Former Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson attends DNC

KUAR | By Ronak Patel

During the Democratic National Convention (DNC) last week, former Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson, was one of the handful of Republicans, at the event.

In an interview with Fox News, Hutchinson said he was not at the event to endorse Vice President Kamala Harris. However, he said he still believes Donald Trump should not be the next president and the Republicans need to move on from the former president.

“We need to define it [the Republican Party] differently than Donald Trump and the rule of law is important to me. I said on the debate stage I’m not going to vote for a convicted felon. That still holds true,” Hutchinson said.

Former Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson attends DNC

Former Arkansas Governor Asa Hutchinson - Flickr Image

Constitutional expert said he believes recent immunity ruling by Supreme Court is too broad

KUAR | By Ronak Patel

Last week, the U.S Supreme Court ruled in favor of former President Donald Trump in the Trump v. United States case, according to NPR News.

In the opinion, the majority wrote that any president has immunity when they are exercising their “core constitutional duties.” In an interview with KARK Channel 4’s Capitol View, John DiPippa, dean emeritus of the Bowen School of Law and a constitutional expert, said one of the issues with this ruling is it is difficult to determine whether or not a president is acting within their official capacity.

“The details make it very difficult to ever show a president’s acts are unofficial,” Dipippa said. “For example, the court said if a president talks to a cabinet official or the attorney general that’s an official act and you can’t use the conversation to prove that it was unofficial or if he was pursuing a private goal.”

Constitutional expert said he believes recent immunity ruling by Supreme Court is too broad

Olivier Douliery/AFP Via Getty Images

Justices of the U.S. Supreme Court

U.S. Supreme Court grants Trump partial win in immunity question

by Michael Tilley (mtilley@talkbusiness.net)

The U.S. Supreme Court on Monday (July 1) ruled that former President Donald Trump does not have total immunity, but would have the “presumption” of immunity for any official acts while in office. The ruling is seen as a victory for Trump.

Early legal analysis suggests the Court’s ruling will make it more difficult for Special Prosecutor Jack Smith to pursue the Jan. 6 insurrection case against Trump because it potentially limits evidence that can be used by the prosecution. The justices were split 6-3 on the opinion and along partisan lines. Chief Justice John Roberts delivered the majority opinion. (Link here for a PDF of the opinion.)

As part of his challenge to allegations he illegally tried to interfere with the 2020 election process, Trump and his attorneys claim that as a former president he is immune to criminal prosecution. Federal law now provides immunity to a president while in office with the immunity related to a president’s official actions.

U.S. Supreme Court grants Trump partial win in immunity question

Rep. Crawford statement on SCOTUS decision in Trump v. United States

Washington, D.C. — Representative Rick Crawford (AR-01) released the following statement after the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision in Trump v. United States.

“The SCOTUS decision today confirms that a President is immune from criminal prosecution for official acts within his ‘conclusive and preclusive constitutional authority.’ This ruling should prove to any Justice Department official, Democrat or Republican, that politically motivated prosecutions cannot be directed at the President. Clearly, some of the indictments in Special Counsel Jack Smith’s case against President Trump are likely unconstitutional. Instead of rushing to a conclusion that is not based on our Constitution and established caselaw, the District Court should reflect on this ruling and determine the best course forward for our nation and not a pre-desired political outcome,” said Rep. Crawford.

Elected officials, partisans react to Trump guilty verdict

by Talk Business & Politics staff (staff2@talkbusiness.net)

Predictably, most Arkansas Republican officials and Democratic leaders had split views on the guilty verdict involving former President Donald Trump, the GOP nominee for President in 2024.

Trump was found guilty Thursday (May 30) by a Manhattan district court jury on all 34 counts in the so-called hush money charges brought against him by Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg Jr. The charges related to Trump paying $130,000 to porn star Stormy Daniels prior to the 2016 election to prevent her from going public with her story. The payments were facilitated by Trump’s then-attorney, Michael Cohen, and were disguised illegally as attorney expenses versus campaign expenses.

Arkansas Gov. Sarah Sanders, who served as press secretary to Trump in the White House, said the trial was unfair and that Trump would be elected again in November.

Elected officials, partisans react to Trump guilty verdict

Former Gov. Asa Hutchinson on Presidential strategy, Trump and abortion

by Roby Brock (roby@talkbusiness.net)

Former Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson officially filed paperwork to run for U.S. President in his home state Friday (Nov. 10).

He shared his thoughts on his long shot candidacy, GOP frontrunner former President Donald Trump, and the issue of abortion, which played out in several state elections on Tuesday on this week’s edition of Capitol View and Talk Business & Politics.

Hutchinson said he’s asked regularly why he remains in the race for the Republican nomination for President despite his low polling numbers and inability to qualify for some debates.

Former Gov. Asa Hutchinson on Presidential strategy, Trump and abortion

Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders to endorse Trump in GOP presidential primary

From the Arkansas Advocate:

Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders said Monday night that she will endorse Donald Trump for president.

She plans to appear alongside the former president at a rally in Hialeah, Florida Wednesday evening.

About 15 miles away, the other Republican presidential candidates will be participating in a third debate, which Trump plans to again skip.

“It’s not a question between right versus left anymore. It’s normal versus crazy, and President Biden and the left are doubling down on crazy,” Sanders said in a statement late Monday. “The time has come to return to the normal policies of the Trump era which created a safer, stronger, and more prosperous America, and that’s why I am proud to endorse Donald Trump for President.”

Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders to endorse Trump in GOP presidential primary

Karen E. Segrave/Arkansas Advocate

Sarah Huckabee Sanders addresses the crowd after she was sworn in as the 47th Governor of Arkansas in January 2023.

Asa Hutchinson qualifies for GOP Presidential debate stage

by Talk Business & Politics staff (staff2@talkbusiness.net)

Former Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson said Sunday (Aug. 20) he has qualified for the first GOP Presidential debate.

His campaign disclosed that he had submitted nearly 42,000 unique donors to the Republican National Committee. A requirement for participation in the first GOP debate, to be held in Milwaukee on Wednesday (Aug. 23), was 40,000 donors.

“I am thankful to the tens of thousands of Americans who have contributed to my campaign and helped ensure my message of consistent, commonsense, conservative leadership is represented on the debate stage this Wednesday evening,” said Hutchinson. “I intend to continue speaking the truth when it comes to the responsibility that Donald Trump bears for the attacks on our democracy and justice system. I look forward to a substantive debate in Milwaukee.”

https://talkbusiness.net/2023/08/asa-hutchinson-qualifies-for-gop-presidential-debate-stage/

Gov. Hutchinson receiving encouragement for Presidential run, discusses Sanders’ transition

by Roby Brock (roby@talkbusiness.net)

After last week’s historic midterm elections and with former President Donald Trump expected to declare he will make another run for President, term-limited Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson says he is still contemplating a run for the 2024 GOP nomination.

On Thursday in an interview following his budget presentation to state lawmakers, Hutchinson said he’s receiving a lot of encouragement to make a bid for President.

“Well, it’s on the table, it’s under consideration and it’s premature to make a decision. But I’ve had an incredible amount of encouragement. I tell folks that I’ve actually had more encouragement from people of Arkansas to run for president than I had when I ran for Governor. And so that’s how I compared it a little bit,” Hutchinson said.

https://talkbusiness.net/2022/11/gov-hutchinson-receiving-encouragement-for-presidential-run-discusses-sanders-transition/

Trump Endorses Tim Griffin for Arkansas Attorney General

by Roby Brock

Former President Donald Trump has endorsed Lt. Governor Tim Griffin in his bid for Arkansas Attorney General.

Trump issued the following statement on Friday (March 5), saying Griffin was his choice in the 2022 race.

“Lieutenant Governor Tim Griffin, who is running for Attorney General, is a highly respected Army Veteran who will always fight for the great people of Arkansas. Tim will be tough on Crime, defend our Second Amendment, loves our Military and our Vets, and will stand shoulder-to-shoulder with the brave Men and Women of Law Enforcement. Tim Griffin has my Complete and Total Endorsement!”

https://talkbusiness.net/2021/03/trump-endorses-tim-griffin-in-ag-bid/

Poll: Razor Close For Arkansas 2nd District Between French Hill, Joyce Elliott

A new Talk Business & Politics-Hendrix College survey of 698 2nd Congressional District likely voters shows a virtual dead heat between incumbent GOP U.S. Rep. French Hill and his Democratic challenger, State Sen. Joyce Elliott.

2nd District voters are also favoring Joe Biden over President Donald Trump in the Presidential race.

https://www.ualrpublicradio.org/post/poll-razor-close-arkansas-2nd-district-between-french-hill-joyce-elliott

Poll: Razor Close For Arkansas 2nd District Between French Hill, Joyce Elliott

A new Talk Business & Politics-Hendrix College survey of 698 2nd Congressional District likely voters shows a virtual dead heat between incumbent GOP U.S. Rep. French Hill and his Democratic challenger, State Sen. Joyce Elliott. 2nd District voters are also favoring Joe Biden over President Donald Trump in the Presidential race.