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A recently unearthed 22-page transcript found at the National Archives sheds light on a lesser-known chapter of American history involving President Abraham Lincoln and an ancestor of President Joe Biden.

Biden’s Ancestor Pardoned

The transcript reveals that Lincoln, the 16th President of the United States, pardoned Biden’s great-great-grandfather, Moses J. Robinette, in 1864. Robinette, a civilian veterinary surgeon in the Union Army during the Civil War, was sentenced to two years of hard labor for injuring a colleague during an altercation on a military base in Florida.

The Altercation

The incident occurred on March 21, 1864, when Robinette engaged in a verbal dispute with another civilian employee, John J. Alexander, which escalated into a physical altercation. Robinette, wielding a pocketknife, injured Alexander, leading to his arrest and subsequent military trial.

Petition for Pardon

Following Robinette’s conviction, three Army officers petitioned Lincoln to overturn the sentence. With the support of a senator from West Virginia, Lincoln granted Robinette a pardon on September 1, 1864, through Special Order No. 296.

Reversal of Fortune

Robinette’s pardon marked a turning point in his fortunes, as he had endured significant hardships during the war. Union soldiers destroyed his hotel in Virginia, and his wife passed away early in the conflict. Robinette later found employment caring for the Army’s animals before the altercation that led to his imprisonment.

Self-Defense Claim

During the trial, Robinette maintained that he acted in self-defense against Alexander, who was physically larger and instigated the confrontation. This assertion was supported by the Army officers who advocated for his pardon, emphasizing Robinette’s lack of malice and the circumstances of the altercation.

Legacy and Descendants

After his release from prison, Robinette returned to his family’s farm in Maryland. Now, generations later, his descendant, President Joe Biden, occupies the same political arena once governed by Lincoln.

The discovery of this transcript offers a glimpse into a lesser-known aspect of American presidential history, highlighting Lincoln’s exercise of executive clemency and its impact on the life of an individual connected to a future president.

Democratic Representative David Trone delivered a speech applauding President Joe Biden’s performance while acknowledging the impact of his age during a Maryland Democratic club’s gathering on February 21.

Recognition of Biden’s Performance

Trone expressed admiration for Biden’s work, describing him as “working and firing on all cylinders.” Despite Biden’s age of 81, Trone emphasized the president’s active engagement in his duties.

Acknowledgment of Aging

However, Trone candidly acknowledged that Biden’s age has started to manifest itself, noting a slower pace in speech and movement. He recognized the observable effects of aging but maintained his support for the president.

Leveraging Talent

Drawing from his experience as a CEO, Trone highlighted the importance of surrounding oneself with competent individuals to effectively lead. He emphasized the role of talented individuals in government and stressed the need for collaboration and delegation.

Humorous Response

Trone injected humor into his speech, joking about the common sentiment of wishing Biden were younger. He playfully acknowledged his own wish to be younger while affirming his confidence in Biden’s leadership abilities.

Political Context

Trone’s remarks come amidst speculation about his potential candidacy for the Senate, aiming to succeed retiring Democratic Senator Ben Cardin. His statements reflect his continued engagement in both congressional representation and potential senatorial aspirations.

Clarification and Endorsement

In response to the circulated video, Trone clarified his remarks, reiterating his admiration for Biden’s performance as president. He emphasized his unwavering support for Biden, underscoring the president’s commendable job despite any concerns about age.

Trone’s remarks encapsulate a nuanced perspective on President Biden’s leadership, blending acknowledgment of age-related observations with steadfast support for his presidential capabilities.

A historic Texas ranch, listed for sale at $180 million, has suffered extensive damage due to wildfires sweeping across the Texas Panhandle, the owners disclosed on Thursday.

Turkey Track Ranch Affected

The Turkey Track Ranch, spanning approximately 80,000 acres, faced significant devastation, with initial assessments indicating that about 80% of its pastures, plains, and creek bottom vegetation were consumed by the fires.

Unparalleled Losses

The owners expressed deep sorrow over the loss of livestock, crops, wildlife, and infrastructure, describing it as an unprecedented tragedy in the ranch’s history. They extended gratitude to the firefighters who battled to protect the property.

Rich History

The Turkey Track Ranch holds a prominent place in Texas history, being one of the original ranches in the Panhandle. It boasts a rich Native American heritage and is renowned for its association with the battles of Adobe Walls in 1864 and 1874.

Impact of Smokehouse Creek Fire

The ranch, located in northern Texas, fell victim to the Smokehouse Creek Fire, the largest among multiple wildfires raging across the Panhandle. The blaze, which erupted earlier in the week, has been labeled the most extensive and destructive wildfire in Texas’s history.

Escalating Crisis

As of Thursday, the fire had scorched nearly 1.1 million acres, surpassing the size of Rhode Island, with only a minimal containment effort underway. Tragically, two fatalities have been confirmed in connection with the disaster.

State and Federal Response

In response to the escalating crisis, Texas Governor Greg Abbott issued a disaster declaration for 60 affected counties, acknowledging the severity of the wildfires. President Joe Biden, visiting the US-Mexico border in Texas, pledged federal support, directing officials to provide all possible assistance to the affected communities.

Amidst the devastation wrought by the wildfires, efforts are underway to contain the flames and mitigate the profound impact on the affected regions.

Amidst the unveiling of a new border bill by a bipartisan group of senators, one GOP representative drew attention by likening the proposed legislation to a scandalous incident involving a sex tape filmed in a Senate hearing room.

Discontent Over Border Bill

Republican Representative Mike Collins expressed his strong disapproval of the new border bill in a social media post, labeling it as the “worst screwing in the Senate” since a controversial incident involving a Democratic staffer.

Comparison to Senate Sex Tape

Collins made a comparison to a past controversy where a former Senate staffer was recorded engaging in sexual activity in a room typically occupied by Senator Amy Klobuchar. The reference to this incident underscores Collins’ dissatisfaction with the border legislation.

Republican Opposition

Collins is not alone in his opposition to the bill, as many other Republican lawmakers have voiced their concerns. Additionally, a few Democrats, including Senators Alex Padilla and Bob Menendez, have also joined the chorus of criticism.

Key Provisions of the Border Bill

The proposed border bill, spanning nearly 300 pages, includes provisions granting the Department of Homeland Security the authority to close the border and restrict immigration under certain conditions. It also empowers the Secretary of Homeland Security to take immediate action in emergency situations involving undocumented immigrants.

House Response

House Majority Leader Steve Scalise has firmly stated that the bill will not even be considered for a vote on the House floor. Similarly, Speaker of the House Mike Johnson has indicated that the legislation would face significant opposition if it were to reach the House.

In summary, the new border legislation has stirred controversy and drawn sharp criticism from both Republican and Democratic lawmakers. The comparison made by Representative Collins reflects the intensity of opposition to the proposed bill, signaling potential challenges ahead for its passage.