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Top Virginia Republican edited yearbook containing racial slurs – live Top Virginia Republican edited yearbook containing racial slurs – live
(35 minutes later)
Representative Jerry Nadler, the Chairman of the House Judiciary Committee has issued a response to acting Attorney General Matthew Whitaker who refused to come to an oversight hearing scheduled tomorrow, unless he is guaranteed he won’t face a subpoena.
My response to Acting AG Whitaker regarding the use of a subpoena for tomorrow's @HouseJudiciary hearing. pic.twitter.com/x6whDtaVX8
“If you appear before the Committee tomorrow morning and it fyou are prepared to respond to questions from our Members, then I assure you that there will be no need for the Committee to issue a subpoena on or before February 8” Nadler wrote.
The Department of Justice has not yet responded to the letter.
Gabrielle Canon here, taking over for Ben Jacobs for the afternoon.
The Associated Press writes that a newly unsealed court transcript in Paul Manafort’s criminal case reveals details about an August 2016 meeting at the “heart” of the Russia investigation:
A prosecutor for special counsel Robert Mueller says the meeting between Manafort and Konstantin Kilimnik goes to the “larger view of what we think is going on” and what “we think the motive here is”.
Previous court documents have revealed that one of the topics discussed by Manafort and Kilimnik was a possible peace plan to resolve the Russia-Ukraine conflict in Crimea.
The comments came during a hearing over whether Manafort lied to investigators and violated the terms of his plea agreement. Many details from the transcript are blacked out”.
Emily Holden and Lauren Gambino report from DC:Emily Holden and Lauren Gambino report from DC:
The Green New Deal pioneers on Capitol Hill insist they have support for the radical plan from Democratic leadership, despite comments from House Leader Nancy Pelosi calling it the “green dream” and noting that the sweeping plan is just one of many proposals for combating climate change.The Green New Deal pioneers on Capitol Hill insist they have support for the radical plan from Democratic leadership, despite comments from House Leader Nancy Pelosi calling it the “green dream” and noting that the sweeping plan is just one of many proposals for combating climate change.
The resolution unveiled by New York congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Massachusetts senator Ed Markey this morning has at least 60 co-sponsors in the House and around a dozen in the Senate, according to the authors. No Republicans are on board.The resolution unveiled by New York congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Massachusetts senator Ed Markey this morning has at least 60 co-sponsors in the House and around a dozen in the Senate, according to the authors. No Republicans are on board.
Supporters include a handful of presidential contenders, including Cory Booker, Kamala Harris, Jeff Merkley, Bernie Sanders, and Elizabeth Warren. Lawmakers were still signing on today.Supporters include a handful of presidential contenders, including Cory Booker, Kamala Harris, Jeff Merkley, Bernie Sanders, and Elizabeth Warren. Lawmakers were still signing on today.
The plan calls for fighting inequity with a huge investment in cleaner energy and aims for a carbon-neutral economy within 10 years.The plan calls for fighting inequity with a huge investment in cleaner energy and aims for a carbon-neutral economy within 10 years.
Asked at a crowded press conference about Pelosi’s comments that the resolution is a “green dream,” Ocasio-Cortez said it “is a green dream,” because it is so ambitious. Markey called Pelosi an original climate change champion.Asked at a crowded press conference about Pelosi’s comments that the resolution is a “green dream,” Ocasio-Cortez said it “is a green dream,” because it is so ambitious. Markey called Pelosi an original climate change champion.
The speaker later said she was “very excited” about a Green New Deal and welcomed “all the enthusiasm” surrounding the proposal.The speaker later said she was “very excited” about a Green New Deal and welcomed “all the enthusiasm” surrounding the proposal.
Pelosi has named members of a climate change select committee, and Ocasio-Cortez is not one of them, but she said that was by the freshman lawmaker’s choice. Ocasio-Cortez said the committee will investigate, while lawmakers on other panels will work on legislative solutions.Pelosi has named members of a climate change select committee, and Ocasio-Cortez is not one of them, but she said that was by the freshman lawmaker’s choice. Ocasio-Cortez said the committee will investigate, while lawmakers on other panels will work on legislative solutions.
The US over time has contributed more greenhouse gases to the atmosphere than any other nation, and Ocasio-Cortez said it is obligated to lead on climate change.The US over time has contributed more greenhouse gases to the atmosphere than any other nation, and Ocasio-Cortez said it is obligated to lead on climate change.
Senator John Barrasso, a Republican of Wyoming, called the plan a “socialist manifesto” that would “take our growing economy off the cliff and our nation into bankruptcy”.Senator John Barrasso, a Republican of Wyoming, called the plan a “socialist manifesto” that would “take our growing economy off the cliff and our nation into bankruptcy”.
The official response from the National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC) was simply: “LOL.”The official response from the National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC) was simply: “LOL.”
For more about the Green New Deal:For more about the Green New Deal:
Green New Deal: Ocasio-Cortez unveils bold plan to fight climate changeGreen New Deal: Ocasio-Cortez unveils bold plan to fight climate change
Virginia had yet another top politician in a blackface scandal when it was revealed that the state senate majority leader edited a yearbook with blackface picturesVirginia had yet another top politician in a blackface scandal when it was revealed that the state senate majority leader edited a yearbook with blackface pictures
The outlines of the much touted “Green New Deal” were introduced on Capitol Hill today by a number of Democrats including freshman Alexandria Ocasio-CortezThe outlines of the much touted “Green New Deal” were introduced on Capitol Hill today by a number of Democrats including freshman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez
The nomination of William Barr to be Attorney General was advanced by the Senate Judiciary Committee on a party line vote.The nomination of William Barr to be Attorney General was advanced by the Senate Judiciary Committee on a party line vote.
The Federal Election Commission announced today that the maximum contribution an individual could make to a candidate for federal office per election is now $2800, up from $2700 in the 2018 election cycle. This means the individual maximum for both a primary and general combined is $5600.The Federal Election Commission announced today that the maximum contribution an individual could make to a candidate for federal office per election is now $2800, up from $2700 in the 2018 election cycle. This means the individual maximum for both a primary and general combined is $5600.
The Wall Street Journal reports that the United States has set an end of April deadline to pull all American forces out of Syria.The Wall Street Journal reports that the United States has set an end of April deadline to pull all American forces out of Syria.
The planned withdrawal comes months after Trump announced his intention to pull out of Syria, which prompted the resignation of Defense Secretary James Mattis.The planned withdrawal comes months after Trump announced his intention to pull out of Syria, which prompted the resignation of Defense Secretary James Mattis.
Per the WSJ:Per the WSJ:
With U.S.-backed fighters poised to seize the final Syrian sanctuaries held by Islamic State in the coming days, the U.S. military is turning its attention toward a withdrawal of American forces in the coming weeks, these officials said on Thursday.With U.S.-backed fighters poised to seize the final Syrian sanctuaries held by Islamic State in the coming days, the U.S. military is turning its attention toward a withdrawal of American forces in the coming weeks, these officials said on Thursday.
Unless the Trump administration alters course, the military plans to pull a significant portion of its forces out by mid-March, with a full withdrawal coming by the end of April, they said.Unless the Trump administration alters course, the military plans to pull a significant portion of its forces out by mid-March, with a full withdrawal coming by the end of April, they said.
The military-planning process comes as the Trump administration is struggling to come up with an agreement to protect Kurdish allies from being attacked by Turkish forces when the U.S. leaves.The military-planning process comes as the Trump administration is struggling to come up with an agreement to protect Kurdish allies from being attacked by Turkish forces when the U.S. leaves.
Not just politics but cocktail parties have been turned upside because of Donald Trump. His arrival in Washington has shaken up the elite social scene that defined “This Town.Not just politics but cocktail parties have been turned upside because of Donald Trump. His arrival in Washington has shaken up the elite social scene that defined “This Town.
Ryan Lizza in Esquire reports:Ryan Lizza in Esquire reports:
Meanwhile, the widely attended major events that once lubricated relations between various strata of official D. C.—Congress, the press, the White House, the ambassadorial class, the lobbying world—have been blown up by the Trumps. Two of the biggest annual nights in Washington, the White House Correspondents’ dinner and the Kennedy Center Honors, revolve around the president’s participation. In 2017, several reporters (I was one of them) publicly suggested that it wasn’t appropriate to toast a president who was vilifying us. Trump preemptively responded to the nascent revolt by announcing he wouldn’t come anyway.Meanwhile, the widely attended major events that once lubricated relations between various strata of official D. C.—Congress, the press, the White House, the ambassadorial class, the lobbying world—have been blown up by the Trumps. Two of the biggest annual nights in Washington, the White House Correspondents’ dinner and the Kennedy Center Honors, revolve around the president’s participation. In 2017, several reporters (I was one of them) publicly suggested that it wasn’t appropriate to toast a president who was vilifying us. Trump preemptively responded to the nascent revolt by announcing he wouldn’t come anyway.
The same year, when some Kennedy honorees said they would boycott a White House reception, Trump canceled the event and refused to attend the gala at the Kennedy Center. Both weekends are now much more low-key affairs. In December, Trump called off the annual White House holiday party for the press. Fox News, which broke the story, pointed out that even Bill Clinton had hosted the event and posed for endless pictures just days after he was impeached in 1998.The same year, when some Kennedy honorees said they would boycott a White House reception, Trump canceled the event and refused to attend the gala at the Kennedy Center. Both weekends are now much more low-key affairs. In December, Trump called off the annual White House holiday party for the press. Fox News, which broke the story, pointed out that even Bill Clinton had hosted the event and posed for endless pictures just days after he was impeached in 1998.
New surveillance video of Roger Stone’s arrest has just been released. And Stone, known for his strong views on fashion, is wearing a unique outfit; a shirt that says “Roger Stone did nothing wrong.”New surveillance video of Roger Stone’s arrest has just been released. And Stone, known for his strong views on fashion, is wearing a unique outfit; a shirt that says “Roger Stone did nothing wrong.”
EXCLUSIVE: new surveillance video of Roger Stone’s arrest, *while* he’s wearing a “Roger Stone did nothing wrong” t-shirt. Follow me for more clips & see story below: https://t.co/96VhJoi3DY pic.twitter.com/v0CxJi4xO1EXCLUSIVE: new surveillance video of Roger Stone’s arrest, *while* he’s wearing a “Roger Stone did nothing wrong” t-shirt. Follow me for more clips & see story below: https://t.co/96VhJoi3DY pic.twitter.com/v0CxJi4xO1
Kamala Harris has just unveiled a raft of endorsements in her home state of California.Kamala Harris has just unveiled a raft of endorsements in her home state of California.
The 2020 Democratic presidential contender announced the endorsement of President Pro Tem of the State Senate, Toni Atkins and endorsement from 19 other of the 28 Democrats in the California state senate. She now has the support of 21 of the 28 Democrats in her home state’s upper chamber and has solidified her claim to be the favorite daughter of the state.The 2020 Democratic presidential contender announced the endorsement of President Pro Tem of the State Senate, Toni Atkins and endorsement from 19 other of the 28 Democrats in the California state senate. She now has the support of 21 of the 28 Democrats in her home state’s upper chamber and has solidified her claim to be the favorite daughter of the state.
Jaime Harrison, the former chair of the South Carolina Democratic Party, has officially started an exploratory committee to mount a Senate race against three-term Republican Lindsay Graham.Jaime Harrison, the former chair of the South Carolina Democratic Party, has officially started an exploratory committee to mount a Senate race against three-term Republican Lindsay Graham.
Harrison faces an uphill battle in a state that Trump won by a margin of 55%-40%.Harrison faces an uphill battle in a state that Trump won by a margin of 55%-40%.
"Jaime Harrison for US Senate Exploratory Committee" created with FEC & can raise campaign money for potential @harrisonjaime (D-SC) bid vs Sen. @LindseyGrahamSC (R): https://t.co/9e2tuJhRR9 #scsen #scpol pic.twitter.com/pisC3TABKW"Jaime Harrison for US Senate Exploratory Committee" created with FEC & can raise campaign money for potential @harrisonjaime (D-SC) bid vs Sen. @LindseyGrahamSC (R): https://t.co/9e2tuJhRR9 #scsen #scpol pic.twitter.com/pisC3TABKW
The next head of a State Department counter propaganda effort will be a former Fox News reporter.
CNN reports that Lea Gabrielle has been tapped to be the next special envoy and coordinator of the Global Engagement Center.
According to CNN:
Gabrielle was a general assignment reporter for “Shepard Smith Reporting,” according to her Fox News biography, and was previously a military reporter. A friend of Gabrielle’s told CNN in September that she was leaving Fox News and moving to Washington, DC.
Gabrielle is a United States Naval Academy graduate and served in the US Navy as fighter pilot for more than a decade, as well as taking part in some intelligence operations. She has said that her time in the Navy made her a better reporter. “I know how important it is that those who wear combat boots have their voices heard and their perspectives understood in news reporting,” Gabrielle said during a 2016 interview with fightersweep.com. “My goal as I report on military topics is always to honor them ... by getting it right.”
Virginia’s congressional delegation is due to come out with a statement in support of state attorney general Mark Herring, who admitted earlier this week to appearing in blackface at a college party when he was 19-years-old. The state has been in crisis with all three of its top statewide elected official facing scandal, two of them blackface-related.
New from @mkraju: VA Dem Rep. Donald McEachin says he expects a statement from the Virginia Congressional delegation expressing support for the Mark Herring. The delegation met today. He said the AG called him & was “on the verge of tears” in talking about the blackface episode.
Although Virginia is still consumed with ongoing series of political scandals, Florida is still doing its best to be just as dysfunctional.
Nancy Oakley, a city commissioner in Madeira Beach, resigned earlier this week after an ethics complaint was upheld that she had a “habit of licking men that either she was attracted to or thought that she had authority over.”
Elizabeth Warren has made another tranche of key hires in Iowa ahead of her expected announcement on Saturday.
The most notable is Jason Noble, the former chief politics reporter at the Des Moines Register to be her communications director.
Noble had previously worked for Let America Vote, the voting rights non-profit led by former Missouri secretary of state Jason Kander.
Vice President Mike Pence will visit the Port of Baltimore on Friday. It is one of the biggest ports in the country and will represent a rare visit by top Trump administration official to a major urban area.
Trump had canceled a scheduled visit to Baltimore last month during the partial government shutdown.
In light of the ongoing series of scandals in Virginia surrounding blackface, it’s worth noting that only 58% of Americans find it “unacceptable” to wear blackface.
As the Washington Post reports:
The poll, conducted Saturday through Tuesday by the firm YouGov, asked respondents: “Is it acceptable or unacceptable for a White person to wear blackface make up?” Although 58 percent said “unacceptable,” 16 percent said “acceptable” and 26 percent said that they were not sure. In other words, 42 percent of Americans either endorse blackface or do not have a clear opinion on it.
Perhaps, though, this finding isn’t that surprising. Earlier YouGov polls also revealed tolerance for blackface. A 2013 poll found 43 percent said it was acceptable for white people to wear blackface to dress up as a black person for Halloween. Only 37 percent opposed this. A 2015 poll found slightly more support for blackface costumes: 47 percent said it was acceptable.
A Customs and Border Protection officer has been charged with illegally selling guns, the Los Angeles Times reports.
Wei Xu, a CBP watch commander, used his status as a law enforcement officer to buy handguns not available to the public and then sold them, authorities say. He was charged with selling or transferring at least 70 guns since 2014 without a license.
Senator John Barrasso, a Republican of Wyoming, called the Green New Deal plan released today a “socialist manifesto” that would “take our growing economy off the cliff and our nation into bankruptcy”.
“It’s the first step down a dark path to socialism.” he warned in a statement.
The official response from the National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC) was simply “LOL”, which is internet slang stands for “laughing out loud”. A link in the statement directed viewers to a gif of actor Ryan Gosling laughing.
In statements targeting moderate and swing state Democrats, Republicans dismissed the plan as “ridiculous” and asked whether this meant the Democrats supported banning air travel and eliminating all jobs in the energy industry.
The NAACP is urging the Senate judiciary committee to reject judicial nominees who refused to say that Brown v Board of Education, the landmark supreme court case that ended segregation in schools, was rightly decided.
A number of Trump judicial nominees considered by Senate Judiciary Committee today refused to say Brown v. Board of Education was correctly decided. For us, that is disqualifying. We urge the Senate to vote NO.
Georgia representative Rob Woodall will not seek re-election, per the Atlanta Journal Constitution. It’s a seat likely to be targeted by Democrats.
Breaking: #GA07 Rep. Rob Woodall (R), who won by just 419 votes last fall, to retire. Doesn't change @CookPolitical's Toss Up rating, but does vault #GA07 to the very top of Dems' list of pickup opportunities. https://t.co/XS4PeDhFrA