Source: Associated Press

WASHINGTON (AP) — To the last moments of his presidency, Donald Trump trumpeted Space Force as a creation for the ages. And while President Joe Biden has quickly undone other Trump initiatives, the space-faring service seems likely to survive, even if the new administration pushes it lower on the list of defense priorities.

The reason Space Force is unlikely to go away is largely this: Elimination would require an act of Congress, where a bipartisan consensus holds that America’s increasing reliance on space is a worrying vulnerability that is best addressed by a branch of the military focused exclusively on this problem.

The new service also is linked to an increasing U.S. wariness of China, which is developing capabilities to threaten U.S. satellites in space and which has become, in the minds of some, the singular national security challenge. Russia, too, stands accused by Washington of seeking to challenge American dominance in space.

“They’re building capabilities to use space against us. We have to be able to respond to that,” Gen. John Hyten, vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, told the National Security Space Association, an advocacy group, last week, referring to Russia and China.

Read more: https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-donald-trump-politics-national-security-edcb01683ab38e740ae87530c49ecd4e

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Source: CNN

(CNN)A federal judge in Texas temporarily blocked the Biden administration's pause on deportations Tuesday, delivering a blow to one of the administration's first immigration actions.

The court order stems from a lawsuit filed by Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton challenging the 100-day pause on deportations, which took effect Friday. The complaint cited in part an agreement signed between the Department of Homeland Security and Texas in the waning days of the Trump presidency that required the department to consult the state before changing or modifying policies.

Judge Drew Tipton of the Southern District of Texas, however, said the temporary restraining order was appropriate under the Administrative Procedure Act. Tipton blocked the Biden administration from executing its deportation pause for 14 days.

This story is breaking and will be updated.

Read more: https://www.cnn.com/2021/01/26/politics/deportation-biden/index.html

Source: Political Wire

“Senator Mitch McConnell on Monday dropped his demand that the new Democratic Senate majority promise to preserve the filibuster — which Republicans could use to obstruct President Biden’s agenda — ending an impasse that had prevented Democrats from assuming full power even after their election wins,” the New York Times reports.

“In his negotiations with Senator Chuck Schumer of New York, the new majority leader, Mr. McConnell, Republican of Kentucky, had refused to agree to a plan for organizing the chamber without a pledge from Democrats to protect the filibuster, a condition that Mr. Schumer had rejected.”

“But late Monday, as the stalemate persisted, Mr. McConnell found a way out by pointing to statements by two centrist Democrats, Senators Joe Manchin III of West Virginia and Kyrsten Sinema of Arizona, that said they opposed getting rid of the procedural tool — a position they had held for months — as enough of a guarantee to move forward without a formal promise from Mr. Schumer.”

Read more: https://politicalwire.com/2021/01/25/mcconnell-relents-in-filibuster-skirmish/

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Short article, breaking...

Source: CNN

(CNN)The timing of former President Donald Trump's Senate impeachment trial is still unsettled while Senate leaders haggle over how a power-sharing agreement will govern a 50-50 Senate.

The question of who will represent Trump remains unanswered.

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said at a news conference Thursday that the House was "ready" to begin the trial but would wait until the Senate was prepared before formally transmitting the impeachment article, the step that would begin the trial the following day.

"They have now informed us they are ready to receive, the question is other questions about how a trial will proceed, but we are ready," Pelosi said of the Senate.

Read more: https://www.cnn.com/2021/01/21/politics/nancy-pelosi-impeachment-timing/index.html

Source: CNN

CNN)President Joe Biden said Wednesday that former President Donald Trump left him a "very generous letter" before departing the White House.

Biden, speaking from the Resolute Desk in the Oval Office after signing Day One executive orders, said he would not immediately reveal the contents of the letter out of respect for Trump.

"The President wrote a very generous letter," Biden told reporters. "Because it was private, I will not talk about it until I talk to him, but it was generous."

A senior Trump aide described the letter to CNN as a "personal note" that prays for the success of the country and the new administration to care for the country. The aide said writing the letter to Biden was one of the many items on Trump's list in the Oval Office Tuesday night.

Read more: https://www.cnn.com/2021/01/20/politics/trump-letter-to-biden/index.html

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Biden is a nicer guy than me. I would have ripped it up.

Source: USA Today

WASHINGTON – Days before President-elect Joe Biden’s inauguration, Sen. Tommy Tuberville, R-Ala., said the event should have been postponed because of the COVID-19 pandemic, even though Jan. 20 is enshrined in the Constitution as the date for the transfer of presidential power.

“We probably could have had a swearing-in and done an inauguration a little later on after we got this virus behind us a little bit. But again, we’re talking about Washington, D.C.,” Tuberville told Birmingham TV station CBS 42.

The Constitution’s 20th Amendment requires that the terms of a new president and vice president begin “at noon on the 20th day of January.”

Tuberville, a freshman who was sworn into office Jan. 3, was one of six Republican senators who objected on Jan. 6 to the affirmation by Congress of Biden’s Electoral College win – a vote that took place hours after a violent pro-Trump mob stormed the Capitol.

Read more: https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2021/01/15/gop-sen-tommy-tuberville-biden-inauguration-should-have-been-delayed/4174903001/

Right now, he's more hated and his approval ratings are the lowest they've ever been, but will it stay like that in Republican minds? People have very short memories when it comes to politics. It's always been a "What have you done for me lately?" thing.

So what's the prediction for 2022? Will Trump candidates win or lose their GOP primaries? Will a Romney-type (Haley) win the nomination in 2024, will will it be Cruz or someone like him?

Has anyone heard this? I had two people tell me this yesterday, but I didn't see anything. Please let this be true!

While there have been many who were more racist in Congress than Chenoweth (Steve King in the House, Jesse Helps in the Senate). never had there been anyone as bat-shit crazy and right-wing as her (in my 47 years at least). This was someone that was the poster child for militias (she actually hung out with them!), and who railed against "black helicopters" and the "evil government."

Well she can rest easy though, because Lauren Boebert and Marjorie Taylor Greene both have her beat, and it's not even that close. My only question is who is crazier?

At least our craziest from that time period (Cynthia McKinney) has not and probably never will be surpassed, and we weeded her out of the Party. Their side however is insane all they are over the place. I fully expect them both to be overtaken with someone crazier by 2024.

Source: Chicago Sun Times

WASHINGTON — Freshman Rep. Mary Miller, R-Ill., apologized on Friday after gaining national attention for praising Hitler during a pro-Trump rally, sparking calls from Illinois colleagues in Congress to resign and condemnation from others.

In a statement, Miller said, “Earlier this week, I spoke to a group of mothers about the importance of faith and guarding our youth from destructive influences. I sincerely apologize for any harm my words caused and regret using a reference to one of the most evil dictators in history to illustrate the dangers that outside influences can have on our youth.

“This dark history should never be repeated and parents should be proactive to instill what is good, true, right, and noble into their children’s hearts and minds. While some are trying to intentionally twist my words to mean something antithetical to my beliefs, let me be clear: I’m passionately pro-Israel and I will always be a strong advocate and ally of the Jewish community. I’ve been in discussion with Jewish leaders across the country and am grateful to them for their kindness and forthrightness.”

Illinois Democrats Sen. Tammy Duckworth and Rep. Jan Schakowsky called on Miller, in office less than a week, to resign in the wake of her comments. National outlets did stories about Miller’s remarks, launching the congressional career of the outspoken conservative defender of President Donald Trump in controversy.

Read more: https://chicago.suntimes.com/politics/2021/1/8/22220744/illinois-republican-mary-miller-apologizes-remark-praising-hitler-trump-rally