Good morning, and welcome to The Epoch Times News Brief for Thursday, April 25, 2024. I’m Bill Thomas, and today, we’ll discuss a pivotal Supreme Court ruling, the challenges facing small businesses due to new federal regulations, and the disciplinary action against a police officer involved in the Jan. 6 Capitol breach.
Supreme Court Shows Sympathy in Idaho v. United States
The Supreme Court is currently examining a strict abortion law from Idaho that conflicts with a federal law aimed at ensuring emergency treatment to people in need, especially those who can’t afford to pay for medical services.The Biden administration is concerned that Idaho’s law confuses patients and delays urgent medical care for pregnant women. However, Idaho argues that there’s no conflict with federal law and suggests the federal government is overstepping its reach to secure a nationwide right to abortion.
Idaho enacted the “Defense of Life Act” in 2020, which limits abortions mostly to situations where the pregnant woman’s life is at risk or in cases of rape or incest. However, according to the Biden administration, this state law conflicts with the Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act, which says hospitals must provide stabilizing treatments for emergencies, including abortions when necessary.
This legal battle started in 2020, and it’s been back and forth in the courts. U.S. District Judge B. Lynn Winmill initially found that Idaho’s law partially conflicts with federal requirements. Although the Ninth Circuit Court first overturned this, it later reinstated the injunction, backing the federal stance during oral arguments. Idaho stood its ground, arguing there is no legal conflict, while the administration highlighted concerns over women’s health and access to essential services under Idaho’s restrictions.
Additionally, the Supreme Court is also looking into another significant case about the abortion pill mifepristone, focusing on FDA regulations. We’re expecting decisions on both of these important cases by the end of June.
Arizona House Republicans Join Democrats on Abortion Bill
On April 24, the Arizona House of Representatives passed a bill to remove the state’s rigorous abortion ban that’s been in effect since 1864. This law only allowed abortions in circumstances where the mother’s life is in danger, with no exceptions for rape or incest.In a notable move, three Republicans joined all 29 Democrats in a vote to repeal the 160-year-old law, overriding GOP House Speaker Michael Johnson, who has continued to oppose the repeal. The bill will now move to the Senate.
President Joe Biden has also previously endorsed efforts to remove the ban.
On Wednesday, Democrats and the Biden campaign held a news conference to continue pressing Republicans and former President Donald Trump on the abortion restrictions.
White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre commended the bill’s passage, saying that keeping the law in place would have “hurt women.” Vice President Kamala Harris also spoke at a pro-abortion rally in Tuscon, Arizona, where she condemned the restrictive court rulings and criticized President Trump’s policies on the matter.
Supreme Court Deals Final Blow to Trump Ballot Challenger
The U.S. Supreme Court has decided not to remove President Trump from the presidential ballot in Arizona. This decision came after John Castro, a Republican candidate in the 2024 election, tried to disqualify him, claiming that the former president supported those involved in the Jan. 6 Capitol breach.This ruling aligns with a previous decision from a lower court in December 2023, which also dismissed Mr. Castro’s claims. Mr. Castro had filed similar lawsuits in 27 other states.
The Supreme Court didn’t provide a reason for rejecting Mr. Castro’s appeal, but it’s likely related to an earlier finding that states cannot bar a candidate from the ballot because this is a power reserved only for Congress.
The Supreme Court also ruled last month that the former president can’t be removed from the ballot by individual states. That overturns the Colorado Supreme Court decision that found him ineligible as a candidate and disqualified him from the state ballot under Section 3 of the 14th Amendment. President Trump reacted by saying it was a “big win for America.”
Despite winning the battle to stay on the ballot, President Trump still faces numerous legal cases, including several criminal ones. He and his supporters argue that these cases are politically motivated attempts to undermine his presidential comeback bid.
Small Businesses Are Fighting Back Against a New Set of Federal Regulations That Few Have Even Heard Of
The Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN), a bureau of the U.S. Treasury, has quietly introduced new rules under the Corporate Transparency Act (CTA), which took effect in January 2024.The new regulations require all new small businesses to report personal information, such as the “beneficial owner” of the company, within 90 days of getting started. Existing small businesses have to do the same before Jan. 1, 2025.
According to FinCEN, the goal of the new rules is to safeguard the U.S. financial system from illegal activities and to tackle money laundering.
However, small businesses forming in 2024 could be issued penalties of $500 a day and possibly jail time if they don’t adhere to these new federal regulations that few have even heard of.
Several business groups have filed lawsuits against the CTA, arguing that the rules treat all small business owners “as if they’re guilty” and that these regulations violate the Fourth Amendment. There’s even a lawsuit in Michigan challenging whether these rules are constitutional.
Businesses are also worried about the privacy of having to share personal details, like their driver’s license and passport information, especially since they haven’t been accused of any crimes.
Even homeowners and condo associations are feeling anxious about what this means for them, concerned it could interfere with their fees and how they run their operations.
And to top it all off, there’s frustration over the Treasury Department dragging its feet on giving any exemptions. It’s a lot for small business owners and stakeholders to take in.
Police Officer Disciplined Over Undercover Conduct on Jan. 6: Agency
A Washington police officer was disciplined for breaking undercover law enforcement rules on Jan. 6, 2021. The officer received a 10-day suspension for prejudicial conduct. However, a spokesperson for the Metropolitan Police Department later stated that the summary of allegations in the documents was incorrect.Documents submitted to the Council of the District of Columbia indicated the officer joined in the crowd that climbed over barricades and chanted, “Whose house? Our house?” The officer was not identified.
It was also revealed that several officers from the Metropolitan Police Department’s Electronic Surveillance Unit and Narcotics Special Investigation Division were undercover at the Capitol that day.
Footage and photos showed these officers interacting with the crowd and joining in chants. Another officer, Shane Lamond, faces charges of obstruction of justice and making false statements.
Meanwhile, U.S. District Court Judge James Boasberg sentenced a Florida man, Isreal Easterday, to a 30-month prison term for attacking officers with pepper spray during the breach. Mr. Easterday became one of the latest individuals convicted in the Jan. 6 Capitol breach to be sentenced this week.
Judge Boasberg also ordered Mr. Easterday to complete 500 hours of community service and pay $2,000 in restitution.
US Congressman Dies at 65
Donald Payne Jr., a six-term congressman from New Jersey, passed away following a cardiac incident. He was 65 years old.New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy confirmed Mr. Payne’s death, sharing his deep sadness over the loss. Mr. Payne had been hospitalized since early this month after suffering from a heart-related issue, complicated by diabetes. The specific cause of death was not revealed.
Mr. Murphy commended Mr. Payne for his dedication to serving New Jersey, highlighting his contributions in ensuring safe drinking water and boosting job creation.
Mr. Payne, who had been a U.S. representative since 2013 for New Jersey’s 10th Congressional District, leaves a vacancy that might be filled through a special election or appointment by local party leaders.
With Mr. Payne’s passing, the number of active members in the House of Representatives drops now to 430.
Now, we’re almost out of time, so that’s going to be our final story on the Thursday edition of The Epoch Times News Brief!
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Finally, as we do each and every day, we end today’s program with a very “notable” quote:
“Go confidently in the direction of your dreams! Live the life you’ve imagined” —Henry David Thoreau
Thoreau was an American naturalist, essayist, poet, and philosopher. A truly interesting guy.
For all of us here at the Epoch Times News Brief, I’m Bill Thomas. Dream big, have a stellar day, and the weekend is quickly approaching. See you right back here tomorrow.
