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| Katie Hill issues video apologizing for 'imperfections' after quitting Congress – live | Katie Hill issues video apologizing for 'imperfections' after quitting Congress – live |
| (32 minutes later) | |
| California state assembly Democrat Christy Smith announced today that she will run for the seat that’s being vacated by Katie Hill, who announced yesterday that she will resign. | |
| A date has not yet been set for the special election to decide the seat - a crucial flip from Republican to the Democratic party last year. | |
| I would like to commend Congresswoman @KatieHill4CA for her service on behalf of #CA25 as well as her willingness to put country first by stepping down from office. After much encouragement from community members, today I am proud to announce that I am running for Congress pic.twitter.com/p0Gl6jwc76 | |
| Departing congresswoman Katie Hill in her video statement calls out “revenge porn”, which she alleges her husband has engaged in against her, and said: “As the victim of it, I call it one of the worst things you can do.” | |
| She begins the video starkly saying of her resignation announcement:“I made this decision so my supporters, my family, my staff and my community will no longer be subjected to the pain inflicted by my abusive husband and the brutality of hateful political operatives.” | |
| She blames a coordinated campaign against her by “the right-wing media and Republican opponents” to “weaponize” her imperfections and perpetuate an alleged smear campaign by her husband, which she describes as “disgusting and unforgivable” and notes: “They will be held accountable.” | |
| Hill goes on to say she does not want her situation to put other women and girls off pursuing a career in politics. | |
| “But I will allow myself to be a distraction from the constitutional crisis we are faced with, and the critical work of my colleagues,” she says, referring to the Trump-Ukraine impeachment inquiry now being conducted by the US House of Representatives. | |
| She is clearly then trying to hold in her emotions as she says: “I never claimed to be perfect but I never thought my imperfections would be weaponized and used to try to destroy me and the community that I have loved for my entire life. And for that I am truly sorry,” she said. | |
| Hill had been seen as a rising star in Washington since being arriving in Congress as a freshman this year. | |
| She said: “I grew up riding horses and the most important thing I learned is that when you fall off you get right back up in the saddle. So I’m going to do that and I hope I can count on you to do the same - and join me on the next ride.” | |
| Hill flipped a vital California seat from Republican to Democrat in the 2018 midterm elections. | |
| Hill calls alleged smear campaign against her “unforgivable”, also says she is “truly sorry” for having to resign | |
| Democratic congresswoman Katie Hill’s video statement issued on Monday is a tortured critique of her brutal downfall so soon into her promising congressional career. | |
| Her apology comes towards the end of the 3.49 minute video, where she also offers an oblique promise that, career-wise, she’s down but not out for good, although she doesn’t mention if she sees a future in politics. | |
| She’s previously acknowledged that it was inappropriate for her to have a sexual relationship with someone employed by her on her campaign team when she was running for Congress. | |
| That’s not against any rules but she expressed regret and it caused a scandal when intimate pictures of Hill and the female staffer were apparently leaked and posted online by a conservative website, then spread, with the prospect of more images and pieces of digital correspondence coming into the public domain. | |
| And last week the House ethics committee opened an investigation into separate allegations that Hill had engaged in a sexual relationship with her legislative director, Graham Kelly, in possible violation of a House rule forged last year in response to the era of the #MeToo movement against sexual assault, sexual harassment and abuse of power. | |
| Hill denied having such a relationship with him, in a letter to constituents, but resigned yesterday, alleging her husband and “hateful political operatives” have coordinated a “smear campaign” against her. | |
| She refers in today’s video statement to “electronic assault” or “revenge porn” in the issuing of intimate images as a way of embarrassing her. She said she was hurt and angry. | |
| Hill apologized for her “imperfections” in a new video statement issued today, a day after she announced her resignation amid allegations, now being investigated, that she violated rules by conducting a sexual relationship with a member of her congressional staff, Joanna Walters writes. | Hill apologized for her “imperfections” in a new video statement issued today, a day after she announced her resignation amid allegations, now being investigated, that she violated rules by conducting a sexual relationship with a member of her congressional staff, Joanna Walters writes. |
| But she also hinted that she will not disappear from public life and will “get right back up in the saddle”, although she did not give details of what she plans to do next. | But she also hinted that she will not disappear from public life and will “get right back up in the saddle”, although she did not give details of what she plans to do next. |
| This development followed the California Democrat acknowledging that she had previously had, separately, a sexual relationship with a member of her campaign team. | This development followed the California Democrat acknowledging that she had previously had, separately, a sexual relationship with a member of her campaign team. |
| In the lengthy video on Monday, Hill became emotional and alleged a smear campaign by her husband, whom she is in the process of divorcing, and said her personal “imperfections” had been used as a weapon unfairly to turn opinion against her. | In the lengthy video on Monday, Hill became emotional and alleged a smear campaign by her husband, whom she is in the process of divorcing, and said her personal “imperfections” had been used as a weapon unfairly to turn opinion against her. |
| Greg Walden, the top Republican on the House energy and commerce committee who was first elected to Congress in 1999, said he would not seek reelection – becoming the latest in a series of House Republicans who have announced their departures in recent months. | Greg Walden, the top Republican on the House energy and commerce committee who was first elected to Congress in 1999, said he would not seek reelection – becoming the latest in a series of House Republicans who have announced their departures in recent months. |
| Politico reports: | Politico reports: |
| ‘Based on recent polling, strong fundraising, and the backing of my wife and family, I am confident I could earn the support of 2nd District voters for another term. I’m also optimistic that a path exists for Republicans to recapture a majority in the House, and that I could return for two more years as chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Committee,’ Walden said in a statement given to POLITICO. ‘But I also know that for me, the time has come to pursue new challenges and opportunities.’ | ‘Based on recent polling, strong fundraising, and the backing of my wife and family, I am confident I could earn the support of 2nd District voters for another term. I’m also optimistic that a path exists for Republicans to recapture a majority in the House, and that I could return for two more years as chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Committee,’ Walden said in a statement given to POLITICO. ‘But I also know that for me, the time has come to pursue new challenges and opportunities.’ |
| Walden added: ‘So, I will not seek re-election to the U.S. House of Representatives, nor election to any other office, but instead I will close the public service chapter of my life, thankful for the friends I’ve made and the successful work we’ve done together.’ | Walden added: ‘So, I will not seek re-election to the U.S. House of Representatives, nor election to any other office, but instead I will close the public service chapter of my life, thankful for the friends I’ve made and the successful work we’ve done together.’ |
| The Oregon congressman is the 17 th House Republican to announce their retirement this cycle, a sign of how difficult it will be for the GOP to win back the majority in what’s already shaping up as a tough 2020 election. Having President Donald Trump’s name at the top of the ticket will ensure turnout among his supporters, yet it’s also expected to bring Democrats out in huge numbers as well. | The Oregon congressman is the 17 th House Republican to announce their retirement this cycle, a sign of how difficult it will be for the GOP to win back the majority in what’s already shaping up as a tough 2020 election. Having President Donald Trump’s name at the top of the ticket will ensure turnout among his supporters, yet it’s also expected to bring Democrats out in huge numbers as well. |
| Here’s where the day stands so far: | Here’s where the day stands so far: |
| Charles Kupperman, a former deputy to John Bolton, failed to appear for his scheduled testimony in the impeachment inquiry. A lawyer for the former official said his client would not testify until a judge ruled on whether he should comply with the congressional subpoena or the White House’s order not to appear. | Charles Kupperman, a former deputy to John Bolton, failed to appear for his scheduled testimony in the impeachment inquiry. A lawyer for the former official said his client would not testify until a judge ruled on whether he should comply with the congressional subpoena or the White House’s order not to appear. |
| The Justice Department is filing its expected appeal to a judge’s ruling that officials must grant the House judiciary committee access to grand jury material redacted from special counsel Robert Mueller’s report. | The Justice Department is filing its expected appeal to a judge’s ruling that officials must grant the House judiciary committee access to grand jury material redacted from special counsel Robert Mueller’s report. |
| Kay Hagan, a North Carolina Democrat who served one term in the Senate before being defeated in 2014, has died at 66, her family announced. | Kay Hagan, a North Carolina Democrat who served one term in the Senate before being defeated in 2014, has died at 66, her family announced. |
| The blog will have plenty more coming up, so stay tuned. | The blog will have plenty more coming up, so stay tuned. |
| Democratic presidential candidate Amy Klobuchar mourned the loss of her former Senate colleague and “good friend” Kay Hagan, who died unexpectedly today at the age of 66. | Democratic presidential candidate Amy Klobuchar mourned the loss of her former Senate colleague and “good friend” Kay Hagan, who died unexpectedly today at the age of 66. |
| We lost my good friend Kay Hagan today. She was one bright yellow ray of sunshine for everyone she touched—the Senate, her beloved state of NC, her friends. As she struggled the last few years, Chip & their kids were always at her side. Look up at the sun & think of Kay today. | We lost my good friend Kay Hagan today. She was one bright yellow ray of sunshine for everyone she touched—the Senate, her beloved state of NC, her friends. As she struggled the last few years, Chip & their kids were always at her side. Look up at the sun & think of Kay today. |
| Washington reporters similarly remembered Hagan’s kindness and wit. | Washington reporters similarly remembered Hagan’s kindness and wit. |
| I covered Hagan on the Hill years ago, and her kindness always came through. Blessings to the Hagan family. (CC: My former News14Carolina colleagues @TimBoyumTV & @benmcneely) | I covered Hagan on the Hill years ago, and her kindness always came through. Blessings to the Hagan family. (CC: My former News14Carolina colleagues @TimBoyumTV & @benmcneely) |
| So sad to learn of the death of former NC Sen. Kay Hagan, who'd become a friend after her 2014 defeat. Few knew how much she suffered the past 3 yrs, but I'll remember her wit & vivaciousness (& rewatch my video of her skiing on 1 ski!)https://t.co/3G5fF8jvrP | So sad to learn of the death of former NC Sen. Kay Hagan, who'd become a friend after her 2014 defeat. Few knew how much she suffered the past 3 yrs, but I'll remember her wit & vivaciousness (& rewatch my video of her skiing on 1 ski!)https://t.co/3G5fF8jvrP |
| Hagan, a Democrat of North Carolina, served for one term in the Senate before being defeated by Republican Thom Tillis in 2014. | Hagan, a Democrat of North Carolina, served for one term in the Senate before being defeated by Republican Thom Tillis in 2014. |
| Trump has concluded his speech at the annual convention for the International Association of Chiefs of Police and signed his executive order on addressing “the root causes of crime” and law enforcement recruitment. | Trump has concluded his speech at the annual convention for the International Association of Chiefs of Police and signed his executive order on addressing “the root causes of crime” and law enforcement recruitment. |
| At one point, the president went on an angry riff about immigration in which he slammed sanctuary cities and “open borders.” | At one point, the president went on an angry riff about immigration in which he slammed sanctuary cities and “open borders.” |
| Trump said: “Get ‘em the hell out of our country.” He later added: “As you know, countries love to send their worst to us.” | Trump said: “Get ‘em the hell out of our country.” He later added: “As you know, countries love to send their worst to us.” |
| The president has previously falsely claimed that foreign countries were abusing a visa lottery program to send their “worst of the worst,” even though the US state department vets the applicants. | The president has previously falsely claimed that foreign countries were abusing a visa lottery program to send their “worst of the worst,” even though the US state department vets the applicants. |
| Kay Hagan, a former Democratic senator from North Carolina, has died at 66, according to a statement from her family. | Kay Hagan, a former Democratic senator from North Carolina, has died at 66, according to a statement from her family. |
| This statement, which was obtained by the Charlotte Observer, read: “We are heartbroken to share that Kay left us unexpectedly this morning. Kay meant everything to us, and we were honored to share her with the people of North Carolina whom she cared for and fought for so passionately as an elected official. ... | This statement, which was obtained by the Charlotte Observer, read: “We are heartbroken to share that Kay left us unexpectedly this morning. Kay meant everything to us, and we were honored to share her with the people of North Carolina whom she cared for and fought for so passionately as an elected official. ... |
| “We are deeply grateful for the support shared with our family as Kay worked to regain her strength these last few years after her illness, and we appreciate your continued prayers.” | “We are deeply grateful for the support shared with our family as Kay worked to regain her strength these last few years after her illness, and we appreciate your continued prayers.” |
| Hagan was diagnosed with Powassan virus, a type of encephalitis, three years ago. She served a single term in the Senate before being defeated by Republican Thom Tillis in 2014. | Hagan was diagnosed with Powassan virus, a type of encephalitis, three years ago. She served a single term in the Senate before being defeated by Republican Thom Tillis in 2014. |
| In his speech at the annual convention for the International Association of Chiefs of Police, Trump praised the officers who responded to the Dayton shooting in August by mimicking the attacker. | In his speech at the annual convention for the International Association of Chiefs of Police, Trump praised the officers who responded to the Dayton shooting in August by mimicking the attacker. |
| Praising the officers who responded, Trump mimicked the shooter of the Dayton, Ohio, mass shooter.. pic.twitter.com/b4XK90RyG2 | Praising the officers who responded, Trump mimicked the shooter of the Dayton, Ohio, mass shooter.. pic.twitter.com/b4XK90RyG2 |
| Speaking at an annual police convention in Chicago, Trump said that the Jussie Smollett case was a “scam” and compared it to the impeachment inquiry. | Speaking at an annual police convention in Chicago, Trump said that the Jussie Smollett case was a “scam” and compared it to the impeachment inquiry. |
| Trump is attacking Chicago Police Chief Eddie Johnson, who is boycotting the president's appearance at police conference. Cites Chicago crime stats, then mocks Jussie Smollett who "beat up himself." "That's a scam, just like the impeachment of your president is a scam." | Trump is attacking Chicago Police Chief Eddie Johnson, who is boycotting the president's appearance at police conference. Cites Chicago crime stats, then mocks Jussie Smollett who "beat up himself." "That's a scam, just like the impeachment of your president is a scam." |
| Smollett, an actor on the show Empire, claimed back in January that he was attacked by two men yelling racist and homophobic slurs at him. However, authorities later said that he had staged the attack to gain sympathetic publicity. | Smollett, an actor on the show Empire, claimed back in January that he was attacked by two men yelling racist and homophobic slurs at him. However, authorities later said that he had staged the attack to gain sympathetic publicity. |
| Trump is now addressing the annual convention of the International Association of Chiefs of Police in Chicago, and he opened his remarks by addressing the death of Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi. | Trump is now addressing the annual convention of the International Association of Chiefs of Police in Chicago, and he opened his remarks by addressing the death of Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi. |
| The president told the audience of the Isis leader: “He was a sick and depraved man, and now he’s dead. He’s dead. Dead as a door nail.” | The president told the audience of the Isis leader: “He was a sick and depraved man, and now he’s dead. He’s dead. Dead as a door nail.” |
| Trump also took a swipe at his predecessor, Barack Obama, saying: “[Baghdadi] should’ve been killed years ago. Another president should’ve gotten him.” | Trump also took a swipe at his predecessor, Barack Obama, saying: “[Baghdadi] should’ve been killed years ago. Another president should’ve gotten him.” |
| The US district judge who ordered the justice department to grant the House judiciary committee access to grand jury material redacted from special counsel Robert Mueller’s report has given the panel until noon tomorrow to respond to the DOJ’s request for a stay. | The US district judge who ordered the justice department to grant the House judiciary committee access to grand jury material redacted from special counsel Robert Mueller’s report has given the panel until noon tomorrow to respond to the DOJ’s request for a stay. |
| JUST IN: Judge Howell has directed the Judiciary Committee to respond to DOJ’s motion by noon tomorrow. pic.twitter.com/DZQ6VStAXu | JUST IN: Judge Howell has directed the Judiciary Committee to respond to DOJ’s motion by noon tomorrow. pic.twitter.com/DZQ6VStAXu |
| The DOJ is appealing judge Beryl Howell’s ruling and asked for a stay on her order to turn over the material by Wednesday. However, the judge did not immediately grant the stay. | The DOJ is appealing judge Beryl Howell’s ruling and asked for a stay on her order to turn over the material by Wednesday. However, the judge did not immediately grant the stay. |
| The debate continues to rage about the “Lock him up” chant that was started during Game 5 of the World Series last night, when the camera panned to Trump in the audience. | The debate continues to rage about the “Lock him up” chant that was started during Game 5 of the World Series last night, when the camera panned to Trump in the audience. |
| President Trump was booed loudly by the fans at Nats Park when he was shown on the big screen. Then came a loud chant: “Lock him up.” @wusa9 pic.twitter.com/LBbgSAHd6k | President Trump was booed loudly by the fans at Nats Park when he was shown on the big screen. Then came a loud chant: “Lock him up.” @wusa9 pic.twitter.com/LBbgSAHd6k |
| Some commentators, including Joe Scarborough from MSNBC’s Morning Joe, equated the jeering to the “Lock her up!” chants about Hillary Clinton that became a frequent occurrence during Trump’s 2016 rallies. | Some commentators, including Joe Scarborough from MSNBC’s Morning Joe, equated the jeering to the “Lock her up!” chants about Hillary Clinton that became a frequent occurrence during Trump’s 2016 rallies. |
| So let’s see if I’ve got this straight: When crowds chant “Lock her up” toward Hillary, it is illiberal and anti-American. (I agree). But when crowds chant the same toward Trump, it is suddenly a fulsome exercise of sacred First Amendment rights. What hypocritical clowns. | So let’s see if I’ve got this straight: When crowds chant “Lock her up” toward Hillary, it is illiberal and anti-American. (I agree). But when crowds chant the same toward Trump, it is suddenly a fulsome exercise of sacred First Amendment rights. What hypocritical clowns. |
| However, others argued the chant was merited given the allegations facing Trump in connection to the impeachment inquiry. From the president of the liberal thinktank Center for American Progress: | However, others argued the chant was merited given the allegations facing Trump in connection to the impeachment inquiry. From the president of the liberal thinktank Center for American Progress: |
| I strongly disagree @ChrisCoons. If you’re president, don’t commit crimes and you won’t earn this chant. https://t.co/hqT5sXTZ04 | I strongly disagree @ChrisCoons. If you’re president, don’t commit crimes and you won’t earn this chant. https://t.co/hqT5sXTZ04 |
| George Conway, who is married to senior White House adviser Kellyanne Conway, even listed the potential crimes Trump could be charged with. | George Conway, who is married to senior White House adviser Kellyanne Conway, even listed the potential crimes Trump could be charged with. |
| As to Ukraine: Bribery, wire fraud, conspiracy. As to the Russia investigation: Obstruction of justice. As to the Stormy Daniels payoff: campaign finance violations, conspiracy. Lots of potential jail time there. https://t.co/pFIgLbdiLz | As to Ukraine: Bribery, wire fraud, conspiracy. As to the Russia investigation: Obstruction of justice. As to the Stormy Daniels payoff: campaign finance violations, conspiracy. Lots of potential jail time there. https://t.co/pFIgLbdiLz |