The Mexican city of Acapulco was hit Thursday by Hurricane Otis, packing 165 m.p.h. winds, the strongest tropical cyclone ever to strikes the country’s Pacific coast. In under 24 hours, Otis rapidly strengthened from a tropical storm not even expected to come ashore into a Category 5 hurricane bearing down on a major city, catching forecasters, civil defense officials, tourists and residents off guard. Otis caused massive structural damage along the coast and left at least 27 people dead. Damages and casualties are still being assessed.
A Woman Amid the Mud and Debris
A woman stand amid mud and debris at the Kilometro 42 community, near Acapulco, Guerrero State, Mexico, after the passage of Hurricane Otis, on October 25, 2023. (Photo by RODRIGO OROPEZA/AFP via Getty Images)
A Boy With a Mexican Flag Receives a Relief Package
A boy with a Mexican flag receives a relief package after Hurricane Otis in Guerrero, Mexico on October 29, 2023. (Photo by Silvana Flores/Anadolu via Getty Images)
Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador and His Cabinet
Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador (C) and members of his cabinet walk through mud as they visit the Kilometro 42 community, near Acapulco, Guerrero State, Mexico, after the passage of Hurricane Otis, on October 25, 2023. (Photo by RODRIGO OROPEZA/AFP via Getty Images)
Aerial view of a destroyed building and debris left after the passage of Hurricane Otis in Acapulco, Guerrero State, Mexico, on October 26, 2023. Hurricane Otis caused at least 27 deaths and major damage as it lashed Mexico’s resort city of Acapulco as a scale-topping category 5 storm, officials said Thursday, in what residents called a “total disaster.” Otis crashed into Acapulco with furious winds of 165 miles (270 kilometers) per hour, shattering windows, uprooting trees and largely cutting off communications and road links with the region. (Photo by RODRIGO OROPEZA / AFP) (Photo by RODRIGO OROPEZA/AFP via Getty Images)
President Obrador Inspects the Kilometro 42 Community
Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador (C) and members of his cabinet visit the Kilometro 42 community, near Acapulco, Guerrero State, Mexico, after the passage of Hurricane Otis, on October 25, 2023. (Photo by RODRIGO OROPEZA/AFP via Getty Images)
President Obrador Addresses the Media Following Hurricane Otis
Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, President of Mexico, projects a slide of photographer Kevin Carter (13 September 1960 – 27 July 1994), during a message to the media at the National Palace in Mexico City, following the damage caused by Hurricane Otis in Acapulco, Guerrero, (Photo by Gerardo Vieyra/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
Devastated Streets
General view of the streets with debris after hurricane Otis hit Acapulco on October 25, 2023 in Acapulco, Mexico. (Photo by Oscar Guerrero Ramirez/Getty Images)
A Looter Carries a Shopping Cart Full of Goods
A looter carries a shopping cart full of goods stolen from a supermarket after the passage of Hurricane Otis in Acapulco, Guerrero State, Mexico, on October 25, 2023. Mexican authorities rushed to send emergency aid, restore communications and assess damage in the Pacific beach resort of Acapulco on Wednesday after a powerful hurricane left a trail of destruction and tourists stranded. (Photo by FRANCISCO ROBLES / AFP) (Photo by FRANCISCO ROBLES/AFP via Getty Images)
A Man Surveys the Scene Outside a Circle K
View of the damage caused after the passage of Hurricane Otis in Acapulco, Guerrero State, Mexico, on October 25, 2023. (Photo by FRANCISCO ROBLES/AFP via Getty Images)
Car Caravans
Car caravans are seen in a highway after hurricane Otis hit Acapulco on October 25, 2023 in Acapulco, Mexico. (Photo by Oscar Guerrero Ramirez/Getty Images)
Military Members Work In a Landslide
Military members work in a landslide after hurricane Otis hit Acapulco on October 25, 2023 in Acapulco, Mexico. (Photo by Oscar Guerrero Ramirez/Getty Images)
Destroyed Shopping Mall
General view of a shopping mall destroyed after hurricane Otis hit Acapulco on October 25, 2023 in Acapulco, Mexico. (Photo by Oscar Guerrero Ramirez/Getty Images)
Residents In The Mud
Residents carry a shopping cart with goods from a looted supermarket after hurricane Otis hit Acapulco on October 25, 2023 in Acapulco, Mexico. (Photo by Oscar Guerrero Ramirez/Getty Images)
Residents Look at Debris
Residents look at debris in the streets after Hurricane Otis hit Acapulco on October 25, 2023 in Acapulco, Mexico. (Photo by Oscar Guerrero Ramirez/Getty Images)
A Woman Walks Among the Debris
A woman walks among the debris left after the passage of Hurricane Otis in Acapulco, Guerrero State, Mexico, on October 26, 2023. (Photo by RODRIGO OROPEZA/AFP via Getty Images)
Military Members Work in a Landslide
Military members work in a landslide after hurricane Otis hit Acapulco on October 25, 2023 in Acapulco, Mexico. (Photo by Oscar Guerrero Ramirez/Getty Images)
A Sunken Car
A car is seen sunk after hurricane Otis hit Acapulco on October 25, 2023 in Acapulco, Mexico. (Photo by Oscar Guerrero Ramirez/Getty Images)
TOPSHOT – Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador looks out of the window as the vehicle transporting his is stuck in mud during a visit to the Kilometro 42 community, near Acapulco, Guerrero State, Mexico, after the passage of Hurricane Otis, on October 25, 2023. Mexican authorities rushed to send emergency aid, restore communications and assess damage in the Pacific beach resort of Acapulco on Wednesday after a powerful hurricane left a trail of destruction and tourists stranded. (Photo by RODRIGO OROPEZA / AFP) (Photo by RODRIGO OROPEZA/AFP via Getty Images)
A Dog Rests Near The Debris
A dog is seen near a debris site after hurricane Otis hit Acapulco on October 25, 2023 in Acapulco, Mexico. (Photo by Oscar Guerrero Ramirez/Getty Images)
A Shopping Cart Full of Loot
A resident carries a shopping cart with goods from a looted supermarket after hurricane Otis hit Acapulco on October 25, 2023 in Acapulco, Mexico. (Photo by Oscar Guerrero Ramirez/Getty Images)
Devastated Streets
General view of the streets with debris after hurricane Otis hit Acapulco on October 25, 2023 in Acapulco, Mexico. (Photo by Oscar Guerrero Ramirez/Getty Images)
A Man Observes the Shopping Mall
General view of a shopping mall destroyed after hurricane Otis hit Acapulco on October 25, 2023 in Acapulco, Mexico. (Photo by Oscar Guerrero Ramirez/Getty Images)
A Swimming Pool In the Middle of a Street
A swimming pool is seen in the street after hurricane Otis hit Acapulco on October 25, 2023 in Acapulco, Mexico. (Photo by Oscar Guerrero Ramirez/Getty Images)
A Person Operates a Bulldozer
A person operates a bulldozer in a landslide after hurricane Otis hit Acapulco on October 25, 2023 in Acapulco, Mexico. (Photo by Oscar Guerrero Ramirez/Getty Images)
It was just before midnight on December 27, 2021, and Jen Remauro had a message for Rep. George Santos (R-NY). The Republican was less than a year away from his victory in a New York congressional election that would trigger a shocking series of scandals and criminal charges. But behind the scenes, there was already plenty of drama.
“Please keep me out of your spew,” Remauro wrote in a text to Santos, which she provided to TPM.
A federal grand jury in Atlanta has returned an indictment against Arthur Ray Hanson II, of Huntsville, Alabama, accusing him of transmitting interstate threats to injure Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis and Sheriff Patrick Labat in retaliation for the prosecution of Donald Trump. Hanson left two threatening voicemails after calling the Fulton County Government customer services line, prosecutors alleged.
According to the Justice Department, Hanson’s threats against Willis in one voicemail included:
“watch it when you’re going to the car at night, when you’re going into your house, watch everywhere that you’re going”
“I would be very afraid if I were you because you can’t be around people all the time that are going to protect you”
“there’s gonna be moments when you’re gonna be vulnerable”
“when you charge Trump on that fourth indictment, anytime you’re alone, be looking over your shoulder”
“what you put out there, [expletive], comes back at you ten times harder, and don’t ever forget it.”
Jan. 6 Defendant Loses His Shit In Courtroom Outburst
A physical altercation broke out during a hearing on Monday in the case of Vitali GossJankowski, a defendant convicted of several charges related to the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the Capitol, resulting in toppled tables and multiple federal agents subduing the defendant on the ground.
Disqualification Clause Trial Gets Underway
The Colorado evidentiary hearing to determine whether Donald Trump is ineligible for the presidency under the Constitution’s Disqualification Clause got underway Monday with testimony from a member of Congress and a DC police officer:
Law&Crime: Trial to kick Trump off ballot in Colorado for Jan. 6 starts with harrowing police testimony
NYT: Colorado Trial Considers Whether the 14th Amendment Disqualifies Trump
Colorado Public Radio did a liveblog for an in-depth review of Day 1
Special counsel Jack Smith withdrew a subpoena seeking information from former President Donald Trump’s 2020 campaign this week, a source familiar told CNN.
This is the second withdrawn subpoena related to Smith’s investigation into fundraising practices following the 2020 election. Earlier this month, Smith withdrew a subpoena seeking records from Save America, a Trump-controlled political action committee, two sources familiar with the matter said.
Nevada Man Charged With Alleged Anti-Semitic Threats To Jewish Senator
John Anthony Miller of Las Vegas faces federal charges in Nevada for allegedly leaving threatening, anti-Semitic voicemails for Sen. Jacky Rosen (D-NV), who is Jewish. Among the threats Miller allegedly made in the voicemails, according to the criminal complaint:
“All these fucking lies is in your fucking hands, you fucking bitch, and I’m gonna fucking see you soon, you fucking sellout fucking faggot bitch.”
“You just fucking woken up a motherfucking monster, you fucking piece of shit unhuman, subhuman, you’re vermin, bitch, you are vermin, bitch, and we’re gonna finish what Hitler started you fucking slut.”
“You done picked your side bitch and you done chose evil. I don’t give a fuck if you were born into it or not, bitch, you are fucking evil, bitch and we’re gonna exterminate you, fuck.”
There is no contradiction in observing that Mike Johnson is both a mild-mannered, courteous, conservative evangelical Christian and a politically extreme ideologue. He has surrounded himself with some of the most dangerous, anti-democratic Christian leaders in the country—the same people who theologized the January 6th insurrection—and offered them his public support and praise. Is there any doubt about the flock to which he belongs?
Israel-Gaza Watch
NYT: Under Shroud of Secrecy, Israel Invasion of Gaza Has Begun
WaPo: House GOP demands IRS budget cuts along with Israel aid
Senate Dems Plan Vote To Subpoena Clarence Thomas Benefactors
Senate Judiciary Committee Democrats are planning to vote on subpoenas for two key figures in the ethics scandals surrounding Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas: Harlan Crowe and Leonard Leo.
2024 Ephemera
Politico: 3 Expert Shoemakers Say Ron DeSantis Is Probably Wearing Height Boosters
Rep. Earl Blumenauer (D-OR), who has served in Congress since 1996, will not seek re-election in 2024.
Acapulco Death Toll Climbs To 45
In the slow, painful recovery from last week’s Category 5 Hurricane Otis, Acapulco reports a death toll of 45 people, with dozens still missing.
Truer Words Never Spoken
Jack Smith isn't prosecuting Donald J. Trump to stop Trump from running for president.
Donald J. Trump is running for president to stop Jack Smith from prosecuting him.
Back in May, Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin (R) was one of a handful of Republican governors who bought into far-right conspiracy theories about the Electronic Registration Information Center (ERIC) and pulled his state out of the program.
What can be called a “peace process” between Israel and the Palestinians ended with the failure of the Camp David summit and the onset of the Second Intifada in late 2000. Over the subsequent years, as settlement activity continued, it became increasingly common, especially among the more hard-bitten and realist-minded, to say that the time had run out on a so-called “two state solution.” From different quarters this verdict had different meanings. For Israeli maximalists it was a concluding judgment on the folly of the Oslo Accords and refusal of territorial concessions. For Palestinians it signaled a rejection of territorial compromise born of disappointment with the failure of Oslo. More concretely it was a simple statement of the reality on the ground. The West Bank had become so shot through with settlements — not just the large agglomerations along the 1967 border but lines of control reaching much deeper into Palestinian areas — that it simply wasn’t possible to create a viable state even if there was the will to create one. And quite clearly there wasn’t the will to make one.
On the Israeli side, the Oslo Accords had been born of a strategic recognition on the part of significant elements of the Israeli national security establishment. It wasn’t possible to keep the West Bank and Gaza Palestinians in a permanently stateless/occupied status. Nor was it possible to absorb them into Israel since Israeli Jews would cease to make up the overwhelming majority of the population. The years between 2000 and 2008 represented a kind of back and forth holding pattern. Benjamin Netanyahu’s return to power in 2009 was based on a very different premise: that the Palestinian issue could be managed indefinitely rather than resolved and with no major repercussions.
After U.S. District Judge Tanya Chutkan reinstated her gag rule in the Jan. 6 case against former President Donald Trump in an order issued Sunday night, it seems like only a matter of time before he violates it.
Chutkan, showing a great deal of restraint and careful consideration (perhaps too much), had paused her gag order while she considered Trump’s argument that she should keep it on pause while he appealed it. While the gag order was stayed, Trump continued to make the kinds of public attacks on witnesses that had given rise to the gag order in the first place, a point Special Counsel Jack Smith had seized on.
In her Sunday night order denying Trump’s request for a ongoing stay of the gag order, Chutkan highlighted a Trump post on Truth Social last week attacking Mark Meadows. “This statement would almost certainly violate the Order under any reasonable definition of ‘targeting,'” Chutkan wrote.
In some respects, the gag orders and the public debate over Trump’s out-of-court conduct are secondary to the prosecutions themselves –- but they’re of particular interest for three reasons:
Is the rule of law strong enough for Trump to be treated the same as any other criminal defendant?
Will Trump succeed in creating an environment in which witnesses, judges, prosecutors, and others are too intimidated and fearful to fulfill their responsibilities to the rule of law?
Will Trump end up in jail or under other harsh sanction because he refuses to abide by the terms of his pre-trial release?
In another sign that any Trump violation won’t lead to his pre-trial release being revoked immediately, Chutkan write in a footnote that she would give the parties a chance to be heard before sanctioning any purported future violations: “Before concluding that any statement violated the Order, the court would afford the parties an opportunity to provide their positions on the statement’s meaning and permissibility.”
Minnesota: Oral arguments are scheduled for Thursday before the state Supreme Court over the Disqualification Clause case against Trump.
Fani Willis Is Targeting The Big Fish Duh
This is not a surprise at all, but The Guardian confirms that some of the bigger fish in the Georgia RICO case have not (yet) received offers of plea deals, including Donald Trump, Mark Meadows, Rudy Giuliani and John Eastman.
A reminder of how sensitive the MAL docs really are:
The filing provides further confirmation that some of the classified docs are incredibly sensitive. Some docs require special equipment to allow for the discussion of the docs. Cant think of another mishandling/leak/espionage case involving the disclosure and use of such docs. https://t.co/DTSKXY5GYr
WaPo: Youngkin ‘purge’ removed nearly 3,400 legal Virginia voters from rolls
NYT: How Trump’s Verbal Slips Could Weaken His Attacks on Biden’s Age
On bifurcating aid to Ukraine and Israel:
Chris Christie on Trump calling for Israeli aid to be separated from Ukraine aid: "He wants to separate them to continue to coddle Putin." pic.twitter.com/g2qOjNCrbX
WSJ: Israeli Forces Make Major Advance Toward Gaza City
NYT: Netanyahu Finds Himself at War in Gaza and at Home
AP: Crowd storms Russian airport to protest flight from Israel
On the U.S. domestic political front, the big issue is House Republicans wanting to separate Ukraine aid and Israel aid.
CNN: New Speaker Mike Johnson vows to move standalone $14.5 billion Israel aid package in the House, setting up showdown with Senate
Politico: McConnell goes all out as Ukraine fight fractures GOP
An English translation of French diplomat Dominique De Villepin’s assessment of the Israel-Hamas War (warning: it’s a long-ish read):
Absolutely masterful interview on Gaza of Dominique De Villepin, former Prime Minister of France, who famously led France's opposition to the Iraq war and who, IMHO is the best diplomat the West has produced in decades.
Another thoughtful thread from Danny Seidemann, who graciously toured me and a group of journalists through East Jerusalem a decade ago:
1/
1/ With great reluctance, and with little faith that this will change anybody's mind, I still feel compelled to add a story/observation that clarified things to me on the anti-Israel /anti-Semitism issue.
I find myself increasingly puzzled over how to weaken this widespread liberal assumption that risk aversion and following the public lead is always wise, even at the expense of the better world they want to build. Even when the underlying issues are salient, failure of the status quo seems likely, and the consequences of failure would be severe.
Matthew Perry, 1969-2023
BEVERLY HILLS, CA – OCTOBER 14: Actor Matthew Perry arrives at the 9th Annual Dinner Benefiting the Lili Claire Foundation at the Beverly Hilton Hotel on October 14, 2006 in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by Michael Buckner/Getty Images)
One thing that is obscured into the current chaos and killing in Israel/Palestine is that the current government is essentially paralyzed. Benjamin Netanyahu remains Prime Minister despite a catastrophic loss of public support tied to his failure to prevent the October 7th massacres in southern Israel. In theory there’s a government of national unity now in place, with a war cabinet made up of Netanyahu, Defense Minister Yoav Gallant and Benny Gantz, one of the two main leaders of the opposition. But just how much control Gantz, a former IDF chief of staff, is exercising is unclear.
Meanwhile many government ministers have been close to invisible since the war started. Some basic news about government policy comes out in the US first and only then gets reported in Israel. I should add that from a distance and without a subtle grasp of the textures of Israeli politics it’s difficult for me to judge the extent of this invisibility. But I’ve asked this question of numerous Israelis whose opinion I trust and all seem to agree with this basic read of the situation.
This article was originally published at ProPublica, a Pulitzer Prize-winning investigative newsroom.
After the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, ending nearly 50 years of federal protection for abortion, some states began enforcing strict abortion bans while others became new havens for the procedure. ProPublica is investigating how sweeping changes to reproductive health care access in America are affecting people, institutions and governments.
This article as originally published at ProPublica, a Pulitzer Prize-winning investigative newsroom.
Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas’ decadeslong friendship with real estate tycoon Harlan Crow and Samuel Alito’s luxury travel with billionaire Paul Singer have raised questions about influence and ethics at the nation’s highest court.
The North Carolina legislature giddily passed its new congressional map Wednesday, an aggressive gerrymander that would near-automatically flip three currently Democratic seats and make a fourth a more Republican friendly tossup.
