US Domestic News Roundup: Ohio derailment probe focuses on valves; residents confront company; US Justice Dept seeks rejection of Trump immunity claim in Jan. 6 lawsuit and more

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit had asked for the Justice Department's view as it weighs whether to allow civil lawsuits against Trump over the riot. Factbox-A look at proposed US state laws to curb new gun merchant code Republican-backed bills introduced in legislatures in several U.S. states target the use of a planned merchant code for credit card transactions at gun retailers that is intended to detect suspicious firearms and ammunition sales.

Following is a summary of current US domestic news briefs.

Ohio derailment probe focuses on valves; residents confront company

The investigation into the Ohio train derailment has found that aluminum parts on three tank cars may have melted and caused pressure relief devices not to function, contributing to the release of toxic chemicals last month, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) said on Thursday. The Feb. 3 derailment of a Norfolk Southern-operated train in East Palestine, Ohio, caused cars carrying toxic vinyl chloride and other hazardous chemicals to spill and catch fire. Since the derailment, some of the town's 4,700 residents have reported ailments such as rashes and breathing difficulties and fear long-term health effects.

US Justice Dept seeks rejection of Trump immunity claim in Jan. 6 lawsuits

The U.S. Justice Department on Thursday urged an appeals court to reject former President Donald Trump's claim that he is automatically immune from lawsuits over his supporters' assault on the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit had asked for the Justice Department's view as it weighs whether to allow civil lawsuits against Trump over the riot.

Factbox-A look at proposed US state laws to curb new gun merchant code

Republican-backed bills introduced in legislatures in several U.S. states target the use of a planned merchant code for credit card transactions at gun retailers that is intended to detect suspicious firearms and ammunition sales. Major credit and debit card companies have committed to using the "merchant category code" for gun sellers, a development welcomed by gun control advocates who call it an important new tool for investigating suspicious purchases. Critics have said the code could be used to improperly track legal purchases of guns and ammunition.

U.S. House Ethics Committee opens probe of Republican congressman Santos

The U.S. House of Representatives Ethics Committee said on Thursday it had opened an investigation into Republican congressman George Santos, who has admitted to lying about his resume but defied calls to step down. The panel voted on Tuesday to investigate whether Santos engaged in illegal activity over his 2022 campaign, failed to properly disclose information required on House statements, violated federal laws concerning his role in a financial firm, and engaged in sexual misconduct toward someone seeking a job in his House office, the committee said in a statement.

Murdaugh faces possible life sentence after conviction in South Carolina murder trial

Richard "Alex" Murdaugh, the South Carolina lawyer found guilty of killing his wife and son in a grisly and complex case that has garnered international attention, faces 30 years to life in prison when he is sentenced by a judge on Friday. On Thursday a South Carolina jury declared Murdaugh, 54, guilty on two counts of gunning down his wife Maggie, 52, and youngest son, Paul, 22 on their family estate on June 7, 2021. He was also convicted of two related firearms charges.

Analysis-US Republicans aim to stymie gun sale codes at state level

Legislation being pursued by Republicans in several U.S. states aims to limit use of a planned merchant code for credit card transactions at gun retailers meant to detect suspicious firearms and ammunition sales, undermining a tool welcomed by gun control advocates. The bills were introduced in states including Texas, Florida, Mississippi, Oklahoma, West Virginia and Wyoming.

Pentagon Papers whistleblower Daniel Ellsberg diagnosed with terminal cancer

Daniel Ellsberg, the whistleblower who leaked the "Pentagon Papers" about the Vietnam War and exposed years of related U.S. government lies, said on Thursday that terminal pancreatic cancer had been diagnosed in him. "On February 17, without much warning, I was diagnosed with inoperable pancreatic cancer," Ellsberg, 91, said in a statement on Twitter. "I'm sorry to report to you that my doctors have given me three to six months to live."

US Supreme Court indicates it may sidestep major elections ruling

The U.S. Supreme Court on Thursday signaled it may sidestep a ruling in a major case involving a Republican bid to give state legislatures far more power over federal elections by limiting the ability of state courts to review their actions. The North Carolina Supreme Court last month granted a request by Republican state legislators to revisit its ruling last year against a map they devised of the state's 14 U.S. House of Representatives districts. In light of that, the U.S. Supreme Court asked the various parties in the case including the U.S. Justice Department to submit briefs offering views on the effect of the state court's actions on the justices' jurisdiction over the matter.

Biden says he would sign Republican bill overturning Washington, DC, crime laws

President Joe Biden said on Thursday he would sign a Republican-led bill that would overturn recent changes to Washington, D.C.'s laws which lowered penalties for some crimes, should it pass in the U.S. Senate. "I support D.C. statehood and home rule, but I don't support some of the changes D.C. Council put forward over the Mayor's objections, such as lowering penalties for carjackings," Biden said on Twitter after a meeting with Senate Democrats. "If the Senate votes to overturn what D.C. Council did, I'll sign it."

US senators reintroduce bill to make daylight saving time permanent

A bipartisan group of 12 U.S. senators on Thursday reintroduced legislation that would make daylight saving time permanent, nearly a year after the Senate voted unanimously to end clock switching. The Senate in March 2022 voted to end the twice-annual changing of clocks in the United States in a move promoted by supporters advocating brighter afternoons and more economic activity.