This article is adapted from today’s Morning Wire Afternoon Update. To listen to the podcast version, click here.
McCarthy Raises Prospect Of Impeachment Hearings Against Merrick Garland
Speaker of the House Kevin McCarthy said today that impeachment articles against Attorney General Merrick Garland could be raised. At issue are IRS Whistleblower allegations that the DOJ ran a “delay, divulge, and deny” campaign as it related to the IRS’ investigation into Hunter Biden. Here’s Speaker McCarthy is on Fox News:
“If it comes true what the IRS whistleblower is saying, we’re going to start impeachment inquiries on the Attorney General."
— Speaker Kevin McCarthy on Fox & Friends hints at potential impeachment proceedings against Merrick Garland over Hunter Biden pic.twitter.com/BFUKFOb9Tw
— The Recount (@therecount) June 26, 2023
Supreme Court Blocks Louisiana Congressional Map
The U.S. Supreme Court blocked Louisiana’s Congressional map, ruling today to deny the state’s appeal and sending it down to the lower courts which found that the map created by the state’s Republican majority violates the voting rights act, by diluting the voting power of black voters. The Pelican State will now have to redraw its congressional map before the 2024 election.
COVID Report Dumped On Friday Night
The Office of the Director of National Intelligence released its report on The Potential Links Between the Wuhan Institute of Virology and the Origin of the COVID-19 Pandemic as required by Congress, but critics say that the document left more to be desired.
That report was just 10 pages long including the cover, table of contents, and a three-page appendix of definitions. It was blasted by House Energy and Commerce Committee Chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers, who said that it was a “slap in the face” to all Americans and did not comply with the Covid-19 Origins Act. The act requires the U.S. federal government to declassify all intelligence relating to how COVID-19 began.
White House’s Latest Spin For Biden’s Bad Poll Numbers
A new NBC poll shows a growing number of voters are increasingly anxious about President Biden’s fitness to serve as commander-in-chief as he seeks a second term.
More than two-thirds of registered voters — 68% — said they have moderate to major concerns about Biden “not having the necessary mental and physical health” to be president. That marks a 17-point increase from when voters were asked the question in October 2020. Other polls show that Biden’s approval rating remains near record lows, but his defenders at the White House claim his unpopularity is because Americans have yet to feel the weight of his actions as president:
Top Biden advisor Anita Dunn says Biden's historically low approval rating will improve because "people are just starting to really feel the effects" of Biden's "truly historic rate of success" pic.twitter.com/5dkl0xuSVx
— RNC Research (@RNCResearch) June 26, 2023
Authorities in Newton, Massachusetts – a wealthy suburb near Boston – are searching for answers following the fatal stabbing of three people. Two of the victims were a couple celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary. Police said that the three bodies were found in the aforementioned couple’s home Sunday morning after the husband and wife failed to show up for church.
Middlesex District Attorney Marian Ryan is advising Newton residents to remain vigilant as the suspect or suspects remain at large.
Democrat Arrested And Charged After Allegedly Keying “Anti-Biden” Car
Police in Rhode Island have arrested and charged a Democrat state senator after he was accused of vandalizing a vehicle with an “anti-Biden” sticker.
Cranston Police placed State Senator Joshua Miller (D) in custody Thursday after he was accused of keying an SUV in a parking lot that afternoon. The vehicle’s owner identified the 69-year-old politician to authorities, after witnessing him near the car and confronting him about the incident. Miller, who has served as a representative of Cranston and Providence since 2006, first denied the accusation to authorities. Here’s police body camera footage of Miller’s denial, confession, and the victim’s reaction to the elected officials’ claims.
Surveillance video shows the moments Senator Josh Miller is accused of keying an SUV with an anti-Biden sticker at Garden City
He first tells Cranston PD he didn't do it, then when they show up at his house and say they have video, he admits to it @wpri12 https://t.co/Fn78uKFKrt pic.twitter.com/vt8Zw3sZD0
— Amanda Pitts (@AmandaPittsTV) June 23, 2023
Authorities charged Miller with vandalism and malicious injury to property and he will be formally arraigned in court on July 18.
On Monday, Fox News announced its new primetime lineup after the network fired Tucker Carlson earlier this year. The shake-up has Jesse Watters moving to the coveted 8:00 p.m. ET hour, Laura Ingraham moving up to the 7:00 p.m. ET slot, and Greg Gutfeld will move into her old 10:00 p.m. ET time.
Meanwhile, Sean Hannity will stay at 9:00 pm ET. The move is a bit of a return for Watters, who used to work as a producer for The O’Reilly Factor — Bill O’Reilly’s 8 o’clock show prior to Carlson’s. The new schedule will start July 17.
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