Key Highlights in Recent U.S. Domestic News

From Trump's hush money trial to Biden's judicial appointments and student debt relief, significant political and social developments loom large. Other notable events include a devastating Iowa tornado and U.S. citizens retaining their vehicles for a record period.

Following is a summary of current US domestic news briefs.

Trump opts not to take witness stand in hush money case as testimony ends

Former U.S. President Donald Trump opted not to testify in his criminal hush money trial on Tuesday, bringing his defense to a quick conclusion and clearing the way for jurors to begin deliberations next week. Trump had stoked speculation for weeks about whether he would take the stand to defend himself against charges of falsifying business records to cover up a hush-money payment to porn star Stormy Daniels before the 2016 presidential election.

Democratic US lawmakers introduce bill to bar foreign payments to president

Democratic U.S. lawmakers introduced legislation on Tuesday that would bar the president and other top officials from accepting payments from foreign governments while in office, a measure clearly aimed at Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump. The bill, which has no chance of passing the Republican-controlled U.S. House of Representatives as the Nov. 5 election approaches, is aimed at tightening enforcement of the Constitution's "Emoluments Clause."

Biden to secure 200th judicial confirmation as election looms

President Joe Biden is set to secure U.S. Senate confirmation of his 200th appointment to the federal judiciary on Wednesday, surpassing his Republican predecessor Donald Trump's pace even as the clock ticks toward their Nov. 5 election rematch. Reaching this milestone at this point in his presidency is evidence, according to Biden's allies, that he may achieve a goal his fellow Democrats not long ago fretted could be out of reach - matching Trump's tally of 234 judges appointed to life-tenured positions on the federal bench in four years in office.

How Trump's hush money trial verdict could affect the 2024 election

Jurors hearing the first-ever criminal trial of a former U.S. president could render their verdict in Donald Trump's hush money case as soon as next week, with potentially big implications for the 2024 White House race. Trump has pleaded not guilty to 34 counts of falsifying business records to cover up a payment that bought the silence of porn star Stormy Daniels shortly before the 2016 election. Daniels had threatened to go public with her account of an alleged 2006 sexual encounter with Trump, a liaison he denies.

Americans keep vehicles for record 12.6 years on average despite easing supplies, S&P says

Automobile owners in the United States are holding on to their vehicles longer, according to a new study, even as major supply disruptions caused by the COVID pandemic ease and availability at dealerships rise. The average age of U.S. cars and light trucks this year rose to a record 12.6 years, according to the report by S&P Global Mobility on Wednesday, up by two months from 2023.

Biden's approval rating falls to lowest level in nearly two years-Reuters/Ipsos poll

U.S. President Joe Biden's public approval rating this month fell to its lowest level in almost two years, tying the lowest reading of his presidency in a warning sign for his reelection effort, a Reuters/Ipsos poll showed. The four-day poll, which closed on Monday, showed just 36% of Americans approve of Biden's job performance as president, down from 38% in April. It was a return to the lowest approval rating of his presidency, last seen in July 2022. While this month's drop was within the poll's 3 percentage point margin of error, it could bode poorly for Biden as he faces off with Republican Donald Trump in the Nov. 5 presidential election.

Iowa tornado kills 'multiple' people in small town reduced to rubble

A powerful tornado ripped through a small Iowa town on Tuesday, killing multiple people and leaving at least a dozen injured, authorities said. Images from the town of Greenfield show a path of utter destruction, with homes reduced to splinters, debris strewn everywhere and several large wind turbines toppled.

Biden cancels $7.7 billion more in student debt for 160,000 borrowers

U.S. President Joe Biden on Wednesday announced the cancellation of another $7.7 billion in student debt for 160,000 borrowers, bringing the total number of people to benefit from his debt relief push to 4.75 million, despite Republican opposition. Biden, keen to shore up waning support among young people ahead of the November presidential election, had pledged last year to find other avenues for tackling debt relief after the Supreme Court in June blocked his broader plan to cancel $430 billion in student loan debt.

Exiled Chinese businessman Guo Wengui goes on trial for fraud

Jury selection begins on Wednesday in the criminal trial of exiled Chinese businessman Guo Wengui, who U.S. prosecutors have accused of defrauding thousands of investors and supporters out of more than $1 billion. The trial before U.S. District Judge Analisa Torres in Manhattan could last into July.

Facing criticism, Trump says he won't ban birth control

Donald Trump said on Tuesday he does not support a ban on birth control, after coming under fire for comments he made earlier in the day that political opponents said suggested he would consider restricting contraceptives. "I HAVE NEVER, AND WILL NEVER ADVOCATE IMPOSING RESTRICTIONS ON BIRTH CONTROL," the Republican presidential candidate said on his social media site, Truth Social.

(This story has not been edited by Devdiscourse staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)