Trump news - live: Trump promises ‘monster’ 2024 on Jan 6 anniversary

Donald Trump poked fun at the idea of him becoming the next House speaker after the vote chaos continued with Matt Gaetz nominating the former president for the role.

On Thursday, Mr Gaetz cast his vote in favour of Mr Trump – in his latest attempt to derail Kevin McCarthy’s bid.

Hours later, Mr Trump responded by posting a photo on Truth Social of himself superimposed into the House speaker chair alongside President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris.

The joke came the same day that the former president was sued by the long-term partner of Capitol Police Officer Brian Sicknick, who died one day after the January 6 Capitol riot.

Sicknick, 42, died after suffering two strokes in the aftermath of the attack. The wrongful death lawsuit names Mr Trump and two rioters accused of assaulting the officer, saying that the events “played a role in his condition”.

On Friday morning, on the anniversary of the violent attack on Congress, the former president said “good things” are happening for the GOP and promised a “monster” 2024, adding to a campaign post on Thursday in which he vowed to wage war on drug cartels and human traffickers if reelected.

Key Points

• Trump says ‘good things’ happening for GOP and promises ‘monster’ 2024 on Jan 6 anniversary

• Trump can’t convince Boebert and Gaetz to drop opposition to McCarthy

• Donald Trump peddles conspiracy about Georgia election worker

• Hope Hicks: Trump made us ‘all look like domestic terrorists'

• Trump vows to wage war on drug cartels

Voices: As a Reverend, I cannot ignore the influence of Christian nationalism in the January 6 attack

16:30 , Oliver O'Connell

Reverend Paul Brandeis Raushenbush writes:

We have not, however, fully reckoned with one of the most potent forces that animated the insurrectionists: Christian nationalism. A dangerous political movement that conflates American identity with an exclusive form of religious identity, Christian nationalism upends our constitution’s promise of secular democracy by fusing elements of white supremacy, nativism, patriarchy, authoritarianism. Its adherents are blinded by the belief that they enjoy special favor by God and seek to establish nothing less than a theocracy – at any cost.

Read on:

As a Reverend, I cannot ignore the Christian nationalism in the January 6 attack

16:23 , Oliver O'Connell

Here’s Lucas Kunce’s campaign ad as he tries to unseat Josh Hawley:

On Jan 6 anniversary, challenge of Senator Hawley announced

16:00 , Oliver O'Connell

Two years to the day since US Sen Josh Hawley‘s now-famous raised-fist salute to rioters at the US Capitol, a Marine veteran who ran unsuccessfully for Senate in 2022 announced Friday that he’ll try to unseat Hawley in 2024.

Lucas Kunce, 40, served 13 years in the Marines. A video released by his campaign shows the photo of Hawley with his fist raised on January 6, 2021 — a photo that drew strong criticism from some, but also appears on coffee mugs that the senator sells. Kunce’s video shows security camera footage of Hawley running through the Capitol hallway in the chaotic aftermath of the attack.

“I swear, this coward’s always running from something,” Kunce says in the video. “When things get tough, Missourians deserve a US senator who will stand up for them, not run away.”

Read more:

On Capitol attack anniversary, challenge of Hawley announced

Voices: January 6 is not in the past

15:30 , Oliver O'Connell

The Independent’s Richard Hall writes:

It has been two years since a violent mob of thousands, acting at the encouragement of the outgoing president, attacked the US Capitol in an attempt to prevent the certification of an election. In the time since, there have been countless hours of public committee hearings, investigations and revelations, but a crucial question hangs over it all: has anything actually changed?

Read on:

January 6 is not in the past

House members mark second anniversary of Jan 6

15:08 , Oliver O'Connell

Former Speaker Nancy Pelosi observed: “The January 6 insurrection shook our republic to the core,” as Democrats mark the anniversary of the Capitol riot outside Congress.

Jan 6 counter protesters arrive chanting ‘insurrectionist losers'

15:06 , Oliver O'Connell

Former Trump aide eviscerates ‘self-serving’ Gaetz for ‘political stunt’

15:00 , Oliver O'Connell

Max Miller, former aide to Donald Trump and current representative-elect for Ohio’s 7th district, had a sharp assessment of Matt Gaetz as the Republican speaker debacle enters its fourth day.

Speaking on Fox Business, Mr Miller — who has backed GOP leader Kevin McCarthy in all eleven votes for speaker to date — was asked if Mr McCarthy’s struggles were reflecting poorly on former president Trump

Mr Miller said they were not, that he has spoken to the former president several times and that Mr Trump had been “helpful”.

“I wouldn’t say this was a repudiation of President Trump,” he added, saying that Mr McCarthy’s Commitment to America agenda was based off America First policies espoused by the former president.

Pivoting the discussion to Mr Gaetz, Mr Miller said: “I like Matt, he’s a decent man, all that being said, nominating President Trump was a political stunt and should be seen as nothing other than that.”

“When you go ahead and do that and then you send out fundraising emails and text messages — and I understand he feels the need to go ahead and raise money so he can fight against Kevin McCarthy — we don’t need to be raising money off of this,” he continued.

“To me that is a self-serving individual, putting yourself before the conference and the American people and that is why this is so upsetting, and I hope the American people can this for what it is — is that you have a group of some individuals who are good people but are using this platform for a negative way to make money and continue to push an agenda that is only their’s and not on behalf of the American people.”

Protesters gathered outside east front of Capitol on Jan 6 anniversary

14:52 , Oliver O'Connell

Trump says ‘good things’ happening for GOP and promises ‘monster’ 2024 on Jan 6 anniversary

14:31 , Oliver O'Connell

Former president Donald Trump took to Truth Social this morning to give an upbeat assessment of the Republican Party as the speaker stalemate enters its fourth day.

Ignoring the barrage of negative press and widespread frustration with the party’s inability to carry through the simple task of choosing who will lead the lower chamber of Congress (and so far not mentioning the second anniversary of the storming of the Capitol by his supporters whom he incited), Mr Trump wrote:

Good things will be soon happening for the Republican Party, and 2024 will be a “Monster” (in a good way, of course!).

Trump attorneys ordered to hand over names in document search

14:00 , Rachel Sharp

A federal judge has ordered Donald Trump’s attorneys to hand over the names of people who they hired to search the former president’s properties for classified documents last year.

Mr Trump’s legal team enlisted two people to search four of Mr Trump’s properties to look for classified documents that he had taken from the White House after leaving office.

Classified documents were found at at least one of the properties – a storage unit in Florida.

Sources told CNN that the individuals’ names were handed over on Wednesday night.

ICYMI: Matt Gaetz votes for Donald Trump for House speaker in seventh round

13:30 , Rachel Sharp

Republican Representative Matt Gaetz cast his vote for former president Donald Trump in the seventh attempt for the House of Representatives to nominate a speaker, an effort to thwart Kevin McCarthy.

Mr Gaetz is leading the Republican opposition to Mr McCarthy, who currently leads the House Republican conference. The four-term Republican from Florida is also one of the former president’s most outspoken supporters in Congress.

Read the full story here:

Matt Gaetz votes for Donald Trump for House speaker in seventh round

Today marks two-year anniversary of Jan 6

13:00 , Rachel Sharp

Today marks the two-year anniversary of the January 6 riot at the US Capitol.

On January 6 2021 a mob of Donald Trump supporters stormed the Capitol to try to overturn the 2020 presidential election results in the former president’s favour.

Law enforcement officers were attacked, lawmakers were hunted and forced to run for their lives and five people died.

Trump sued by family of Brian Sicknick

12:30 , Rachel Sharp

Donald Trump is being sued by the long-term partner of Capitol Police Officer Brian Sicknick, who died one day after the January 6 riot at the US Capitol.

Sicknick, 42, died after suffering two strokes in the aftermath of the attack where he was attacked and pepper sprayed by rioters, collapsing soon after.

His death was ruled “natural causes” by the medical examiner.

On Thursday, Sicknick’s partner filed a wrongful death lawsuit naming Mr Trump and two rioters Julian Khater and George Tanios who assaulted the officer.

The suit alleges that “all that transpired” on January 6 “played a role in his condition”.

It seeks $10m in damages from Mr Trump and $10m each from the two rioters.

Trump pokes fun at idea of him becoming House speaker

12:00 , Rachel Sharp

Donald Trump has responded to Matt Gaetz casting a vote in the one-time president’s name for the House of Representatives speaker’s post in an effort to thwart Kevin McCarthy.

Mr Gaetz is leading Republican opposition to Mr McCarthy, who currently leads the House Republican conference.

On Thursday, as the House made a seventh attempt to nominate a speaker, Mr Gaetz cast a vote in favour of the former president.

Read the full story here:

Trump posts joke picture of himself as Speaker after Matt Gaetz nominated him

Trump rape-accuser lawyers cite Prince Andrew case precedent

11:30 , Rachel Sharp

Lawyers for a former advice columnist who says Donald Trump raped her in a department store dressing room in the 1990s are fighting his efforts to toss out a lawsuit by reminding a judge of his own ruling in a similar lawsuit against Prince Andrew.

The former president’s lawyers are trying to toss out E. Jean Carroll’s lawsuit on the grounds that a temporary New York state law letting adult sex abuse victims sue decades later is invalid. In a submission in Manhattan federal court on Wednesday, Lawyers for Carroll wrote that Judge Lewis A. Kaplan should reject Trump’s request.

Prince Andrew case cited by woman who accused Trump of rape

Call logs reveal Trump tried to call Josh Hawley six times before Jan 6

11:00 , Oliver O'Connell

A day before he was caught on camera sprinting away from a riotous mob of Donald Trump’s supporters, Missouri Senator Josh Hawley ignored or failed to return six separate calls and three voicemails from then-president Donald Trump as he was preparing to spearhead objecting to certifying the then-president’s 2020 election loss to Joe Biden.

According to White House phone logs made public by the House January 6 select committee, Mr Trump placed six phone calls to Mr Hawley through the White House switchboard on 5 January 2020, the day before Congress was set to hold the quadrennial joint session to certify Electoral College votes.

After three of those calls, the White House operator left messages for Mr Hawley, then the state’s junior senator, asking him to return Mr Trump’s call.

Andrew Feinberg reports.

Trump tried to call Josh Hawley six times before January 6, call logs reveal

Premium: Donald Trump’s influence still hangs over the US Congress

09:00 , Oliver O'Connell

If you want to find a microcosm for the way politics in America has degenerated into a bitter slug fest between two sides in an evenly divided nation, you need look no further than the election for a new speaker of the House of Representatives.

Politics Explained: Donald Trump’s influence still hangs over the US Congress

Voices: Why the insurgents trying to torpedo Kevin McCarthy’s speaker bid are not serious

07:00 , Oliver O'Connell

Matt Gaetz nominating Donald Trump for House speaker proves this is not about serious policy disagreements, writes Eric Garcia.

Why the insurgents trying to torpedo Kevin McCarthy’s speaker bid are not serious

Watch: Trump’s cartel announcement in full

05:01 , Oliver O'Connell

Trump vows to wage war on drug cartels

03:00 , Oliver O'Connell

Former president Donald Trump has released a video saying he would wage war on drug cartels using US special forces and other military assets including the navy were he to be reelected as commander in chief.

Possibly as an attempt to revive his campaign after a lacklustre response to his November announcement that he would run again in 2024, he said that drug cartels are “waging war on America” and it is “now time for America to wage war on cartels”.

“When I am president, it will be the policy of the United States to take down the cartels, just as we took down ISIS and the ISIS caliphate – and just as, unlike the situation we are in today, we had a very, very strong border,” Mr Trump said.

He claimed he would designate cartels as foreign terrorist organisations, cutting their access to finance, and ask Congress to pass laws ensuring drug smugglers and human traffickers would receive the death penalty.

Further, he would “order the Department of Defense to make appropriate use of special forces, cyber warfare, and other overt and covert actions to inflict maximum damage on cartel leadership, infrastructure, and operations”.

“When I am back in the White House, the drug kingpins and vicious traffickers will never sleep soundly again,” he said. “We did it once, and we did it better than anybody else.”

Mr Trump claimed his administration oversaw the “strongest border… in the history of our country”.

Biden to honour police who defended Capitol on Jan 6 anniversary

01:50 , Oliver O'Connell

President Joe Biden will mark the second anniversary of the January 6 attack on the Capitol by honouring several of the police officers who defended the US legislature from the pro-Trump mob that tried to stop certification of the 2020 election, as well as elected officials and election workers who distinguished themselves by standing up to former president Donald Trump’s attempt to overturn the election.

A White House official said Mr Biden will award the Presidential Citizens Medal to a group of 12 “individuals who made exemplary contributions to our democracy surrounding January 6, 2021,” who “demonstrated courage and selflessness during a moment of peril for our nation”.

The group includes current and former US Capitol and Washington, DC Metropolitan Police officers, election workers and state and local officials.

Andrew Feinberg reports from Washington, DC.

Biden to honour police and election officials on January 6 anniversary

GOP speaker fight exposes party’s post-Trump leadership vacuum

00:50 , Oliver O'Connell

The episode also poses more profound questions about the party’s identity and future. It’s a fresh reminder of Trump’s waning influence inside the GOP — even among the most vocal supporters of his Make America Great Again political movement — as he again seeks the party’s presidential nomination, exposing a leadership vacuum with no obvious alternative to unite the party and guide it through practical governing responsibilities and political challenges.

'A disaster': Speaker fight exposes GOP leadership vacuum

Expert says Trump’s attacks on Georgia election workers could backfire

Thursday 5 January 2023 23:50 , Oliver O'Connell

Former president Donald Trump’s fresh attacks towards a Georgia election worker could yet land him in further legal trouble, according to one expert.

Mr Trump has used his social media platform, Truth Social, to fuel conspiracy theories aimed at Georgia official Ruby Freeman – who has been a repeated subject of the former president’s attacks since the 2020 election.

Stuti Mishra has the story.

How Trump’s attacks on Georgia election workers could backfire

Number of populist leaders around world at 20-year low

Thursday 5 January 2023 22:50 , Oliver O'Connell

The number of populist leaders in power in the world today is at a 20-year low, according to a new paper published by the Tony Blair Institute for Global Change.

The paper authored by Brett Meyer is titled “Repel and Rebuild: Expanding the Playbook Against Populism” and was published on Tuesday.

It reveals that while the number of populists in power was near an all-time high of 19 at the beginning of 2020, by the beginning of 2022 there were only 13 leaders, the lowest number since 2003.

Sravasti Dasgupta reports.

Number of populist leaders around world ‘falls to 20-year low’

Biden to award election workers with Citizens Medal on Jan 6 anniversary

Thursday 5 January 2023 21:50 , Oliver O'Connell

President Joe Biden on Friday will present the nation’s second highest civilian award to 12 individuals involved in defending the Capitol during the insurrection on Jan. 6, 2021, and safeguarding the will of American voters in the 2020 presidential election.

Biden to award Citizens Medal to 12 on Jan. 6 anniversary

Capitol riot investigation growing two years later

Thursday 5 January 2023 20:50 , Oliver O'Connell

The largest investigation in the Justice Department‘s history keeps growing two years after a violent mob of supporters of then-President Donald Trump attacked the U.S. Capitol and challenged the foundations of American democracy.

More than 930 people have been charged with federal crimes related to the siege on Jan. 6, 2021, and the tally increases by the week. Hundreds more people remain at large on the second anniversary of the unprecedented assault that was fueled by lies that the 2020 election was stolen.

A surplus of self-incriminating videos and social media posts has made it difficult for riot suspects to present viable defenses. Federal prosecutors have a near-perfect trial record, securing a conviction in all but one case.

Read on:

EXPLAINER: Capitol riot investigation growing 2 years later

Watch: Trump’s cartel announcement in full

Thursday 5 January 2023 20:05 , Oliver O'Connell

Trump vows to wage war on drug cartels

Thursday 5 January 2023 19:37 , Oliver O'Connell

Former president Donald Trump has released a video saying he would wage war on drug cartels using US special forces and other military assets including the navy were he to be reelected as commander in chief.

Possibly as an attempt to revive his campaign after a lacklustre response to his November announcement that he would run again in 2024, he said that drug cartels are “waging war on America” and it is “now time for America to wage war on cartels”.

“When I am president, it will be the policy of the United States to take down the cartels, just as we took down ISIS and the ISIS caliphate – and just as, unlike the situation we are in today, we had a very, very strong border,” Mr Trump said.

He claimed he would designate cartels as foreign terrorist organisations, cutting their access to finance, and ask Congress to pass laws ensuring drug smugglers and human traffickers would receive the death penalty.

Further, he would “order the Department of Defense to make appropriate use of special forces, cyber warfare, and other overt and covert actions to inflict maximum damage on cartel leadership, infrastructure, and operations”.

“When I am back in the White House, the drug kingpins and vicious traffickers will never sleep soundly again,” he said. “We did it once, and we did it better than anybody else.”

Mr Trump claimed his administration oversaw the “strongest border… in the history of our country”.

Records show Trump lawyers questioned Nevada’s 2020 vote

Thursday 5 January 2023 19:00 , Oliver O'Connell

Nevada‘s most populous county has provided the US Justice Department special counsel with correspondence that shows lawyers for then-President Donald Trump raising concerns about the integrity of the 2020 voting process that were later deemed baseless, according to documents obtained by The Associated Press.

Read on:

Trump lawyers questioned Nevada’s 2020 vote, records show

Perhaps Gaetz listened?

Thursday 5 January 2023 18:15 , Oliver O'Connell

Florida Rep Matt Gaetz has flipped his vote for speaker from Byron Donalds to Donald Trump.

Here’s the moment:

Eric Garcia reports.

Matt Gaetz votes for Donald Trump for speaker

Bannon calls on House GOP to nominate Trump for speaker

Thursday 5 January 2023 17:58 , Oliver O'Connell

What Trump has said about the GOP speaker battle

Thursday 5 January 2023 17:30 , Oliver O'Connell

President Donald Trump’s latest Truth Social posts regarding the Republican Party speaker race are remarkably upbeat.

Very good things are happening behind the scenes for the Republican Party. Intense but Smart negotiations between GREAT and PATRIOTIC people are ongoing. They all love our Country, and want something to go forward, ASAP. This “event” will end up making the Republican Party STRONGER and more UNITED than ever before. OUR NATION IS AT STAKE. Stay tuned and, MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!

Naturally, he pivots to his false claims regarding election fraud.

I actually think that a big Republican VICTORY today, after going through numerous Roll Calls that failed to produce a Speaker of the House, has made the position & process of getting to be Speaker BIGGER & MORE IMPORTANT than if it were done in the more traditional way, much like me again becoming President after having won big in 2016, gotten many Millions of MORE VOTES in 2020 but “supposedly” not winning (BIG LIE!), & then winning again in 2024. It will be BIGGER than the traditional way!

Biden to mark Jan 6 anniversary by honouring Capitol police and election officials

Thursday 5 January 2023 16:45 , Oliver O'Connell

President Joe Biden will mark the second anniversary of the January 6 attack on the Capitol by honouring several of the police officers who defended the US legislature from the pro-Trump mob that tried to stop certification of the 2020 election, as well as elected officials and election workers who distinguished themselves by standing up to former president Donald Trump’s attempt to overturn the election.

A White House official said Mr Biden will award the Presidential Citizens Medal to a group of 12 “individuals who made exemplary contributions to our democracy surrounding January 6, 2021,” who “demonstrated courage and selflessness during a moment of peril for our nation”.

Andrew Feinberg has the details.

Biden to honour police and election officials on January 6 anniversary

Hannity unamused by Boebert quip about nominating Trump for speaker

Thursday 5 January 2023 16:22 , Oliver O'Connell

“Is this a gameshow?” Sean Hannity asked after Colorado lawmaker Lauren Boebert joked about nominating Donald Trump for speaker as the GOP continues its internal battle on the floor of the House.

Watch:

RNC midterms audit will look at Trump’s role in losses

Thursday 5 January 2023 16:15 , Oliver O'Connell

NBC News reports that the Republican National Committee plans to closely examine what role former President Donald Trump played in the party's underwhelming 2022 midterm results as part of its election performance audit.

“Looking at President Trump, what has he gotten right? And what has he gotten wrong? And how do we learn from that to win elections going forward?” RNC member Henry Barbour — tasked with co-writing the review — said in an interview on Tuesday.

“And so I think we’re going to work our way through all of those various issues and dynamics to hopefully lay out our recommendations that will put the party in a much stronger position to win going forward,” he added.

Mr Barbour said they would “get into the weeds” on everything from Trump to turnout to ticket-splitting to try and explain how the party lost races that it was expected to win, bucking historical precedent.

"This has got to be a candid effort. We can’t gloss over things. Or it’s just not worth doing."

Speaker battle lays bare vacuum in GOP as Trump influence wanes

Thursday 5 January 2023 15:45 , Oliver O'Connell

The episode also poses more profound questions about the party’s identity and future. It’s a fresh reminder of Trump’s waning influence inside the GOP — even among the most vocal supporters of his Make America Great Again political movement — as he again seeks the party’s presidential nomination, exposing a leadership vacuum with no obvious alternative to unite the party and guide it through practical governing responsibilities and political challenges.

Read on:

'A disaster': Speaker fight exposes GOP leadership vacuum

E Jean Carroll’s lawyers use Prince Andrew precedent in rape claim against Trump

Thursday 5 January 2023 15:15 , Oliver O'Connell

The lawyers of E Jean Carroll, who has claimed Donald Trump raped her, are fighting the former president’s efforts to toss out her lawsuit by reminding the judge of the legal precedent he set in a similar lawsuit against Prince Andrew.

Namita Singh has the details.

E Jean Carroll lawyers use Prince Andrew precedent to pursue rape claim against Trump

Trump foe Kinzinger debuts in new role

Thursday 5 January 2023 14:45 , Oliver O'Connell

Former Republican Congressman Adam Kinzinger has been hired by CNN as a senior political commentator.

Mr Kinzinger, 44, a staunch critic of former president Donald Trump, served in the House select committee investigating the Jan 6 Capitol riots. The Illinois representative’s term in Congress ended earlier this week after being a member of the House for over a decade.

Alisha Rahaman Sarkar reports.

Anti-Trump Republican Adam Kinzinger revealed in new role – as CNN political pundit

Trump’s fresh attacks on Georgia election workers could land him in legal trouble, expert says

Thursday 5 January 2023 14:15 , Rachel Sharp

Former president Donald Trump’s fresh attacks towards a Georgia election worker could yet land him in further legal trouble, according to one expert.

Mr Trump has used his social media platform, Truth Social, to fuel conspiracy theories aimed at Georgia official Ruby Freeman – who has been a repeated subject of the former president’s attacks since the 2020 election.

In his latest posts, Mr Trump made several allegations and claimed there were “contradictions” in her testimony to the House Select Committee investigating the Capitol riot.

Read the story here:

How Trump’s attacks on Georgia election workers could backfire

Trump denies endorsing Byron Donalds as speaker

Thursday 5 January 2023 13:45 , Rachel Sharp

Donald Trump has denied endorsing Rep Byron Donalds as speaker of the House.

On Wednesday, the “Never Kevin” group of Republicans refusing to back Kevin McCarthy rallied behind Mr Donalds as their choice for the role.

Mr Trump took to Truth Social on Wednesday to say that – while he endorsed him for Congress – Mr Donalds’ day is “not now” for the speaker role.

“I have always supported Byron Donalds, have consistently Endorsed him for Congress and, in fact, feel that I was a primary reason he entered politics in the first place,” he said.

“He is a young man with a great future! With that all being said, the story and statement that was just put out that I endorsed Byron for Speaker of the House is Fake and Fraudulent. He will have his day, and it will be a big one, but not now!”

Mr Trump has instead thrown his support behind Mr McCarthy – much to the ire of his long-time allies.

Trump claims ‘very good things’ happening behind scenes of speaker vote

Thursday 5 January 2023 13:15 , Rachel Sharp

Donald Trump has claimed that “very good things” are happening behind the scenes as the Republican party continues to go to war over the House speaker vote.

On Wednesday, the sixth roll call vote ended in turmoil with voting now set to resume for a third day on Thursday.

Mr Trump took to his Truth Social platform late on Wednesday to claim that he was aware of “Smart negotiations” among party members.

“Very good things are happening behind the scenes for the Republican Party. Intense but Smart negotiations between GREAT and PATRIOTIC people are ongoing,” he said.

“They all love our Country, and want something to go forward, ASAP. This “event” will end up making the Republican Party STRONGER and more UNITED than ever before. OUR NATION IS AT STAKE. Stay tuned and, MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!”

Records show Trump lawyers questioned Nevada 2020 vote

Thursday 5 January 2023 22:39 , Oliver O'Connell

Nevada‘s most populous county has provided the U.S. Justice Department special counsel with correspondence that shows lawyers for then-President Donald Trump raising concerns about the integrity of the 2020 voting process that were later deemed baseless, according to documents obtained by The Associated Press.

Trump’s allies also demanded information about workers who were tasked with counting the votes, a request the county registrar sought to delay out of fear for the workers’ safety.

Read on:

Trump lawyers questioned Nevada’s 2020 vote, records show

Boebert calls for ‘favourite president’ Trump to tell McCarthy to stand down

Thursday 5 January 2023 12:45 , Oliver O'Connell

Donald Trump’s endorsement of Kevin McCarthy as House speaker has pitted him against some of his most loyal allies such as Matt Gaetz and Lauren Boebert who continue to derail Mr McCarthy’s chances after six failed votes.

On Wednesday, Ms Boebert called for her “favourite president” Mr Trump to withdraw his support for Mr McCarthy and to call on him to pull out of the race.

“Praise the work and the leadership of Byron Donalds. So let’s work together, let’s stop with the campaign smears and tactics to get people to turn against us. Even having my favorite president call us and tell us we need to knock this off — I think it actually needs to be reversed,” she said on the House floor while nominating Rep Byron Donalds to be Speaker during the fifth unsuccessful roll call vote.

“The president needs to tell Kevin McCarthy that sir you do not have the votes and it’s time to withdraw,” she added, prompting a cacophony of boos and cheers in the chamber.

GOP House leaders urged to condemn political violence

Thursday 5 January 2023 12:15 , Rachel Sharp

Dozens of military veterans on Wednesday hand-delivered letters to top Republicans in the U.S. House, calling on them to publicly condemn political violence as the second anniversary of the Jan. 6 attack on the Capitol approaches.

Groups urge GOP House leaders to condemn political violence

Trump claims GOP’s infighting over House speaker makes the role ‘more important'

Thursday 5 January 2023 11:45 , Rachel Sharp

Donald Trump has claimed that the GOP’s continued infighting over electing the next House speaker is only serving to make the role “bigger and more important” as the former president’s allies begin turning on him over his support for Kevin McCarthy.

In a post on his Truth Social platform on Thursday morning, Mr Trump argued that “a big Republican VICTORY today, after going through numerous Roll Calls that failed to produce a Speaker of the House, has made the position & process of getting to be Speaker BIGGER & MORE IMPORTANT than if it were done in the more traditional way”.

The former president then once again launched into his lies that he won the 2020 presidential election and claimed he can win the 2024 race.

“... much like me again becoming President after having won big in 2016, gotten many Millions of MORE VOTES in 2020 but “supposedly” not winning (BIG LIE!), & then winning again in 2024. It will be BIGGER than the traditional way!”

Mr Trump has thrown his support behind Mr McCarthy and urged Republicans to vote for him as House speaker.

Trump only fears one person according to Kellyanne Conway

Thursday 5 January 2023 11:15 , Rachel Sharp

Former President Donald Trump is apparently only afraid of one person on the planet, and that is his wife Melania — at least according to the person notable for coining the phrase “alternative facts.”

Former senior White House counselor Kellyanne Conway made the statements during testimony she gave the House Select Committee investigating the Capitol riot. The committee released the transcript of Ms Conway’s interview on 2 January.

Kellyanne Conway told Jan 6 committee that Trump only fears one person

Twitter can never be Twitter ‘unless I go back on’, says Trump

Thursday 5 January 2023 10:30 , Oliver O'Connell

Donald Trump said Twitter can never survive unless he makes a return on the platform and said his Truth Social posts are “pretty well crafted”.

In a telephone interview with right-wing activist Darren Beattie, a former speechwriter in the Trump administration, the twice-impeached president was asked if he has considered joining the platform again after being called “the greatest Tweeter of all time”.

Here’s what else he said.

Is Trump returning to Twitter? Here’s what he has to say

Rumble inks seven-figure podcast deal with Donald Trump Jr

Thursday 5 January 2023 09:30 , Oliver O'Connell

Rumble, a Canada-based video platform that has touted itself as a conservative alternative to YouTube, has signed a multi-year podcast deal with Donald Trump Jr, reportedly worth seven figures.

Under the agreement, Mr Trump, who has over 1 million subscribers on the platform already, will host a biweekly podcast called “Triggered with Don Jr,” sharing a title with his 2019 book.

Rumble inks seven-figure podcast deal with Donald Trump Jr for ‘Triggered’ show

GOP pull down Capitol metal detectors

Thursday 5 January 2023 08:30 , Oliver O'Connell

The new Republican majority in Congress has decided to remove the metal detectors that outgoing Speaker Nancy Pelosi installed outside the House chamber after the Capitol riot on 6 January 2021.

GOP pull down Capitol metal detectors after members were fined for dodging them

Watch: Boebert says Trump should tell McCarthy not to run for House speaker

Thursday 5 January 2023 07:00 , Oliver O'Connell

Lauren Boebert says Trump should tell McCarthy not to run for House speaker

As speaker chaos unfolded Jan 6 officer Michael Fanone visits McCarthy’s office to ‘rub it in’

Thursday 5 January 2023 05:30 , Oliver O'Connell

Michael Fanone, a former Washington, DC Metropolitan Police officer who was injured while protecting the Capitol on January 6, 2021, visited the Capitol to witness the chaos surrounding GOP Leader Kevin McCarthy’s bid to become the speaker of the House.

Jan 6 officer Michael Fanone visits McCarthy’s office to ‘rub it in’

Don Jr mocked by Kinzinger for selling Bibles online

Thursday 5 January 2023 04:10 , Oliver O'Connell

Outgoing Rep Adam Kinzinger of Illinois took aim at Donald Trump Jr on Monday after the son of former President Donald Trump posted a video of himself on social media last week hawking Bibles.

Don Jr mocked by Adam Kinzinger for selling Bibles on social media

Trump kept stalling as he filmed video confirming he’d leave office

Thursday 5 January 2023 03:10 , Oliver O'Connell

Former White House photographer Shealah Craighead told the January 6 panel that Donald Trump kept using stalling tactics during filming of a video announcing that he would be leaving the White House after losing the 2020 US presidential elections.

Trump kept asking for Diet Cokes as he filmed video confirming he’d leave office

Trump’s ridiculed NFT trading cards also linked to erotic art

Thursday 5 January 2023 02:10 , Oliver O'Connell

The online profile behind Donald Trump’s ridiculed NFT trading cards collection has also been trading in erotic art, according to a report.

The one-term president’s widely mocked non-fungible token collection featured him depicted as a superhero, cowboy, astronaut and fighter pilot.

They were sold by the “TrumpDeployer” account on NFT trading platform OpenSea, which has reportedly also been used to trade other digital collectibles, including images of naked women.

Account behind Trump’s NFT trading cards also trades in erotic art

Did Trump cause a baby boom?

Thursday 5 January 2023 01:10 , Oliver O'Connell

Republican-leaning areas of the United States saw a “sharp rise’ in births after Donald Trump’s presidential win in 2016, dubbed the “Trump baby bump”.

However, Democratic counties experienced a baby slump, a new study has revealed.

Researchers suggest Trump’s presidency increased Republicans’ economic optimism, motivating them to have more children.

Read on:

Revealed: The surprising ‘boom’ after Trump’s 2016 presidential win

Trump wanted ex-military critics tried at court-martial

Thursday 5 January 2023 00:10 , Oliver O'Connell

Former president Donald Trump pushed to forcibly recall retired military officers who spoke out against him to active duty so they could be tried at court-martial and jailed, according to General Mark Milley, the Chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff.

Andrew Feinberg reports.

Trump wanted ex-military critics tried at court-martial, top general said

Rep Biggs on why Trump’s McCarthy endorsement didn’t resonate

Wednesday 4 January 2023 23:30 , Oliver O'Connell

After the sixth vote failed to elect a speaker, Rep Andy Biggs was asked why Donald Trump’s push didn’t resonate among the 20 holdouts said.

“Well, we love Mr Trump, but we also appreciate the moment and we also appreciate that Mr McCarthy has a history that has been off-putting to some people and we don’t think he’s the guy. He’s just not the guy.”

GOP House leaders urged to condemn political violence

Wednesday 4 January 2023 23:10 , Oliver O'Connell

Dozens of military veterans on Wednesday hand-delivered letters to top Republicans in the U.S. House, calling on them to publicly condemn political violence as the second anniversary of the Jan. 6 attack on the Capitol approaches.

Former Metropolitan Police Officer Michael Fanone wrote the letter, which was signed by more than 1,000 military veterans, active duty members, law enforcement officers and military families. Fanone, who was beaten and tased during the attack on the Capitol, delivered a copy to Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene’s office.

Groups urge GOP House leaders to condemn political violence

Hawley ignored multiple calls from Trump before January 6

Wednesday 4 January 2023 22:40 , Oliver O'Connell

A day before he was caught on camera sprinting away from a riotous mob of Donald Trump’s supporters, Missouri Senator Josh Hawley ignored or failed to return six separate calls and three voicemails from then-president Donald Trump as he was preparing to spearhead objecting to certifying the then-president’s 2020 election loss to Joe Biden.

Andrew Feinberg has the details.

Josh Hawley ignored multiple calls from Trump before January 6

Trump flags forged statement of support for Byron Donalds

Wednesday 4 January 2023 22:30 , Oliver O'Connell

Former president Donald Trump has posted on Truth Social that a statement purporting to be from his Save America group in support of Rep Byron Donalds for speaker is a fake. He was however complimentary about the Florida Republican.

He wrote:

I have always supported Byron Donalds, have consistently Endorsed him for Congress and, in fact, feel that I was a primary reason he entered politics in the first place. He is a young man with a great future! With that all being said, the story and statement that was just put out that I endorsed Byron for Speaker of the House is Fake and Fraudulent. He will have his day, and it will be a big one, but not now!

Trump Jan 6 subpoena fight dismissed

Wednesday 4 January 2023 22:10 , Oliver O'Connell

A federal judge in Florida has dismissed former President Donald Trump’s subpoena fight with the now-disbanded January 6 congressional committee.

US District Judge Rodolfo Ruiz II agreed with Mr Trump’s lawyers today that the case had become moot once the committee withdrew its subpoena for documents and Trump’s testimony in late December.

Trump lashes out at former GOP rep whose name was floated for speaker

Wednesday 4 January 2023 21:40 , Oliver O'Connell

Former president Donald Trump lashed out at former congressman Fred Upton calling him “the single WORST person the Republicans could have as Speaker” in a post of Truth Social.

“Almost worst than Democrat,” he added. “Remember he QUIT when I wouldn’t endorse him.”

“STONE COLD LOSER!”

Mr Upton voted to impeach Mr Trump over his role in inciting the Capitol riot and said in April 2022 he would not seek reelection.

“UPTON QUITS! 4 down and 6 to go,” the former president said in a statement. “Others losing badly, who’s next?”

One of the last normal Republicans just retired. What now?

Despite Trump’s backing, McCarthy loses another round of speaker votes

Wednesday 4 January 2023 21:29 , Oliver O'Connell

Kevin McCarthy has once again made history by losing his fourth, fifth, and sixth consecutive votes for speaker of the House.

The latest defeats occurred Wednesday afternoon after a brief confusion over whether the House would not simply adjourn without taking any votes.

This time, Republican rebels seeking to block Mr McCarthy from becoming speaker rallied behind Rep Byron Donalds, a Florida Republican who has only been in the House of Representatives since 2021. Twenty members backed Mr Donalds, meaning that the GOP leader failed to win over even a single one of his colleauges overnight.

Eric Garcia and John Bowden report for The Independent from Washington, DC.

Kevin McCarthy loses sixth vote despite Trump’s aid in marathon House session

When will there be a House speaker?

Wednesday 4 January 2023 21:10 , Oliver O'Connell

It remains unclear when there will be a new speaker of the House elected, as Republican Leader Kevin McCarthy scrambles to garner support for his flailing bid for the speakership.

Gustaf Kilander provides a snapshot of where things stand.

‘The fever’s got to break’: When will there be a House speaker?

FBI raises reward for information about Jan 6 DC pipe bombs

Wednesday 4 January 2023 20:40 , Oliver O'Connell

The reward for information leading to the arrest of the individual who placed pipe bombs outside the Washington headquarters of the Democratic and Republican parties has been raised to $500,000.

The announcement came from the FBI Washington Field Office; the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) Washington Field Division; and the DC Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) two years into the investigation which has so far not yielded any suspects.

Previously, the reward stood at $100,000.

FBI raises reward for information about Jan 6 DC pipe bombs to $500,000

Proud Boys go to trial on sedition

Wednesday 4 January 2023 20:10 , Oliver O'Connell

As members of the Proud Boys extremist group stormed past police lines and swarmed the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, their leader cheered them on from afar, prosecutors say. “Do what must be done,” Enrique Tarrio wrote on social media. “So what do we do now?” someone asked later that day in a Proud Boys encrypted group chat.

“Do it again,” Tarrio responded.

Almost two years later, Tarrio’s words are at the center of the Justice Department’s seditious conspiracy case against the former Proud Boys national chairman. Prosecutors in his trial in Washington are trying to build on their recent courtroom victory against leaders of another far-right extremist group, the Oath Keepers.

Proud Boys go to trial on sedition as Jan. 6 probe heats up

The wildest moments from day one of Congress’ House speaker flop

Wednesday 4 January 2023 19:40 , Oliver O'Connell

Eric Garcia reports from the US Capitol:

The first day of the 118th Congress ended with the House not having a speaker – for the first time in 100 years – after Kevin McCarthy failed to secure a majority of votes despite multiple rounds.

The impasse came as a coterie of conservatives, first 19 and then 20 members, voted against giving Mr McCarthy the gavel. In the end, the House decided to adjourn after three rounds. Representative Jamaal Bowman of New York, a member of the Squad, fumed about the affair.

“This is why people look at Congress and they’re like ‘You ain’t doing s***. Y’all ain’t getting s*** done.’ This is unbelievable,” he said, as he walked down the steps of the Capitol.

The wildest moments from day one of Congress’ House speaker flop

Trump can’t convince Boebert and Gaetz to drop opposition to McCarthy

Wednesday 4 January 2023 19:15 , Oliver O'Connell

Rep Lauren Boebert says Donald Trump — her “favourite president” — called her and said she and the group of 20 opposing Kevin McCarthy for Speaker of the House should “knock this off”.

In a sign that he has perhaps lost influence over some of his most ardent supporters, she said she would not be swayed and added that the conversation should be addressed in reverse and Mr Trump he should call Mr McCarthy and tell him he does not have the votes and it is time to withdraw.

Her remarks, as she nominated Rep Byron Donalds as a McCarthy alternative in the fifth ballot, drew a loud “oooh” from Democrat lawmakers.

Watch below:

Former Trump aide Alyssa Farah Griffin notes that it shows how “DEEPLY weakened” the former president is.

McCarthy loses historic fourth vote in bid for Speaker of the House

Wednesday 4 January 2023 19:10 , Oliver O'Connell

Kevin McCarthy has once again made history by losing his fourth consecutive vote for Speaker of the House.

The latest defeat occurred early Wednesday afternoon after a brief confusion over whether the House would not simply adjourn without taking any votes.

This time, Republican rebels seeking to block Mr McCarthy from becoming speaker rallied behind Rep Byron Donalds, a Florida Republican who has only been in the House of Representatives since 2021. 20 members backed Mr Donalds, meaning that the GOP leader failed to win over even a single one of his colleauges overnight.

John Bowden reports from Washington, DC.

Kevin McCarthy loses historic fourth vote in bid for Speaker of the House

Trump peddles conspiracy about Georgia election workers

Wednesday 4 January 2023 18:45 , Oliver O'Connell

Former President Donald Trump used his social media platform, Truth Social, to fuel conspiracy theories aimed at a Georgia election worker.

Around midnight on 2 January, Mr Trump fired off a message on Truth Social claiming there were “contradictions” in Georgia election worker Ruby Freeman’s testimony to the House Select Committee investigating the Capitol riot.

Graig Graziosi reports.

Trump peddles conspiracy about Georgia election workers

Rumble inks seven-figure podcast deal with Donald Trump Jr

Wednesday 4 January 2023 18:00 , Oliver O'Connell

Rumble, a Canada-based video platform that has touted itself as a conservative alternative to YouTube, has signed a multi-year podcast deal with Donald Trump Jr, reportedly worth seven figures.

Under the agreement, Mr Trump, who has over 1 million subscribers on the platform already, will host a biweekly podcast called “Triggered with Don Jr,” sharing a title with his 2019 book.

Josh Marcus has the details.

Rumble inks seven-figure podcast deal with Donald Trump Jr for ‘Triggered’ show

Twitter can never be Twitter ‘unless I go back on’, says Trump

Wednesday 4 January 2023 17:10 , Oliver O'Connell

Donald Trump said Twitter can never survive unless he makes a return on the platform and said his Truth Social posts are “pretty well crafted”.

In a telephone interview with right-wing activist Darren Beattie, a former speechwriter in the Trump administration, the twice-impeached president was asked if he has considered joining the platform again after being called “the greatest Tweeter of all time”.

Shweta Sharma reports.

Is Trump returning to Twitter? Here’s what he has to say

Jan 6 pipe bomber reward increased to $500,000

Wednesday 4 January 2023 16:40 , Oliver O'Connell

FBI Washington Field Office, ATF Washington Field Division, and Metropolitan Police Department have raised the reward for information about the 6 January 2021 Capitol Hill pipe bomber to $500,000.

With Trump’s backing, McCarthy tries again for House speaker

Wednesday 4 January 2023 16:10 , Oliver O'Connell

House Republicans will open the second day of the new Congress much like the first — with leader Kevin McCarthy trying to become House speaker despite losing in multiple rounds of voting that threw the new GOP majority into chaos.

McCarthy said Trump wants him to stay in the race and told him to bring an end to the House Republican chaos and pull the party together.

McCarthy to try again for House speaker, with Trump backing

Trump: ‘Time now for Republicans to get on with it'

Wednesday 4 January 2023 15:41 , Oliver O'Connell

Former president Donald Trump spoke with Punchbowl News about the Republican Party’s inability to choose a Speaker of the House of Representatives.

“We had a great victory…. And I think that it’s time now for the Republicans to get on with it,” Mr Trump told Jake Sherman.

Trump issues blustering McCarthy endorsement

Wednesday 4 January 2023 15:00 , Oliver O'Connell

Former president Donald Trump has renewed his endorsement of California Representative Kevin McCarthy to serve as Speaker of the House despite his failure to garner support from a majority of the chamber in three consecutive votes on Tuesday.

In the hours immediately after Mr McCarthy became the first Speaker-designate from a majority party to fail to win on the first vote in a full century, Mr Trump expressed some caution about his prospects, telling NBC News: “We’ll see what happens”.

But on Wednesday morning, the twice-impeached ex-president took to his Truth Social platform to offer a full-throated defence of the man who helped him retain political relevance by visiting him at his Florida home after he’d left the White House in disgrace.

Read on:

Trump issues blustering McCarthy endorsement as House readies fourth Speaker vote

Trump rants about turmoil in ‘GOP'

Wednesday 4 January 2023 14:30 , Rachel Sharp

Donald Trump ranted about “unnecessary turmoil in the Republican Party” in a Truth Social post on Tuesday night, after the GOP House members failed to reach a consensus on who to elect as the next speaker.

Three roll call votes were held on Tuesday – all ending with Kevin McCarthy failing to secure enough votes to be elected to the House speaker role.

In a Truth Social post, Mr Trump fumed about the “turmoil” – unsurprisingly pointing the blame onto his usual targets of Mitch McConnell and Elaine Chao.

“There is so much unnecessary turmoil in the Republican Party, in large part do to people like the Old Broken Crow, Mitch McConnell, his “wife”, Coco Chow, who is a sellout to China, and their RINO allies, who make it difficult for everyone else by constantly capitulating to Hopeless Joe Biden and the Democrats,” he wrote.

“The 1.7 Trillion Dollar Green New Deal “booster” that McConnell and the RINOS handed to the Dems last week was a real downer and embarrassment to Republicans!”

Jan 6 transcripts: Trump kept stalling as he filmed video confirming he’d leave office

Wednesday 4 January 2023 14:00 , Rachel Sharp

Former White House photographer Shealah Craighead told the January 6 panel that Donald Trump kept using stalling tactics during filming of a video announcing that he would be leaving the White House after losing the 2020 US presidential elections.

Ms Craighead told the House Select Committee investigating the Capitol riots that on 7 January 2021 Mr Trump delayed the release of the video by repeatedly ordering Diet Cokes and asking for towels to wipe his sweat.

Maroosha Muzaffar has the story.

Trump kept asking for Diet Cokes as he filmed video confirming he’d leave office

FBI raises reward for information about Jan 6 DC pipe bombs

Wednesday 4 January 2023 21:52 , Oliver O'Connell

The reward for information leading to the arrest of the individual who placed pipe bombs outside the Washington headquarters of the Democratic and Republican parties has been raised to $500,000.

The announcement came from the FBI Washington Field Office; the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) Washington Field Division; and the DC Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) two years into the investigation which has so far not yielded any suspects.

Previously, the reward stood at $100,000.

FBI raises reward for information about Jan 6 DC pipe bombs to $500,000

Trump urges GOP to vote for McCarthy for House speaker

Wednesday 4 January 2023 13:30 , Rachel Sharp

Donald Trump has urged Republicans to vote for Kevin McCarthy as House speaker.

In a Truth Social post on Wednesday morning, the former president endorsed the GOP House leader saying that he “will do a good job, and maybe even a GREAT JOB”.

“Some really good conversations took place last night, and it’s now time for all of our GREAT Republican House Members to VOTE FOR KEVIN, CLOSE THE DEAL, TAKE THE VICTORY, & WATCH CRAZY NANCY PELOSI FLY BACK HOME TO A VERY BROKEN CALIFORNIA,THE ONLY SPEAKER IN U.S. HISTORY TO HAVE LOST THE “HOUSE” TWICE!” he wrote.

“REPUBLICANS, DO NOT TURN A GREAT TRIUMPH INTO A GIANT & EMBARRASSING DEFEAT. IT’S TIME TO CELEBRATE, YOU DESERVE IT. Kevin McCarthy will do a good job, and maybe even a GREAT JOB - JUST WATCH!”

His show of support for Mr McCarthy comes after three roll call votes were held on Tuesday – all ending with the GOP leader failing to secure enough votes to be elected to the House speaker role.

Trump peddles conspiracy about Georgia election workers

Wednesday 4 January 2023 13:00 , Rachel Sharp

Former President Donald Trump used his social media platform, Truth Social, to fuel conspiracy theories aimed at a Georgia election worker.

Around midnight on 2 January, Mr Trump fired off a message on Truth Social claiming there were “contradictions” in Georgia election worker Ruby Freeman’s testimony to the House Select Committee investigating the Capitol riot.

Graig Graziosi reports.

Trump peddles conspiracy about Georgia election workers

Proud Boys sedition trial goes ahead

Wednesday 4 January 2023 21:52 , Oliver O'Connell

As members of the Proud Boys extremist group stormed past police lines and swarmed the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, their leader cheered them on from afar, prosecutors say. “Do what must be done,” Enrique Tarrio wrote on social media. “So what do we do now?” someone asked later that day in a Proud Boys encrypted group chat.

“Do it again,” Tarrio responded.

Almost two years later, Tarrio’s words are at the center of the Justice Department’s seditious conspiracy case against the former Proud Boys national chairman. Prosecutors in his trial in Washington are trying to build on their recent courtroom victory against leaders of another far-right extremist group, the Oath Keepers.

Proud Boys go to trial on sedition as Jan. 6 probe heats up

Trump only fears on person according to Kellyanne Conway

Wednesday 4 January 2023 12:30 , Oliver O'Connell

Former President Donald Trump is apparently only afraid of one person on the planet, and that is his wife Melania — at least according to the person notable for coining the phrase “alternative facts.”

Former senior White House counselor Kellyanne Conway made the statements during testimony she gave the House Select Committee investigating the Capitol riot. The committee released the transcript of Ms Conway’s interview on 2 January.

Graig Graziosi reports.

Kellyanne Conway told Jan 6 committee that Trump only fears one person

Report links Trump NFTs and erotic art

Wednesday 4 January 2023 11:30 , Oliver O'Connell

The online profile behind Donald Trump’s ridiculed NFT trading cards collection has also been trading in erotic art, according to a report.

The one-term president’s widely mocked non-fungible token collection featured him depicted as a superhero, cowboy, astronaut and fighter pilot.

They were sold by the “TrumpDeployer” account on NFT trading platform OpenSea, which has reportedly also been used to trade other digital collectables.

Graeme Massie reports.

Account behind Trump’s NFT trading cards also trades in erotic art

Did Trump cause a 2016 baby boom?

Wednesday 4 January 2023 10:30 , Oliver O'Connell

Republican-leaning areas of the United States saw a “sharp rise’ in births after Donald Trump’s presidential win in 2016, dubbed the “Trump baby bump”.

However, Democratic counties experienced a baby slump, a new study has revealed.

Researchers suggest Trump’s presidency increased Republicans’ economic optimism, motivating them to have more children.

Alice Clifford has the details.

Revealed: The surprising ‘boom’ after Trump’s 2016 presidential win

Trump wanted ex-military critics tried at court-martial

Wednesday 4 January 2023 08:30 , Oliver O'Connell

Former president Donald Trump pushed to forcibly recall retired military officers who spoke out against him to active duty so they could be tried at court-martial and jailed, according to General Mark Milley, the Chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff.

Gen Milley, the highest-ranking officer in the US military whose position makes him the chief military adviser to the President of the United States, made the startling admission during an interview with the House January 6 select committee.

Andrew Feinberg reports.

Trump wanted ex-military critics tried at court-martial, top general said

Farewell to the Jan 6 committee as House changes hands

Wednesday 4 January 2023 06:30 , Oliver O'Connell

The House January 6 committee is shutting down, having completed a whirlwind 18-month investigation of the 2021 Capitol insurrection and sent its work to the Justice Department along with a recommendation for prosecuting former President Donald Trump.

Jan. 6 panel shutting down after referring Trump for crimes

Trump claims ‘abortion issue’ sunk GOP in midterms, not him

Wednesday 4 January 2023 04:30 , Oliver O'Connell

Nearly two months after the Republican Party’s disappointing showing in the 2022 midterm elections, former president Donald Trump has claimed that he played no role in high-profile defeats for the GOP in numerous statewide races, despite having endorsed each of the losing candidates.

Mr Trump spent much of the last day of 2022 and first days of 2023 blasting out repeated defences of his political record in a series of statements issued through his presidential campaign, including a bizarre press release listing Republican senators and House members who chose to retire or were defeated in GOP primaries after crossing the ex-president in one way or another.

Andrew Feinberg reports.

Trump deflects blame and claims ‘abortion issue’ sunk GOP in midterms

Kinzinger raises fears for future of America if Trump isn’t charged

Wednesday 4 January 2023 03:30 , Oliver O'Connell

Republican Rep Adam Kinzinger has raised fears about the future of America if Donald Trump isn’t criminally charged for his role in the January 6 riot at the US Capitol.

Mr Kinzinger, whose term in Congress will come to an end on Tuesday when the new House is sworn in, issued a grave warning on Sunday about what could happen if the Justice Department (DOJ) does not hold the former president to account.

“If this is not a crime, I don’t know what is. If a president can incite an insurrection and not be held accountable, then really there’s no limit to what a president can do or can’t do,” he told CNN on Sunday.

Rachel Sharp has the story.

Adam Kinzinger raises fears for future of America if Trump isn’t charged over Jan 6

Hurdles for both parties as 2024 comes into view

Wednesday 4 January 2023 02:30 , Oliver O'Connell

Both political parties are opening the new year confronting critical questions about the people and policies they want to embrace as the next election speeds into view.

The challenges are particularly urgent for Republicans, who hoped to enter 2023 with a secure grip on one, if not both, chambers of Congress. Instead, an underwhelming midterm election yielded only a thin House majority that will expose fierce intraparty divisions this week as California Rep. Kevin McCarthy fights for the speakership. And before the end of the month, the Republican National Committee must resolve a divisive leadership battle of its own.

Read on:

2024 contest comes into view with hurdles for both parties

Kinzinger blames McCarthy for Trump’s political staying power

Wednesday 4 January 2023 01:30 , Oliver O'Connell

Adam Kinzinger, one of two Republicans on a House select committee investigating the attack on the US Capitol, blamed GOP leader Kevin McCarthy for giving Donald Trump a political lifeline after the insurrection, opening the door for “crazy elements” in the soon-to-be Republican-controlled House of Representatives.

“He is the reason Donald Trump is still a factor,” Mr Kinzinger told CNN on 1 January. “He is the reason that some of the crazy elements of the House still exist.”

Alex Woodward reports.

Kinzinger blames Kevin McCarthy for Trump’s staying power and ‘crazy elements’ in GOP

GOP pull down Capitol metal detectors

Wednesday 4 January 2023 00:30 , Oliver O'Connell

The new Republican majority in Congress has decided to remove the metal detectors that outgoing Speaker Nancy Pelosi installed outside the House chamber after the Capitol riot on January 6, according to Rep Lauren Boebert.

Abe Asher reports.

GOP pull down Capitol metal detectors after members were fined for dodging them

House GOP dysfunction leaves Sen Patty Murray second in line for presidency

Tuesday 3 January 2023 23:30 , Oliver O'Connell

The House of Representatives’ failure to elect a speaker after three ballots on Tuesday means two women will, for a time, remain first and second in line for the presidency should disaster befall President Joe Biden.

Andrew Feinberg explains.

House GOP dysfunction leaves Sen Patty Murray second in line for presidency

Trump declines to say if he still backs McCarthy

Tuesday 3 January 2023 23:13 , Oliver O'Connell

Former president Donald Trump’s support for Rep Kevin McCarthy’s House speaker bid appears to be softening, after the California Republican failed to clinch enough votes to take the gavel after several rounds of voting.

Mr Trump had previously lobbied for Mr McCarthy to become speaker after Republicans eked out a majority in the House of Representatives in the November midterm elections.

But after Mr McCarthy’s bid was stymied by far-right House Republicans, Mr Trump appeared to leave his options open.

John Bowden reports.

Trump tiptoes away from McCarthy amid House speaker flop: ‘We’ll see what happens’

Trump peddles conspiracy about Georgia election workers

Tuesday 3 January 2023 22:45 , Oliver O'Connell

Former President Donald Trump used his social media platform, Truth Social, to fuel conspiracy theories aimed at a Georgia election worker.

Around midnight on 2 January, Mr Trump fired off a message on Truth Social claiming there were “contradictions” in Georgia election worker Ruby Freeman’s testimony to the House Select Committee investigating the Capitol riot.

Graig Graziosi reports.

Trump peddles conspiracy about Georgia election workers

US justice system ‘responsible for what comes next’ for Trump

Tuesday 3 January 2023 22:15 , Oliver O'Connell

The leaders of the House of Representatives’ probe into the January 6 attack on the Capitol say the panel’s work was a “first step” towards accountability that will have to be followed up by the American criminal justice system.

Andrew Feinberg reports on what they hope comes next.

US justice system ‘responsible for what comes next’ after Jan 6 final report

Kinzinger fears for future of America if Trump isn’t charged over Jan 6

Tuesday 3 January 2023 21:45 , Oliver O'Connell

Republican Rep Adam Kinzinger has raised fears about the future of America if Donald Trump isn’t criminally charged for his role in the January 6 riot at the US Capitol.

Mr Kinzinger, whose term in Congress will come to an end on Tuesday when the new House is sworn in, issued a grave warning on Sunday about what could happen if the Justice Department (DOJ) does not hold the former president to account.

Rachel Sharp reports on his comments.

Adam Kinzinger raises fears for future of America if Trump isn’t charged over Jan 6

Trump reportedly doesn’t trust ‘ultra MAGA’ Elise Stefanik

Tuesday 3 January 2023 21:15 , Oliver O'Connell

Donald Trump has reportedly enjoyed watching New York Congresswoman Elise Stefanik defend him, but allegedly does not trust the third-ranking House Republican who replaced US Rep Liz Cheney as chair of the House Republican Conference in 2021.

A profile on the rising Republican in The New York Times reports that Ms Stefanik has earned a reputation for her diligence “in advancing the party’s message” and her “unabashedly transactional” relationships to gain support as she advances in the lower chamber of Congress.

But sources close to the former president told The Times that any stories casting her as a “potential running mate [to Trump] are regarded as clumsy plants by her own team, and inspire bemusement and mockery.”

Alex Woodward has the story.

Trump reportedly doesn’t trust ‘ultra MAGA’ Elise Stefanik

Kinzinger blames McCarthy for Trump’s political staying power

Tuesday 3 January 2023 20:45 , Oliver O'Connell

Adam Kinzinger, one of two Republicans on a House select committee investigating the attack on the US Capitol, blamed GOP leader Kevin McCarthy for giving Donald Trump a political lifeline after the insurrection, opening the door for “crazy elements” in the soon-to-be Republican-controlled House of Representatives.

“He is the reason Donald Trump is still a factor,” Mr Kinzinger told CNN on 1 January. “He is the reason that some of the crazy elements of the House still exist.”

Alex Woodward reports.

Kinzinger blames Kevin McCarthy for Trump’s staying power and ‘crazy elements’ in GOP

Don Jr mocked for selling Bibles on social media

Tuesday 3 January 2023 20:15 , Oliver O'Connell

Outgoing Rep Adam Kinzinger of Illinois took aim at Donald Trump Jr on Monday after the son of former President Donald Trump posted a video of himself on social media last week hawking Bibles.

Abe Asher has the story.

Don Jr mocked by Adam Kinzinger for selling Bibles on social media

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