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Melania buried for touting 'legacy' of her 'Be Best' initiative one week after Trump fans attacked Congress
January 15, 2021
With just five days to go until President Donald Trump leaves the White House, first lady Melania Trump decided to once again tout the purported success of her signature "Be Best" anti-cyberbullying campaign.
"As the legacy of #BeBest comes to a close at the White House, we must continue to give a voice to our Nation's children & the issues that impact their lives," the first lady wrote on Twitter. "It's the values & spirit of the American people that inspired Be Best & it's those values that will carry on its mission."
<p>
The tweet was accompanied by a video in which Melania says that "Be Best" was "inspired by compassion, strength, and kindness" over footage of the first lady talking with happy children.
</p><p>
Left unsaid in the video is the way that her husband, President Donald Trump, used cyberbullying to incite a mob to attack the Capitol building last week in which the president's supporters chanted for the hanging of Vice President Mike Pence.
</p><p>
Reactions to Melania's "Best Best" retrospective where swift and brutal -- check out some choice responses below.
</p><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-twitter-extracted-i1610724601968832116="true">This is the legacy of <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/BeBest?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#BeBest</a>. You must be so proud. <a href="https://t.co/QPCYQgLTya">pic.twitter.com/QPCYQgLTya</a><br/>— Not Someone's Crazy Uncle (@RealDanB95) <a href="https://twitter.com/RealDanB95/status/1350089674757435392?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 15, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async="" charset="utf-8" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script><p> <br/></p><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-conversation="none" data-twitter-extracted-i1610724601968832116="true">Pack it up. Get out.<br/>— Parlertakes🇺🇸 (@parlertakes) <a href="https://twitter.com/parlertakes/status/1350084731379978241?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 15, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async="" charset="utf-8" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-conversation="none" data-twitter-extracted-i1610724601968832116="true">You have been married to the greatest bully on the planet, who you watched publicly and perpetually harass people on social media to such a degree that millions were physically and emotionally traumatized, and many died.<br/><br/>It will be a joy to watch you leave.<br/>— John Pavlovitz (@johnpavlovitz) <a href="https://twitter.com/johnpavlovitz/status/1350082827522437122?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 15, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async="" charset="utf-8" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-conversation="none" data-twitter-extracted-i1610724601968832116="true">Remember that time you said you didn't care about 5000 children who had been torn from their parents hands?<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/BeBest?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#BeBest</a><br/>— Machine Pun Kelly (@KellyScaletta) <a href="https://twitter.com/KellyScaletta/status/1350083667868192769?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 15, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async="" charset="utf-8" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-conversation="none" data-twitter-extracted-i1610724601968832116="true">The legacy of <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/BeBest?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#BeBest</a> was sealed Jan 6 at the Capital, and your husband getting banned off twitter. That's the legacy of your thingy.<br/>— Andy Cohen (@Andy) <a href="https://twitter.com/Andy/status/1350098648688963585?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 15, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async="" charset="utf-8" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-twitter-extracted-i1610724601968832116="true">Eat shit.<br/>— Tony Posnanski (@tonyposnanski) <a href="https://twitter.com/tonyposnanski/status/1350085511126413312?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 15, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async="" charset="utf-8" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-conversation="none" data-twitter-extracted-i1610724601968832116="true">You couldn't get the person closest to you to <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/bebest?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#bebest</a>. And you can't even <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/bebest?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#bebest</a> by helping the new First Lady transition. You don't care about this country that gave you so much. Good riddance.<br/>— Annie Webb (@amser409) <a href="https://twitter.com/amser409/status/1350081280046727168?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 15, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async="" charset="utf-8" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-conversation="none" data-twitter-extracted-i1610724601968832116="true">You didn't even have the basic common decency to call Jill Biden, let alone invite her to the White House as is traditional and just obvious good manners, but you want to lecture people on “values?" Please.<br/>— Helen 0️⃣5️⃣ Kennedy (@HelenKennedy) <a href="https://twitter.com/HelenKennedy/status/1350087746312835079?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 15, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async="" charset="utf-8" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-conversation="none" data-twitter-extracted-i1610724601968832116="true">This tweet is as genuine as your kidneys are.<br/>You're a birther.<br/>You married the biggest bully in history.<br/>You've been by his evil side every step of the way.<br/>You don't care about kids in cages or Christmas decorations.<br/>You're a fraud, just like him.<br/>Your <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/BeBest?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#BeBest</a> is a bunch of BS.<br/>— Jo (@JoJoFromJerz) <a href="https://twitter.com/JoJoFromJerz/status/1350088263181197314?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 15, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async="" charset="utf-8" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-conversation="none" data-twitter-extracted-i1610724601968832116="true">So inspiring.<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/BeBest?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#BeBest</a> and <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/BeGone?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#BeGone</a> <a href="https://t.co/cNPQuDKJAU">pic.twitter.com/cNPQuDKJAU</a><br/>— George A. Polisner, civ.works founder, #FBR (@FoamingPenguin) <a href="https://twitter.com/FoamingPenguin/status/1350090821874315266?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 15, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async="" charset="utf-8" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-conversation="none" data-twitter-extracted-i1610724601968832116="true">Be Best. <a href="https://t.co/sKMB6ydLJv">pic.twitter.com/sKMB6ydLJv</a><br/>— Jeet Heer (@HeerJeet) <a href="https://twitter.com/HeerJeet/status/1350099938235932673?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 15, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async="" charset="utf-8" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-conversation="none" data-twitter-extracted-i1610724601968832116="true">As the legacy of <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/BeBest?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#BeBest</a> comes to a close at the <a href="https://twitter.com/WhiteHouse?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@WhiteHouse</a>, we must remember that the end of the worst presidency in history is thankfully coming to a close. <a href="https://t.co/qZoJoZDgzZ">pic.twitter.com/qZoJoZDgzZ</a><br/>— Vera - Biden&Harris Will Make America Great Again (@prayerfeathers) <a href="https://twitter.com/prayerfeathers/status/1350090704660402176?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 15, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async="" charset="utf-8" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script>
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'Blood is on your hands': GOP lawmaker slammed by longtime friend for inciting Capitol violence
January 15, 2021
In an open letter to Rep. Mo Brooks (R-AL), who is facing censure calls for helping Donald Trump incite a riot at the U.S, Capitol building on January 6th, a now-former friend of the embattled lawmaker said he will have nothing to do -- ever again -- with his former colleague.
At a "Stop the Steal " rally on Jan.6th, Brooks shouted to the crowd, "Today is the day American patriots start taking down names and kicking ass" before they later stormed the halls of Congress, menaced lawmakers and left five dead including a Capitol police officer who was reportedly bludgeoned to death.
<p>Writing to AL.com, attorney Jerry Barclay of Huntsville -- who claimed he and Brooks have known each other for decades -- served notice to the congressman that their friendship is over.</p><p>"You and I have known one another, personally and professionally, for four decades," Barclay wrote in his open letter. "We later worked together for common goals when you were a member of the county commission. We've dealt with one another since you were elected to Congress. Although we've disagreed on some political issues, we were able to maintain respect and cordiality."</p><p>"No more. And never again," he then declared.</p><p>Citing Brooks' attempt to throw out Electoral College votes affirming former Joe Biden won the 2020 presidential election, followed by the congressman appearing at the rally that culminated in the violent assault on the U.S. government, the attorney lambasted Brooks for attempting to undermine democracy and inciting a mob -- calling it a "betrayal" of the people at home who voted for him.</p><p>"We now have come to a point at which you have betrayed my respect and our friendship, Barclay accused. "You know full well that Mr. Trump's rhetoric, and more to the point, you own rhetoric, fomented the violence which resulted in the breach of the Capitol, the destruction of property, and, most importantly, the murder of a law enforcement officer. His blood is on your hands, and you can never wash that stain from your soul."</p><p>He then added, "I have reached the regretful conclusion that, you, Mo Brooks, have no moral compass. That you have no sense of honor. That you have no genuine understanding of the rule of law or the values promoted by our founding fathers," before concluding, "You have violated your oath to protect and defend the United States Constitution, and although you still – for now – hold the office of congressman, rest assured that you do not represent the people, or the values, of the Fifth Congressional District of Alabama."</p><p>You can read the <a href="https://www.al.com/opinion/2021/01/dear-mo-an-open-letter-to-alabamas-controversial-congressman.html" target="_blank">whole open letter here</a>.</p>
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'They want Rome to fall': Right-wing Boogaloo bois planning armed conflicts at state capitals
January 15, 2021
The National Guard and law enforcement will be deployed at state capitals across the country ahead of President-elect Joe Biden's inauguration in response to the violent assault on the U.S. Capitol.
The FBI office in Minneapolis issued a memo late last month warning of credible threats Jan. 17 at state capitals in Michigan and Minnesota, where followers of the right-wing Boogaloo boi movement had scouted out police sniper locations and other tactical advantages in expectation of a violent clash, reported Forbes.
<p>"Remember what happened today," <a href="https://www.theatlantic.com./politics/archive/2021/01/boogaloo-prepare-civil-war/617683/" target="_blank">read a Jan. 6 tweet from a Boogaloo-linked account</a>, referring to the Capitol siege. "Learn from it, bring the same energy."</p><p>That account warned "the largest armed protest to ever take place on American soil" at every state capital, and law enforcement has stepped up patrols at statehouses to watch for suspicious activity.</p><p>At least two people were arrested at the state Capitol in Washington after entering areas where lawmakers were beginning their session, and state patrol SWAT teams patrolled the Georgia Capitol as more than 200 protested the coronavirus mask mandates.</p><p>The pandemic had already prompted many states to limit crowds for legislative sessions, but security has been ramped up after anti-government groups and supporters of President Donald Trump have stormed into statehouses and the U.S. Capitol to pressure lawmakers to do what they want.</p><p>"They want Rome to fall," said J.J. MacNab, a researcher at George Washington University who studies right-wing extremist groups. "They want chaos to bring it down."</p>
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