WASHINGTON (MaceNews) – The following is Thursday night’s status check of developments in the U.S. that can influence economic, health and political outcomes.
· The White House scrambled Thursday to soften the accurate perceptions of President Trump’s actions that precipitated the physical attack on Congress as various threats to his remaining few days in office and his legacy were floated implicitly and explicitly. The “healing and reconciliation” statements, first of the White House press secretary, who appeared to be reading it under duress, and then in a Trump video, were met with widespread skepticism. In any event they appeared to be more than 24 hours too late. They did not contain a hint of concession, only resignation to an inevitable new administration. And now even the shield of a Republican Senate has evaporated. Trump ended his video saying, “Our incredible journey is only just beginning.” Which may well be true. But the beginning of what? Perhaps the journey takes a different direction. Both videos, incidentally, are easily available, at whitehouse.gov and on YouTube. And for a president for whom ratings are really important, the unkindest cut, record ratings for CNN.
· House Speaker Nancy Pelosi seemed sincerely anguished as she ended her press conference Thursday, in which she echoed Senate Leader Chuck Schumer’s call for Trump to be removed from office one way or another, saying Wednesday “was the hardest day for me.”
· Despite the White House attempt to change the tone at the 11th hour, there were a few resignations from within the administration, including Senate GOP leader Mitch McConnell’s wife who no longer wants to be secretary of Transportation. And Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos. Others were peripheral figures, including former Chief of Staff Mick Mulvaney who abandoned his minimally significant job as envoy to Northern Ireland. For those who now see their relationship with Trump as a taint to their resume, many decisions remain to be made.
· Vice President Mike Pence, trapped in a crossfire that could influence his future prospects, was not heard from Thursday. Having been pressured by Trump to somehow save his presidency by exercising powers he didn’t have, Pence fulfilled his ceremonial duties in certifying the Electoral College votes for Joe Biden and Kamala Harris only to be pressured to help remove Trump from office. Speaker Pelosi and Senate Democratic leader Schumer demanded he activate the 25th Amendment provisions which ultimately requires a two-thirds majority vote of Congress to take effect, more than a long shot. Yet that move and Pelosi’s vague threat of a possible quick second impeachment seemed to be enough to get the attention of Trump’s inner circle. Friday’s Wall Street Journal editorial called for simple resignation.
· Trump’s outer circle, those who have amplified his falsehoods to masses of believers, tried to sell the idea that it was antifa activists who disguised themselves as Trump supporters as they ransacked the Capitol. Rep. Matt Gaetz, fellow instigator Rep. Mo Brooks, Candace Owens, attorney Lin Wood were all busy pumping social media with the latest conspiracy theories.
· Meanwhile, in the real world, the FBI, D.C. police and other law enforcers are identifying the major perpetrators, contacting their home-town prosecutors, preparing cases. It is Trump’s own executive order to punish those who damage federal monuments that threatens them with 10-year prison terms. Can the dozens eventually brought into court depend on Trump for pardons? As per those videos cited above, he’s moved on.
· As all miscreants realize after the fact when the adrenalin rush ends, the liability of crime follows you like a stalker and even escape artists can see their luck run out. “We could see it coming,” Biden declared as he introduced his pick for attorney general, Merrick Garland. Now those responsible, including those behind the PayPal accounts that paid the travel bills, are in law enforcement’s catchup cross hairs. Will Garland decide to follow up once he’s sworn in? Or will those who want to deny Trump any martyrdom hold sway?
· As in Wednesday night’s “Status Check,” the aftertaste of a major calamity like the attack on Congress instigated by the president can turn sour, can recalibrate relationships large and small and take unexpected turns. The dishonor roll of participants is long. For instance for Senators Hawley, Cruze, newbie Tuberville and the other five who voted against certifications overnight the future’s possibilities and opportunities seem to be shifting in the fickle winds. Outrage can grow as the shock persists.
· Two days of consecutive record numbers of virus deaths, a pending jobs report (8:30a ET Friday) that can only be bad news add to the very bad vibes in this first week of the new year that everyone hopes will still turn out better than 2020.
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Contact this reporter: denny@macenews.com
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