Wednesday News: Tucker Carlson “doing the bidding of the Kremlin”; “On the Border, Republicans Set a Trap, Then Fell Into It”; Judges’ “Airtight” Demolition of Trump’s Absurd Immunity Claim; House GOP’s “Humiliating” Day; “Virginia judge okay’s fight over RGGI withdrawal”

by Lowell

Here are a few international, national and Virginia news headlines, political and otherwise, for Wednesday, January 7.

• World ‘not prepared’ for climate disasters after warmest ever January
• What a Russian and Ukrainian general agree on: This battlespace is different
• Tucker Carlson is in Russia to interview Putin. He’s already doing the bidding of the Kremlin
• Tucker Carlson confirms he’s interviewing Vladimir Putin (How do you spell Tucker? T-R-A-I-T-O-R)
• Russia attacks targets across Ukraine with missiles and drones as EU’s top diplomat visits Kyiv
• GOP-led standalone Israel aid bill fails in the House (Call it what it is – the Abandon Ukraine to Putin bill.)
• Senators Race to Save Ukraine Aid as Border Deal Fails
• Middle East crisis live: Hamas proposes three-stage ceasefire and says no counterproposal details can be ‘compromised’ (Hamas apparently doesn’t want a ceasefire.)
• Rumoured split in Hamas leadership as hope grows for ceasefire deal
• All sides would benefit from regime change — in Israel
• Blinken is set to brief Israeli leaders on cease-fire and hostage talks as war in Gaza enters fifth month
• Hamas sets out three-stage plan for ceasefire deal (“The group suggests a hostage-prisoner swap and full Israeli withdrawal in plans branded ‘over the top’ by Joe Biden.”)
• Twin bombings at Pakistan political offices kill at least 26 a day before voting begins
• China Replaces Top Markets Regulator as Xi Tries to End Rout
• ‘Now we are not safe’: Sweden’s Kurds fear Nato deal has sold them out
• In Poland, I Saw What a Second Trump Term Could Do to America
• Making Farming More Climate-Friendly Is Hard. Just Ask Europe’s Politicians.
• Are Europe’s Farmers Protesting Green Reforms? It’s Complicated (“Big agriculture and far-right parties set farmers against the environment but producers on the ground in Brussels told a different story.”)
• On the Border, Republicans Set a Trap, Then Fell Into It
• Biden pledges to campaign “every day” on Trump’s border meddling
• ‘They Are A Disaster’: Democrats ‘Disgusted’ By GOP Reversal On Securing Border
• Biden vows to make collapse of border bill a major campaign issue (Instead of “collapse of border bill,” the WaPo could have/should have written “Trump killing the border bill”)
• McConnell admits defeat on border deal: ‘It will not become law’ (PATHETIC!)
• The GOP’s True Priority (“The Republicans who won’t take yes for an answer”)
• ‘Dead on arrival’: US Senate poised for procedural vote on $118bn border bill
• McConnell dealt blow by Trump on border bill
• As G.O.P. Demolishes Border Deal, One of Its Own Stands in the Wreckage
• Why Republicans Are Attacking One of Their Own for Crafting Immigration Policies They Also Support (“Senator James Lankford has become persona non grata in Trumpworld after he spent months negotiating a bipartisan immigration bill that met many of the GOP’s demands. The problem? Passing it might, in theory, help Joe Biden.”)f
• Border deal sponsors went on Fox News to debunk a false claim about the bill. Fox kept spreading it. (Fox is a pox on America and the world.)
• This is the year of the climate election. Journalists should cover it that way (The press will NOT rise to the challenge of covering threats to our climate or to our democracy. They just suck.)
• Joe Biden just did the rarest thing in US politics: he stood up to the oil industry (“The Biden administration suspended new permits for natural gas terminals. Can we see more of this kind of backbone?”)
• Nine states pledge to boost heat pumps to 90% of home equipment sales by 2040
• IRS expects to collect hundreds of billions more in overdue and unpaid taxes thanks to new funding (Excellent return on the money invested!!!)
• Not wearing a mask during COVID-19 health emergency isn’t a free speech right, appeals court says
• The Supreme Court Should Let the States Decide Whether Trump Should Be on Their Ballots
• ‘Judged by history’: Trump’s 14th Amendment fight at Supreme Court poses an enormous test for John Roberts (It’s almost certain that Roberts will fail, the only question is how badly.)
• The Supreme Court should say ‘no’ to Trump’s immunity case, quick
• Section 3 aimed to keep Confederates from office — and future insurrectionists too
• The Supreme Court is about to decide whether to sabotage Trump’s election theft trial (“The justices had their shot to hear Trump’s immunity appeal. Now they need to stop delaying his criminal trial.”)
• Booting Trump from the ballot is the best way to prevent a second January 6
• Donald Trump Is Asking the Supreme Court for the Bush v. Gore Treatment
• US supreme court to hear arguments on keeping Trump off 2024 ballot
• The Memo: Former Trump White House lawyer predicts crushing defeat at Supreme Court (“A former attorney for the Trump White House predicts that the Supreme Court will rule unanimously against the 45th president on his claims to be immune from criminal prosecution.”)
• Forceful Opinion Repudiates Claim That Trump Can’t Be Charged in Election Case (“The unanimous ruling, by a panel of appeals court judges appointed by presidents of both parties, systematically took apart Donald Trump’s immunity claim.”)
• Right-wing media’s absurd reactions to Trump’s immunity loss
• Trump craves immunity from prosecution. An appeals court just said no.
• Legal Experts Torch Donald Trump With The Harsh Truth About Immunity Ruling
• An Airtight Ruling Against Trump (“In a masterful opinion, the D.C. Circuit rejected the former president’s bid for immunity.”)
• Trump is not immune from prosecution in his 2020 election interference case, US appeals court says
• D.C. Circuit panel unanimously rejects Trump’s criminal immunity claim
• 4 takeaways from Trump’s loss in his immunity case
• Accountant’s Apparent Lies Further Dooms Trump’s Bank Fraud Defense
• Donald Trump paid more than $2.3 million in donor money to law firms helping Ivanka Trump with her legal problems last year
• Inside Donald Trump’s Incredible Cash Crunch (“Two New York laws are about to smack Trump in the face, no matter if he plans to appeal two massive civil judgments that could wipe out all the cash in his pocket.”)
• Botched impeachment vote shows a GOP that can’t function (“The House speaker, already struggling to wield a thin majority, suffered a spectacular embarrassment Tuesday”)
• Dysfunction Reigns in Congress as G.O.P. Defeats Multiply
• House GOP erupts in fury over “embarrassing” and “shameful” defeats
• Republicans’ humiliating failed impeachment of Alejandro Mayorkas, explained
• The GOP Wants to Impeach Biden. It Can’t Even Get Mayorkas.
• In stunner, House GOP bid to impeach Mayorkas fails (Bunch of f’ing clowns to even try to impeach Mayorkas in the first place. Then they show that they’re also incompetent.)
• In chaotic scene, Republicans argue with GOP lawmaker after ‘no’ vote on impeachment
• Al Green, in Hospital Garb, Delivers Vote to Kill Mayorkas Impeachment
• House GOP wants another try on Mayorkas after failed impeachment vote
• Republican National Committee wants Nikki Haley to drop out to boost funds (“Exclusive: RNC reported $8m in cash to spend, less than half of what it had in 2016, as it starts preparing for the 2024 election”)
• Nikki Haley loses to ‘none of these candidates’ in the Nevada GOP primary
• ‘None of these candidates’ wins Nevada in a blowout defeat to Haley
• Texas Company Was Behind Voter Robocalls That Impersonated Biden, N.H. Says (“Mr. Formella’s office has opened a criminal investigation, sent Life Corporation a cease-and-desist letter, and sent both Life Corporation and Lingo Telecom subpoenas and notices to preserve documents, he said.”)
• Biden aims to stitch back together his 2020 coalition
• Third-Party Candidates Can’t Win (“But they can help Trump”)
• Here’s what matters to voters — and what could change their minds if it’s Biden-Trump
• Is Trump’s MAGA ‘Superpower’ Actually His ‘Kryptonite’?
• Kellyanne Conway Is Auditioning to Be Trump’s Veep (Yuuuuck.)
• Chris LaCivita Ran One of American Politics’ Most Notorious Smear Campaigns. Now He’s Working For Trump. (“The ex-Marine who helped invent ‘swift boating’ has a record of helming a tight ship.”)
• Republicans line up for a chance in a second Trump White House (Fascist enablers.)
• Gaetz, Stefanik offer resolution declaring Trump ‘did not engage in insurrection’ (Matt Gaetz and Jen Kiggans’ BFF Elise Stefanik are pure evil.)
• Ronna McDaniel, R.N.C. Chairwoman, Plans to Step Down (She’s an utter disgrace.)
• Trump campaign plans for its takeover of the Republican National Committee
• The RNC’s chief of staff is stepping down
• No criminal charges expected in Biden classified documents probe: NBC (Obviously not.)
• Former State Department security officer arrested on Jan. 6 charges
• Rep. Abigail Spanberger (D-VA07): “A strong U.S. response to crises at our southern border, in Ukraine, and in the Middle East is not optional — it’s mandatory.” (“Speaker Johnson has made a calculated decision to sacrifice vital aid to our allies”)
• Rep. Gerry Connolly (D-VA11) to Oppose House GOP’s Cynical/MAGA-Extremist, Israel-Only, Abandon-Ukraine-and-Taiwan Supplemental Appropriations Bill
• Virginia lawmakers grapple with tree canopy declines
• Virginia judge okay’s fight over RGGI withdrawal
• Bill to Eliminate Hidden Fees Secures Strong Bipartisan Victory on VA State Senate Floor (“Pro-Consumer Legislation Targets Surprise Charges in Transactions such as Phone Bills, Concert Tickets, and Hotel Stays”)
• ICYMI: VA House Democrats Discuss Priority Bills – Minimum Wage Increase, Assault Rifle Ban – Passing the House of Delegates (“Both bills passed the House of Delegates on a party line vote”)
• VA Senate Committee Advances Ban on Public Utility Political Contributions with Unprecedented Vote (“8-6 vote marks the farthest the bill has reached in the Senate after seven years of debate” – Clean Virginia)
• In Senate hearing, ‘very offensive’ scorecard comment draws rebuke from lawmakers (Wait, isn’t it standard practice for organizations to tell legislators which bills/votes will be on their scorecards? Doesn’t seem “offensive” to me, let alone “very offensive.”)
• House panel carries over bill that would give state more power to approve large renewable energy projects
• Shared solar bills clear House panel (“The proposed legislation would create a shared solar program for Appalachian Power customers and expand an existing program for Dominion Energy customers. Shared solar allows a customer to buy electricity from a solar company and receive credit for it on their electric bill.”)
• Youngkin’s plan would fund care for thousands of people with developmental disabilities. Even more would still be waiting.
• State funding formula says 22 localities have more ability to pay for their schools than the richest county in the U.S.
• Democrats and Republicans clash over legislation to raise Virginia minimum wage to $15 (The headline should make it clear that Democrats support raising the minimum wage to $15/hour, while Republicans oppose doing so. Don’t just say “clash”…)
• Day 2: Virginia Senate Passes Gun Safety Legislation
• Bill would safeguard reinsurance program in Virginia
• Lawmakers push bill to improve — not pave — gravel roads in Virginia
• Virginia Senate postpones Northern Virginia casino plan until 2025
• Youngkin official sought to change transgender policy for high school sports
• Wins and losses for meals tax bills in General Assembly
• Williams: A new type of monument in Richmond commemorates courageous steps
• Ridership on the Tide has not bounced back to pre-pandemic levels, but continues growth (“Passengers took almost 1.34 million rides on the 7.4-mile light rail system in Norfolk in 2019. The Tide finished 2021 with 620,000 rides. That grew to 726,000 rides in 2022 and over 780,000 rides taken last year.”)
• Latino families fear for children’s safety in Norfolk schools
• Richmond removes staff directory from website. Council members ask why.
• Harsher summers and young workers leaving could test Arlington in coming decades, panelists say
• Planners: Zoning changes encourage more housing in Roanoke
• 57-year-old man who drove off Virginia Beach pier confirmed to be missing person
• Norfolk Councilwoman Andria McClellan won’t seek reelection
• D.C.-area forecast: Sunny again today, gradually warmer into the weekend