Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis said the investigation of Donald Trump’s efforts to overturn the 2020 election result in Georgia is “of high priority” and will go before a grand jury as soon as March, MSNBC reports.
Quote of the Day
“What the fuck, man? Is this America? What the fuck just happened? I’m so sick and tired of this shit.”
— Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-MD) quoting a police officer who faced racist insults while protecting the Capitol during the Jan. 6 insurrection.
Biden to Launch Pentagon Review of China Strategy
Wall Street Journal: “President Biden is expected Wednesday to announce the creation of a Pentagon review of the national security aspects of the administration’s China strategy as part of a broader administration effort to determine its approach to countering Beijing, administration officials said.”
Lindsey Graham Assures Trump of Acquittal
Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC) reassured former President Donald Trump that he will be acquitted on a charge of inciting an insurrection, The Hill reports.
Said Graham: “I think his team will do better, can do better. I reinforced to the president, the case is over. It’s just a matter of getting the final verdict now.”
Proud Boy Charged In Insurrection Rips Trump
One of the Proud Boys arrested for participating in the Jan. 6 insurrection at the Capitol told a court Wednesday that he was duped by President Donald Trump’s “deception” and “acted out of the delusional belief” that he was responding patriotically to the commander in chief, Politico reports.
Richard Haass Leaves the Republican Party
Council on Foreign Relations President Richard Haass announced that he has officially left the Republican Party, invoking a version of famous quote from his former boss, Ronald Reagan: “I didn’t leave the Republican Party; the Party left me.”
Most Republicans See Democrats As Enemies
A new CBS News/YouGov poll finds 59% of Democrats say that they tend to view Republicans as political opponents, while 41% view them as enemies.
In contrast, 57% of Republicans say that they tend to view Democrats as enemies, while 43% view them as political opponents.
Trump Defense Lawyers Scramble to Create Videos
“Donald Trump’s legal team is scrambling to collect and produce more videos to bolster their impeachment trial arguments after a rambling debut performance that enraged the former president and dismayed Republicans,” CNN reports.
“The move to use more videotape — and lean away from in-person arguments — amounts to a tacit acknowledgment that the lawyers Trump has enlisted to defend him during his second impeachment trial are failing to inspire confidence.”
Harris Begins Regular Lunches with Blinken
“Vice President Kamala Harris will have her first private lunch with Secretary of State Antony Blinken Wednesday, meetings that are expected to continue with regularity,” CNN reports.
“The meetings, which will be worked around their schedules and Covid-19 regulations, continue a tradition of vice presidents in close collaboration with their administration’s secretary of state. Then-Vice President Joe Biden was known to host meals with then-Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.”
“Harris has told those close to her that she wants to shape her vice presidency after Biden’s own tenure.”
Trump Will Never Be Allowed Back on Twitter
Twitter CFO Ned Segal was asked on CNBC whether Donald Trump could ever turn to the platform in the scenario that he returns to the White House in four years.
The answer was an unequivocal no: “The way our policies work—when you’re removed from the platform, you’re removed from the platform.”
Prosecutors Open Criminal Probe Into Trump Call
“An Atlanta-area prosecutor has opened a criminal investigation into efforts to overturn the 2020 election result in Georgia in the wake of two calls then-President Donald Trump placed to state officials, urging them to overturn Joe Biden’s victory in the state,” the Washington Post reports.
New York Times: “The inquiry makes Georgia the second state after New York where Mr. Trump faces a criminal investigation. And it comes in a jurisdiction where potential jurors are unlikely to be hospitable to the former president; Fulton County encompasses most of Atlanta and overwhelmingly supported President Biden in the November election.”
House Impeachment Managers Have New Video
House impeachment managers will show never-before-seen security footage of the January 6 riots at the U.S. Capitol in their presentation today, CNN reports.
They also will not use their full 16 hours to argue the case.
Huge Bipartisan Majority Wants Relief Package
A new CBS News/YouGov poll finds that 83% of Americans favor passing the economic relief package that Congress is considering.
Large majorities of Democrats, Republicans, and independents, as well as Americans of all income levels would approve of the stimulus bill.
House Republicans Will Target 47 Democrats
“The House Republicans’ campaign arm on Wednesday revealed the list of 47 House Democrats it will target in the 2022 midterm elections, whose results are likely to be determined largely by the popularity of President Biden,” the New York Times reports.
“The National Republican Congressional Committee’s list includes 25 Democrats who were first elected in the Democrats’ 2018 wave election and six incumbents who represent districts that voted for former President Donald Trump in November.”
Roll Call has the full list.
Josh Mandel Will Run for Senate In Ohio
Former Ohio Treasurer Josh Mandel (R) announced that he was running for U.S. Senate, the Cleveland Plain Dealer reports.
Democrats Could Lose Their Majority at Any Time
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GOP Image Slides Giving Democrats Strong Advantage
Gallup: “Americans’ opinions of the Republican Party have worsened in recent months, with 37% now saying they have a favorable view of the party, down from 43% in November. This decline, along with a slight increase in the Democratic Party’s positive ratings, to 48%, gives the Democrats a rare double-digit advantage in favorability.”
Cawthorn Backs Walker In North Carolina Senate Race
Freshman Rep. Madison Cawthorn (R-NC), who has served just over a month in Congress, is already jumping into the N.C. Senate primary race to endorse Mark Walker (R), Politico reports.
“The endorsement announcement comes as former North Carolina Gov. Pat McCrory is strongly weighing his own Senate bid, which would make him a strong competitor for a seat that is a must-win for the GOP.”
