🤯 One Month Since Trump Assassination Attempt

GREETINGS!

Happy Hump Day! 😅

🔔In today’s email:

🔎 Google Deemed Monopoly
⚖️ J.K. Rowling, Elon Musk Face Lawsuit
👩‍⚖️ Judge Rules In Favor Of UCLA Jewish Students

🚨 KEY STORY:

🔫 A Breakdown Of Events: One Month Since The Trump Assassination Attempt

-Mike

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J.K. Rowling, Elon Musk Targeted In Lawsuit

J.K. Rowling and Elon Musk have been named in a criminal complaint filed in France over alleged "acts of aggravated cyber harassment" against Algerian boxer and newly crowned Olympic champion Imane Khelif.

• The complaint, filed on Friday by Khelif's attorney Nabil Boudi, targets individuals who made hateful comments about Khelif online during the 2024 Paris Olympics, where she won the gold medal in women's boxing.

• Although the lawsuit is formally against unknown persons under French law, it specifically mentions high-profile figures like Rowling, Musk, and Donald Trump, who all posted controversial statements on social media questioning Khelif's gender.

Khelif faced a wave of online abuse during the Olympics, despite being born female and supported by the International Olympic Committee.

• Rowling, Musk, and Trump, among others, amplified the controversy with their social media posts, leading to further harassment.

• Boudi emphasized that while the lawsuit was filed in France, it could potentially involve international figures, as there are agreements in place for mutual legal assistance with other countries.

• The complaint focuses on those who authored the harmful posts, not the social media platforms themselves, and Boudi noted that cyber harassment cases are increasingly being taken seriously by judicial authorities, sometimes leading to prison sentences.

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Google Deemed Monopoly Now At Risk Of Potential Breakup

The Department of Justice (DOJ) is considering breaking up Google after a court ruling on August 5 determined that the tech giant illegally monopolized the online search and search text ads market.

• Although Google plans to appeal the decision, the judge has ordered both Google and the DOJ to start planning for the next phase of the case, which involves the DOJ's request to break up the company.

• This would be the first attempt by the DOJ to dismantle Google for illegal monopolization since their effort against Microsoft two decades ago.

Bloomberg reports that the DOJ is also exploring other penalties, such as requiring Google to share more data with tech rivals to level the playing field, especially with AI tools.

• The DOJ might also target Google’s Android operating system and Chrome web browser, potentially forcing the sale of AdWords, which Google uses for text advertising.

• The August 5 ruling follows a 2023 California jury finding that Google monopolized Android app distribution. Additionally, the Federal Trade Commission recently filed a brief arguing that Google should not be allowed to benefit from its illegal monopoly.

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Judge Rules In Favor Of Jewish Students At UCLA Post Campus Protests

A federal judge has ruled that the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) cannot allow pro-Palestinian protesters to block Jewish students from accessing classes and other campus areas.

• This decision, issued by U.S. District Judge Mark Scarsi, is a response to a lawsuit filed in June by three Jewish students who claimed they were discriminated against during campus protests against the Israel-Hamas war.

• The students argued that they were denied access to parts of the UCLA campus because of their faith, and the judge agreed, marking the first time a U.S. court has ruled against a university in relation to these protests.

The ruling requires UCLA to ensure that Jewish students are not blocked from accessing campus facilities, and it prohibits the university from holding classes or allowing access to buildings if Jewish students are being excluded.

• UCLA had argued that they were not responsible for the actions of the protesters, but the court found that the university must take action to protect the rights of all students.

• UCLA spokesperson Mary Osako expressed concern that the ruling might limit the university's ability to manage events on campus, but affirmed the university's commitment to maintaining a welcoming and safe environment for all students.

KEY STORY

Breakdown Of Events: One Month Since Trump Assassination Attempt

It's been one month since the July 13 assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump's life in Butler, Pennsylvania. We are still left with many critical questions that remain unanswered, specifically how the gunman, identified as Thomas Matthew Crooks, was able to access a rooftop with a direct line of sight to Trump.

The attack resulted in one death and two injuries, with Trump commending law enforcement for their quick response but criticizing the lack of coordination between the Secret Service and local authorities. 

July 14: The FBI has identified Thomas Crooks as the individual involved in the assassination attempt. He used an AR-15 style semiautomatic rifle, and explosive material was later found in his car. Although registered as a Republican, Crooks donated $15 in 2021 to the Progressive Turnout Project, a left-leaning voting group, through ActBlue, a Democratic donation platform. Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro identified Corey Comperatore as the man who was killed at the rally.

July 22: Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle testified before the House Oversight Committee but gave few clear answers. She called the July 13 events a major failure and took responsibility for any security lapses but couldn't explain how. Cheatle mentioned the Secret Service is understaffed, with 8,000 employees instead of the ideal 9,500. She also noted that a suspicious person was identified before Trump spoke, but since they weren't seen as a direct threat, Trump was allowed to take the stage.

July 23: Cheatle resigns

July 26: The FBI issued a brief statement confirming that former President Trump was grazed by a bullet after he criticized Director Christopher Wray for being unclear about the incident during a House Judiciary Committee hearing. The FBI clarified that the object that struck Trump’s ear was a bullet, either whole or in fragments. Trump had taken to social media to express his frustration, saying the FBI's ambiguity was a reason for its loss of public trust.

July 29: House Speaker Mike Johnson and Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries announced a bipartisan task force to investigate the assassination attempt. The group includes seven Republicans and five Democrats. Johnson and Jeffries expressed confidence in the task force's ability to quickly find the facts, ensure accountability, and prevent future failures. The task force will also recommend reforms and any necessary legislation after its investigation.

July 30: Secret Service acting Director Ronald Rowe described the shortcomings that led to the assassination attempt as "a failure of imagination" during a Senate hearing. He stated that the agency failed to recognize the real dangers in protecting their charges and noted that no information about a weapon on a roof was communicated to Secret Service agents by local law enforcement. FBI Deputy Director Paul Abbate, who testified with Rowe, said the FBI has not found a motive or co-conspirators but discovered a social media account linked to the shooter with over 700 posts, some promoting antisemitism, anti-immigration views, and political violence.

Aug 12: The House task force investigating the assassination attempt has taken its first action by requesting documents and briefings from Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, Secret Service acting Director Ronald Rowe, Attorney General Merrick Garland, and FBI Director Christopher Wray.

MIDDLE EAST

Iran Commits To Retaliation

Iran has rejected a request from Britain, France, and Germany to avoid retaliatory attacks that could escalate regional tensions, calling it an "excessive request."

• This comes after the killing of Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran, which Iran blames on Israel.

• The European leaders urged Iran to refrain from retaliation and supported ongoing mediation efforts by Qatar, Egypt, and the United States to end the Israel-Hamas war, calling for the release of hostages and the delivery of humanitarian aid to Gaza.

Iran, however, has vowed a strong response to Haniyeh's killing, with senior officials indicating that only a ceasefire agreement from the ongoing Gaza talks could prevent direct retaliation.

• Iran, along with its ally Hezbollah, has signaled it may launch an attack if the negotiations fail or if Israel appears to delay the process.

• The timeline for how long Iran will wait before acting has not been specified by the officials.

• The situation remains tense as the U.S. Navy has deployed additional forces to the Middle East to support Israeli defenses.

HEADLINES
Here’s Some Small Talk Ammunition

Former President Trump spoke with Tesla founder Elon Musk on X, marking his most significant return to the platform since his 2023 reinstatement. Their roughly two-hour conversation, delayed by technical issues, covered topics like the recent assassination attempt on Trump, immigration, the economy, and energy production. Musk has endorsed Trump for the 2024 campaign.

Rep. Ilhan Omar won the Democratic primary for Minnesota’s 5th Congressional District, avoiding the fate of other "Squad" members who lost their primaries. She faced a rematch against Don Samuels, whom she narrowly defeated in the 2022 primary by just under two percentage points. Despite the challenge, Omar secured the nomination and is set to run for re-election in November.

Russia criticized Ukraine's Western allies at the U.N. for not condemning Kyiv's incursion into the Russian region of Kursk, accusing Ukrainian forces of killing civilians. Despite Russia's complaints, the U.S., France, and Britain continued to support Ukraine. Slovenia's diplomat accused Russia of hypocrisy, refusing to recognize "the aggressor as the victim." Russia claims the Ukrainian attack was aimed at improving Kyiv's negotiating position and slowing Russian advances.

U.S. stocks surged on Tuesday, with the S&P 500 rising 1.7%, the Dow Jones up 408 points (1%), and the Nasdaq climbing 2.3%. This rally followed a report showing inflation at the wholesale level slowed more than expected, raising hopes that the Federal Reserve might ease up on high interest rates, which have been used to combat persistent inflation.

Tina Peters, former Mesa County clerk, was convicted of tampering with voting machines to try to prove the 2020 election was rigged against Trump. A jury found her guilty of seven charges for helping someone access a Dominion machine in 2021. Peters faces sentencing on October 3 and could receive years in prison. The prosecutor stressed that no official is above the law.

FROM THE EDITOR

You’re a special kind of person if you reached the end of the road here. :)

-Mike