Trump classified documents hearing devolves into shouting match: Live updates

“He doesn’t even live here!”

The news of Harry Dunn’s plans to run for Congress in Maryland’s 3rd congressional district went off like a fart in a crowded movie theater, at least among his soon-to-be-opponents. So much for any focus on local issues whatsoever: it was time to prepare to hear the phrase “January 6” on repeat for four months.

Dunn had become a fixture on CNN because of his past career as one of hundreds of Capitol Police officers assigned to protect lawmakers on the day of the attack. Of several who testified to the January 6 committee in 2022, Dunn provided a unique, deeply personal and raw perspective as a Black officer subjected to racist taunts by rioters during the hours-long siege on America’s seat of democracy.

Once a virtual nobody, Dunn was now a well-known figure in DC circles. He was spotted at house parties hosted and attended by Washington journalists, and continued to appear in the odd cable news hit long after congressional hearings related to the attack concluded. And now, he was rocketing to the top of the power rankings (or close to it) of Democratic candidates vying in a crowded primary for a seat in Congress.

His first act was to announce his candidacy, unsurprisingly, in a CNN interview. Of course, he was the only candidate to run for the seat who scored an in-studio interview with a national news network over the course of the primary: another perk of being Washington-famous.

The hearing was quickly taken over by a disagreement over an August 2022 meeting including prosecutor Jay Bratt and Stanley Woodward, Mr Nauta’s defense attorney, who claimed in court and legal filings that Mr Bratt tried to convince Mr Nauta to cooperate with the prosecution against Mr Trump by threatening to affect the possible nomination of a judgeship.

Mr Nauta argues that he was charged for not cooperating with the Department of Justice and its probe into Mr Trump’s alleged mishandling of classified files.

“I had been recommended for a judgeship, that’s beyond dispute,” Mr Woodward said on Wednesday.

US Capitol Police were called to the Republican party’s building at around 7.45am ET on Wednesday morning to a report of a “suspicious package”.

A police spokesperson told The Independent that a package had been sent to the building containing two vials of blood. It was addressed to Mr Trump.

The building was briefly evacuated and a Hazmat team called in, with the USCP urging people to avoid the surrounding area.

The three variations come with tag lines such as “fighting for justice” with an image of Mr Giuliani from his time as US attorney for the Southern District of New York; “enjoying life,” with an image of a flip-flop-wearing Mr Guiliani sitting on a beach; and “America’s mayor,” with an image of a smiling Mr Giuliani holding a cup.

While former president Donald Trump has chosen to sell sneakers and bibles to cover his legal fees, his former lawyer is flogging three coffee types: “bold,” “morning,” and decaf. The bags weigh two pounds each and can be purchased for $29.99.

Organizers promise a night to remember and you wouldn’t bet against it.

“Sailing from Midtown, Manhattan the evening before Tump [sic] Rally Bronx. Party like a Rock Star with New York’s Finest MAGA Patriots,” the flier reads, spelling the key word wrong.

Here’s more from Oliver O’Connell.

A hearing in Donald Trump’s classified documents case devolved into a chaotic shouting match on Wednesday as lawyers fought over claims of a threat allegedly made to a defense attorney.

The hearing on Wednesday morning had been scheduled for Walt Nauta, Mr Trump’s co-defendant and valet, to share arguments that the office of special counsel Jack Smith had vindictively and selectively charged him with offenses.

Judge Aileen Cannon, who was appointed by Mr Trump did not issue a ruling, according to CNN.

But the hearing was soon taken over by a disagreement over a August 2022 meeting including prosecutor Jay Bratt and Stanley Woodward, Mr Nauta’s defence attorney, who claimed in court and in legal filings that Mr Bratt tried to convince Mr Nauta to cooperate with the prosecution against Mr Trump by threatening to affect the possible nomination of a judgeship.

Republican California assemblymember Vince Fong, who received the backing of former president Donald Trump, won the special election on Tuesday to replace former House speaker Kevin McCarthy.

Fong, who is close to McCarthy and got his support, beat Tulare County sheriff Mike Boudreaux to serve the remainder of the former speaker’s term in the House, which ends in early January.

The newly-elected member said in a statement that he’ll focus on border security, supporting small businesses and investing in water storage important to agriculture in the area.

Gustaf Kilander has more.

The Republican National Committee (RNC) headquarters in Washington DC was placed on lockdown on Wednesday after a suspicious substance was found.

Two vials of blood were sent to the headquarters, US Capitol Police (USCP) told The Independent.

“At approximately 7.45am, the USCP responded to the 300 block of First Street, SE, for the report of a suspicious package,” a spokesperson said.

“The package was just cleared by our Hazardous Incident Response Division. It contained two vials of blood,” the spokesperson said shortly after 10am ET.

“The source of the package and its contents will be further investigated.”

Gustaf Kilander has this report.

The late-night hosts have, of course, been having a field day with the Republican presidental candidate’s latest Nazi-related controversy (honestly America, that is a sentence no one should ever have to write).

Here’s Amelia Neath and James Liddell with the latest from Colbert.

The Republican presidential candidate started the month owing his lawyers a seven-figure sum as the ex-president burns through thousands of dollars per day to cover his burgeoning legal fees.

Founded and controlled by Trump, the Save America PAC has been his primary fundraising and political spending wing since he left the White House.

The PAC, composed of wealthy pro-Trump donors, has absorbed most of the cost from his legal troubles, as he faces 88 felony counts including 34 from his hush money trial alone.