questions and feedback: [nprpolitics@npr.org](mailto:nprpolitics@npr.org?subject=Newsletter%20Feedback) Enjoying this newsletter? Forward to a friend! [They can sign up here.]( Looking for more great content? 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