Trump and Rogan interview and Harris rally in Houston updates for Election 2024.

A federal judge in Virginia has blocked the state from continuing a systematic program aimed at removing alleged noncitizens from its voter registration lists. This order from U.S. District Judge Patricia Giles was in response to a challenge brought by the Justice Department and voting rights groups against a program created by Governor Glenn Youngkin to purge noncitizens from the state voter rolls.

Giles sided with the Justice Department, noting that the effort was undertaken too close to the election. Federal law mandates that states must complete programs systematically removing ineligible voters from registration lists at least 90 days before the election. Governor Youngkin announced his executive order to create Virginia’s program exactly 90 days before Election Day, which the judge deemed problematic.

The judge’s ruling requires state election officials to restore over 1,500 individuals who were purged from voter registration rolls, unless they submit a removal request or are ineligible due to a criminal conviction or mental incapacity. The state must also inform affected registrants by mail that their voter registration has been reinstated.

Youngkin, a Republican, expressed disappointment with the decision and stated that he plans to seek relief from the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 4th Circuit and the Supreme Court if necessary.

Meanwhile, The Washington Post’s publisher has announced that the editorial board will not be endorsing a candidate for president for the first time since 1988 and intends to refrain from future endorsements in presidential elections. The decision, made by Post publisher and CEO William Lewis, signals a return to the newspaper’s tradition of not endorsing presidential candidates.

Lewis, who took over as publisher last year, explained that the editorial board’s stance is a departure from past practices and will be maintained moving forward.

In other news, former President Trump is set to rally in Georgia on Monday to address high housing costs and inflation. Additionally, he is scheduled to hold a rally in Milwaukee before Election Day. Trump’s campaign has confirmed these upcoming events.

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell and House Speaker Mike Johnson, top Republicans in Congress, criticized Vice President Kamala Harris for labeling Trump as a “fascist,” cautioning that such rhetoric could incite political violence. The Republicans urged Harris to abandon what they perceive as irresponsible rhetoric that poses a threat to American lives and institutions.

McConnell and Johnson pointed out that Harris’ recent remarks about Trump heighten tensions and contradict her previous calls for civility, especially in light of the increased risks of political violence.

With early voting underway in several key states, more than 32 million people have already cast their ballots. Data from the University of Florida’s Election Lab shows a significant turnout, with Democrats leading in early voting compared to Republicans. While Republicans have cast more in-person ballots, Democrats have returned a higher number of mail-in ballots.

Former Trump White House staffers are backing John Kelly after the former chief of staff stated that Trump’s actions align with fascist qualities and compared him to Adolf Hitler. Thirteen members of the Trump administration endorsed Kelly’s assessment, highlighting Trump’s contempt for the military and his admiration for dictators.

Kelly, a retired U.S. Marine Corps general, raised concerns about Trump’s leadership style and his motivations for power, leading to further scrutiny of the former president’s behavior.

Trump is scheduled to record an interview with Joe Rogan in Austin for Rogan’s popular podcast, “The Joe Rogan Experience.” The podcast, known for its broad appeal to younger male audiences, has a large following and presents an opportunity for Trump to engage with a diverse audience.

Additionally, Beyoncé is expected to appear with Harris at a rally in Houston, adding star power to the event. Beyoncé’s support for Harris comes amidst her legacy of endorsing Democratic candidates in various elections, demonstrating her commitment to political engagement.

Notably, former President Obama joined Harris on stage at a recent rally in Atlanta, where musician Bruce Springsteen also performed. Springsteen endorsed Harris, emphasizing the importance of unity and inclusivity in contrast to what he described as Trump’s divisive leadership.

The rally, attended by thousands of supporters, highlighted the campaign’s focus on building a more cohesive and forward-thinking vision for America.