At the Conservative Political Action Conference today, Republicans who are not Donald Trump tried their best to convince the audience to give them a shot in 2024. Up first was his former UN ambassador Nikki Haley, who argued that the GOP’s struggle to win the popular vote in recent elections is a sign the party needs a change at the top. Mike Pompeo, Trump’s former secretary of state who may also launch a presidential campaign, made much the same argument. But several Republicans in attendance weren’t impressed. Indeed, the best received speech of the day was made by Steve Bannon, who spent 15 minutes singing Trump’s praises and condemning those who oppose him, most vociferously Fox News.

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Here’s a recap of the day’s events:

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• A call to defund the police wasa surprise applause line at CPAC.

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• Rightwing congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greenewants to make providing gender-affirming care to minors a felony, and believes Trump will win the GOP nomination next year.

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• Democrats remain behind Joe Biden, if the statements of House lawmakers are any indication.

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• The White House condemned Tennessee’s moves to crack down on drag shows in the state.

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• A big winner at CPAC this year was Newsmax, Fox News’ fringey competitor.

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Here are some more bits and pieces from Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene’s interaction with reporters at CPAC.

She called on everyone in the Republican party to support the eventual nominee for president in 2024 – something that former president Donald Trump seems unlikely to do.

But Greene confirmed that she is endorsing Trump, saying she talks to him “every week” and “I absolutely adore him”.

The Guardian asked: “Would you be his running mate?” Greene replied: “We haven’t really engaged. That’s up to President Trump who he chooses.”

Questioned about her message to former ambassador to the UN Nikki Haley and other potential candidates, she added: “Well, it’s nice that they’re running but they’re not going to win. President Trump is going to be the primary. I don’t know what they’re doing it for in the first place.”

And Greene said of Ron DeSantis: “I think he is a fantastic governor for the state of Florida and, at the snail’s pace things get done here in Washington, if I were Florida, I’d give him a third term and beg him to stay as governor.”

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At the Conservative Political Action Conference today, Republicans who are not Donald Trump are trying their best to convince the audience to give them a shot in 2024. Up first was his former UN ambassador Nikki Haley, who argued that the GOP’s struggle to win the popular vote in recent elections is a sign the party needs a change in leadership. And then she walked out of the speech venue to crowds of conservatives chanting “Trump! Trump! Trump!” That’s how it goes when you’re not on his side at a conference were Maga rules supreme. We’ll see if candidate Vivek Ramaswamy or Mike Pompeo, who hasn’t announced a run for president yet but is seen as a potential candidate, have better luck with the crowd.

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Here’s a recap of the day’s events:

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• A call to defund the police wasa surprise applause line at CPAC.

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• Rightwing congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greenewants to make providing gender-affirming care to minors a felony.

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• Democrats remain behind Joe Biden, if the statements of House lawmakers are any indication.

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Many, many things have changed in American politics since 2016, but one thing has stayed the same – Donald Trump’s position as the most popular man in the Republican party.

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He’s been in a commanding position among Republicans ever since clinching its presidential nomination more than six years ago, and that dynamic hasn’t meaningfully changed in the years since. Case in point: the latest batch of opinion polls show him essentially blowing all the other potential contenders for the 2024 GOP presidential nomination out of the water.

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As Sebastian Gorka made clear at the start of today’s events, CPAC is very much a convention of the “hardcore Maga”. Trump speaks tomorrow, but his most powerful presumed challenger next year, Florida governor Ron DeSantis, isn’t showing up at all. Instead, CPAC attendees will today hear from Nikki Haley, who is running next year, and Mike Pompeo, Trump’s former secretary of state who is expected to launch a campaign.

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CPAC attracts conservatives from across the country. We’ll try to let you know what they think of Trump’s challengers, and whether they agree that – after all that’s happened – he remains the best man to lead the GOP.

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Good morning, US politics blog readers. We’re coming to you today from Oxon Hill, Maryland, a place not everyone has heard of but which is currently host to an event many of you have – the annual Conservative Political Action Conference. Sebastian Gorka, a former White House adviser to Donald Trump who just took the stage, encapsulated its purpose well in his greeting to the audience: “this is the hardest of the hardcore Maga, right?” The king of Maga himself is not expected at the conference until tomorrow, and today’s highest profile speaker is Nikki Haley, a fellow contender for the Republican presidential nomination who is due at 12 pm. Also speaking are conservative firebrands like Marjorie Taylor Greene, Donald Trump Jr and Steve Bannon.

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There is a world outside CPAC. Here’s what’s happening in it:

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• Joe Biden is at the White House, where he’ll award the Medal of Honor to retired army colonel Paris Davis for actions during the Vietnam War, and then welcome German chancellor Olaf Scholz.

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• Kamala Harris is heading to San Francisco for a fundraiser and roundtable with small businesses.

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• White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre briefs reporters at 12.45pm.

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Key occasions

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Closing abstract

On the Conservative Political Motion Convention at this time, Republicans who will not be Donald Trump tried their greatest to persuade the viewers to present them a shot in 2024. Up first was his former UN ambassador Nikki Haley, who argued that the GOP’s wrestle to win the favored vote in current elections is an indication the get together wants a change on the high. Mike Pompeo, Trump’s former secretary of state who can also launch a presidential marketing campaign, made a lot the identical argument. However a number of Republicans in attendance weren’t impressed. Certainly, the most effective obtained speech of the day was made by Steve Bannon, who spent quarter-hour singing Trump’s praises and condemning those that oppose him, most vociferously Fox Information.

Right here’s a recap of the day’s occasions:

• A name to defund the police wasa shock applause line at CPAC.

• Rightwing congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene desires to make offering gender-affirming care to minors a felony, and believes Trump will win the GOP nomination subsequent 12 months.

• Democrats stay behind Joe Biden, if the statements of Home lawmakers are any indication.

• The White Home condemned Tennessee’s strikes to crack down on drag exhibits within the state.

• An enormous winner at CPAC this 12 months was Newsmax, Fox Information’ fringey competitor.

CPAC’s pursuits don’t cease at America’s borders.

Among the many audio system at this time was Nigel Farage, who’s a familiar face at these conventions. Like many who got here earlier than him at this time, the previous chief of the Brexit get together used his speech to assault the transgender rights motion, citing the resignation of Scottish Nationwide get together chief Nicola Sturgeon. Right here’s what he mentioned, from the Guardian’s David Smith:

Nigel Farage: Scotland is without doubt one of the most stunning international locations on the planet. "Donald Trump's mum got here from Scotland. He's half-Scottish." Nicola Sturgeon needed Scotland "to grow to be one of the vital progressive international locations on the planet and handed loopy laws".

— David Smith (@SmithInAmerica) March 3, 2023

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Nigel Farage: Scotland is without doubt one of the most stunning international locations on the planet. “Donald Trump’s mum got here from Scotland. He is half-Scottish.” Nicola Sturgeon needed Scotland “to grow to be one of the vital progressive international locations on the planet and handed loopy laws”.

— David Smith (@SmithInAmerica) March 3, 2023

Farage: "If they’ll flip it round in Scotland towards a girl with that stage of energy, are you able to flip it round in the US of America?… Save America and also you'll save the free world."

— David Smith (@SmithInAmerica) March 3, 2023

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Farage: “If they’ll flip it round in Scotland towards a girl with that stage of energy, are you able to flip it round in the US of America?… Save America and you may save the free world.”

— David Smith (@SmithInAmerica) March 3, 2023

Steve Bannon simply acquired off stage after an enthusiastic, 15-minute protection of Donald Trump that was the most effective obtained speech of the day.

Bannon, a former White Home adviser who’s interesting a federal jail sentence for ignoring a subpoena from the January 6 committee, received extra applause than any speaker earlier than him by singing the previous president’s praises and attacking Fox Information for ignoring Trump.

“Donald J Trump, let me repeat, in a really risky time in American historical past, it was 4 years of peace and prosperity,” he mentioned, to loud applause, “You recognize why? He places you within the room to make choices.”

“And that’s why they hate him,” Bannon continued. “They don’t hate him as a result of he’s Trump. They hate him as a result of he represents you.”

He then attacked Fox Information for not giving the previous president sufficient protection. “Observe to Fox senior administration: when Donald J Trump talks, it’s newsworthy,” Bannon declared.

“Maga, Maga, Maga. Bear in mind, Murdoch, you deem Trump’s not going to be president, nicely we deem that you simply’re not going to have a community,” Bannon declared as he wrapped up his speech.

Conservatives at CPAC at this time heard from one Republican presidential contender, Nikki Haley, and one other potential contender, Mike Pompeo. However the conference stays very a lot Donald Trump’s present.

“I’m nonetheless sticking with Trump,” mentioned Gary Wolcott, a 69-year-old retiree from the Virginia suburbs close to Washington DC. He acknowledged that Haley’s speech “was undoubtedly spectacular, and Pompeo’s, too”. However neither dissuaded him from the assist he’s maintained for Trump since his first days as a candidate in 2015.

“I simply consider he’s the one that is most for America, and he gave up loads to run for president. He’s not a profession politician, and I do know he’s at all times going to attempt to do what he thinks is greatest for America,” Wolcott mentioned.

Karen and Donald Ruthig’s sentiments had been a lot the identical.

“He will get issues completed,” Karen, 77, mentioned of Trump. As for the opposite candidates, “Possibly they’re eager to run for vice? I don’t know, however I don’t suppose they’ll make it as president.”

Her husband, Donald, known as Pompeo’s speech “fabulous”, however Haley’s “predictable”. He didn’t suppose both may win. “I don’t suppose Nikki Haley is electable. I don’t suppose Mike Pompeo is electable, and I’m not even positive that Ron DeSantis is at this level,” he mentioned, referring to the Florida governor who’s seen as most likely the second strongest contender to Trump amongst Republicans.

Donald, a 73 12 months outdated who was attending the conference alongside together with his spouse from Virginia’s rural jap shore, apprehensive that if the GOP nominates anybody however Trump, many citizens will keep dwelling. “With out Trump’s full base, we haven’t acquired a prayer,” he mentioned. “So whereas there could also be some excellent candidates within the discipline, the electability subject (makes) him entrance and middle.”

As enduring as his assist was for Trump, Wolcott known as on the previous president to vary techniques as he navigates his second GOP main.

“His legal responsibility is, he’s acquired to cease bashing Republicans. He wants to elucidate why he’s good, not why they’re dangerous. As long as he can try this he’ll simply win the presidency. I’m undecided he can do it,” he mentioned.

Joanna Walters

The White Home this afternoon decried Tennessee’s aggressive transfer to restrict drag exhibits within the state.

The state’s Republican governor, Invoice Lee, yesterday signed a invoice handed by the legislature that restricts public drag show performances – the primary state to do this this 12 months, CNN reported.

The law limits “grownup cabaret performances” on public property, defining corresponding to a present “that options topless dancers, go-go dancers, unique dancers, strippers, male or feminine impersonators who present leisure that appeals to a prurient curiosity, or comparable entertainers.”

On the White Home press briefing on Friday afternoon, White Home press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre mentioned: “American persons are focussed on so many points..the financial system..healthcare..security in colleges” and lamented Republicans’ concentrating on actions like drag exhibits as their precedence as a substitute.

“Going after drag exhibits, how is that going to assist individuals’s lives?” she requested. KJP is the primary out homosexual White Home press secretary.

She added that these “ridiculous insurance policies” are “harmful. They vilify our fellow Individuals at a time when LGBTQ Individuals are dealing with heightened violence.”

Joe Biden has the backs of LGBTQ Individuals, she famous, “and can proceed to be there for the group.”

Earlier this month, well-known Tennessee drag queens, together with Eureka and Jaidynn Diore Fierce spoke as much as Leisure Weekly, with Eureka calling the invoice “blatantly unconstitutional.”

They talked to a competitor on this season’s Ru Paul’s Drag Race, and now fellow Tennessean, Aura Mayari, who said she was deeply upset and saddened by the push and mentioned the legislation was nothing greater than “a masks used to cover discrimination towards the LGBTQ+ group and the will to erase drag.”

Jaidynn Diore Fierce for all stars / lipsync murderer when? pic.twitter.com/H8XnYY7qTQ

— ᴅʀᴀɢᴍᴇᴛᴏꜰɪʟᴛʜ ◡̈ (@dragmetofilth) February 8, 2023

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David Smith

This feels just like the 12 months when CPAC’s centre of gravity shifted from Fox Information to Newsmax – extra excessive, extra fringey and fewer related.

Fox Information personnel are skinny on the bottom because the community, embroiled in disaster over its half in pushing Donald Trump’s false claims of election fraud, tilts away from him in the direction of rival Ron DeSantis.

In the meantime Chris Ruddy, chief government of Newsmax, was fawningly interviewed on stage by CPAC co-organiser Mercedes Schlapp. Adverts for Newsmax are operating often on screens right here.

CPAC is teeming with Trump loyalists. Donald Trump Jr, Steve Bannon, Mike Lindell and Sebastian Gorka are inflicting crowd congestion because the reside stream and podcast loudly cluster outdoors the primary ballroom.

Such scenes would possibly symbolise how Trump has misplaced Fox Information however dominates the likes of Newsmax, One America Information Community and much proper social media. Fox not carries his rallies reside whereas these channels do – with smaller audiences.

It could possibly be excellent news for DeSantis, an everyday on Fox, as he seeks to command the Republican base and banish Trump to the margins.

Greene on Trump rivals: “It is good that they are operating however they are not going to win”

David Smith

Listed here are some extra bits and items from Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene’s interplay with reporters at CPAC.

She known as on everybody within the Republican get together to assist the eventual nominee for president in 2024 – one thing that former president Donald Trump appears unlikely to do.

However Greene confirmed that she is endorsing Trump, saying she talks to him “each week” and “I completely adore him”.

The Guardian requested: “Would you be his operating mate?” Greene replied: “We haven’t actually engaged. That’s as much as President Trump who he chooses.”

Questioned about her message to former ambassador to the UN Nikki Haley and different potential candidates, she added: “Effectively, it’s good that they’re operating however they’re not going to win. President Trump goes to be the first. I don’t know what they’re doing it for within the first place.”

And Greene mentioned of Ron DeSantis: “I feel he’s a incredible governor for the state of Florida and, on the snail’s tempo issues get completed right here in Washington, if I had been Florida, I’d give him a 3rd time period and beg him to remain as governor.”

David Smith

Rightwing congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene simply held an impromptu query and reply session with a gaggle of reporters at CPAC – who subsequently paid little consideration to Kimberly Guilfoyle’s speech from the close by stage.

The Guardian requested the primary couple of questions. Greene, an influential determine within the Home of Consultant, mentioned: “I feel the US must be pushing for peace in Ukraine as a substitute of funding and persevering with a struggle that appears to be escalating and placing your entire world susceptible to world struggle three.”

The Republican from Georgia known as for US funding to stop instantly. “Look, I voted for the decision to assist the Ukrainian individuals and towards what Russia has completed invading their nation. However what the US is doing is we are literally accelerating a struggle there and this struggle must be over.

“We must be selling peace. Europe ought to have peace and the US ought to do their half. Ukraine just isn’t a Nato member nation and Joe Biden mentioned at first he wouldn’t defend Ukraine as a result of they’re not a Nato member nation. It doesn’t make sense and the American individuals don’t assist it.”

Later Greene added that Biden is extra excited by Ukraine’s border than America’s personal or the victims of a poisonous rail catastrophe in East Palestine, Ohio. She additionally floated an unfounded conspiracy idea that Biden’s son Hunter’s enterprise dealings in Ukraine is probably going underpinning the president’s motivations there.

“Does that play a task in Joe Biden’s dedication to Zelenskiy as if Zelinskiy and Ukraine is the 51st state of the US of America?… Is that why we’re all going to be dragged into World Struggle three? And I’m sorry, I’m not happening that prepare and most Individuals – just about everybody I discuss to – just isn’t excited by that both.”

Within the closing days of the Trump administration, after he had misplaced the 2020 election, then-secretary of state Mike Pompeo declared that “there will likely be a clean transition to a second Trump administration.”

Pompeo appears to have acknowledged actuality within the years since, and said the grim fact in regards to the GOP’s current election file in his speech at CPAC at this time. Right here’s a clip:

Potential GOP presidential candidate Mike Pompeo, who declared in November 2020 that there could be a “second Trump administration” even after the election was known as for Biden, appears to acknowledge Trump’s loss at CPAC:

“We misplaced three elections in a row.” pic.twitter.com/C2AixiOdXf

— The Recount (@therecount) March 3, 2023

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Potential GOP presidential candidate Mike Pompeo, who declared in November 2020 that there could be a “second Trump administration” even after the election was known as for Biden, appears to acknowledge Trump’s loss at CPAC:

“We misplaced three elections in a row.” pic.twitter.com/C2AixiOdXf

— The Recount (@therecount) March 3, 2023

He later appeared to throw some shade at his former boss:

Potential GOP presidential candidate Mike Pompeo indicators some new distance from Donald Trump:

“We will’t grow to be the left, following movie star leaders with their very own model of identification politics; these with fragile egos who refuse to acknowledge actuality." pic.twitter.com/maZP39yVyE

— The Recount (@therecount) March 3, 2023

n”,”url”:”https://twitter.com/therecount/standing/1631733616161038337″,”id”:”1631733616161038337″,”hasMedia”:false,”position”:”inline”,”isThirdPartyTracking”:false,”supply”:”Twitter”,”elementId”:”c5f9471f-b37c-40ce-aefb-ac125c970ec4″}}”>

Potential GOP presidential candidate Mike Pompeo indicators some new distance from Donald Trump:

“We will’t grow to be the left, following movie star leaders with their very own model of identification politics; these with fragile egos who refuse to acknowledge actuality.” pic.twitter.com/maZP39yVyE

— The Recount (@therecount) March 3, 2023

Nonetheless no phrase but from Pompeo on whether or not he plans to run for the GOP nomination subsequent 12 months.

The day to date

On the Conservative Political Motion Convention at this time, Republicans who will not be Donald Trump try their greatest to persuade the viewers to present them a shot in 2024. Up first was his former UN ambassador Nikki Haley, who argued that the GOP’s wrestle to win the favored vote in current elections is an indication the get together wants a change in management. After which she walked out of the speech venue to crowds of conservatives chanting “Trump! Trump! Trump!” That’s the way it goes while you’re not on his aspect at a convention had been Maga guidelines supreme. We’ll see if candidate Vivek Ramaswamy or Mike Pompeo, who hasn’t introduced a run for president but however is seen as a possible candidate, have higher luck with the group.

Right here’s a recap of the day’s occasions:

• A name to defund the police wasa shock applause line at CPAC.

• Rightwing congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene desires to make offering gender-affirming care to minors a felony.

• Democrats stay behind Joe Biden, if the statements of Home lawmakers are any indication.

CPAC is a tricky place for Republicans who will not be on Donald Trump’s aspect.

Following her speech, Nikki Haley stepped outdoors the venue to greet conservative attendees – who made their desire for subsequent 12 months’s GOP presidential nomination clear, as this video from Bloomberg Information exhibits:

Crowd chanting “Trump!” as Nikki Haley take images with supporters after her CPAC speech. pic.twitter.com/iI7WSKSwT9

— Christian Corridor (@christianjhall) March 3, 2023

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The parade of speeches by former Trump officers continues with Mike Pompeo, who served as secretary of state from 2018 to 2021.

He’s regarded as contemplating a run for the White Home subsequent 12 months, however hasn’t but mentioned somehow. Let’s hear what he has to say.

Nikki Haley has a tall order in overcoming the previous president’s recognition amongst Republicans.

The most recent polls have proven her assist nicely beneath that of Trump’s. Here’s one from Yahoo Information/YouGov, which exhibits Trump within the lead with 45% assist, towards Haley’s 4%.

Haley, who served as Trump’s ambassador to the United Nations, is definitely conscious of the place she would find yourself if the Republican main had been held at this time. As she closed out her speech, she appealed to the viewers to think about a substitute for the previous president.

“We’ve misplaced the favored vote in seven of the final eight presidential elections. Our trigger is true, however now we have did not win the boldness of a majority of Individuals. That ends now. In the event you’re bored with dropping, then put your belief in a brand new technology. And if you wish to win – not simply as a celebration, however as a rustic – then stand with me,” Haley mentioned.

Nikki Haley is now on stage at CPAC, and began her stump speech off by reiterating her name for politicians over the age of 75 to take a psychological competency take a look at.

“Once I launched my marketing campaign, I mentioned each politician over 75 years outdated must be required to take a psychological competency take a look at. Have you ever seen DC these days? We should always begin with Joe Biden – and we shouldn’t cease there,” she mentioned. The final half appeared to stir a murmur of disapproval from the viewers, contemplating that Donald Trump is 76, and would even be topic to one in every of these assessments.

Many seats noticeably empty.

At CPAC at Nationwide Harbor in Maryland. Nikki Haley enters to standing ovation but in addition many empty seats. “The liberal media’s head are exploding about me operating for president… Liberals are essentially the most sexist by far.” pic.twitter.com/u7SZOZUCqu

— David Smith (@SmithInAmerica) March 3, 2023

n”,”url”:”https://twitter.com/SmithInAmerica/standing/1631717847301750784″,”id”:”1631717847301750784″,”hasMedia”:false,”position”:”inline”,”isThirdPartyTracking”:false,”supply”:”Twitter”,”elementId”:”c5debab7-14c1-4788-9484-599a25047eab”}}”>

At CPAC at Nationwide Harbor in Maryland. Nikki Haley enters to standing ovation but in addition many empty seats. “The liberal media’s head are exploding about me operating for president… Liberals are essentially the most sexist by far.” pic.twitter.com/u7SZOZUCqu

— David Smith (@SmithInAmerica) March 3, 2023

Joan E Greve

At their retreat in Baltimore this week, Home Democrats voiced enthusiasm about Joe Biden‘s probably reelection marketing campaign, with the president anticipated to formally announce his 2024 bid within the subsequent a number of weeks.

“I feel he’ll win. I feel he’s our strongest candidate,” congressman Pete Aguilar, the Home Democratic caucus chair, mentioned Thursday at an occasion with Punchbowl Information. Aguilar added, “I feel that he can and will run, and he’s going to have the assist of the Home Democratic caucus.”

Even Home progressives, who’ve beforehand clashed with Biden over coverage issues, seem like rallying behind the president. Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal, chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, mentioned Thursday that she hopes Biden will announce his reelection marketing campaign sooner relatively than later.

“No person is shocked that Biden was not my selection within the first election for the first,” Jayapal mentioned. “However the CPC and the President and his administration have fashioned an extremely sturdy partnership.”

Ramon Antonio Vargas

The mayor of a Maryland metropolis has resigned after authorities arrested him on expenses of possessing and distributing photos of kid sexual abuse, in response to a number of stories.

Patrick Wojahn, 47, had been the mayor of School Park since 2015 and, earlier than that, a member of town council there for eight years when he was arrested Thursday. He had submitted his resignation later the earlier night time, because the native information outlet WBAL reported, however that did little to move off the scandal that his arrest ignited, drawing headlines nationally.

Charging paperwork cited by the native information station WTOP accused Wojahn of utilizing an nameless account to add little one abuse imagery to the cellular messaging utility Kik in January. Kik officers then alerted the federal lacking and exploited youngsters middle, which prompted police to subpoena web service suppliers’ data that linked the uploads to Wojahn.

Native county investigators searched Wojahn’s dwelling in February, they usually seized cell telephones, a pill, a pc and a storage gadget earlier than Thursday’s arrest.

Wojahn faces 40 counts of possessing little one abuse imagery and 16 of distributing it.

School Park has a inhabitants of about 35,000 and is simply northeast of Washington DC. Maybe unsurprisingly, Wojahn’s arrest shocked town’s residents.

Native resident Drake Allen mentioned he feared the scandal confirmed that School Park was “headed within the fallacious route”.

“I don’t know if that is going to wake anyone up. It ought to, nevertheless it most likely received’t,” Allen mentioned, earlier than describing how he needs Wojahn’s successor is “only a common mayor who does his job.”

On stage at CPAC now could be Donald Trump Jr, who got here bearing items.

“There’s a bit shock for all of you,” he informed the viewers. “Verify below your seats. If there occurs to be a gold chocolate bar beneath there … that’s a VIP ticket to my father’s reception tomorrow at CPAC,” the previous president’s son mentioned.

Surprise what Roald Dahlwould think of that.