Closing summary
In a hearing today, Matthew Kacsmaryk, a Texas federal judge appointed by Donald Trump, appeared open to a far-right group’s arguments that could lead to the nationwide banning of medication abortion. Kacsmaryk said he’d rule on the case “as soon as possible.” Meanwhile, the feud between Trump and Ron DeSantis continues. Trump’s campaign is making plans to attack the Florida governor’s record, and a group linked to the ex-president has filed a formal complaint over DeSantis’s “shadow presidential campaign”.
Here’s what else has happened today so far:
A Chinese tycoon linked to Steve Bannon and other Trump allies was indicted by the federal government.
The Senate’s Democratic leader condemned DeSantis for his opposition to military aid to Ukraine.
Wisconsin Republicans have proposed exceptions to the state’s abortion ban for rape and incest, and to protect the life of the mother.
Joe Biden stumped for his trademark legislation in a visit to swing-state Nevada, arguing it lowered prescription drug costs.
Defense secretary Lloyd Austin spoke to his counterpart in Moscow a day after an American drone was downed following a collision with a Russian plane over the Black Sea.
Mitt Romney was once so powerful in the Republican party that he was their nominee for the presidency in 2012, a contest he ended up losing to Barack Obama.
Today, the GOP has changed so dramatically – thanks in large part to Donald Trump – that Semafor reports the Utah senator declined to share his views on whether Florida’s Republican governor Ron DeSantis should run for president:
Romney says he doesn’t want to weigh in on whether DeSantis should jump into the GOP presidential primary with striking candor:
— Joseph Zeballos-Roig (@josephzeballos) March 15, 2023
“Frankly, the McCain-Romney-Reagan wing of the party is like three feathers now. So I don't expect having much influence there”
