memeorandum: How the GOP Became the Party of Insurrection (Dan Pfeiffer/The Message Box)

12:20 PM 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, Digby's Hullabaloo, Mock Paper Scissors, emptywheel, 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, Politico 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 …

Washington Post:

Trump tries reappropriating ‘insurrection’ on Jan. 6 anniversary — In campaign speeches surrounding the third anniversary of the attack, the former president defended people charged in the riot and repeated baseless claims that left-wing or government interlopers caused the breach

Discussion: USA Today, The Hill, The Nation, Political Wire, Axios and The Messenger

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 and Washington Examiner

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’

Discussion: Raw Story and New York Times

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

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: The Messenger, CBS News, NBC News, Vanity Fair 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.

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 »

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+, CBS News and The Messenger

Politico:
Pentagon didn't inform Biden, White House for days about Austin's hospitalization

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

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.

Lisa Kashinsky / Politico:

DNC blasts NH Dems over ‘meaningless’ primary — The Democratic National Committee scolded New Hampshire Democrats for selecting delegates for the state's unsanctioned primary. — The Democratic National Committee is blasting New Hampshire Democrats for selecting delegates for its “meaningless” unsanctioned presidential primary.

Discussion: National Review, RedState and The Hill