If it’s Thursday…Donald Trump It shows At 4 p.m. ET, federal court faces charges over the 2020 election…NBC’s Daniel Burns reports fences have been erected around the Washington, D.C. courthouse where Trump will be arraigned… Mike Pence Finds New Attention After Indictment…Vice President Harris Appointed Secretary Travels To Milwaukee To Discuss Manufacturing And High-Speed Internet Infrastructure…And Two Formerly Dismissed Tennessee Democrats runs in a special election to regain its seat.
but beginning…ask yourself the following questions. Which recent topic caused greater conflict in the Republican presidential election?
Topic A: Former President Donald Trump’s Latest Indictment — His Indictment for Allegations of Trying to Overturn the Results of the 2020 Presidential Election?
Or Topic B: Florida’s new educational standards on how slavery is taught in Florida schools?
The short answer is B. Senator Tim Scott (RS.C.), former Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley, former Congressman Will Hurd (R-Texas), and a key Trump representative (Rep. Byron Donald, R-Florida) state) are all B. knocking Florida Governor Ron DeSantis criticized state language that said slaves had developed skills that could be personally profitable.
This is the reaction of Scott, Haley and DeSantis to Trump’s latest indictment so far (either criticizing the Justice Department or not commenting at all), former Vice President Mike Pence (more on him later), Compare this to the reaction of former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie. Arkansas Governor Asa Hutchinson and former Arkansas Governor Asa Hutchinson have criticized Trump.
Also ask yourself: How are the latest indictments being reported in the conservative media?
Well, here are some excerpts from last night’s Fox News prime time coverage.
“It’s not a crime to have a novel legal theory,” moderator Laura Ingraham said in an interview with a lawyer for John Eastman, one of the co-conspirators accused of conspiring with President Trump. rice field.
“This is criminalizing someone who represents about half the population,” said host Jesse Watters.
“If Trump wins after pardoning himself, welcome to the ‘Revenge Tour,'” Watters added. “Everything after this is fair game.”
And host Sean Hannity also denounced a “bipartisan and weaponized Department of Justice” when he later interviewed DeSantis, who accepted a debate challenge against California Governor Gavin Newsom.
If President Trump’s top rivals aren’t going to attack Trump over being indicted (again), and conservative media hosts are going to defend his actions (and even the “Revenge Tour”). ), it’s hard to see what the prosecution would look like. It would hurt him among Republican primary voters.
Less than half a year until the Iowa caucuses.
chart of the day
Data Download: Today’s Number is…2
That’s Tennessee Democrats Justin Pearson and Justin Jones. A special election will be held on Thursday To regain his seat after being expelled earlier this year for protesting against gun violence.
Both were temporarily reinstated to their seats weeks after being ousted, They must win Thursday’s special election to complete the remainder of his term. Pearson faces no Republican challengers, only independents, while Jones faces Republicans (both running in districts where Democrats usually win easily).
Other numbers to know
2.1%: The amount is Nasdaq fell on Wednesdaywas the second worst day of the year, the day after Fitch downgraded the country’s credit rating.
$31 trillion: of US Treasury Bond ValueCongress and the Biden administration may have to revisit the issue before the 2024 election, The Washington Post reported.
51%: Percentage of Americans who believe the US economy is still weak and getting worse, despite indicators suggesting economic strength. CNN poll.
11: The number of people murdered in Pittsburgh synagogues in 2018. The shooter was sentenced to death on Wednesday for the crime.
40,000: large amount of grain Destroyed after Russia attacked Ukrainian ports Many farmers used it as an alternative port to other major ports targeted by Russia. The New York Times reported that last month Russia scrapped a pact allowing the safe passage of Ukrainian grain through the Black Sea.
3: More members of the All-Republican Oversight Board in Mojave County, Arizona, voted against hand-counting ballots in 2024 than the other two who voted to abolish automatic voting machines. .
80 and more: A new report reveals how much of the world’s population has experienced heat that would not have happened without human-induced climate change.
94%: the part that an individual pays tax The IRS estimates that it will no longer be necessary to send mail to the IRS. The Washington Post reported that the tax filing process is going digital.
Note: Yesterday’s First Read version had typos in the above two items. sorry for the mistake. The correct information is above.
Looking ahead to 2024: All eyes on Pence after Trump’s indictment
Former Vice President Mike Pence entered the race Wednesday in a different kind of spotlight than other presidential candidates as a central figure in Trump’s third indictment.
Mr. Pence and the Vice President were named. 100 times or more The indictment details President Trump’s alleged efforts to overturn the 2020 election, according to a Washington Post tally. And on Wednesday, Pence tried to balance defending his own actions with a desire to move forward in an attempt to appeal to Republican supporters who are largely loyal to Trump.
“I cannot assess whether the government has evidence to prove beyond a reasonable doubt what it claims in the indictment, and the president is entitled to a presumption of innocence,” Pence said. told reporters at the Indiana State Fair, reported NBC News’ Sarah Dean. “But for my part, I want people to know that I had no right to overturn the election.”
Pence has been at odds with many Republican primary voters over his split with Trump over the 2020 presidential election, and the former vice president has so far failed to qualify for the first primary debate this month. struggles to gather enough donors for
Pence’s campaign emphasized to donors on Wednesday’s Zoom call that he is steadily building a donor base and expects to reach the threshold of 40,000 donors by the end of next week. there is
Even if Mr. Pence takes to the debate stage, he may not go head-to-head with Mr. Trump, who has suggested he may not participate. But Pence and Trump could clash again in court.
Asked Wednesday if he would testify in Trump’s criminal trial, Pence said, “Well, I testified under subpoena before a grand jury. I’m a man of the rule of law. But look. , I have nothing to hide.”
In other campaign news…
Give your response: NBC News’ Jonathan Allen wrote that the Republican presidential candidate’s reaction to Trump’s indictment “sends a pretty clear message that Trump’s actions were more just than those of the justice system.” .
Shake it off: NBC News’ Matt Dixon, Catherine Doyle, Alan Smith and Henry J. Gomez said Trump World “kept calm amid new indictments mainly because they knew it was coming.” ” reports.
President Obama Warning: During a private lunch in late June, former President Barack Obama promised to help Biden’s re-election. Concerned about Trump’s ‘political strength’ According to the Washington Post.
Mr. Biden’s decision: NBC News’ Peter Nicholas, Carol E. Lee, Monica Alba and Mike Memory delve into the story behind Biden’s decision to publicly acknowledge his seventh grandchild.
Introduce Cavalry: Biden has tapped a new finance co-director and grassroots fundraising director for his reelection. Politico report.
DeSantis vs. Disney goes on and on. A board governed by the appointees of Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, who oversees Disney World’s administrative districts, on Tuesday scrapped its Diversity, Equity and Inclusion program.
Switch teams? The Orlando Magic donated $50,000 to Never Back Down, a super PAC that helps Florida Governor Ron DeSantis run for president. CNBC’s Brian Schwartz reported.. Part of Magic’s ownership is owned by members of the DeVos family, with Betsy DeVos serving as President Trump’s secretary of education, but a team spokesperson said days before DeSantis ran for president. dated donation “was made to support Magic as a Florida company.” Governor of Florida for the continued prosperity of Central Florida. ”
Red state and blue state: DeSantis made a live appearance on Fox News’ Sean Hannity on Wednesday night and agreed to appear live in a televised debate between himself and California Gov. Gavin Newsom. The debate was framed by Hannity as a “red vs. blue policy-based debate,” and a Newsom spokesperson showed their enthusiasm even before sending Mr. DeSantis a letter outlining the proposed debate rules. Admitted.
Ramaswamy and the 9/11 Commission: Tech entrepreneur and Republican presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy said in an interview this week: Absolutely not.” Politico report. After the interview, he tweeted. “We haven’t said enough about who in the Saudi government knew what about this.” [the 9/11 attacks]”
Is the party over? Republican State Political Parties Nationwide”It became the shell of the former machine In the midst of infighting and lack of organization,” Politico reported.
Reeves counterattacks. Mississippi Republican Governor Tate Reeves is rolling out a new TV ad to counter recent attacks from Democratic opponent Brandon Presley. call it “100% lies” “Reeves had nothing to do with the incident,” he said. [state’s welfare] scandal. ”
ICYMI: What else is happening in the world:
Capitol police were evacuated from the Senate building on Wednesday after receiving a tip about the shooter, which law enforcement said was likely a “false call.”
A Pentagon spokesman said North Korea acknowledged a UN message about US soldiers who fled to North Korea last month, but said there had been no “substantial progress”.
