Republicans

“They don’t want to protect your America. They want to create an alternative America. It’s an America of racial deep inequality and an anti-white, and by the way, anti-Asian basis. “It’s an America in which transgender dominates Christianity and Judaism. It’s an America in which they want to actually pass a bill to create a permanent machine just like California, …

Politico reports: Former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo suggested Wednesday that he would run for president in 2024 if former President Donald Trump decides against seeking the White House for a second time. Appearing Wednesday night on Fox News, the former Trump administration official was asked by host Sean Hannity whether he would “consider getting in that race” should the …

Mediaite reports: When the House passed the police reform bill named for the late George Floyd, only one Republican had voted for it — by accident. The bill’s stated purpose is “To hold law enforcement accountable for misconduct in court, improve transparency through data collection, and reform police training and policies.” But less than an hour after that vote, Gooden …

The Texas Tribune reports: U.S. Rep. Ronny Jackson, R-Amarillo, has ratcheted up his rejection of allegations of misconduct during his time as the top White House physician. Jackson released a video on Wednesday denying the allegations, calling the investigation “a political hit job” and that it “purposely left out key facts,” though it is unclear what facts were not included. …

The Hill reports: Merrick Garland’s attorney general nomination is hitting GOP roadblocks that will likely delay his confirmation to lead the Justice Department until next week. Sen. Tom Cotton (R-Ark.) — a member of the Judiciary Committee viewed as a potential 2024 contender — said on Wednesday that he is blocking an effort by Democrats to expedite Garland, whom they …

Politico Playbook reports: After Trump campaign manager Brad Parscale was demoted last summer, he considered quitting and sabotaging the campaign by turning off the “lights” to the campaign website, the email system, the transfer of data between the campaign and the RNC and even the Amazon server. That’s according to Amie Parnes and Jonathan Allen in their new book, “Lucky: …

The Washington Post reports: Last week, former Illinois Gov. Bruce Rauner (R) was inspired to donate a quarter-million dollars to Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis’s war chest. The hefty donation came about a month after Rauner’s ultrawealthy and exclusive community on the northern tip of Key Largo received enough coronavirus vaccine doses for 1,200 residents over the age of 65, according …

Axios reports: Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp (R) told Fox News Wednesday he’d “absolutely” support former President Trump if he becomes the Republican Party’s 2024 presidential nominee. Trump has repeatedly lambasted Kemp since the governor resisted his pressure to overturn President Biden’s 2020 election win in Georgia — notably in an hourlong phone call that is now being investigated in the …

The Hill reports: Rep. Michael McCaul (R-Texas) said former President Trump should tell his supporters to stay away from Congress Thursday as intelligence indicates a right-wing militia could be planning an attack on the Capitol. “I think President Trump has a responsibility to tell them to stand down. This threat is credible and it’s real,” McCaul said on CNN Wednesday. …

The Hill reports: Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.), a staunch Trump ally and fiery fiscal conservative, has told colleagues that he plans to force the Senate clerks to read aloud the entire $1.9 trillion COVID-relief bill on the Senate floor, which could slow it down by as much as 10 hours. Democrats on Wednesday were grumbling over the prospect of having …

Mediaite reports: Mediaite has learned that this week, CPAC brass, fuming over the media’s coverage of the stage, threatened to out the stage company to the media. Sources said Design Foundry was told by ACU general counsel David Safavian and other ACU brass on a Monday afternoon call that if it didn’t release a statement by 10 a.m. Tuesday copping …

Raw Story reports: The FEC has asked Jordan’s campaign committee to explain large accounting discrepancies between reports filed several years ago and amended reports filed earlier this year, showing differences of hundreds of thousands of dollars, reported Cleveland.com. “The campaign has filed an amendment with the FEC to correct its campaign finance reports going back to 2018,” said Jordan’s campaign …

Reuters reports: Jeff Sessions, the top official behind former President Donald Trump’s “zero-tolerance” border strategy, says it was “unfortunate” that migrant children and parents were not reunited quickly after being split apart at the U.S.-Mexico border. “It was unfortunate, very unfortunate, that somehow the government was not able to manage those children in a way that they could be reunited …

The Hill reports: The dust jacket of former Speaker John Boehner’s (R-Ohio) upcoming memoir reveals some of the shots he takes at several prominent Republicans, including former President Trump and Sens. Ted Cruz (Texas) and Mitch McConnell (K.Y.) The back cover of “On The House: A Washington Memoir,” obtained by Punchbowl News on Tuesday, includes excerpts of Boehner’s blistering critiques …

CNN reports: The Department of Defense inspector general has issued a scathing review of Rep. Ronny Jackson during his time serving as the top White House physician, concluding that he made “sexual and denigrating” comments about a female subordinate, violated the policy for drinking alcohol while on a presidential trip and took prescription-strength sleeping medication that prompted concerns from his …

From the editorial board of the Washington Post: While everyone is eager for a break from restrictions, Mr. Abbott’s decision is premature and reckless. The governor’s decision may cheer those feeling rebellious, fatigued and impatient with the year-long pandemic restrictions. But the result of opening too soon will be viral spread, and more suffering. Only 12.9 percent of the Texas …

Jackson’s ABC News affiliate reports: Mississippi Governor Tate Reeves is massively scaling back COVID-19 protocols in Mississippi. He is replacing all current executive orders with “recommendations.” This effectively ends all mask mandates within the state. It also means businesses will be able to operate under full capacity with no restrictions. “Today, I signed what I expect will be one of …

Long Island’s Newsday reports: Republican Rep. Lee Zeldin said Tuesday he’s testing the waters for a campaign for governor next year as Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo faces a state investigation into sexual harassment accusations and a federal probe over his handling of the pandemic. Zeldin, a fourth-term congressman from Shirley, said he will begin calling Republican party leaders, including county …

Houston’s ABC News affiliate reports: “It is now time to open Texas 100%,” said Gov. Greg Abbott this afternoon, signaling the ease of COVID-19 restrictions. Effective next Wednesday, all businesses of any type are allowed to open 100 percent and the mask mandate will be lifted, the governor stated as part of his executive order to rescind previous orders. While …

The Washington Post reports: A House ethics panel says there is “substantial reason to believe” that Rep. Steven M. Palazzo (R-Miss.) misused his campaign and congressional funds, according to a report made public Monday. The Office of Congressional Ethics (OCE), which produced the 47-page report last summer after a months-long probe, also said that Palazzo “may have performed official actions …