BIDEN: Rioting is not protesting, looting is not protesting ... it's lawlessness plain and simple. And those who do it, should be prosecuted.
Violence will not bring change, it will only bring destruction. It must end.
...We have a president who fans the flames.
BIDEN: Is flipping Trump's narrative on him.
"Does anyone believe there will be less violence in America (if Trump wins)?"
Argues *Trump's* election would make the country less safe.
BIDEN ADDRESSING TRUMP'S WORDS STRAIGHT ON: You know me, you know my story, my family, ask yourself, 'Do I look like a radical socialist with a softs pot for rioters?'
"Really??"
"The truth is Donald Trump failed to protect America, so now he is trying to scare America."
BIDEN pushing back at Trump, sharply, but also trying to raise awareness, broaden his compassion argument: "I've spoken to George Floyd's family, to Jacob Blake's family.
I know their pain and so do you."
"I'd be looking to lower the temperature in this country, not raise it"
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What is happening now? Leader Schumer raised a point of order that the impeachment articles themselves are unconstitutional - that they do not rise "high crimes or misdemeanors".
Senate is voting on that. No debate is warranted for this point of order in impeachment court.
Staff and senators are now huddling, seemingly to discuss the procedural mechanics, maybe options here. Note that Leader McConnell's staff is huddling with conservatives as McConnell listens from just outside the circle.
Prior to this interlude, Schumer offered Republicans the chance to vote on the trial structure and have debate.
- That would have teed up resolutions from Sens. Lee and Cruz.
- And allowed for likely 3 hours of debate altogether.
- But Sen. Schmitt objected.
- And here we are.
NEWS here. @SpeakerJohnsontext to House members:
"the House Rules Committee will be posting soon today the text of three bills that will fund America’s national security interests and allies in Israel, the Indo-Pacific, and Ukraine, including a loan structure for aid..."
That is a main headline. Here is the full text sent by @speakerjohnson:
"After significant Member feedback and discussion, the House Rules Committee will be posting soon today the text of three bills that will fund America’s national security interests and allies ...
@SpeakerJohnson "... allies in Israel, the Indo-Pacific, and Ukraine, including a loan structure for aid, and enhanced strategy and accountability.
These will be brought to the floor under a structured rule that will allow for an amendment process..."
New and newsy letter now out from @SenSchumer. Many bottom lines:
- Baltimore: The WH sent over a authorization request this morning for the bridge and port. That will need bipartisan support to move.
1/
@SenSchumer - Ukraine aid: Waiting on Speaker Johnson. "Speaker Johnson has to ultimately decide for himself whether or not he will do the right thing for Ukraine ... if he’ll allow the extreme MAGA wing of his party to hand Vladimir Putin a victory"
- Israel: Is NOT mentioned.
2/
- (Schumer does push the Senate-passed security bill, which includes Israel funding.)
- FISA. Also, waiting on Speaker Johnson and the House. W/ clock ticking to wiretap program ended April 19.
- Pinnable quote: "The House is working on a path forward for their legislation."
3/
NEW: House has released another 5,000 hours of footage from J6. The prev. release was what Tucker Carlson got plus some cameras far from central areas.
Not sure yet what is in here - looking. And you can too! Reply with anything interesting.