Photo: Science Photo Library RF
1 Jan 6 Hearing: Trump Struggled To Condemn Capitol Rioters
The House committee investigating the January 6th attack on the Capitol held its eighth public hearing in prime time last night. The panel’s focus? Trump's actions as the riot unfolded. They presented evidence and testimony from witnesses with firsthand knowledge that he watched the events on TV, waiting hours before trying to quell the violence. While much of the testimony didn’t offer anything new – more confirming what was previously entered – there was some new information. There was also testimony to the fact that Pence's security detail, fearing the worst, made phone calls to say goodbye to loved ones as the rioters breached the Capitol. But also, there were outtakes from addresses following last year's Capitol riot show Mr. Trump struggling to condemn rioters and to say the election was over. After the riot on January 6th, Trump filmed a three-minute video condemning the violence. The address reportedly took an hour to record. In the outtakes, Trump repeats false claims about the election not seen in the final version, saying, "We had an election that was stolen from us. It was a landslide election and everyone knows it." The committee now plans to take a break from public hearings next month and pick things back up in September.
2 President Biden’s Got Covid
President Biden is isolating and working from the White House residence after getting a positive COVID diagnosis. The news first came from Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre, who said the President is feeling fine with a little dry cough and a runny nose. Biden is apparently being treated with the antiviral drug Paxlovid. Later, White House Covid Response Coordinator Dr. Ashish Jha reminded the press corps that Biden is fully vaccinated and double-boosted and faces a greatly-reduced risk of serious illness – and again urged unvaccinated or under-vaccinated Americans to get the full regimen of shots and boosters. Fast forward to the afternoon and the President addressed the American people himself via Twitter. "Hey folks, I guess you heard, this morning I tested positive for COVID. But I've been double vaccinated, double boosted,” he said. “Symptoms are mild. And I really appreciate your inquiries and concerns. But I'm doing well.”
3 House Approves Contraception Access Bill
A bill ensuring access to contraceptives is moving to the Senate after passage by the House. The vote was 228-195…with eight Republicans joining the Dems. The Democratic bill is a response to concerns that Republicans may try to ban contraceptives after the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade. Republicans called the bill very vague and argued it's really about preserving access to abortion drugs. Among the Republicans crossing the aisle? Nancy Mace of South Carolina. "There's a reason why we're having so many of these abortions,” she noted at a press conference. “If you're going to ban (abortion), you've got to make sure women have access to health care, medical care, prenatal care and birth control." Now the measure heads to the Senate, where by all accounts, it faces a steep hill.