Sickly 89-year-old Dianne Feinstein wheeled into Senate, asks, 'Where am I going?'



Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) is not done convalescing after being laid out for over three months with an alleged bad case of the shingles. Nevertheless, after missing 91 votes, she made her return this week so that her Democratic colleagues can resume pushing their agenda.

The sickly 89-year-old former mayor of San Francisco was put into a wheelchair outside the Senate Wednesday, then carted inside.

"Where am I going?" she asked her handlers wearily, reported the Huffington Post.

After saying, "Hi everybody," Feinstein proceeded to cast her first two votes since Feb. 16, helping Glenna Wright-Gallo secure the position of assistant education secretary.

Despite technically being back in the game, NBC News reported that Feinstein still managed to miss two votes on her first day back.

A statement attributed to her said, "I have returned to Washington and am prepared to resume my duties in the Senate. I’m grateful for all the well-wishes over the past couple of months and for the excellent care that I received from my medical team in San Francisco."

Feinstein indicated that notwithstanding unresolved "side effects" affecting her vision and balance, as well as advice from her doctors to adopt a "lighter schedule," she was looking forward to resuming her work on the Judiciary Committee.

The Sacramento Bee stressed that Feinstein's return is important for Democrats, who control only 51 of the 100 seats in the Senate and have a one-person advantage on the Senate Judiciary Committee. Extra to advancing liberal judges, Feinstein may prove instrumental in getting President Joe Biden's labor secretary nominee Julie Su confirmed.

\u201cDianne Feinstein, 89, returns to the Senate after being absent since February and recovering from shingles\u201d
— Manu Raju (@Manu Raju) 1683745397

The senior Democrat was first diagnosed with shingles on February 26, then hospitalized until March 6. She has reportedly been in recovery ever since.

While there was bipartisan concern over Feinstein's fitness to serve, several Democrats expressed concern not with what the illness was doing to their colleague, but what it was doing to their political ambitions.

In April, Rep. Ro Khanna (D-Calif.) tweeted, "It's time for @SenFeinstein to resign. We need to put the country ahead of personal loyalty. While she has had a lifetime of public service, it is obvious she can no longer fulfill her duties. Not speaking out undermines our credibility as elected representatives of the people."

Khanna suggested that Feinstein's absence meant pro-abortion judges weren't getting approved and called on the public to apply pressure to have the senator step down.

Democratic Rep. Dean Phillips of Minnesota concurred with Khanna, calling it a "dereliction of duty" for Feinstein to remain in the Senate.

Earlier this month, Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) claimed Feinstein's "refusal to either retire or show up is causing great harm to the judiciary," calling for her to retire.

Some Republicans highlighted Democrats' utilitarian streak and denounced their apparent efforts to strong-arm Feinstein into retiring for short-term gains, reported CNN.

Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) said, "She’s a dear friend, and we hope for her speedy recovery and return back to the Senate," claiming that Sen. Chuck Schumer's efforts to replace Feinstein were really "about a handful of judges that you can’t get the votes for."

Iowa Sen. Chuck Grassley said Democrats "should leave her alone. She’s sick. She needs to get well so she can get back to work," adding that "the people that are trying to shove her out the door after her years of service ought to hide their heads in a bag. She’s being treated very shabbily and that really disappoints me."

Some critics reckon Feinstein's pressured return to the Senate this week indicates Democrats' prioritization of power over their colleague's well-being.

Sebastian Gorka, a conservative commentator who serves as deputy assistant to former President Donald Trump, suggested that the images of the sickly senator making her return on Wednesday "is your Democrat Party. Power at all costs. ALL COSTS."

Democrats have not been sheepish about this fact.

Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) said that with Feinstein back, "Anything we do in the Senate that requires a majority is now within reach."

For instance, while ostensibly unwell and addled by memory loss, Feinstein may help Democrats raise the debt limit, which now only requires 51 votes.

Durbin previously stated, "There are things we cannot call for a vote. ... There are measures we cannot debate and vote on until we have the majority advantage."

Now that their power has been restored, Democrats might have the confidence to debate the issues.

The senator has indicated she will not run for re-election in 2024.

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Republicans vow to block Schumer's attempt to 'temporarily' replace Feinstein on Judiciary Committee



Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) said Monday he hopes to act this week to temporarily replace Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) on the Senate's Judiciary Committee, a move Republicans vowed to block.

"I spoke to Sen. Feinstein just a few days ago. She believes she will return soon. She’s very hopeful of that and so am I," Sen. Schumer said at a press conference Monday.

Sen. Feinstein was diagnosed with shingles during the Senate's February recess. She was released from the hospital March 7 and has since been recovering at home.

"We think the Republicans should allow a temporary replacement [on the Judiciary Committee] until she returns," Sen. Schumer continued.

Sen. Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.), however, quickly vowed to do no such thing, calling the move a means for President Biden to secure a "rubber stamp" for "unqualified and controversial judges to radically transform America."

"I will not go along with Chuck Schumer’s plan to replace Senator Feinstein on the Judiciary Committee and pack the court with activist judges," Sen. Blackburn tweeted Monday, adding an admonition to fellow Republicans to "stand up and protect the Senate's constitutional role to provide advice and consent on judicial nominees."

\u201cI will not go along with Chuck Schumer\u2019s plan to replace Senator Feinstein on the Judiciary Committee and pack the court with activist judges. Joe Biden wants the Senate to rubber stamp his unqualified and controversial judges to radically transform America.\u201d
— Sen. Marsha Blackburn (@Sen. Marsha Blackburn) 1681740104

Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas), who also serves on the Judiciary Committee, echoed Blackburn's sentiments: "Democrats serve as a rubber stamp for Joe Biden's radical judicial nominees — no matter how unqualified."

Saturday, fellow Judiciary Committee member Sen. Tom Cotton retweeted an op-ed published in the Federalist. The piece encouraged the GOP to refuse to cooperate with Feinstein's staff's request to temporarily replace the 89-year-old, ailing senator whose cognitive decline "has been known on Capitol Hill for years."

\u201cRepublicans should not assist Democrats in confirming Joe Biden\u2019s most radical nominees to the courts. https://t.co/Dq7DFfojVi\u201d
— Tom Cotton (@Tom Cotton) 1681566623

Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas) has joined his colleagues on the Judiciary Committee in saying he will not support any move to temporarily replace Sen. Feinstein, CNN's chief congressional correspondent, Manu Raju, reported Monday afternoon. Sen. Cornyn also reportedly said the GOP "shouldn't help confirm Biden judicial nominees."

This "signifies that a Dem effort to replace [Sen. Feinstein] [is] likely to fail in a floor vote," according to Raju.

\u201cNew \u2014 Sen. John Cornyn, a member of Senate GOP leadership, tells us he does NOT support temporarily replacing Dianne Feinstein on Senate Judiciary. Says GOP shouldn\u2019t help confirm Biden judicial nominees. A sign that Dem effort to replace her likely to fail in floor vote\u201d
— Manu Raju (@Manu Raju) 1681762026

Democrats would need 60 votes on the floor to fill Feinstein's seat on the committee since multiple Judiciary Committee members have already said they would block any request for unanimous consent to seat another Democrat, as explained in The Hill.

Watch Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) field reporters' questions about his proposal to replace Sen. Feinstein (D-Calif.) on the U.S. Senate's Committee on the Judiciary below.

\u201c.@SenSchumer (D-NY) on @SenFeinstein (D-CA): "She's hopeful on returning soon. We think the Republicans should allow a temporary [Judiciary Committee] replacement until she returns."\nhttps://t.co/TiYcNeSrNi\u201d
— CSPAN (@CSPAN) 1681753812

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It's still unclear which party will control the House after the midterms



Election Day has passed, but even in the wee hours of Wednesday morning, it remains unclear whether Democrats or Republicans will have control of the U.S. House of Representatives when the latest batch of lawmakers is sworn in next year.

The Democratic Party had headed into the contest with control of both the House and Senate.

Fox News reported that former President Donald Trump said that House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy would have his backing for the role of House Speaker, if the GOP gains the majority in the House.

Current House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has indicated that the attack perpetrated against her husband will impact her decision about her political future. When CNN's Anderson Cooper recently asked Pelosi if she had made a decision about whether she would retire if Democrats lost control in the House of Representatives, Pelosi said that her choice will be impacted by what occurred during "the last week or two."

Cooper then asked the lawmaker whether her choice will be impacted by the assault.

"Yes," Pelosi responded.

Pelosi, who has served as a lawmaker in the House for more than three decades, is the only woman ever to serve as House Speaker.

\u201cNews \u2014 Pelosi says her decision to stay in her leadership position after the midterms will be impacted by the violent attack on her husband. \u201cThe decision will be affected about what happened the last week or two.\u201d\u201d
— Manu Raju (@Manu Raju) 1667853200

The midterm elections came as President Joe Biden remained underwater on job approval polls and as Americans continued to be walloped month after month by soaring inflation.

The GOP would probably be unable to push its agenda, even if Republicans controlled both chambers of Congress, because the party would likely lack the numbers necessary to surmount vetoes from President Joe Biden.

The next presidential election will occur in 2024. Former President Donald Trump, who is widely expected to mount another White House bid, said on Monday that will be make "a very big announcement" next week on November 15.

Democratic Rep. Dean Phillips says he does not want Biden to run again in 2024



Democratic Rep. Dean Phillips of Minnesota said that he does not want President Joe Biden to run for reelection in 2024.

During an interview on "The Chad Hartman Show," the lawmaker, who entered office in 2019 and is currently seeking re-election, said that he respects the president. Phillips said that "despite some mistakes" and Biden's age, he believes the president to be an individual "of good principle," "compassion," "empathy," and "strength."

"But to answer your question directly ... no, I don't," he said, regarding whether he wants Biden to run again. He said that he believes the nation "would be well served by a new generation of compelling, well-prepared, dynamic Democrats" stepping up.

\u201cDoes @RepDeanPhillips want @POTUS to run again in 2024 or would he prefer a younger Democrat step up for the party?\n\nhttps://t.co/E75t3059Cy\u201d
— Chad Hartman (@Chad Hartman) 1659043800

CNN's Manu Raju reported that Phillips told him, "Biden has been the principled, stabilizing bridge the country needed. I just believe it’s time for generational change in Congress and the White House."

\u201cAsked Dem Rep. Dean Phillips about his comment that he wouldn\u2019t back Biden in 2024, and he told me: \u201cBiden has been the principled, stabilizing bridge the country needed. I just believe it\u2019s time for generational change in Congress and the White House.\u201d\u201d
— Manu Raju (@Manu Raju) 1659114079

Biden is the oldest president in American history. If reelected, he would be 82 years old at the start of his second term, and 86-years-old by the conclusion of that term. Last year, Biden said that he plans to seek reelection provided that he has "good health."

Even if he does run, he could struggle to secure the Democratic nomination. A CNN poll found that 75% of "Democrats/Democratic-leaning independents who are registered to vote" believe that the Democratic Party should tap someone other than Biden as the party's 2024 nominee, while just 25% thought Biden should be the nominee in 2024.

When Democratic Rep. Cori Bush of Missouri was recently asked whether she wants Biden to run again, she said that she did not want to answer the question. She also noted that Biden "has the right" to seek a second term in office.

During an interview on the Fox News Channel on Wednesday, Democratic Rep. Tim Ryan of Ohio was asked if he supports Biden's bid for another term — Ryan responded by saying that he is currently focused on his own re-election campaign.

Biden has been facing dismal job approvals numbers across a variety of polls for quite some time.

GOP senator uses leftists' playbook against them over their demands for Clarence Thomas to be held accountable for wife's text messages



Sen. Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) rebuked Democrats for demanding that Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas be held responsible or accountable for his wife’s text messages by stealing a move from the leftist playbook.

What is the background?

Progressive Democrats are calling for Thomas to resign or be impeached after CBS News and the Washington Post reported that his wife, Virginia "Ginni" Thomas, exchanged 29 text messages with Mark Meadows after the 2020 election.

The text messages, which neither cite Justice Thomas nor refer to the Supreme Court, were mostly sent in November 2020 and urged then-President Donald Trump to continue fighting the certification of the election. One text message was sent the day after the Jan. 6 riots.

Democrats immediately seized on the text message as evidence that Justice Thomas has engaged in unethical or compromising behavior. However, no evidence has surfaced corroborating the accusations. Justice Thomas and his wife have long maintained they keep their work separate and do not discuss work-related matters.

What did Hawley say?

Hawley told a CNN reporter on Monday that Democrats' reaction is "kind of misogynistic" because they are intertwining Justice Thomas and his wife in a way that progressive and feminist ideology would not otherwise permit.

"She’s an independent, adult woman, it just seems a little strange to me all of these calls for her husband to be what, like, minding her better? Frankly, I think it’s kind of misogynistic," Hawley said.

"She’s a private individual," he added when asked if the text messages concern him. "He’s a justice on the US Supreme Court, but I think this idea that he is somehow automatically responsible for everything she says — what does that mean? Does she have to get his permission?"

Asked if he has concern over the texts, Hawley said: \u201cShe\u2019s a private individual. He\u2019s a justice on the US Supreme Court, but I think this idea that he is somehow automatically responsible for everything he says \u2013 what does that mean? Does she have to get his permission?\u201d
— Manu Raju (@Manu Raju) 1648495766

On Wednesday, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) similarly condemned the move to force Justice Thomas' resignation or impeachment.

"This is a political hit, part of liberals' years-long quest to delegitimize the court," McConnell said from the Senate floor.

Still, top Democrats are calling on Thomas to rescue himself from certain cases related to Jan. 6, and Sen. Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, has claimed that Ginni Thomas' text messages raise "a serious question about conflict of interest for Justice Thomas."

Zelenskyy addresses Congress, calls for 'no-fly zone' amid Ukraine's 'darkest time'



Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy addressed Congress Wednesday morning. In his speech, Zelenskyy pleaded with the American leadership to "do more" to support Ukraine as the West locks arms in defiance of Russia's ongoing invasion.

Choosing to remain in his country's capital city of Kyiv, Zelenskyy addressed American lawmakers via teleconference.

Zelenskyy thanked the United States for its "sincere commitment to the defense of Ukraine" but insisted that American leadership could still do more.

He said, "However, now it is true in the darkest time for our country, for the whole of Europe, I call on you to do more."

In his speech, Zelenskyy called on the United States to implement and enforce a no-fly zone over Ukraine, provide additional aircraft and military defense systems to the country, and create a new security alliance that would reshape the global balance of power.

Zelenskyy also appealed to President Biden, as his American counterpart, and insisted that he take up the mantle of "leader of the world" and defend other nations that wish to be free.

"I'm addressing President Biden," he said, "You, the leader of your nation, I wish you to be the leader of the world."

"Being the leader of the world means being the leader of peace," Zelenskyy added.

The Ukrainian president called on American lawmakers to recall September 11, 2001, when "independent territories" became "battlefields" and "when innocent people were attacked – attacked from the air."

He asked them to reflect on the Japanese attacks on Pearl Harbor that dragged the United States into the Second World War, saying that "in [America's] great history you have pages that would allow you to understand Ukrainians understand us right now when we need you right now."

Zelenskyy said, "Pearl Harbor, the terrible morning of December 7, 1941, when your sky was black from the planes attacking you. Just remember it."

Zelenskyy used these events to connect the United States' past suffering to the ongoing bombardment that Ukrainian cities currently endue.

"You could not stop it," he continued, "Our country experiences the same every day. Right now, at this moment, every night for three weeks now, various Ukrainian cities."

Zelenskyy proceeded to implore the United States to enforce a no-fly zone over Ukrainian airspace. He said that Russian forces "use drones to kill us with precision."

He asked Congress, "Is this a lot to ask for, to create a no-fly zone over Ukraine to save people? Is this too much to ask?"

"You know that they exist, and you have them, but … not in Ukraine, not in Ukrainian sky," Zelenskyy added, "They do not defend our people."

Zelenskyy's calls for a no-fly zone appear to have had some effect, as prominent members of Congress prepare to pressure Biden to implement one.

Sen. Rick Scott going further on no-fly zone than most Rs. "President Biden needs to make a decision TODAY: either give Ukraine access to the planes and anti-aircraft defense systems it needs to defend itself, or enforce a no-fly zone to close Ukrainian skies to Russian attacks.\u201d
— Manu Raju (@Manu Raju) 1647442542

Watch Zelenskyy's full address here:

Ukraine’s Zelensky addresses U.S. Congress - 3/16 (FULL LIVE STREAM) youtu.be

Democrats break ranks, demand Biden increase domestic oil production as he looks to Venezuela and Saudi Arabia



Democratic lawmakers are increasingly breaking with their party's narrative on fossil fuels as Americans face a growing oil crisis.

What do Democrats believe?

The Democratic Party's official 2020 platform committed to "combatting the climate crisis and pursuing environmental justice."

For years, Democrats have blamed fossil fuels for contributing to climate change and have advocated moving America's energy needs to renewable sources to slow the impacts of climate change. Doing so would require decreasing dependence on oil, coal, and gas, while increasing reliance upon solar, wind, hydro, and nuclear energy sources.

But what are some Democrats saying?

A group of Texas Democrats sent President Joe Biden a letter Tuesday calling on him to "unleash" American production of energy sources to "counter reliance on Russian oil and gas."

The letter — signed by Reps. Vicente Gonzalez, Sylvia Garcia, Henry Cuellar, and Filemon Vela — demanded that Biden send a "strong signal" to the world "that the United States will be a reliable producer and supplier of oil and natural gas for the foreseeable future."

Among the practical steps that Biden should take, the lawmakers said the president should "promote long-term American energy production," and they called on him to direct federal agencies to adopt policies empowering American energy producers.

"Domestic energy producers, refiners, and exporters are ready, willing, and able to work with your administration to give our allies access to a reliable source of energy and provide relief to American consumers," the lawmakers wrote. "We cannot wait for tomorrow to do what needs to be done today. We must unleash responsible domestic production to counter reliance on Russian oil and gas, while simultaneously cutting off Russia’s largest source of revenue. Now is the time to regain our energy independence and support our allies around the globe."

Two Democratic senators — Jon Tester (Mont.) and Joe Manchin (W.Va.) — also renewed calls on Tuesday for American companies to ramp up domestic production.

"We shouldn’t be advancing other countries that don’t share our values," Tester told CNN. "So, I think the opportunity here is to do it domestically, create jobs here, deal with it domestically, and also see if we can help Europe out, too."

Manchin said, "We should basically go back to the policies that we’ve had before. We have to do our leasing in the Gulf [of Mexico], OK, [Bureau of Land Management] lands have been off-target, all this has to go back into production. That’s all we’re asking for. And if we’re asking the rest of the world to step up, let’s show that we’re going to step up. And any oil that’s needed to our allies around the world, we produce it cleaner than anybody.”

Tester, Dem from Montana, on talk of importing Venezuelan and Iranian energy to offset Russian ban: "We shouldn't be advancing other countries who don't share our values."\n\nManchin: "If we are asking the rest of the world to step up, let's show that we're going to step up."pic.twitter.com/KHYeNYqoGF
— Manu Raju (@Manu Raju) 1646756238

Despite pleas from his own party, Biden has not signaled that he will urge American oil producers to help alleviate the growing energy crisis.

In fact, the Biden administration is reportedly looking internationally — to Venezuela and Saudi Arabia — to help meet American oil needs.

Meanwhile, deputy national security adviser Daleep Singh claimed Wednesday that even if American producers maximized their drilling capacity, the price of gas would be unaffected.

"That's why we have resolved to speed our transition toward cleaner, more sustainable, and renewable sources of energy," Singh said.

Mitch McConnell wants ten Republicans to help Democrats raise the debt limit



Senate Republicans may be on the verge of helping Democrats raise the debt limit by temporarily changing the rules of the Senate to fast-track the process.

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) is reportedly seeking at least ten Republicans to agree to a strategy that would permit the Democratic majority to raise the debt limit with a simple majority vote. In a deal struck with Majority Leader Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.), Republicans would give Democrats enough votes to change the rules, and then Democrats will pass the debt limit increase without Republican support.

A total of 60 votes are required to change the Senate rules, so at least ten Republicans must agree to McConnell's strategy to get it done.

This new bill, which has been negotiated by Schumer and McConnell, would allow the debt ceiling to be increased only up until Jan. 15 by a simple majority vote.
— Manu Raju (@Manu Raju) 1638898429
The measure requires the debt ceiling to be increased by a specific dollar amount (rather than just a suspension of the debt ceiling). McConnell has insisted on Dems being forced for a specific dollar amount (i.e. raise the debt ceiling to north of $30 trillion)
— Manu Raju (@Manu Raju) 1638898430

This is all an attempt to circumvent the 60-vote legislative filibuster on a debt-limit increase. Under the plan, the filibuster rules will be suspended for about one month, specifically for the debt limit. Democrats would then be required to raise the debt ceiling by a specific amount, somewhere in the range of $1.5 trillion to $2 trillion, which would forestall another debt limit vote until after next year's elections.

The deal negotiated between McConnell and Schumer would solve two political problems: Raising the debt limit and giving Republicans cover to claim they opposed doing so.

Every time the federal government nears its lawful limit on borrowing to cover its spending obligations, Congress votes to increase debt limit to enable the government to borrow more money. If Congress did not do this, the government would not have enough money to pay its bills and also make interest payments on the national debt.

In a hypothetical scenario where Congress does not raise the debt limit, the federal government would be forced to prioritize its spending such that expenses are not greater than revenues. This could mean drastic cuts to popular programs. It could also risk default, should the government be incapable of making its interest payments on the national debt, which economists warn would have severe economic consequences for the rest of the nation.

Even though Republicans say they are opposed to excessive government borrowing and spending, a significant number of GOP lawmakers always vote for debt limit increases to avoid the political consequences of the government being unable to borrow more money.

If Democrats were able to pass a debt limit increase with a simple majority, this would free every Republican in the minority to vote against the debt limit increase. Democrats win because the government can continue to borrow money to fund President Joe Biden's agenda. Republicans win because they will claim they voted "no" on the debt limit increase, even though ten of them will have to vote with Democrats on the procedural vote to change the rules and enable this strategy.

But will te Republicans go along with McConnell's plan? According to Politico, some of his leading GOP voices in the Senate were receptive to the strategy.

“I’m going to support Democrats raising the debt ceiling without Republican votes,” Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas) and longtime McConnell ally said. “To have Democrats raise the debt ceiling and be held accountable for racking up the debt is my goal. And this helps us accomplish it.”

"Senate Minority Whip John Thune (R-S.D.) and Sens. Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), Roger Wicker (R-Miss.) and Roy Blunt (R-Mo.) also sounded warm on McConnell’s plan at the leadership meeting," Politico reported.

Other moderate Republicans sounded less enthused. And the conservatives in the conference will almost certainly oppose helping the Democratic majority do anything. But Schumer expressed confidence that McConnell will find the votes he needs in an uncharacteristically polite comment about the minority.

“I’m optimistic that we will be able to prevent the awful prospect of the U.S. defaulting,” Schumer said. “I continue to thank all of my colleagues for cooperating in good faith.”

Maxine Waters claims judge in Chauvin trial said her 'words don't matter' just minutes after the judge specifically said her comments could cause the trial to be overturned



California left-wing Rep. Maxine Waters (D) cannot get out of her own way — or the way of the judicial system and peaceful society.

Over the weekend, Waters hurled incendiary language during a rant during a protest in Brooklyn Center, Minnesota, about the case of former Minneapolis police Officer Derek Chauvin for his role in the death of George Floyd during an arrest.

But despite a statement from the judge in the case responding directly to the congresswoman's remarks and his admission that those words could be used to get the Chauvin trial tossed on appeal, Waters remained defiant and claimed that the judge had said her "words don't matter."

What happened?

Water demanded Saturday during a rally that the Chauvin jury return a guilty verdict for murder, and told the crowd that if that didn't happen, then "we got to stay on the street, and we've got to get more active. You've got to get more confrontational. You got to make sure that they know we mean business."

Chauvin's lawyer, Eric Nelson, used Waters' remarks to ask for a mistrial: "It is so pervasive. I just don't know how this jury can really be said to be that they are free from the taint of this. Now that we have U.S. representatives threatening acts of violence in relation to this specific case, it's mind-boggling to me, judge!"

Judge Peter Cahill denied Nelson's request, but he did say that Waters' rhetoric could come back to bite the prosecution on appeal.

"I will give you that Congresswoman Waters may have given you something on appeal that may result in this whole trial being overturned," Cahill said.

The judge continued to blast Waters' and her ilk's "abhorrent" and "disrespectful" manner of discussing the case.

"I wish elected officials would stop talking about this case especially in a manner that is disrespectful to the rule of law, and to the judicial branch and our function," Cahill said. "I think if they want to give their opinions they should do so in a respectful and in a manner that is consistent with their oath to the Constitution to respect a coequal branch of government."

"Their failure to do so is abhorrent!" he continued.

CNN's Manu Raju caught up with Waters shortly after Cahill made his remarks and asked her about the judge's direct rebuke of her language.

Raju reported that Waters said, "The judge says my words don't matter."

He pressed the lawmaker about Cahill saying that her rant could be grounds for appeal. She replied, "Oh no, no they didn't."

Just asked Maxine Waters about the judge’s rebuke of her words, and she said repeatedly: “The judge says my words d… https://t.co/EsRRuFEFsL
— Manu Raju (@Manu Raju)1618875725.0

Cahill did say, following his ripping of Waters' remarks, that, because he trusted the jury to not watch television, "a congresswoman's opinion really doesn't matter a whole lot anyway."

But he in no way let the radical left-wing congresswoman off the hook as she claimed to Raju.

Even CNN is calling out Pelosi for playing politics with COVID relief —  and now she's ignoring them



Democratic Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi (Calif.) — who earlier this month openly admitted she was happy to pass a smaller coronavirus relief package now that Democratic nominee Joe Biden is president-elect — dodged a CNN reporter on Sunday when he tried to ask her some pointed questions.

What happened?

CNN's senior congressional correspondent Manu Raju was actually doing some real reporting over the weekend (which is news in itself), and that evidently didn't sit well with the embattled speaker.

After Pelosi held a press conference about the forthcoming $900 billion stimulus deal in which she blamed Republicans for delays in the process, Raju pressed her about "why the $900 billion deal is more acceptable to her than the $1.8 trillion offer [Treasury Secretary Steve] Mnuchin made to her this fall?"

In response, Pelosi reportedly refused to answer Raju, purposely not calling on him and ignoring his question even though he was one of just five reporters at the event.

When Raju followed her into the hallway to ask the question again, she simply continued ignoring him. Finally, Democratic Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (N.Y.), who was walking alongside her, stepped in to provide some clarity.

"Ask Mitch McConnell," he said of the Republican Senate majority leader from Kentucky.

Pelosi wouldn’t call on me at the press conference, which is becoming a pattern, even though just five reporters w… https://t.co/b5KoaRsU6X
— Manu Raju (@Manu Raju)1608511356.0
It’s true that McConnell and Senate Republicans objected to Mnuchin’s $1.8 trillion plan, but so did Pelosi, who sa… https://t.co/90PQVzOriL
— Manu Raju (@Manu Raju)1608511357.0

Raju noted that Pelosi in October characterized the $1.8 trillion plan as amounting to "one step forward, two steps back" for the country.

Lawmakers are set to debate and vote on the new $900 billion package on Monday, and it is expected to pass. The deal will be attached to a $1.4 trillion spending bill that will fund federal agencies through the fiscal year, or until next October.

What else?

Though she is acting more tight-lipped now, Pelosi made no mystery earlier in December about her motives for approving a smaller stimulus package post-election.

In a press conference about the ongoing negotiations, Pelosi listed "a new president and a vaccine" as the two obvious reasons for her change of heart after a reporter asked a question similar to the one Raju asked.

"Perhaps you missed what I said earlier: Joe Biden pledged to crush the virus ... and a vaccine, an answer to our prayers," she snapped at the reporter. "With a Democratic president committed to a scientific solution for [the virus], with the idea that we will have a vaccine, it's a complete game-changer from then."

CRUSH THE VIRUS: Nancy Pelosi Says A Deal Will Get Done Now Because Biden Will Be Presidentyoutu.be