Republicans

DeSantis is really starting to feel the heat: The spokeswoman for Florida Gov. Ron Desantis (R) on Thursday said residents will not be affected by the stripping of Disney’s self-governing special district. The Reedy Creek Improvement District [RCID], where Disney is located, has said ending its special status is illegal unless the state pays off the district’s extensive debt. DeSantis …

The Military Times reports: Three active duty service members appeared in a segment aired Thursday on a podcast hosted by Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Florida, accusing the Defense Department of using the COVID-19 vaccine mandate to “intentionally purge” religious service members. Air Force Capt. Jordan Karr, Army Maj. Samuel Sigoloff and Air Force Master Sgt. Nickolas Krupper made their cases from …

The Washington Post reports: The Oklahoma Senate on Thursday approved a Republican bill that would outlaw abortion, putting the state on track to be the first in the nation to enact a total abortion ban once the GOP governor signs the measure into law. Coming ahead of a highly anticipated Supreme Court decision on abortion expected this summer, the Oklahoma …

Atlanta’s ABC News affiliate reports: Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp has of signed a slew of education bills into law Thursday morning — with a number of them stirring controversy. During an event at the Forsyth County Arts Learning Center, Kemp joined his family, lawmakers, and students to sign the bills. “We put students and parents first by putting woke politics …

The Cincinnati Enquirer reports: Ohio Republican Rep. Jean Schmidt sparked outrage during a hearing on an abortion bill when she said a hypothetical teenager traumatized by rape would have the “opportunity” to help that child become a “productive human being.” The comments came during a hearing over Schmidt’s House Bill 598. The bill has no exception for rape or incest. …

The Hill reports: Reps. Bennie Thompson (D-Miss.) and Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-N.J.) have asked the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) to take action against Rep. Madison Cawthorn (R-N.C.) for his incident involving a firearm at an airport checkpoint. Their letter comes just days after Rep. Madison Cawthorn was cited for trying to bring a loaded gun through a TSA checkpoint. According …

Florida Politics reports: The Lincoln Project released a new TV ad Thursday directed at Donald Trump supporters, asserting that House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy believes they’re stupid and laughs at them and the former President behind their backs. “Kevin McCarthy doesn’t think Trump’s supporters and MAGA Republicans are stupid; he knows it,” the ad says. The TV spot, which will …

The Nevada Independent reports: Former President Donald Trump is endorsing Clark County Sheriff Joe Lombardo for governor, giving the candidate a significant leg up over Nevada’s crowded pool of Republican gubernatorial candidates with less than two months to go until the June 14 primary election. In his endorsement message late Wednesday, Trump wrote that Lombardo, who was already considered the …

The Independent reports: Lauren Boebert, Marjorie Taylor Greene and Madison Cawthorn were among a handful of Republicans to vote against a bill supporting the small European nation of Moldova amid fears it could be dragged into the war in Ukraine. The House voted to pass a motion by 409 to 17 expressing support for “Moldova’s democracy, independence, and territorial integrity” …

The Hill reports: Former President Trump told New York Times reporters Jonathan Martin and Alex Burns that he would still be in the White House if Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) had bought into his false election claims. ”Had Mitch stuck with many members of the party who knew the election was rigged, I think we wouldn’t be at …

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports: Senate candidate Herschel Walker has spent years promoting and developing health-conscious products with dubious benefits and a skepticism from the medical community, a review by The Atlanta Journal-Constitution has found. He looked to “revolutionize” the health market with products he said would prevent aging, help weight loss and even protect against the damages of smoking—despite little …

Vice News reports: Former President Trump’s chief spokeswoman spoke to a QAnon-affiliated conference over the weekend, warning the audience that if the liberals she alleges stole the 2020 election aren’t thrown in jail, they’ll come after Trump supporters instead. “You think it’s gonna be better next time?” she said. “You really think if there’s no arrests made from 2020, if …

“Flying home from DC back home to west North Carolina. Early voting starts tomorrow. Super excited about it. But! Really good news. Just went through TSA, no major alarms, nothing bad happened. “So to all law enforcement out there, especially you guys at Charlotte, I love you all. Appreciate you guys, y’all keep us safe. “Seriously. Thanks. Fly safe. Make …

Media Matters has the transcript: LAURA INGRAHAM (HOST): And of course, this is being brought up now as, you know, Congresswoman Greene is, like, talking about martial law and she should never be able to run again. I’d like to have you, you know, have a chance to respond to those criticisms. REP. MARJORIE TAYLOR GREENE (GUEST): Well, those are …

The Huffington Post reports: A conservative group erected six billboards in House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy’s (R-Calif.) home district after he was caught in a lie. “We’ve heard the tapes, Kevin,” the billboards from the Republican Accountability Project (RAP) say. Last week, McCarthy denied a report that he had privately told other Republicans he would urge Donald Trump to resign …

The Colorado Newsline reports: Republican congressional candidate Dave Williams will not have “Let’s Go Brandon” appear as a nickname on the June primary ballot, a Denver District Court judge ruled Wednesday. “Upon consideration of all of this testimony, evidence, briefing, argument and authority the Court held a hearing today by videoconference and entered on the record findings of fact, conclusions …

Newsweek reports: Rep. Matt Gaetz said that House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy of California and Minority Whip Steve Scalise of Louisiana were “not fitting of leadership” during a Wednesday night appearance on Tucker Carlson Tonight. The previous day, Gaetz accused the leaders of being “weak men” for speaking about him and former President Donald Trump indirectly during “sniveling phone calls” …

The Tennessean reports: A last-minute amendment to give a politically appointed textbook commission final approval over books in Tennessee school libraries sparked a Capitol protest and heated debate in the General Assembly on Wednesday. On Wednesday morning, Rep. Jerry Sexton, R-Bean Station, withdrew the controversial amendment requiring the commission to issue its own list of approved materials, but submitted a …

Charlotte’s Fox News affiliate reports:  A North Carolina senator is weighing in on the latest in an avalanche of issues for a fellow congressman from the Tar Heel state. Thom Tillis tweeted Wednesday morning, addressing accusations that Rep. Madison Cawthorn had implicated himself in insider trading. The Washington Examiner wrote that Madison Cawthorn is under fire after posing with hedge …

Florida Politics reports: Many Republicans reveled at the Elon Musk Twitter takeover, eager to see former President Donald Trump back on the medium that fueled his political magic last decade, even as Trump says he won’t return. Yet some Trump allies are quieter in advocating the President’s return to the world of 280-character constructions. Among them: U.S. Sen. Rick Scott. …