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| State of the Union 2019: Pelosi invites trans soldiers to Trump's address – live | State of the Union 2019: Pelosi invites trans soldiers to Trump's address – live |
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| Nine classmates of embattled Virginia governor Ralph Northam have signed a letter insisting that he was neither the man in blackface or the man in a Ku Klux Klan hood in a picture on his medical school year book page. | |
| NEW: Letter from nine of @RalphNortham med school classmates:“We fully believe Governor Ralph Northam is neither of the individuals in those repugnant costumes. We attended classes with the Governor. We socialized with him. We knew him very well.” | |
| Northam has faced near universal calls to resign after the picture came out and he since admitted to appearing in blackface as part of a Michael Jackson dance party. He has insisted though that he was not in the picture. | |
| Fans and protesters alike turned out in New York’s Times Square on an unusually warm February Tuesday at the Playstation Theater where talk-show legend Oprah Winfrey was due to interview once-Democrat Golden Boy and former Texas Congressman Beto O’Rourke. | |
| Amidst other celebrity guests like Bradley Cooper and Michael B. Jordan, all eyes are on O’Rourke during Winfrey’s show as he re-emerges into the political scene. Though potential presidential ambitions have simmered in rumors, O’Rourke has kept a relatively low-profile the past few weeks after his narrow loss to U.S. Senator Ted Cruz, a move atypical of potential presidential candidates. | |
| Looking to capitalize on the media kerfuffle around O’Rourke’s appearance, a group of about 30 protesters supporting the controversial Green New Deal gathered outside the theater to pressure O’Rourke into voicing his support. | |
| Protesters held signs reading “Green New Deal” and “What’s your plan?”, along with other like “No fossil fuel money” which referred to O’Rourke’s purported broken pledge to not take oil and gas money for his campaign. The group chanted “What do we want? Green New Deal” and held their signs as ticket holders of the event lined up in front of the theater to go through security. Some in line were handed fliers that had a picture of Beto and a slogan “Step Up Or Step Aside.” | |
| “This is the beginning of an effort… where we’ll be consistently protesting and urging candidates to step up their game,” said Pete Sikora of New York Communities for Change, a grassroots organizing not-for-profit that coordinated the protest with the other organizations like Sunrise Movement, a climate change youth activist not-for-profit. “Not only do we want them to support a Green New Deal, but we want them to put it as a central part of their platform.” | |
| Specific policies within the plan have yet to unfold, but the general gist is massive government investment into clean energy jobs and infrastructure as well as policies that support low-income communities, like a federal job guarantee. Originally touted by U.S. Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Justice Democrats and the Sunrise Movement, the deal has received support from presidential hopefuls Kamala Harris, Elizabeth Warren and Cory Booker. | |
| Though most ticket holders in line said they were mostly excited to see Winfrey, who herself has denied rumors of a presidential run, a few O’Rourke voters and fans are in the audience. | |
| Olga Espinal of Queens, New York, came to the event with her daughter, Daniella Rico. Both said they were excited to see O’Rourke and would likely support O’Rourke if he decided to run for president. | |
| “I was really excited about him during the campaign,” said Espinal, who is originally from Colombia. “He’s compassionate, he’s different. I like his approach to immigration.” | |
| Winfrey’s interview with O’Rourke is set to air Feb. 16 on her cable TV channel OWN. | |
| •The White House promised this morning that Donald Trump’s State of the Union address will focus on unity. The president is set to deliver a message of optimism and ‘comity’, aides said, in his speech to the House. | •The White House promised this morning that Donald Trump’s State of the Union address will focus on unity. The president is set to deliver a message of optimism and ‘comity’, aides said, in his speech to the House. |
| •But Trump almost immediately undermined that promise, as he picked a fight with Senate minority leader Chuck Schumer and criticized the media. Trump said Schumer: “[Is] upset that he didn’t win the Senate, after spending a fortune, like he thought he would. Too bad we weren’t given more credit for the Senate win by the media! | •But Trump almost immediately undermined that promise, as he picked a fight with Senate minority leader Chuck Schumer and criticized the media. Trump said Schumer: “[Is] upset that he didn’t win the Senate, after spending a fortune, like he thought he would. Too bad we weren’t given more credit for the Senate win by the media! |
| •Elswehere, Former coal lobbyist Andrew Wheeler moved a step closer to being in charge of the Environment Protection Agency. In his recent confirmation hearing Wheeler downplayed the severity of man-made climate change. | •Elswehere, Former coal lobbyist Andrew Wheeler moved a step closer to being in charge of the Environment Protection Agency. In his recent confirmation hearing Wheeler downplayed the severity of man-made climate change. |
| Donald Trump’s four visits to Mar-a-Lago in early 2017 cost the taxpayer $13.6m, according to a report by the Government Accountability Office. | Donald Trump’s four visits to Mar-a-Lago in early 2017 cost the taxpayer $13.6m, according to a report by the Government Accountability Office. |
| Between February 3 and March 5 2017 Trump spent all but one weekend at the Florida resort, a total of 15 days, at an average cost of nearly $1m a day. | Between February 3 and March 5 2017 Trump spent all but one weekend at the Florida resort, a total of 15 days, at an average cost of nearly $1m a day. |
| The president’s trips incurred $10.6 million for operating costs of government aircraft and boats, according to the GAO, a non-partisan body. Those trips cost a further $3 million for “temporary duty costs” of the government employees who supported Trump’s travel, including transportation, lodging, and meals and incidental expenses. | The president’s trips incurred $10.6 million for operating costs of government aircraft and boats, according to the GAO, a non-partisan body. Those trips cost a further $3 million for “temporary duty costs” of the government employees who supported Trump’s travel, including transportation, lodging, and meals and incidental expenses. |
| Trump has made multiple trips to Mar-a-Lago since those early visits. | Trump has made multiple trips to Mar-a-Lago since those early visits. |
| Business trips taken by Trump family members cost the US taxpayer further hundreds of thousands of dollars, the GAO said. | Business trips taken by Trump family members cost the US taxpayer further hundreds of thousands of dollars, the GAO said. |
| “The United States Secret Service incurred about $396,000, primarily for temporary duty costs, while protecting Donald Trump, Jr. and Eric Trump during three international trips taken in January and February 2017,” the report said. | “The United States Secret Service incurred about $396,000, primarily for temporary duty costs, while protecting Donald Trump, Jr. and Eric Trump during three international trips taken in January and February 2017,” the report said. |
| A federal judge has agreed to dismiss a legal claim by Stormy Daniels against Michael Cohen. | A federal judge has agreed to dismiss a legal claim by Stormy Daniels against Michael Cohen. |
| US District Court Judge James Otero allowed Daniels to drop a defamation case against Cohen on Monday. The claim was part of a larger lawsuit Daniels filed against Trump last year, arguing that a non-disclosure statement agreed with Trump was void as the then-presidential candidate hadn’t signed it. | US District Court Judge James Otero allowed Daniels to drop a defamation case against Cohen on Monday. The claim was part of a larger lawsuit Daniels filed against Trump last year, arguing that a non-disclosure statement agreed with Trump was void as the then-presidential candidate hadn’t signed it. |
| That case against Trump is still ongoing. | That case against Trump is still ongoing. |
| In December a separate case from Daniels against Trump, for defamation, was dismissed by Otero. Daniels was ordered to pay Trump nearly $293,000 for his attorneys’ fees. | In December a separate case from Daniels against Trump, for defamation, was dismissed by Otero. Daniels was ordered to pay Trump nearly $293,000 for his attorneys’ fees. |
| Nancy Pelosi has invited two transgender soldiers to the State of the Union tonight, in a likely rebuke to Donald Trump. | Nancy Pelosi has invited two transgender soldiers to the State of the Union tonight, in a likely rebuke to Donald Trump. |
| Captain Jennifer Peace and Major Ian Brown, both active duty members of the US army, will be Pelosi’s guests in the chamber, along with Washington DC mayor Muriel Bowser, DNC Chair Tom Perez and a number of activists. | Captain Jennifer Peace and Major Ian Brown, both active duty members of the US army, will be Pelosi’s guests in the chamber, along with Washington DC mayor Muriel Bowser, DNC Chair Tom Perez and a number of activists. |
| Trump summarily barred transgender people from the military in a series of tweets in July 2017, reportedly taking military leaders by surprise. The president said the military “cannot be burdened with the tremendous medical costs and disruption that transgender (sic) in the military would entail”. | Trump summarily barred transgender people from the military in a series of tweets in July 2017, reportedly taking military leaders by surprise. The president said the military “cannot be burdened with the tremendous medical costs and disruption that transgender (sic) in the military would entail”. |
| A 2016 study commissioned by the Department of Defense found that allowing transgender people to serve in the military would have “minimal impact” on medical costs or on readiness. | A 2016 study commissioned by the Department of Defense found that allowing transgender people to serve in the military would have “minimal impact” on medical costs or on readiness. |
| Virginia governor Ralph Northam is still clinging to office, as the furore continues over the ‘blackface’ scandal of his own making. | Virginia governor Ralph Northam is still clinging to office, as the furore continues over the ‘blackface’ scandal of his own making. |
| Northam is said to be weighing whether or not to resign as governor, with Democrats in Virginia and beyond calling for him to leave his position. | Northam is said to be weighing whether or not to resign as governor, with Democrats in Virginia and beyond calling for him to leave his position. |
| State senator Louise Lucas, a prominent African-American lawmaker and former Northam ally who has pressed for him to step down, told the Associated Press that Northam doesn’t need to take a few more days to make up his mind. | State senator Louise Lucas, a prominent African-American lawmaker and former Northam ally who has pressed for him to step down, told the Associated Press that Northam doesn’t need to take a few more days to make up his mind. |
| “I am so praying that he will do that and get it behind us,” Lucas said. “What’s a little bit more of time going to do for us?” | “I am so praying that he will do that and get it behind us,” Lucas said. “What’s a little bit more of time going to do for us?” |
| The Associated Press writes that the recruiting arm for senate Republicans is poking at Stacey Abrams, even before she delivers the formal rebuttal to Trump’s State of the Union message. | The Associated Press writes that the recruiting arm for senate Republicans is poking at Stacey Abrams, even before she delivers the formal rebuttal to Trump’s State of the Union message. |
| The National Republican Senatorial Committee released a brief video online Tuesday, stringing together snippets of past comments by Abrams – including her stating: “This is not a speech of concession” after her narrow loss to Republican Brian Kemp in last year’s race for Georgia governor. | The National Republican Senatorial Committee released a brief video online Tuesday, stringing together snippets of past comments by Abrams – including her stating: “This is not a speech of concession” after her narrow loss to Republican Brian Kemp in last year’s race for Georgia governor. |
| Other clips show Abrams talking about impeachment, presumably for Trump, and telling an interviewer that she tells folks she’s ‘met herself’ and “I’m not overly impressed.” At that point, the words, “Finally, something we agree on,” appear on screen. | Other clips show Abrams talking about impeachment, presumably for Trump, and telling an interviewer that she tells folks she’s ‘met herself’ and “I’m not overly impressed.” At that point, the words, “Finally, something we agree on,” appear on screen. |
| Abrams is being encouraged by Democrats to run for Senate next year against first-term Republican Senator David Perdue of Georgia. | Abrams is being encouraged by Democrats to run for Senate next year against first-term Republican Senator David Perdue of Georgia. |
| Meanwhile, she’s crafted the cover pic on her Twitter account to show her beaming confidently and reminding her third of a million followers that she’ll be giving the response to the SOTU tonight. | Meanwhile, she’s crafted the cover pic on her Twitter account to show her beaming confidently and reminding her third of a million followers that she’ll be giving the response to the SOTU tonight. |
| Democrats are making a powerful statement without anyone uttering a word at the State of the Union address tonight. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi will sit on the dias behind Trump; Stacey Abrams, who narrowly missed becoming Georgia’s first black woman governor, will deliver the Dems’ official response. And now White House aspirant Kamala Harris is set to deliver what’s being called a “prebuttal” address live on Facebook before the event. | Democrats are making a powerful statement without anyone uttering a word at the State of the Union address tonight. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi will sit on the dias behind Trump; Stacey Abrams, who narrowly missed becoming Georgia’s first black woman governor, will deliver the Dems’ official response. And now White House aspirant Kamala Harris is set to deliver what’s being called a “prebuttal” address live on Facebook before the event. |
| NEWS: I'm delivering remarks tonight on Facebook Live ahead of the President’s State of the Union Address. It's critical we speak truth to the American people during this inflection moment in our country's history. Tune in at approximately 7:45PM ET --> https://t.co/J944ScCiVq | NEWS: I'm delivering remarks tonight on Facebook Live ahead of the President’s State of the Union Address. It's critical we speak truth to the American people during this inflection moment in our country's history. Tune in at approximately 7:45PM ET --> https://t.co/J944ScCiVq |
| The Associated Press writes that Donald Trump’s nominee to replace Brett Kavanaugh on a high-profile appeals court said Tuesday she cringes at some of the language she used as a college student in writing about sexual assault, race and equal rights for women. | The Associated Press writes that Donald Trump’s nominee to replace Brett Kavanaugh on a high-profile appeals court said Tuesday she cringes at some of the language she used as a college student in writing about sexual assault, race and equal rights for women. |
| Neomi Rao told the Senate judiciary committee that writings in which she criticized affirmative action and suggested that intoxicated women were partly responsible for date rape do not reflect her current thinking. | Neomi Rao told the Senate judiciary committee that writings in which she criticized affirmative action and suggested that intoxicated women were partly responsible for date rape do not reflect her current thinking. |
| “I like to think I’ve matured as a thinker, writer and a person,” she said at a confirmation hearing for a seat on the US Circuit court of appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit. Trump nominated Rao for the seat left vacant when Brett Kavanaugh joined the supreme court. | “I like to think I’ve matured as a thinker, writer and a person,” she said at a confirmation hearing for a seat on the US Circuit court of appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit. Trump nominated Rao for the seat left vacant when Brett Kavanaugh joined the supreme court. |
| Rao, who currently serves as administrator of the White House Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, said there were “certainly some sentences and phrases” from her college writing in the 1990s that “I would never use today.” | Rao, who currently serves as administrator of the White House Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, said there were “certainly some sentences and phrases” from her college writing in the 1990s that “I would never use today.” |
| Senator Joni Ernst, Republican of Iowa, who recently revealed she was raped by her boyfriend as a college student, said Rao’s writings “give me pause,” in part because of the message they send to young women who may be reluctant to report a rape, as Ernst was. | Senator Joni Ernst, Republican of Iowa, who recently revealed she was raped by her boyfriend as a college student, said Rao’s writings “give me pause,” in part because of the message they send to young women who may be reluctant to report a rape, as Ernst was. |
| Rao called rape a “horrible crime” and said anyone who commits rape should be prosecuted. Her comment that women should stay sober to avoid placing themselves at risk was merely “common sense” advice that her own mother gave her, Rao said. | Rao called rape a “horrible crime” and said anyone who commits rape should be prosecuted. Her comment that women should stay sober to avoid placing themselves at risk was merely “common sense” advice that her own mother gave her, Rao said. |
| Rao, 45, worked in the George W. Bush White House but has never tried a case in state or federal court. | Rao, 45, worked in the George W. Bush White House but has never tried a case in state or federal court. |
| Liberal activists and some Democrats have seized on Rao’s writings, in which she also derided LGBT rights as part of a “trendy” political movement and questioned the science behind global warming. | Liberal activists and some Democrats have seized on Rao’s writings, in which she also derided LGBT rights as part of a “trendy” political movement and questioned the science behind global warming. |
| Rao said on Tuesday she believes in equal rights for women and LGBT people and said she believes in the “overwhelming” scientific consensus that climate change is real. | Rao said on Tuesday she believes in equal rights for women and LGBT people and said she believes in the “overwhelming” scientific consensus that climate change is real. |