NEWS WRAP

Taiwan's leader makes historic visit to United States

• Taiwan's leader visits the United States | The United States and its allies are bracing for a reaction from China with Taiwan's president visiting the United States this week. House Speaker Kevin McCarthy's upcoming meeting with Taiwan's President Tsai Ing-wen is historic. China has already announced a naval live-fire drill in response. READ MORE HERE
   
• Finland joins NATO | By Finland joining the North Atlantic Treaty Organization it nearly doubles NATO's border with the Russian Federation. Sweden is also attempting to join the alliance but their bid is currently opposed by member states Turkey and Hungary. READ MORE HERE
   
• Midwest communities devastated after tornadoes | Communities across the United States' south and midwest have been hit hard by tornadoes, killing 32. One tornado struck Wynne, a town in Arkansas, effectively severing the town in two and killing four residents. READ MORE HERE
   
• United States steps up Ukraine aid | The United States has pledged a new US$2.6 billion aid package to Ukraine. The country is expected to use some of the aid funds to purchase air defence missiles. It came as the head of Russia's Wagner mercenary group claimed victory in an offensive in and around Bakhmut, though this claim has been refuted by Ukrainian commanders.
  READ MORE HERE
   
• Australia last Five Eyes nation to ban TikTok on government devices | Following the United States in December and Canada, the United Kingdom and New Zealand in March, the Australian Government is banning TikTok across its devices due to cyber security concerns. READ MORE HERE

ANALYSIS

Trump has been indicted, what next?

Bruce Wolpe, Non-Resident Senior Fellow, USSC 

How significant is this in US political history?

This is unprecedented and we are in uncharted political territory. It is highly likely Richard Nixon may well have been indicted after he resigned from the presidency in August 1974 in the wake of the Watergate scandals, but Nixon was pardoned by his successor, President Gerald Ford, a month later for any crimes he may have committed as president.

In the case of Trump, in the wake of his two impeachments and the gravity of the multiple investigations he is under, particularly for the January 6 insurrection, the mishandling of classified documents and the attempts to overturn the 2020 presidential election in Georgia, what is being tested here is the principle that no one is above or beyond the rule of law.

You can read more of this analysis on the USSC website. 

BY THE NUMBERS

Trump pleads not guilty to 34 felony counts 

Court documents unsealed today reveal 34 felony counts against Donald Trump, one for each instance of falsified records. The breakdown of records are:

• 11 cheques for hush money payments shown as retainers
• 11 invoices from Michael Cohen to the Trump Organization
• 12 Trump Organization general ledger entries

While falsifying business records may be a misdemeanour, DA Alvin Bragg noted, “it is a felony to falsify business records with intent to defraud and intent to conceal another crime.”  

THE WEEK IN TWEETS

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