5 unexpected twists in a significant news cycle

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The past week brought about unexpected twists in a year filled with surprises in the world of elections.

Here are the surprise developments and what they could mean for the future:

Jury set for Trump’s first trial

Unless you've been living under a rock, you probably heard about the trial of former President Donald Trump in New York. He's facing charges of falsifying business records connected to hush money payments before the 2016 election. This big news story has been all over TV and newspapers.

What's really surprising is that the jury selection, which was expected to last for weeks, finished much quicker than anticipated. Twelve jurors and six alternates have been chosen to decide the fate of the former president.

There were multiple hiccups, such as when one juror reconsidered her ability to remain impartial or when a self-immolation created a scene outside the courthouse.

Photo Illustration by Alberto Mier/CNN/Getty

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Trump's first criminal case is currently in court, with the first of four potential trials underway. Opening arguments are set to begin next week, with the ultimate outcome being the most crucial aspect.

The prosecution has not disclosed which witnesses will testify first to Trump's team, so we are unsure who will take the stand. There is a concern that Trump may break the gag order and criticize those who testify.

Despite the transparent process that selected an anonymous jury, Trump has attempted to spread a conspiracy theory that the jury is unfairly prejudiced against him.

165 Democrats joined 151 Republicans in supporting House Speaker Mike Johnson's proposal to vote on aid for Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan. This caused frustration among the right wing of the Republican party towards Johnson.

Three Republican representatives, Marjorie Taylor Greene from Georgia, Thomas Massie from Kentucky, and Paul Gosar from Arizona, have announced their support for a plan to remove Johnson from the speaker's position.

House Speaker Mike Johnson arrives to speak with reporters to discuss his proposal of sending aid to Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan on April 17, 2024.

House Speaker Mike Johnson arrives to speak with reporters to discuss his proposal of sending aid to Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan on April 17, 2024.

J. Scott Applewhite/AP

Johnson, on the other hand, chose not to shield himself by altering House rules to increase the difficulty of dismissing him. He continues to have the backing of the majority of Republicans and of Trump, at least for the time being.

The rifts within the GOP, which have been apparent for quite some time, are now facing significant pressure. In order for Johnson to retain his position as speaker, he will likely require assistance from Democrats as early as next week.

It would be like a bipartisan or coalition government, which would be pleasing to moderate Americans. If Johnson maintains his position and implements what most Americans and lawmakers desire, his leadership skills will warrant a reevaluation. Stay tuned for more updates next week.

Ukraine is set to receive increased aid from the US.

Most lawmakers in Congress are in favor of providing additional military assistance to Ukraine as it defends itself against Russia's invasion. However, the opposition from the conservative faction of the Republican Party has caused a delay in the aid approval process since the White House made the request back in October.

The U.S. Capitol building is seen in Washington, D.C., March 28, 2024. (Francis Chung/POLITICO via AP Images)

The U.S. Capitol building is seen in Washington, D.C., March 28, 2024. (Francis Chung/POLITICO via AP Images)

Francis Chung/POLITICO/AP

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Here’s what aid the House bills would provide to Ukraine, Israel

Johnson, a true conservative who has been skeptical of Ukraine aid in the past, is now close to achieving the vote in the House. This is a significant milestone.

However, the debate over aid has revealed some troubling realities. For instance, the nationalist-leaning faction of the GOP has made it clear that they do not prioritize supporting democracies globally.

Israel and Iran have managed to avoid a full-blown war, at least for the time being. Tensions have been high as both countries engaged in retaliatory strikes and actions in the past few weeks, raising fears of a potential large-scale conflict.

This week, Iran retaliated against Israel's strike on a Syrian diplomatic facility by launching its own strikes. Israel responded with a strike on Iran on Friday. However, many analysts believe that this could be the end of the recent escalation in tensions.

CNN's Tamara Qiblawi shared in the Meanwhile in the Middle East newsletter:

This month has seen a dramatic escalation of tensions in the Middle East. It all started with an Israeli airstrike on Iran's consulate in Damascus, followed by an attempted Iranian attack on Israel with over 300 airborne weapons. However, there seems to have been a quick de-escalation of the situation. According to a regional intelligence source speaking to CNN's Nic Robertson, Iran is not expected to retaliate further. It appears that the direct state-to-state strikes between the two enemy states have come to an end. Read more from Qiblawi.

Joe Biden is putting in a lot of effort in his campaign.

With all the focus on the Trump trial, you may not have noticed that President Joe Biden is actively campaigning for re-election. While Trump is occupied with his trial, Biden is busy traveling to different places.

Recently, he visited Philadelphia, stopping at a Wawa, and then he made his way to Pittsburgh, where he visited a Sheetz. He spent three days in Pennsylvania promoting his economic populism. To secure the blue wall that has been crucial for recent Democratic victories, this personalized campaigning approach is key.

President Joe Biden shakes hands with an employee after ordering sandwiches at a Wawa store in Philadelphia on April 18, 2024.

President Joe Biden shakes hands with an employee after ordering sandwiches at a Wawa store in Philadelphia on April 18, 2024.

While Trump was spreading conspiracy theories during his trial, Biden was embracing certain aspects of Trump's message on topics such as tariffs. However, Biden made it clear that he stands apart from Trump on the crucial American issue of safeguarding democracy.

Biden's efforts to prove he's fit for the job may not silence skeptics about his age, but there's no denying his determination to show his commitment to staying in office.

Some worry that the US economy is overheating.

"Bidenomics" can be seen as either an insult or a brag, depending on the situation.

Biden's economic plan, presented earnestly this week, may be a tough sell to Americans who are feeling the effects of inflation and struggling to afford things like housing and dining out.

The International Monetary Fund is not concerned about a US recession. Instead, they are worried that the US economy is performing too strongly compared to other countries. According to a recent report, while Europe and other developed nations have not yet reached their pre-pandemic growth levels, data suggests that the US economy has already surpassed them.

IMF chief economist Pierre-Olivier Gourinchas stated in a blog post accompanying the agency's World Economic Outlook that the US economy has impressively exceeded its pre-pandemic growth trend. This indicates that any discussions about the Federal Reserve implementing interest rate cuts in the near future are unlikely to happen.

Editor's P/S:

The past week has witnessed a whirlwind of unexpected developments in the political landscape, with the ongoing trial of former President Trump, internal turmoil within the Republican party, and significant progress in the Ukraine aid debate. Trump's trial for falsifying business records has captured public attention, with jury selection concluding swiftly and opening arguments set to begin next week. The GOP faces internal divisions, with a proposal for aid to Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan causing frustration among the right wing and leading to calls for Speaker Johnson's removal.

Meanwhile, President Biden has been actively campaigning for re-election, visiting key states and promoting his economic populism. The economy remains a concern, with the International Monetary Fund expressing worries about overheating, while Bidenomics faces scrutiny amid concerns over inflation. The situation in the Middle East has de-escalated, with Israel and Iran avoiding a full-blown war after retaliatory strikes. These ongoing events have shaped the political landscape, with significant implications for the future.