Joe Biden drops out of the 2024 presidential race.
President Joe Biden announced on July 21 that he would no longer run for reelection. This unprecedented announcement came after Biden’s debate with Republican candidate Donald Trump, which raised doubts regarding the president’s age. “While it has been my intention to seek reelection, I believe it is in the best interest of my party and the country for me to stand down,” Biden wrote in a letter posted to social media. The president also quickly endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris as the Democratic presidential nominee, encouraging his party to “unite behind her.”
Protests erupt in Venezuela amid election uncertainty.
Deadly protests erupted across the country after President Nicolás Maduro claimed victory in the recent election. Venezuela’s opposition disputed Maduro’s win as fraudulent, saying that after reviewing the voting tallies, it was clear that the opposition candidate, Edmundo González, had won. At least 24 people have been killed in the protests, and Venezuelan authorities say that more than 1,000 people have been detained. There has been heavy military and police presence on the streets of the country’s capital, Caracas, in order to disperse protesters and prevent them from reaching the presidential palace.
U.S. Olympic Team sets new records and milestones.
From first-time medals to world records, Team USA has achieved many unforgettable milestones over the last two weeks of competition. Katie Ledecky added four new medals to her collection this year, making her the most decorated swimmer of all time with 14 medals. The US also set two world records on the final night of swimming at the Olympics. Simone Biles has also made history in Paris after winning her eighth Olympic medal, making her the most decorated American gymnast in history. The U.S. men’s gymnastics team also earned bronze in their team final to secure their first medal since 2008.
Recent Supreme Court decisions.
The Supreme Court ended its term in July with historic rulings regarding presidential immunity, abortion, and gun laws. The court ruled that presidents have immunity from prosecution for official actions related to their core constitutional duties. However, presidents are not entitled to immunity for unofficial acts. This topic was weighed by the justices as it relates to Donald Trump’s four-count criminal indictment. The Supreme Court also preserved access to mifepristone, a widely used abortion medication. In a unanimous decision, the justices ruled that the case lacked legal standing. In addition to this, in an 8-1 decision, the Supreme Court also upheld a federal law banning gun possession by those under a domestic violence restraining order. This means that individuals who pose a credible threat to others can be temporarily disarmed in line with the Second Amendment.
