Dozens of Jeffrey Epstein court documents unsealed, naming high-profile figures: The Morning Rundown, Jan. 4, 2024

Dozens of court documents related to Jeffrey Epstein are unsealed to the public. And the Justice Department is suing Texas over its new immigration law. These stories and more highlight The Morning Rundown for Thursday, Jan. 4, 2024.

Previously sealed Jeffrey Epstein court documents released

Hundreds of pages of previously sealed court documents related to Jeffrey Epstein, the millionaire who was charged with sex trafficking, were released to the public for the first time Wednesday evening, Jan. 3.

The 40 documents, of around 250 that are expected to be unsealed in days ahead, largely mentioned high-profile figures that have already been known, names of Epstein’s friends and victims who have spoken publicly. The documents are being unsealed as part of a lawsuit filed by alleged victim Virginia Giuffre against Epstein’s former girlfriend, Ghislaine Maxwell. Maxwell was convicted in 2021 for helping recruit underage victims for Epstein. She is serving a 20-year prison sentence.

The released documents include previously reported deposition transcripts by one of the girls hired by Maxwell, which mentioned former Presidents Bill Clinton and Donald Trump, neither of whom is accused of wrongdoing. A Clinton spokesperson responded to the release of the documents, referring to a 2019 statement that said the former president had flown on Epstein’s private plane but had no knowledge of his “terrible crimes.”

Trump did not immediately respond but had previously said he had not been in touch with Epstein for 15 years before his death. Epstein died by suicide in 2019 while awaiting trial. Other names in the document include Prince Andrew. Giuffre settled a lawsuit against him in 2022.

The judge, who decided what should be unsealed, said she ordered the release of the records because much of the information is already public. When all documents are unsealed, they are expected to include nearly 200 names, including accusers, well-known businesspeople, and politicians.

Imam dies after being shot outside New Jersey mosque

Police in New Jersey continue to search for the shooter who killed an Imam outside of a mosque while as they also look to determine a motive. The fatal shooting occurred around 6 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 3, in Newark. Police said the Imam, Hassan Sharif, was shot multiple times. Sharif was taken to the hospital in critical condition but died hours later. Authorities said preliminary evidence indicated the shooting was not motivated by bias or was an act of domestic terrorism.

New Jersey Attorney General Matthew Platkin said the motive is still being investigated. Platkin said security at houses of worship in the state has been ramped up amid growing reports of threats and violence against Muslims and Jews in America since the start of the war between Israel and Hamas in October.   

Justice Department sues Texas over immigration law

Last month, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott, R, signed a bill into law that allows local police to arrest migrants who cross the border illegally. Now, the Justice Department is taking Texas to court over it.

I like my chances.

Texas Gov. Gregg Abbott, R

The law has already been met with a lot of opposition; some critics said it could lead to racial profiling, and some sheriffs said it would overwhelm local jails and courts. The DOJ asked a federal court in Austin, Texas, to rule that the new law is unconstitutional as it violates the Supremacy Clause, which establishes that federal laws take precedence over state laws.

“Texas cannot run its own immigration system. Its efforts, through SB 4, intrude on the federal government’s exclusive authority to regulate the entry and removal of noncitizens, frustrate the United States’ immigration operations and proceedings, and interfere with U.S. foreign relations,” the lawsuit said.

Biden sued me today because I signed a law making it illegal for an illegal immigrant to enter or attempt to enter Texas directly from a foreign nation.

I like my chances.

Texas is the only government in America trying to stop illegal immigration. pic.twitter.com/3NsVnkQ8WM

— Greg Abbott (@GregAbbott_TX) January 4, 2024

Meanwhile, Abbott contends that the law is necessary as he called President Biden out for inaction as migrants continue to flood the southern border at record numbers. Abbot said that Texas has been left to fend for itself. In a post on “X” referring to the lawsuit, Abbot said, “I like my chances.”

Trump challenges Colorado’s decision to bar him from 2024 ballot

As the 2024 presidential primary rapidly approaches, former President Donald Trump is focused on multiple fronts, from civil litigation to criminal charges and eligibility challenges brought in two states, Maine and Colorado, where he has been deemed ineligible to hold public office and barred from the ballot.

By considering the question of President Trump’s eligibility and barring him from the ballot, the Colorado Supreme Court arrogated Congress’ authority.

Trump’s legal team

Trump is now asking the U.S. Supreme Court to weigh in on Colorado’s Supreme Court ruling taking him off the ballot. Colorado’s landmark Dec. 19 ruling is the first time a presidential candidate has been disqualified under the 14th Amendment insurrection clause. Trump’s team contends that individual states do not have the authority to determine eligibility of presidential candidates, arguing that authority is reserved for the United States Congress.

“By considering the question of President Trump’s eligibility and barring him from the ballot, the Colorado Supreme Court arrogated Congress’ authority,” Trump’s team wrote.

The challenge to the U.S. Supreme Court follows a similar challenge to Colorado’s ruling by the state’s GOP. Colorado has paused the decision until the Supreme Court makes its ruling; the Colorado presidential primary is slated for March 5.

FDA investigating reports of Ozempic side effects of hair loss, suicidal thoughts

The Food and Drug Administration has announced that it is looking into three possible side effects that could be linked to a group of medications that have soared in popularity as weight loss aides. These drugs include:

• Ozempic
• Moujaro
• Wegovy

The FDA said it is evaluating reports of side effects such as hair loss, aspiration, and suicidal thoughts in people taking these medications. These drugs have been approved to treat diabetes or weight loss. The FDA said while investigating these reported side effects, the agency has not concluded the drugs have these risks. Novo Nordisk, the company behind Ozempic and Wegovy, said it stands behind the safety of its medicines when they are used as indicated. 

 U-Haul report: Most Americans who moved in 2023 headed to Texas

Most Americans who decided to pick things up, rent a moving truck, and move to a different state in 2023 headed for Texas. That’s according to U-Haul, as the moving equipment company on Wednesday, Jan. 3, released its annual growth index report, which tracks the net gain of one-way equipment U-Haul trucks arriving in a state in a calendar year.

It was the third consecutive year Texas netted the largest number of movers. Florida ranked second, followed by North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee. California saw the most one-way U-Haul trucks leaving the state. U-Haul said that while its growth index is based on more than 2.5 million moving transactions each year and indicates how well states attract new residents, it does not correlate directly to population or economic growth.