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☆ House GOP seeks Biden family 'suspicious activity reports' from Treasury
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-11 | by ( Https | Media-Cldnry.S-Nbcnews.Com Image Upload Newscms Jonathan-Allen-Circle-Byline-Template.Jpg | Jonathan Allen | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +3 min

WASHINGTON — House Republicans asked the Treasury Department Wednesday to turn over documents related to the business ventures of President Joe Biden's family members, including "suspicious activity reports" connected to Biden's son Hunter Biden and brother James Biden. And Hunter Biden is under investigation by federal prosecutors in Delaware. Trump and congressional Republicans have called on the Justice Department to prosecute Hunter Biden for a variety of alleged misdeeds. In Wednesday's letter, Comer asked Treasury for records of suspicious activity reports related to Biden family members and their business associates. In addition to Hunter Biden and James Biden, the letter names Sara Biden, James Biden's wife and President Biden's sister-in-law, and Biden family business associates Rob Walker, Eric Schwerin and Devon Archer.

COVINGTON, Ky. — A key part of the White House plan to combat the new House GOP majority was on vivid display Wednesday: President Joe Biden talked about bridges and bipartisanship, while Republicans bickered among themselves. They plan to show him addressing real-world problems that are Americans' top concern while painting congressional Republicans as being focused on raw politics. They are refining plans to pressure House Republicans in swing districts to stop any impeachment votes in committee — before the issue reaches the House floor. The general view inside the White House is that there is little of substance to worry about. There, Barack Obama challenged McConnell and congressional Republicans to “help us rebuild this bridge!” and put unemployed construction workers to work.

And while it’s still possible that some other modest pieces of legislation can be brought to a vote and passed in the House, the political dynamics inside the House GOP will make even the most milquetoast bipartisan and nonideological issues difficult to pass. Just for context — it’s been 100 years since an incoming House has failed to elect a speaker on its first roll call. It’s one that may, in fact, match the former president in malevolency and outpace him in ineptitude. Just look at what has taken place over the last several weeks in the lead-up to this week as Freedom Caucus members have been jockeying for power. To win enough votes for speaker, McCarthy has been hard at work horse-trading with the extreme right wing of his party to secure his speakership.

Democrats will wield an expanded 51-seat Senate majority and control the presidency. We need to be cutting spending,” McCarthy told reporters after a meeting with Senate Republicans on Dec. 21. There’s so much discombobulation and disunity on different sides of the Republican caucus,” Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., told reporters before the holiday recess. Conservative lawmakers say a GOP House should block a debt limit increase without major policy changes to rein in spending. Some House Republicans are already calling to impeach Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas over his department's handling of immigration policy.

☆ At least 3 House GOP leaders who dodged Jan. 6 committee subpoenas plan to haul in witnesses for their own investigations in the 118th Congress
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-02 | by ( Warren Rojas | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

The January 6 committee deposed over 1,000 witnesses about Trump's 2020 election fraud scheme. Seven House Republicans elected not to answer the committee's questions. Defying this probe could empower Democrats to do the same when Republicans take control in 2023. The highest profile holdouts include House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy and House Judiciary Committee ranking member Jim Jordan of Ohio, who are vying to become House speaker and Judiciary chairman, respectively, in the next Congress after flipping control of the chamber this fall. January 6 committee members unanimously voted on December 19 to refer McCarthy, Jordan, Biggs, and Rep. Scott Perry of Pennsylvania to the House Committee on Ethics for failing to comply with the subpeonas.

WASHINGTON, Dec 28 (Reuters) - Jamie Raskin, a Democratic U.S. lawmaker who rose to prominence as he oversaw former President Donald Trump's second impeachment trial in the House of Representatives, has been diagnosed with cancer, he said on Wednesday. "After several days of tests, I have been diagnosed with Diffuse Large B Cell Lymphoma, which is a serious but curable form of cancer," Raskin, 60, said in a statement released by his office. Raskin has also served on the January 6 Committee, which investigated the Capitol attack and Trump's role in it. In the next Congress, Raskin is set to serve as the top Democrat on the House Oversight panel. Raskin told MSNBC during an interview later on Wednesday that the chemotherapy treatments were scheduled to begin this week.

☆ Elon Musk slams 'corporate journalism' over its response to the Twitter Files: 'Why is it rushing to defend the state instead of the people?'
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-29 | by ( Pete Syme | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Elon Musk accused "corporate journalism" of failing to side with the people over the Twitter Files. Musk retweeted a Substack article that criticized CNN for a report that denied his accusations. Musk added: "Why is corporate journalism rushing to defend the state instead of the people?" FBI agents then sent emails to Twitter staff suggesting certain accounts be banned for spreading misinformation about issues such as election integrity, per the Twitter Files. But Musk and some freelance journalists are annoyed that the Twitter Files haven't received more support from the press.

WASHINGTON, Dec 28 (Reuters) - Jamie Raskin, a Democratic U.S. representative who rose to prominence as the lead manager for former President Donald Trump's second impeachment trial, has been diagnosed with cancer, he said on Wednesday. "After several days of tests, I have been diagnosed with Diffuse Large B Cell Lymphoma, which is a serious but curable form of cancer," Raskin said in an official statement. Raskin has also served on the January 6 Committee, which investigated the Capitol attack and Trump's role in it. In the next Congress, Raskin is set to serve as the top Democrat on the House Oversight panel. Reporting by Gram Slattery in Washington Editing by Caitlin Webber and Matthew LewisOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Democrats fret as Biden tries to bolster re-election case touting legislative wins
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-22 | by ( Peter Nicholas | Https | Media-Cldnry.S-Nbcnews.Com Image Upload Newscms Carol-Lee-Circle-Byline-Template.Jpg | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +8 min

WASHINGTON — As 2022 draws to a close, President Joe Biden plans to give an upbeat national address Thursday afternoon with a unifying message. Biden would be traveling the country touting reduced insulin prices and new road projects, while House Republicans hold hearings into obscure conspiracy theories. The first is Biden runs and loses, perhaps to a younger Republican opponent who eclipses Trump as the new GOP favorite. His top aides have been meeting privately with left-leaning interest groups urging them to go out and showcase Biden’s record. “President Biden became the first president since FDR in 1934 to not lose a single incumbent United States Senate seat” in the midterms, Donilon wrote.

☆ Hunter Biden hires attorney Abbe Lowell to beef up legal team
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-21 | by ( Sarah Fitzpatrick | Sarah Fitzpatrick Is A Senior Investigative Producer | Story Editor For Nbc News. She Previously Worked For Cbs News | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +2 min

Hunter Biden has added a high-powered attorney to his legal team amid an ongoing federal probe and plans by Republicans to make him a key focus of investigations when they take control of the House next month. Abbe Lowell, of the firm Winston and Strawn, will be primarily responsible for coordinating Hunter Biden’s response to anticipated congressional oversight investigations, as well advising on other legal issues and overall strategy, an attorney for Hunter Biden told NBC News on Wednesday. "Hunter Biden has retained Abbe Lowell to help advise him and be part of his legal team to address the challenges he is facing,” the attorney, Kevin Morris, said. "Lowell is a well-known Washington based attorney has represented numerous public officials and high profile people in DOJ investigations and trials as well as Congressional Investigations. Mr. Lowell will handle congressional investigations and general strategic advice."

☆ Elon Musk, 'Chief Twit'
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-21 | by ( Kenneth Li | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

He solicited the view of the public before restoring banned accounts belonging to former U.S. President Donald Trump and other prominent U.S. election deniers. Most declined to return and work under “hardcore” conditions that entailed sleeping at the office as one employee demonstrated on Twitter. He has floated ideas ranging from building a version of China’s WeChat, a super app that would include everything from shopping to banking to social media. It has always punched above its weight and remains the preferred social media megaphone for world and industry leaders, revolutionaries and the media. Look to Musk to stoke political outrage in 2023 as he backs Florida Governor Ron DeSantis for a 2024 U.S. presidential bid while enticing Trump to start tweeting again.

☆ Trump thinks Elon Musk's poll about his future as the CEO of Twitter was a good exit strategy: 'I think that's a good way of stepping down'
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-21 | by ( Cheryl Teh | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Donald Trump thinks Elon Musk knew he would lose the poll on whether he should remain the CEO of Twitter. On Tuesday, Musk tweeted that he'll step down as Twitter CEO when he finds someone "foolish" enough to replace him. When asked on One America News if he had any advice for Musk, Trump said Musk needs a replacement who wears "a lot of different hats." After Trump's comments, Musk tweeted that it might be time for Trump to give up on being president again. In November, Musk reinstated Trump's Twitter account.

☆ A major Tesla investor says Elon Musk 'isn't suited' to be Twitter CEO
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-21 | by ( Travis Clark | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

Ross Gerber, a Tesla and Twitter investor, says that Elon Musk "isn't suited" to be the CEO of the latter. He wants Musk to focus on the product, and let a "media-savvy" person be the front-facing CEO. What I really think is that Elon isn't suited to be the front-facing CEO of Twitter, and that's that." He said that the "politicization" of Musk's ownership of Twitter has hurt the brand of Tesla, where Musk is also CEO, and would benefit by Musk not being CEO of Twitter. Musk posted a Twitter poll Sunday asking whether he should resign as Twitter CEO and promised to abide by the results.

☆ Tesla investors plead with Elon Musk to leave Twitter and refocus on the electric car company in 'a vote of no confidence in Elon'
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-21 | by ( Kali Hays | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

Some high profile investors agreed Tesla's stock is down because Musk is distracted with Twitter. Musk is trying to get new investment for the platform, and just sold $3.6 billion in Tesla stock. "We all know why Tesla stock is down and it has nothing to do with the company," Gerber said. Both Gerber and Black suggested that Musk is selling Tesla stock to invest in Twitter, a company that Black noted "makes no money and probably never will." That should make a long-term stock investment like Tesla more intriguing to investors.

☆ Jan. 6 committee highlights: Panel votes on criminal referrals for Trump and others
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-20 | by ( Rebecca Shabad | Https | Media-Cldnry.S-Nbcnews.Com Image Upload Newscms Jonathan-Allen-Circle-Byline-Template.Jpg | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +48 min

“By the time President Trump was preparing to give his speech, he and his advisors knew enough to cancel the rally. “Some have suggested that President Trump gave an order to have 10,000 troops ready for January 6th. On far-right groups drawing inspiration from Trump: Trump has not denied that he helped inspire far-right groups, including the Proud Boys and Oath Keepers, to violently attempt to obstruct the official certification proceedings on Jan. 6. "There is no question from all the evidence assembled that President Trump did have that intent." Share this -Link copiedInside the final Jan. 6 committee meeting The Jan. 6 committee met for what’s likely its final public meeting, with many of the usual faces present.

☆ Jan. 6 committee live updates: Panel votes on criminal referrals for Trump and others
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-19 | by ( Summer Concepcion | Https | Media-Cldnry.S-Nbcnews.Com Image Upload Newscms Summer-Concepcion-Byline-Jm.Jpg | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +42 min

Committee details Trump allies' efforts to obstruct its investigation In its report summary, the committee detailed some of the efforts to obstruct its investigation. On far-right groups drawing inspiration from Trump: Trump has not denied that he helped inspire far-right groups, including the Proud Boys and Oath Keepers, to violently attempt to obstruct the official certification proceedings on Jan. 6. "There is no question from all the evidence assembled that President Trump did have that intent." Share this -Link copiedInside the final Jan. 6 committee meeting The Jan. 6 committee met for what’s likely its final public meeting, with many of the usual faces present. The committee will likely reveal Eastman’s referrals during Monday’s meeting, in addition to expected criminal referrals for Trump.

☆ Rep. Ro Khanna says balancing regulation and ethics online is key to ensuring technology remains a force for good: 'We need technology to democratize voice in America'
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-19 | by ( Katherine Tangalakis-Lippert | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

"I think the trajectory of technology is still a force for good," he told Politico. Despite his concerns about Twitter, Khanna remains optimistic about the potential for technology companies to benefit society. "I think we need technology to solve climate," Khanna told Politico. We need technology to democratize voice in America. The office of Rep. Khanna did not immediately respond to Insider's request for comment.

On Thursday, Twitter accounts for at least nine journalists and one left-leaning political pundit were suspended. That is the real problem here.”According to Musk, Thursday’s suspensions were related to new rules around sharing real-time location information, which he tied to an alleged stalking incident. Musk said, “Any account doxxing real-time location info of anyone will be suspended, as it is a physical safety violation. On Wednesday, Musk tweeted that legal action would be taken against Sweeney. Andrew Torba, founder of the far-right social platform Gab, also criticized Musk and touted his company as an alternative to Twitter.

☆ Democrats criticize Elon Musk for suspending journalists covering Twitter
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-16 | by ( Amanda Terkel | Amanda Is Senior Politics Editor For Nbc News Digital. | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +5 min

WASHINGTON — Democratic members of Congress had harsh words for Elon Musk on Thursday night after Twitter suddenly suspended a number of high-profile journalists who have been covering the company and Musk, its billionaire CEO. In November, shortly after he took over Twitter, Musk tweeted that he would not ban the account. Musk tweeted Thursday night. "Ro Khanna is great," Musk tweeted in response to one of some of the Twitter files. Rep. Eric Swalwell, D-Calif., tweeted: "Twitter can suspend whoever it wants.

☆ Twitter took its Spaces audio feature offline after suspended journalists found they still had access and confronted Elon Musk about their removals
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-16 | by ( Britney Nguyen | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Twitter Spaces was taken offline after suspended journalists were still able to access it. After Spaces stopped working, Musk tweeted that Twitter is "fixing a Legacy bug," and it should return Friday. A little after 2 a.m. Eastern, actor Sir Maejor, tweeted at Musk, asking what happened with Twitter Spaces. Twitter suspended more than six journalists from the platform on Thursday, all of whom report on Musk regularly. During his appearance in the Space, Musk said "everyone's going to be treated the same, you're not special cause you're a journalist."

☆ Alleged Pelosi attacker also planned to go after Hunter Biden, Tom Hanks and Gavin Newsom, police say
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-15 | by ( Zoë Richards | Bryan Lavietes | Zoë Richards Is The Evening Politics Reporter For Nbc News. | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +2 min

The man charged with attacking the husband of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi also had plans to target Hunter Biden, California Gov. Gavin Newsom and actor Tom Hanks, according to a police officer who interviewed the alleged assailant. Hanks, meanwhile, has lent his star power to support Joe Biden, appearing alongside him at a grassroots fundraiser in 2020. In January, Hanks narrated a video released by the Biden Inaugural Committee highlighting the president’s accomplishments in his first year in office. DePape will be arraigned Dec. 28 on the state charges.

☆ Jill Biden now ‘all in’ for second run at the White House, people close to her say
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-15 | by ( Kate Bennett | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +12 min

Jill Biden is now “all in” on the idea, according to a person who works with the East Wing. Recent polling, however, suggests a large swath of the Democratic Party may not be eager to see the president run again. President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden arrive with Vice President Kamala Harris and second gentleman Doug Emhoff for a bill signing ceremony for the Respect for Marriage Act on Tuesday, December 13, 2022, on the South Lawn of the White House. “[Jill Biden] is the one more aware of how the last few years have affected Joe [Biden,]” noted a person with ties to the Biden family. Jill Biden is also the tender of Joe Biden’s legacy.

Former President Donald Trump speaks on May 28, 2022 in Casper, Wyoming. Donald Trump on Thursday announced a series of aggressive and ambitious proposals to undo what he characterized as the suppression of free speech in the United States if he is elected president in 2024. Among other things, Trump vowed to "ban federal money from being used to label domestic speech as 'mis-' or 'dis-information,'" including federal subsidies and student loan support for universities. "When I'm president, this whole rotten system of censorship and information control will be ripped out of the system at large. Trump and other right-wing figures have for years claimed they are the victims of efforts to limit their speech by purported "deep-state" actors, mainstream media outlets and social media companies.

☆ Police testify about attack on U.S. House Speaker Pelosi's husband
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-14 | by ( Kanishka Singh | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Dec 14 (Reuters) - A San Francisco police officer testified on Wednesday that he witnessed the attack on U.S. House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi's husband when the suspect attacked Paul Pelosi with a hammer in late October. The suspect, demanding to see the House speaker, had broken into her San Francisco home and attacked her husband in an assault that had stoked fears about political violence in the United States in the days leading to the midterm elections. San Francisco Superior Court Judge Stephen Murphy conducted the hearing on Wednesday to establish if there was enough evidence to bring the suspect to trial. After the attack, Paul Pelosi, 82, underwent surgery for a skull fracture and injuries to his right arm and hands. DePape threatened to take the House speaker hostage, prosecutors said.

☆ Paul Pelosi attack: David DePape Pelosi planned to target Hunter Biden, Gavin Newsom and Tom Hanks, police officials says
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-14 | by ( Stella Chan | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

Gavin Newsom and actor Tom Hanks, a San Francisco Police Department official testified Wednesday. “DePape held to answer on all counts and allegations,” the San Francisco District Attorney’s Office said in a statement. Following the attack, Paul Pelosi had surgery “to repair a skull fracture and serious injuries to his right arm and hands,” Drew Hammill, a spokesman for Nancy Pelosi, said at the time. Where’s Nancy?” He then threatened to tie up Paul Pelosi and prevented him from escaping via elevator, according to the documents. Nancy Pelosi announced last month that she would step down from her leadership post after leading House Democrats for two decades.

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