Current US Domestic News Briefs: Menendez Corruption Trial, Trump Hush Money Trial, Pentagon Leaker Hearing, and More

US Senator Robert Menendez’s Corruption Trial Begins with Jury Selection

The corruption trial of U.S. Senator Robert Menendez kicked off on Monday with the start of jury selection. Menendez, New Jersey’s senior senator, is facing 16 criminal charges including bribery, fraud, obstruction, and acting as a foreign agent. The outcome of this trial could have significant implications for Menendez’s political future and the makeup of the U.S. Senate.

Meanwhile, in a separate case, former President Donald Trump’s hush money trial is underway in Manhattan. Republican U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson is set to join Trump at the trial on Tuesday, becoming the latest and most senior party member to attend the proceedings. The trial revolves around allegations that Trump tried to cover up a payment to an adult film star in the final weeks of his 2016 presidential campaign.

Trump’s former fixer, Michael Cohen, who is a key witness in the hush money trial, testified on Monday that Trump personally authorized him to make the payment to the porn star. Cohen’s testimony sheds light on the alleged efforts to silence the adult film actress Stormy Daniels about an alleged 2006 sexual encounter with Trump.

In another legal proceeding, jury selection is expected to resume in U.S. Senator Menendez’s corruption trial on Tuesday. Federal prosecutors have accused Menendez of engaging in a years-long bribery scheme to help foreign governments, disrupt criminal cases, and enrich himself. Menendez has pleaded not guilty to the charges.

Additionally, Jack Teixeira, a member of the Massachusetts Air National Guard who pleaded guilty to leaking classified military documents, is set to appear for a military justice proceeding on Tuesday to face new charges. Teixeira’s arrest in April 2023 was linked to one of the most serious U.S. national security breaches in years.

The news also includes updates on the collapsed Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore, the impact of the U.S. Capitol riot on congressional primaries in Maryland and West Virginia, and investigations into Alphabet’s Waymo self-driving vehicles and China-based Hesai Group’s alleged link to China’s military.

Lastly, U.S. President Joe Biden has announced steep tariff increases on Chinese imports, including electric vehicles, computer chips, and medical products, in a move that could escalate tensions between the two countries. China has vowed retaliation against the tariff hikes.

The unfolding legal proceedings, investigations, and policy decisions highlight the complex and interconnected nature of domestic news in the United States. Stay tuned for further updates on these developing stories.