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Trump trial: day four
A man set himself on fire outside the Manhattan courthouse where Donald Trump is on trial, and was taken to hospital. His motive was not clear. Before dousing himself in lighter fluid he threw pamphlets in the air that made reference to “evil billionaires”. Court was in session on Friday to choose “alternate” jurors—people who can step in if any of the 12 jurors already selected bow out over the course of the trial, which could last eight weeks.
In an extraordinary turn of events Democrats on the powerful House Rules Committee stepped in to vote for advancing the foreign-aid bills unveiled by Mike Johnson, the Republican House speaker, towards debate on the full House floor. Three Republican committee members, one of whom belongs to the hard-right House Freedom Caucus, were opposed. The bills include aid for Ukraine and Israel, among other things.
At least 100 pro-Palestinian student protesters were arrested at an unauthorised tent encampment on Columbia University’s campus. The school’s president, Minouche Shafik, said she had approved the police round-up. Just a day earlier Ms Shafik had testified before Congress about Columbia’s handling of antisemitism; keen to dispel criticism and keep her job, she had promised to be tough.
More than a dozen members of the Kennedy family endorsed Joe Biden. “We need to stop Trump,” said Kerry Kennedy, the sister of Robert F. Kennedy junior, who is running as a third-party candidate. She added, “nobody competes with President Biden when it comes to carrying on the legacies” of her famous political family members: John, a president; Robert, an attorney-general; and Ted, a senator.
Katie Hobbs, Arizona’s governor, signed a bill banning courts from ordering children to attend so-called therapeutic family-reunification programmes against one parent’s will. The treatment, which seeks to reconcile children with estranged parents, usually after divorce, has sparked controversy: critics say the programmes are under-researched, unregulated and can lead to abuse. Colorado and California passed similar bans in recent months.
It was “just politics” when Andrzej Duda, Poland’s president, met Mr Trump, wrote Pawel Lepkowski, a columnist, in Rzeczpospolita, a Polish daily, on April 18th. Presidential candidates John Kerry, Barack Obama and Mitt Romney all met foreign leaders. As for Mr Trump’s trial, Bill Clinton was never shunned by foreign politicians despite sexual-assault allegations. There was “nothing inappropriate” about the dinner between Mr Duda and Mr Trump, Mr Lepkowski concluded.
On April 8th Ron DeSantis, Florida’s governor, signed a bill that made it a felony to recklessly endanger the life of a first responder by causing “inhalation” of fentanyl or “absorption through skin”. The law says this leads to “an overdose or serious bodily injury”. Yet one toxicologist says this is “scientifically impossible”. Our story busts some myths.
25%, the tariff that Joe Biden called for on certain Chinese steel and aluminium products; in some cases that amounts to more than tripling existing import taxes. Read our story about the regressive policies Mr Biden has unveiled in recent days.
The race between the two candidates remains stubbornly stable. Judging from our poll tracker, which is updated daily and shows an average of the latest polls, the race between Mr Biden and Mr Trump is shaping up to be a dead heat.
From Monday to Thursday we’ll quiz you on American politics. This week’s winner is Marco Frieri in Washington, DC. The answers were:
Monday: Alaska has the longest land border with Canada
Tuesday: West Virginia has the highest obesity rate, at 41%
Wednesday: In 47 states, 30% of the adult population was classified as obese in 2022
Thursday: New York has produced the most Nobel prize winners
If you enjoyed this week’s questions, play Dateline, The Economist’s new history game.
—Donald Trump was not the only one to complain about the frigid temperatures in the courtroom on April 18th. The judge was sympathetic but firm. “I’d rather be a little cold than sweaty, and really those are the choices.”
How to take part in the quiz: From Monday to Thursday we’ll quiz you on American politics. Email all your answers with your name and where you are from to [email protected] before 5pm New York time (10pm London time) on a Thursday. The weekly winner, chosen at random from those who give all the right answers, will be announced on this page on Fridays.
Read all of our recent coverage of the 2024 election. Confused about a term? Check out our A-Z of American politics.
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In brief
Our daily political update, featuring the stories that matter
In brief
Our daily political update, featuring the stories that matter
In brief
Our daily political update, featuring the stories that matter
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