Wednesday saw the Republican leader in the House of Representatives announcing a forthcoming vote on the renewal of long-awaited US military assistance to Ukraine and Israel. This move marks a direct challenge to his own far-right faction, which has obstructed aid to the outmatched Ukrainian forces for months.
Speaker Mike Johnson disclosed, "We anticipate the final passage vote on these bills to take place on Saturday evening."
Under mounting pressure from the White House and a significant portion of Congress to permit the lower house to vote on aid already endorsed by the Senate, Johnson's position teeters on the brink, given the sway held by Donald Trump's loyalists within his party.
Johnson's announcement closely followed President Joe Biden's characterization of Ukraine and Israel as two US allies in dire need of support in their conflicts.
Biden asserted in an op-ed for The Wall Street Journal, "While both nations possess the capability to defend their sovereignty, they rely on American assistance, including weaponry, to do so. This moment is pivotal."
He advocated for the Senate-approved version of the aid package for Ukraine and Israel, labeling it "robust and pragmatic."
"The hostage-taking of this aid by a small group of extreme Republican House members must end," Biden declared.
Biden emphasized in the Journal the necessity of aiding Ukraine, which faces ammunition shortages, and Israel following a recent mass drone attack attributed to Iran. He framed such assistance as crucial to US security, citing the threats posed by Vladimir Putin's ambitions in Ukraine and Iran's intentions toward Israel.
Meanwhile, as the historic criminal trial of former President Donald Trump unfolds in New York, CBS News Confirmed has been monitoring potentially misleading narratives gaining traction on social media. Here are three prominent claims from the trial and their factual context:
Claim 1: Judge Juan Merchan's stance on Trump attending his son's graduation
Despite claims circulating online, Judge Merchan has not yet ruled on whether Trump can attend his son's graduation. Merchan expressed openness to the possibility, depending on the trial's progress. However, he indicated that if the trial faces delays, such attendance might not be feasible.
Claim 2: Stormy Daniels' denial of an affair with Trump
Trump highlighted a letter from Stormy Daniels denying an affair, but this letter, dated 2018, is not new. Daniels has since recanted, stating she was coerced into signing it. She affirmed the affair's occurrence during a 2018 "60 Minutes" interview.
Claim 3: Constitutionality of Trump's gag order
Merchan's gag order restricts Trump from discussing specific individuals linked to the trial to prevent potential interference. Legal experts argue this limitation is lawful and does not violate Trump's First Amendment rights, although Trump's lawyers contest its constitutionality. The matter awaits consideration by a five-judge panel.
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