Dianne Feinstein: Longest-serving US female senator dies

Published

9 months ago

September 29, 2023

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California senator Dianne Feinstein – known for being a vocal advocate of gun control measures – has died aged 90.

The Democratic Party politician, who tried to find common ground with Republicans over three decades in the Senate, died despite planning to retire at the end of her term.

She was the oldest member of the chamber and had faced calls to resign over concerns about her health.

Feinstein was also the longest-serving female senator, elected in 1992.

She died last night at her home in Washington, D.C. according to a statement from her office issued on Friday.

“Senator Feinstein never backed away from a fight for what was just and right,” the statement said.

“There are few women who can be called senator, chairman, mayor, wife, mom and grandmother.

“Senator Feinstein was a force of nature who made an incredible impact on our country and her home state.

“She left a legacy that is undeniable and extraordinary.”

President Joe Biden hailed Feinstein as a “pioneering American” and a “trailblazer” after learning of her death.

He described her as a “passionate defender of civil liberties” and a “strong voice for national security policies that keep us safe while honouring our values” when she announced her retirement.

“I’ve served with more U.S. Senators than just about anyone,” Mr Biden said.

“I can honestly say that Dianne Feinstein is one of the very best.”

In March, Feinstein’s spokesperson said she was dealing with a “health matter” after she missed votes at the end of February.

She cast her final vote in the first of three votes at the Senate on Thursday, hours before her death.

The politician is recorded as not having taken part in the remaining two ballots.

Feinstein championed the assault weapons ban signed into law by then-President Bill Clinton in 1994.

She fought for restrictive laws after that ban expired a decade later.

Feinstein also served as chairwoman of the Senate Intelligence Committee, leading reviews of the CIA’s detention and interrogation program created after the 9/11 terror attacks.

This was key to the introduction of laws banning the use of methods of torture.

‘A person of unquestioned integrity’

Former Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton said she she was “deeply saddened” by her death.

The ex-First Lady posted on X, formerly known as Twitter: [Feinstein] blazed trails for women in politics and found a life’s calling in public service.

“I’ll miss her greatly as a friend and colleague and send my condolences to all who loved her.”

Missouri Senator, Josh Hawley, described his late California counterpart as “tough, incredibly smart and effective”.

He posted on X: “Always willing to work across the aisle to get things done, she was a person of unquestioned integrity.”

Virginia congressman, Don Beyer, wrote on X: “Senator Feinstein’s career spanned 50+ years of service to the Bay Area, California and the nation.

“She survived assassination attempts to become the longest-serving woman Senator, a pioneer for LGBT rights and civil liberties, and national leader on gun violence prevention. RIP.”

Central Florida congressman, Maxwell Frost, praised her as a “champion for gun violence prevention that broke barriers at all levels of government”.

“We wouldn’t have had an assault weapons ban if it wasn’t for Senator Feinstein and due to her tireless work, we will win it back. May her memory be a blessing,” he said.

And California Governor, Gavin Newsom, described Feinstein as a “political giant” and “powerful, trailblazing US senator”, whose “tenacity was matched by her grace”.

“She broke down barriers and glass ceilings but never lost her belief in the spirit of political cooperation,” Newsom wrote on X.

“There is simply nobody who possessed the strength, gravitas and fierceness of Dianne Feinstein.”

Fellow California Democrat, US representative Nancy Pelosi, said Feinstein’s “extraordinary” career would inspire “countless young women and girls to pursue public service for generations to come”.

Paving the way for women in politics

Feinstein was elected to the San Francisco Board of Supervisors in 1969 and became its first female president in 1978.

In the same year, Mayor George Moscone was gunned down at City Hall alongside Supervisor Harvey Milk – whose body was discovered by Feinstein.

She became the state’s first female mayor in the wake of the tragedy.

Feinstein was one of California’s first two female senators, the first woman to head the Senate Intelligence Committee and the first to serve as the Judiciary committee’s top Democrat.

“I recognise that women have had to fight for everything they have gotten, every right,” she said in 2005.

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US

Donald Trump’s hush money sentencing postponed

Published

11 hours ago

July 2, 2024

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Donald Trump's hush money sentencing postponed

A judge in New York has postponed Donald Trump’s hush money sentencing until September to consider the Supreme Court’s ruling on immunity.

The US’s top court decided on Monday immunity exists from criminal prosecution for official acts while in office, in a boost for Trump – who is accused of illegally trying to overturn his 2020 election loss.

The former president asked Justice Juan Merchan to delay the sentencing for his conviction over hush money paid to a porn star to give him a chance to argue he should have been immune from prosecution.

Prosecutors said Trump’s argument was “without merit”, but agreed to the delay to give Trump time to make his case.

He will face an uphill battle getting the hush money conviction overturned, since much of the conduct in the case predates his time in office.

The delay will push the sentencing beyond the Republic National Convention on 15 July, when Trump is due to be named the party nominee for the presidential election on 5 November.

The sentencing, originally set for 11 July, has now been scheduled for 18 September.

Trump lawyers see ruling as a game-changer – this is the first test

It’s the end of the law as they know it.

The specifics of change will be tested first, and fastest, in the New York court where Trump was convicted.

His lawyers clearly see the Supreme Court ruling as a game-changer and an opportunity to have the conviction thrown out.

New York’s prosecutors beg to differ, insisting the Trump argument is “without merit”.

Their agreement to a delay in sentencing is a nod to inevitable Trump appeals and the importance of setting out a judge’s reasoning to help resist challenge.

Trump’s lawyers believe evidence presented to the jury during his trial falls under new immunity protections, including public statements, tweets and paperwork.

The hush money trial spanned periods when Trump was president and there will be questions around what falls within the parameter of “official acts”.

It is an early test of the new immunity law and a measure of a president’s empowerment.

For critics of the Supreme Court ruling, it’s a calibration of risk to democracy and the rule of law.

The delay in Trump’s sentencing will push it beyond the Republic National Convention on 15 July, when he’s due to be anointed as the party nominee.

Trump’s sentencing had loomed large over the political set-piece – no more.

Trump was found guilty on 30 May of falsifying business records to cover up his former lawyer Michael Cohen’s $130,000 payment to adult film actress Stormy Daniels.

The offer was made to keep her quiet about an alleged 2006 sexual encounter until after the 2016 election, when Trump defeated Democrat Hillary Clinton.

Trump denies ever having sex with Ms Daniels and has said he will appeal against the conviction after his sentencing.

Prosecutors said the payment was part of an illicit scheme to influence the election.

In their letter to Justice Merchan, Trump’s team argued prosecutors had used evidence involving his official acts as president, including conversations while in the White House.

Under the Supreme Court’s ruling, prosecutors cannot use evidence related to official actions to help prove criminal cases involving unofficial actions.

US

Biden says Supreme Court immunity ruling means presidents can ‘ignore the law’ – as Trump celebrates ‘big win’

Published

1 day ago

July 1, 2024

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Biden says Supreme Court immunity ruling means presidents can 'ignore the law' - as Trump celebrates 'big win'

Joe Biden has said the historic ruling that former presidents have immunity violates the principle “that there are no kings in America” – and means they can now “ignore the law”.

He was speaking after the US Supreme Court decided absolute immunity exists from criminal prosecution for official acts while in office, but not for unofficial ones.

“Each, each of us is equal before the law. No one is above the law, not even the president of the United States,” Mr Biden said on Monday evening.

The ruling is a victory for Donald Trump, who is accused of illegally trying to overturn his 2020 election loss.

“I know I will respect the limits of presidential power as I have for the three-and-a-half years,” Mr Biden said.

“But any president, including Donald Trump, will now be free to ignore the law.”

The Supreme Court did not rule on the merits of Trump’s case, but referred it back to a lower court to decide how to apply the ruling.

It must now decide whether Trump was acting officially or privately in relation to the charges.

President Biden said Monday’s ruling also means the ex-president is now “highly unlikely” to go on trial before US voters have their say again in four months’ time.

“It’s a terrible disservice to the people in this nation,” he said.

If Trump becomes president again in November, he may be able to use his powers to dismiss the charges against him.

He earlier celebrated the ruling, posting online: “BIG WIN FOR OUR CONSTITUTION AND DEMOCRACY. PROUD TO BE AN AMERICAN!”

The three liberal justices all dissented with the majority opinion – with Sonia Sotomayor warning it was a dangerous step for democracy.

She said it made a “mockery” of the principle that “no man is above the law”.

“In every use of official power, the president is now a king above the law,” she wrote.

The chief justice, John Roberts, insisted that wasn’t true but said they have “at least presumptive immunity from prosecution” for official acts.

The decision passed with the help of the three conservative judges Trump appointed when he was president.

Mr Biden’s comments follow his poor showing in the TV debate with Trump last week, a performance that prompted speculation the Democrats might try to replace him as candidate.

The 81-year’s remarks were his first from the White House since then, and he put in a far more assured and coherent performance – even sporting a glowing tan.

However, Mr Biden was reading from an autocue – something he did not have the benefit of during his stumbling face off with Trump.

Mr Biden admitted last week his debating skills were not what they once were but said it was his substance and actions that mattered.

His family have also urged him to carry on.

Democrat insiders spoke of panic after the TV debacle, but any effort to force him to withdraw against his will is extremely unlikely – with the only realistic route being if he stepped down himself.

US

US Supreme Court sends Trump immunity claim back to lower court

Published

2 days ago

July 1, 2024

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US Supreme Court sends Trump immunity claim back to lower court

The US Supreme Court has sent Donald Trump’s claim he is immune from prosecution for his actions while president back to a lower court.

Trump faces prosecution over his role in the deadly January 6 riots in 2021 at the Capitol in Washington DC, after he encouraged his supporters to gather at Congress to oppose the approval of Joe Biden’s 2020 election win; and alleged attempts to overturn the 2020 election result.

The former president had been charged with conspiracy to defraud the US, conspiring against the right of Americans to vote and corruptly obstructing an official proceeding and conspiring to do so.

In a historic 6-3 ruling, the justices said for the first time that former presidents have absolute immunity from prosecution for their official acts, but no immunity for unofficial acts.

But instead of deciding for themselves, the justices ordered lower courts to work out precisely how to apply their decision to Trump’s case.

The lower court must now decide whether he was acting officially or privately.

Trump’s legal team had argued he was immune from prosecution as he was serving as president when he took the actions leading to the charges.

Special Counsel Jack Smith, who brought the charges in August last year, has opposed presidential immunity from prosecution based on the principle no one is above the law.

A trial had been scheduled to start on 4 March, before the delays over the immunity issue.

The Supreme Court’s decision adds further delays. If Trump becomes president again in November, in reality he may be able to use his powers to dismiss the charges against him.

The court’s slow handling of the case has already helped Trump by making it unlikely any trial on these charges could be completed before the election on 5 November.

Trump has pleaded not guilty to the charges. He has said this case and three others are politically motivated attempts to keep him from returning to the White House.

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