It’s Tuesday. Welcome to the daily report, coming in after yesterday’s evening newsletter. The AWS outage really hit hard. I’ve heard that many of you were impacted. Did anyone else face issues yesterday?
In today’s overview:
• The White House demolition causes a stir
• Amnesty discussions for January 6 rioters involved in a threat against Jeffries
• A prosecutor communicates with numerous journalists via text
• GOP expresses unease about Trump halting funds
• Warner Bros. Discovery is up for sale
🚓 The latest this morning
A pardoned mobster allegedly threatens Hakeem Jeffries’ life.
A January 6 rioter who received a pardon has reportedly been arrested for threatening to kill the House Democratic leader, Hakeem Jeffries. According to sources, he allegedly stated in a text that he planned to “eliminate” Jeffries during a recent New York City event. He expressed sentiments like, “I can’t let this terrorist live,” emphasizing that his actions were driven by deep disdain.
Regarding his January 6 involvement, it’s noted that he was among the first to breach the Capitol, even rifling through a senator’s desk while expressing a desire to find something of value.
Jeffries responded by thanking law enforcement for their quick action and pointed fingers at Trump for issuing full pardons to January 6 participants, highlighting concerns that many of those pardoned reoffended in various locations across the country.
The Speaker of the House also denounced the intimidation charges but didn’t mention Trump’s earlier pardon.
The suspect is set to appear in court this Thursday in Dutchess County, New York.
💬 Today’s live updates
Here’s a peculiar interaction to note:
The editor from Lawfare exchanged messages with the lead prosecutor concerning the case against former FBI Director James Comey. Some legal journalists found the conversation peculiar, especially since it was started on a messaging app, Signal, where topics veered into sensitive territory related to grand jury matters. According to one journalist, the responses implied importance that was meant to stay confidential.
Communication like this is atypical, especially when there are boundaries around what can be shared publicly.
Texting seems to be the way news spreads these days.
Trump was brought up in discussions around Paul Ingrassia, who is facing backlash regarding texts he sent expressing highly controversial views about civil rights holidays. The fallout from these comments may threaten his nomination.
➤ Quick Updates:
– Japan has elected its first female Prime Minister, though reactions are mixed.
– Warner Bros. Discovery, which oversees CNN and HBO, is reportedly on the market.
– The New York Times is introducing a feature to let readers consume news in short video formats.
🚧 At the White House
Demolition work at the White House is underway.
Demolition of part of the East Wing commenced recently, setting the stage for a new ballroom that Trump is developing. Photos of the demolition have rapidly made circles online, with many citizens expressing diverse opinions. Some prominent figures have openly criticized Trump’s decision, claiming that the alterations undermine the integrity of the White House.
Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton remarked that the White House isn’t Trump’s property to modify in such a manner, reflecting the sentiments of numerous detractors.
📹 See more demolition footage
🚧 Government Shutdown Updates
Funding cuts during the shutdown have Republicans stirred.
Reports indicate Republican senators are pushing back against Trump’s cuts to transportation funding aimed at Democratic states, arguing that political gamesmanship should not dictate resource allocation during a shutdown. Concerns arise that such decisions can stifle critical projects.
Trump announced that he’s halting a significant rail tunnel project under the Hudson River, along with several others in key cities.
Some states are also notifying residents of potential upcoming cuts to food assistance programs if the funding issues continue.
Today’s schedule: The House takes a break, while the Senate continues business. Trump will host a range of events throughout the day, including a lunch in the Rose Garden.
Let’s take a moment to appreciate the little joys around us, such as National Apple Day and National Pumpkin Cheesecake Day!
Catch up: If you missed yesterday’s newsletter, you can watch a brief recap video.
