A court in Russia on Friday sentenced Evan Gershkovich, a reporter for The Wall Street Journal, to 16 years in a high-security penal colony. The court said this would end his espionage case but possibly open the way for a prisoner swap between the United States and Russia. The harsh sentence represented the first espionage […] The post “Disgraceful” “Sham” 16 Year Sentence for Evan Gershkovich appeared first on www.independentsentinel.com.

Sen. Jon Tester (D-MT) publicly called on President Joe Biden to end his re-election campaign on Thursday night as polls continue to show the 81-year-old trailing Donald Trump in key states. Tester is the latest Democrat politician to call on Biden to drop out of the race. Biden’s disastrous debate performance against Trump late last month sent his poll numbers spiraling. “Montanans have put their trust in me to do what is right and it is a responsibility I take seriously,” Tester said. “I have worked with President Biden when it has made Montana stronger, and I’ve never been afraid to stand up to him when he is wrong. And while I appreciate his commitment to public service and our country, I believe President Biden should not seek re-election to another term.” With his statement urging Biden to drop out, Tester joined Sen. Peter Welch (D-VT), who wrote an op-ed in The Washington Post on July 10 calling on Biden to end his campaign. “We cannot unsee President Biden’s disastrous debate performance. We cannot ignore or dismiss the valid questions raised since that night,” he wrote, later adding that Biden needed to “reassess whether he is the best candidate to” take on Trump in the election. “In my view, he is not,” Welch said. “For the good of the country, I’m calling on President Biden to withdraw from the race.” He said that the national conversation is solely focused on Biden’s “age and capacity” following the debate. Rep. Adam Schiff (D-CA) called for President Joe Biden to drop out of the presidential race on Wednesday, where he expressed “serious concerns” about Biden’s ability to beat Trump. “President Biden has been one of the most consequential presidents in our nation’s history, and his lifetime of service as a Senator, a Vice President, and now as President has made our country better,” Schiff told The Los Angeles Times. “But our nation is at a crossroads. A second Trump presidency will undermine the very foundation of our democracy, and I have serious concerns about whether the President can defeat Donald Trump in November.” He acknowledged that while Biden was the one who had to make the decision, it was time for him “to pass the torch” and “secure his legacy of leadership” by allowing another Democrat the opportunity to beat Trump. “I will do everything I can to help them succeed,” Schiff said. “There is only one singular goal: defeating Donald Trump. The stakes are just too high.” Former President Barack Obama and Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) are reportedly working behind the scenes to get President Joe Biden to end his re-election campaign. The Washington Post reported that Obama has been deeply engaged in conversations about the future of Biden’s campaign and is pulling strings trying to get Biden to drop out of the race. Obama has looked at polls showing that Biden is losing ground on Trump and has told people he is becoming increasingly concerned about donors abandoning the party. Pelosi, the former Speaker of the House, told Biden that he could not beat Trump and that if he stayed in, he could ruin the party’s chances of winning Congress in November, according to CNN. Other top Democrats, including Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY), have reportedly warned Biden that if he stays in the race, Democrats may get thumped this November.

CNN political analyst John King broke down an electoral map on Thursday that showed President Donald Trump with a commanding lead over President Joe Biden. King explained that Trump’s third presidential campaign is unlike his first two. “He is ahead,” he said. “And you could even say he’s ahead in a commanding way that is growing.” King showed CNN’s current projections that Trump already has enough electoral college votes to win the 2024 presidential election if only Republican strongholds and states that lean Republican are counted. “If he just won the states on this map, that we have as either solid or leaning Republican, he’s already the next president of the United States. 272 electoral votes,” he said. “But the data in recent days we know, Trump is now ahead. Trump is now ahead in Pennsylvania. Trump is now ahead in Wisconsin. Trump is ahead in this Nebraska congressional district. Trump is ahead out here in Arizona.” He said that Trump could easily get to 330 electoral votes if swing states go for him and states that lean Democrat, like Virginia, were to vote for him. “And then you come up to New Hampshire, Trump is in play there,” he said. “There are Republicans talking about maybe Minnesota. There are Democrats worried about Colorado and New Mexico. Look at this map right here. Potentially 330 electoral votes.” “The president is in trouble,” King said, adding that Trump is “in the driver’s seat.” WATCH: ‘The President Is So Weak’: CNN’s John King Spells Out Bad News For Biden As Trump’s Lead Widens pic.twitter.com/HCzy7pQWZF — Daily Caller (@DailyCaller) July 18, 2024

Former U.S. Senator Ben Sasse (R-NE) announced on Thursday that he is stepping down as the president of the University of Florida because his wife was diagnosed with a serious medical condition that will require him to be home more often. Sasse, who has been at the school since November 2022, said that his wife Melissa suffered an aneurysm and series of strokes in 2007 and that doctors had been preparing the family for the worst. “We’ve battled some nasty seizures the last couple years, but she’s always remained a warrior,” he said. “In recent months, Melissa has been diagnosed with epilepsy and has been struggling with a new batch of memory issues. It’s been hard, but we’ve faced it together.” He said that his role as a husband and a father takes priority over his professional career and that his wife “deserves a husband who can pull his weight, and my kids need a dad who can be home many more nights.” “After extensive prayer and lots of family tears, I today asked UF Chair Mori Hosseini and our Board of Trustees to initiate a search for a new president of the university,” he said. “I need to step back for a time and focus more on the needs of my family while we rebuild more stable household systems.” Mori Hosseini, chair of the Board of Trustees, said in a statement: “The Board of Trustees thanks Dr. Sasse for his service to the University of Florida. Under his leadership, UF has continued to advance on the national and international stage, benefiting our students, faculty, alumni, community and state. He has left a lasting impact on the university and all of those associated with it. We wish Ben all the best as he steps back to focus on his family.” Dear Gator Nation and cherished friends, This isn’t an easy note to write but wanted to give you an update on our family. As many of you know, my wife Melissa suffered an aneurysm and series of strokes in 2007. Back then, the docs prepared us for the worst, but – in God’s… — Ben Sasse (@BenSasse) July 19, 2024

Former President Donald Trump on Thursday night accepted the Republican nomination for president for the third time in a keynote speech that set a record for the Republican National Convention (RNC). Trump’s address effectively signaled the end of the four-day convention that officially settled the GOP presidential ticket. The former president spoke for more than 90 minutes in a broad-ranging address that began with him recounting his near-assassination at his campaign rally on Saturday. At the end of his speech, Trump was joined on stage by his wife, Melania, and the Trump family. The entire Trump family joins the stage at the end of President Trump's speech. Truly incredible moment ?? pic.twitter.com/Y93WDzR0zA — Benny Johnson (@bennyjohnson) July 19, 2024 During his speech, Trump honored Corey Comperatore, a retired firefighter who died on Saturday shielding his wife and daughter during the assassination attempt against Trump. Tragically, the shooter claimed the life of one of our fellow Americans, Corey Comperatore, and seriously wounded two other great warriors, David Dutch and James Copenhaver. — President Donald J. Trump pic.twitter.com/6W04vbXSKA — Team Trump (Text TRUMP to 88022) (@TeamTrump) July 19, 2024 One of the key themes throughout the speech was unity and a promise to represent every American, whether Trump received their votes or not. “To every citizen — whether you are young or old, a man or woman, Democrat, Republican, or independent, black or white, Asian or Hispanic — I extend to you a hand of loyalty and friendship,” Trump said. To every citizen — whether you are young or old, a man or woman, Democrat, Republican, or Independent, black or white, Asian or Hispanic — I extend to you a hand of loyalty and friendship. Together, we will lead America to new heights of greatness like the world has never seen. pic.twitter.com/c0MkzeSqYC — Team Trump (Text TRUMP to 88022) (@TeamTrump) July 19, 2024 Trump attributed his surviving the assassination attempt – during which a bullet tore his right ear – to divine intervention. He relayed what took place from his perspective for the first and what he said would be the last time. Kid Rock performed an original song written for the convention prior to Trump’s speech. Kid Rock performs at RNC: "I need everybody to put a fist up in the air!" "Fight! Fight!" pic.twitter.com/mDx7KpLSb5 — The Post Millennial (@TPostMillennial) July 19, 2024 Trump was introduced by UFC CEO Dana White, who, in a short but powerful address, touted Trump’s personal character and resiliency as a friend of 25 years. Dana White’s full five and a half minute speech at the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee tonight ?? pic.twitter.com/uCSTFFPmuB — MMA Orbit (@mma_orbit) July 19, 2024 Retired wrestling star Hulk Hogan, whose real name is Terry Bollea, delivered a WWE-worthy pump-up speech during which he ripped off his shirt. .@HulkHogan brings the house down! ? pic.twitter.com/JbPEwi4GSs — MAGA War Room (@MAGAIncWarRoom) July 19, 2024 The day’s lineup also featured Tucker Carlson, the former Fox News host who has launched an independent media company since leaving the network. The final day of the convention also featured personal stories of Americans suffering from President Joe Biden’s policies and leadership, a staple throughout the convention. Real estate investor Steve Witkoff, a longtime friend of Trump, spoke of his son’s death from opioids. Steve Witkoff: It is a dark hour for America, but there is nobody I trust more in this moment than DONALD J. TRUMP.#RNCinMKE pic.twitter.com/cPC5hNc08r — Team Trump (Text TRUMP to 88022) (@TeamTrump) July 19, 2024 Lorenzo Sewell, the pastor at a church in Detroit, addressed black Americans and encouraged them to back Trump against Biden. Rev. Lorenzo Sewell is raising the roof at the RNC. “I was mentored by murderers and raised by the streets.” “He (Trump) came to the hood because he cares about average everyday Americans.” “What would you ask for your birthday? He (Trump) asked for prayer.” pic.twitter.com/KBTuQBoHCB — Allen Lively (@AllenLivelyLOF) July 18, 2024

UFC President Dana White spoke about his friendship with former President Donald Trump on Thursday night during his speech at the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee. White said he received a call from Trump two weeks ago asking if he would be willing to speak at the event and that the former president was concerned about interrupting the time White spent with his family. “He’s fighting for the future of this country and he’s concerned about interrupting my family trip. That’s the President Trump that I know. A man who truly cares about people,” he said. “The mainstream media likes to push the narrative that he doesn’t care about anyone but himself. I absolutely know that’s not the truth because I’ve been friends with this guy for 25 years. And for the people who know me, they’ll know this is true.” “I’m in the tough guy business and this man is the toughest, most resilient human being that I’ve ever met in my life,” he later added. “The higher the stakes, the harder he fights and this guy never ever gives up. So what’s at stake here? The answer is in President Trump’s text and I quote ‘a fight for our country’.” White said that Trump “is a proven leader, a fearless leader, and this country was in a much better place when he was in the Oval Office.” He also called Trump “a real American bad*ss,” which comes just days after Trump was shot during an assassination attempt at a campaign rally in western Pennsylvania. WATCH: WATCH: @danawhite on the choice Americans will make this fall: “I know I’m gonna choose strength and security. I know I’m gonna choose opportunity and prosperity. I know I’m gonna choose real American leadership and a real American badass.” pic.twitter.com/dTwEAKxlkw — Steve Guest (@SteveGuest) July 19, 2024

The outage is global and impacting potentially millions of people