Closing summary
North Carolina’s supreme court handed down a ruling that paves the way for partisan gerrymandering in the state, which its GOP-controlled legislature is expected to use to oust four Democratic House lawmakers. Meanwhile, special counsel Jack Smith’s investigation of Donald Trump continues, with former vice-president Mike Pence appearing before his grand jury yesterday.
Here’s what else happened today:
Samuel Alito, author of the supreme court opinion overturning Roe v Wade, said a leak of the decision’s draft put conservative justices in danger.
Ron DeSantis is facing a reckoning over his actions while deployed at the Guantánamo prison camp, but does not like being asked about it.
An investigation into allegations of misconduct by Brett Kavanaugh prior to his supreme court confirmation contained omissions, a Guardian investigation has found.
Republican lawmakers nationwide are accusing their opponents of inciting “insurrections”, even when their actions don’t fit the definition of the word.
The White House was not pleased with Axios, after a report from the outlet detailing concerns about Biden’s age.
South Carolina’s abortion ban was defeated in part due to a revolt by female Republican senators, who joined with Democrats to vote down the proposal.
One of those lawmakers, Sandy Senn, spoke to MSNBC about what motivated her stand:
"I'm not going to vote in a way that's going to oppress women simply because the party might want me to pander to them."
— The Recount (@therecount) April 28, 2023
— South Carolina State Rep. Sandy Senn (R) defends joining Democrats to vote down a near-total abortion ban Thursday in the legislature pic.twitter.com/5igAVMyrCz
