Jessica Cisneros (D) will request a recount of the runoff election between her and Rep. Henry Cuellar (D-TX), the Washington Post reports.
Manchin Would Ban Assault Weapons
Sen. Joe Manchin (D-WV) “voiced his support Monday for raising the age to 21 for purchasing semi-automatic weapons and questioned why individuals need to own high-powered AR-15-style weapons, putting him at odds with Republicans who are resisting imposing any restrictions on access to firearms,” CNN reports.
Eric Garcetti’s Pressure on Mark Kelly Backfired
“Democratic powerbrokers close to Eric Garcetti privately pressured Sen. Mark Kelly to support the Los Angeles mayor’s ambassadorial nomination,” Politico reports.
“As part of the push, they left the strong impression that the Arizona Democrat could find himself cut off from donor networks should he refuse to back the beleaguered nominee to be U.S. ambassador to India.”
“The outreach infuriated Kelly, who vented to associates that he felt like he was being strong-armed over his refusal to relent on Garcetti’s nomination.”
Holding Trump Accountable Proves Elusive
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U.S. Military Investigates Possible Insider Attack
“The US military is investigating whether an American service member set off explosives in an insider attack on a small US base in northern Syria that injured four service members in April,” CNN reports.
Marie Newman Says Sean Casten is Full of It
Rep. Marie Newman (D-IL) released a new ad hitting Rep. Sean Casten (D-IL) ahead of the Democratic primary on June 28.
Said Newman, as she picks up her dog’s excrement: “Unfortunately, you’re going to hear a lot of shit about me from my opponent, Sean Casten.”
Extra Bonus Quote of the Day
“There’s really three parties in the United States: Republicans, Democrats and Mayors.”
— Chattanooga Mayor Tim Kelly (I), on CNN.
Proud Boys Leaders Charged with ‘Seditious Conspiracy’
“Henry ‘Enrique’ Tarrio, longtime chairman of the extremist group Proud Boys, was indicted on a new federal charge of seditious conspiracy with four top lieutenants on Monday,” the Washington Post reports.
“The charges expand the Justice Department’s allegations of an organized plot to unleash political violence to prevent the confirmation of President Biden’s election victory on Jan. 6, 2021, when a pro-Trump mob attacked the U.S. Capitol.”
Milo Yiannopoulos Is Interning for Marjorie Taylor Greene
“Far-right provocateur and former Breitbart editor Milo Yiannopoulos has found a new gig: Capitol Hill intern for MAGA firebrand Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene,” the Daily Beast reports.
Yiannopoulos is the same conservative activist who once defended pedophilia.
Biden Punts Again on Student-Loan Forgiveness
“President Biden is likely to decide later this summer whether to partially forgive student-loan debt for millions of borrowers, after the president said more than a month ago that he would weigh in on the issue in the next couple of weeks,” the Wall Street Journal reports.
“The officials said Mr. Biden is likely to announce his plans in July or August, closer to when the pandemic-related pause in federal student loan payments is scheduled to lapse, as the president and his senior advisers continue to weigh the political and economic fallout of any such move.”
White House Can’t Decide When to Declare Pandemic Over
“Biden officials in recent months privately discussed how many daily Covid-19 deaths it would take to declare the virus tamed,” Politico reports.
“The discussions, which took place across the administration, and have not been previously disclosed, involved a scenario in which 200 or fewer Americans die per day, a target kicked around before officials ultimately decided not to incorporate it into pandemic planning.”
China Building Secret Naval Facility In Cambodia
“China is secretly building a naval facility in Cambodia for the exclusive use of its military, with both countries denying that is the case and taking extraordinary measures to conceal the operation,” the Washington Post reports.
Less Than Half Think Trump Responsible for Capitol Riot
“Just 45% of Americans say Donald Trump is ‘solely’ or ‘mainly’ responsible for the rioters who overtook the U.S. Capitol during the Jan. 6 attack, versus a combined 55% who say the former president is only somewhat responsible or not really responsible,” according to a new NBC News poll.
T”hat’s a shift from the Jan. 2021 NBC poll — taken days after the attack — when 52% said Trump was either solely or mainly responsible, compared with 47% who disagreed.”
Success of January 6 Hearings Will Depend on Liz Cheney
Robert Reich: “Fast forward 49 years. This week, Baker’s role will be played by Cheney. Her Republican pedigree is no less impressive than Baker’s was: She is the elder daughter of former Vice President Dick Cheney and Second Lady Lynne Cheney. She held several positions in the George W. Bush administration. She is a staunch conservative. And, before House Republicans ousted her, she chaired the House Republican Conference, the third-highest position in the House Republican leadership.”
“Cheney’s responsibility this week will be similar to Baker’s 49 years ago — to be the steady voice of non-partisan common sense, helping the nation view the hearings as a search for truth rather than a “witch hunt,” as Trump has characterized them.”
Early Turnout In California Is Dismal
Los Angeles Times: “The returns are a major drop off from the same period in last year’s gubernatorial recall election, as well as the last midterm election in 2018, according to data tracked by political analysts.”
“Election experts say the lackluster participation by Californians stems from a dearth of excitement over this year’s contests, which largely lack competitive races at the top of the ticket. It’s a stark contrast with other parts of the nation where voter turnout is exceeding expectations.”
Senators Eye Gun Deal By End of Week
“The Senate group negotiating over a gun control package is trying to strike a deal by the end of this week,” Punchbowl News reports.
“This timeline shows the urgency with which the two sides are approaching the issue.”
January 6 Committee Has Found More on Trump
Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-MD) said the House select committee investigating the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the Capitol has found evidence on former President Trump that supports “a lot more than incitement,” The Hill reports.
Michigan Widens Probe Into Voting System Breaches
“State police in Michigan have obtained warrants to seize voting equipment and election-related records in at least three towns and one county in the past six weeks, police records show, widening the largest known investigation into unauthorized attempts by allies of former President Donald Trump to access voting systems,” Reuters reports.
