Two Republican governors pushed back Tuesday on former President <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/donald-trump" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Donald Trump</a> calling heartbeat laws &#8220;a terrible thing&#8221; in a recent interview.
Trump made the remarks during a Sunday <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/trump-hits-desantis-for-signing-heartbeat-law-a-terrible-thing-and-a-terrible-mistake" target="_blank" rel="noopener">interview</a> with Kristen Welker on NBC News’ “Meet The Press” when pressed on specifics regarding at what point he believes that abortion should be banned.
After talking on the matter for several minutes, Trump took a shot at his top challenger for the GOP presidential nomination, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, over the issue.
“I mean, DeSanctus is willing to sign a five-week and six-week ban,” Trump said.
“Would you support that?” Welker asked. “You think that goes too far?”
“I think what he did is a terrible thing and a terrible mistake,” Trump answered.
Georgia Governor Brian Kemp, who <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/ga-governor-signs-heartbeat-bill-law-defying-hank-berrien" target="_blank" rel="noopener">signed</a> a heartbeat bill into law back in 2019, responded to Trump&#8217;s remarks in a statement to The Daily Wire.
&#8220;There’s nothing ‘terrible’ about standing up for life,&#8221; Kemp said. &#8220;In addition to passing the heartbeat bill, Georgia has proudly protected and valued life through implementing adoption and foster care reform, and combatting human trafficking — and will continue to do so as long as I’m governor.&#8221;
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Soon after Kemp made his statement, Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds also released a statement.
&#8220;It’s never a &#8216;terrible thing&#8217; to protect innocent life,&#8221; Reynolds wrote on X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter. &#8220;I’m proud of the fetal heartbeat bill the Iowa legislature passed and I signed in 2018 and again earlier this year.&#8221;
DeSantis, who had responded on Monday to Trump&#8217;s comment, replied to Reynolds&#8217; statement on X, writing: &#8220;I applaud Governor @KimReynoldsIA and the Iowa legislature for promoting a culture of life. Donald Trump is wrong to attack the heartbeat bill as &#8216;terrible.&#8217; Standing for life is a noble cause.&#8221;
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I applaud Governor <a href="https://twitter.com/KimReynoldsIA?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@KimReynoldsIA</a> and the Iowa legislature for promoting a culture of life.
Donald Trump is wrong to attack the heartbeat bill as “terrible.”
Standing for life is a noble cause. <a href="https://t.co/HhJ6uDw2cV">https://t.co/HhJ6uDw2cV</a>
&mdash; Ron DeSantis (@RonDeSantis) <a href="https://twitter.com/RonDeSantis/status/1704278139763892678?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 19, 2023</a></blockquote>
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A few other Republican governors responded by issuing statements signaling their unwavering support of the pro-life movement.
Tennessee Governor Bill Lee responded to a request for comment from The Daily Wire by saying: &#8220;My deeply held conviction is that protecting every life — including the life of any unborn child — is a matter of human dignity, not a matter of politics. In Tennessee, we are committed to protecting the dignity of the unborn while also ensuring that mothers, children and families have access to critical resources and our strongest support.&#8221;
Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt told The Daily Wire: &#8220;I promised Oklahomans that as governor I would sign every piece of pro-life legislation that came across that desk. I have kept that promise and I will continue to keep that promise. In Oklahoma, we will always stand up for life.&#8221;
The office of North Dakota Governor Doug Burgum responded by explaining North Dakota&#8217;s laws on abortion, but did not directly address Trump&#8217;s remarks.
The remaining Republican governors who, as <a href="https://crsreports.congress.gov/product/pdf/LSB/LSB10779">identified</a> by the Congressional Research Service, have either signed heartbeat laws or whose states already have them, have not yet responded.
DeSantis initially <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/desantis-slams-trump-for-calling-heartbeat-law-terrible-what-trump-said-was-terrible">responded</a> to Trump&#8217;s direct criticism of him on Monday during a radio interview in Iowa with O. Kay Henderson, stating, “Protecting babies with heartbeats is not terrible. Donald Trump may think it’s terrible, but I think protecting babies with heartbeats is noble and just, and I’m proud to have signed the heartbeat bill in Florida. And I know Iowa has similar legislation.”
“I don’t know how you can even make the claim that you’re somehow pro-life if you’re criticizing states for enacting pro-life protections for babies that have heartbeats,” he continued. “And so I thought him saying that those bills were terrible, I think, was a terrible statement, and I think it’s a window into how he’s changing as he’s running this campaign. I think he’s changing in a way that is not consistent with the values of the people in Iowa.”

Brian Kemp Kim Reynolds

Governors Kemp, Reynolds Push Back On Trump Calling Heartbeat Laws ‘A Terrible Thing’

Brian Kemp

Donald Trump

Elections

Kim Reynolds

Politics

Ron DeSantis

Republican presidential candidate <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/ron-desantis" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Ron DeSantis</a> campaigned in Iowa over the weekend and attended the Cy-Hawk rivalry game with Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds.
Photos from the game between the Iowa Hawkeyes and the Iowa State Cyclones showed DeSantis and Reynolds sitting together about half an hour before kickoff and after the game had kicked off. The pair sitting at the high-profile event together comes as Reynolds has yet to publicly endorse a Republican presidential candidate.
The Hawkeyes won 20-13.
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Great time at the Iowa-Iowa State game today! <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/CyHawk?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#CyHawk</a> 🏈🏈🏈🏈 <a href="https://t.co/euxjQMY5wK">pic.twitter.com/euxjQMY5wK</a>
&mdash; Never Back Down (@NvrBackDown24) <a href="https://twitter.com/NvrBackDown24/status/1700662942558031980?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 10, 2023</a></blockquote>
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Had a great time at the Cy-Hawk game with Gov. <a href="https://twitter.com/KimReynoldsIA?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@KimReynoldsIA</a>! 
Iowa is lucky to have such a strong governor who never backs down from doing what’s right. <a href="https://t.co/50YP0QiDps">pic.twitter.com/50YP0QiDps</a>
&mdash; Ron DeSantis (@RonDeSantis) <a href="https://twitter.com/RonDeSantis/status/1700667536772088195?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 10, 2023</a></blockquote>
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Former President Donald Trump also attended the game, sitting in a box seat.
Influential Iowa conservative leader Bob Vander Plaats commented on one video that showed a mix of cheers and boos from the crowd, writing, &#8220;The polls aren&#8217;t even close to reality on [the] ground.&#8221;
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The polls aren’t even close to reality on ground. <a href="https://t.co/iCoejK9mOX">https://t.co/iCoejK9mOX</a>
&mdash; Bob Vander Plaats (@bobvanderplaats) <a href="https://twitter.com/bobvanderplaats/status/1700605446090875096?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 9, 2023</a></blockquote>
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Vander Plaats has repeatedly made this point so far during the 2024 campaign cycle as polls show Trump leading DeSantis in the state by roughly 20 points while the other candidates remain in the single digits.
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Both Trump and DeSantis attended various events in Iowa and drew large crowds and received strong support from those at the events.
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President <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@realDonaldTrump</a> flipping burgers at Iowa State University! 🇺🇸 <a href="https://t.co/hUjBVEFeoW">pic.twitter.com/hUjBVEFeoW</a>
&mdash; Margo Martin (@margommartin) <a href="https://twitter.com/margommartin/status/1700587115434688906?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 9, 2023</a></blockquote>
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Another example: <a href="https://t.co/ycPaCNwIIl">pic.twitter.com/ycPaCNwIIl</a>
&mdash; John Hasson (@SonofHas) <a href="https://twitter.com/SonofHas/status/1700668903595069625?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 10, 2023</a></blockquote>
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Reynolds — who is the <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/trump-lashes-out-at-iowa-governor-kim-reynolds" target="_blank" rel="noopener">most powerful and influential</a> Republican in Iowa — initially said that she was not planning on making an endorsement before the Iowa caucuses, but later appeared to change her mind when she said she would no longer rule it out.
Fox News host Shannon Bream noted in an interview with Reynolds that her endorsement in the state is viewed as a “game changer” among the Republican presidential candidates.
Bream then highlighted recent swipes Trump appeared to make against Reynolds.
“I opened up the Governor position for Kim Reynolds, &amp; when she fell behind, I ENDORSED her, did big Rallies, &amp; she won,” Trump <a href="https://truthsocial.com/@realDonaldTrump/posts/110690659780399869" target="_blank" rel="noopener">wrote</a> on Truth Social back in early July. “Now, she wants to remain ‘NEUTRAL.’ I don’t invite her to events!”
Reynolds <a href="https://twitter.com/SonofHas/status/1690380531739836418" target="_blank" rel="noopener">responded</a> to the criticism from the former president during a CNN interview several weeks later.
“It’s actually Iowans who made the decision to elect me in a really tough year,” she said. “2018 was not a good year for Republicans. I squeaked by.”
DeSantis <a href="https://twitter.com/DeSantisWarRoom/status/1690496544670142465" target="_blank" rel="noopener">defended</a> Reynolds, calling Trump&#8217;s criticism of her &#8220;totally out of bounds.&#8221;
NBC News <a href="https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/2024-election/trump-allies-urge-wake-call-lagging-iowa-campaign-operation-rcna103556" target="_blank" rel="noopener">reported</a> on Friday that numerous top Trump allies have sounded the alarm in recent weeks about the Trump Campaign&#8217;s efforts in Iowa, saying that the operation in the state was lagging behind where they believe it should be.
Donald Trump Jr. responded to the report by saying in statement: “As usual, this is 100% fake news, in what is likely the last breath from the dying Ron DeSanctimonious campaign.”

DeSantis Reynolds

DeSantis Sits In Crowd With Governor Reynolds At Iowa-Iowa State Game

Iowa

Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds generated news waves this weekend over three things that she said during an interview about the Republican Party&#8217;s presidential primary.
Reynolds — who is the <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/trump-lashes-out-at-iowa-governor-kim-reynolds">most powerful and influential</a> Republican in Iowa — was asked by Fox News host Shannon Bream about Trump &#8220;skip[ping] a lot of the big stuff&#8221; in the state and whether voters in Iowa are &#8220;giving him a pass&#8221; to skip having to show up and put in the work.
&#8220;No,&#8221; Reynolds said. &#8220;I think they still, they expect him to be here, they want to interact, they want to interact with all of the candidates. We had great turnout at the Fair Side Chats. I had a lot of Iowans, and people outside of the state, come up and just say, &#8216;thank you for doing that, it was a great opportunity to hear from the candidates.&#8217; And so, Iowans take it very seriously, they&#8217;re very knowledgable and they want to interact with the candidates.&#8221;
Bream noted that Reynold&#8217;s endorsement in the state is viewed as a &#8220;game changer&#8221; among the Republican presidential candidates and then she highlighted recent attacks that former President Donald Trump has made against Reynolds. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has <a href="https://twitter.com/DeSantisWarRoom/status/1690496544670142465">defended</a> Reynolds from the attacks.
Reynolds said that for now she is &#8220;remaining neutral&#8221; but she does not want to rule out making an endorsement because right now her focus is trying to  &#8220;encourage all of the candidates to come to Iowa.&#8221;
Reynolds <a href="https://twitter.com/SonofHas/status/1690380531739836418">responded</a> to attacks from the former president during an interview earlier this month after he tried to take credit for her becoming the state&#8217;s governor.
&#8220;It&#8217;s actually Iowans who made the decision to elect me in a really tough year,&#8221; she said. &#8220;2018 was not a good year for Republicans. I squeaked by.&#8221;
Reynolds was later asked about a report that some donors are trying to pressure Georgia Governor Brian Kemp or Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin to get into the race.
&#8220;I think we have a great field of candidates right now, and I think we don’t need more candidates in the field,&#8221; Reynolds said. &#8220;We probably need less.&#8221;
<iframe loading="lazy" title="Iowa gov. warns voters that America needs to get back to ‘basics’" width="500" height="281" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/QS4gwxR9l3c?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Former President Trump Holds Rally With Iowa Candidates In Sioux City

Reynolds: Voters Not Giving Trump A ‘Pass’ For Skipping Events; Need Fewer Candidates; Could Endorse

2024 Election

2024 Primaries

Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds slammed left-wing hecklers over the weekend for interrupting her talk with Florida Governor Ron DeSantis at the Iowa State Fair.
Reynolds&#8217; shot at the leftists happened during her &#8220;Fair-Side Chats&#8221; event where she talked with many of the presidential candidates. Former President Donald Trump refused to participate in the event even though he was invited to do so by Reynolds.
“Hey, you know what? We’re in Iowa! And in Iowa we’re ‘Iowa Nice.’ So let’s give everyone the opportunity to hear our candidates,” Reynolds said to the activists who were ringing a cowbell and blowing whistles. “So we’ll stop until you do, but we’re all are going to have an opportunity to hear from each and every candidate.”
Some videos of the incident that circulated on social media were deceptively altered with audio that made it seem like the agitators were Trump supporters who were chanting &#8220;we want Trump.&#8221;
WATCH:
<iframe loading="lazy" title="BREAKING NEWS: DeSantis Gets Heckled At Iowa State Fair, Then Kim Reynolds Fires Back" width="500" height="281" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/pNZ1UJgIsDc?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe>
Reporters who were at the event captured footage of the women who were causing the stir who were wearing t-shirts that said “B***hes Get Stuff Done” and “Be Gay Fund Abortion.”
Law enforcement later got involved and forcibly removed the agitators. &#8220;You can enjoy this affair or you can leave!&#8221; one officer yelled at the agitators. &#8220;We’re not going to do this!&#8221;
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DeSantis is on stage at the Iowa state fair — largest crowd of the candidates so far…including a few protesters who are ringing cowbells and blowing whistles: <a href="https://t.co/NcWSi9BwuS">pic.twitter.com/NcWSi9BwuS</a>
&mdash; Shelby Talcott (@ShelbyTalcott) <a href="https://twitter.com/ShelbyTalcott/status/1690386339244503040?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 12, 2023</a></blockquote>
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Reporter Marc Caputo noted that as the leftists tried to interrupt DeSantis, the event organizers just cranked up the sound system to further drown out their disruption.
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Armed with whistles and cowbells, a few liberal demonstrators (Tshirts: “Bitches Get Stuff Done” &amp; “Be Gay Fund Abortion”) aim to interrupt DeSantis at the Iowa State Fair
They just crank up the speakers <a href="https://t.co/Zeb3bwcDpX">pic.twitter.com/Zeb3bwcDpX</a>
&mdash; Marc Caputo (@MarcACaputo) <a href="https://twitter.com/MarcACaputo/status/1690386984575877120?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 12, 2023</a></blockquote>
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Iowa nice meets Iowa activism <a href="https://t.co/HNiIqRBhbZ">pic.twitter.com/HNiIqRBhbZ</a>
&mdash; Marc Caputo (@MarcACaputo) <a href="https://twitter.com/MarcACaputo/status/1690387363174678531?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 12, 2023</a></blockquote>
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Getting rowdy at the DeSantis chat with Kim Reynolds. This happened a few minutes ago, another skirmish happened and law enforcement removed some to the back of the event <a href="https://t.co/MCPFFVGfkk">pic.twitter.com/MCPFFVGfkk</a>
&mdash; Iowa Starting Line (@IAStartingLine) <a href="https://twitter.com/IAStartingLine/status/1690388898973708288?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 12, 2023</a></blockquote>
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Protesters who had been blowing whistles and ringing bells during DeSantis interview get removed. <a href="https://t.co/gtjdgoha3P">pic.twitter.com/gtjdgoha3P</a>
&mdash; David Weigel (@daveweigel) <a href="https://twitter.com/daveweigel/status/1690388743524327425?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 12, 2023</a></blockquote>
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Screenshot 2023-08-13 at 6.53.45 PM

Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds Blasts Leftist Protesters For Trying To Interrupt DeSantis During Event

U.S.

A district court judge temporarily blocked Iowa&#8217;s law banning abortions after six weeks of pregnancy just three days after Governor Kim Reynolds signed the legislation.
The <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/iowa-governor-signs-six-week-abortion-ban?fbclid=IwAR0eUH4ZRIXS040Fj4Q5nn8bK3srHz2GHZvySmDC1ULnHYmvTGrO-tZ_B3I" target="_blank" rel="noopener">measure</a>, which was challenged in court by abortion providers, aims to ban the procedure past when fetal cardiac activity can be detected, usually around six weeks of pregnancy, with exceptions for when the life of the mother is in danger and fetal abnormalities that would result in the baby&#8217;s death, rapes reported within 45 days, and incest reported within 140 days.
But Polk County District Court Judge Joseph Seidlin issued a temporary injunction on Monday blocking enforcement of the new abortion restrictions, making it legal again for pregnant women to terminate the life of an unborn child up to 20 weeks within the state.
&#8220;The court will grant the temporary injunction requested here. In doing so, it recognizes that there are good, honorable and intelligent people — morally, politically and legally — on both sides of this upsetting societal and constitutional dilemma,&#8221; Seidlin wrote, according to <a href="https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/iowa-judge-temporarily-blocks-6-week-abortion-ban-rcna94634" target="_blank" rel="noopener">NBC</a>. &#8220;Patience and perseverance are also hallmark traits on both sides, traits that continue to deserve respect.&#8221;
&#8220;The court believes it must follow current Iowa Supreme Court precedent and preserve the status quo ante while this litigation&#8221; moves forward, he added.
The bill emphasizes that the law is &#8220;not to be construed to impose civil or criminal liability on a woman upon whom an abortion is performed in violation of the division.&#8221; However, the bill allows Iowa&#8217;s Board of Medicine leeway on deciding any punishments for abortion providers who violate the law, a rule-making process that Sidling said could move forward while the legal challenge plays out, <a href="https://abc3340.com/news/nation-world/iowas-new-abortion-law-temporarily-blocked-by-judge-governor-kim-reynolds-judge-joseph-seidlin-injunction-cardiac-activity-ultrasound-roe-v-wade-fetal-abnormalities">per KGAN</a>.
Seidlin&#8217;s order comes after the ACLU of Iowa, Planned Parenthood North Central States, and the Emma Goldman Clinic filed a legal challenge last week before the legislation reached the governor&#8217;s desk.
During a hearing on Friday, representatives for the plaintiffs spoke in front of Seidlin, who <a href="https://apnews.com/article/iowa-six-weeks-abortion-ban-lawsuit-ad0bb52064d094b91f5efbc135ed4437" target="_blank" rel="noopener">reportedly</a> said he could not imagine &#8220;anything that would be more insulting to either side&#8221; than for him to &#8220;flippantly&#8221; rule from the bench.
Reynolds responded to the judge&#8217;s order on Monday, vowing to bring the fight to the Iowa Supreme Court.
&#8220;In their own words, the abortion industry stressed the need for a temporary injunction so they could continue with 200 scheduled abortions in the next two weeks,&#8221; Reynolds said in a <a href="https://governor.iowa.gov/press-release/2023-07-17/gov-reynolds-statement-injunction-heartbeat-law" target="_blank" rel="noopener">news release</a>. &#8220;While Life was protected for a few days, now even more innocent babies will be lost.&#8221;
&#8220;The abortion industry&#8217;s attempt to thwart the will of Iowans and the voices of their elected representatives continues today, but I will fight this all the way to the Iowa Supreme Court where we expect a decision that will finally provide justice for the unborn,&#8221; she added.
Iowa&#8217;s &#8220;heartbeat&#8221; law is the latest in a string of GOP-led state laws restricting abortion after the Supreme Court in June last year overturned Roe v. Wade, the landmark 1973 decision that made abortion legal nationwide.
Abortion is currently banned throughout varying stages of pregnancy in more than a dozen states, which have different exceptions depending on the state, and certain restrictions in other states are currently not in effect due to being stuck in court.
Mairead Elordi contributed to this report.

Iowa Approves New Six-Week Abortion Ban

Iowa Judge Temporarily Blocks Six-Week Abortion Ban Days After Gov. Reynolds Signed Legislation

Iowa Judge Temporarily Blocks New Six-Week Abortion Ban

Abortion

Roe v. Wade's Long And Brutal Legacy

Republican presidential candidate <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/ron-desantis">Ron DeSantis</a> told reporters over the weekend that he is considering Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds to be his vice presidential running mate.
DeSantis made the remarks after he touted the popular Iowa governor on Friday at a forum with Tucker Carlson.
&#8220;Governor, you have spent a lot of time with Governor Reynolds, you defended her after President Trump&#8217;s recent statements,&#8221; a reporter said to DeSantis at an event on Saturday. &#8220;Would you consider her as a potential vice presidential pick in this campaign?&#8221;
&#8220;Of course,&#8221; DeSantis responded. &#8220;I mean, she&#8217;s one of the top public servants in America, I though the attacks on her were totally, totally out of hand, and totally unnecessary.&#8221;
&#8220;We should be thanking good Republican office holders,&#8221; he continued. &#8220;You know, we kind of joke about the Iowa-Florida [competition], sometimes they do things before us, sometimes we do. But honestly, I want them to do better than us because it&#8217;s healthy. When Republicans are doing well, I like that, I don&#8217;t get jealous of that, I want to see them do well.&#8221;
&#8220;And so they&#8217;ve done a great job and I think she&#8217;s been a model public servant and anybody who&#8217;s a Republican that&#8217;s trying to denigrate her I think is way off base on that,&#8221; he concluded.
As DeSantis spoke, he was flanked by Sen. Joni Ernst (R-IA) who nodded in agreement with DeSantis&#8217; remarks.
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Gov. DeSantis tells <a href="https://twitter.com/CBSNews?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@CBSNews</a> he would “of course” consider choosing IA Gov. Kim Reynolds as his VP.
DeSantis and others defended Reynolds after Fmr. Pres. Trump called her out for not endorsing him.
DeSantis said any Republican “trying to denigrate her I think is way off base” <a href="https://t.co/nCuMlJHVPt">pic.twitter.com/nCuMlJHVPt</a>
&mdash; Musadiq Bidar (@Bidar411) <a href="https://twitter.com/Bidar411/status/1680313005563625472?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 15, 2023</a></blockquote>
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Republican Presidential Candidate Ron DeSantis Campaigns In Iowa

DeSantis Reveals A Republican Who He Is Considering For VP Pick

Come for Morning Wire’s Afternoon Update’s straight news, but stay for why it matters. The following six stories, and more, can be heard on today’s Morning Wire Afternoon Update podcast. <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/podcasts/morning-wire/biden-administration-appeal-twitter-threatens-legal-action-afternoon-update-7-6-23" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Click here to listen</a>. 
Chris Wray Shredded By Congress
FBI Director <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/christopher-wray">Christopher Wray</a> testified before Congress today, touching upon a number of subjects including the alleged FBI double standard toward the Biden family, the January 6 pipe bomb, and other matters. The hearing was the first time Wray testified on the Hill since Republicans took control of the House. <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/absolutely-not-fbi-director-wray-denies-agency-protecting-biden-family" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Read here</a>.
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Chris Wray doesn&#39;t want to answer questions about the pipe bomb found on January 6th outside the DNC.<a href="https://t.co/k5ukK5l0PY">pic.twitter.com/k5ukK5l0PY</a>
&mdash; Citizen Free Press (@CitizenFreePres) <a href="https://twitter.com/CitizenFreePres/status/1679142205418790913?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 12, 2023</a></blockquote>
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FBI Director Wray tells Rep. Matt Gaetz the FBI isn&#39;t protecting the Biden family, after he is asked about Hunter Biden texts messages, sitting next to his father. <a href="https://t.co/91wo6wTAYX">pic.twitter.com/91wo6wTAYX</a>
&mdash; Fred Lucas (@FredLucasWH) <a href="https://twitter.com/FredLucasWH/status/1679155222906535937?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 12, 2023</a></blockquote>
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Rapid Reaction: Since this was Wray&#8217;s first time before the GOP-controlled Congress, he was really put through the wringer.
While it seems evident that Wray was blustering his way through the hearing, it should be noted that he seemed flustered at various points — which is rare for Wray. He usually seems cool as a cucumber.
In short, he had no answer for a myriad of merited beliefs that the FBI, and the justice system at large, have a double standard toward ex-presidents, conservatives, Republicans, and anybody who threatens Democratic power.
But, as this author has covered extensively, hearings and fiery rhetoric do nothing to actually address the potential corruption. Where is the political muscle?
Well, the GOP flex of its power of the purse was the real lowlight of this. Congressman Jordan, chair of the Judiciary, went through a litany of problems — Hunter Biden&#8217;s laptop, infiltration of Catholic Churches, targeting of parents at school board meetings, and so much more.
&#8220;In a survey last fall, four out of five Americans said they believe there&#8217;s a two-tiered standard of justice in America today. They said that because there is,&#8221; he said during his spiel. &#8220;They said that because of what they&#8217;ve seen.&#8221;
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.<a href="https://twitter.com/Jim_Jordan?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Jim_Jordan</a>: &quot;Stop the weaponization of government against the American people and end this double standard that exists now in our justice system.&quot; <a href="https://t.co/UyUPBpgClQ">pic.twitter.com/UyUPBpgClQ</a>
&mdash; NEWSMAX (@NEWSMAX) <a href="https://twitter.com/NEWSMAX/status/1679158678501588992?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 12, 2023</a></blockquote>
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Given an assessment like that, you would think impeachments are coming down the pike. Instead, Jordan reiterated Republican opposition to FISA re-authorization and funding for new FBI headquarters.
And what&#8217;s the plan to get Democrats to join them? Well, he didn&#8217;t go into too much detail, other than to express his &#8220;hope&#8221; that the Democratic Party will join them.
Hope is not a strategy, Congressman.
China Hacks U.S. Agencies, Microsoft
Microsoft and U.S. national security officials <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2023/07/11/us/politics/china-hack-us-government-microsoft.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">announced</a> on Wednesday that the Chinese Communist Party hacked into Microsoft email accounts belonging to the U.S. State Department and dozens of other U.S. and European government agencies. Senator Mark Warner, chair of the Select Committee on Intelligence, said Wednesday, “The Senate Intelligence Committee is closely monitoring what appears to be a significant cybersecurity breach by Chinese intelligence.&#8221; Warner added that it’s &#8220;clear&#8221; that China &#8220;is steadily improving its cyber collection capabilities directed against the U.S. and our allies.&#8221;
He vowed that the private sector and government would work together on this threat.
Rapid Reaction: In 2021, <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/biden-china-going-to-eat-our-lunch-2019-candidate-biden-eat-our-lunch-cmon-man" target="_blank" rel="noopener">President Joe Biden</a> said that China wouldn&#8217;t eat our lunch. That was sort of true. It would appear the Chinese Communist Party&#8217;s eating our breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
And yet, in the skies with spy balloons, on the ground with fentanyl, in our phones with TikTok, and now in government emails, China is doing what it wants, when it wants while feckless U.S. leaders literally bow down to the CCP. Pathetic.
California Blocks Bill That Would Protect Kids
This week, the California Assembly’s Public Safety Committee blocked a bill that would have made human trafficking of a minor a serious felony. The bill <a href="https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billTextClient.xhtml?bill_id=202320240SB14">noted</a> that “California consistently ranks number one in the nation in the number of human trafficking cases reported to the National Human Trafficking Hotline,” and “Human trafficking is among the world’s fastest-growing criminal enterprises and is estimated to be a $150,000,000,000 a year global industry.” The bill would have made human trafficking of a minor subject to California’s Three Strikes Law, and thus someone convicted twice could be sentenced to life in prison. <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/youre-horrible-california-assembly-blocks-bill-making-trafficking-of-minors-a-serious-felony" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Read here.</a>
Rapid Reaction: These people are sick, and Fox News&#8217; Steve Hilton said, &#8220;not fit to hold public office.&#8221;
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California Democrats have lurched so far to the extremist left that they just voted down a Bill to make human trafficking of children a &quot;serious&quot; crime.
These people are not fit to hold public office. Time for change. ✊
&mdash; steve hilton (@SteveHiltonx) <a href="https://twitter.com/SteveHiltonx/status/1678882274560069633?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 11, 2023</a></blockquote>
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Indeed, this bill presents quite the contrast with red states like Florida. 
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis (R) &#8220;just signed legislation that imposes tougher penalties for human trafficking,&#8221; DeSantis press secretary Jeremy Redfern said. &#8220;For instance, adult entertainment establishments that exploit minors went from a first-degree misdemeanor to a third-degree felony.&#8221;
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.<a href="https://twitter.com/GovRonDeSantis?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@GovRonDeSantis</a> just signed legislation that imposes tougher penalties for human trafficking. For instance, adult entertainment establishments that exploit minors went from a first-degree misdemeanor to a third-degree felony.
Meanwhile, in <a href="https://twitter.com/GavinNewsom?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@GavinNewsom</a>’s California: <a href="https://t.co/QAAfkIuEwW">https://t.co/QAAfkIuEwW</a>
&mdash; Jeremy Redfern (@JeremyRedfernFL) <a href="https://twitter.com/JeremyRedfernFL/status/1678839610342776832?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 11, 2023</a></blockquote>
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GOP Signs Pro-Life Iowa Heartbeat Law
<a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/iowa">Iowa</a> lawmakers passed a bill on Tuesday banning most <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/abortion">abortions</a> when an unborn child’s heartbeat can be detected, usually around six weeks into the pregnancy. 
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“Vote them out! Vote them out!” crowd chanted at rally for reproductive rights in Iowa. Republicans poised to pass near-total abortion ban later today. <a href="https://t.co/SCQz9ZHIEv">pic.twitter.com/SCQz9ZHIEv</a>
&mdash; Bleeding Heartland (@LauraRBelin) <a href="https://twitter.com/LauraRBelin/status/1678810779410104321?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 11, 2023</a></blockquote>
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Republican Governor <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/kim-reynolds">Kim Reynolds</a> called a special session to address abortion after the Iowa Supreme Court <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/iowa-supreme-court-upholds-ruling-blocking-6-week-abortion-ban">blocked</a> the state’s 2018 Heartbeat Act last month – and will now sign the bill on Friday.
Rapid Reaction: It&#8217;s amazing what Republican governors can do when they actually wield the authority given to them. The <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/nebraska-dems-cry-shriek-with-joy-after-killing-babies-in-womb-remains-legal-in-cornhusker-state" target="_blank" rel="noopener">shrieking banshees</a> of the Left may be upset they can&#8217;t kill children once a heartbeat is present, but this is a great day for all Americans.
To listen to the audio version of Afternoon Update, <a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/morning-wire/id1576594336" target="_blank" rel="noopener">click here</a>. And for more in-depth discussion of the biggest stories of the day, listen to the latest full episode of Morning Wire every morning.

Christopher Wray

The Rundown: Congress Shreds FBI Chief, But What’s The GOP’s End Goal? Plus, China Hacks U.S. Agencies, Microsoft

The Rundown: Congress Shreds FBI Chief, But What's The GOP's End Goal? Plus, China Hacks U.S. Agencies, Microsoft

Congress

House Republicans

<a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/iowa" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Iowa</a> lawmakers passed a bill on Tuesday banning most <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/abortion" target="_blank" rel="noopener">abortions</a> when an unborn child’s heartbeat can be detected, usually around six weeks into the pregnancy. 
The bill was passed after Republican Governor <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/kim-reynolds" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Kim Reynolds</a> called a special session to address abortion after the Iowa Supreme Court <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/iowa-supreme-court-upholds-ruling-blocking-6-week-abortion-ban">blocked</a> the state’s 2018 Heartbeat Act last month. Reynold’s said she would sign the bill on Friday. 
“The Iowa Supreme Court questioned whether this legislature would pass the same law they did in 2018, and today they have a clear answer. The voices of Iowans and their democratically elected representatives cannot be ignored any longer, and justice for the unborn should not be delayed,” she said in a <a href="https://governor.iowa.gov/press-release/2023-07-11/gov-reynolds-statement-special-session-protect-life" target="_blank" rel="noopener">statement</a>. 
The bill contains several exceptions, including in cases of rape or incest. 
“As a pro-life Governor, I am also committed to continuing policies to support women in planning for motherhood, promote the importance of fatherhood, and encourage strong families. Our state and country will be stronger because of it,” Reynolds said. 
The bill passed 56-34 in the House and 32-17 in the Senate. It was widely supported by Republicans and opposed by Democrats. 
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“This bill ensures all life is protected when a heartbeat is detected,” Republican state Sen. Amy Sinclair said during a discussion on the legislation, <a href="https://iowacapitaldispatch.com/2023/07/11/hundreds-gather-at-capitol-for-abortion-special-session/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">according</a> to the Iowa Capital Dispatch. “The child in her mother’s womb has her own heartbeat, her own DNA. She’s a baby, and she deserves the same protections as any other baby in the state.”
The bill was passed amidst heated debate among the legislature and protests inside the Capitol. 
“Senator Sinclair, don’t piss down my back and tell me it’s raining,” Democratic Senator Liz Bennett said, leading presiding Senator Brad Zaun to call for decorum. 
Pro-abortion protesters showed up in force, chanting and yelling at Iowa lawmakers, video shows. 
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Tensions are rising at the Iowa Capitol. Loud, profane outburst from abortion rights demonstrators after House Health and Human Services Committee votes 14-6 on party lines to advance six-week abortion ban to the House floor. <a href="https://t.co/7kXlsQmZIe">pic.twitter.com/7kXlsQmZIe</a>
&mdash; Tom Barton (@tjbarton83) <a href="https://twitter.com/tjbarton83/status/1678842456509480960?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 11, 2023</a></blockquote>
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Another video captured from the Capitol showed a verbal <a href="https://www.desmoinesregister.com/videos/news/politics/2023/07/12/pella-pastor-michael-shover-confronts-protesters-iowa-capitol-special-session-abortion-bill-debate/12241453002/#:~:text=0%3A49-,Pastor%20confronts%20protesters%20at%20Iowa%20Capitol%20during%20abortion%20bill%20debate,%22%20on%20July%2011%2C%202023." target="_blank" rel="noopener">confrontation</a> between Michael Shover, a pastor at a church in Pella, Iowa, who said the pro-abortion protesters &#8220;have no standard of right and wrong.” A state trooper intervened as a woman who supports abortion rights waved a sign in Shover&#8217;s face. 
The state Supreme Court previously struck down the 2018 Heartbeat Bill, saying that it was enacted with no chance of being implemented under Roe v. Wade and that the legislature would need to pass the law again for it to have force.

Kosovan President Vjosa Osmani – Governor of Iowa Kim Reynolds

Iowa Passes Special Session Heartbeat Bill Amid Raucous Protests At Capitol

Social Issues

Former President Donald Trump lashed out at popular Iowa GOP Governor Kim Reynolds on Monday for not endorsing him, snapping, “I don’t invite her to events!”
Trump visited Iowa on Friday; Reynolds did not attend, and an aide to Reynolds <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2023/07/08/us/politics/trump-desantis-iowa-governor.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">reportedly said</a> she was not invited. Although Reynolds has publicly praised Trump’s chief rival for the 2024 GOP presidential nomination, Florida GOP Governor Ron DeSantis, she has not endorsed any candidate as yet.
“I&#8217;m not going to tell Iowans what to do,” Reynolds <a href="https://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/news/elections/presidential/caucus/2023/02/15/iowa-gov-kim-reynolds-questions-ahead-caucus-2024-presidential-candidates/69900605007/">said</a> of the 2024 campaign. “They&#8217;re very good at this process. They&#8217;re sizing up the candidate.”
“I opened up the Governor position for Kim Reynolds, &amp; when she fell behind, I ENDORSED her, did big Rallies, &amp; she won,” Trump <a href="https://truthsocial.com/@realDonaldTrump/posts/110690659780399869" target="_blank" rel="noopener">wrote</a> on Truth Social. “Now, she wants to remain ‘NEUTRAL.’ I don’t invite her to events!”
Reynolds rose to her position by succeeding Governor Terry Branstad, whom Trump appointed as Ambassador to China in 2017.
“There is no politician in Iowa with greater sway than Ms. Reynolds, 63, who has overseen her party’s swelling state legislative majorities with an approval rating among Republicans <a href="https://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/news/politics/iowa-poll/2023/03/26/iowa-poll-kim-reynolds-approval-rating-decreases-amid-polarizing-education-transgender-bills/69982746007/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">near 90 percent</a>,” The New York Times noted.
Reynolds won her second straight victory as governor in 2022 in a landslide. Last June, Trump referred to her first victory in 2018, telling an Iowa crowd, “I hate to say it, without me, you know, she was not going to win, you know that, right?” The New York Times reported that Reynolds “reacted with disbelief to his comment that she owed him her governorship.”
Still, after Trump was indicted by the Biden DOJ last month, Reynolds blasted the Biden administration, <a href="https://governor.iowa.gov/press-release/2023-06-09/gov-reynolds-statement-doj-indictment-president-trump" target="_blank" rel="noopener">stating</a>, “The federal indictment of former President Trump represents a grave warning sign for the state of equal justice and public trust in government institutions in this country. &#8230; the Biden administration’s weaponization of the Justice Department will diminish Americans’ confidence in law enforcement institutions for decades to come.”
In recent weeks, Reynolds has spoken positively of DeSantis, stating, “He proudly signed a law that makes it illegal to stop a baby’s beating heart — the same heartbeat bill that I was proud to sign.&#8221; Last Thursday, as DeSantis’s wife Casey launched her nationwide “Mamas for DeSantis” campaign, Reynolds did a public interview with her.

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis Holds Campaign Kickoff Event

Trump Lashes Out At Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds

Casey DeSantis

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