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A highly unusual move by the Justice Department to retry Florida nursing home owner Philip Esformes on health-care fraud criminal charges after then-President Donald Trump commuted his 20-year prison sentence is headed to an appeals court hearing as defense lawyers suggest prosecutors are motivated by anger at Trump. "The situation is entirely unique because the actions of the prosecutors here are incredibly outrageous," said Joe Tacopina, a leading New York criminal defense attorney. "There's no question in my mind that the [Justice Department's] flagrant disregard of President Trump's clemency order is motivated by acrimony towards him," said Tacopina. Tacopina is...

“She has incredible communication skills. She is not only a Harvard grad who is brilliant, but she has incredible insight and knowledge on every important issue of the day,” Fox News’ Sean Hannity said, adding, “On top of that, one of the nicest people on television and a huge asset to the Trump campaign and any show she is on. A.J. just crushed it on TV — a total natural talent.”

No one disputes who killed San Jose resident Donna Fife -- not even the teenager who slammed his beige Honda Civic into her so hard her neighbors said they heard a sickening thud. What jurors will have to decide is whether the young man, Richard Delgado, killed the popular matriarch in 2009 intentionally. Delgado, now a short, skinny 23-year-old with a shaved head and thin mustache, is charged with one count of murder. As the first day of Delgado's long-awaited trial got under way Monday afternoon, Fife's still grief-stricken husband of 25 years, Mark, clutched his sister-in-law's hand, and about...

Delgado to stand with Mets during 'God Bless America'Associated Press NEW YORK -- Now that he's been traded to the New York Mets, Carlos Delgado says he is willing to stand on the field during the playing of "God Bless America." After putting on a Mets jersey at a Shea Stadium news conference Monday, Delgado said he spoke about his anti-war protest with New York chief operating officer Jeff Wilpon. "I gave him my views on that subject and I also said I would not put myself in front of the team," Delgado said. "The Mets have a policy that...

Carlos Delgado is a hero, and not because of his play on the field as a first baseman for the Toronto Blue Jays. In fact, he’s in the midst of his worst season as a professional baseball player. No, Delgado is a hero because he is using the influence and notoriety our society has rightly or wrongly bestowed upon him as an athlete to express his views about a worthwhile topic--the ongoing war in Iraq. He has made it known he will not stand along with other players and fans during the playing of “God Bless America” at Major-League ballparks...

  By Mark Kreidler Special to ESPN.com   At first glance, the cases of Carlos Delgado and Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf could scarcely appear less alike. Aside from being pro athletes, they have little in common. One is a baseball player from Puerto Rico, the other a now-retired basketball guard from Gulfport, Miss. One's political views were shaped mostly by his upbringing; the other's were profoundly influenced by his religious beliefs. Carlos Delgado says he doesn't believe in the war in Iraq. Even the songs they protest are different. Abdul-Rauf, then of the Denver Nuggets, drew the ire of the NBA's fan...

How much of the patriotism and piety in sports is sincere, how much public relations? It's a question I've often wondered while standing for 5,843 variations of "The Star-Spangled Banner" (some Francis Scott Key wouldn't recognize), listening to 967 recitals of "God Bless America," (the late great Kate Smith still belting it out), and seeing 231 military fly-bys (hoping they don't crash into the stadium). Sometimes I wonder it while I'm humming the anthem or mouthing the words, watching ballplayers scratch and spit and, occasionally, fall asleep on their feet. There's a phoniness to all the packaged patriotism that sports...

NEW YORK (AP) -- Fervently anti-war, Carlos Delgado quietly carried out his personal protest this season, refusing to stand when ``God Bless America'' was played at ballparks across the majors. Most fans never saw him disappearing up the dugout tunnel or staying on the bench. And even teammates who disagreed with the Toronto slugger's political stance accepted his right to call the United States' invasion of Iraq ``the stupidest war ever.'' This week, though, a lot more people noticed. The Blue Jays played at Yankee Stadium for the first time this year on Wednesday night. It's the only park in...