‘The Paul Revere of Hamas?’: VP Harris, Dems condemn pro-Hamas protesters
“Despicable,” “unpatriotic,” “abhorrent.” That is how Vice President Kamala Harris described the burning of an American flag and spray painted pro-Hamas messages in Washington, D.C., on Wednesday, July 24.
The protests took place while Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was addressing a joint session of Congress.
“How ironic as the prime minister was talking about them burning American flags, they’re literally proving him right by burning American flags with the Capitol in the background,” Rep. Jared Moskowitz, D-Fla., said.
“Saying ‘Hamas is coming,’ what are they, the Paul Revere of Hamas?” Moskowitz continued. “Hamas is coming? I mean, this is just totally ridiculous. And you know what, it is why all the protesters are getting painted with one brush.”
Moskowitz urged protesters who do not want to be categorized the same way to call out those who burned the flag and vandalized Union Station.
Harris did not attend Netanyahu’s address. Her office said there was a scheduling conflict with a campaign event, but she strongly condemned the protesters.
“I condemn any individuals associating with the brutal terrorist organization Hamas, which has vowed to annihilate the State of Israel and kill Jews,” Harris said in a statement. “Pro-Hamas graffiti and rhetoric is abhorrent and we must not tolerate it in our nation.”
One protester in the group of thousands carried a Hamas flag. Another protester spray painted “Hamas is coming” just a block away from the Capitol.
“It is unacceptable to deface public property, desecrate the American flag, threaten Jews with violence, or promote terrorist organizations like Hamas. Unacceptable,” Rep. Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., said.
Democrats are being called on to disavow the protests because more than 100 members of their party boycotted Netanyahu’s address.
Rep. Rashida Tlaib, D-Mich., who claims Netanyahu is committing a genocide against the Palestinian people, attended the address and held up a sign saying “war criminal.”
Now, Democrats are trying to distance themselves from that type of rhetoric.
“It’s not clear to me that any of the protesters associate with the left wing of the Democratic Party when these are individuals who have been aggressively protesting members of the House Democratic Caucus, every week, every month, year after year from October 7th in connection with our support for the special relationship between the United States and Israel,” Jeffries said. “So that’s a factual assumption that is inaccurate.”
Police arrested 23 protesters Wednesday. It is not yet clear what charges they will face, if any at all.
Netanyahu to meet with Biden following his speech to Congress
A day after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu delivered a speech to Congress and President Joe Biden gave a primetime address on exiting the 2024 race, the two are set to meet in Washington, D.C. on July 25. And more details on what you need to know about breaking, the newest sport at the Olympic games. These stories and more highlight The Morning Rundown for Thursday, July 25, 2024.
Netanyahu to meet with Biden following his speech to Congress
Biden is expected to press Netanyahu in getting a hostage and ceasefire deal solidified. U.S. officials said it’s a critical moment in negotiations over the deal — something Biden said will be a priority with the time he has left in office.
Israeli negotiators were expected to travel to Qatar Thursday, but Netanyahu ordered them not to, saying he wanted to wait until after he meets with Biden before Israel goes back to the negotiating table.
After meeting with Biden, Netanyahu is expected to meet with Vice President and Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris. He’s set to meet with Republican nominee, former President Donald Trump on Friday, July 26.
In his address to Congress, Netanyahu thanked the U.S. for backing Israel’s war against Hamas with weapons support.
“The vast majority of Americans have not fallen for this Hamas propaganda,” Netanyahu said. “They continue to support Israel. And I want to say thank you America and thank you senators and House members who continue to support us, continue to support Israel, continue to support the truth and see through the lies.”
His speech was met with protests in and outside the Capitol building. Thousands of protesters gathered nearby, some burning an American flag and an effigy of Netanyahu.
Dozens of congressional Democrats also boycotted the address. Rep. Rashida Tlaib, D-Mich., held a sign reading “war criminal” while Netanyahu spoke on Wednesday, July 24.
President Biden addresses nation on decision to drop out of 2024 race
“The idea of America lies in voters’ hands,” Biden said about the 2024 election. “Nothing, nothing can come in the way of saving our democracy. That includes personal ambition. So, I’ve decided the best way forward is to pass the torch to a new generation. It’s the best way to unite our nation.”
For the remaining six months of his term, Biden said he plans to focus on the job of the presidency, including plans to continue lowering costs for families.
In his address, President Biden also reiterated his support for Vice President Kamala Harris to take his place at the top of the ticket.
“I made my choice,” Biden said. “I’ve made my views known. I’d like to thank our great vice president, Kamala Harris. She’s experienced. She’s tough. She’s capable. She’s been an incredible partner to me and a leader for our country.”
Harris is reportedly vetting around a dozen possible running mates, including governors, members of Congress, current cabinet secretaries and some people who don’t currently hold public office. Her pick is expected to be made public sometime before Aug. 7.
FBI: Gunman Googled JFK shooting a week before Trump assassination attempt
Alarming new information has surfaced about the assassination attempt on former President Trump. FBI Director Christopher Wray testified before Congress on Wednesday, July 24, and revealed that a week before opening fire, Thomas Crooks, the gunman, looked up the shooting distance in the killing of President John F. Kennedy on the internet.
Specifically, Wray said Thomas Crooks Googled, “How far away was Oswald from Kennedy?”
The FBI director said these words are significant in terms of the shooter’s state of mind. An FBI analysis of Crooks’ laptop found he did the search on the same day he registered for Trump’s rally.
Wray also told lawmakers about a shocking security lapse in the sky. He said the gunman scoped out the ally site with a drone — possibly even live-streaming — just two hours before the former president took the stage.
A CBS News analysis found Crooks fired eight bullets in less than six seconds before being shot and killed by a Secret Service sniper.
House lawmakers have voted to create a new congressional task force in hopes of answering more questions about the events leading up to Trump’s near assassination. The legislation to approve the investigation passed by a vote of 416-0.
NORAD intercepts Russian and Chinese bombers off Alaska coast
NORAD detected, tracked, and intercepted two Russian TU-95 and two PRC H-6 military aircraft operating in the Alaska Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ) on July 24, 2024. NORAD fighter jets from the United States and Canada conducted the intercept.https://t.co/EKg3G30lmW
— North American Aerospace Defense Command (@NORADCommand) July 24, 2024
Officials said the bombers did not enter U.S. airspace but did get close enough that the U.S. and Canada sent fighter jets to intercept them. According to NORAD, the incident was “not seen as a threat.”
A U.S. defense official said this was the first time the two countries have been intercepted while operating together.
NBA signs 11-year deal with Disney, NBC and Amazon
The NBA has confirmed where viewers will be seeing its games next season. After rejecting a $1.8 billion offer to keep airing games with Warner Bros. Discovery, the NBA signed an 11-year agreement with Disney, NBC and Amazon.
The deal is reportedly worth an estimated $76 billion. However, the agreement is likely to bring a legal showdown between the NBA and Warner Bros. Discovery. The media company said it believes the NBA can’t reject its offer and said it will take “appropriate action.”
For anyone doubting breaking being a sport, USA Breakin’s Ricardo Fernandez Jr. told Straight Arrow News there’s no reason to question. Fernandez is credited with creating the blueprint for competitive breaking competitions and can talk about its rich history dating back to its origins in the Bronx in the 1970s.
“We were breaking to the break of the record, so now you see where the name comes from, the record has a break and that break is the percussion drum part that was longated by the DJ,” Fernandez said.
Fernandez said breaking comes down to discipline and athleticism.
Some of the most athletic people in the world are Breakers. And in 2024 breakin’ culture will make its official debut as a sport at the Summer Olympic games in Paris, France. pic.twitter.com/wzWZ2K7xlj
“You take the athleticism and you put two individuals or a group to compete against each other constantly, you are already creating the atmosphere for it to become marketable,” he said. “Breaking, you have to be athletic to achieve what you see now.”
Team USA will be represented by four athletes called breakers: Jeffrey “B-Boy Jeffro” Louis, who wrote a letter to the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to get breaking to be part of the games just a few years ago; Logan Edra, who started breaking at age 7, was given the nickname “Logistix” by her father; Sunny Choi who picked up the sport while a freshman at the University of Pennsylvania; and Victor Montalvo, the first American to qualify, whose father and uncle were breaking pioneers.
Fernandez, known in the breaking world as B-boy Speedy Legs, has seen the sport evolve from his days of teaching it to kids in 1980s Miami to showing off his power moves in New York in the 1990s.
“I dedicated my life to breaking, in every aspect, in the art form, in the athleticism, in the competitiveness and also helped create the platform that would take it to the Olympics,” Fernandez said.
Fernandez started the B-Boy Masters Pro-Am, one of the first breaking competitions, as he tried to grow the sport and everything that comes with it. That includes the moves like top rock, the music from the DJ and the overall hip-hop culture that inspires the art form.
“I put together the first elements of how to judge it cause it was really hard to judge breaking because if I talked to some of the guys with whom I was down with in the beginning I know that they thought I was probably corny about implementing something like that,” Fernandez said.
Fernandez created a 5-element judging system, one he said is very similar to how the breakers will be judged at the Olympics. In Paris, breakers will be judged on musicality, vocabulary, originality, technique and execution.
Though Fernandez said some heated politics between organizations emerged during breaking’s path to the Olympics, he knows his sport’s place on the world’s biggest stage will help it grow even more.
“I believe when it gets exposure in the next two to three weeks, it’s going to be phenomenal,” Fernandez said. “I believe it’s going to create more opportunities not only for the first four athletes from the United States to make history, but also to create new outlets for the youth.”
Democrats denounce Biden for attacking Houthis without congressional approval
President Joe Biden is receiving backlash from Democrats after making the decision to retaliate against Houthi forces. Democratic lawmakers are questioning why he bypassed Congress, as the Constitution requires Congress to authorize military action.
The Iranian-backed Houthis disrupted international trade by launching attacks on commercial ships in the Red Sea. The forces have launched dozens of attacks since the Israel-Hamas war.
Despite warnings of consequences if they continued launching missiles into the channel, the Houthis launched 21 missiles directly targeting American ships in the largest-scale attack since the beginning of the war.
In return, Biden called on the military to take action.
“@POTUS is violating Article I of the Constitution by carrying out airstrikes in Yemen without congressional approval,” Rep. Rashida Tlaib, D-Mich., posted on X. “The American people are tired of endless war.”
“The people do not want more of our taxpayer dollars going to endless war and the killing of civilians,” Bush wrote. “Stop the bombing and do better by us.”
“The United States cannot risk getting entangled into another decades-long conflict without Congressional authorization,” Rep. Mark Pocan, D-Wis., also said on X. “The White House must work with Congress before continuing these airstrikes in Yemen.”
While some Republicans are also voicing their concerns about Biden bypassing Congress, Biden is getting more support from the Republican side of the aisle for taking action.
“I welcome the U.S. and coalition operations against the Iran-backed Houthi terrorists responsible for violently disrupting international commerce in the Red Sea and attacking American vessels,” Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell said in a press release. “President Biden’s decision to use military force against these Iranian proxies is overdue.”
UAW to weigh whether Biden calls for Israel-Hamas cease-fire when deciding endorsement
Will the Israel-Hamas war stand in the way of President Biden getting the backing of one of the nation’s most powerful labor unions? Shawn Fain, the president of the United Auto Workers union, indicated the president’s policy on the Israel-Hamas war and whether he calls for a cease-fire will factor into the UAW board’s decision on endorsing him.
“That’s a decision the president has to make,” Fain said when asked if the president had talked to him about a cease-fire. “But our stance from day one of my administration has been that our endorsements will be earned, not freely given anymore.”
Fain made the statement at the U.S. Capitol building, where he appeared with Reps. Cori Bush, D-Mo., Rashida Tlaib, D-Mich., Ilhan Omar, D-Minn., and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y. The group met there to call for a permanent cease-fire in the Israel-Hamas war.
“Thousands of our members have called with concerns about this issue,” Fain said. “That’s why we discussed this as a board. And it’s why we decided to weigh in on it. Because, you know, we have a lot of members that are concerned that we need a cease-fire and we need peace.”
Fain said there are many factors that play into the union’s endorsements, and he would not say if there is one single issue that will be determinative, even when asked directly.
“We still have a lot to talk about with our endorsements going forward,” Fain told Straight Arrow News. “We don’t have any decisions made yet. And that’ll play out, you know, as as the board meets and as our membership, as we discuss things with them. We’re not ready to even talk on that issue yet as far as what will and won’t determine an endorsement.”
Fain said the decision will be made by the UAW’s 14-member board in consultation with its members.
House votes to censure Dem. Rep. Rashida Tlaib over Israel remarks
On Tuesday night, Nov. 8, the House of Representatives voted to censure Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib, D-Mich., the only Palestinian American in Congress, over her comments and actions in response to the war between Israel and Hamas. The censure resolution, which Republican Congressman Rich McCormick, R-Ga, authored, passed by a vote of 234 to 188.
The censure resolution stems from a video posted to social media by Tlaib, which includes footage of pro-Palestinian protests in the U.S. and President Joe Biden saying he stands by Israel. The video ends with calls for Biden to support a ceasefire and said “Joe Biden supported the genocide of Palestinian people.”
Tlaib’s post received immediate backlash from her colleagues on both sides of the aisle. Democrats, including Democrats in her home state of Michigan, calling Tlaib’s remark “hurtful” to the Jewish community, and “disturbing.”
The resolution claimed Tlaib had been “promoting false narratives regarding the Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas attack on Israel and for calling for the destruction of the state of Israel.”
Those backing the resolution pointed to Tlaib posting a social media video of protesters chanting “from the river to the sea,” a phrase that has been used by Hamas and considered by the Anti-Defamation League and other groups as an antisemitic call for the elimination of Israel.
Tlaib has defended using the slogan, calling it “an aspirational call for freedom, human rights, and peaceful coexistence.”
Democrats take home victories in several states after Election Day 2023: The Morning Rundown, Nov. 8, 2023
The results are in, we have the big winners from Election Day across America. And the House votes to censure Rashida Tlaib, the only Palestinian American in Congress. These stories and more highlight The Morning Rundown for Wednesday, Nov. 8.
Voters in Ohio approved a ballot measure amending the state constitution to include protections for abortion access, which protects medical providers who perform abortions and the right to an abortion up through viability. Voters in Ohio also voted to legalize marijuana for adults over 21, becoming the 24th to do so.
Democratic incumbent Gov. Andy Beshear won his re-election in Kentucky, defeating Republican Attorney General Daniel Cameron.
“It was a victory that sends a loud, clear message. A message that candidates should run for something and not against someone,” Beshear told supporters Tuesday night. “That a candidate should show vision and not sow division.”
In Virginia, Democrats took control of the state’s House of Delegates while retaining their majority in the state’s Senate, which will prevent Republican Gov. Glenn Youngkin from enacting his proposals on abortion and other policies.
“I want to thank every single one of you, and I got to tell you this victory sure is sweet,” Reeves told supporters after the results came in. “Not too bad for what the Democrat SuperPac Mississippi Today called one of the most unpopular governors in America.”
Those who qualified for the debate are former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley, tech entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy, and South Carolina Sen. Tim Scott.
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North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum and former Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson did not qualify.
Former Vice President Mike Pence has dropped out of the race since the last debate. While former President Donald Trump, the current Republican frontrunner, said he would not attend the debate. Instead, he’ll be holding a rally just a half hour away. The debate airs tonight on NBC.
House votes to censure Rep. Rashida Tlaib, D-Mich.
The censure resolution, which Congressman Rich McCormick, R-Ga, authored, passed by a vote of 234 to 188. Twenty-two Democrats voted along with most of their Republican colleagues. Four Republicans opposed the measure.
The resolution claimed Tlaib had been “promoting false narratives regarding the Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas attack on Israel and for calling for the destruction of the state of Israel.”
Those backing the resolution pointed to Tlaib posting a social media video of protesters chanting “from the river to the sea,” a phrase that has been used by Hamas and considered by the Anti-Defamation League and other Jewish groups as an antisemitic call for the elimination of Israel.
Tlaib has defended using the slogan, calling it “an aspirational call for freedom, human rights, and peaceful coexistence.”
Before the vote on Tuesday, Nov. 7, the congresswoman said she would not be “silenced” and accused members of the House of distorting her words.
Man armed with rifle arrested near US Capitol
A man armed with a rifle was arrested in a park near the U.S. Capitol on Tuesday afternoon, Nov. 7. According to Capitol Police, just after 12:30 p.m., the 21-year-old man, Ahmir Lavon Merrell, was seen with a gun, described as possibly an AR-15, near Senate office buildings.
When officers responded and demanded that he drop his weapon, police say he refused, and officers used a Taser to subdue him. The park and surrounding roads were closed for a couple of hours following the incident as officers investigated.
“See something, say something’ is not just an empty slogan. We are grateful for the individual who alerted our officer to the man with a gun in the park,” said USCP Chief Tom Manger. “These cops immediately ran toward the man with the loaded gun. As always — I am proud of our cops.”
Police say there is no reason to believe there is a further threat to the public. Merrell, who had a warrant out for his arrest in Georgia for a probation violation, now faces gun charges.
It is illegal to possess a firearm on U.S. Capitol grounds, the Associated Press reporting that Capitol police have confiscated more than 30 guns this year.
Talks between actors and studios focus on AI
With the SAG-AFTRA actor’s strike nearing 120 days, Hollywood studios have agreed to adjust language in their offer concerning artificial intelligence, one of the critical issues that sent actors to the picket lines in July.
Over the past two weeks, AI has been the focus of talks between the SAG-AFTRA union and the alliance of motion picture and television producers.
Late Tuesday, Nov. 7, the negotiating team for SAG-AFTRA informed members that after meeting for 10 hours, it would continue to have discussions today about the studio’s latest changes.
Last week, the studios issued their “last, best and final” offer to the actors’ union, with SAG-AFTRA delivering its latest formal proposal on Monday, Nov. 6.
The studios have warned that to save a portion of this season’s television schedule – a deal needs to be made soon.
Titanic menu up for auction
We are getting a glimpse at what the first-class passengers of the ill-fated Titanic ate just three days before the massive ship struck an iceberg. A rare menu from a restaurant on the Titanic is going up for auction this week.
According to the auction house, the menu was discovered earlier this year by the family of a Canadian historian, but how he got a hold of it is unknown.
The now water-stained menu shows the dining choices for wealthy passengers included oysters, salmon, mallard duck, and spring lamb with mint sauce.
Israel-Hamas war: Some lawmakers blame Iran, others point at Israel
More than 1,300 people and counting have been killed and thousands more wounded after Hamas terrorists attacked Israel by land, sea and air over the weekend of Oct. 7. The casualties are from both Israel and Gaza.
Members of Congress are condemning the attacks, but there are key differences between statements from Democrats and Republicans.
What Democrats are saying:
Rep. Dan Goldman, D-N.Y., was in Tel Aviv with his wife and three children when the attack began and got out safely.
“At a minimum, Congress must replenish — and expand — the Iron Dome as soon as possible. I hope Republicans can get their House in order so we can pass emergency legislation to assist Israel in defending herself,” Goldman posted on X.
There is strong bipartisan support in Congress for Israel’s security and defense, however, the House can’t do anything until it elects a speaker. Based on its current schedule, that will take at least a week to do.
Other Democratic lawmakers put out statements that were, in part, critical of Israel.
Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., condemned Hamas’ attack and added, “this violence will not solve the ongoing oppression and occupation in the region.”
Rep. Rashida Tlaib, D-Mich., said she supports a path to peace.
“The path to that future must include lifting the blockade, ending the occupation, and dismantling the apartheid system that creates the suffocating, dehumanizing conditions that can lead to resistance,” Tlaib said.
What Republicans are saying:
Republicans are specifically placing blame on Iran, which supports Hamas with weapons, training and funding. Hamas has been on the State Department’s list of Foreign Terrorist Organizations since October 1997.
“I am convinced that this unprecedented and brutal attack by Hamas is not only supported by Iran, it was designed to stop peace efforts between Saudi Arabia and Israel,” Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., said.
Graham is referring to efforts to normalize relations between the Arab and Jewish nations. Saudi Arabia had said on Friday, Oct. 6, it was willing to increase its oil production to help secure a deal in which it would recognize Israel in exchange for a U.S. defense agreement.
Rep. Chris Smith, R-N.J., called on the Biden administration to take action against Iran.
“This means the president needs to make major changes in personnel and policy. Just last month the administration unfroze $6 billion in Iranian funds, and just last week we learned that the administration is staffed by agents of an Iranian spy ring.”
The Biden administration waived sanctions to unfreeze $6 billion dollars of Iranian money in a deal to free five American prisoners. Smith was also referring to reporting in Iran International that revealed three staff members for the Biden administration’s envoy on Iran were part of an influence network led by the country’s Foreign Ministry.
The Biden administration said it has not seen direct involvement from Iran in these attacks but did state the nation is complicit. The national security team said it will continue to watch the situation closely.
“What I can say without a doubt is that Iran is broadly complicit in these attacks. Iran has been Hamas’ primary backer for decades,” U.S. Deputy National Security Adviser Jon Finer said on CBS mornings.
The president said his administration’s support for Israel’s security is rock solid and unwavering. The Pentagon sent an aircraft carrier strike group to the eastern Mediterranean to assist Israel if necessary.
New York Times Editorial Board calls on Sen. Feinstein to resign
Members of the New York Times Editorial Board joined a growing number people calling on Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., to resign. Sen. Feinstein has been absent from Capitol since late February as she recovers from a shingles infection. The board published an opinion piece titled “Dianne Feinstein Has to Act” on Friday, May 5.
“If she cannot fulfill her obligations to the Senate and to her constituents, she should resign and turn over her responsibilities to an appointed successor,” the board wrote in the piece. “If she is unable to reach that decision on her own, Mr. Schumer, the majority leader, and other Democratic senators should make it clear to her and the public how important it is that she do so.”
With the piece, the New York Times’ opinion board joined several Democratic lawmakers who are also calling on Feinstein to resign. They include:
Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y.
Rep. Rashida Tlaib, D-Mich.
Rep. Ro Khanna, D-Calif.
Rep. Dean Phillips, D-Minn.
Earlier in the week of April 30, Sen. Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., said he spoke to Feinstein over the previous weekend. He added he was “hopeful” she can return to Capitol Hill next week.
“While the Senate Judiciary Committee has advanced eight strong nominees during my absence, I’m disappointed that Republicans are blocking a few in committee,” Feinstein tweeted on Thursday, May 4. “I’m confident that when I return, we will be able to move the remaining qualified nominees to the Senate floor for a vote.”