Ex-Trump lawyer Sidney Powell takes plea deal in Georgia election interference case
Sidney Powell speaks to the press about various lawsuits related to the 2020 election, inside the Republican National Committee headquarters on Nov. 19, 2020 in Washington, DC. Photo: Drew Angerer/Getty Images
Former Trump attorney Sidney Powell took a plea deal on Thursday in Georgia's 2020 election case, one day before jury selection in her trial was set to begin.
Why it matters: She is the first of Trump's inner circle to enter a guilty plea and admit to crimes in connection with subverting 2020 election results.
Driving the news: Powell pleaded guilty to six misdemeanor charges relating to efforts to interfere with the 2020 election and agreed to testify against co-defendants in the case.
- Fulton County prosecutors recommended Powell receive six years of probation and a $6,000 fine, in addition to paying $2,700 in restitution.
- Under the terms of the deal, she is also required to write an apology letter to the citizens of Georgia.
The big picture: Powell helped spread baseless conspiracy theories about ballot fraud in the days after the 2020 election.
- She was indicted earlier this year along with former President Trump and 17 others in the sprawling criminal racketeering case.
- Her initial charges included violating Georgia's racketeering law and conspiracy to commit election fraud as part of the scheme to keep Trump in power after he lost the 2020 election.
- She is the second defendant to accept a plea deal in the case. Scott Hall, a bail bondsman, pleaded guilty to charges against him last month.
What we're watching: The trial for attorney Kenneth Chesebro is set to begin on Friday with jury selection.
- Chesebro, an attorney, helped devise the plan to "submit fraudulent slates of presidential electors" to Congress, according to the indictment.
Go deeper: Inside the craziest meeting of the Trump presidency
Editor's note: This story was updated with additional info from Thursday's hearing.
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Scoop: U.S. to send Israel artillery shells initially designated for Ukraine
An Israeli army soldier moves a 155mm artillery shell Wednesday near a self-propelled howitzer near the Israel-Lebanon border, where Israeli troops have been engaged in skirmishes with Lebanon-based Hezbollah militants. Photo: Jalaa Marey/AFP via Getty Images
The Pentagon plans to send Israel tens of thousands of 155mm artillery shells that had been designated for Ukraine from U.S. emergency stocks several months ago, three Israeli officials with knowledge of the situation tell Axios.
Why it matters: The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) and the Israeli ministry of defense told their U.S. counterparts they urgently need artillery shells to prepare for a ground invasion in Gaza — and a potential escalation of the war by Hezbollah along the Israel-Lebanon border, Israeli officials say.
GOP erupts in closed-door meeting after House speaker stalemate
Photo: Win McNamee/Getty Images
Rep. Jim Jordan's (R-Ohio) endorsement of a plan to empower Speaker Pro Tempore Patrick McHenry (R-N.C.) until January has set off a furious reaction among House conservatives.
Why it matters: The McHenry resolution — which Jordan backed Thursday after it became clear he was bleeding GOP support ahead of a planned third ballot — will require support from Democrats in order to alleviate the speaker crisis that has paralyzed Congress for more than two weeks.
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U.S. State Department official resigns over military aid to Israel
President Biden and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu meet in Tel Aviv on Wednesday. Photo: GPO/Handout/Anadolu via Getty Images
A U.S. State Department official who worked on global arms transfers resigned Wednesday due to his opposition to the Biden administration's additional military aid to Israel amid the war with Hamas.
Why it matters: Josh Paul, who was director of congressional and public affairs at the department's Bureau of Political-Military Affairs, announced his resignation on LinkedIn in a rare act of public dissent against the Biden administration as the president prepares to ask Congress for an unprecedented military aid package for Israel following his visit to Tel Aviv Wednesday.
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