memeorandum: CBS News poll finds fewer Americans expecting economic slowdown now (CBS News)

11:40 AM ET, January 7, 2024

Top Items:

Special counsel probe uncovers new details about Trump's inaction on Jan. 6: Sources — Aides allegedly said Trump was “not interested” in doing more to stop the riot. — In a video message posted to Twitter on the afternoon of Jan. 6, 2021, President Donald Trump addresses supporters participating in the attack on the U.S. Capitol.

Discussion: The Messenger, Raw Story, emptywheel, Digby's Hullabaloo, Mock Paper Scissors, Mediaite and PoliticusUSA

Dan Pfeiffer / The Message Box:

How the GOP Became the Party of Insurrection — Three years after 1/6, the GOP reembraced the Big Lie out of cowardice and convenience — Three years ago, a mob of rioters, militia members, and political tourists violently stormed the United States Capitol for the express purpose …

Discussion: Salon and The Hill

Summer Concepcion / NBC News:

GOP Rep. Elise Stefanik won't commit to certifying the 2024 election results — “We will see if this is a legal and valid election,” Stefanik, a member of House GOP leadership and Donald Trump ally, said in an interview with “Meet the Press.” — Rep. Elise Stefanik, R-N.Y., on Sunday …

Discussion: The Daily Beast and Mediaite

Cate Cadell / Washington Post:

Trump skips Illinois loyalty oath promising not to overthrow government — Republican polling leader Donald Trump did not sign a loyalty oath requested of candidates for election in Illinois that asks, among other things, to swear that they won't support overthrowing the government …

Dave McKinney / Chicago Sun Times:

Donald Trump didn't sign loyalty oath for Illinois ballot that pledges not to ‘advocate the overthrow of the government’ — In 2016 and 2020, before the Jan. 6 insurrection, Trump did sign. President Joe Biden, who signed it, questioned why Trump “can't bring himself to sign a piece …

Discussion: Raw Story and New York Times

Shane Goldmacher / New York Times:
Trump Takes Aim at Haley as Primary Enters Final Phase in Iowa

Discussion: Mother Jones, The Messenger, Politico, Honolulu Star-Advertiser, Florida Politics, Washington Examiner and CBS News

Dave McKinney / WBEZ Chicago:
Trump did not sign Illinois' loyalty oath that says he won't advocate for overthrowing the government

Discussion: USA Today, Mock Paper Scissors, HuffPost and Political Wire

Nick Robertson / The Hill:
Fanone says GOP lawmakers attempt to ‘whitewash’ Jan. 6 due to ‘politically inconvenient’ reality

Discussion: New York Post, New York Daily News, Mediaite, Crooks and Liars, RedState, Twitchy, The Daily Beast, The Daily Caller, Washington Examiner, TMZ.com, The Messenger and NBC News

Washington Post:
How the GOP's rewriting of Jan. 6 paved the way for Trump's comeback

Discussion: Fox News, ABC News, emptywheel, Iowa Capital Dispatch, The Daily Beast, The Hill, The Messenger, New York Magazine, Politico, Washington Examiner, Vanity Fair, Mother Jones, Media Matters for America, Associated Press, Los Angeles Times, USA Today and Althouse

Kelly Garrity / Politico:

Johnson calls description of him as an election denier ‘nonsense,’ but won't say Biden won — The Constitution was “clearly violated during the 2020 election,” the Louisiana Republican said. — House Speaker Mike Johnson called suggestions that he is an election denier “nonsense,” …

Miranda Nazzaro / The Hill:

Johnson defends Trump's ‘poisoning’ immigrant remark: 'It's not hateful' — House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) defended former President Trump's “poisoning the blood” remarks, arguing that while he would not use the language himself, he understands the “urgency” of Trump's warning about immigration.

Discussion: CBS News, The Messenger, NBC News and Salon

Washington Post:

Trump mocks Biden over stutter — Making fun of Biden's childhood speech impediment marks the latest crass form of politics that Trump has exhibited throughout his career — Donald Trump ridiculed President Biden over the economy, immigration and foreign policy before turning to personal mockery during an Iowa event on Friday night.

Discussion: Raw Story and Metro.co.uk

Politico:

The Lloyd Austin fallout is growing: 'Someone's head has to roll' — The defense chief is facing criticism for keeping his bosses in the dark. — At a White House meeting last week, Jake Sullivan, the national security adviser, noticed that Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin was absent.

Discussion: The National Pulse+ and CBS News

Politico:

Pentagon didn't inform Biden, White House for days about Austin's hospitalization — The news came as a shock to top staff, including national security adviser Jake Sullivan. — The Pentagon did not tell President Joe Biden and other top officials about Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin's hospitalization …

NBC News:
Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin hospitalized amid Middle East missions

Discussion: CNN, Modern Diplomacy, Reuters, Associated Press, New York Post, Mediaite, Task & Purpose, USA Today, RedState, The Gateway Pundit, Fox News, The Daily Caller, Twitchy, Washington Examiner, Must Read Alaska, East Bay Times, Bloomberg and ABC News

U.S. Department of Defense:
Statement from Pentagon Press Secretary Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder on Secretary of Defense Austin

Discussion: HotAir, Fox News, PJ Media, UPI, The Gateway Pundit, National Review, The Messenger, Reuters, Associated Press, USA Today and Breitbart

Wall Street Journal:
Hospitalized Pentagon Chief Was in Intensive Care Unit

Discussion: The Hill, Associated Press and Political Wire

Wall Street Journal:

Elon Musk Has Used Illegal Drugs, Worrying Leaders at Tesla and SpaceX — Some executives and board members fear the billionaire's use of drugs—including LSD, cocaine, ecstasy, mushrooms and ketamine—could harm his companies — Elon Musk and his supporters offer several explanations …

Discussion: The Messenger, New York Post and Outside the Beltway, more at Techmeme »

CBS News:

Pressured by record migrant crossings, White House weighs tough concession in border talks with Congress — Pressured by the record levels of migrant crossings reported in December, the Biden administration is weighing whether to restrict a key presidential immigration authority …

Discussion: The Hill and Deseret News

Associated Press:

The US sees a drop in illegal border crossings after Mexico increases enforcement — Daniel Bermudez's family had fled Venezuela and was headed to the U.S. to seek asylum when the freight train they were riding through Mexico was stopped by immigration officials.

Discussion: HotAir, Washington Examiner and Voice of America

CBS News:

CBS News poll finds fewer Americans expecting economic slowdown now — Most Americans continue to rate the economy negatively, but sentiment has been slightly improving of late, and Americans now think the longer-term outlook appears more stable. Related to this, more are now noticing lower gas prices.