U.S. Justice Department Orders Intensified Probe Into Antifa and Domestic Extremist Groups 
Trump Administration Tightens H-1B Visa Vetting With New Focus on Free Speech and Censorship 
UN General Assembly Demands Russia Return Ukrainian Children Amid Ongoing Conflict 
Cuba Reaffirms Anti-Drug Cooperation as Tensions Rise in the Caribbean 
California Launches Portal for Reporting Alleged Misconduct by Federal Immigration Agents 
Pentagon Probe Finds Hegseth’s Use of Signal Risked Exposing Sensitive Yemen Strike Details 
China’s Expanding Maritime Military Presence Alarms Taiwan and Japan 
Hong Kong Faces Low Turnout in “Patriots-Only” Election Amid Public Grief After Deadly Fire 
Honduras Election Turmoil Deepens as Nasralla Alleges Fraud in Tight Presidential Race 
Australia and Japan Strengthen Defence Cooperation Amid Rising Regional Tensions 
Trump’s Name Appears on U.S. Institute of Peace Ahead of Rwanda–Congo Deal Signing 
U.S. Repatriation Flight Carrying 266 Venezuelan Migrants Lands in Caracas 
Honduras Election Turmoil Intensifies as Nasralla Blames Trump for Shift in Results 
Trump and Lula Discuss Trade, Sanctions, and Security in “Productive” Phone Call 
Taiwan Signals Openness to Renew Ties with Honduras as Election Unfolds 
China Urged to Prioritize Economy Over Territorial Ambitions, Says Taiwan’s President Lai 
Trump Claims He Will Void Biden Documents Signed with Autopen 
Former first lady Michelle Obama is now throwing her support behind Democratic legislation that would give voters access to early voting and mail-in voting options. With the coronavirus still spreading across the country, these options are among the safest options for voters so they can continue to exercise their rights without potentially exposing themselves to the pathogen.
“Americans should never have to choose between making their voices heard and keeping themselves and their families safe,” Michelle Obama said in a statement, according to CNN. “Expanding access to vote-by-mail, online voter registration and early voting are critical steps for this moment -- and they're long overdue.”
The U.S. is in the midst of a health crisis as tens of thousands of new COVID-19 cases are reported each day. The country has the highest number of coronavirus cases in the world with over 560,000 confirmed infections as of April 13, according to Worldometers.
To protect voters from the risk of contracting the virus, Democrats have been pushing to expand early and mail-in voting options. These practices would also be in line with the social distancing practice encouraged by health experts in an effort to flatten the coronavirus growth curve.
However, some Republicans remain opposed to expanding the practice. President Donald Trump “has repeatedly dismissed the notion of a nationwide vote-by-mail system” over fears that the practice might be exploited and would be the “source of widespread voter fraud.”
Michelle Obama released her statement via the nonpartisan organization she co-chairs called When We All Vote. The former FLOTUS argued that “there is nothing partisan about striving to live up to the promise of our country; making the democracy we all cherish more accessible; and protecting our neighbors, friends and loved ones as they participate in this cornerstone of American life.”
Earlier, Michelle Obama criticized Wisconsin’s decision to push for in-person voting to commence for the state’s Democratic primary. “Today, Wisconsin voters had to choose between making their voice heard and keeping themselves and their family safe. No American should ever have to make that choice,” the former FLOTUS tweeted on April 8. “We must do better to ensure voting is safe for all voters. The latest Wisconsin voting information is below.”
