Politics of the Day: Latest News and Developments
As the world continues to grapple with the impact of the coronavirus pandemic and the turmoil in the political sphere, this article will provide a snapshot of the latest news and developments in politics. From Congress to international news, here are the stories that are dominating the headlines today.
Congress:
"If we hadn't called Arizona," said Suzanne Scott, the network's chief executive, according to a recording reviewed by The New York Times, the outcome of the 2020 presidential election could have been different. The conversation was part of a broader discussion about how the network called the election for Joe Biden in the early morning hours of November 4th. This story has been a source of contention between both sides of the aisle, with some Republicans arguing that the call was premature and Democrats arguing that it was made in accordance with standard practices.
White House:
The Justice Department has alleged that former Trump campaign chairman Paul Manafort failed to report his financial interest in foreign bank accounts. This revelation has further increased scrutiny of the former Trump administration, with some Democrats calling for an investigation into the former president's finances. The Justice Department is currently seeking a guilty plea from Manafort, and the case is expected to proceed to trial in the coming months.
Gun Laws:
In a new interview with CNN's Isaac Dovere, Democratic presidential hopeful Pete Buttigieg discussed the Ohio train derailment and fired back at conservative critics. Buttigieg, who was mayor of South Bend, Indiana at the time of the tragedy, argued that the train derailment was a direct result of lax gun laws in the state. He called on Congress to pass comprehensive gun reform in order to prevent similar tragedies in the future.
National Security:
Washington, D.C. Council Chairman Phil Mendelson announced at a press conference he's withdrawing a controversial criminal code bill and the measure will be replaced with a more comprehensive version. The bill, which was introduced in the city council earlier this month, had been met with criticism from both sides of the aisle. The new version of the bill seeks to address the concerns of both sides by expanding the scope of criminal code violations and providing greater clarity regarding sentencing guidelines.
International:
Governor Ron DeSantis of Florida recently condemned other states' Covid responses and celebrated Florida as a "citadel of freedom" in a speech. DeSantis argued that Florida's approach has been successful in curbing the spread of the virus, and he accused other states of taking a more draconian approach to the pandemic. This speech has been met with criticism from both Democrats and Republicans, with some arguing that the governor is overstating the success of his approach.
CNN's Daniel Dale recently fact-checked claims made by former President Donald Trump in a speech at CPAC. Dale debunked several of Trump's claims, including his assertion that the 2020 election was stolen and his false claims about the coronavirus vaccine. This fact-checking effort by Dale has been praised by Democrats and criticized by Republicans, with some arguing that Dale is biased against the former president.
The convergence of social media and performative politics has made Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) a dangerous social-media star. Greene has been criticized for her promotion of conspiracy theories and her inflammatory language on social media platforms, with some Democrats calling for her expulsion from Congress. The House of Representatives recently voted to strip Greene of her committee assignments, a move that has been met with outrage from Republicans.
The Department of Transportation has refused to share the cost information of 23 flights Secretary Pete Buttigieg and his advisers have taken since he assumed office. The refusal to release this information has been met with criticism from Democrats, who argue that transparency is essential when it comes to government expenditures. Republicans, meanwhile, have accused the department of hiding information in order to avoid scrutiny of Buttigieg's spending.
A top Democrat said the information the bipartisan group of congressional leaders got in their first briefing by administration officials on the situation at the border was "alarming." The briefing reportedly highlighted the severity of the crisis at the border, with officials warning that the influx of migrants is likely to continue in the coming months. This has been a source of contention between Republicans and Democrats, with some Republicans arguing that the Biden administration's policies are to blame for the situation.
