Republicans

The Oregonian reports: An Oregon lawmaker who let violent far-right demonstrators into the state Capitol during a Dec. 21 special session was criminally charged on Friday with first-degree official misconduct and second-degree criminal trespass. Rep. Mike Nearman, R-Independence, was caught on security videos opening a door and allowing demonstrators to enter the building. He had been under investigation since at …

Mediaite reports: Chris Christie said on Fox News Friday night he would give Donald Trump’s presidency an A grade. Christie repeatedly called out Trump over his false and completely ridiculous claims about the 2020 election. He even said rather directly on January 10th that Trump should be impeached for incitement to insurrection, after an angry mob of Trump supporters stormed …

“First, speak your faith. Talk about this with your friends at work. Make this something that is a topic of conversation. Let them know how you think America needs to proceed. When we do that as faithful servants of the Lord, we have every opportunity to make America better. “Second, live it. Run for the school board, join the PTA, …

The Texas Tribune reports: The Texas House removed a requirement today that people wear face masks on the House floor and during House committee meetings for the remainder of the legislative session that ends May 31. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention still suggest that people wear masks in public places, especially indoors. House Resolution 333, by state Rep. …

The Washington Post reports: When former vice president Mike Pence reemerged for his first post-White House appearance at a convention center chicken dinner here Thursday night, he did not mention how then-President Donald Trump’s supporters marauded through the Capitol on Jan. 6, threatening to hang him. Or that the president attacked him on Twitter as lacking “courage” as the Secret …

“It’s a bunch of horse manure. I mean, give me a break. This country has had more opportunity for more people than any country in the history of the world and it doesn’t matter where you trace your ancestry from. “We’ve had people that have been able to succeed and all and here’s the problem with things like critical race …

Politico reports: Texas Republican congressional candidate Susan Wright is seeking help from federal law enforcement the day before her special election, after supporters reported receiving robocalls that accused her of being responsible for the death of her late husband. Wright’s campaign reached out to the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Department of Justice on Friday after discovering robocalls baselessly …

Fox News reports: More than a dozen House Republicans Friday are questioning Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo on whether there “was any political interference” in the final census numbers used to decide how many House members each state will get for the coming decade. The letter, first obtained by Fox News, is led by Rep. James Comer, R-Ky., the ranking member …

Changing America reports: A bill banning proof of COVID-19 vaccination for Florida students was passed Thursday by the state legislature. The bill will move to the desk of Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, who previously signed an executive order prohibiting vaccine passports in the state. Thursday’s bill additionally codified the order. Republican state Rep. Tom Leek [photo] told The Miami Herald …

Fox News reports: South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem sued the Biden administration on Friday after it canceled the Independence Day fireworks celebration at Mount Rushmore, demanding the court “expeditiously” issue a permit for the event to take place. Noem, a Republican, filed a lawsuit Friday in U.S. District Court for the District of South Dakota Central Division. Last year, South …

Richmond’s ABC News affiliate reports: A Republican state delegate running to be Virginia’s next lieutenant governor is accusing another GOP candidate in the race of homophobia after a mailer showing him attending a PrideFest event with a rainbow-striped shirt on was sent out to convention delegates with a message claiming he was not a true Republican. The issue came to …

CNN reports: With a majority of adult Americans now at least partially vaccinated against coronavirus, roughly a quarter of adults say they will not try to get the shot, according to a new CNN Poll conducted by SSRS. That vaccine-hesitant 26% is much more willing to return to regular activity, far less confident in the government health officials overseeing vaccine …

NBC News reports: Florida’s Legislature passed an election bill Thursday that includes restrictions on drop boxes and voting by mail over the concerns of Democrats and voting rights activists that the restrictions would amount to voter suppression. Both the House and the Senate passed the bill Thursday after weeks of negotiations between Republicans in both bodies. The bill is poised …

The Daily Beast reports: A confession letter written by Joel Greenberg in the final months of the Trump presidency claims that he and close associate Rep. Matt Gaetz paid for sex with multiple women — as well as a girl who was 17 at the time. “On more than one occasion, this individual was involved in sexual activities with several …

The Washington Examiner reports: Republican Reps. Matt Gaetz of Florida Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia are teaming up to start an “America First Tour” of rallies around the country. The premiere event will be next week, on May 7 in Florida at The Villages, the world’s largest retiree playground with a reliably Republican base. “There are millions of Americans …

The Tennessean reports: Last-minute budget negotiations in Tennessee have led to the resurrection of a bill that would offer drivers immunity in some circumstances for running over protesters. “We’ll see if there can be agreeable language,” House Speaker Cameron Sexton, R-Crossville, said Wednesday about the reemergence of the bill, referring to apparent concerns with legislation expressed by members of the …

“I’m going to support the nominee of the Republican Party. I do predict however that there’s going to be a robust competition for the nomination. Once that all sorts itself out, as the Republican leader of the Senate obviously I’ll be supporting the Republican nominee for president. “We’re looking to the future, not the past. And if you want to …

The Hill reports: Former Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke has filed papers with the Federal Election Commission to seek a new term in Congress, six years after leaving office to join the Trump administration. Zinke, 59, a Republican, won two elections to represent Montana’s lone congressional district, in 2014 and 2016. Zinke’s filing indicates he plans to run for Montana’s 2nd …

ABC News reports: Former President Trump on Thursday renewed his feud with Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) by calling for Senate Republicans to find a new leader ahead of the midterm elections, suggesting doing so would boost their chances of taking back the upper chamber next year. Asked by Fox Business’s Maria Bartiromo how Republicans will fare in the …

The Associated Press reports: Just about all eyes were on the president who addressed a variety of topics, including the American Rescue Plan, stimulus checks, and more. And while Biden’s speech was interrupted by standing ovations and loud applause throughout the entirety of the address, Sen. Ted Cruz was a little less enthusiastic. Cruz was caught sleeping during Biden’s address. …