Judge Rules Virginia Board Of Elections’ Rule About Late Absentee Mail-In Ballots Was Illegal

Posted on January 27, 2021 by LifeZette

In August of last year, a rule was made by the Virginia Board of Elections that would have allowed elections officials to count late mail-in ballots that arrived without a postmark up to three days after this past November’s presidential election. A judge reversed this on Monday, ruling that the board’s decision was illegal.

Virginia Judge Issues Ruling

Virginia Circuit Court Judge William Eldridge ruled that with this rule, the board violated state elections law, according to the Daily Caller. He issued an injunction that will stop Virginia from adopting this rule in future elections moving forward.

Public Interest Legal Foundation (PILF), a legal group representing Frederick County electoral board member Thomas Reed in his case against the state mail-in ballot law, announced the judge’s decision.

“This is a big win for the Rule of Law,” said PILF President and General Counsel J. Christian Adams. “This consent decree gives Mr. Reed everything he requested – a permanent ban on accepting ballots without postmarks after Election Day and is a loss for the Virginia bureaucrats who said ballots could come in without these protections.”

Elections Board Reveals New Rule

On August 4 of last year, Virginia Board of Elections revealed the new rule, telling county boards that any ballots “received by the general registrar’s office by noon on the third day after the election … but does not have a postmark, or the postmark is missing or illegible” were not to be rendered invalid. A week later, the board added that these ballots should be counted.

Pilf fired back in October by filing a lawsuit against the board on the behalf of Reed, who claimed that this rule violated state law. The specific Virginia statute that he thinks it violated states, “Any absentee ballot returned to the general registrar after the closing of the polls on election day but before noon on the third day after the election and postmarked on or before the date of the election shall be counted.”

The court agreed with Reed, issuing an order on October 28 preventing the state of Virginia from accepting and counting late absentee ballots that did not have postmarks. This meant that the ballots did not end up being counted in the presidential election, and thanks to the judge’s new ruling, they won’t be in the future either.

This piece was written by James Samson on January 27, 2021. It originally appeared in LifeZette and is used by permission.

The post Judge Rules Virginia Board Of Elections’ Rule About Late Absentee Mail-In Ballots Was Illegal appeared first on The Political Insider.

Dead On Arrival: 45 Republicans – Including McConnell – Vote That Trump’s Impeachment Trial Is Unconstitutional

Posted on January 27, 2021 by Rusty Weiss

A majority of Republicans – including Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell – voted Wednesday that the impeachment trial of Donald Trump is unconstitutional.

Senator Rand Paul forced a vote on the matter.

In an op-ed written over the weekend, Paul (R-KY) called the impeachment process against the former President a “farce” and said it should be dismissed.

“The Constitution says two things about impeachment — it is a tool to remove the officeholder, and it must be presided over by the chief justice of the Supreme Court,” he wrote.

Neither of those elements exists in this case, as President Trump is no longer in office and Chief Justice John Roberts has declined to preside over the trial.

Powerful. Can’t wait for the full trial! pic.twitter.com/JgbdcwdejX

— Cerno (@Cernovich) January 26, 2021

Paul Declares Unconstitutional Impeachment Vote Is Dead

Paul called for a procedural vote regarding holding a trial, claiming the Senate shouldn’t address the article of impeachment against Trump because he is out of office.

In a speech prior to the vote – a speech that went viral – the Kentucky Republican blasted Democrats as “hyper-partisan” and suggested they “are about to drag our great country into the gutter of rancor and vitriol the likes of which has never been seen in our nation’s history.”

The Senate voted 55-45 to end debate on Paul’s point of order, but the point, in reality, was made. Only five Republicans joined the Democrats, well below the 17 that would be needed for a vote of conviction.

“If you voted that it was unconstitutional, how in the world would you ever vote to convict somebody for this?” Paul told reporters. “This vote indicates it’s over. The trial is all over.”

He later tweeted that the impeachment trial was “dead on arrival.”

The Senate just voted on my constitutional point of order.

45 Senators agreed that this sham of a “trial” is unconstitutional.

That is more than will be needed to acquit and to eventually end this partisan impeachment process.

This “trial” is dead on arrival in the Senate.

— Senator Rand Paul (@RandPaul) January 26, 2021

Who Joined the Democrats?

Of the five Republicans who voted with Democrats, you had your usual suspects. Typical RINOs who often hide their contempt for President Trump in the cloak of the Constitution, but clearly don’t understand its words.

Susan Collins (ME), Lisa Murkowski (AK), Ben Sasse (NE), Pat Toomey (PA), and Mitt Romney (UT) all voted to table Paul’s point of order.

Article I, Section 3 of the Constitution reads in part:

The Senate shall have the sole Power to try all Impeachments. When sitting for that Purpose, they shall be on Oath or Affirmation. When the President of the United States is tried, the Chief Justice shall preside: And no Person shall be convicted without the Concurrence of two thirds of the Members present.

Judgment in Cases of Impeachment shall not extend further than to removal from Office, and disqualification to hold and enjoy any Office of honor, Trust or Profit under the United States: but the Party convicted shall nevertheless be liable and subject to Indictment, Trial, Judgment and Punishment, according to Law.

McConnell, surprisingly, voted against ending the debate.

McConnell has reportedly viewed the Democrats’ effort to impeach the president as a means to “help rid the Republican Party of Trump and his movement.”

RINOs ready to join with Radical Dems to destroy the Republican Party: McConnell furious with president, supports move to initiate impeachment proceedings: sources https://t.co/R3isoLbQ9Q #FoxNews

— Lou Dobbs (@LouDobbs) January 13, 2021

A recent poll from Axios-Ipsos shows Republican voters have been siding with President Trump over McConnell on the matter.

A majority have said they do not hold Trump responsible for the Capitol riots, believe he has a right to challenge the election, and still prefer him as their nominee in 2024.

Republicans across the U.S. are siding with President Trump over Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell — big time — according to a new Axios-Ipsos poll. https://t.co/jqkhRlfE6O pic.twitter.com/CgnV3xLttp

— Axios (@axios) January 14, 2021

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer indicated earlier this week that President Trump’s impeachment trial would be “quick,” adding no decision has been made on the need for witnesses.

Evidence is beginning to point to this unconstitutional impeachment trial as a sham – perhaps even more so than the first one.

The post Dead On Arrival: 45 Republicans – Including McConnell – Vote That Trump’s Impeachment Trial Is Unconstitutional appeared first on The Political Insider.

The ‘Squad’ Issues Brutal Impeachment Warning – ‘Dangerous Precedent’

Posted on January 27, 2021 by LifeZette

The radically liberal “Squad” teamed up on Monday to issue a major warning about what will happen if the effort to impeach former President Donald Trump is not successful.

‘Squad’ Speaks Out On Impeachment

Various members of the “Squad” took to social media to remind their followers about how important they feel it is to impeach Trump in the Senate.

“Nobody is above the law, no matter the person or the timing. Failure to hold those who would incite terror on others to overthrow an election process that has worked for over 230 yrs would set a dangerous precedent,” tweeted Rep. Rashida Tlaib (D-MI).

Nobody is above the law, no matter the person or the timing. Failure to hold those who would incite terror on others to overthrow an election process that has worked for over 230 yrs would set a dangerous precedent. https://t.co/A5xmVJnnZ7

— Rashida Tlaib (@RashidaTlaib) January 26, 2021

Rep. Cori Bush (D-MO), who is the newest member of the “Squad,” got in on the action as well on her own Twitter page.

“The article of impeachment has been delivered to the Senate,” she wrote. “They need to convict Donald J. Trump — and the House needs to pass my resolution to investigate and expel the GOP members of Congress who sabotaged our democracy and incited the insurrection.”

The article of impeachment has been delivered to the Senate. They need to convict Donald J. Trump — and the House needs to pass my resolution to investigate and expel the GOP members of Congress who sabotaged our democracy and incited the insurrection. https://t.co/CNJW2ElGLr

— Cori Bush (@CoriBush) January 26, 2021

Rep. Ayanna Pressley (D-MA) posted a quote from the late Rep. Elijah Cummings (D-MD), writing, “‘When we’re dancing with the angels, the question will be asked…what did we do to make sure we kept our democracy intact?’”

“When we’re dancing with the angels, the question will be asked…what did we do to make sure we kept our democracy intact?”

Chairman Elijah Cummings https://t.co/wZJb9rPaOR

— Ayanna Pressley (@AyannaPressley) January 26, 2021

Ilhan Omar Chimes In

Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-MN), one of the leaders of the “Squad,” responded to a tweet by Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL) that read, “impeachment is the zenith of cancel culture.”

“Yes, inciting and participating in an insurrection against the US government should get you cancelled, impeached, expelled and jailed,” Omar tweeted in response.

Yes, inciting and participating in an insurrection against the US government should get you cancelled, impeached, expelled and jailed. https://t.co/6ZkafF3qu5

— Ilhan Omar (@IlhanMN) January 26, 2021

Trump was impeached by the House for a second time earlier this month for supposedly inciting the Capitol riots before leaving office. An impeachment trial is expected to happen in the Senate in the coming weeks.

AOC Speaks Out

Earlier this month, “Squad” leader Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) talked about why she wants Trump to be impeached.

“We have to understand that what happened on Wednesday was insurrection against the United States. That is what Donald J. Trump engaged in, and that is what those who stormed the Capitol engaged in,” she said.

“When we talk about healing…the process of healing is separate, and, in fact, requires accountability,” Ocasio-Cortez added. “And so, if we allow insurrection against the United States with impunity, with no accountability, we are inviting it to happen again. That is how serious it is.”

Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez backs impeachment, telling @GStephanopoulos “every minute" that Trump is "in office represents a clear and present danger.”

“We’re also talking about complete barring of (Donald Trump) from running for office ever again.” https://t.co/k4g6uA7rAo pic.twitter.com/k5nIiWuOtx

— This Week (@ThisWeekABC) January 10, 2021

This piece was written by James Samson on January 26, 2021. It originally appeared in LifeZette and is used by permission.

The post The ‘Squad’ Issues Brutal Impeachment Warning – ‘Dangerous Precedent’ appeared first on The Political Insider.

Gretchen Whitmer Claims She ‘Can’t Stand People Who Have One Rule For Others, Different One For Themselves’

Posted on January 27, 2021 by LifeZette

Michigan’s Democratic Governor Gretchen Whitmer spoke out this week to defend her decision to attend Joe Biden’s inauguration last Wednesday. She went so far as to claim that she “can’t stand people that have one rule for others, and a different one for themselves.”

Whitmer Defends Attending Biden Inauguration

WOOD TV host Rick Albin pointed out that many felt it was hypocritical for Whitmer to travel to Washington D.C. for the inauguration when she has been urging people to not travel or gather amidst COVID-19. Whitmer, however, disagreed.

“Anyone who would have watched would have seen that we were spaced out, we were outside, and we were masked up,” she said. “So that is how we can live and enjoy some important aspects to life and stay safe. I have been following the same directives I have asked everyone else to. I can’t stand those people that have one rule for others and a different one for themselves.”

You might recall that back in May, Whitmer’s husband Marc Mallory was accused of trying to use his connection with her to get his boat back in the water faster after his wife’s lockdown closed that industry, which led to a backup.

“This morning, I was out working when the office called me, there was a gentleman on hold who wanted his boat in the water before the weekend,” company owner Tad Dowker said at the time. “Being Memorial weekend and the fact that we started working three weeks late means there is no chance this is going to happen.”

“Well our office personnel had explained this to the man and he replied, ‘I am the husband to the governor, will this make a difference?’” he added.

Whitmer Doubles Down

Whitmer, however, appeared to have forgotten all this in her latest interview.

“I have abided by these precautions but also recognize as the governor of a state — an important state — that played an important role in this inauguration having been invited and having made a decision very close to one when I had to come out here I know that this is a moment that is really important for our state,” she said.

Whitmer went on to say that she had to go to the inauguration to foster a close relationship with Joe Biden and his administration.

“This was something it was an honor to be [at], and I followed all the protocols and I encourage people to do so, as well,” she said.

This piece was written by James Samson on January 26, 2021. It originally appeared in LifeZette and is used by permission.

The post Gretchen Whitmer Claims She ‘Can’t Stand People Who Have One Rule For Others, Different One For Themselves’ appeared first on The Political Insider.

Matt Gaetz And Liz Cheney Trade Barbs In Battle For Future Of The Republican Party

Posted on January 26, 2021 by Becky Noble

Reps. Matt Gaetz (R-FL) and Liz Cheney (R-WY) traded jabs with each other on Monday in what could be illustrative the battle for the heart and soul of the GOP and its opposing wings.

Cheney has been in the hot seat, most recently for her vote to impeach Donald Trump, who Democrats accuse of being responsible for the violent protests at the Capitol building on Jan. 6.

As a result, Trump supporting Rep. Matt Gaetz announced on Monday that he would be traveling to Wyoming to “inspire” Wyoming voters to remove Cheney from her seat in Congress.

Wyoming, here we come!https://t.co/IoqRXuaP96

— Matt Gaetz (@mattgaetz) January 25, 2021

Cheney’s office shot back saying, “Rep. Gaetz can leave his beauty bag at home. In Wyoming the men don’t wear make up.”

Gaetz has reportedly been looking to defeat Cheney ever since she backed a primary challenge against popular Republican and Gaetz ally Thomas Massie of Kentucky.

Back in July, Cheney’s PAC had donated money, the maximum amount to fellow Republican Thomas Massie’s primary opponent, Todd McMurtry.

“In an interview with Breitbart News on Monday, Gaetz described Cheney’s attacks on Massie and himself as representing “her vindictive style” of politics.

Damn. Hey @mattgaetz. Liz Cheney said “Hi”. https://t.co/IrhE3NFftv

— Sgt Joker (@TheSGTJoker) January 25, 2021

Gaetz says Cheney wants the Republican Party to share her “America Last” vision.

“In the wake of the Biden presidency, the Republican party establishment is trying to wrangle the conservative movement back under their control. They want the GOP to look and sound like Liz Cheney.

“I have a competing vision for Republicanism and I intend to showcase it by going after the America Last politicians in both parties,” Gaetz said.

Besides the back and forth with Gaetz, Cheney has plenty of trouble on Capitol Hill.

More than half of the House Republican Conference has signed on to support a resolution calling for the removal of Cheney as the House GOP Chair in light of her “yes” vote on impeachment.

More than half of the House Republican Conference has committed to vote to remove Rep. Liz Cheney (R-WY) as the chair of the House GOP Conference. https://t.co/EAskP5dP5C

— Breitbart News (@BreitbartNews) January 21, 2021

House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy also told Breitbart News that he “has concerns” about Cheney’s impeachment vote:

“Look, I support her, but I also have concerns. She took a position as a number three member in conference.

She never told me ahead of time. One thing about leadership: if we’re going to work together on that as a whole conference, we should understand. We know that this is going to become a difficulty.

She can have a difference of opinion, but the one thing if we’re going to lead within the conference, we should work together on that as a whole conference because we’re representative of that conference. So I support her, but I do think she has a lot of questions she has to answer to the conference.”

Cheney In Trouble At Home

In addition to her troubles in Washington, Liz Cheney is in some trouble at home. She has already garnered a primary opponent for 2022. Wyoming State Senator Anthony Bouchard plans to challenge Cheney for her Congressional seat.

Wyoming State Sen. Anthony Bouchard files primary challenge to House GOP Conference Chair Liz Cheney. https://t.co/7mM632abmG

— Josh Caplan (@joshdcaplan) January 20, 2021

She has also been censured at home. On Jan 17, the Carbon County Wyoming Republican Central Committee announced it had voted to censure Cheney for her impeachment vote.

A Change.org petition has already collected almost 50,000 signatures calling for Cheney to be recalled.

Two Visions Of The Republican Party

Matt Gaetz and Liz Cheney represent two very different visions for the Republican Party going forward.

Matt Gaetz has long been a Trump supporter and on board with Trump’s America First agenda.

Liz Cheney is still a backer of the Bush era, especially on foreign policy. She is in agreement with her dad, former Vice President Dick Cheney who says, “I was right about Iraq.”

While new faces like Gaetz and others staunchly oppose getting involved in needless conflicts, Cheney and the Democrats recently blocked Trump’s attempt to remove troops from Afghanistan where troops have been stagnating for twenty years.

The GOP will have to make a decision on which way to go.

The post Matt Gaetz And Liz Cheney Trade Barbs In Battle For Future Of The Republican Party appeared first on The Political Insider.

CNN: Biden Says Impeachment Trial ‘Has To’ Happen

Posted on January 26, 2021 by John Hanson

CNN White House Correspondent Kaitlan Collins reported on Monday that President Joe Biden said a Senate impeachment trial of former President Donald Trump “has to happen.”

Collins reported that Biden made his comments earlier on Monday during an off-camera interview with CNN.

President Joe Biden has offered his most extensive comments since taking office on President Donald Trump's impeachment trial, telling CNN's Kaitlan Collins, "I think it has to happen" https://t.co/2OfPOHhKcd pic.twitter.com/70HEpzEoZp

— CNN Politics (@CNNPolitics) January 26, 2021

CNN Report On Biden’s View Of Trump Trial: ‘I Think It Has To Happen’

Collins also reports that Biden does not believe enough Republicans will vote to convict the former president.

As it stands, 17 Republicans would need to join the Democrats in order to reach the two-thirds threshold to convict.

Biden had previously appeared concerned that an impeachment process might distract Democrats from his agenda, but also reportedly said there would be “a worse effect” if it did not happen.

“The Senate has changed since I was there, but it hasn’t changed that much,” Biden said.

On Monday night, House Democrats delivered the article of impeachment to the Senate, accusing Trump of inciting the riots in and around Capitol Hill on January 6.

Trump is the first president to be impeached twice, though Republicans opposed to impeachment say the fact that he’s no longer president makes the push absurd, and perhaps unconstitutional.

The trial is scheduled to start Feb. 8.

Biden Concerned Impeachment Could Affect His 100 Day Agenda

Biden’s Monday comments to CNN come in the wake of a statement the president released earlier this month in which he called the House impeachment vote “a bipartisan vote cast by members who followed the Constitution and their conscience.”

NEW: Pres.-elect Biden releases statement on impeachment of Pres. Trump: "I hope that the Senate leadership will find a way to deal with their Constitutional responsibilities on impeachment while also working on the other urgent business of this nation." pic.twitter.com/cXpMtNIUiY

— MSNBC (@MSNBC) January 14, 2021

10 House Republicans joined the Democrats in voting to impeach.

“This nation also remains in the grip of a deadly virus and a reeling economy,” Biden said at the time.

He added, “I hope that the Senate leadership will find a way to deal with their Constitutional responsibilities on impeachment while also working on the other urgent business of this nation.”

But was Joe Biden right the first time – will Democrats’ seemingly relentless impeachment efforts distract them from getting on with the business of the nation?

Particularly when it is doubtful there would be enough Republicans to see this through?

The post CNN: Biden Says Impeachment Trial ‘Has To’ Happen appeared first on The Political Insider.

Cindy McCain Breaks Her Silence After She’s Censored By Arizona GOP

Posted on January 25, 2021 by LifeZette

Cindy McCain, the widow of the late Republican Senator John McCain, has broken her silence after being censored by the Arizona GOP for supporting Joe Biden over Donald Trump in the last presidential election.

Cindy McCain Breaks Her Silence

“It is a high honor to be included in a group of Arizonans who have served our state and our nation so well … and who, like my late husband John, have been censured by the AZGOP. I’ll wear this as a badge of honor,” McCain tweeted on Saturday.

It is a high honor to be included in a group of Arizonans who have served our state and our nation so well…and who, like my late husband John, have been censured by the AZGOP. I’ll wear this as a badge of honor.

— Cindy McCain (@cindymccain) January 24, 2021

McCain was censored along with former Arizona Senator Jeff Flake, who also endorsed Biden, and current Governor Doug Ducey, who fought back against Trump’s efforts to overturn the election results.

McCain was censored because she “has supported globalist policies and candidates” and “condemned President Trump for his criticism of her husband and erroneously placed behaviors over actual presidential results,” according to AZCentral.com. The Arizona GOP said that Flake, was censored because he “condemned the Republican Party, rejected populism, and rejected the interests of the American people over globalist interests.”

As for Ducey, he allegedly restricted “personal liberties” and forced “compliance to unconstitutional edicts” when he imposed emergency rules during the coronavirus pandemic.

Cindy McCain Discusses Being Censored

McCain had previously talked about the possibility of being censored while appearing on her daughter Meghan McCain’s ABC talk show “The View.”

“It’s about doing what’s right for the country, and certainly Senator Flake and Governor Ducey have made some very tough decisions lately and in the past, but it was for the good of our state and the country,” she said. “I’m in good company, your dad was censured by them. I think I’m going to make T-shirts for everyone and wear them.”

McCain went on to talk about what she feels the current state of the Republican Party is.

“I think what we have seen here is when I began in the Republican Party officially, the Republican Party was the party of inclusion. It was the party of generosity, it was the party of country first,” she said. ‘We have lost our way and it’s time we get back on track because we have always been the party that cared deeply, that loved what our country did and what it stood for.”

“We have lost our way and I truly hope as things progress on and we get further away from this mess that occurred that we can do just that and get back on track and remind people that we are here for the country and not the party,” McCain added.

This piece was written by James Samson on January 25, 2021. It originally appeared in LifeZette and is used by permission.

The post Cindy McCain Breaks Her Silence After She’s Censored By Arizona GOP appeared first on The Political Insider.

Trump Reportedly Eyes Primary Challenges Of ‘Never Trump’ Republicans Instead Of Third Party

Posted on January 25, 2021 by Becky Noble

Former President Donald Trump has reportedly, for the moment, put the idea of a possible third party on hold, and is setting his sights on focusing on possible primary challenges to “Never Trump” Republicans, according to Newsmax.

After the inauguration of Joe Biden, it had been reported that Trump had been talking with allies about creating a new third party, the “Patriot Party.”

Aides close to Trump said the third party idea came about after he and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) had exchanged words.

McConnell blamed Trump for the deadly riot at the Capitol building on Jan. 6.

Trump Thinking Senate Conviction Not Likely

New York Times Washington Correspondent Maggie Haberman reported that the third party was partly a means to stop Republicans from voting to convict him in the impeachment trial, but Trump does not feel that there will be any impeachment conviction in the Senate.

Seventeen Republicans would be needed to vote to convict in a Senate trial.

Haberman said Sunday, “In last 24 hours, after floating through a few folks that he was considering creating a third-party as a way to keep Senate R’s in line ahead of impeachment, Trump has been talked out of that and is making clear to people he isn’t pursuing it, per ppl familiar w his thinking.”

In last 24 hours, after floating through a few folks that he was considering creating a third-party as a way to keep Senate Rs in line ahead of impeachment, Trump has been talked out of that and is making clear to people he isn't pursuing it, per ppl familiar w his thinking.

— Maggie Haberman (@maggieNYT) January 24, 2021

It has been nearly three weeks since Trump supporters protesting the certification of the electoral college votes stormed the Capitol building.

Many members of Congress, Democrats and Republicans alike, have accused Trump of inciting the violence.

Haberman went on to say, “Trump has started to believe there are fewer votes to convict than there would have been if the vote had been held almost immediately after Jan. 6, the people familiar with his thinking said.”

Trump has started to believe there are fewer votes to convict than there would have been if the vote had been held almost immediately after Jan. 6, the people familiar with his thinking said.

— Maggie Haberman (@maggieNYT) January 24, 2021

Possible Primary Targets For Trump

While there is no official word from Donald Trump yet about primary challenges, his son Eric was floating the idea even before the certification vote.

There are several prominent “Never Trump” Republicans in Washington that could make possible primary targets.

Not only is Rep. Liz Cheney (R-WY) in trouble at home and has already gained a primary challenger for 2022, several other Republicans have spoken out against Trump in recent weeks.

Immediately following the violence at the Capitol, Utah Senator Mitt Romney chastised Trump, “What happened at the U.S. Capitol today was an insurrection, incited by the President of the United States.”

Romney also stated that he believes that impeachment could bring “unity in our country.”

The Utah Senator has been famously “Never Trump,” since before the 2016 election.

What happened at the U.S. Capitol today was an insurrection, incited by the President of the United States. https://t.co/NojKm86sZ2

— Senator Mitt Romney (@SenatorRomney) January 6, 2021

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) also joined in by saying, “The mob was fed lies,” and went on to say that the Capitol riot was “provoked by the President.”

10 House Republicans who voted to impeach Trump could theoretically fire up Trump supporters for primary challenges. They include:

Newly-elected Michigan Rep. Peter Meijer
Liz Cheney
South Carolina Rep. Tom Rice
Washington Reps. Dan Newhouse and Jaime Herrera Beutler
Never Trump Illinois Rep. Adam Kinzinger, who once considered a third party challenge for President against Trump
Ohio Rep. Anthony Gonzalez
Michigan Rep. Fred Upton
New York Rep. John Katko
California Rep. David Valadao

Alaska Senator Lisa Murkowski said impeaching Trump was “appropriate,” but has not said if she would vote to convict.

Trump Considering Several Future Plans?

There has been much speculation as to what Trump’s future plans might include, besides starting a third party.

Rick Grenell, former Acting Director of National Intelligence and one of Donald Trump’s most loyal Senior administration officials, said that Trump has said told him “personally, numerous times, he does want to run again.”

Grenell also said that “Trump needs the Republican Party as much as it needs him.”

“Trump 'Does Want to Run Again,' Says Former Acting Intelligence Chief @RichardGrenell” https://t.co/H2SnMDG7gc

— Tammy Bruce (@HeyTammyBruce) January 25, 2021

Another possibility mentioned was Trump starting his own media outlet.

A report from Axios in November claims that Trump had told friends he wanted to start a digital media company to rival Fox News.

Many conservatives believe Fox made a huge mistake on election night by calling Arizona early for Joe Biden.

The post Trump Reportedly Eyes Primary Challenges Of ‘Never Trump’ Republicans Instead Of Third Party appeared first on The Political Insider.

Capitol Rioter From Texas Arrested For Threatening To ‘Assassinate’ AOC

Posted on January 25, 2021 by LifeZette

A Texas man who took part in the Capitol riots earlier this month has been hit with new charges related to him allegedly threatening to “assassinate” the radically liberal Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY).

Capitol Rioter Charged With Threatening To ‘Assassinate AOC’

Court documents obtained by CNN show that Garret Miller is currently facing five criminal charges related to the Capitol riots, including trespassing offenses and making death threats. Specifically, the court papers show that Miller tweeted, “assassinate AOC.”

On top of that, Miller reportedly said that the police officer who fatally shot a Trump supporter during the attack “deserves to die” and won’t “survive long” because it’s “huntin[g] season.” Prosecutors stated that Miller was very active on social media before and during the Capitol riots, saying a “civil war could start” and “next time we bring the guns.”

Miller’s Lawyer Responds

Miller was arrested last Wednesday, and prosecutors have requested that a judge keep him in prison until his trial. Clint Broden, a lawyer for Miller, has since spoken out to say that his client “certainly regrets what he did.”

“He did it in support of former President (Donald) Trump, but regrets his actions,” Broden said. “He has the support of his family, and a lot of the comments, as viewed in context, are really sort of misguided political hyperbole. Given the political divide these days, there is a lot of hyperbole.”

“Mr. Miller takes responsibility for his actions taken on January 6 on behalf of his support for former President Trump and wants to move forward and put this behind him. He has the support of his family and his comments reflect misguided political hyperbole that will not be repeated,” he added in a separate statement to Dallas Morning News.

AOC Claims She Thought She ‘Was Going To Die’

Ocasio-Cortez has previously claimed that she thought she “was going to die” in the Capitol riots last week after a “close encounter” shook her to her core.

“I did not know if I was going to make it to the end of that day alive,” Ocasio-Cortez said in a lengthy video posted to Instagram. “Not just in a general sense, but in a very, very specific sense.”

“I can tell you that I had a very close encounter where I thought I was going to die,” she added. “And you have all of those thoughts where, at the end of your life…all of these thoughts come rushing to you. And that’s what happened to a lot of us on Wednesday and I did not think – I did not know if I was going to make it to the end of that day alive.”

Full Story: AOC Claims She ‘Thought She Was Going To Die’ During ‘Close Encounter’ In Capitol Riot

This piece was written by James Samson on January 25, 2021. It originally appeared in LifeZette and is used by permission.

The post Capitol Rioter From Texas Arrested For Threatening To ‘Assassinate’ AOC appeared first on The Political Insider.

Pelosi’s Past Comes Back To Haunt Her – She Once Praised Unionists Storming State Capitol Of Wisconsin

Posted on January 25, 2021 by LifeZette

Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi’s (D-CA) own words have come back to bite her as it’s been revealed that she once praised the unionist who stormed the Wisconsin state capitol.

This comes as she’s leading the charge to impeach former President Donald Trump for supposedly inciting the Capitol riots earlier this month.

Pelosi’s 2011 Comments Reemerge

In 2011, unionists stormed the Wisconsin State Capitol as they tried to block a vote on collective bargaining reform, according to Fox News. Despite the fact that Pelosi has been vocal about condemning the Capitol riots in which a rightwing mob stormed the Capitol to protest the election results, she was singing a very different tune a decade ago when Democrats were the ones doing the storming.

“I stand with the students & workers of #WI, impressive show of democracy in action #solidarityWI,” Pelosi tweeted.

@WeGotEd @thelastword I stand with the students & workers of #WI, impressive show of democracy in action #solidarityWI

— Nancy Pelosi (@SpeakerPelosi) February 18, 2011

Fox News contributor Mark Thiessen called Pelosi out for this in a column for the Washington Post, writing that “in other words, Democrats were for occupying capitols before they were against it.”

Pelosi Led The Charge In Impeaching Trump

This comes after Pelosi led the charge in the House impeaching Trump for the second time earlier this month for his supposed “insurrection” when it came to the Capitol riots. When asked if impeaching Trump would “undercut” President Joe Biden’s calls for unity, Pelosi had a blunt response.

“No, I’m not worried about that,” Pelosi said. “The fact is the president of the United States committed an act of incitement of insurrection. I don’t think it’s very unifying to say, ‘Oh, let’s just forget it and move on.’”

“That’s not how you unify. Joe Biden said it beautifully. If we’re going to unite, you must remember that we must, we must bring this— look, that’s our responsibility to uphold the integrity of the Congress of the United States,” she added. “That’s our responsibility, to protect and defend the Constitution of the United States. And that is what we will do.”

“Just because he’s now gone — thank God — you don’t say to a president, ‘Do whatever you want in the last months of your administration. You’re gonna get a get-out-of-jail card free,’ because people think we should make nice-nice and forget that people died here on January 6, that the attempt to undermine our election, to undermine our democracy, to dishonor our Constitution— no, I don’t see that at all. I think that would be harmful to unity,” Pelosi said.

The hypocrisy of the left never ceases to amaze.

This piece was written by James Samson on January 25, 2021. It originally appeared in LifeZette and is used by permission.

The post Pelosi’s Past Comes Back To Haunt Her – She Once Praised Unionists Storming State Capitol Of Wisconsin appeared first on The Political Insider.