Pence to fight special counsel subpoena on 2020 election
Former Vice President Mike Pence is planning to fight a subpoena by the special counsel overseeing investigations into efforts by former President Donald Trump and his allies to overturn the results of the 2020 election. That’s according to people familiar with his thinking. Pence and his attorneys are planning to cite constitutional grounds as they prepare to resist the grand jury subpoena issued by special counsel Jack Smith. They argue that because Pence was serving in his role as president of the Senate on Jan. 6, 2021 as he presided over a joint session of Congress to certify the election results, he is protected from being forced to address his actions under the Constitution’s “speech or debate” clause.
Nissan recall: Air bag can knock steering wheel emblem loose
Nissan is realling more than 463,000 older vehicles because the emblem on the steering wheel can come loose when the air bag is deployed and injure drivers. The recall mainly in North America covers certain Frontier small pickups, Titan large pickups and Xterra, Pathfinder and Armada SUVs from 2008 through 2011. Also included are Quest minivans from 2008 and 2009, as well as about 11,000 parts used for service. Nissan says it has four reports alleging injuries due to the problem. The company hasn’t developed a repair yet. Customers will get an interim letter in early April, followed by a letter telling them when to go to a dealer for service.
Judge vacates conviction of man imprisoned nearly 3 decades
A Missouri judge has overturned the conviction of a 50-year-old man who has served nearly 28 years of a life prison sentence for a killing that he says he didn’t commit. Lamar Johnson closed his eyes and shook his head slightly when Circuit Judge David Mason issued his ruling Tuesday. After being processed at the courthouse, Johnson told reporters in the lobby that, “This is unbelievable.” He didn’t field questions. St. Louis Circuit Attorney Kim Gardner pushed for Johnson to be freed, while the state attorney general’s office argued he should stay in prison. Johnson was convicted of murder for the 1994 fatal shooting of Marcus Boyd, allegedly over drug money. Johnson always maintained his innocence.
California Sen. Feinstein says she won’t run for reelection
Democratic Sen. Dianne Feinstein is not seeking reelection in 2024. Her announcement Tuesday signals the end of a groundbreaking political career spanning six decades in which she shattered gender barriers and left a mark on political battles over reproductive rights, gun control and environmental protection. Feinstein was first elected to the Senate from California in 1992 and is the oldest member of Congress. Feinstein said she will remain in office through the end of next year when her term ends.
Wall Street ends mixed after swerving on inflation report
Stocks ended mixed on Wall Street following several sharp reversals after a report suggested inflation may not be slowing as quickly and as smoothly as hoped. The S&P 500 closed virtually unchanged Tuesday after swinging between losses and gains throughout the day. The Nasdaq composite rose 0.6%, and the Dow fell 0.5%. The bond market was more decisive, with yields climbing as investors braced for the Federal Reserve to get firmer on interest rates to combat inflation. Analysts said the report shows the long road ahead for the Fed in getting inflation down to its 2% target.
US arrests 4 tied to assassination of Haitian president
U.S. authorities have arrested four more people in the slaying of Haitian President Jovenel Moïse, including the owner of a Miami-area security company that hired former soldiers from Colombia for the mission. Antonio “Tony” Intriago, of CTU Security, is charged with conspiracy to kill or kidnap a person outside the U.S. among other charges. The squad of former Colombian soldiers hired by CTU are among suspects who carried out the July 2021 assassination. The motives and true masterminds of the attack remain unclear. Also charged are U.S. financier Walter Veintemilla.
Nikki Haley announces run for president, challenging Trump
Nikki Haley, the former South Carolina governor and United Nations ambassador, announced her candidacy for president on Tuesday. She becomes the first major challenger to former President Donald Trump for the 2024 Republican nomination. The announcement, delivered in a tweeted video, marks an about-face for the ex-Trump Cabinet official, who said two years ago that she wouldn’t challenge her former boss for the White House in 2024. But Haley changed her mind in recent months, citing, among other things, the country’s economic troubles and the need for “generational change,” a nod to the 76-year-old Trump’s age.
By wire sources
