Closing summary
The legal battle over documents seized by the government from Donald Trump’s Mar-a-Lago resort continued, with the former president’s lawyers rejecting the justice department’s efforts to convince a federal judge to let them continue reviewing the materials. The filing avoided questions of whether what was taken was indeed protected – despite Trump’s assertions that he had declassified everything that was found before leaving office.
Here’s a rundown of what else happened today:
Trump also rejected the justice department’s nominees for special master, though declined to say why publicly.
Republicans are considering investigating the security failures that led up to the January 6 attack if they win control of the House.
Democratic candidates are polling strongly in some swing states – but an analysis from The New York Times warns it could be an illusion.
A new poll indicates sizable minorities of Americans would be ok with unelected leaders, and many would also be ok with the government overruling minority ethnicities and religions.
Democrats have spent almost $19 million across eight states in controversial efforts to promote rightwing Republican candidates, believing them to be weaker in the November midterm elections.
Meanwhile in Congress, lawmakers may be back in Washington but not much has happened – yet.
The Senate will soon confirm president Joe Biden’s 80th judicial nominee, CNN reports, as Democrats look to make their mark on the federal judiciary:
After Salvador Mendoza is confirmed today to the Ninth Circuit, he will be the 80th Biden judicial nominee confirmed -- something Schumer just said amounts to more than Trump, Obama, George W. Bush at similar points in their presidencies
— Manu Raju (@mkraju) September 12, 2022
The chamber’s Democratic leader Chuck Schumer has also confirmed that work is ongoing on a new government funding bill, and on finding 10 GOP senators willing to sign on to a bill codifying same-sex marriage rights, according to Politico:
Schumer updates: Senate on verge of confirming 80th judge of Biden presidency
— Burgess Everett (@burgessev) September 12, 2022
Bipartisan group still working on same-sex marriage bill, trying to get GOP votes
Work ongoing on bill to fund government past Sept. 30
