Source: The Hill

The Supreme Court on Monday ruled 5-4 that a federal law allowing for gun convictions relating to "a crime of violence" was too vague.

The case involved a pair of men who were convicted on several felony robbery charges, but were also convicted under another federal statute that required significant mandatory minimum sentences for a "crime of violence."

The men in question—Maurice Davis and Andre Glover—argued that the federal law was too vague. The justices on Monday were split in their decision, but ultimately sided with the men.

 Justice Neil Gorsuch wrote the majority opinion, and was joined by Justices Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Stephen Breyer, Sonia Sotomayor and Elena Kagan.

Read more: https://thehill.com/regulation/court-battles/449998-gorsuch-sides-with-liberal-justices-in-finding-gun-law-to-be-vague

Source: The Hill

Acting Defense Secretary Patrick Shanahan has withdrawn from consideration to lead the Pentagon on a permanent basis, President Trump announced Tuesday.

The announcement came after USA Today published the details of a 2010 violent domestic dispute with his then-wife that was investigated by the FBI for his background check.

“Acting Secretary of Defense Patrick Shanahan, who has done a wonderful job, has decided not to go forward with his confirmation process so that he can devote more time to his family,” Trump tweeted.

The president said he would name Mark Esper, who currently serves as secretary of the Army, as the new acting Defense chief.




Read more: https://thehill.com/policy/defense/449104-trump-says-shanahan-out-as-defense-secretary

Democratic presidential candidate Pete Buttigieg says if he won he wouldn't reverse President Trump's controversial decision to move the U.S. embassy in Israel back to Tel Aviv from Jerusalem.

"I think what's done is done," Buttigieg told "Axios on HBO" in a clip shared Sunday. "We need a big picture strategy on the Middle East, I don't know that we'd gain much by moving it to Tel Aviv."

Trump in late 2017 made the decision to recognize the ancient holy city of Jerusalem as Israel's capital, and announced plans to relocate the U.S. embassy there. The move drew fire from critics who said it would further strain relations between Israelis and Palestinians, and increase the chances of a potential wide-scale conflict in the Middle East.

Despite saying he wouldn't reverse Trump's actions, Buttigieg said that "doesn't mean he did the right thing."

More: https://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/448826-buttigieg-wouldnt-reverse-us-embassy-move-to-jerusalem-whats-done-is-done?amp&__twitter_impression=true

ANTARCTICA—Cackling as they stuffed a rag into the Democratic governor’s mouth and tied his hands behind his back, the DNC committee reportedly tossed a bound Jay Inslee onto a melting iceberg Friday and pushed him out to sea. “Well, well, well, if it isn’t my good friend Mr. Inslee! Tell me, sir, as a Democratic candidate—is this the type of climate debate you wanted?” said a grinning DNC chair Tom Perez as he looked at the blindfolded, gagged governor of Washington, placed a gun loaded with a single bullet at his feet, and kicked the rapidly shrinking piece of ice he was on into open waters. “Take it from me, Jay, those dear sharks and whales you want to save so badly? They’re not as nice as they look. If I had to guess, your campaign has two to three more hours, tops. So let’s just hope you can swim as well as you rally.” At press time, Inslee was seen breaking free from the thick ropes tied around his body, diving into the ocean, and swimming to shore surrounded by a pack of several loyal dolphins.

https://politics.theonion.com/dnc-committee-throws-bound-jay-inslee-onto-melting-iceb-1835518291/amp?__twitter_impression=true

Source: The Hill

The Senate will vote next week on efforts by Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) to block arms sales to Bahrain and Qatar.

The two votes are expected to take place Thursday, though the exact timing hasn't yet been locked in by Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.). They have to take place by Friday as part of an agreement outlined by McConnell.

The Senate will vote on whether or not to discharge Paul's resolutions of disapproval, one on the sale to Bahrain and a separate on the Qatar arms sales, out of the Foreign Relations Committee. If he's successful it would kick the issue to the full Senate, and allow him to fast-track the two resolutions on the Senate floor.

The administration notified Congress last monththat it would sell missile systems and related equipment to Bahrain for approximately $2.478 billion. It also noticed a separate sale of missiles and other equipment tied to an aircraft fleet that would total $750 million. Paul's resolution appears to only block the second arms sale.

Read more: https://thehill.com/blogs/floor-action/senate/447291-paul-to-force-votes-on-blocking-trumps-bahrain-qatar-arms-sales

A majority of voters want to keep the Hyde Amendment. It's been the law for over 40 years and was supported by every Democratic President.

Fortunately Mr. Biden isn't as desperate as other candidates that need to pander to every single pressure group.

Source: The Hill

Acting Homeland Security Secretary Kevin McAleenan said in an interview with Hill.TV that 24 cases of false parental claims had been found at the U.S.-Mexico border in the first few days of DNA testing.

Current U.S. law allows for asylum seekers traveling with children to be detained for only a short period, and then released within the U.S. until they are required to appear before a judge about their application.

McAleenan noted that the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is particularly concerned that undocumented migrants seeking asylum are falsely claiming to be the parents of the children they are traveling with to take advantage of the law.

The DHS has also said such claims raise concerns about the welfare of the children.

Read more: https://thehill.com/hilltv/rising/446880-dhs-chief-24-cases-of-false-paternal-claims-revealed-at-border-in-first-days-of

Former vice president Joe Biden leads Sen. Bernie Sanders in the latest Hill-HarrisX poll released Monday by 19 points, maintaining a clear separation from the rest of the field in the Democratic presidential primary,

Biden won 35 percent support from Democratic and Democratic-leaning independent registered voters in the June 1-2 survey, compared to 16 percent for Sanders (I-Vt.).

South Bend, Ind. Mayor Pete Buttigieg was a distant third with 8 percent. He was followed by Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass) at 5 percent.

Sen. Kamala Harris (D-Calif.) and former Rep. Beto O'Rourke were supported by 4 percent of respondents while Sen. Cory Booker (D-N.J.) was named by 3 percent.

More: https://thehill.com/hilltv/what-americas-thinking/446652-biden-remains-well-in-front-of-democratic-pack-with-35-percent

Source: The Hill

The Supreme Court on Monday found that a criminal defendant can be sentenced for violating his supervised release, even if the release expires while he is incarcerated ahead of facing new charges.

The justices, divided in the 5-4 decision, ruled against Jason Mont's argument that a district court shouldn't be able to charge him for violating his release because the term had expired at the time of the new sentencing.

Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg sided with conservative Justices Clarence Thomas, John Roberts, Samuel Alito and Brett Kavanaugh in the majority. Justice Neil Gorsuch joined liberal Justices Sonia Sotomayor, Stephen Breyer and Elena Kagan in opposing the decision.

Mont had previously been convicted on felony drug and gun charges and served 84 months in prison before beginning a five-year supervised release due to end in March 2017.

Read more: https://thehill.com/regulation/446632-ginsburg-sides-with-conservative-justices-in-ruling-over-prison-sentence

Source: The Hill

Retail giant Costco says it will likely have to raise prices due to the ongoing trade war between the U.S. and China.

USA Today reports that Costco's chief financial officer, Richard Galanti, said during an earnings call with investors that the company is hoping it does not need to raise prices, but is preparing to do so after new tariffs were announced this month between the two nations.

“At the end of the day, prices will go up on things,’’ Galanti said. “We’re hopeful the ebbs and flows of the relations between our countries improves in that regard.’’

Read more: https://thehill.com/policy/finance/international-taxes/446444-costco-warns-prices-will-go-up-due-to-new-tariffs