Good Morning DC,
How long before Rep. Dean Phillips finds himself tangled in the web of political attacks? Ah, the golden rule of the nation’s capital – one mustn’t become a target until they’ve gained enough national relevance to pull the votes from Joe Biden.
Phillips, unlike a certain Kennedy, has managed to steer clear of controversy thus far. However, his decision to remove DEI also known as “Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion” from his website is already gaining media attention.
Enter Bill Ackman, a leading DEI critic, taking on the role of “Equity & Restorative Justice” educator as he seemingly imparts lessons on Phillips.
According to Ackman, Phillips was “getting educated as we speak.”
Enter the question of donor influence.
“Nobody buys me. If a donor came to me and told me to do something, I would tell the donor to go pound sand,” Phillips defended his stance on CNN.
“I have been learning from so many people over the last two months about a lot of things I wasn’t aware of. Mr. Ackman is one of them, one of thousands of people that have shared perspective — he has not asked me, told me, informed me to do anything at all,” Phillips clarified.
Why the change and innovation is not welcomed in DC policy circles?
Same old, same old.
Let’s get you caught up with the news of the day.
THE WHITE HOUSE
President Biden will be in Raleigh, North Carolina today giving a speech on Bidenomics. He will announce $82 million in new investments to connect an additional 16,000 North Carolina homes and businesses to high-speed internet.
2024 ELECTION
Trump held a rally last night in Portsmouth, New Hampshire. He spoke again about 23% national sales tax Haley and DeSantis support which he believes makes them both “unelectable.”
Trump said that he feels “better now” than he was thirty years ago. He mocked Biden’s cognitive abilities and for struggling to “find the stairs off the podium.” Trump expressed doubt in Biden’s leadership skills, suggesting that he “could not be trusted” even with managing a lemonade stand, and “he’s running the country.”
Former President Donald Trump spoke about attending the funeral of Melania’s mother in Palm Beach on Thursday. He expressed fond sentiments, noting that Melania’s late mother took exceptional care of their son Barron, stating, “Nobody took care of Barron better than she did.”
Nikki Haley caused the cancellation of the ABC Republican debate, as she refused to participate unless Trump was present. Why would Nikki deny herself the opportunity for free media exposure on a national level and the chance to sway independents in her direction ahead of New Hampshire?
DeSantis has no plans of pulling out and is now heavily focusing on South Carolina.
ON THE HILL
Every time Congressional leaders visit the White House to discuss matters with Biden, they emerge in good spirits and express sentiments of bipartisanship.
The discussion on a supplemental package that would address border security and provide security assistance to Israel, Taiwan, and Ukraine appears promising, yet, as Hakeem Jeffries pointed out, no firm commitments were made. The primary focus of the meeting at the White House was support for Ukraine in pushing against Russian agression.
“We had a productive meeting with House and Senate leaders. The President was very forthright,” said Speaker Mike Johnson.
“We’ve documented 64 instances where the President took executive action, or his agencies took action, to create the current catastrophe that we have at the border. It is a national security and a humanitarian catastrophe, and I articulated that to the President in the meeting,” added Johnson.
House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Michael McCaul joined Speaker Johnson in telling Biden that “any package absolutely must include my bill that reinstates Remain in Mexico.”
GLOBAL AFFAIRS
The United States has carried out another round of ship and submarine launched missile strikes against Houthi in Yemen.
THE BALKAN VOICE NEWSLETTER
We are excited to introduce The Balkan Voice, your essential newsletter covering US-Western Balkans relations.
The Balkan Voice provides an insider’s perspective on US policy toward the Western Balkans, featuring weekly coverage, State Department briefings, exclusive interviews, and more.
Pakistan conducted airstrikes in Iran this morning after Tehran launched missiles into a border province in Pakistan.
Across the pond, Rishi Sunak has survived a Conservative rebellion over Rwanda bill.
In Davos, David Cameron met with Argentina’s President, but they agreed to disagree over the sovereignty of the Falkland Islands.
And that’s a wrap for this Thursday morning January 18, 2024. Good Morning DC will be back tomorrow to provide you with a front-row seat to the ever-evolving landscape of American politics under President Joe Biden.
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