CARLSBAD, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sep 28, 2023--

Donald Trump’s lawyer Alina Habba has stepped down from her role defending the former president in the fraud lawsuit filed against him by New York Attorney General Letitia James. Ms Habba has taken up a new role with Mr Trump’s Save America leadership political action committee. A press release issued by the PAC says that Mr Trump appointed Ms Habba to be his legal spokesperson and general counsel to Save America, though she will also still assist the former president with “certain legal matters”. “Alina has worked diligently and tirelessly on many of the witch-hunt cases that have been unfairly brought against President Trump,” said Steven Cheung, communications director for the Trump 2024 campaign. The statement continues: “While the Habba Madaio Law firm will continue to assist the President in certain legal matters, Ms Habba will withdraw from the New York Attorney General’s case against the Trump Organization and President Trump and other cases, in order to devote her time to Save America and her duties as his media representative on legal matters.” Ms Habba says: “It is an honour to be asked by such a leader as President Trump to help Save America. Being able to devote more time to addressing publicly his many legal matters is the privilege of a lifetime.” The appointment is effective immediately. Ms Habba is also tied to and more widely known for her role in the Mar-a-Lago classified documents case and was called before the federal grand jury. She spoke on Jesse Watters’ Fox News show amid news that the grand jury indicted Mr Trump on charges related to his allegedly unlawful retention of national defence information. The attorney claimed the indictment was a distraction from supposed impropriety on behalf of President Joe Biden of which House Republicans have so far failed to produce any evidence. “Every single time there is a coordinated dance that is becoming obvious to the American people because they are smart,” Ms Habba said. She added that the indictments of the twice-impeached former president were the equivalent of a “shiny ball” meant to distract the American public. “I’m embarrassed to be a lawyer at this moment,” she said. “Honestly, I am ashamed. I’m ashamed to be a lawyer. I’m ashamed that this is the state of our country.” Ms Habba claimed the indictment showed the United States had a two-tiered system of justice. “And it is so obvious that there’s this dual system of justice,” she said. “This is selective prosecution, selective persecution. It is absolute persecution. It is Russia third world stuff, and it should not be happening.” Read More Trump lawyer says she’s ‘ashamed’ and ‘embarrassed’ over secret papers indictment Trump attorneys worry some may snitch to feds as documents probe closes in, report claims Trump attorney Alina Habba reveals why his mugshot shouldn’t be released AOC says idea Trump is victim of a ‘two-tier’ justice system is an insult to Black and brown Americans

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis on Monday pledged $1 million to increase security at a historically Black college in

Kieran Trippier praised Jordan Henderson’s influence on and off the pitch after England’s vice-captain was booed by sections of the Wembley crowd. Friday’s friendly against Australia saw the 33-year-old line-up on home soil for the first time since his controversial summer switch from Liverpool to Saudi Arabian side Al-Ettifaq. Henderson has been a high-profile supporter of LGBTQ+ rights and last month apologised for any hurt he caused by moving to a country where homosexuality is illegal. The stand-in skipper’s name was met by murmurs before kick-off and the midfielder ended up being booed when substituted, with boss Gareth Southgate left angry by a reaction he felt “defies logic”. Long-standing international team-mate Trippier, who replaced Henderson, said: “I’m going to be honest I didn’t even notice it. I was obviously focused on coming on. “But, listen, Hendo has how many caps? 80 odd caps I think it is that he’s represented England. For me, I see him on daily basis, he is an unbelievable character, he’s a leader. What he does for the team, playing or not playing. “To be honest with you, I didn’t even recognise the reception because obviously I’m focused on my job to help the team cross the line and win. “But for me all I can say on Hendo is he’s a great leader, an unbelievable person to have in the dressing room and I think 80 caps plus speaks for himself. “On and off the pitch he’s a winner, the way he demands in training, the way he demands in games, in the dressing room before the games. He makes sure everyone trains properly, he sets standards and even myself at 33, when I look at him I follow it. All I can say on Hendo is he’s a great leader, an unbelievable person to have in the dressing room and I think 80 caps plus speaks for himself Kieran Trippier on Jordan Henderson “That’s what you need. Hendo has got everything, he’s a great captain. So, to be honest, don’t think I need to say much about Hendo’s leadership.” Pockets of England fans jeering their own is nothing new, with oft-criticised Harry Maguire booed by some supporters in their last Wembley friendly against Ivory Coast 18 months ago. “For us, as players, we stick together,” Trippier said. “That’s the most important thing. “We know how important Harry is, Hendo, or whoever it may be. The most important thing is us as a team, the staff, Gareth, everybody involved, we stick together. Internally, no problems. Everyone is calm and relaxed. “It’s shown how much character players like Harry has got, another leader, doesn’t let anything faze him and he gets on with it. Whenever he plays, he plays with a smile on his face and he’s an unbelievable person. That’s the most important thing.” England’s close-knit squad have bonded thanks to shared experiences, both good and bad, and can secure their place in a fourth major tournament under Southgate in Tuesday’s Euro 2024 qualifier against Italy. The group’s experienced core is complemented by up-and-coming stars, with none shining brighter than Jude Bellingham right now. The 20-year-old has scored 10 goals in 10 appearances for Real Madrid having slotted seamlessly into life in the Spanish capital, where Trippier won the LaLiga title at rivals Atletico. “At such a young age, with the maturity, the quality and the aggression he’s got, he’s frightening,” the Newcastle right-back said. “If you play well there in Madrid, the fans will love you. It’s no surprise to me how he’s started there because Jude is frightening. “Jude did unbelievable at Dortmund. He’s taken that experience with him. You see he’s playing with a freedom and the players around him are going to make his standards get even better. The most scary thing is he’s only 20 year old.” Asked if he can be the difference between falling short and going all the way, Trippier said: “He can be the difference but if you look throughout the whole team, from 2018 to now we’ve taken massive steps. “We lost in the Euros final, but the most important thing is we’re progressing, we’re doing very well. We’ve got players who can change games, we’ve got goals from all over the pitch. “Jude, Madders (James Maddison), obviously Bukayo (Saka), Phil (Foden), they can change games in certain moments. They’re still young. Representing England is a big thing but these guys are playing at the top level.” Read More Dan Burn’s dream comes true on a ‘special’ night for Newcastle Alan Shearer leads tributes after Newcastle’s Champions League demolition job Eddie Howe praises Jamaal Lascelles for stepping up as Newcastle stun PSG Trippier reveals son would prefer to walk out with Mbappe as mascot Kieran Trippier aims to ruin Kylian Mbappe’s Newcastle trip even if son is upset Italy ease past Malta to keep pressure on England in Euro 2024 qualifying

Harry Maguire will report for England duty next week re-established as a first-choice defender for Manchester United. When Gareth Southgate’s squad met up in October Maguire had made only two starts for Erik ten Hag’s side all season but he has been ever-present in the starting XI since, usually in a partnership with veteran Jonny Evans as Raphael Varane and Victor Lindelof have had to bide their time. Maguire and Evans is not a pairing many would have seen coming in the summer, when Maguire was being linked with a move away from Old Trafford and Evans was a free agent after leaving relegated Leicester. An injury to Evans will see a change made when Luton visit on Saturday, but Ten Hag said Maguire was keeping former Real Madrid defender Varane, a key part of last season’s success, out on merit. “Harry Maguire is doing very well at the moment, and I am very happy with that,” he said. “As I always said, Harry Maguire can do the job — and now he is showing he can do the job. “Last year Harry didn’t play a lot, so I was very happy with Rapha’s performances. I have always been happy with his performance. But in this moment, Harry is playing very well and there is internal competition.” Ten Hag sees Maguire and Varane as being in direct competition for the right side of central defence. Although Maguire has spent much of his career on the left, Ten Hag does not like the balance of his side with the 30-year-old there. “There are moments in certain games where they can play together and they have already proven they can do it,” he said. “But the build-up is not that fluid when one of them is playing from the left.” Last season, the partnership Varane formed with Lisandro Martinez, protected by Casemiro, helped United win the Carabao Cup and return to the Champions League. But with Martinez and Casemiro currently out injured along with Luke Shaw, and Varane out of favour, there is a different look at present. “The injuries don’t help us,” Ten Hag said. “So often you have to swap the back four and then you don’t get the routine. In such moments, it is so important to have routines. “We had a new keeper (Andre Onana) coming in and every time you form a new back four and they know the rules and principles, but the routines are not the same. “Communication is so important, but that is all split-second decisions. You need that cooperation and you need it 100 per cent because when it doesn’t work, then you concede goals at this level.” Wednesday’s dramatic 4-3 Champions League defeat in Copenhagen made it nine defeats from 17 games in all competitions for United this season, piling the pressure on Ten Hag amid on the ongoing wait for Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s purchase of a minority stake in the club to be completed. “Nothing has changed (in our approach),” Ten Hag added. “We stay in the same issues because we are not in the best moment, but I think I see that we are going forward, like at Fulham (a 1-0 win last weekend), and I thought Copenhagen was a very good game and we have to build on that. “Andre Onana came new in and in the last games has stepped up, Rasmus Hojlund is a new striker and he came in and is stepping up. That is good stuff. “We had some good midfield balance in the last two games, and hopefully we can keep that without new injuries in such departments and then I think we can really improve and find our success this season.” Read More Don’t worry about it – Ange Postecoglou brushes off series of Spurs setbacks ‘I heard what I heard’ – Tom Curry stands by racism claim against Bongi Mbonambi Katie Boulter has come ‘full circle’ as GB return to Copper Box for BJK Cup tie Mauricio Pochettino learned lessons from famous battle to mature as manager Mikel Arteta warns Aaron Ramsdale not to rush decision over Arsenal future Dawid Malan: I want to play on but I don’t know what my England future holds

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