Here's what's trending in politics in Georgia and around the nation on Tuesday.
1. Haley tells UN 'enough is enough'
Nikki Haley on Monday told United Nations Security Council members that "enough is enough" when it comes to North Korea's threatening nuclear actions, and that the "incremental approach" the body has taken clearly "has not worked. Haley, the U.S. ambassador to the U.N., said "The time has come to exhaust all diplomatic means to end this crisis. Only the strongest sanctions will enable us to solve this problem through diplomacy."
2. DACA decision to be announced Tuesday
President Donald Trump is expected to call for an end to a program that shielded some undocumented immigrants from immediate deportation if they were brought to the United States as children. Sources say Trump will end the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program in six months. The delay is intended to give Congress time to address the status of the nearly 800,000 immigrants now in the program, The Associated Press reports.
3. New leader coming to Cuba
Cuba has begun a five-month period of political evolution that will end with a new president. The process where local groups meet to nominate city, provincial and, eventually, national officials, began Monday, according to the AP.
4. Judge to rule in Richard Spencer speech suit
A federal judge is expected to rule soon on a lawsuit filed on behalf of a Georgia State student whose request to rent space at Michigan State University for a speech by white nationalist Richard Spencer was turned down. According to The Detroit Free Press, the suit, filed Sunday, said the decision violates the right to free speech. Michigan State authorities said the speech was canceled due to security concerns. Spencer popularized the term "alt-right.
5. Menendez trial set to begin Wednesday
On Wednesday, a sitting U.S. senator will be in court facing bribery charges – the first time in 36 years. Democrat Robert Menendez, (New Jersey), is accused of using his influence to do favors for a Florida eye doctor who is accused of overbilling Medicare. Menendez allegedly received lavish vacations and private jet rides in return for his help.
6. Trump opposition groups helping down-ballot candidates
The Associated Press looks at how groups who oppose President Trump have refocused their efforts on candidates in local and state races. Organizations such as MoveOn.org are focusing on down-ballot races. Atlanta mayoral candidate Vincent Fort has found himself the recipient of some of that support.
7. New voters are going independent
According to a story from Ballotpedia, a growing number of new voters or those re-registering after changing addresses are tending to register neither as Republicans or Democrats, but as independents or some other party. According to the story, a shift away from traditional party registration has been seen in the 31 states and the District of Columbia that make information about voter registration public. Georgia has an open primary system and does not require a voter to register with a party to cast a vote in primary elections. Both the Democrat and Republican parties saw drops in membership last month.
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