Harry Litman on Leaving the LA Times & Trump's Legal Battles

Legal and Political Developments

• ⚖️ New York Attorney General Tish James will not drop the $450 million civil fraud case against Trump, even after his election, asserting the civil case is distinct from criminal proceedings.
• 🏛️ The Supreme Court has refused to lift the gag order against Donald Trump in his New York criminal case, upholding restrictions on his public statements about individuals involved in the trial.
• 🕵️‍♂️ An Inspector General report revealed the Trump administration's DOJ secretly obtained phone records of two members of Congress and 43 staffers during a leak investigation, raising concerns about executive branch interference with legislative oversight.
• 🏥 Mitch McConnell is receiving medical care after falling at a GOP Senate lunch, with reports indicating a sprained wrist and facial cut.

Harry Litman's Departure from the LA Times

• ✍️ Harry Litman resigned as a columnist for the LA Times, citing concerns over the newspaper's editorial direction and a perceived shift towards a more Trump-aligned narrative.
• 📰 Litman believes the media has a fundamental duty to report facts, and that the current climate requires a clear stance rather than a false "fair and balanced" approach when facts overwhelmingly support one side.
• 📢 He expressed that the ownership's actions, driven by fear and threats from Trump, combined with the dangerous political moment, necessitated his departure.
• 🗣️ The response to his resignation has been overwhelmingly positive, with many readers expressing gratitude for independent, fact-based reporting.

Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) Refunds

• 💰 Over 4 million Americans will receive $1.8 billion in refunds from the CFPB, stemming from illegal advance fees and deceptive advertising by credit repair companies like Lexington Law and Credit Repair.com.
• 🏦 The CFPB's victim's relief fund, financed by civil penalties, is distributing the largest amount yet, providing compensation even when violating companies have filed for bankruptcy.
• 📈 Established after the 2008 financial crisis, the CFPB has distributed over $3.3 billion to consumers harmed by various illegal practices, despite ongoing challenges from opponents, including calls from some Republicans to dismantle the agency.