Politico: “Every single GOP senator is supporting a Congressional Review Act resolution that would block President Joe Biden’s vaccine mandates for private businesses. Nearly 98 percent of House Republicans are co-sponsoring the version of the effort in that chamber.”
Trump SPAC Under Investigation by SEC
“The publicly traded SPAC that has announced plans to merge with former President Donald Trump’s new social media company said in a new filing Monday that the Securities and Exchange Commission and another market regulator have asked for information regarding stock trading and communications with Trump’s company before the deal was announced,” CNBC reports.
Bloomberg: Who just gave Trump $1 billion? Let’s find out.
‘Rife’ Cocaine Use Reported In British Parliament
Washington Post: “Of 12 bathrooms tested for drugs with detection wipes, cocaine was reportedly found in 11 of the locations, including places that can be accessed only by those with a designated parliamentary pass — which grants entry to lawmakers and staffers along with clerks, librarians, security personnel, waiters and journalists.”
Sidney Powell Raised $14 Million Spreading Election Lies
“In the months after President Donald Trump lost the November election, lawyer Sidney Powell raised large sums from donors inspired by her fight to reverse the outcome of the vote,” the Washington Post reports.
“Records reviewed by The Washington Post show that Defending the Republic raised more than $14 million, a sum that reveals the reach and resonance of one of the most visible efforts to fundraise using baseless claims about the 2020 election. Previously unreported records also detail acrimony between Powell and her top lieutenants over how the money — now a focus of inquiries by federal prosecutors and Congress — was being handled.”
David Perdue Blames Brian Kemp for His Loss
Former Sen. David Perdue (R-GA) kicked off his campaign for Georgia governor blaming Gov. Brian Kemp (R) for his loss in the U.S. Senate race in January and claimed Kemp gave Joe Biden “free rein.”
Said Perdue: “Look, I like Brian. This isn’t personal. It’s simple. He has failed all of us and cannot win in November.”
Perdue claims this isn’t “personal” but it will become personal very quickly.
Omicron Variant Surges Across Europe
“Confirmed cases of the Omicron variant surged in Britain and Denmark on Sunday, backing up scientists’ fears that it has already spread more widely despite travel bans and adding to worries of new lockdowns before the holidays,” the New York Times reports.
“The coronavirus variant has been found in at least 45 nations worldwide, with the United States and much of Europe reporting a number of new cases in recent days.”
Quote of the Day
“Overhyping Covid? It’s already killed 780,000 Americans and over 5 million people worldwide. So I don’t have any clue of what he’s talking about.”
— Dr. Anthony Fauci, on CNN, responding to Sen. Ron Johnson (R-WI) who accused him of “overhyping” Covid-19.
Biden Approving More Drilling Permits Than Trump
“The Biden administration has approved more oil and gas drilling permits on public lands per month than the Trump administration did during the first three years of Donald Trump’s presidency,” the Washington Post reports.
Trump Group Pushes for Voting Changes In Wisconsin
“A group formed to support former President Donald Trump’s agenda is working with Wisconsin Republicans on a ballot measure that would bypass the state’s Democratic governor to change how elections are run in the battleground state,” the AP reports.
“The effort represents a new escalation in the ongoing Republican campaign to alter voting laws in response to Trump’s false claims of widespread fraud in the 2020 election. It comes as Wisconsin has become the epicenter of this year’s voting wars, with Republicans trying to dismantle the election system they themselves put in place several years ago — and figure out how to do that with a Democratic governor still in office.”
Early Reports Suggest Omicron Less Dangerous
“U.S. health officials said Sunday that while the omicron variant of the coronavirus is rapidly spreading throughout the country, early indications suggest it may be less dangerous than delta, which continues to drive a surge of hospitalizations,” the AP reports.
Said Dr. Anthony Fauci: “Thus far, it does not look like there’s a great degree of severity to it. But we have really got to be careful before we make any determinations that it is less severe or it really doesn’t cause any severe illness, comparable to delta.”
Democrats Fall Flat with ‘Latinx’ Language
“As Democrats seek to reach out to Latino voters in a more gender-neutral way, they’ve increasingly begun using the word Latinx, a term that first began to get traction among academics and activists on the left,” Politico reports.
“But that very effort could be counterproductive in courting those of Latin American descent, according to a new nationwide poll of Hispanic voters.”
Max Rose Will Seek His Old House Seat
Former Rep. Max Rose (D-NY) announced that he is running again for Congress.
New York Times: “The race for New York’s 11th Congressional District, currently held by Rep. Nicole Malliotakis (R-NY)) could be one of the most competitive in the metropolitan area next year, along with possible races on Long Island.”
“Depending on the contours of the Staten Island- and Brooklyn-area district following the redistricting process, the contest may also represent one of the Democrats’ more promising pickup opportunities, as they strain to maintain their congressional majorities heading into a grueling midterm campaign environment.”
New York City Sets Sweeping Vaccine Mandate
New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio (D) announced a sweeping Covid vaccine mandate for all private employers in New York City on Monday morning to combat the spread of the Omicron variant, the New York Times reports.
Pandemic Hit Gen Z Hardest
A new AP-NORC poll finds that among Americans in Gen Z — the survey included ages 13 to 24 — 46% said the pandemic has made it harder to pursue their education or career goals, compared with 36% of Millennials and 31% in Generation X.
There was a similar gap when it came to dating and romantic relationships, with 40% of Gen Z saying it became harder.
Ex-Guard Official Says Generals Lied to Congress
“A former D.C. National Guard official is accusing two senior Army leaders of lying to Congress and participating in a secret attempt to rewrite the history of the military’s response to the Capitol riot,” Politico reports.
Far-Right French Candidate Promises ‘Reconquest’
French far-right presidential candidate Eric Zemmour promised a “reconquest” against decades of decline at his first political rally, as scuffles with anti-racism protesters broke out on its fringes, Reuters reports.
Said Zemmour: “If I win this election, it won’t be another rotation of power but a reconquest of the greatest country in the world.”
Meanwhile, the Financial Times reports Zemmour was grabbed by a crowd member who briefly put him in a headlock. A video showed men punching the activists and chairs being thrown, while security officials tried to break up the fight.
Aung San Suu Kyi Sentenced to Four Years in Prison
“Myanmar’s ousted civilian leader, Aung San Suu Kyi, was sentenced to four years imprisonment after being found guilty on two charges, the first verdicts in a raft of criminal cases that the country’s military has brought against her since seizing power 10 months ago,” the Wall Street Journal reports.
“The guilty verdicts are likely to spark more unrest in the Southeast Asian nation, which was plunged into turmoil after the coup on Feb. 1. Mass protests against army rule were met with deadly force, the nation’s economy is in free fall and conflict has intensified between the army and insurgent groups.”
January 6 Was Practice
Barton Gellman, writing for The Atlantic:
“Technically, the next attempt to overthrow a national election may not qualify as a coup. It will rely on subversion more than violence, although each will have its place. If the plot succeeds, the ballots cast by American voters will not decide the presidency in 2024. Thousands of votes will be thrown away, or millions, to produce the required effect. The winner will be declared the loser. The loser will be certified president-elect.”
“The prospect of this democratic collapse is not remote. People with the motive to make it happen are manufacturing the means. Given the opportunity, they will act. They are acting already.”
“Who or what will safeguard our constitutional order is not apparent today. It is not even apparent who will try. Democrats, big and small D, are not behaving as if they believe the threat is real. Some of them, including President Joe Biden, have taken passing rhetorical notice, but their attention wanders. They are making a grievous mistake.”
