December Current Events 2023: U.S. News
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The world is a very busy place, and it's hard to stay on top of everything. Infoplease has got you covered. Here are the U.S. news events you need to know so far for December 2023.
- Dean Phillips Confirms That He Will Not Seek Re-Election To Congress In 2024
- Officials Confirm Attack On The Former Officer Convicted In The Murder Of George Floyd
- Gunman Shoots Three Students Related To Palestine In Vermont
- George Santos To Face Third Vote To Expel Him From Congress
- George Santos, Republican Lawmaker Expelled From United States House
- Appeals Court In Florida Upholds Congressional Map Backed By Governor Desantis
- Former Speaker Of The House, Kevin Mccarthy To Leave Congress At The End Of The Year
- Republicans In The United States Senate Blocks Ban On Assault-Style Weapons
- Several New York’s Restrictions On Carrying Gun Has Been Approved By Appeals Court
- Former President, Donald Trump Confirms He Will Not Testify In New York Fraud Trial
- Highest Court In New York Orders Congressional Districts To Be Redrawn
- Impeachment Inquiry Against President Biden Has Been Authorized Following House Vote
- Democrat Governor Of Arizona Orders National Guards To The Border
- Supreme Court In Ohio Dismisses The State’s Effort To Enforce Abortion Ban
- Bill That Allows Police Arrest Illegal Migrants Entering United States Signed By Texas Governor
- Colorado Supreme Court Rules That Donald Trump Is Ineligible For Office
- Woman Who Called 911 For Help Fatally Shot By Police
- Supreme Court In Wisconsin Overturns Legislative Maps Drawn By Republicans
- Supreme Court In Michigan Ruled That Former President Trump Will Remain On The Ballot
- Herb Kohi, Former Senator And Owner Of Milwaukee Bucks Dies At Age 88
Dean Phillips Confirms That He Will Not Seek Re-Election To Congress In 2024
Photo Source: AP Photo/Charles Krupa, File
Friday, November 24, 2023 – Dean Phillips, Minnesota’s Rep has confirmed that he will not be seeking re-election to Congress next year, as he pursues his challenge against President Joe Biden for the Democratic nomination in 2024. While he was giving a statement, he said “It is time to pass the torch after three terms.”
Mr. Phillips launched his presidential campaign for the Democratic presidential nomination last month in the New Hemisphere. He said he was compelled to replace the president, over his concerns that Mr. Biden would lose a general election rematch against former United States President, Donald Trump due to his age.
Reacting to Phillips' idea not to run for Rep again, the White House pointed to his record in Congress. Spokesman Andrew Bartes, the Biden-Harris administration would miss him very much because he has voted for nearly 100% of President Biden's Policies.
Source: CNN
Officials Confirm Attack On The Former Officer Convicted In The Murder Of George
Photo Source: AP Photo/Hennepin County Sheriff's Office
Saturday, November 25, 2023 – The Attorney General of Minnesota, Keith Ellison confirms that the former Minneapolis police officer, Derek Chauvin, who was convicted in the death of George Floyd was attacked in prison in Arizona. He also added that he was devastated to hear that Derek was the target of violation.
Mr. Chauvin is currently serving a 21-year federal sentence for violating Floyd’s civil rights, and concurrent 22-1/2 years for murder on his conviction in Minnesota state court. In 2020, the death of George Floyd caused a worldwide protest against police brutality and racism when Chauvin, who is white knelt on the neck of a Black man for over nine minutes.
According to the Federal Bureau of Prisons, an unidentified inmate was assaulted at the Federal Correctional Institution in Arizona. It also confirmed that the employees initiated lifesaving measures and were then taken by emergency medical services to a hospital.
Source: Reuters
Gunman Shoots Three Students Related To Palestine In Vermont
Photo Source: AP Photo/Wayne Savage, File
Monday, November 27, 2023 – Authorities confirm that the police and federal agents are in for a gunman who shot and wounded three college students of Palestinian descent in Burlington, Vermont. A man, who owned a pistol, shot three people close to the University of Vermont and then ran away.
Police confirm that two of the victims are United States citizens and the third person is a legal United States resident. Burlington Police Chief, Jon Murad said in a statement that he has already been in touch with federal investigative and prosecutorial partners to prepare if the motive of the attack is proven to have been a hate-motivated attack.
The families of the victims had earlier issued a joint statement, urging authorities to investigate the shooting as a hate crime.
Source: Reuters
George Santos To Face Third Vote To Expel Him From Congress
Photo Source: AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite, File
Wednesday, November 29, 2023 – Party leaders confirmed that the United States House of Representatives will hold a third vote to expel Congressman George Santos from the house later this week. The first two attempts at his removal failed, but a report from the ethics committee on his time in office has assured his likely removal.
Republicans, including the newly elected speaker, have encouraged Mr. Santos to resign so they can avoid another vote. Even though Mr. Santos thinks the next vote is likely to succeed, he has decided not to resign. He told reporters on Capitol Hill that “it is the third time they are going through the process, and he does not care.
Expulsion votes in Congress are rare, and if the vote for Mr. Santos succeeds, he will be only the sixth lawmaker in the history of the House to get expelled.
Source: BBC
George Santos, Republican Lawmaker Expelled From United States House
Photo Source: AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough, File
Friday, December 1, 2023 – Lawmaker Geoge Santos’ time in the House of Representatives came to an end on Friday when the members of the House voted to expel him from the House over criminal corruption charges and accusations about misspending campaign money.
The vote ended 311-114 to remove the lawmaker, which was above the two-thirds majority required to oust a member of the House. As Santos was walking out of the Capitol surrounded by journalists, he said he was no longer required to answer a question from them since he was no longer a member of the congress.
Santos’ expulsion was opposed by the Speaker of the House, Mike Johnson, and other top Republican leaders, but did not sway enough in the party to go along. Some of the lawmakers suggested that the fate of Santos should be decided by voters in his district next November.
Source: Reuters
Appeals Court In Florida Upholds Congressional Map Backed By Governor Desantis
Photo Source: AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall
Saturday, December 2, 2023 – An Appeals court in Florida has upheld the state’s congressional map, which was backed by Florida Governor, Ron DeSantis. A lower court had earlier ruled that the map violated the state constitution by diminishing some Black residents’ voting power.
The newly drawn map resulted in the incumbent, Al Lawson, who is a Black Democrat, losing re-election last year by nearly 20 percentage points to Representative Neal Dunn, who is a Republican, white, and helped the Republicans take back control of the House.
However, according to the ruling of Florida’s First District Court of Appeals, it said that the ruling of the lower court to order the Florida legislature to redraw the map was based on a misinterpretation of the constitution of the state. The lawsuit against the Constitutional map that was redrawn is still pending in federal court.
Source: Reuters
Former Speaker Of The House, Kevin Mccarthy To Leave Congress At The End Of The Year
Photo Source: AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite, File
Wednesday, December 6, 2023 – Former Speaker of the United States House of Representatives, Kevin McCarthy has announced that he will be resigning from Congress and will leave at the end of the year. His decision comes two months after he was ousted as the speaker of the House.
The decision of McCarthy will reduce the House GOP’s slim majority, which got smaller just last week after the expulsion of former Congressman, George Santos of New York. McCarthy has been in office for 17 years, and he has spent much of his time in Congress at the leadership table.
Majority Leader, Steve Scalise, a member of the congress from Louisiana, who served alongside McCarthy for close to two decades wished him well, and although he would have hoped McCarthy remained in the ranks.
Source: CNN
Republicans In The United States Senate Blocks Ban On Assault-Style Weapons
Photo Source: AP Photo/Seth Perlman, File
Wednesday, December 6, 2023 – The Republicans in the United States Senate have moved to block a ban on assault-style weapons, which was put forward by Democrats on Wednesday. The motion, which was put forward by the Senate majority leader, would have reauthorized the Assault Weapons Ban, which was first passed in 1994 and expired 10 years later.
While giving a speech to bring the motion to the floor on Wednesday, Schumer said “The American people are sick and tired of enduring one mass shooting after another.” The attempt was however blocked by a Republican Senator, John Barrasso, who said Americans have a Constitutional right to own a firearm.
According to a database, which is maintained by the Associated Press, USA Today and Northeastern University, the United States has had 39 mass shootings so far in 2023.
Source: Reuters
Several New York’s Restrictions On Carrying Gun Has Been Approved By Appeals Court
Photo Source: AP Photo/Yuki Iwamura
Friday, December 8, 2023 – An Appeals court in the United States ruled on Friday that New York state has the autonomy to bar gun owners from carrying weapons in sensitive locations like parks, zoos, bars, and theaters. It however blocked the enforcement of the restriction on bringing firearms on private property open to the public.
According to New York’s Attorney General, Letitia James, who is a Democrat said the ruling of the three-judge panel would allow the state to continue to enforce most of the provisions of its new gun-control law. She also added that her office will continue to defend New Yorkers from unnecessary gun violence.
The ruling was because of the Concealed Carry Improvement Act that was signed into law by Democratic Governor Kathy Hochul in 2022, which was challenged by gun rights groups and residents of New York.
Source: Reuters
Former President, Donald Trump Confirms He Will Not Testify In New York Fraud Trial
Photo Source: AP Photo/Eduardo Munoz Alvarez
Sunday, December 10, 2023 – Former President of the United States, Donald Trump has confirmed that he would not testify in a New York courtroom this week. Mr. Trump is expected to appear for a second time to make the case that his company did not misrepresent the value of its properties to win favorable finances.
According to Mr. Trump, he said he had already testified and had nothing more to say and refers to the process as a complete and total election interference. The Judge presiding over his case, Arthur Engoron has already ruled that Mr. Trump and his Adult sons manipulated financial statements to deceive banks and insurers into providing better loans and insurance terms.
The Attorney General of New York, Letitia James is seeking $250 million in damages and a permanent ban on Mr. Trump and his sons from running businesses in New York.
Source: Reuters
Highest Court In New York Orders Congressional Districts To Be Redrawn
Photo Source: AP Photo/John Minchillo, File
Tuesday, December 12, 2023 – The highest court in New York has ordered the state to redraw its congressional map. This decision handed the Democrats a major win in the fight for control of the United States House of Representatives in the upcoming election in 2024. The state was ordered to begin the mapmaking process after a 4-3 vote in the New York State Court.
The New York’s bipartisan Independent Redistricting Commission will be given the responsibility of creating a new map. The decision of the court would help Democrats in their quest to flip some of the Republican-held seats in the House next year.
The decision by the court upends the map that was drawn by the court last year, which helped Republicans to flip four sits and thus secured their majority in the House.
Source: CNN
Impeachment Inquiry Against President Biden Has Been Authorized Following House Vote
Photo Source: AP Photo/Evan Vucci
Thursday, December 14, 2023 – The United States House of Representatives has voted to formally authorize President Biden’s Impeachment inquiry, even though the Republicans are yet to prove that the President benefited financially from his family’s business.
The vote in the House ended in 221-212 to launch the inquiry. The vote came hours after the son of the President, Hunter Biden, defied a subpoena to appear for a closed-door deposition with House Members. However, he chose to hold a press conference on Capitol Hill. He said, “he is ready to testify at a public hearing, to answer any of the committee's legitimate questions.”
President Joe Biden tagged the action of the Republicans as a baseless impeachment stunt. The former speaker of the House, Kevin McCarthy unilaterally launched the inquiry in September without a formal vote on the matter.
Source: The Guardian
Democrat Governor Of Arizona Orders National Guards To The Border
Photo Source: AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin, File
Saturday, December 16, 2023 – The Governor of Arizona, Katie Hobbs has ordered National Guard troops to the border with Mexico. She said the reason for her action was that the United States government’s recent decision to close the legal port of entry in the state has led to a humanitarian crisis.
The governor did not give an exact number of the National Guard that would be deployed, but she said they would be stationed along the southern border near the Lukeville port of entry and San Miguel crossing.
On Dec. 4, the United States Customs and Border Protection (CBP) closed the Lukeville legal border crossing until further notice. They closed the crossing to redirect resources to increase the illegal smuggling of migrants elsewhere on the border. According to the CBP, they are moving all available resources to process migrants safely.
Source: Reuters
Supreme Court In Ohio Dismisses The State’s Effort To Enforce Abortion Ban
Photo Source: AP Photo/Joe Maiorana, File
Saturday, December 16, 2023 – The Supreme Court in Ohio has dismissed the challenge of the state to the ruling of a judge, which blocks the state from enforcing its near ban on abortions for the past 14 months.
Abortion clinics had asked Judge Christian Jenkins to throw out the law, following the decision of voters to approve abortion rights in the constitution of the state. The court then ruled that the appeal had been dismissed due to a change in the law.
A law, which was signed by the Republican governor, Mike DeWine, in April 2019, prohibited most abortions after the first detectable fetal heartbeat. Though the ban was initially blocked by a federal legal challenge, however, it went into effect when the United States Supreme Court overturned the landmark 1973 Roe v Wade decision.
Source: The Guardian
Bill That Allows Police Arrest Illegal Migrants Entering United States Signed By Texas Governor
Photo Source: AP Photo/Valerie Gonzalez
Monday, December 18, 2023 – The Governor of Texas, Greg Abbott signed a bill on Monday, that grants the police in the state the power to arrest migrants considered to have entered the United States illegally. He also empowered the local judges to order their expulsion back across the US-Mexico border.
The law was passed by the legislature of Texas last month, which is dominated by the Republicans. The Mexican government criticized the measure when it was being debated in the Texas legislature, saying that it would result in the separation of families and racial profiling.
According to the law signed by the Republican Governor, Greg Abbott, law enforcement in Texas has the power to arrest anyone suspected of entering the country illegally. Once apprehended, they could either agree to leave Texas on the Judge’s order or be prosecuted on charges of illegal entry.
Source: The Guardian
Colorado Supreme Court Rules That Donald Trump Is Ineligible For Office
Photo Source: David Dee Delgado/Pool Photo via AP
Tuesday, December 19, 2023 – The Supreme Court of Colorado on Tuesday removed former United States President, Donald Trump from the state’s ballot in 2024. The court ruled that he was not an eligible presidential candidate due to the 14th Amendment’s insurrectionist ban. However, the decision of the Colorado Supreme Court would be put on hold pending the time that the Supreme Court of the United States would give its verdict in January 2024.
The decision of the state’s Supreme Court only applies to Colorado. The election officials in the state have said that the case needs to be settled by January 5, due to the deadline set for the list of candidates for the GOP primary in the state.
The court also rejected Mr. Trump’s free speech claims, saying that his speech on January 6 was not protected by the First Amendment.
Source: CNN
Woman Who Called 911 For Help Fatally Shot By Police
Photo Source: AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes,File
Friday, December 22, 2023 – The Deputy Sheriff at a Los Angeles County has shot and killed a 27-year-old woman who had called to report that she was under attack by her former boyfriend. According to the record, the deputy had killed someone in a similar circumstance three years ago.
According to the LASD report, they said the victim, Finlayson had a knife and was threatening her boyfriend, which caused the deputy sheriff, Ty Shelton to open fire. However, the report of the police was debunked by the family members of the victim.
According to the LASD, they said they are yet to receive any claim from the family officially, but they will release the body-camera footage by next week. The inspector general’s office would conduct a thorough and detailed review of every aspect of the shooting.
Source: The Guardian
Supreme Court In Wisconsin Overturns Legislative Maps Drawn By Republicans
Photo Source: Ruthie Hauge/The Capital Times via AP, Pool, File
Saturday, December 23, 2023 – The Supreme Court of Wisconsin has ordered that the legislative map that was designed by the Republican-controlled legislature should be redrawn. The court’s decision handed victory to the Democrats in the state. The court ruled in favor of a nonprofit Law Forward, which sued to overturn the maps as unconstitutional.
According to analysts, two seats that are held by Republicans will most likely become more competitive due to the redrawn congressional map.
According to Law Forward after the court’s decision, it said “the decision from the Wisconsin Supreme Court is a victory for a representative democracy in the state of Wisconsin.” A similar legal fight is ongoing in Georgia concerning congressional maps that the lawsuit claims were redrawn illegally by Republicans to dilute the voting power of minority residents near Atalanta.
Source: Reuters
Supreme Court In Michigan Ruled That Former President Trump Will Remain Of The Ballot
Photo Source: Brendan McDermid/Pool Photo via AP
Wednesday, December 27, 2023 – The attempt to remove former President Donald Trump from the 2024 primary ballot in Michigan has been rejected by the Michigan Supreme Court. The judgment of the court will allow the former President to participate in the Michigan primary despite the accusation against him that he led an insurrection against the United States.
The challengers in Michigan invoked section 3 of the United States Constitution’s 14th amendment. The amendment blocks people who have engaged in insurrection or rebellion against the United States having previously sworn to uphold it from holding government office.
Mr. Trump celebrated the decision of the Michigan Supreme Court on Truth Social. He said, “The Michigan Supreme Court has rightfully and strongly denied the attempts of Democrats to take him off the ballot in the great state of Michigan.”
Source: The Guardian
Herb Kohl, Former Senator, And Owner Of Milwaukee Bucks Dies At Age 88
Photo Source: AP Photo/Morry Gash, File
Wednesday, December 27, 2023 – A former Senator in the United States, and the owner of Milwaukee Bucks, Herb Kohl has died after he suffered from a brief illness, his foundation announced on Wednesday. He served in the United States Senate for 24 years.
Kohi bought his hometown team in 1985, making sure that the Bucks remained in Milwaukee. In 2014, he sold the Milwaukee Bucks after close to three decades. He also donated $100 million to assist the team in building a new arena. According to a statement made by the commissioner of the National Basketball Association, Adam Silver, Kohi set the standard for NBA team ownership.
Mr. Kohi graduated from the University of Wisconsin with an MBA from Harvard. It was also confirmed that Mr. Kohi served in the United States Army Reserves.
Source: CNN
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