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Trump put Senate GOP in tough spot with 'crony pardons' ahead of impeachment: Top Republican
January 20, 2021
Former President Donald Trump released the full list of 145 pardons in the early hours of Wednesday morning, but some of those are already problematic for Republicans, reported Politico.
Elliott Broidy, a GOP fundraiser, pleaded guilty in a foreign lobbying scandal. GOP Maine donor Michael Liberty, was "convicted of making illegal campaign contributions — and who was once described as 'Donald Trump with a Maine accent.' Drew Brownstein, a hedge funder and son to a Colorado lobbyist. All of those added to the other political cronies like Steve Bannon, Paul Manafort, Roger Stone and Michael Flynn.
<p>"The granting of even more sleazy crony pardons as the clock ran out on his one term," Politico cited GOP election lawyer Benjamin Ginsberg, "will define the nature of his presidency."</p><p>Republican strategist Mike Madrid similarly told Politico that he expected a few "unseemly" pardons, but that these were "a whole different level."</p><p><span></span>"This is pardoning your friends who are doing illegal behavior on your behalf," Madrid said. "It's all of his henchmen."</p><p>While the move is an inside-baseball game, there were so many of the "crony" pardons that it creates a story around Trump's corruption and desperation to overthrow the 2020 election. </p><p>"That Trump's Tuesday night combined another tranche of sleazy crony pardons with revoking his 2017 revolving door lobbying ban he bragged would drain the swamp will burn in the legacy of his presidency," Ginsberg said. "And not in a positive way. In his hubris, he apparently didn't consider, or didn't care, how this might impact the Senate Republicans who will now be asked to ignore his actions and save 'his reputation' in the impeachment trial."</p><p><span></span>Just as Trump was pulling out of the White House, it was also revealed that he rescinded his ban on Trump staff not being able to become a lobbyist for five years after leaving office. In 2017, Trump made a big production signing Executive Order 13770, saying that he campaigned on "draining the swamp." But when it came to the end, Trump withdrew the pledge. <br/></p><p><a href="https://www.politico.com/news/2021/01/20/donald-trump-pardons-460932" target="_blank">Read the full report at Politico. </a></p>
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Americans are struggling, desperate for jobs, barely able to hold onto their housing if they haven't lost it already, and praying they don't catch COVID-19. New President Joe Biden has made "unity" a cornerstone to his administration and the overwhelming number of Capitol Hill Republicans have been receptive.
Most presidents walk into the White House on the first day with major Cabinet officials approved by the Senate. Biden's Director of National Intelligence wasn't approved by the Senate until after Sen. Tom Cotton (R-AR) removed his hold and allowed a vote. Ten Republicans opposed her despite the nation's defense and security being paramount.
<p>While there is a desperate need to secure the homeland after a domestic terrorist attack on the U.S. Capitol, an economic crisis and pandemic, one Republican group announced that they intend to destroy the Cabinet appointees for Biden's administration, reported Axios. </p><p>"The Republican-aligned opposition research group America Rising is doing all it can to prevent President Biden from seating his top Cabinet picks," the report said. </p><p>Over 300 FOIA requests have already been filed for former President Barack Obama's administration seeking documents and information for any official who previously served in his government. </p><p>The first targets are naturally the most important: Secretary of Homeland Security and the Treasury. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer intends to pass additional funds to Americans after the GOP blocked $2,000 stimulus funds. Ideally, having a Treasury Secretary in place would help in ensuring the rollout of the funds. Given the attacks on the Capitol and the dangers and threats around the country, having a Homeland Security leader would be similarly helpful. </p><p>Former presidents of both parties came together Wednesday night to beg the country to come together for a united nation, building back what so many feel was lost. But the GOP group has endeavored to opt for attacks instead. </p><p>Biden won the 2020 election with an astounding 81.3 million votes, over 7 million more than former President Donald Trump. Biden came into office Wednesday <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2021/01/19/politics/cnn-poll-biden-favorability/index.html" target="_blank">with a 66 percent job approval rating</a>. </p><p><a href="https://www.axios.com/joe-biden-cabinet-america-rising-5f62a9ae-d7e5-47b1-89cd-6bb1d845dd5c.html" target="_blank">Read the full report from Axios. </a></p>
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'Andy spread election fraud lies': Arizona Republican's brothers condemn his conspiracy theories
January 20, 2021
On Wednesday, The Arizona Republic reported that two brothers of Rep. Andy Biggs (R-AZ) are condemning his attacks on the electoral process.
"In a letter to the editor at The Arizona Republic, William Biggs and Daniel Biggs of Tucson said their brother, who argued to set aside Arizona's election results in Congress, is 'at least partially to blame' for the deadly riot at the U.S. Capitol two weeks ago," reported Ronald Hansen. "William Biggs, 67, said he is a Democrat who isn't close to his Republican brother but could no longer quietly disagree with his political efforts after the riot. Daniel Biggs could not be reached for comment."
<p>This comes after reports that siblings of another Arizona Republican, Rep. Paul Gosar, are trying to get him <a href="https://www.rawstory.com/arizona-republicans-siblings-want-expelled/" target="_blank">removed from Congress</a> for the same reason.</p><p>Both Biggs and Gosar have been <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2021/01/13/ali-alexander-capitol-biggs-gosar/" target="_blank">accused</a> by a pro-Trump rally organizer of giving Capitol tours to the rioters who stormed the Capitol. Biggs has <a href="https://ktar.com/story/3873262/rep-andy-biggs-of-arizona-says-he-did-not-give-tours-before-capitol-siege/" target="_blank">denied</a> this allegation.</p>
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