(CBrief) – House Speaker Nancy Pelosi was apparently very involved in the security for the Capitol prior to the incident prior to the certification of the 2020 presidential election. Text messages and emails reveal that the Speaker’s office had regular meetings about the security detail for January 6, 2021, the Daily Wire reported.

The report said that the Speaker’s office “helped edit authorities’ plans, and turned down several requests from federal law enforcement needed to protect the United States Capitol on January 6, 2021.

“Reps. Jim Banks (R-IN), Rodney Davis (R-IL), Troy Nehls (R-TX), Jim Jordan (R-OH), and Kelly Armstrong (R-ND) independently published a 141-page investigative report on Wednesday outlining what they describe as House Democratic leadership and Capitol authorities’ failures that left the complex vulnerable,” it said.

“Democrats and the Jan. 6 Committee used the Capitol Police as a political prop, then did nothing when USCP officers were harassed for telling the truth. They should be ashamed,” Rep. Banks, who led the investigation after he was banned from participating in the January 6 Select Committee, said to The Federalist.

Republicans showed how the Speaker’s office coordinated with law enforcement prior to the incident and how Democrats were concerned about the optics of increased police and National Guard presence.

“I have no power over the Capitol Police. Does anybody not know that? The Capitol Police have responded to that gentleman’s allegation, and that stands as what it is. But I have no power over the police,” she said in February.

“This is false,” Republicans said as they said that their investigation and witnesses showed how “then-House Sergeant of Arms Paul Irving carried out his duties in clear deference to the Speaker, her staff, and other Democratic staff.”

“The [House sergeant at arms] had a pattern of and practice of seeking and obtaining permission from the Speaker for all security decisions,” Republicans said.

“Staff within the House Sergeant at Arms office emailed Paul Irving that January 6th was Pelosi’s fault,” Republicans said.

The Federalist reported.

While officers were denied reinforcements from the National Guard until the Capitol was already under siege, the same officers left to defend the complex were practically defenseless. One unnamed officer told Republican investigators he or she was left to defend lawmakers with nothing but a baseball cap after leadership gave 15-year-old gear to new recruits.

A Department of Justice memo included in a June Judicial Watch lawsuit revealed that on Jan. 6, Capitol Police operated with “less than half” of what’s “usually assigned” for the House’s “normal staffing for a joint session.”

According to the GOP report, Capitol Police are still operating on a slim staff, more than 100 officers short of the authorized cap of 2,072.

Citing an agency inspector general report, Republican investigators noted that officers fought to protect the Capitol on Jan. 6 with expired munitions and compromised equipment. For example, “officers witness riot shields shattering on impact.”

It comes on the same week she sent a letter to Congress in which she requested that they all be present in person on Wednesday for a “very special session.”

“As you know, tomorrow we are scheduled to resume session to complete our business for the year. I am following up on the Leader’s notice of the schedule by encouraging all Members to be physically present at our session Wednesday night. We are ending a very special session of the 117th Congress with legislation that makes progress for the American people as well as support for our Democracy. Please be present for a very special focus on Democracy Wednesday night,” Pelosi said.

On Wednesday, she shared a letter that she sent to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in which she invited him to come to Congress.

“Dear Mr. President,” she said to begin the correspondence. It is with immense respect and admiration for your extraordinary leadership that I extend on behalf of bipartisan Congressional leadership an invitation to address a Joint Meeting of Congress on Wednesday, December 21, 2022. America and the world are in awe of the heroism of the Ukrainian people. In the face of Putin’s horrific atrocities, Ukrainian freedom fighters have inspired the world with an iron will and an unbreakable spirit — fighting back against Russia’s brutal, unjustified invasion,” Pelosi said.

“During this dark moment, your courageous, patriotic, indefatigable leadership has rallied not only your people, but the world, to join the frontlines of the fight for freedom. America and our allies have proudly answered your call: imposing devastating sanctions on Putin and ensuring Ukraine has the resources it needs to win this war. And it was a privilege to hear from you and from Speaker Stefanchuk at the First Parliamentary Summit of the International Crimea Platform about how the importance of the free world’s unshakable solidarity with Ukraine,” she said.

“The fight for Ukraine is the fight for democracy itself. We look forward to hearing your inspiring message of unity, resilience, and determination. Thank you for your leadership and consideration of this request,” she added.

conservativebrief.com/jan-security-69365/

From Next News Network:

New Yorkers were stunned this week when a photo surfaced of New York City Mayor Eric Adams doing the unthinkable during a holiday party despite warning citizens to submit themselves to fear in an effort to combat the ‘tripledemic.’

Top Comment:

“It’s time to consider a new mayor!!”

(CBrief) – Two-time Georgia Democratic gubernatorial candidate Stacey Abrams, who lost twice to GOP Gov. Brian Kemp in 2018 and in November, has a debt problem on her hands, according to a Tuesday report.

The Daily Wire noted that after raising north of $100 million for her latest race, Abrams’ campaign is in debt and still owes vendors. Her two-time campaign manager, Lauren Groh-Wargo, told Axios the campaign owes more than $1 million after Abrams lost to Kemp by nearly 300,000 votes.

“We did not just lose, we got blown out,” Groh-Wargo told the news outlet. “It was the most sub-optimal situation to be in. And we will be dealing with that situation for some time.”

The Daily Wire noted further:

Although Groh-Wargo said a “cavalcade of negative press and negative polling” was a burden on fundraising in the final stretch, Abrams had outraised Kemp via her campaign and leadership committee, One Georgia, with a total of $105.3 million through October 25, according to finance reports cited by GPB. Kemp, through his campaign and leadership committee, Georgians First, raised $81.5 million up to that point in time.

The GBP report said the total amount raised between the two sides broke the previous record. Together they raised four times the amount Abrams and Kemp did when they first faced off in 2018. Financial disclosures for the final quarter of this year are due next month.

After losing to Kemp four years ago by a much smaller margin, Abrams, a former Georgia House member, was seen as a rising Democratic Party star. She even touted herself to be “an excellent running mate” to then-presidential candidate Joe Biden during his 2020 campaign. She was often criticized, however, by Republicans and conservative media outlets for refusing to concede to Kemp following her 2018 loss.

A former staffer on Abrams’ campaign told 11Alive that most of the 2022 team of about 180 staffers got their final paychecks on Nov. 15, or about a week after she lost. The person noted that health benefits ran through the entire month, however, and the campaign’s human resources personnel helped former staffers find new jobs. Axios reported that, by comparison, Kemp’s campaign staff were paid through November and also got bonuses.

“If we had ended the campaign with enough money to pay staff through January, and we lost — I think there would be pieces coming out about why does [the campaign] have like $2 million in bank,” the former staffer told 11Alive. “I think the campaign was as transparent about things as it possibly could be.”

But another former Abrams staffer was not quite as forgiving. ​​“I figured, $100 million? They should be able to pay me until December,” the person told Axios.

After conceding to Kemp last month, Abrams vowed to continue in politics nonetheless.

“Tonight, I am doing clearly what is the responsible thing, I am suspending my campaign for governor,” the candidate said. “I may no longer be seeking the office of governor, but I will never stop doing everything in my power to make sure the people in Georgia have a voice.”

“While I may have not crossed the finish line, that doesn’t mean that I won’t stop running for a better Georgia,” the Democrat said.

“Even though my fight — our fight — for the governor’s mansion came up short, I’m pretty tall,” she added.

As for Kemp, he managed to score big with voters and with endorsements.

“No one in Georgia’s history has done more to create jobs, cut taxes, restore sanity to your schools, put criminals behind bars, protect the unborn, and secure all the God-given liberties enshrined in the Constitution of the United States than Gov. Brian Kemp,” former Vice President Mike Pence told a crowd in Georgia ahead of the election.

“We’ve been doing good in this day because we have been saying no to Stacey Abrams,” Kemp added at the same event. “We were listening to you, and because we’ve done that, we’ve got an incredible economy. We’ve got the most people ever working in the history of the state, the lowest unemployment rate in the history of the state.”

conservativebrief.com/abrams-debt-69318/

From Next News Network:

We Love Trump reports, the Twitter spat between AOC and Elon Musk continues to heat up as the two powerful figures take a savage swing at each other. Hours after a random Antifa operative stalked Musk’s son, AOC took a pointed jab at Musk by reminding him of his public status and advising him to lay off.

Top Comment:

“Musk is a Hero. Aoc is a Zero!”

(SNews) – President Donald Trump has fired back at Rep. Liz Cheney (R-WY) after the outgoing Wyoming congresswoman trashed him during a Jan. 6 Committee hearing.

The Jan 6 Committee had its last public hearing on Monday.

During the hearing, the Committee’s Democrat and anti-Trump Republican members voted to officially refer the 45th president to the Department of Justice for criminal prosecution.

Cheney said: “Among the most shameful of this committee’s findings was that President Trump sat in the dining room off the Oval Office watching the violent riot at the Capitol on television.

“For hours, he would not issue a public statement instructing his supporters to disperse and leave the Capitol, despite urgent pleas from his White House staff and dozens of others to do so.

“Members of his family, his White House lawyers, virtually all those around him knew that this simple act was critical.

“No man who would behave that way, at that moment in time, can ever serve in any position of authority in our nation again.

“He is unfit for any office.”

"No man who would behave that way, at that moment in time, can ever serve in any position of authority in our nation again," Jan. 6 committee Vice Chair Rep. Liz Cheney says of former President Trump.

"He is unfit for any office." pic.twitter.com/OTSMZueCxz

— CBS News (@CBSNews) December 19, 2022

Trump fired back on Truth Social, reminding Cheney about her epic reelection loss:

“But Liz Cheney lost by a record 40 points!”

“We propose to the committee advancing referrals where the gravity of the specific offense, the severity of its actual harm, and the centrality of the offender to the overall design of the unlawful scheme to overthrow the election, compel us to speak,” Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-MD) said.

“Ours is not a system of justice where foot soldiers go to jail and the masterminds and ringleaders get a free pass.

“Even if it were true that President Trump genuinely believed the election was stolen, this is no defense.

“No president can ignore the courts and purposely violate the law no matter what supposed ‘justification’ he or she presents.”

“There should be no question that Section 1001 applies here,” the committee wrote.

“The false electoral slates were provided both to the Executive Branch (the National Archives) and the Legislative Branch.”

“The statute applies to ‘any matter within the jurisdiction of the executive, legislative, or judicial branch of the Government of the United States.’

“It is well established that false statements to Congress can constitute violations of Section 1001.”

slaynews.com/news/trump-fires-back-at-liz-cheney-knocks-her-off-high-horse-liz-cheney-lost-by-a-record-40-points/

From Next News Network:

According to a monthly LendingClub report cited by CNBC, 63% of Americans lived paycheck to paycheck in November, up from 60% the previous month and near the March high of 64%. LendingClub found that even high-income earners are under pressure. More than half of those earning more than six figures reported living paycheck to paycheck, up from 43% last month.

Top Comment:

“1 year ago I paid 2.50 for 3doz eggs yesterday I paid 10.50 for 3doz eggs . I’m sure glad Biden knows there is no inflation.”

(CBrief) – The new boss of CNN, Chris Licht, appears to have gotten fed up with criticisms from “the left” of his reforms at the struggling cable news outlet and has now responded to liberals who are taking issue with his latest programming moves.

After being named the network’s CEO in February, Licht has moved to remake the news company by getting rid of its failed online streaming service CNN+ and dismissing several of the network’s prominent hosts and personalities in an attempt to make coverage less biased toward the left. In an interview with The New York Times, Licht said he wants the network to host a “rational conversation about polarizing issues.”

Interestingly, he said, he has gotten the loudest criticism — “uniformed vitriol,” as he called it — from left-wing figures, which is the audience that CNN catered to for years under previous leadership.

“The uninformed vitriol, especially from the left, has been stunning,” Licht told the Times. “Which proves my point: so much of what passes for news is name-calling, half-truths, and desperation.”

CNN's Chris Licht slams 'uninformed' critics attacking him for making network less partisan https://t.co/OtdEvBcXs4

— Daily Mail US (@DailyMail) December 19, 2022

The Daily Wire noted:

In his short tenure, Licht has let go of high-profile journalists, columnists, and contributors such as Brian Stelter, John Harwood, Jeffrey Toobin, and Chris Cillizza. Licht has also attempted to balance some of the network’s left-wing slant by bringing on Stephen Gutowski, founder of the firearms reporting site The Reload, as a contributor.

Licht has also moved around some of CNN’s lineup. He moved host Don Lemon out of a prime-time slot and into a morning show with two other cohosts. Licht attempted to move host Jake Tapper into former host Chris Cuomo’s prime-time slot, but Tapper’s tenure there proved to be short lived. Cuomo had been let go by the network months earlier, after an internal investigation reportedly concluded that the host had inappropriately attempted to help his brother, Andrew Cuomo, as the former New York governor was mired in scandal.

conservativebrief.com/cnn-boss-69273/

From Next News Network:

The Washington Free Beacon Reports, Governor Kate Brown is under fire from the families of Oregon’s 17 death row inmates victims for commuting their sentences. One of the victim’s family members Sue Shirley, who’s parents were both murdered in 1988 stated “ I’m horrified and outraged and I don’t know what this means. … Will true life be true life? All I know is that we never get to have a say.”

Top Comment:

“Insanity!”

(CBrief) – Democrats are getting desperate to keep former President Donald Trump from becoming president again.

They have introduced legislation that has virtually no chance of passing that would bar him from the presidency again.

“Donald Trump very clearly engaged in an insurrection on January 6, 2021 with the intention of overturning the lawful and fair results of the 2020 election,” Rhode Island Democrat Rep. David Cicilline, the main sponsor of the legislation, said. “You don’t get to lead a government you tried to destroy.”

“Even Mitch McConnell admits that Trump bears responsibility, saying on the Senate floor that ‘[t]here’s no question, none, that President Trump is practically and morally responsible for provoking the events of the day,’” he said. “The 14th Amendment makes clear that based on his past behavior, Donald Trump is disqualified from ever holding federal office again and, under Section 5, Congress has the power to pass legislation to implement this prohibition.”

Salon reported.

Section 3 of the 14th Amendment bars from federal office anyone who, “having previously taken an oath, as a member of Congress, or as an officer of the United States, or as a member of any state legislature, or as an executive or judicial officer of any state, to support the Constitution of the United States, shall have engaged in insurrection or rebellion against the same, or given aid or comfort to the enemies thereof.”

Section 5 states that “Congress shall have power to enforce, by appropriate legislation, the provisions of this article.”

Cicilline introduced the new bill with the original backing of 40 House Democrats, including Reps. Jamaal Bowman, D-N.Y., Pramila Jayapal, D-Wash., Rashida Tlaib, D-Mich., and Barbara Lee, D-Calif.

Outgoing House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer yucked it up and trashed former President Donald Trump during a meal and interview with CNN that was broadcast this week.

CNN’s Jamie Gangel sat down with the two Democrats at the Chinese restaurant Hunan Dynasty in Washington, D.C., for what she billed as a “first-ever joint interview” with the two top Democrats.

“I want to talk about how the two of you navigated working with former President Trump,” Gangel said at one point.

“We had a good time,” Schumer responded with a sarcastic chuckle.

Gangel then noted that Pelosi “got under” Trump’s skin, which happened frequently.

“Was there a strategy when you went into a meeting?” Gangel asked. “Was there a good cop/bad cop?”

While picking food out of her teeth with her tongue, Pelosi criticized Trump’s inaugural comments.

“So I’m thinking, ‘How is he going to begin?’” Pelosi noted. “Is he going to quote the Constitution, American history, [a] poet, the Bible?” She then attempted to mock the former president by lowering her head and her hands, as if speaking at a podium.

“‘You know, I won the popular vote,’” she said, mimicking Trump. “And I said, ‘Mr. President, that’s just not true.”

“We sort of set him up, instinctively. We didn’t plan this,” Schumer said in reference to the first government shutdown that took place under Trump’s watch.“Chuck was masterful,” Pelosi remarked. “He was masterful.”

“She set him up so I could go in for the kill,” Schumer added.

“He’s talking to [Trump] about the government shutdown and about the immigrants and the rest,” Pelosi said. “And he says, ‘I take ownership.’”

Schumer added: “So I said, ‘Mr. President, will you own the shutdown?’”

“‘Yes,” Trump replied, “I will.’”

conservativebrief.com/desperate-69239/

From Next News Network:

Fox News reports, Despite concerns about her mental health, Senator Dianne Feinstein will serve the remainder of her term. Senator Feinstein, 89, has been in the Senate for roughly 30 years. Her mental health has recently been questioned, including an allegedly failing memory.

Top Comment:

“Term limits should be on the ballot”