Republicans

The Insider reports: In a clip uncovered by the “Rachel Maddow Show” on MSNBC, Santos tells the podcast Radio Novela Apresenta that his home was vandalized in January of 2021 simply because he was a Republican. “I’m going to a New Year’s Eve party with my husband. We go back to our house, it was vandalized because we were at …

Florida Politics reports: Gov. Ron DeSantis started out his week with the Florida Sheriff’s Association (FSA), where he discussed his desire to allow juries to administer the death penalty via a supermajority vote, rather than requiring unanimity. “Fine, have a supermajority. But you can’t just say one person (can decide against the death penalty). So maybe eight out of 12 …

The Associated Press reports: Former Nebraska Gov. Pete Ricketts was sworn in as the newest member of the U.S. Senate on Monday, replacing Republican Sen. Ben Sasse as the Senate returns from several weeks of recess to begin a new session of closely-divided government. Ricketts is bringing the Senate back to its “full 100-person strength,” said Republican leader Mitch McConnell, …

NBC News reports: Former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo sharply criticizes murdered Washington Post columnist Jamal Khashoggi in his new book, questioning his journalism credentials and lambasting what he calls the media’s sympathetic coverage of his brutal killing in Saudi Arabia. “He didn’t deserve to die, but we need to be clear about who he was — and too many …

ProPublica reports: Gregg Phillips and Catherine Engelbrecht are best known as the election deniers behind True the Vote, a Texas-based nonprofit responsible for amplifying conspiracies that the 2020 presidential election was stolen. But soon after Russia invaded Ukraine in early 2022, they shifted some of their focus to the war effort, jumping into the fray with an inspiring idea — …

The Insider reports: Rep. George Santos, who initially denied claims that he performed as a drag queen, later appeared to admit that he once had fun at a festival dressing as a woman. Recently surfaced videos, however, seem to suggest that Santos dressed as his drag persona over a period of at least three years, casting doubt on his claim …

Florida Politics reports: Miami Mayor Francis Suarez is hitting the road next month with a former official from Donald Trump’s administration to speak with law enforcement, politicians and community groups about how to better keep Americans safe from crime. The tour’s funding comes from Public Safety Solutions for America (PSSA), a coalition former Trump adviser Ja’Ron Smith founded in October …

Courthouse News reports: Texas and Florida are behind the two laws now before the high court. The laws sprang up after former President Donald Trump’s ban from Twitter and suspension from Facebook. While the sites frame their actions as editorial discretion, lawmakers in the states have likened it to unconstitutional censorship. After considering challenges to the the laws at their …

The Guardian reports: Pompeo describes Trump calling John Bolton, his third national security adviser, a “scumbag loser”. After being fired, Bolton produced a memoir of his own, The Room Where It Happened. Trump sought to prevent publication but the book was a bestseller. Bolton has now floated a White House run of his own, to try to block Trump. Pompeo …

NBC News reports: Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries on Monday tapped Reps. Adam Schiff and Eric Swalwell to continue serving on the House Intelligence Committee, teeing up a long-anticipated fight with Speaker Kevin McCarthy who has vowed to block the pair from keeping their seats on the powerful panel. The move means that the relationship between Jeffries, a New Yorker and …

CNN reports: Cascading revelations about New York Rep. George Santos’ pattern of lies and deception are putting increased scrutiny on powerful New York Rep. Elise Stefanik, the fourth-ranking House Republican and a vocal supporter of Santos during his 2022 campaign. Stefanik was a key validator for Santos in their shared home state and often touted the candidate in public and …

Popular Information reports: Teachers in Manatee County, Florida, are being told to make their classroom libraries — and any other “unvetted” book — inaccessible to students, or risk felony prosecution. The new policy is part of an effort to comply with new laws and regulations championed by Governor Ron DeSantis (R). It is based on the premise, promoted by right-wing …

The New York Post reports: New Yorkers overwhelmingly think liar Rep. George Santos (R-Nassau) ought to resign, especially voters from areas like the Nassau-based district he is fighting to hold, according to a Siena College poll released Monday. A whopping 71% of suburbanites think he should quit so someone else can rep the district straddling the Queens county line while …

The Associated Press reports: By week’s end, the Republican National Committee is set to resolve a bitter leadership feud that has exposed perilous divisions within the institution charged with electing the next GOP President. Those inside the fight believe the days ahead of Friday’s secret ballot at a luxury seaside resort could get even uglier as rebel forces within former …

CBS News reports: Embattled Congressman George Santos said Sunday he’s heading back to Washington this week to serve his district. In one of his latest tweets, the Long Island Republican said he’s “looking forward to being back on Capitol Hill,” adding he has “a surprise for the ‘journalists’ assigned to stake out” his office. On Saturday, CBS2 cameras were there …

Newsweek reports: An analysis of public voting records in the November race found that Democrat Katie Hobbs managed to pick up support from more than 33,000 Republican-leaning voters in Maricopa County, who backed GOP candidates in other state elections such as state treasurer. In comparison, Kari Lake, a Donald Trump-endorsed 2020 election-denier, managed to gain only 5,953 votes from Democrat-leaning …

“My family escaped socialism twice. We never thought we’d have to fight socialism in America. In fact, radical socialists have infiltrated our government and will destroy our country unless we defeat them. “I say ‘No’ to A.O.C., ‘No’ to Cuomo, and ‘No’ to de Blasio’s failed policies. They have turned NYC into a 3rd world hell hole. We will not …

Florida Politics reports: Gov. Ron DeSantis is speaking out against the concept of “social justice” in the classroom while defending the state’s ban of an Advanced Placement course. “We don’t believe higher education should be for ‘social justice’ or to impose an ideology on students. And so that’s a different approach than most colleges right now in our country.” “I …

The Hill reports: Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) said on Sunday he would support Sen. Kirsten Sinema (I-Ariz.) if she seeks reelection in 2024, even if the newly-independent senator is challenged by a Democrat. When asked by CNN’s Dana Bash on “State of the Union” if he would support a run by Sinema, even if another Democrat runs against her, Manchin …

Rolling Stone reports: “George Santos here reporting live from the Super Bowl,” began Bowen Yang, wearing a sweater not unlike the one that Santos was pictured in on his first day in office. “Congrats on an amazing career,” said James Austin Johnson as NFL on Fox commentator Jimmie Johnson. “I didn’t even know you played football, but I’m seeing here …