Alejandro Mayorkas Archives

First 7 jurors selected in Trump hush money trial

April 17, 2024
The first seven jurors are selected in former President Donald Trump’s hush money trial, and historic rain in the United Arab Emirates leads to major flooding at the Dubai airport and across the region. These stories and more highlight The Morning Rundown for Wednesday, April 17, 2024.

First 7 jurors selected in Trump hush money trial

The second day of the first criminal trial against a former U.S. president saw seven jurors selected, with opening arguments expected soon. Former President Donald Trump observed the process in a Manhattan courtroom as the first seven jurors for his hush money trial were chosen after debate over prospective jurors’ social media postings and their ability to be fair and credible.

The selected jurors include a salesman originally from Ireland who will serve as the foreman, an oncology nurse, two attorneys, an IT consultant from Puerto Rico, an ELA teacher and a software engineer for Disney.

Another 96 prospective jurors were sworn in before proceedings ended Tuesday, April 17. They will return Thursday, April 18, with today being an off day for the trial. The judge indicated that the full jury might be seated by week’s end, with opening arguments potentially beginning Monday, April 22.

https://twitter.com/jdbalart/status/1780269915691167826

Trump, accused of falsifying dozens of business records, has denied any wrongdoing.

Mayorkas impeachment moves to Senate for trial

Senators swear in as jurors Wednesday, April 17, for the impeachment trial against Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas. The Senate will issue a summons to Mayorkas, informing him of the charges and requesting a written response; he is not required to appear.

https://twitter.com/SenMikeLee/status/1780342672948928964

House Republicans have charged Mayorkas with failing to enforce immigration laws and betraying public trust. House Speaker Mike Johnson emphasized the need for a full trial to hold those responsible for the border crisis accountable.

https://twitter.com/JudiciaryDems/status/1780362529794846975

Mayorkas, DHS and Democrats have called the charges baseless. With Democrats controlling the Senate, they are expected to attempt to dismiss the charges this week before full arguments are presented.

Columbia University president to testify on antisemitism on campus

Four months after a congressional hearing on antisemitism on college campuses led to the resignation of two Ivy League presidents, the president of Columbia University, Minouche Shafik, is set to appear before that same committee Wednesday, April 17.

Shafik, who was scheduled to testify at the House Education and Workforce Committee’s December hearing but could not due to a scheduling conflict, will respond to questioning on the university’s response to rising campus conflicts since the start of the Israel-Hamas war.

https://twitter.com/WSJ/status/1780266339245990182

In an op-ed published in The Wall Street Journal titled “What I Plan to Tell Congress Tomorrow,” Shafik wrote of balancing free speech with protecting students, stating that “calling for the genocide of a people — whether they are Israelis or Palestinians, Jews, Muslims or anyone else — has no place in a university community.”

Bob Graham, former U.S. senator and Florida governor, dead at 87

Bob Graham, a prominent figure in Florida politics and a former U.S. senator, has died at 87 in Gainesville. He served as Florida’s governor from 1979 to 1987 and was a U.S. senator until 2005, focusing on education, the environment and immigration.

https://twitter.com/GwenGraham/status/1780415820050342337

Known for his practical political style and “work days,” where he performed jobs like a short-order cook and bellhop to connect with voters, Graham also made an unsuccessful bid for the 2004 Democratic presidential nomination, emphasizing his opposition to the Iraq war.

Heavy rain leads to ‘historic weather event’ in United Arab Emirates

Historic flooding in the United Arab Emirates has led to the closure of Dubai’s airport and schools canceling classes. The rain began late Monday, and by Tuesday night, Dubai had received more than 6 inches of rain in over 24 hours, far surpassing the city’s average annual rainfall of just over 3 inches.

At least one person was killed in the floodwaters. The state-run news agency described the rainfall as a “historic weather event” that surpassed “anything documented since the start of data collection in 1949.” The storm also affected other parts of the Middle East, causing at least 19 deaths in Oman.

Participant Media shutting down after 20 years

After 20 years, Participant Media is closing its doors, the company’s founder Jeff Skoll announced Tuesday. The decision affects around 100 employees. Since its inception in 2004, Participant Media has been dedicated to creating films and TV shows aimed at inspiring social change.

https://twitter.com/FilmmakerJulie/status/1780313942935454064

The studio was behind Oscar-winning projects like “Spotlight” and “Green Book,” as well as films such as “Lincoln” and “Wonder,” the documentary “An Inconvenient Truth” and the Netflix series “When They See Us.”

In total, Participant won 21 Academy Awards and 18 Emmy Awards during its 20-year run.
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What Senate rules say about dismissing Mayorkas impeachment

April 15, 2024
The impeachment trial of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas is set to begin on Tuesday, April 16, two months after he was impeached. The question is, will there be a full trial with a presentation of evidence? Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., has not tipped his hand as to what he’ll do. Schumer has only said he wants it done quickly.

“We want to address this issue as expeditiously as possible,” Schumer said during a speech April 10. “And as I said yesterday, impeachment should never be used to settle policy disagreements. That sets an awful precedent.”

According to multiple Senate sources, Schumer is likely to make a motion to table the articles and trial. That would bring it to a swift end and prevent the House impeachment managers from presenting their case.

However, most of the Senate Republican conference disagrees with the move and wrote a letter to Schumer calling for a full trial.

“In every previous congressional impeachment of the past 227 years, Congress has been faithful to the process set out by the framers,” 43 Republicans said in the letter. “Never before has the Senate abandoned this duty, even when certain members believed the basis for impeachment was tenuous at best.”

“He does not want to allow the House managers to present the evidence of Alejandro Mayorkas and this administration’s willful decision to aid and abet this criminal invasion of this country,” Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, said.

There are step-by-step instructions on how to run a Senate impeachment trial in the Constitution and a list of rules that were first written in 1868. Trials begins at precisely 1 p.m. the day after the articles are delivered and each senator is required to take a special oath.

There’s a lot of pomp and circumstance.

For example, the Senate Sergeant at Arms will begin by stating: ‘‘All persons are commanded to keep silence, on pain of imprisonment, while the House of Representatives is exhibiting to the Senate of the United States articles of impeachment against Alejandro Mayorkas.”

The rules also lay out how evidence shall be presented and provide rights for the accused.

It also states, in part, that the Senate should “proceed to the consideration of such articles and shall continue in session from day to day after the trial shall commence — unless otherwise ordered by the Senate — until final judgment shall be rendered.”

The phrase, “unless otherwise ordered by the Senate,” is what would allow for the articles to be tabled with a simple majority vote. Every Democrat is expected to support a motion to table; some Republicans could join them.

Republican Sens. Mitt Romney, Susan Collins, Lisa Murkowski, Bill Cassidy, Tommy Tuberville, and Rand Paul declined to sign on to the letter to Schumer calling for a full trial.

Tuberville has previously called the impeachment a “waste of time.”

“It’s the wrong policy, it has a huge damaging effect on the country, but it’s not a high crime or misdemeanor,” Romney said of Mayorkas’ border enforcement.
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Republicans warn dismissing Mayorkas impeachment will set new precedent

April 10, 2024
House Republicans will wait to deliver articles of impeachment against Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas to the Senate until the week of April 14. In February, the House charged him with willful and systemic refusal to comply with the law and breach of public trust.

Once the House delivers the articles, the Senate will hold a trial. The trial’s result is a foregone conclusion — Mayorkas will not be convicted or removed from office.

“Farce,” Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., said when asked about the upcoming trial. “Absolute waste of time.”

Democrats are expected to make a motion to table the articles and immediately end the trial. The chamber’s second-ranking Democrat said Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., has multiple options.

“I think it’ll be done quickly,” Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill., said. “I’ve talked to some Republicans who candidly tell me they don’t take it very seriously.”

“I think the Democrats are going to kill it,” Sen. Josh Hawley, R-Mo., said.

Fox News reported that Sens. Mike Lee, R-Utah, and Ron Johnson, R-Wis., convinced Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., to hold the articles until Monday. They hoped to prevent the Senate from quickly dismissing the articles before the weekend.

Republicans agreed that the House-led effort to remove Mayorkas is not going anywhere. But many called for a full trial so representatives can present evidence to the public and require a Senate vote. They also warned that tabling impeachment articles will set a new precedent.

“This will be the end of impeachment,” Hawley said. “If they create this precedent, this is how every majority will handle impeachments going forward, that doesn’t want it, they’ll just move to table.”

Republicans contend that Democrats rushed both impeachments of Donald Trump and moved forward without gathering proper evidence and presenting their case. Some of the representatives said the same thing happened here.

“I feel like my Republican colleagues may have just followed the lead of the Democrats moving quickly before they actually have presented information that would rise to the standard of misdemeanor or high crime,” Sen. Thom Tillis. R-N.C., told reporters.

Tillis said without a full presentation of the evidence, it would be difficult for him to vote to convict.
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Pro-Palestinian protesters interrupt Biden’s star-studded NYC fundraiser

March 29, 2024
Pro-Palestinian demonstrators interrupt President Biden’s celebrity-packed fundraising event at Radio City Music Hall. And, The Wall Street Journal marks one year of reporter Evan Gershkovich being held in a Russian prison. These stories and more highlight The Morning Rundown for Friday, March 29, 2024.

Protesters interrupt Biden’s star-studded NYC fundraiser

President Joe Biden, joined by former Presidents Barack Obama and Bill Clinton, attended a fundraising event in New York City, drawing over 5,000 supporters for his reelection campaign. The event, which raised $25 million, was marked by interruptions from pro-Palestinian protesters criticizing Biden’s stance on the Gaza war.

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High-profile attendees paid up to $500,000 for perks, including a photo op with the presidents by Annie Leibovitz. The event featured celebrities like Mindy Kaling, Stephen Colbert, Lizzo, and Queen Latifah, blending humor with the presidents wearing aviator sunglasses in homage to Biden’s style.

https://twitter.com/ShaykhSulaiman/status/1773568439333929094

However, it also faced moments of tension as protesters voiced their opposition to Biden’s support for Israel in the Gaza conflict. Outside Radio City Music Hall, a significant number of protesters clashed with police. The three presidents addressed the Gaza war, advocating for a two-state solution and the protection of civilian lives.

Former President Donald Trump, the presumptive Republican nominee, was in New York the same day for a wake honoring a NYC officer killed during a traffic stop.

Wall Street Journal marks reporter Evan Gershkovich’s year jailed in Russia

Today marks a year since Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich was detained in Russia on espionage charges, which he, the newspaper, and the U.S. government strongly refute.

To highlight his ongoing imprisonment, today’s Wall Street Journal front page features a significant blank space with the headline, “His story should be here – A year in Russian prison. A year of stolen stories, stolen joys, stolen memories. The crime: journalism.”

https://twitter.com/WSJ/status/1773576209005264899

Emma Tucker, the Journal’s Editor in Chief, expressed admiration for Gershkovich’s resilience and humor in the face of wrongful detention in a letter published in today’s edition.

https://twitter.com/WSJ/status/1772991269511245835

She emphasized the attack on free press rights and the crucial role of journalism in society. A Russian court recently extended Gershkovich’s detention until June 30, without setting a trial date or presenting evidence to support the espionage allegations.

Biden admin. approves $60 million in emergency aid after Baltimore bridge collapse

Following the deadly collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge on Tuesday, the Biden administration has allocated $60 million in federal aid to Maryland.

The bridge, a vital component of the Port of Baltimore and regional economy, plummeted into the Patapsco River after being struck by a cargo ship, resulting in two confirmed deaths and at least four individuals presumed dead.

In response, President Joe Biden pledged swift action to rebuild the bridge. Maryland Governor Wes Moore is concentrating on recovery and logistical efforts to reopen the port and restore this essential transportation link, including deploying the Eastern Seaboard’s largest crane for wreckage removal by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

The emergency funds are designated for debris removal, detour arrangements, emergency repairs, and reconstruction.

45 killed in fiery bus crash in South Africa, 8-year-old survives

An 8-year-old child was the sole survivor of a bus crash in South Africa on Thursday that resulted in 45 fatalities. The bus, transporting worshippers to an Easter festival, veered off a bridge in a mountain pass, plunged into a ravine, and caught fire.

The child, who sustained serious injuries, is currently receiving treatment in the hospital.

Authorities indicate that the crash occurred after the driver lost control of the bus. Search operations for the victims are still underway.

House to submit Mayorkas articles of impeachment to Senate

The U.S. House of Representatives plans to deliver two articles of impeachment against Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas to the Senate on April 10.

House Speaker Mike Johnson and 11 GOP impeachment managers have requested Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer to promptly schedule a trial. Impeached federal officials undergo Senate trials to determine their removal.

Mayorkas, impeached last month for allegedly not enforcing U.S. immigration laws and making false statements to Congress, contends he isn’t to blame for the border crisis, attributing it to Congress’ failure to fix a broken immigration system.

https://twitter.com/SenJohnBarrasso/status/1773395392752726514

Schumer announced that senators will be sworn in as trial jurors after the impeachment articles are delivered. Currently, both the House and Senate are on a two-week recess.

NFL player buys $15k lawn mower after signing record contract

Philadelphia Eagles lineman Landon Dickerson recently became the NFL’s highest-paid guard, signing a record four-year contract worth up to $87 million.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Landon Dickerson (@landondickerson69)

He mentioned earlier this month that he planned to use some of his earnings to buy a new mower and has now shared on Instagram that he’s followed through. Dickerson showcased his new Gravely Pro-Turn 560, a mower with a retail price of $15,000.

The Eagles, with Dickerson, will kick off their season on September 6 in Brazil, marking the NFL’s first regular season game in the country, where Dickerson is unlikely to bring his new mower.
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House Judiciary seeks information on the brothers of Laken Riley’s alleged killer

March 19, 2024
The House Judiciary Committee is seeking information from the Department of Homeland Security about the brothers of Jose Antonio Ibarra, the man accused of killing Augusta University nursing student Laken Riley. The Judiciary Committee previously requested information about Ibarra’s immigration case and is now requesting information on his two brothers, Diego and Argenis Ibarra.

Jose Antonio Ibarra is charged with murdering Riley while she was going for a run. In addition to malice murder, he’s also charged with aggravated battery, false imprisonment, kidnapping, hindering a 911 call and concealing the death of another.

Ibarra entered the country illegally in 2022 and was released on parole.

In a letter to Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, Chairman Jim Jordan and Immigration Subcommittee Chairman Tom McClintock requested the men’s immigration case history. The information would include whether ICE lodged a detainer against them and whether they were allowed to be released on “alternatives to detention,” which can involve electronic tracking with GPS, release on own recognizance and other measures.

Diego Ibarra was approached by law enforcement during the murder investigation because he matched the description of the suspect. He’s accused of giving officers a fake green card and is now charged with possessing a fraudulent card.

Diego was first released from immigration custody in April 2023 and has since been arrested three times on DUI, shoplifting and failure to appear charges. ICE encountered Argenis Ibarra during the murder investigation but he does not appear to have a history similar to his brothers’.

“Criminal aliens exploit vulnerabilities in our nation’s immigration system to the detriment of those in the United States,” Jordan wrote in the letter to Mayorkas. “The Biden administration’s border and immigration policies only increase the likelihood that criminal aliens will successfully enter and remain in the U.S.”

The committee wants the information by April 1.
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Homeland Security reveals first AI roadmap, launches pilot programs

March 18, 2024
The Department of Homeland Security unveiled its inaugural artificial intelligence roadmap Monday, March 18, introducing three pilot projects. The initiatives aim to improve investigations into fentanyl trafficking and child exploitation, support communities in disaster resilience planning through FEMA and enhance training for immigration officers.

The unprecedented speed and potential of AI’s development and adoption presents both enormous opportunities to advance our mission and risks we must mitigate.
Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas

Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas emphasized AI’s potential to significantly advance DHS operations, while also stressing the importance of mitigating its risks.

“The DHS AI roadmap and pilots will guide our efforts this year to strengthen our national security, improve our operations, and provide more efficient services to the American people, while upholding our commitment to protect civil rights, civil liberties, and privacy,” Mayorkas said. “What we learn from the pilot projects will be beneficial in shaping how the Department can effectively and responsibly use AI across the homeland security enterprise moving forward.”

NEW: DHS's @CISAgov released its first Roadmap for AI, adding to the significant DHS & broader whole-of-government effort to ensure the secure development and implementation of artificial intelligence capabilities. Learn more: https://t.co/pSG6aOEneJ pic.twitter.com/VpR1ZanZR2
— Homeland Security (@DHSgov) November 14, 2023

Alongside the roadmap, the DHS presented an AI strategy outlining the technology’s use principles.

These efforts are part of the DHS’s wider commitment to responsibly utilize AI, ensure the safety, security, and trustworthiness of its development and application.

By collaborating with industry leaders such as Meta, Microsoft, Google, and Amazon, the DHS is focused on maintaining civil rights, liberties, and privacy.

Last year, the DHS established its first AI task force to pinpoint areas where artificial intelligence could enhance departmental efficiency. In February, Mayorkas initiated a significant recruitment drive to hire 50 AI specialists to support future projects.
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Texas to build a forward operating base along Mexico border

February 19, 2024

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott wants another forward operating base for troops. However, instead of having it overseas, like in the Middle East or Western Pacific, Abbott wants it at the border between the United States and Mexico.

Texas is expanding our border security efforts to boost support for the brave men and women of the Texas National Guard.

Under #OperationLoneStar, Texas will continue to utilize every tool and strategy to secure the border. https://t.co/kzg43OKCqH
— Greg Abbott (@GregAbbott_TX) February 17, 2024

At a press conference on Friday, Feb. 16, Abbott announced he authorized the construction of Forward Operating Base (FOB) Eagle. The 80-acre facility will be located along the Rio Grande in Eagle Pass, Texas.

Working at the direction of Abbot, Texas National Guard troops previously installed razor wire and built a wall of shipping containers along the riverbanks in effort to deter a record number of illegal border crossings into Texas.

The number of migrants crossing into the U.S. increased under President Joe Biden’s administration, leading Republicans in the House of Representatives to impeach Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas.

Abbott said FOB Eagle will enable the National Guard to consolidate its forces in the region, and it provides a central location to conduct operations. According to Abbott, FOB Eagle will house up to 1,800 troops with the ability to accommodate up to 2,300 under surge conditions.

‘Take Our Border Back’ convoy gears up for rallies in border towns

“This will organize substantial forces also to expand the razor wire barriers that are going up,” Abbott said. “In this area, we’ve seen the effectiveness of the razor wire in Shelby Park, where crossings have gone from 3,000, 4,000 to 5,000 people a day to less than 1% of that crossing illegally per day. And that’s because of the effectiveness of the razor wire. Our goal is to make sure that we expand the effectiveness of that razor wire to more areas along this border. Having the soldiers located right here, right by the river, they’re going to have the ability to more quickly be able to construct that razor wire barrier.”

Texas and federal government clash over razor wire removal

Forward operating bases are usually reserved for direct military operations in foreign countries, but there are currently 11 FOBs operating on U.S. soil. Eight of those are in Arizona and New Mexico.

FOBs come in many different shapes and sizes, and no two are exactly alike. At its most basic level, a FOB is a secure military location used to help and support tactical operations. That usually means some form of command-and-control center, but could also include barracks, dining and laundry facilities. Some FOBs even house workout centers.

FOBs also provide troops a place to recharge, as well as fix any equipment issues they’re encountering and coordinate with their commanding officers.

Docs show DHS knew migrants died before claiming TX blocked rescue efforts

A recent survey of Texas National Guard troops who are currently deployed to the southern border showed a growing resentment over the lack of resources. The survey also showed a significant number of respondents thought there wasn’t a clear mission for troops at the border, and that their work was being politicized.

Reuters contributed to this report.
House GOP impeaches Homeland Security Secretary Mayorkas: The Morning Rundown, Feb. 14, 2024

February 14, 2024
In their second attempt, House Republicans vote to impeach Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas. And a driver is killed after crashing into the emergency room of a Texas hospital, leaving others critically injured. These stories and more highlight The Morning Rundown for Wednesday, Feb. 14, 2024.

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House Republicans vote to impeach Homeland Security Secretary Mayorkas

House Republicans voted to impeach Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas on Tuesday, Feb. 13, over his handling of the migrant crisis at the southern border. Republicans said Mayorkas failed to enforce immigration laws and made false statements to Congress, allegations Mayorkas called “baseless.”

https://twitter.com/SpeakerJohnson/status/1757561249183735969?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Etweet

The GOP had the votes Tuesday night, Feb. 13, after failing to pass the measure on Tuesday, Feb. 6, thanks to the return of House Majority Leader Steve Scalise, R-La., who had been absent while seeking blood cancer treatment. The articles of impeachment passed by a vote of 214-213, with three Republicans siding with Democrats to oppose impeaching Mayorkas. Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., said that Mayorkas fueled “the worst border catastrophe in American history.”

https://twitter.com/kaitlancollins/status/1757562198191169575?s=20

While a spokesperson for DHS said the impeachment was done “without a shred of evidence or constitutional grounds.” The issue now heads to trial in the Democrat-controlled Senate, which is unlikely to vote to remove Mayorkas from office.

Tuesday’s vote marked only the second time in U.S. history that the House has impeached a cabinet member. The last time was in 1876.

Democrat Tom Suozzi wins NY election to replace George Santos

Democrats have flipped a seat in the House after a special election in New York Tuesday night to replace former Republican Congressman George Santos, who was expelled last year. Democrat Tom Suozzi defeated Republican Mazi Pilip in New York’s 3rd Congressional District, narrowing the GOP’s already slim majority in the chamber of 219 to 213.

https://twitter.com/Tom_Suozzi/status/1757526853282124096?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Etweet

Voters battled through a winter storm to make it to the polls. With 93% of the votes in, Suozzi won 54% compared to 46% for Pilip.

Suozzi is returning to the House after giving up his seat in 2022 to run for Governor. He previously served three terms.

Driver dead 5 others injured after vehicle crashes into Austin ER

The driver was killed after crashing into an Austin, Texas, emergency room, while five others were left injured in the incident. Footage taken by a bystander right after the crash happened shows hospital staff and responders clearing the lobby and moving the injured through a cloud of smoke while the sounds of screeching tires continue in the background.

According to police, the crash occurred shortly after 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 13, and does not appear to have been intentional. The crash left five people hurt. Two children and one adult were transported to a local children’s hospital. One of the kids is said to be in critical condition. Another adult was taken to a different area hospital with potentially life-threatening injuries. The fifth person injured was treated on-site at the emergency room.

According to the chief medical officer at the Austin hospital, eight others in the emergency room who were not injured in the crash were transported to other hospitals in the area so the emergency room could regroup after the incident.

Uber, Lyft, Doordash drivers to walk off job, hold rallies at airports

Thousands of ride-share and food delivery drivers are planning to walk off the job on Wednesday, Feb. 14, choosing Valentine’s Day to protest their wages and working conditions. Uber, Lyft, and DoorDash drivers are among those planning to hold rallies outside airports in several major cities like Miami, Chicago, and Philadelphia.

https://twitter.com/StandWithJFAW/status/1757195379366596760?s=20

According to the Justice for App Workers organization, which represents more than 130,000 people, the drivers said they are sick of working 80 hours a week just to make ends meet and being constantly scared for their safety. Straight Arrow News reporter Lauren Taylor has more on the Valentine’s Day strike here.

SpaceX postpones launch of private company’s moon lander

If you are looking to see a video of the latest launch of a private company’s moon lander, you’ll have to wait at least one more day. SpaceX is postponing Wednesday morning’s Feb. 13 launch of its Falcon 9 rocket carrying Intuitive Machines of Houston’s robotic lunar lander, Odysseus. SpaceX said a liquid methane temperature issue was the cause of the delay.

https://twitter.com/SpaceX/status/1757623502289686797?s=20

The launch is now scheduled for early Thursday morning, Feb. 15, at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. A Friday, Feb. 16 launch is also possible if another issue arises.

Should this mission be successful, unlike last month’s attempt by another private company, it will be the first American spacecraft to land on the moon’s surface since 1972.

Record spending on significant others expected this Valentine’s Day

It’s Valentine’s Day 2024. While The Beatles famously sang, “money can’t buy me love,” that won’t stop many from spending on their loved ones today. According to the National Retail Federation, people are expected to spend a record $14.2 billion this year on their significant others, or $101.84 per person. Total spending is expected to reach $25.8 billion, with an average of $185 per person.

https://twitter.com/NRFnews/status/1757409316192088103

The top gift of choice? Candy, followed by greeting cards, flowers, and an evening out. Over half of Americans said they plan to celebrate Valentine’s Day this year, while about a third of those who aren’t still said they want to mark the occasion by either getting together with single friends or treating themselves to something special.
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Super Bowl security: What is DHS doing to protect 1 million people in Las Vegas?

February 9, 2024
More than a million people will be in Las Vegas over the weekend, with hundreds of thousands descending on Sin City for Super Bowl LVIII on Feb. 11. Keeping everyone safe is a tall task, but federal, state and local authorities have been mapping out Super Bowl security measures in Vegas for more than a year.

The Department of Homeland Security and other law enforcement are concerned with the safety of the 65,000 people set to attend the game and a million more in the city.

“The Department of Homeland Security, alongside our federal, state, and local partners, is working to ensure that the 65,000 people attending Super Bowl LVIII and the millions of people gathering together and enjoying the game across the country are all safe,” said Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas. “There are no known, credible, specific threats to the Super Bowl or to Las Vegas at this time – but we are vigilant, and we are prepared.”

Like the Chiefs and 49ers on the field, DHS officials said teamwork has been and will be the key. Already, DHS has 385 people on the ground in Las Vegas to provide security resources for its partners, such as the FBI, Secret Service, TSA, CIA, the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, and the Coast Guard.

“We have FBI personnel stationed in our own emergency operations center and in every joint command post and intelligence center operating throughout the Las Vegas Valley,” said Spencer Evans, special agent in charge of the FBI Las Vegas field office.

Evans said the FBI has analysts working around the clock to flag any cyber or physical security threats, and they have response teams ready to assist local first responders if anything were to happen. The Las Vegas sheriff said the city is ready for whatever may come.

“I would just say to you that no city is better prepared,” Sheriff Kevin McMahill said.

And there’s another layer of protection in Vegas on top of these security measures — literally. The California Air National Guard is taking to the skies to police the protected airspace around Allegiant Stadium. Any plane, chopper, or drone that tries to enter will have to answer to them.

With kickoff inching closer, the DHS is making one request to those visiting the city.

“My ask of everyone going to the Super Bowl or coming to Las Vegas this week is to remember: if you see something, say something,” Mayorkas said.
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How Al Green and the Democrats sank the Mayorkas impeachment vote

February 7, 2024
Republicans failed to impeach Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas Tuesday, Feb. 6, in a 214-216 vote. Three Republicans joined every Democrat to kill the impeachment resolution.

Technically, four Republicans voted against the resolution. However, one member of GOP leadership, Rep. Blake Moore, changed his vote from yes to no at the very end, allowing members to bring it up for a second vote at a later date. That’s exactly what they plan to do as soon as next week.

“There hasn’t been a failure yet. We’re going to bring it back,” Rep. Marjorie Taylor Green, R-Ga., told reporters.

House Majority Leader Steve Scalise, R-La., missed the vote because he was receiving cancer treatment. If everyone votes the same way when he returns, the resolution should be approved 216-215.

Tuesday night’s failure went beyond Scalise’s absence.

During a vote on another bill, Rep. Al Green, D-Texas, was absent, and everyone thought he was in the hospital.

So, when Republican leaders counted who was present, they determined the impeachment resolution would pass based on attendance. Little did they know, Green had checked himself out of the hospital and rolled into the Capitol on a wheelchair to cast his vote against the resolution, making it a tie, which fails.

“Al Green is a great American, a great patriot,” House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., said. “He made it clear to me that it was important for him to be present to cast a vote against the sham impeachment, led by Marjorie Taylor Greene, targeting a hard working public servant like Secretary Mayorkas.”

The Republicans who voted against impeachment are Reps. Tom McClintock, Calif., Ken Buck, Colo., and Mike Gallagher, Wis.

McClintock released a 10-page letter explaining his opposition beforehand, and Buck also announced he’d vote no ahead of time. However, Gallagher was a surprise.

“Secretary Mayorkas has faithfully implemented President Biden’s open border policies and helped create the dangerous crisis at the southern border,” Gallagher said in a statement. “But the proponents of impeachment failed to make the argument as to how this stunning incompetence meets the impeachment threshold Republicans outlined while defending former President Trump.”

There were mixed reactions from Republicans about their colleagues who voted no.

“They think it’s on constitutional grounds,” Rep. Carlos Gimenez, R-Fla., told Straight Arrow News. “They certainly don’t believe that he’s done a good job. But no, I have no problem with them. And no, it doesn’t concern me at all.”

“I would really love to see them go home and talk to their voters, the people that hired them to come here,” Greene said. “I know that several of them have very strong Republican districts.”

Some Republicans appear to be holding out hope that at least one of them may change their mind and vote to impeach. Greene said members need to think about it over the weekend.
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