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Trump responds to impeachment acquittal with rambling, vitriolic speech – live news Trump responds to impeachment acquittal with rambling, vitriolic speech – live news
(32 minutes later)
Trump speaks at the White House for the first time since his acquittal, while report shows Iowa results ‘riddled with inconsistencies’Trump speaks at the White House for the first time since his acquittal, while report shows Iowa results ‘riddled with inconsistencies’
Representative Jim Jordon of Ohio — a close ally of Donald Trump — has been named the new ranking member of the House Judiciary Committee, replaying Doug Collins of Georgia. Collins has stepped down so he can challenge Senator Kelly Loeffler for her seat, according to reports.
During the House impeachment inquiry, Jordan was among the loudest defenders of the president. He was temporarily added to the House Intelligence Committee so he could advocate on behalf of the president during the initial stages of the inquiry.
Republican Mark Meadows — another staunch Trump supporter — will take over Jordan’s post as ranking member of the House Oversight Committee.
The Treasury Department is complying with Republicans’ request for information as part of an investigation into Hunter Biden and his business in Ukraine.
Republican senators Chuck Grassley and Ron Johnson requested information from the Treasury Department in November saying as part of their investigation into “potentially improper actions” during the Obama administration. The department’s compliance, in this case, stands in sharp contrasts to the Trump administration’s stonewalling of Democrats’ requests for information during the impeachment investigation.
Grassley and Johnson are looking into Hunter Biden’s business affairs and Ukrainian officials’ alleged interventions in the 2016 election, which is exactly what Donald Trump’s personal lawyer Rudy Guiliani tried to push Ukrainian officials to investigate.
Per Yahoo News, which first reported the story:
That’s it from me today. My west coast colleague, Maanvi Singh, will take over the blog for the next few hours.That’s it from me today. My west coast colleague, Maanvi Singh, will take over the blog for the next few hours.
Here’s where the day stands so far:Here’s where the day stands so far:
Donald Trump delivered a divisive, profane and unapologetic response to his acquittal in the Senate impeachment trial, as Republicans continue to insist the president has learned a lesson from the process.Donald Trump delivered a divisive, profane and unapologetic response to his acquittal in the Senate impeachment trial, as Republicans continue to insist the president has learned a lesson from the process.
Speaking earlier today at the National Prayer Breakfast, Trump attacked the faith of House speaker Nancy Pelosi and Mitt Romney, the only Republican senator to support an article of impeachment.Speaking earlier today at the National Prayer Breakfast, Trump attacked the faith of House speaker Nancy Pelosi and Mitt Romney, the only Republican senator to support an article of impeachment.
Democratic National Committee chairman Tom Perez called for a recanvass of the Iowa caucuses to ensure the accuracy of the results.Democratic National Committee chairman Tom Perez called for a recanvass of the Iowa caucuses to ensure the accuracy of the results.
Bernie Sanders declared victory in the Iowa caucuses, even though results currently show him slightly trailing Pete Buttigieg.Bernie Sanders declared victory in the Iowa caucuses, even though results currently show him slightly trailing Pete Buttigieg.
House Democrats killed a Republican resolution to condemn Pelosi for tearing up Trump’s State of the Union address on Tuesday night.House Democrats killed a Republican resolution to condemn Pelosi for tearing up Trump’s State of the Union address on Tuesday night.
During her weekly press conference, Pelosi said she did not regret tearing up Trump’s speech. “I tore up a manifesto of mistruths,” Pelosi said. “It was necessary to get the attention of the American people to say, ‘This is not true.’”During her weekly press conference, Pelosi said she did not regret tearing up Trump’s speech. “I tore up a manifesto of mistruths,” Pelosi said. “It was necessary to get the attention of the American people to say, ‘This is not true.’”
Maanvi will have more coming up, so stay tuned.Maanvi will have more coming up, so stay tuned.
After declaring victory in the Iowa caucuses despite trailing Pete Buttigieg, Bernie Sanders said the raw vote total, or the “popular vote,” justified his announcement.After declaring victory in the Iowa caucuses despite trailing Pete Buttigieg, Bernie Sanders said the raw vote total, or the “popular vote,” justified his announcement.
But as the blog has previously stated, the Associated Press and other outlets made clear before the caucuses that the winner would be determined using a different metric, the state delegate equivalents. On that front, Sanders is very slightly behind Buttigieg.But as the blog has previously stated, the Associated Press and other outlets made clear before the caucuses that the winner would be determined using a different metric, the state delegate equivalents. On that front, Sanders is very slightly behind Buttigieg.
“The rules were changed,” Sanders told CNN. “This is the first time in the Iowa caucus that the popular vote has been made public. That was not the case before.”“The rules were changed,” Sanders told CNN. “This is the first time in the Iowa caucus that the popular vote has been made public. That was not the case before.”
Sanders blamed some “confusion on the part of the media” for the focus on SDEs, even though that is the officially recognized metric for determining a winner, and noted he and Buttigieg would likely come out of Iowa with the same number of delegates for the party’s nominating convention, which is true.Sanders blamed some “confusion on the part of the media” for the focus on SDEs, even though that is the officially recognized metric for determining a winner, and noted he and Buttigieg would likely come out of Iowa with the same number of delegates for the party’s nominating convention, which is true.
The White House is now reportedly sending out talking points aimed at criticizing Mitt Romney after the Republican senator supported one of the articles of impeachment.The White House is now reportedly sending out talking points aimed at criticizing Mitt Romney after the Republican senator supported one of the articles of impeachment.
The idea of attacking Romney for not hacing principles seems particularly noteworthy, considering the Utah Republican cast his decision on impeachment as a matter of duty.The idea of attacking Romney for not hacing principles seems particularly noteworthy, considering the Utah Republican cast his decision on impeachment as a matter of duty.
Explaining his decision yesterday, Romney said, “My vote will likely be in the minority in the Senate, but irrespective of these things, with my vote, I will tell my children and their children that I did my duty to the best of my ability believing that my country expected it of me.”Explaining his decision yesterday, Romney said, “My vote will likely be in the minority in the Senate, but irrespective of these things, with my vote, I will tell my children and their children that I did my duty to the best of my ability believing that my country expected it of me.”
In a new statement, Democratic senator Patrick Leahy criticized Trump’s rambling, divisive response to his acquittal in the Senate impeachment trial.In a new statement, Democratic senator Patrick Leahy criticized Trump’s rambling, divisive response to his acquittal in the Senate impeachment trial.
Leahy contrasted Trump’s remarks with those of Bill Clinton, who told the nation after his acquittal that he was “profoundly sorry” for his actions.Leahy contrasted Trump’s remarks with those of Bill Clinton, who told the nation after his acquittal that he was “profoundly sorry” for his actions.
“In stark contrast, today President Trump held a White House campaign rally and was entirely unrepentant,” Leahy said. “Sadly, the only lesson he’s learned is how almost the entire Senate Republican Caucus let him get away with misconduct.”“In stark contrast, today President Trump held a White House campaign rally and was entirely unrepentant,” Leahy said. “Sadly, the only lesson he’s learned is how almost the entire Senate Republican Caucus let him get away with misconduct.”
Even though every House Democrat voted to kill a Republican resolution to condemn Nancy Pelosi for tearing up Trump’s State of the Union, two more moderate members of the caucus chastized the House speaker for her actions.Even though every House Democrat voted to kill a Republican resolution to condemn Nancy Pelosi for tearing up Trump’s State of the Union, two more moderate members of the caucus chastized the House speaker for her actions.
The Washington Post reports:The Washington Post reports:
Other House Democrats have blamed Trump for the tension between him and Pelosi, citing the president’s apparent refusal to shake the speaker’s hand when he arrived to deliver his State of the Union address.Other House Democrats have blamed Trump for the tension between him and Pelosi, citing the president’s apparent refusal to shake the speaker’s hand when he arrived to deliver his State of the Union address.
Pete Buttigieg’s campaign said in an email to supporters that it has raised $2.7 million since the Iowa caucuses.Pete Buttigieg’s campaign said in an email to supporters that it has raised $2.7 million since the Iowa caucuses.
It’s an impressive haul for the former Indiana mayor, who is currently leading in the Iowa caucuses, although Bernie Sanders is close on his heels with 97% of precincts reporting.It’s an impressive haul for the former Indiana mayor, who is currently leading in the Iowa caucuses, although Bernie Sanders is close on his heels with 97% of precincts reporting.
Buttigieg will need those funds to get him through New Hampshire and on to the later voting states, especially because he is currently polling at 7% nationally, according to the RealClearPolitics average.Buttigieg will need those funds to get him through New Hampshire and on to the later voting states, especially because he is currently polling at 7% nationally, according to the RealClearPolitics average.
Pete Buttigieg is clearly enjoying a surge in voter interest after his strong showing in the Iowa caucuses.Pete Buttigieg is clearly enjoying a surge in voter interest after his strong showing in the Iowa caucuses.
The former Indiana mayor is hosting an event in Merrimack, New Hampshire, today that is so crowded even some reporters haven’t been able to get inside.The former Indiana mayor is hosting an event in Merrimack, New Hampshire, today that is so crowded even some reporters haven’t been able to get inside.
New Hampshire polls released in recent days have also shown Buttigieg jumping into second place, trailing only Bernie Sanders, in the second voting state, which will hold its primary on Tuesday.New Hampshire polls released in recent days have also shown Buttigieg jumping into second place, trailing only Bernie Sanders, in the second voting state, which will hold its primary on Tuesday.
Speaking to British Prime Minister Boris Johnson last week, Trump was reportedly “apoplectic” about the UK’s decision to allow the Chinese telecommunications giant Huawei to participate in building up the country’s 5G network.Speaking to British Prime Minister Boris Johnson last week, Trump was reportedly “apoplectic” about the UK’s decision to allow the Chinese telecommunications giant Huawei to participate in building up the country’s 5G network.
The Financial Times reports:The Financial Times reports:
The White House said in a statement shortly after the announcement of the UK’s decision that it was “disappointed” by the move, and attorney general WIlliam Barr suggested today that the US and its allies should invest in Huawei’s rivals like Nokia and Ericsson to counter the company’s strength.The White House said in a statement shortly after the announcement of the UK’s decision that it was “disappointed” by the move, and attorney general WIlliam Barr suggested today that the US and its allies should invest in Huawei’s rivals like Nokia and Ericsson to counter the company’s strength.
Long-shot 2020 candidate Andrew Yang has fired dozens of campaign staffers after a poor showing in the Iowa caucuses this week - a result that was obvious despite the ongoing (and in some ways deepening) debacle over the collation and reporting of results.Long-shot 2020 candidate Andrew Yang has fired dozens of campaign staffers after a poor showing in the Iowa caucuses this week - a result that was obvious despite the ongoing (and in some ways deepening) debacle over the collation and reporting of results.
The House has voted along party lines to table (or kill) the Republican resolution condemning Nancy Pelosi for tearing up Trump’s State of the Union on Tuesday night.
Republican congresswoman Kay Granger, who introduced the resolution, said Pelosi’s bold move was “a breach of decorum” that “degraded the proceedings of the joint session.”
But Pelosi defended her actions during a press conference today, saying she was justified in tearing up the speech because it contained falsehoods.
“I tore up a manifesto of mistruths,” Pelosi told reporters. “It was necessary to get the attention of the American people to say, ‘This is not true. And this is how it affects you.’ And I don’t need any lessons from anyone, especially the president of the United States, about dignity.”
The Iowa Democratic Party has issued a statement in response to Democratic National Committee chairman Tom Perez’s call for a recanvass of the caucus results.
“Should any presidential campaign in compliance with the Iowa Delegate Selection Plan request a recanvass, the IDP is prepared,” the statement concluded, indicating the party will not conduct a recanvass based solely off Perez’s statement.
Jonathan Turley, the legal expert who criticized the impeachment inquiry during the House’s public hearings and has been repeatedly quoted by Republicans, expressed disapproval of Trump’s “victory marathon” speech.
Addressing reporters in New Hampshire, Bernie Sanders claimed “strong victory” in the Iowa caucuses, even though he is currently trailing Pete Buttigieg in the first voting state.
The Vermont senator pointed to his lead in the state’s raw vote total, or “popular vote,” to argue he is the true winner of the caucuses, although another metric (state delegate equivalent) is actually used to determine the state’s top finisher. Buttigieg currently leads in SDEs.
Sanders’ announcement comes as Democratic National Committee chairman Tom Perez has called for a recanvass of Iowa to ensure accuracy of the results.
Well, that was an experience. Here’s where the day stands after Trump’s remarks on the impeachment:
Showing no remorse and using profanity to attack his enemies, Trump celebrated his acquittal in the Senate trial with an hour-long speech at the White House. Trump described the acquittal as a complete vindication of his actions, even as Republican senators continue to claim the president learned a lesson from his impeachment.
Trump earlier attacked House speaker Nancy Pelosi and Mitt Romney, the only Republican senator to support an article of impeachment, at the National Prayer Breakfast.
Democratic National Committee chairman Tom Perez said the party would conduct a “recanvass” of the Iowa caucuses to ensure accuracy of the results.
The blog will have more coming up, so stay tuned.
Trump offered a small apology to his family as he concluded his remarks about his acquittal in the Senate impeachment trial.
“I want to apologize to my family for having them have to go through a phony, rotten deal by some very sick, evil people,” Trump said. “And that includes Barron,” he added, referring to his youngest son.
With that, Trump concluded his remarks after speaking for a little over an hour.
Trump said he is concluding his remarks now, calling today a “day of celebration” after he “went through hell” with the impeachment.
Trump then gave two of his closest House allies, congressmen Mark Meadows and Jim Jordon, a chance to make some comments.
Meadows said Trump’s reception today was a “strong reflection of the support you have all across the country.” “We’ve got your back,” Trump said.
Trump seems to have wrapped up his praise of his congressional allies and has returned to attacking his perceived enemies.
He referred to former FBI director James Comey as a “sleazebag” and attacked “the top scum” at the FBI, referring to the bureau’s top leadership.
In his remarks that are ostensibly meant to celebrate his acquittal in the Senate impeachment trial, Trump offered a play-by-play account of the 2017 shooting at a congressional baseball practice, complete with hand motions to immitate gunfire.
Trump turned his praise to congressman Steve Scalise, who was severely wounded when a shooter opened fire in 2017 on a Republican baseball practice.
The president marveled at how upset Scalise’s wife was when she learned he was shot. “A lot of wives wouldn’t give a damn,” Trump said. “She was a total mess.”
Trump said Scalise had probably “set a record for blood loss” and complimented the congressman that he was “better-looking now.”
The president has reportedly made the comment about Scalise’s wife, and used it as a joke to mock his own marriage, before: