We know you're busy, so we've hand-picked a few stories you might have missed from this week in politics!
At a summit in West Palm Beach, hosted by Turning Point Action, former President Donald Trump declared that if re-elected, Americans "won't have to vote anymore." Trump reiterated his commitment to appointing conservative judges to protect religious liberty and urged Christian voters to support him in the upcoming election, promising that future voting would no longer be necessary.
President Joe Biden, in a televised address, revealed plans to focus on Supreme Court reform in his final months in office, following his decision to end his re-election campaign and endorse Vice President Kamala Harris for the Democratic nomination. Biden emphasized the importance of Supreme Court reform for democracy and highlighted his administration's achievements, including the historic appointment of Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson. A Washington Post report noted Biden's consideration of significant changes to the Court, including term limits for justices and a constitutional amendment to eliminate broad immunity for presidents and top officials.
At a rally in Middletown, Ohio, state Sen. George Lang expressed fears that a civil war might be necessary if Republicans lose the November election, later recanting his remarks on social media. Lang, a supporter of Donald Trump and JD Vance, described the comments as made in the "excitement of the moment" and urged mindfulness in political discourse. His statements come amid heightened concerns about political violence, especially after a recent assassination attempt on Trump. Leaders from both parties have called for reducing inflammatory rhetoric.
Ohio will vote in November on a proposed amendment to remove politicians from the congressional and statehouse redistricting process, following sufficient valid signatures from the group Citizens Not Politicians. The amendment seeks to establish a 15-member panel composed of five Republicans, five Democrats, and five independents to draw district maps, replacing the current Ohio Redistricting Commission dominated by politicians. This initiative aims to create fairer electoral maps after past gerrymandering controversies. The Ohio Ballot Board will finalize the ballot language by August 22, with both proponents and opponents preparing to campaign for and against the measure.