Jury expected to begin considering their verdict in case claiming the former US president raped the advice columnist in 1996
Good morning, US politics blog readers. A jury in New York City is expected to today begin deliberating after hearing evidence in a civil lawsuit brought by advice columnist E Jean Carroll, who alleges that Donald Trump raped her in 1996. Trump denies the allegations, but a guilty verdict could further tar the former president as he seeks a second term in the White House amid several legal entanglements – including state and federal criminal investigations into his attempts to overturn the 2020 elections. There’s no telling if a verdict would come today, but we’ll let you know if it does.
Here’s what else is happening today:
Joe Biden will meet with congressional leaders to break a logjam between Democrats and Republicans over raising the debt ceiling ahead of 1 June, when the US government could default. The meeting is set for 4pm ET.
Democrats on the Senate judiciary committee have sent letters to Republican megadonor Harlan Crow and his businesses demanding details about their links to supreme court justices, particularly Clarence Thomas.
White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre briefs reporters at 1pm.
