‘Peeling back the layers’: House hearing seeks answers on gov’t UFO secrets
Congress is set to dive deeper into the mystery of UFOs, or Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena (UAPs), this week. These unexplained sightings have confounded scientists, fueled conspiracy theories and drawn attention from U.S. military pilots.
The upcoming hearing, titled “Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena: Exposing the Truth,” has sparked renewed calls for transparency about what the government knows. Lawmakers promised to shed light on these phenomena, raising public hopes and expectations.
Rep. Tim Burchett, a Republican from Tennessee and a vocal advocate for UFO whistleblowers, expressed optimism about the proceedings. Burchett, who introduced the UAP Transparency Act, has long pushed for greater public access to information about these sightings. He described the hearing as another step in uncovering long-held secrets.
The hearing will feature testimony from notable witnesses, including former U.S. Navy Admiral Tim Gallaudet. He’s expected to provide insight into underwater phenomena reportedly involving UAPs. Some reports suggest these phenomena have included UAPs tracking U.S. ballistic missile submarines, a topic of significant concern for national security.
Nick Pope, a former U.K. Defense Ministry official and UFO expert, framed the hearing as part of a broader effort to uncover the truth gradually. He emphasized that the process of “disclosure” is ongoing and unlikely to yield definitive answers in a single event. However, he expressed optimism about the potential value of the witnesses’ testimony, highlighting their varied expertise.
Speculation also emerged about the potential role of a second Trump administration in advancing UFO transparency. Advocates believe President-elect Donald Trump has shown interest in declassifying decades of government files on UAPs and linking these disclosures to other historically significant material, such as documents related to the JFK assassination.
While the hearing is not expected to resolve all lingering questions, lawmakers and experts view it as a crucial step toward addressing public curiosity and long-standing concerns about government secrecy.
Omaha’s blue dot goes to Kamala Harris, but GOP House candidate leads
Nebraska’s split electoral votes have created a now-famous blue dot in the middle of America in recent elections. Congressional District 2, that dot, split when it was declared for Vice President Kamala Harris, but incumbent Republican Rep. Don Bacon leads in the U.S. House race.
Douglas County is home to Omaha, the largest city within the blue dot. The Douglas County, Nebraska Election Commission will be counting roughly 8,000 ballots on Friday, Nov. 8, most of them from early voting that came in on Monday, Nov. 4, and just before the polls closed on Tuesday, Nov. 5.
The blue dot became somewhat of a focal point with the television networks, the major newspapers and political sites in the run-up to the presidential election.
Nebraska is a state that splits its electoral votes. Congressional District 2, in the traditionally red state of Nebraska, is where Democrats have made inroads in recent elections with Barack Obama winning it in 2008 and Joe Biden in 2020.
National pundits presented various scenarios in which the electoral college and the path to 270 had Kamala Harris at 269, needing one electoral vote to push her over the top and win the election. Democrats in Omaha held out hope it would be them and the blue dot.
Harris lost the election, but she did win the blue dot’s one electoral vote. According to the Nebraska secretary of state, she garnered 51% of the vote to Donald Trump’s 47.5%, a margin of about 11,000 votes.
Now, Republicans are counting on District 2 to help them keep control of the House of Representatives. Incumbent Rep. Don Bacon, R, is seeking a fifth term. He leads Democratic challenger Tony Vargas by 8,000 votes. Vargas had hoped to flip the seat from red to blue.
Bacon declared victory in Nebraska District 2 and said the blue dot should now be called the “Bacon dot.” Vargas has refused to concede, saying every vote needs to be counted.
Trump names campaign manager Susie Wiles as White House chief of staff
Donald Trump makes his first staffing announcement as president-elect, naming his White House chief of staff. And a federal judge in Texas makes a ruling concerning undocumented immigrants married to American citizens. These stories and more highlight your Unbiased Updates for Friday, Nov. 8, 2024.
Trump names campaign manager Susie Wiles as White House chief of staff
— Donald J. Trump Posts From His Truth Social (@TrumpDailyPosts) November 7, 2024
She will become the first woman to hold the job of chief of staff when Trump takes office on Jan. 20. It is a position considered to be the second most powerful job in Washington — behind the presidency.
Wiles, the daughter of the late NFL broadcaster Pat Summerall, also ran Trump’s campaign in the state of Florida during the 2016 and 2020 elections. Her political career dates back to Ronald Reagan’s years, when she worked as a campaign scheduler for his 1980 presidential bid.
In a statement, Trump said, “Susie Wiles just helped me achieve one of the greatest political victories in American history and was an integral part of both my 2016 and 2020 successful campaigns. Susie is tough, smart, innovative, and is universally admired and respected. Susie will continue to work tirelessly to make America great again.”
In the coming days, the president-elect is set to begin reviewing other names to build out his team, including filling cabinet positions. His son Donald Trump Jr. told Fox News the key factor each candidate must have is delivering on his father’s message and not someone who “thinks they know better.”
The GOP picked up a seat in Pennsylvania with several media outlets projecting Dave McCormick defeated Democratic incumbent Sen. Bob Casey. Republicans now hold 53 seats in the chamber with two races, one in Nevada and one in Arizona, still to be called.
California governor calls special session to protect liberal policies
California’s Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom has called a special legislative session to protect the state’s liberal policies ahead of a second Trump presidency. Newsom and Attorney General Rob Bonta announced Thursday they’re preparing to “protect California values” against the incoming administration.
California is ready to fight.
I just called an emergency special session to help bolster our legal resources and protect our state against any unlawful actions by the incoming Trump Administration.
Whether it be our fundamental civil rights, reproductive freedom, or climate… pic.twitter.com/fIBPKsehot
“We know to take Trump at his word when he says he’ll roll back environmental protections, go after our immigrant and LGBTQ+ communities, attack our civil rights and restrict access to essential reproductive care,” Bonta said. “Mr. Trump repeatedly overstepped his authority between 2016 and 2020. There’s no reason to think he won’t do it again. We checked him and we stopped him, and we pushed him back into his box when he tried to step out of it.”
The California special session is scheduled to start Dec. 2. Newsom is also calling on the state legislature to give the attorney general’s office more funding to battle federal challenges.
In his ruling on Thursday, U.S. District Judge J. Campbell Barker — who was appointed by President-elect Trump during his first term — said Congress has not given the executive branch the authority to implement such a policy. Campbell Barker had previously put an administrative hold on the regulation as he considered the lawsuit, which was brought by Texas and 15 other states.
The policy, which the Biden administration called “Keeping Families Together,” would have applied to spouses who have been living in the country for 10 years, as well as stepchildren. It could have affected between 750,000 and 800,000 people.
3 arrested in former ‘One Direction’ singer Liam Payne’s death
In a press release, Argentina’s National Criminal and Correctional Prosecutor’s Office said authorities had arrested an employee at the hotel where Payne fell to his death last month, an alleged drug dealer, and a person who “accompanied the artist daily during his stay in the city of Buenos Aires.”
Officials said at least four supplies of narcotics were “conclusively proven” to have been addressed to Payne during his stay at the Casa Sur hotel between Oct. 13 and 16. Payne fell from a third-floor balcony of the hotel on Oct. 16.
Thursday’s report revealed that in the 72 hours before he died, Payne had alcohol, cocaine, and a prescription anti-depressant in his system.
The hotel employee and alleged dealer are both charged with providing narcotics while the third person is charged with providing narcotics and abandonment of a person followed by death.
Man behind AOL’S iconic ‘you’ve got mail’ dies at 74
An iconic voice that defined a generation in technology has died.
Elwood Edwards, endearingly known as AOL’s “You’ve got mail” guy, died Tuesday. Nov. 5, at the age of 74 after suffering from a “long illness,” according to an announcement by local news station WKYC-TV in Cleveland, Ohio.
Edwards worked there as a graphics and camera operator, among other roles. According to the announcement, made Thursday, he died one day before his 75th birthday.
Republican leadership in Congress shaping up ahead of key vote
Republicans won a majority in the Senate and believe they are on track to maintain their majority in the House. So once the new Congress is sworn in on Jan. 3, 2025, who will be in leadership?
In the House, Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., is vying to keep the gavel. Johnson wrote a letter to his Republican colleagues in which he laid out their top priorities: secure the border, promote investment through the tax code, prioritize domestic energy production, reduce regulations and expand school choice.
“We will operate from our well designed playbook, and execute those plays with precision, to put points on the board and win for the American people,” Johnson wrote in the letter.
Johnson has the support of President-elect Donald Trump, which is a key advantage. He even got a shout out during Trump’s victory speech.
“I want to thank Mike Johnson, I think he’s doing a terrific job. Terrific job,” Trump said during his victory speech.
With Trump’s support, it will be tough to challenge Johnson. However, Republicans are on track to have a one or two seat majority. If anyone decides to put up a fight like they did with former Rep. Kevin McCarthy in 2022, this could become a true battle.
House Majority Leader Steve Scalise, R-La., is also running to keep his job. He has consistently been elected unanimously to be House Republicans’ number two, there’s no reason to believe that will change.
The biggest question is Rep. Elise Stefanik, R-N.Y. She’s the conference chair and if she runs again, she’ll likely win. She is also contending to be the U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations in the new Trump administration, which would leave an opening.
The Republican congressional leadership elections will take place on Nov. 13.
In the Senate, Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., is stepping down as Republican leader after the longest serving tenure in history.
Three lawmakers are running to take his place: Sens. John Thune, S.D., John Cornyn, Texas, and Rick Scott, Fla.
Thune currently serves as the Republican Whip, or the number two. He’s in charge of counting how republicans will vote on certain bills and trying to convince holdouts to support the party’s legislative priorities.
Cornyn previously served as whip but had to step down because he was term-limited.
Scott previously served as the head of the National Republican Senatorial Committee, the party’s campaign arm. He also challenged McConnell for leader in 2022 but only received 10 votes compared to McConnell’s 37.
Sen. John Barrasso, R-Wyo., will take Thune’s place as whip.
Vice President Kamala Harris concedes the election to former President Donald Trump. And President Joe Biden speaks to Trump to invite him to a meeting at the White House. These stories and more highlight your Unbiased Updates for Thursday, Nov. 7, 2024.
Harris concedes presidential election to Trump
Donald Trump is once again president-elect, with more media outlets calling the election on Wednesday, Nov. 6. The former (and future) president not only won the Electoral College but the popular vote as well.
As of early Thursday morning, Nov. 7, Decision Desk HQ had Trump standing at 312 electoral votes, surpassing the 270 needed to win. His opponent, Vice President Kamala Harris earned 226. Trump also led in the popular vote at close to 73 million, with Harris getting just over 68 million.
We heard from Trump celebrating his victory in the wee hours of Wednesday morning. Harris chose not to speak at that time.
Instead, the vice president waited until the afternoon to address a crowd of supporters at Howard University, where she conceded the election.
“The outcome of this election is not what we wanted, not what we fought for, not what we voted for,” she said, “but hear me when I say, hear me when I say, the light of America’s promise will always burn bright as long as we never give up and as long as we keep fighting.”
Harris said she spoke with Trump on the phone to congratulate him. She also told her supporters it is important to accept the election results and engage in a peaceful transfer of power, calling it “a fundamental principle of American democracy.”
“At the same time, in our nation, we owe loyalty not to a president or a party, but to the Constitution of the United States, and loyalty to our conscience and to our god,” she said. “My allegiance to all three is why I am here to say, while I concede this election, I do not concede the fight that fueled this campaign.”
Harris also told the crowd, they might “feel dark times are ahead” but she hopes that’s not the case and added that “sometimes the fight takes a while.”
Harris, as the sitting vice president, will be the one overseeing Congress’ ceremonial certification of the election in January.
Meanwhile, there is speculation Trump could soon begin announcing appointments to key positions in his cabinet, in just a matter of days. Some prospective nominees reportedly canceled their flights out of south Florida Wednesday after election night celebrations, in order to remain close to Trump.
Biden congratulates Trump on win, invites him to White House
President Joe Biden also reached out to President-elect Trump over the phone on Wednesday. During that call, he invited Trump to a meeting at the White House and offered his congratulations.
The White House released a statement saying, “President Biden expressed his commitment to ensuring a smooth transition and emphasized the importance of working to bring the country together.”
A Trump campaign spokesperson confirmed the call, and that Biden invited the president-elect to the White House to “ensure a smooth transition between the current administration and the incoming administration.” The Trump campaign said the White House meeting would take place shortly and Trump very much appreciated the call from Biden.
Biden also spoke to Vice President Harris on the phone Wednesday. He released a statement following her concession speech saying in part, “Under extraordinary circumstances, she stepped up and led a historic campaign that embodied what’s possible when guided by a strong moral compass and a clear vision for a nation.”
President Biden added that selecting Harris as his vice president was “the best decision” he made.
The president is expected to address the nation Thursday on the election and the transition of power.
This morning at 11 AM ET, I’ll address the nation to discuss the election results and the transition.
Special counsel, DOJ reportedly in talks to end Trump prosecutions
Now that former President Trump is once again president-elect, Special Counsel Jack Smith is reportedly in talks with Department of Justice leadership to figure out how to end the criminal cases against Trump. That’s what sources familiar with the matter have told several media outlets.
The DOJ has had a longstanding policy against prosecuting a sitting president and Justice Department regulations say a special counsel must consult DOJ leaders — possibly even Attorney General Merrick Garland — on major decisions in an investigation.
Last year, Smith charged Trump with plotting to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election and illegally keeping classified documents at his Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida. Those latter charges were dismissed by a judge earlier this year, but Smith has appealed that ruling. Trump has pleaded not guilty in both cases.
Biden admin rushing billions in assistance to Ukraine: Reports
The Biden administration plans to rush billions of dollars in aid to Ukraine before President Biden leaves office in January, according to multiple reports. The goal is to make sure Ukraine’s government is in a good place when President-elect Trump takes office.
Trump has been critical of the scale of the U.S. military and financial support for Ukraine in its war with Vladimir Putin and Russia.
I had an excellent call with President @realDonaldTrump and congratulated him on his historic landslide victory—his tremendous campaign made this result possible. I praised his family and team for their great work.
We agreed to maintain close dialogue and advance our…
— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) November 6, 2024
In April, the Republican-controlled House approved more aid for Ukraine, including an allocation for weapons. However, more than $6 billion in aid that has been set aside for Ukraine has not made it there yet.
Trump has vowed to end the war between Russia and Ukraine quickly but has not specified how.
Cuba’s power grid collapses after Hurricane Rafael makes landfall
Hurricane Rafael weakened after making landfall in Cuba as a powerful Category 3 storm, but not before causing the island’s electrical grid to collapse.
While the storm is expected to stay in the southern part of the Gulf of Mexico, heavy rain will be seen in Florida and neighboring parts of the southeast. One to three inches of rain are expected for parts of the Florida Keys.
Rafael is the fifth major hurricane of the year in the Atlantic and the strongest to hit this late in the year since 2020.
Fox News wins election ratings, overall viewership falls from 2020
Fox News once again led the pack, getting the most viewers on election night. During primetime hours between 8 p.m. and 11 p.m. ET, 9.8 million viewers tuned into Fox News. However, that is down from the nearly 14 million viewers who watched in 2020.
On the broadcast side, ABC News came in No. 1 in primetime with 5.6 million viewers.
Overall, Nielsen said across 18 cable and broadcast networks, 42 .3 million people tuned into coverage. That’s down more than 25% from 2020, when election coverage drew nearly 57 million viewers.
*Corrections to Wednesday’s “Unbiased Updates”: We would like to correct that North Carolina did not ‘flip’ blue as the current governor, Roy Cooper, is a Democrat.And, in our final story, history was made in three states on Election Day as two of the elections we mentioned took place in Delaware.
Trump speaks of ‘incredible’ win after projected to be next US president
Donald Trump is poised to win the presidency again. How Georgia, North Carolina and Pennsylvania helped put him over the top. And while Republicans have picked up seats in the Senate, will they also take the House? A look at where things stand. These stories and more highlight your Unbiased Updates for Wednesday, Nov. 6, 2024.
Trump speaks of ‘incredible’ win after projected to be next U.S. president
Former President Donald Trump declared victory while addressing supporters in Florida early Wednesday morning, Nov. 6, as his lead over Vice President Kamala Harris grew. He picked up critical wins in key battleground states Pennsylvania, Georgia, and North Carolina.
“We overcame obstacles that nobody thought possible, and it is now clear that we’ve achieved the most incredible political thing,” Trump said. “Look what happened — is this crazy? But it’s a political victory that our country has never seen before, nothing like this. I want to thank the American people for the extraordinary honor of being elected your 47th president and your 45th president.”
Harris’ path to the 270 electoral votes has become less of a possibility, with most media outlets projecting Trump as the winner Wednesday morning. As of the time this article was published, Fox News, ABC, NBC, CBS, the Associated Press and Decision Desk HQ, a forecasting and analysis organization, have projected him to be the winner.
Donald Trump wins presidency for second time, completing improbable comeback https://t.co/VGPT8X5I88
Trump, who survived two assassination attempts during the campaign, was surrounded by family, Republican leaders, and his running mate Ohio Sen. JD Vance as he addressed the crowd inside the Palm Beach Convention Center around 2:30 a.m. ET Wednesday.
“America has given us an unprecedented and powerful mandate,” he told supporters. “Many people have told me that God spared my life for a reason and that reason was to save our country and to restore America to greatness and now we are going to fulfill that mission together.”
Vice President Harris, who picked up wins in California and New York, did not speak Tuesday night, Nov. 5, but earlier in the evening campaign co-chair Cedric Richmond spoke to supporters at Howard University. He said the vice president was not giving up the fight despite how the numbers were going.
“We will continue overnight to fight to make sure that every vote is counted, that every voice has spoken, so you won’t hear from the vice president tonight, but you will hear from her tomorrow,” he said. ”She will be back here tomorrow to address not only the HU family, not only to address our supporters, but to address the nation.”
Multiple news networks have confirmed Harris is slated to speak Wednesday morning. However, it is worth noting there reportedly has been no concession call yet from Harris to Trump.
Ray Bogan recaps election night from Washington
Washington is going to look a lot different in January.
Donald Trump made an extraordinary comeback. He lost the electoral and popular votes in 2020 after stinging defeats in Georgia, Arizona and Pennsylvania. This time around Trump won back both Georgia and Pennsylvania. He also took Wisconsin.
Republicans also won a majority in the Senate, with key victories in Ohio and West Virginia pushing them over the top. This will give them a key advantage as they work to confirm Trump’s cabinet picks and judicial nominations.
It’s important to remember that the majorities in Congress are razor-thin and nowhere near filibuster-proof in the Senate. So passing legislation will require bipartisanship.
The big question now is – who will be the Senate majority leader? The three candidates are John Thune from South Dakota, John Cornyn from Texas and Rick Scott from Florida.
Balance of power in Congress shifts, GOP retakes control of Senate
As Ray mentioned, the balance of power is shifting in Congress. Republicans will retake control of the Senate for the first time in four years.
The GOP flipped seats in West Virginia and Ohio, giving Republicans at least a 51-seat majority in the Senate.
In West Virginia, Republican Gov. Jim Justice is slated to replace the outgoing Sen. Joe Manchin, an independent who caucused with Democrats. In Ohio, Republican Bernie Moreno is projected by multiple outlets to defeat incumbent Democrat Sen. Sherrod Brown.
How the House of Representatives will play out remains to be seen. Republicans are hoping to retain control of the chamber.
They currently hold a slim majority, yet there are still over 100 races yet to be determined as of the time of publishing. Going into the night, Democrats needed to flip four seats to gain.
Stein wins in NC governor’s race, Republicans see victory in other states
Voters in 11 states also chose their next governors. While Republicans won big, Democrats did manage to retain power in several states.
North Carolina remained blue after the state’s Democratic attorney general, Josh Stein, beat out controversial Republican Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson. Robinson — who made history as the first Black lieutenant governor in the state — was already trailing in the polls, but his numbers took a dive in mid-September after CNN released a report detailing comments he allegedly made on a pornography website message board more than a decade ago on race, gender and abortion.
Thank you, North Carolina! I am honored to serve as your next governor. Tonight, we came together to resoundingly embrace a vision that is optimistic, forward-looking, and welcoming. I couldn't have done this without each of you. pic.twitter.com/3eeGGTVHed
In Delaware, Democrat Matt Meyer wins the race for governor. Meyer defeated Republican Mike Ramone and will take over from two-term Democratic Gov. John Carney.
Washington state will stay blue after Attorney General Bob Ferguson beat out Republican challenger Dave Reichert for the job. The seat was up for grabs after Democratic Gov. Jay Inslee said he would not be running again after serving three terms.
Indiana went from blue to red, with Republican Mike Braun defeating Democrat Jennifer McCormick. McCormick is a former Republican who split with the party after serving as the state’s schools superintendent.
Meanwhile, Republican Missouri remained red. The state’s Lt. Gov. Mike Kehoe is set to replace term-limited Republican Gov. Mike Parson.
North Dakota stayed red, as well. Kelly Armstrong is projected to succeed Gov. Doug Burgum, who also chose not to run again after serving three terms. It is possible Burgum will get a place in the Trump administration.
Republicans will now have governors in 27 states; Democrats in 23.
*Editor’s Note: This story has been updated since our recording to correct that North Carolina did not flip blue as the current governor, Roy Cooper, is a Democrat.
Voters in four states chose whether to enshrine abortion as a constitutional right. The measure did not pass in Florida, Nebraska or South Dakota, but did in Colorado and Nevada.
Nebraska voters actually had two abortion-related measures on their ballot. While the constitutional right to an abortion failed, the other measure, which would prohibit abortions after the first trimester, passed.
Five other states were deciding on the right to an abortion. The measures passed in Arizona, Maryland, Missouri, and New York and is expected to make it through in Montana.
3 newly elected senators, 1 congresswoman making history
History was made in three states on Election Day.
In Delaware, Lisa Blunt Rochester — who already made history as the first woman and first Black person to represent the state in Congress — will now become the first Black woman to represent Delaware in the U.S. Senate.
Maryland Democrat Angela Alsobrooks will be the first Black candidate to represent her state in the Senate.
We just won our Senate race! As a son of immigrants, a public school kid, I never could’ve imagined I’d get to serve as a US Senator. I’m deeply humbled and grateful to NJ and for everyone who got us here. I promise I’ll serve with honor and integrity as a public servant for all. pic.twitter.com/qpuobm9Vf3
New Jersey Democrat Andy Kim will become the first Korean-American ever elected to the Senate. At 42 years old, he’ll also be the Senate’s third youngest member.
Finally, Sarah McBride, who won Delaware’s only open House seat, will be the first openly transgender person to be elected to Congress.
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Republicans claim Senate majority, end Democrats’ four-year hold
House refers former NY Gov. Andrew Cuomo to DOJ for lying to Congress
The congressional committee investigating the COVID pandemic sent a criminal referral to the Justice Department recommending former New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo be charged with making false statements to Congress. The committee said he lied repeatedly and that they have witness testimony and documents to prove it.
According to the committee, Cuomo lied when he said he wasn’t involved in the review or drafting of a New York Department of Health report regarding nursing home deaths. The committee said it has overwhelming evidence to prove Cuomo reviewed, edited and drafted portions of the report himself.
“Andrew Cuomo repeatedly lied to Congress, and he must be held accountable to the fullest extent of the law,” Rep. Brad Wenstrup, R-Ohio, stated.
“Both witness testimony and new documents serve as evidence that the former Governor made false statements to the Select Subcommittee during our COVID-19 nursing home investigation,” Wenstrup said. “This deliberate and self-serving attempt to avoid accountability for the thousands of lives lost in New York nursing homes during the pandemic will not stand.”
In July 2020, the New York State Department of Health released a report that said nursing home staff were to blame. The committee said its evidence showed Cuomo helped write that report.
In January 2021, New York’s attorney general said Cuomo’s administration underreported long-term care deaths by up to 50%.
The problems for Cuomo continued in January 2021, when New York’s attorney general said Cuomo’s administration underreported long-term care deaths by up to 50%.
Lying to Congress carries a potential five year prison sentence but those accused are rarely charged.
For instance, Republicans referred attorney Michael Avenatti for allegedly lying about Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh. However, he was never charged.
Donald Trump’s former lawyer Michael Cohen was sentenced to three years for making false statements in 2017. Former MLB star pitcher Roger Clemens was acquitted in 2012 of charges he lied about performance enhancing drugs.
House GOP, DOJ go to court over Biden, special counsel interview tapes
Republicans on the House Judiciary Committee are in court on Monday, Oct. 28, against Attorney General Merrick Garland. The case stems from a lawsuit filed in July seeking the release of audio recordings of President Joe Biden’s interview with special counsel Robert Hur during the Department of Justice’s investigation into Biden’s handling of classified documents.
Hur’s investigation concluded without recommending criminal charges against the president, but his findings sparked controversy. In his 345-page report, Hur described Biden as “an elderly man with a poor memory.”
“My task was to determine whether the president retained or disclosed national defense information willfully,” Hur said during his testimony in front of the House committee. “I could not make that determination without assessing the president’s state of mind. My assessment of the president’s memory was necessary and accurate and fair.”
Hur’s report questioned Biden’s age and mental competence. According to Hur, Biden expressed confusion during the interview, particularly regarding significant dates, such as the timing of his son Beau’s death.
Biden, the White House and fellow Democrats expressed dissatisfaction with Hur’s portrayal. Vice President Kamala Harris called it “politically motivated.” Republicans on the House Judiciary Committee criticized Hur for not recommending charges.
Seeking more information about Biden’s answers, the committee called for the release of the audio recordings. Although the transcript of the interview was released, Republicans argued that it was insufficient.
In June, the House voted to hold Garland in contempt of Congress after the White House refused to provide the audio, asserting executive privilege over the recordings.
“Audio recordings are better evidence than transcripts of what happened during the special counsel’s interviews with President Biden,” the GOP lawsuit states. “For example, they contain verbal and nonverbal context that is missing from a cold transcript. That verbal and nonverbal context is quite important here because the special counsel relied on the way that President Biden presented himself during their interview — ‘as a sympathetic, well-meaning, elderly man with a poor memory’ — when ultimately recommending that President Biden should not be prosecuted for unlawfully retaining and disclosing classified information.”
Meanwhile, the Justice Department is asking the court to dismiss the case, arguing that “the committee’s vanishingly small informational needs come nowhere close to overcoming the assertion of privilege. For these reasons, the court should rule in favor of the department.”
Jim Jordan says FTC Chair Lina Khan may have violated Hatch Act
House Republicans say FTC Chair Lina Khan may have violated the Hatch Act, a federal law that limits political activities by federal employees. Judiciary Chairman Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, accused Khan of appearing at campaign-style events and advocating for the election of Democratic candidates.
In a letter to Khan, Jordan said “Federal law and FTC ethics rules prohibit you from participating in political events, and from using appropriated funds for any political activity.”
Jordan cited reporting from Punchbowl News which said Khan spent a week on the road in early October with five Democrats who are running for reelection. The events took place in Texas, Illinois, Wisconsin and Arizona and Khan discussed topics including corporate power and worker freedom, price gouging and health care.
The letter to Khan stated, “Your campaign-style tour raises the perception—at a minimum—that you violated ethical standards to advocate for the election of partisan political candidates.”
According to the Office of the Special Counsel, the Hatch Act’s purpose is to ensure that federal programs are administered in a nonpartisan fashion and to protect federal employees from political coercion in the workplace.
Jordan wants Khan to tell him who scheduled the events, who paid for the travel and accommodations and also provide any advice or guidance Khan received from the agency’s ethics officials regarding her appearances. Khan and the FTC have yet to publicly respond to Jordan.
Republicans, Democrats push vastly different platforms in battle for the House
While the presidential election is getting most of the national attention, there is a fierce battle this election cycle for control of the House of Representatives. Republicans are trying to hold on to their slim majority.
Republicans currently occupy 220 seats. Democrats have 213 representatives. There are also two vacancies. Democratic leaders are pushing the idea that they only need to flip four seats to take back control of the House.
This week, at a speech at the New York Stock Exchange, House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., laid out five main policy points, saying, “the survival of the American dream depends on our victory.”
The five priorities for the GOP are:
Enhanced tax breaks including the need for a child tax credit.
Confronting China.
Rolling back environmental regulations.
Education such as school choice.
Cutting the national debt by reducing the size of the federal government.
Democrats recently outlined their key platforms at the national convention. Restoring abortion rights and advancing green energy initiatives, in order to create jobs while slowing climate change, are on the list.
Other priorities include, capping child care costs for low-income families and urging Congress to approve a pathway to citizenship for immigrants who have been in the United States long term, but are here illegally.
All 435 seats in the House are up for election in November.