With talk of riots, Trump probe moves into more explosive territory

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Awash in arguments over redacted affidavits and special masters and the meaning of "uncharged persons," we might seem to be settling into a debate about the Trump investigation that only lawyers can love.

But along comes Lindsey Graham, a staunch ally of the former president, with this proclamation on Fox News: "If there is a prosecution of Donald Trump for mishandling classified information after the Clinton debacle… there literally will be riots in the street." Well, that woke everyone up.  Especially when Trump shared the video on Truth Social. Sounds like a prediction of civil war.

A screenshot of Sen. Lindsey Graham from America's Newsroom on November 10, 2021. (Fox News)

IMPROPER JUSTICE LEAKS TRIGGER BOMBSHELL STORY ON TRUMP'S STASH OF CLASSIFIED DOCUMENTS A bitter opponent of Trump who became a close confidant and has been ordered to testify in a Georgia criminal probe of the former president, the senator was not mincing words. But was he delivering a not-so-veiled threat to Merrick Garland about bringing charges based on the boxes of classified material that Trump held back from the National Archives? Trump, for his part, has essentially called for a revolt at the FBI. "When are the great Agents, and others, in the FBI going to say ‘we aren’t going to take it anymore… The wonderful people of the FBI went absolutely ‘nuts’" during the Hillary Clinton probe, he wrote. It’s not just about legal language anymore.  Trump is referring to the former first lady’s private email server when she was at the State Department, and sent some emails that were later deemed to be classified. She was not charged, although James Comey did plenty of damage to her campaign by publicly assailing her conduct. Sandy Berger, Bill Clinton’s national security adviser, was fined $50,000 and given two years probation for stealing classified papers from the Archives. It is cases like this that make it impossible for me to believe that the Justice Department will bring charges against Trump solely for mishandling classified documents – unless, that is, it’s connected to some further misconduct that was blacked out in that FBI affidavit. This is not some mere paperwork dispute – these are criminal offenses – but the history of leniency works in Trump’s favor.

Former President Trump's Mar-a-Lago home was raided by the FBI earlier this month.  (Fox News)

Andy McCarthy, a former federal prosecutor, told me on "Media Buzz" that while Trump’s legal strategy of resistance has backfired, the Justice Department insistence that most of the FBI affidavit remain sealed is revealing. "It doesn’t make sense to me that they would fight so hard to withhold this information if they actually intended to charge him," McCarthy said. Noting the reference to "uncharged persons" – which could obviously include Trump – he added the fact that DOJ is fighting disclosure so hard is "a sign that they won’t prosecute." The former president is poised, however, to win a legal skirmish after another judge (appointed by him) indicated she will probably rule in favor of his request for a special master, or outside expert, to review the seized documents. I don’t see what that gets him – DOJ has been poring over this material for three weeks – but the suit itself was widely mocked, especially after his inexperienced lawyers bungled the paperwork. As for the impact of the Mar-a-Lago search, news accounts, some based on DOJ leaks, make clear that Garland’s investigation is in the early stages. In normal criminal probes, search warrants are executed at the end, often before an indictment. What, then, was the rush, other than retrieving the super-top secret stuff? Still, some of Trump’s defenders have switched to process arguments – too many redactions! – now that emerging evidence makes clear that the 45th president repeatedly held back classified documents that are the government’s property.  What does all this mean for 2024? It’s still extremely difficult for me to imagine Trump running and somehow losing the nomination. National Review Editor Rich Lowry says that while Trump’s narrative of chaos and persecution is boosting his core Republican support, "that a potential presidential candidate was raided by the FBI is a terrible reason to support him. "It’s become clear that Trump certainly could have been more cooperative and forthcoming in the negotiations with the National Archives, to keep the conflict from even getting to this point… "Wouldn’t it be better to go with someone who isn’t so routinely victimized; indeed, someone who doesn’t adopt a framework of victimhood at all? The answer would seem obvious, but not many Republicans feel that way." David Frum, in the Atlantic, says "the enforcement of a search warrant at Mar-a-Lago has rallied trial Republicans to Trump’s defense. The search boosted his fundraising to $1 million a day – and helped to extend his lead over Governor Ron DeSantis in a putative 2024 primary contest. NBC reported on a poll that showed Trump, pre-search, tied with DeSantis in a multicandidate field. Post-search, he led DeSantis 52–20. 

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis speaks to supporters at a campaign stop on the Keep Florida Free Tour at the Horsepower Ranch in Geneva.   (Paul Hennessy/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images)

THE MEDIA LIONIZE CHENEY AS SHE LOSES, CHEERING THE ANTI-TRUMPER THEY ONCE OPPOSED "Although the Republican base loves Trump, Republican leaders recognize that he’s a general-election loser. Trump at the head of the ticket in 2024 spells trouble; even a reminder that Trump is at large in 2022 hurts down ballot. That’s why Republican leaders have pleaded with Trump to delay any announcement of a 2024 run until after November’s voting. SUBSCRIBE TO HOWIE'S MEDIA BUZZMETER PODCAST, A RIFF ON THE DAY'S HOTTEST STORIES "To win consistently, a party needs a broad coalition. A party that keeps alienating great numbers of voters by nominating extremists, crooks, and weirdos is a party that is abdicating from governing." CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP That’s an obvious reference to some of the MAGA contenders and election deniers who won primaries with Trump’s backing, but are considered problematic candidates, especially in Senate races, in the midterms.

There’s an old adage in politics that if you’re explaining, you’re losing. My updated version is, if you’re talking about riots, you’re on the defensive, and changing the subject from some very unflattering facts.  

Howard Kurtz is the host of FOX News Channel's MediaBuzz (Sundays 11 a.m.-12 p.m. ET). Based in Washington, D.C., he joined the network in July 2013 and regularly appears on Special Report with Bret Baier and other programs.

#talk #riots #Trump #probe #moves #explosive #territory https://www.globalcourant.com/with-talk-of-riots-trump-probe-moves-into-more-explosive-territory/?feed_id=17729&_unique_id=630dc56eebdcf

5 takeaways from Mohale's explosive interview On The Record

• Mohale Motaung sat down for his first interview following the end of his marriage to Somizi Mhlongo.
• In the tell-all Showmax special, Mohale On The Record, Motaung shares inside details about his marriage to the Idols SA judge. 
• Here Keitumetse Maako breaks down key moments from his interview with Aldrin Sampear.
• Warning: this article contains spoilers.

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It's been weeks since the teaser of his highly anticipated tell-all interview was released. On Thursday, Showmax subscribers finally got to hear Mohale Motaung's side of the story on Mohale On The Record.

In the exclusive interview, Motaung sits down with broadcaster Aldrin Sampear and sheds light on what happened between him and his estranged husband, Somizi Mhlongo, a year since divorce proceedings were initiated.

5 Highlights from the interview

1. Setting the record straight

When Mhlongo and Motaung met in 2017, Motaung told Sampear that he was not a fan but "liked how he advocated for being himself." Motaung's account dispels what Mhlongo's daughter, Bahumi, said about the couple's relationship being like that of a fan and celebrity during a conversation with her mother, Palesa Madisakwane, in an episode of the fifth season of Living The Dream With Somizi.

While Motaung said he did not watch the show, he was "particularly shocked" when he learned that his name came up quite often in multiple conversations throughout the season.

"There was a legal document binding both of us from speaking about each other on platforms like these," he said. He added that while he could not speak for Bahumi and Palesa's views on his relationship, "that is probably how they see it with other people because they spend a lot of time with Somizi [and] around people who are his fans, I was definitely not a fan."

Motaung also opened up about cheating early on in his relationship with Mhlongo. He initially admitted to cheating in an audio recording leaked in 2021. 

"We were three months into the relationship. It's not really something to be proud of because it was hurtful for me to see him being that hurt, and I can't even sit here and say there was a reason for it happening. It was just me being selfish and not thinking about him – that was just not on."

2. More than one proposal

In 2018, the lovebirds jetted off to Paris, where they would return as a couple gearing up to walk down the aisle after Mhlongo popped the big question at the Eiffel Tower. However, things got slightly sticky when Mhlongo finally met his long-time crush, Orlando.

According to Motaung, Mhlongo introduced Orlando as his friend – just before popping the big question. Motaung added that a day after they got engaged, Mhlongo asked him what he thought about threesomes.

Motaung told Sampear that when he asked Mhlongo why, Mhlongo told him he wanted them to have a threesome with Orlando. "It wasn't a red flag because he said to me that there was nothing happening."

3. The red flags

"He really wanted me to be a househusband, that was his biggest dream, and when I didn't allow myself to be in that position, or for that to take place, a lot of things started not being okay in that relationship," he said in the interview.

Motaung said that Mhlongo encouraged him to resign from his 9 to 5 job leading up to their trip to Paris because his then manager told him he could not take leave.

"Without my knowing, Somizi sent an email to my boss asking her to release me to go to Paris because flights and accommodation have been booked.

"I was shocked, and I had that conversation with him, and upon us having that conversation, he then said to me that I need to resign. He kept telling me, 'You need to resign because this Paris trip has to happen. You can't be working a 9 to 5 job. You need to resign because there are other business interests that you can take part in.'"

Motaung also said that Mhlongo asked his former friend TT Mbha to speak to "certain people".

"A big reason why Somizi and TT Mbha are not talking is because Somizi asked TT to go speak to certain people and tell them not to hire me."

According to Motaung, it was "hurtful" that his husband and his best friend conspired against him. When Sampear asked if Motaung was referring to the job from the Fergusons, he agreed.

"He (Somizi) told me that he went and told TT Mbha to speak to the Fergusons at the time because he was close to them. When I confronted TT about this, he then had to come clean and tell me who exactly told him to do that," Motaung said to Sampear. "Somizi is angry that TT was not loyal enough to come up with a story."

4. The alleged physical abuse

In one of the alleged physical abuse incidents, Motaung said it happened when he returned from Durban. "That part of my life was a very dark time," he said.

"He was angry at the fact that I went to work in Durban," Motaung said. When he returned home, things took a turn for the worst when Mhlongo allegedly followed him upstairs and threw champagne at him.

"I remember him saying that he needs to mess up my face because this beautiful face is messing things up for him. I remember having to cover my face because the shoes that he was wearing were really going to damage my face. He started hitting me in the ribs, started hitting my legs, and I couldn't walk; I crawled down the stairs."

5. Settling their estate

According to Motaung's court papers, shown in the interview, he has never wanted half of Mhlongo's assets. Instead, Motaung said he was "shocked, yet again" when he heard Mhlongo claimed he wanted 50% of his assets.

"The very first letter that we sent to Somizi on 25 June 2021 stated that I wanted my clothing, the car he bashed (valued at a minimum value of R200 000), and I want the money for the wedding (R750 000) which belongs to the both of us."

Motaung said he was entitled to the R750 000 because it was money from their wedding special.

"I was shocked when he said I wanted 50%. Instead, in his response to the letter that we sent out to him, that he sent back to us on 25 July, he's the one who suggested that we go for the division of the joint estate, and to my surprise, he then goes on his show and says I asked him for 50% of his assets."

News24 has reached out to Somizi for comments made in the Showmax special. He did not respond to any attempts to contact him. News24 also reached out to his media team, who, at the time of publishing, had not yet responded. Should News24 receive a response, it will be added to this article.

In a previous interview with News24 about his return to Idols SA amid the allegations against him, Somizi said: "If you have noticed, I've never spoken about anything, and I believe my private life is my private life, and my work life is my work life, so I'm still staying there. I feel like I can't say anything at the moment, and I don't want to say anything at the moment with regard to that. All I can tell you is it was one of the toughest times of my life and my career, but we move forward and like we say: 'Innocent until proven guilty.'"

Source https://www.globalcourant.com/5-takeaways-from-mohales-explosive-interview-on-the-record/?feed_id=6840&_unique_id=62ecb5163cd64

Thousands evacuated as 'explosive' California wildfire widens

Out of control Oak Fire near Yosemite National Park grows into one of the biggest blazes of the year in the western US state, forcing thousands of residents to flee, officials say.

Evidence of global heating could be seen elsewhere in the US, as 85 million Americans in more than a dozen states were under a weekend heat advisory. (AP)

A fierce California wildfire has expanded burning several thousand acres and forcing evacuations, as tens of millions of Americans sweltered through scorching heat with already record-setting temperatures due to climb even further.

More than 2,000 firefighters backed by 17 helicopters have been deployed against the Oak Fire, which broke out Friday near Yosemite National Park, the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE) said in a report on Sunday.

But two days after it began the blaze had already consumed more than 14,200 acres and remained zero percent contained, the report said, adding that heat combined with low humidity would "hamper" efforts on Sunday.

"Extreme drought conditions have lead to critical fuel moisture levels," according CAL FIRE's report.

'Explosive' fire

Described as "explosive" by officials, the blaze has left ashes, gutted vehicles and twisted remains of properties in its wake, as emergency personnel worked to evacuate residents and protect structures in its path.

It has already destroyed 10 properties and damaged five others, with thousands more threatened.

More than 6,000 people had been evacuated, said Hector Vasquez, a CAL FIRE official.

"It was scary when we left because we were getting ashes on us but we had such a visual of this billowing. It just seemed like it was above our house and coming our way really quickly," one woman who had to be evacuated, Lynda Reynolds-Brown, told local news station KCRA.

California Governor Gavin Newsom on Saturday declared a state of emergency in Mariposa County, citing "conditions of extreme peril to the safety of persons and property."

In recent years, California and other parts of the western United States have been ravaged by huge and fast-moving wildfires, driven by years of drought and a warming climate.

Gore blasts 'inaction'

Evidence of global heating could be seen elsewhere in the country, as 85 million Americans in more than a dozen states were under a weekend heat advisory.

The crisis prompted former vice president Al Gore, a tireless climate advocate, to issue stark warnings Sunday about "inaction" by US lawmakers.

Asked whether he believes US President Joe Biden should declare a climate emergency, as Biden has said he soon might, Gore was blunt.

"Mother Nature has already declared it a global emergency," he told ABC News talk show "This Week."

And "it's due to get much, much worse, and quickly," he said on NBC.

But he also suggested that recent crises, including deadly heat waves in Europe, could serve as a wake-up call for members of Congress who have so far refused to embrace efforts to combat climate change.

The worst wildfire season on record in California was in 2020, in terms of total acreage burned, with more than 4 million acres and over 10,000 homes and other structures destroyed. At least 33 lives were lost. Over 10 million acres went up in flames across several Western states.

Source: TRTWorld and agencies

Source https://www.globalcourant.com/thousands-evacuated-as-explosive-california-wildfire-widens/?feed_id=1558&_unique_id=62ddc88782957