The incident occurred in Glynn County, Georgia, on a Tuesday evening when the senator was reportedly vacationing. Law enforcement officials were alerted after a Ford Edge with Tennessee license plates, prominently marked with the word “KEY,” left the scene of a hit-and-run. The vehicle had allegedly failed to stop at a stop sign. Georgia State Troopers tracked down the senator at a grocery store parking lot, where emergency medical services were already attending to him following a fall.

Officers at the scene reported detecting the smell of alcohol on the senator’s breath. When questioned, he admitted to consuming “a couple glasses of wine earlier in the day.” After agreeing to a Breathalyzer test and field sobriety tests, both of which he allegedly failed, the senator was taken into custody. He declined to take a blood test, and when asked why he left the scene of the crash, he stated he believed “everyone was fine” and claimed to have spoken with the other driver.

The vehicle the senator was driving, a Ford Edge, is leased and maintained using funds from his campaign account. Records show that over $22,000 has been spent on the vehicle since its acquisition in 2022. This includes costs for leasing, insurance, maintenance, and registration fees. The senator’s legislative license plates, featuring the official state seal, were visible in video footage captured during the field sobriety test. The footage also depicted him struggling to stand during the assessment.

In a statement issued after the arrest, the senator described the situation as an “unfortunate incident” and pledged to cooperate fully with authorities while declining to discuss details on the advice of his attorney. He has since been released on bond.

The senator has had a longstanding political career, having first been elected to the Tennessee Senate in 2006. Representing multiple counties, he has served as the chair of the Senate Republican Caucus since 2018. He recently secured reelection to his District 12 Senate seat in a landslide victory over an independent challenger.

According to ethics rules governing the Tennessee Senate, should the senator be indicted, he would be required to either step down as caucus chair or request a hearing with the Ethics Committee to appeal for his position.

In the wake of the arrest, several officials expressed their sentiments. A prominent colleague conveyed thoughts and prayers for the senator and his family while acknowledging the severity of the situation.

The senator’s arrest and the associated circumstances have sparked broader conversations regarding the use of campaign funds for personal expenses, the responsibilities of public officials, and the ethical implications of such incidents. The situation highlights the scrutiny public figures face, especially when actions conflict with the values they are expected to uphold. As the investigation progresses, further developments are likely to shape the political and legal outcomes for the senator.

The post Senate Republican Caucus Chair Arrested for DUI and Hit-and-Run in Campaign-Funded Vehicle appeared first on ODRi Media News - Breaking News, East Africa News, Sports News, Kenya News, World News.

The Trump campaign’s spokesperson, Steven Cheung, issued a strong statement asserting that these documents were obtained illegally by foreign entities hostile to the United States. The campaign suggested that the purpose of the hack was to interfere with the upcoming presidential election and to create chaos within the U.S. democratic process. The statement, however, did not provide any direct evidence linking the alleged cyberattack to Iran.

The incident gained further attention when Trump took to his Truth Social platform, where he claimed that Microsoft had informed his campaign about the Iranian hack. According to Trump, the hackers were only able to access publicly available information, though he did not provide any additional details about the breach.

Microsoft had previously issued a report on Friday detailing attempts by Iranian government-linked hackers to break into the accounts of a high-ranking official in a U.S. presidential campaign. The report mentioned that the hackers had compromised an account belonging to a former political advisor and had used it to target the official. Microsoft did not identify the official or provide further specifics.

Iran, through its permanent mission to the United Nations, denied any involvement in the hack. In an email, the Iranian government stated that it had neither the intention nor the motive to interfere in the U.S. presidential election. The Iranian U.N. mission reiterated that its cyber capabilities are purely defensive and proportional to the threats it faces.

The strained relations between Trump and Iran have a storied history. During his presidency, Trump authorized the assassination of Iranian military commander Qassem Soleimani in January 2020, a move that significantly escalated tensions between the two nations. Trump also withdrew the United States from the Iran nuclear deal, a landmark agreement aimed at curbing Iran’s nuclear capabilities, which further deteriorated diplomatic ties.

Cheung, in his statement, emphasized that Trump’s history with Iran was likely a factor in the alleged hack. He pointed out that the Iranian government is aware of Trump’s capability to counteract their actions, referencing his administration’s previous efforts to curb what he termed as Iran’s “reign of terror.”

The allegations come on the heels of a report by CNN that the U.S. had intelligence about an Iranian plot against Trump. While there is no suggestion that the recent cyberattack is linked to this alleged plot, the report highlighted the ongoing tensions between the two nations.

A senior intelligence official, speaking late last month, indicated that both Tehran and Moscow continue to hold the same preferences as in previous election cycles. According to past assessments, Iranian operatives have traditionally attempted to undermine Republican candidates, while Russia has aimed to discredit Democratic candidates.

As the 2024 presidential election approaches, these claims of foreign interference underscore the complexities of international relations and cybersecurity in the modern political landscape. The Trump campaign’s accusations against Iran, whether substantiated or not, add yet another layer of tension to an already charged electoral environment.

The post Trump’s Campaign Alleges Hacking, Points Finger at Iran appeared first on ODRi Media News - Breaking News, East Africa News, Sports News, Kenya News, World News.

The dramatic shift in the Democratic campaign landscape follows President Joe Biden’s decision to end his reelection bid on Sunday last week, subsequently endorsing Harris for the November 5th vote against Republican former President Donald Trump. Rob Flaherty, Harris’s deputy campaign manager, shared the impressive fundraising and volunteer numbers on X (formerly Twitter), noting that 66% of the donations came from new donors.

Recent polls, including one by Reuters/Ipsos, show Harris and Trump in a virtual tie, setting the stage for an intense and closely contested campaign over the next 100 days leading up to the election.

On the Republican side, Trump’s campaign reported raising $331 million in the second quarter, surpassing the $264 million raised by Biden’s campaign and its Democratic allies during the same period. As of the end of June, Trump’s campaign had $284.9 million in cash on hand, while the Democratic campaign had $240 million.

Harris has now secured the backing of a majority of delegates to the Democratic National Convention, ensuring her position as the party’s nominee for president next month. Democratic National Committee Chair Jaime Harrison confirmed on MSNBC that Harris is the presumptive nominee, with the official vote scheduled for August 1.

Biden’s withdrawal from the race came amid concerns about his age and health, exacerbated by a faltering debate performance against Trump in late June. Despite these setbacks, Biden has committed to remaining in office until his term concludes on January 20, 2025. Harris’s entry into the race has revitalized the Democratic campaign, which had been struggling due to doubts about Biden’s ability to defeat Trump and govern effectively if re-elected.

Prior to Harris’s candidacy, polls indicated that Trump had gained a lead over Biden, particularly in battleground states, following Biden’s poor debate performance. However, Harris’s entry has altered the dynamics. A New York Times/Siena College national poll published on Thursday showed Harris narrowing what had been a substantial Trump lead, while a Wall Street Journal poll on Friday indicated a two-percentage-point lead for Trump over Harris. Conversely, a Reuters/Ipsos poll on July 23 showed Harris with a two-point lead over Trump.

In response to Harris’s candidacy, Republican attacks have intensified. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, who unsuccessfully sought the Republican nomination before endorsing Trump, labeled Harris “incredibly vapid” and predicted that Democrats would attempt to distance her from the Biden administration’s policies on immigration and other contentious issues. DeSantis accused Democrats of trying to “whitewash Harris’s background” to make her more acceptable to American voters.

Despite these attacks, some Trump allies caution that disparaging Harris could harm Trump’s outreach to Black voters, a crucial demographic in the upcoming election. Harris, the first woman and the first Black and South Asian person to serve as U.S. vice president, represents a significant milestone in American politics.

Harris’s campaign has not responded to DeSantis’s comments. However, Mitch Landrieu, a campaign co-chair, described Harris’s first week as a candidate as one of the best in political history, highlighting the excitement and momentum surrounding her candidacy. Landrieu emphasized the competitiveness of the race, predicting a very close contest.

Trump’s fundraising saw a boost following his conviction on felony charges related to a hush-money payment to a porn star ahead of the 2016 election. Additionally, an assassination attempt against him earlier this month is expected to further spur campaign contributions.

As the election approaches, both campaigns are gearing up for what promises to be a tightly contested and highly charged race.

The post Kamala Harris Campaign Raises Ksh. 25.9B Million In A Week appeared first on ODRi Media News - Breaking News, East Africa News, Sports News, Kenya News, World News.

“We are the underdogs in this race, but this is a people-powered campaign,” Harris told the crowd, emphasizing the grassroots nature of her campaign. The event reportedly raised $1.4 million for her campaign efforts.

As Trump addressed a Bitcoin conference in Tennessee, Harris took the opportunity to counter his aggressive rhetoric. “Donald Trump has been resorting to some wild lies about my record. And some of what he and his running mate are saying, well, it’s just plain weird,” she said. The Harris campaign has adopted “weird” as a new catch-all term to describe Trump’s increasingly erratic and unfounded accusations.

One of Trump’s most incendiary claims is that Harris wants to legalize the killing of newborn babies, a falsehood stemming from her staunch support for abortion rights. Harris has made her advocacy on this issue a central pillar of her campaign, particularly in light of the Supreme Court’s 2022 decision to overturn the national right to the procedure. Trump’s conservative nominees to the court played a pivotal role in that landmark decision.

Harris’s background as a former California prosecutor has provided her with the experience and resilience necessary to confront Trump’s attacks head-on. In a bold move, she challenged Trump to a debate after his campaign announced that he would not participate in a previously scheduled televised face-off with President Joe Biden on September 10. “Let’s have a debate, Donald. Let the American people see us side by side,” Harris declared, underscoring her willingness to directly engage with her opponent.

Harris’s campaign is focusing on mobilizing a broad coalition of voters who are motivated by issues such as reproductive rights, social justice, and economic equity. Her team is leveraging her track record as a prosecutor and her tenure as Vice President to build a compelling case for her presidency. By highlighting Trump’s falsehoods and contrasting them with her policy proposals, Harris aims to energize her base and appeal to undecided voters.

The fundraising event in Massachusetts was a significant milestone for the Harris campaign, not only because of the substantial amount raised but also due to the high-profile endorsements it showcased. Celebrities like James Taylor and Yo-Yo Ma bring additional visibility and credibility to her campaign, helping to amplify her message and reach a wider audience.

Harris’s assertion that her campaign is “people-powered” reflects a broader strategy to engage and mobilize grassroots supporters. This approach is designed to counterbalance the substantial financial resources and media influence that Trump commands. By emphasizing the power of collective action and community engagement, Harris hopes to create a groundswell of support that can propel her to victory.

In the coming months, Harris will continue to confront Trump’s “wild lies” with a message of truth and resilience. Her campaign is set to intensify its efforts to connect with voters across the country, focusing on the issues that matter most to them. As the election approaches, the contrast between Harris’s people-powered campaign and Trump’s contentious rhetoric will become increasingly stark, setting the stage for a fiercely contested race.

The post Harris Vows to Overcome Trump’s “Wild Lies” in Presidential Campaign appeared first on ODRi Media News - Breaking News, East Africa News, Sports News, Kenya News, World News.

Speaking to campaign workers at her headquarters in Wilmington, Delaware, Harris expressed confidence in her ability to secure a win despite the “rollercoaster” of recent days. Biden, 81, who has been recovering from Covid, made a rare public appearance via phone call, endorsing Harris and affirming his decision to step down. He praised her as “the best” candidate, setting the stage for a historic campaign.

“We are going to win in November,” Harris declared, her speech met with enthusiastic applause from the assembled campaign workers. She emphasized her readiness to take on Trump, drawing from her extensive background as California’s chief prosecutor. “I took on perpetrators of all kinds,” Harris said. “Predators who abused women. Fraudsters who ripped off consumers. Cheaters who broke the rules for their own gain. So hear me when I say I know Donald Trump’s type.”

Harris also vowed to address critical issues such as abortion, directly responding to Trump’s praise of the Supreme Court’s 2022 decision to overturn federal protections for the procedure. Her stance on such hot-button topics is expected to galvanize support among voters concerned with reproductive rights and other progressive causes.

The support for Harris within the Democratic Party has been swift and substantial. Among her notable endorsements is former US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, who expressed “immense pride and limitless optimism” in backing Harris. Additionally, the powerful AFL-CIO union federation formally endorsed her campaign, signaling strong labor support.

Financial backing has also surged, with Harris’s campaign raising a record $81 million in the 24 hours following Biden’s announcement. This financial influx demonstrates significant grassroots and institutional support, bolstering her campaign’s momentum.

In a symbolic gesture, Harris hosted a ceremony for college athletes at the White House on Monday, underscoring her active engagement while Biden remains in isolation at his Delaware beach house. The president’s official schedule indicates he will return to the White House on Tuesday, as his doctor reported that Biden’s Covid symptoms have nearly resolved.

Biden’s withdrawal has not only reshaped the Democratic field but also posed new challenges for the Republican campaign. Trump, now 78 and the oldest presidential nominee in history, must pivot from a strategy focused on Biden’s age and health. Harris’s candidacy flips the age issue and pits Trump against a woman with a formidable prosecutorial background.

Trump has responded with characteristic vitriol, attacking both Biden and Harris on social media. His running mate, J.D. Vance, echoed these sentiments at a rally in Ohio, accusing elite Democrats of orchestrating Biden’s exit. “That is not how it works. That is a threat to democracy,” Vance proclaimed, attempting to cast doubt on the Democratic transition.

As Harris forges ahead, her campaign aims to unify a previously demoralized party and energize voters with the promise of making history. With the support of influential Democrats and a robust fundraising effort, Harris is poised to lead a compelling race, potentially becoming the first female president in US history.

The post Kamala Harris Launches Campaign with Fiery Speech, Targets Trump as Democrats Rally appeared first on ODRi Media News - Breaking News, East Africa News, Sports News, Kenya News, World News.